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Beast mode

2026-02-27T17:33:47Z

Tribimat: Note on earliest known example of 'beast mode'; can confirm that the full (paywalled) entry cites the review in question, but the factsheet seems the better linking option

{{featured}}
{{disambigm|Beastformer (disambiguation)|creature mode}}
[[File:BW21 6 cvr RI Beastmodes.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Are you tired of being nice? Don't you just wanna go ape?]]

The [[Transformer]]s have taken on many [[alternate mode]]s over the years, but no group of Cybertronians are quite as distinct or unique as those who adopt '''beast modes'''. Broadly speaking, a Cybertronian with a beast mode possesses one or more forms partially or completely based on a biological lifeform: this might be a contemporary [[Earth]] creature, an extinct organism like a [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]], some kind of [[alien]] monster, or something fantastical like a [[dragon]] or [[unicorn]]; in very rare cases, Cybertronians have even adopted plant or fungus-based alternate modes. Although the majority of beast mode Transformers change from humanoid robots into animals, several possess an animal form as their [[robot mode]] and instead transform into vehicles or other inanimate objects, and a [[Mutant (BW)|select few]] simply transform from one animal shape into another.

Most [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s with beast modes transform into oversized, blatantly mechanical creatures, and as a result forgo disguise in favor of combat utility when operating on planets like [[Earth]]. Their descendants, the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, will refine the technology by integrating organic material directly into their superstructures and gaining the ability to convincingly mimic organic creatures; in time, this synthesis may even evolve into a genuine [[technorganic]] symbiosis that bonds carbon and silicon on a cellular level. Not all Cybertronians understand this deeper significance, however, and in some realities beast Transformers have faced prejudice and even institutionalized discrimination against their unusual forms.

Transformers with beast modes are sometimes referred to as "'''beast-formers'''", a term that sometimes sees use to distinguish themselves from vehicular "standard-formers."

{{bigquote|Beast or 'bot, we're ''still'' the baddest!|[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]|"[[Call of the Wild]]"}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:RavageRatbat.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

The specific term "beast mode" rose to prominence in the mid-1990s, but animal-mode Cybertronians formed a part of the ''Transformers'' franchise from the very beginning. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] all appeared as [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s minions in both the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic]], although the two works took their characterizations in radically different directions: while the Marvel comic hewed closer to [[Bob Budiansky]]'s profiles for the characters by depicting them as intelligent, fully articulate beings whom the other characters treated as equals, the cartoon mostly depicted them as mechanical animals notwithstanding that they were smart enough to follow complex orders. [[1985]] debuted the first humanoid-to-animal Transformers in the form of the heroic [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and evil [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and by 1986 the floodgates had opened: in addition to new [[Mini-Cassette]] characters like [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], other new beast characters included the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Most of these were Decepticons or allied to the [[Quintesson]]s. The [[Pretender]] toyline two years later featured characters like [[Longtooth]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], who disguised themselves as humanoid animals, while the [[Pretender Beast]]s became ordinary quadrupedal creatures. No serious attempts were made to distinguish these beast characters from their vehicular kin, although [[Call of the Primitives|one episode of the original ''Transformers'' cartoon]] dubbed them "[[Primitive]]s".

[[File:Cheetorbw.jpg|thumb|right]]
In 1996, the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' franchise brought the idea of beast Transformers to the fore, and in doing so took the traditional ''Transformers'' aesthetic in a radically new direction. The franchise introduced two new groups of Transformers, the heroic [[Maximal]]s and evil [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], who all transformed into different kinds of animals; unlike the blocky, clearly mechanical animals from before, however, these new Cybertronians were sleek, ''{{w|Bio Booster Armor Guyver|Guyver}}''-style humanoids who all transformed into fully organic animals. The [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|tie-in cartoon]] established that they'd adopted organic animal forms to protect their mechanical bodies from high amounts of [[energon radiation|radiation]] while stranded on a planet rich with [[energon]]. This cartoon also codified the phrase "beast mode" to describe these alternate modes; different episodes like "[[Call of the Wild]]" would, on occasion, highlight the unique challenges these biomechanical Cybertronians faced. The original ''Beast Wars'' cartoon did not ever give a specific explanation behind the origins of biomechanical beast mode technology, but multiple later sources, most prominently [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' guidebooks, have retroactively connected the upgrade to some combination of [[Pretender]], [[Powermaster]], and [[Micromaster]] technology.

In ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars II|Beast Wars II]]'', an environmentalist narrative of nature vs machine meant that only the Maximals took on beast modes. The Predacons were all vehicles, with the exception of [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]]'s [[dragon]] mode, which was a cyborgian biological weapon. With the [[Seacon (BW)|Seacons]], [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers Seal Retsuden|one piece of fiction]] distinguished the mechanical beast modes from the biomechanical ones by calling the former mechabeast modes. A year later, ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars Neo|Beast Wars Neo]]'' gave its whole cast beast modes, but the Predacons were all [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|prehistoric animals]] and the Maximals 20th Century animals. In terms of both design and storytelling conflict, '' [[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]] '' pushed the organic envelope another step further by introducing "[[technorganic]]" Maximals that blended metal and flesh on the cellular level, and detailing their conflict against evil, purely-mechanical [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s who transformed into non-organic machines. Subsequently, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' slid a bit back to ''Generation 1'' settings by pitting its cast of heroic vehicle-mode Autobots against villainous beast-mode Predacons.

For the next few years, beast-formers faded into the background; although the [[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|''Armada'']] toyline included a number of [[redeco]]ed ''Beast Wars'' toys, and ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' featured both [[Scorponok (Energon)|a new version of Scorponok]] and an army of bestial [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s, it would be ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', that really brought the concept back into prominence when it introduced the "[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]]", a world populated by Transformers who'd adapted to their rugged world by adopting animal forms.
This idea of beast-formers being something distinct from ordinary Cybertronians would carry over into the "[[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]]" continuity. Initially, ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' did not feature beast mode Cybertronians at all beyond the vaguely spider-themed [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]], but ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (video game)|Fall of Cybertron]]'' would eventually feature both the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]]s and [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s in starring roles. Supposedly, new versions of the Maximals and Predacons would've appeared in the original pitch for ''Prime's'' third season,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160411162414/http://sunnybutte.tumblr.com/post/131384199723/hey-all-getting-a-lot-of-questions-about-those Fan report of panel]: "Actual Maximals and Predacons were set to appear on a revitalized Cybertron in season 3 (he described it as a 'taming the wild west' setting)</ref> but a new creative team taking the reins at Hasbro led to the introduction of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Beast Hunters (2013)|Beast Hunters]]'' [[subline imprint]]; while this new imprint ''did'' feature a group of [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]s, these new Predacons were ancient, [[dragon]]-like creatures from Cybertron's prehistory.

[[File:10OnyxPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|That's not what we meant by "Activate beast mo--" oh wait, phew, that's just a leg.]]

After the end of ''Prime'', the ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|Covenant of Primus]]'' hardcover book expounded on the significance of [[Onyx Prime]], the first Cybertronian with a beast mode, and the role that he played in Cybertron's evolution and the development of the aforementioned Predacons. Perhaps most notably, the book also introduced a subgroup of Transformers called the "[[Arachnicon]]s" and heavily implied that Airachnid belonged to this specific Cybertronian subspecies. The sequel series, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'', really ran with the idea by featuring dozens upon dozens of beast-themed Decepticons—anthropomorphic animals with with vehicle alternate modes like [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] and [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]], humanoid Cybertronians who became animals like [[Filch]] or [[Scowl (RID)|Scowl]], and even a few animal-to-vehicle oddballs like [[Underbite]] and [[Crazybolt (RID)|Crazybolt]]. Around this time, [[IDW Publishing]] looped the concept around into its [[2005 IDW continuity|ongoing ''Transformers'' universe]], which depicted all beast-bots as victims of [[Functionism|functionist]] prejudice. In addition to introducing a new version of Jungle Planet, this time named "Eukaris", the final arc of ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' dealt with the return of Onyx Prime and his minions. A few years later, beast-bots again came into focus with 2021's ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' franchise, which revived the ''Beast Wars'' premise to celebrate its 25th anniversary, alongside a [[Transformers: Beast Wars|rebooted ''Beast Wars'' comic]].

While the [[Live-action film series|''Transformers'' movies]] have included a number of animalistic robots, including re-imagined versions of [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]], or the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]]s, their prominence in the franchise is comparatively small compared to their more famous vehicle-mode brethren. The 2023 ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]'' film shone the spotlight on beast mode Cybertronians for the first time in the films, having a group of [[Maximal]]s in the main cast.

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==Beast mode taxonomy==
Beast mode Transformers come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Some transform from robotic humanoids into robotic animals, others from robots into entirely organic creatures, and still others go from beasts into vehicles—a few simply change from one animal into another!

In 2025, the ''[[Technorganic Secrets]]'' expansion for the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game]] attempted to classify most known beast Transformers into nine main groups—generally relating to specific physical traits or overall structural composition. However, the book admits that these delineations are not clear-cut, and that individual beast mode characters don't always fall cleanly into one category or another—for instance, [[Tigerhawk]] has been described as both a [[Transmetal 2]] and a [[Fuzor]]. Similarly, multiple Transformers, such as the inhabitants of [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', or the Maximals in ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]'', transform into mechanical creatures, yet also incorporate organic hair, fur, and feathers. Other subgroups such as the [[Cyborg Beast]]s or [[Blentron]]s share traits with Transmetal 2 Transformers and Fuzors respectively, but have not yet been definitively linked to one another in any ''Transformers'' canon. Thus, the following categories can be best thought of as a general overview, rather than an exhaustive list.

===Mechanimals===
[[File:MTMTE-Doublecross.jpg|thumb|right|[[Doublecross]], an example of a mechanimal Transformer.]]
{{main|Mechanimal}}
By far the most common variety of beast mode Transformer, "mechanimal" Cybertronians transform into completely robotic facsimiles of organic creatures, Earth or otherwise. In general, Transformers who adopt these forms naturally forego any attempt at disguise in favor of general combat utility—Transformer teams such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s, [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, or [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s are hard-hitting warriors who augment their natural strength and power with the claws and teeth afforded by their alternate forms.

Although primitive in comparison to other beast forms, mechanimal beast forms come with their own set of advantages—they can survive in hostile environments unaided, don't require any natural resources beyond [[energon]], and possess above-average strength and durability as a result of their wholly mechanical construction. While some of the best-known mechanimal Transformers like [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] possess relatively limited articulation while transformed, others like [[Overhaul (G1)|Leobreaker]] or [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] are nimble in both forms.

Notably, multiple ''Transformers'' franchises have also used the term "mechanimal" as a blanket term to describe various forms of non-sentient Cybertronian life, such as [[Cryo-Condor]]s or [[cybercat]]s; indeed, [[The Transformers Menagerie|some stories]] have suggested that Transformers like [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] or [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] ''are'' examples of augmented Cybertronian wildlife. Historically, there has been some rare overlap between these two concepts—for instance, [[Dominus Ambus|at least one Transformer]] possesses a [[turbofox]] alternate mode—but its use in "Technorganic Secrets" marks the first attempt to tie these two concepts together under a broader umbrella.

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===Pretenders===
[[File:MTMTE-Carnivac.jpg|thumb|right|[[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], an example of a Pretender Beast.]]
{{main|Pretender}}
Transformers who have undergone the Pretender upgrade remain wholly mechanical, but possess the ability to interface with an external suit of organic armor, allowing them to pass as organic creatures. In general, Autobot Pretenders resemble humans in armor, while Decepticons have historically adopted the countenance of terrifying monsters. Notably, a few Autobots and Decepticons are known as "[[Pretender Beast]]s" and instead transform into animals. These Pretender shells become heavily armored facsimiles of Earth creatures, which wrap around their inner mechanimal forms.

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===BioGenetic Beasts===
[[File:Razorbeast.jpg|thumb|right|[[Razorbeast]], an example of a BioGenetic Beast.]]

{{main|BioGenetic Beast}}

The term "BioGenetic Beast" <ref>"[[Technorganic Secrets]]"</ref> refers to those Cybertronians—most prominently the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s—whose alternate forms incorporate a layer of artificially-grown organic tissue, wrapped around an entirely mechanical bodyframe. While in their beast modes, these unique Transformers appear to be entirely organic animals at first glance. Some Cybertronians, most prominently the [[Chimeracon]]s, may use [[size changing]] technology to better blend in; others may simply transform into oversized insects or rodents.

While in their beast forms, BioGenetic Transformers are, essentially, flesh-and-blood creatures, although they retain a metallic endoskeleton and robotic components underneath this outer layer of skin, fur, or chitin.<ref>[https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/authormsg$3Aalt.toys.transformers$2C-GCtfsO_cVoJ$20after$3A1997$2F1$2F1$20before$3A1997$2F2$2F1%7Csort:date%7Cspell:false/alt.toys.transformers/Tbk9A-giwV8/HpG751F9KAwJ "When BW's transform into beast mode, they become FULLY organic. This means they are vulnerable to anything the animal they become is. They get hurt worse when hit in beast mode, they have to breathe and eat, they are for all and intents and purposes animals." <nowiki>[...]</nowiki> "Take any G1 who was a car or truck. They had glove compartments, they had mirrors, they had tires, they had uh, car stuff. BW's have animal stuff... It's their "outer shell" you might say, it is what makes them "robots in disguise". When the shell is pierced (such as when Megatron bites into it), you get to circuitry underneath (yes there is metal beneath the fur and skin and the bones are metallic superstructure)... And no Cheetor doesn't have real blood, just mech fluid."]</ref> They breathe, sleep, and can even "eat", using an onboard [[biomass processor]] to metabolize raw organic material into a usable substitute for [[energon]].<ref>"[[Shattered Balance]]"</ref> As a result of these unusual modifications, BioGenetic Beasts are immune to [[energon radiation]]; while in their beast forms, they can safely operate in environments that would instantly paralyze wholly mechanical Transformers.

Multiple sources, including [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' guidebooks, ''[[Transformers: Classics#Fiction|Classics]]'', and the Transformers Roleplaying Game, have consistently tied the origins of BioGenetic Beasts to a combination of [[Pretender]] and [[Micromaster]] technology, a next-generation upgrade that directly integrates organic material into a Cybertronian's superstructure.

Various ''Transformers'' stories have alternately described these Cybertronians, as well as the closely related Fuzor, Transmetal and Transmetal 2 Transformers, as "biomechanical", "technorganic", and "techno-organic". The ''Technorganic Secrets'' book coined the term "BioGenetic Beasts" from the [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|original ''Beast Wars'' comic]] and toy packaging, which described organic beast forms as the product of a novel "[[Bio-Genetic Engineering]]".

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===Transmetals===
[[File:BWSourcebook-TransmetalCheetor.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], an example of a Transmetal.]]

{{main|Transmetal}}
Transmetal Transformers are usually—but not always—the result of exposing a beast form Cybertronian to the volatile energies of a [[quantum surge]]. Uniquely, Transmetal Cybertronians possess "inverted" physiologies compared to standard BioGenetic Beasts: although they transform into chrome, entirely robotic animals, their robot forms incorporate a mixture of organic tissue and mechanical components.
Uniquely, all Transmetal Transformers possess the ability to assume a transitional "third form"—while in their beast mode, they can deploy wheels, rocket engines, tank treads, or some other mechanism that allows them to quickly cover distances. Transmetal Transformers have displayed a resistance to energon radiation, possess an immunity to certain [[Vok]]-based weapons such as the [[Metal Hunter]], and can even withstand the paralysis-inducing [[transformation virus]].

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===Fuzors===
[[File:BWSourcebook-Buzzclaw.jpg|thumb|right|[[Buzzclaw (BW)|Buzzclaw]], an example of a Fuzor.]]

{{main|Fuzor}}

Originally the product of a [[quantum surge]]-induced [[DNA scanner]] malfunction, Fuzors closely resemble other organic beast Transformers. However, they transform into outlandish hybrid creatures whose components generally originate from wildly different branches of the animal kingdom. While their strange appearances means that they stand no chance of passing for an ordinary Earth lifeform, their mix-and-match bodies let them safely operate in a wide range of environments—specialists like [[Air Hammer (BW)|Air Hammer]] can operate on the land, air, or sea.

Like Transmetal Transformers—also the product of a quantum surge mutation—Fuzors appear to exhibit a degree of resistance to [[Vok]] technology; unlike Transmetals, however, they display a vulnerability to [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s [[transformation virus]].

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===Transmetals 2===
[[File:Ramulus.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ramulus]], an example of a Transmetal 2.]]

{{main|Transmetal 2}}
Transmetal 2 technology has historically been linked to the [[Vok]]—specifically, a [[Transmetal driver|unique piece of technology]] capable of altering a Cybertronian's superstructure. Those brave Cybertronians who undergo the "Transmetal 2" upgrade become jumbled amalgamations of flesh and technology in both forms, transforming from mismatched robots into strange, sometimes monstrous versions of familiar Earth animals.
On average, Transmetal 2 Transformers are stronger and faster than their Transmetal predecessors, and have even manifested supernatural abilities such as telekinesis. However, this power comes at a price: many struggle to control their own primal instincts.

{{--}}

===Mutants===
[[File:BWSourcebook-Icebird.jpg|thumb|right|[[Icebird]], an example of a Mutant.]]

{{main|Mutant (BW)}}

While most other Cybertronians convert from a robot into an alternate mode, the Mutants are an odd exception: due to the circumstances behind their activation, they can only transform from one animal form into another. The circumstances behind their unusual mutation vary from universe to universe—some stories stories have tied their origins to [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s [[transformation virus]], while others have implied a connection to the [[quantum surge]] that also created the Fuzors.

Although they often struggle with the emotional and physical ramifications of permanently losing their robot form, most observed Mutants have displayed unique powers that make them formidable combatants, including teleportation, super-speed, and the ability to shut down electrical devices.

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===Technorganics===
[[File:Reformatting Primal technorganic beast mode.jpg|thumb|right|[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], an example of a technorganic Transformer.]]

{{main|Technorganic}}

In its original usage in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', the term "technorganic" was used to describe a unique, specific variety of Transformer created by the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]. Viewed by some as the next evolution of the Transformer race, technorganic Cybertronians blend biological and cybernetic life at the cellular level, a perfect fusion between the organic and the mechanical.
Technorganic Cybertronians lacked the [[onboard computer]]s utilized by other Cybertronians and transformed via fluid shapeshifting, rather than mechanically reconfiguring their bodies. To learn how to access their robot forms, they would first have to find their "emotional still point", which could only be accomplished through a combination of meditation and mental discipline.

In other ''Transformers'' stories, the term "technorganic" has been applied to encompass a very wide range of concepts regarding the intersection of living technology with organic life: these range from characters like [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|''Animated'' Blackarachnia]] to the [[Gorlamite|quasi-Transformer inhabitants]] of [[Gorlam Prime]].

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===Hybridizors===
[[File:RID-clampdown.jpg|thumb|right|[[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]], an example of a Hybridizor.]]
{{main|Hybridizor}}
Rather than transforming from a humanoid robot into an animal, some Transformers invert this relationship, and instead transform from a vehicle into an animalistic robot form. ''Technorganic Secrets'' coined the term "Hybridizors" to describe these unusual Cybertronians. Individual Transformers who fall under this aegis may be further subcategorized into groups based on specific species-based traits, such as "[[Buffaloid]]s", "[[Amphiboid]]s", or "[[Lobstercon]]s".

Some, such as [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]], are mostly humanoid in appearance; others, such as [[Underbite]] or [[Vertebreak (RID)|Vertebreak]], are almost entirely animalistic. While fully mechanical in both forms, Hybridizors often incorporate specific animal traits into their robot mode biology—for instance, [[Skunkticon]]s like [[Malodor]] and [[Zorillor]] can spray disorienting toxins from their tails.

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==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
[[File:Predacons-GoneButNotForgotten.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

Most if not all beast mode Cybertronians, such as the [[Mini-Cassette]]s, {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s, {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} or [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], possessed creature-based alternate forms even before leaving [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} One notable exception would be the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s. Shortly after the crash of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the ship's computer detected [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s arrival in the anachronistic [[Savage Land]] and rebuilt [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and four other Cybertronians into [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]]-based forms based off the regional wildlife. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

=====''Classics''=====
[[File:BWSG-ultramagnusbeastmode.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

When dimensionally-displaced [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] ships crash-landed on a prehistoric Earth saturated with Energon radiation, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] came up with the idea of combining [[Pretender]] and [[Powermaster]] technology to create organic beast modes. Though [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] came up with the same idea, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] opted to give the Decepticons new armor instead. {{storylink|Shattered Time}} In their new bodies, the Autobots could consume and metabolize organic matter into energy using their on-board "biomass processors". {{storylink|Shattered Balance}}

After travelling to the mirror-universe Cybertron of that dimension, Prowl, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] abandoned their beast modes, but both [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] took a liking to their new bodies and kept them. {{storylink|Falling into Place}}

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=====''Transformers '84''=====
According to [[Punch (G1)|Punch]], who was skeptical that the Cybertronians had ever encountered living dinosaurs, the Ark's [[Aunty|AUNTIE]] computer system had actually used preserved fossils to turn Grimlock and his team into the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}}

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====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
[[File:Primitives Calling.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

Traditionally, Cybertronians with animal forms were known as "[[primitive]]s". {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}} Beast mode Cybertronians shared at least some physiological traits; for instance, those who possessed reptilian forms like [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] possessed unique "[[Dinosaur transform static|dinosaur electrons]]". {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

Other animalistic Cybertronians displayed unique powers: notably, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s, whose [[idento-computer]]s reformatted them into insectoid beast forms to survive in the jungles of [[Bali]], could consume and metabolize organic matter. {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}} After discovering [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] bones, the [[Autobot]]s created the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], powerful warriors with dinosaur alternate modes. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}} The [[Quintesson]]s utilized the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and [[Allicon]]s, Transformers with shark and crocodile beast modes respectively, as servants. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}} In 2006, a large group of beast mode Transformers, consisting of both Autobots and Decepticons, were summoned by [[Oracle (G1)|a mysterious entity]] to defeat [[Primacron]] and his creation, [[Tornedron]]. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}} When forced by the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]] to volunteer Decepticons to undergo the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process, [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] added the stipulation that they were only allowed to take the heads of the Transformers with beast modes. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

=====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity=====
{{stub}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
[[File:Epiloge-BeastTransformers.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Cybertronians with beast modes had the ability to channel [[Beast Power]], an energy shared between them and the animalistic inhabitants of the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]]. {{storylink|LG41 Leo Prime}} On [[Micro|Z Planet]], [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] encountered newborn beast Transformers created by exposing [[protoform]] capsules to Beast Power, which granted them the power to scan and transform into organic life. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] believed that their descendants would evolve into the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, and granted them new symbols as a symbol of everlasting peace between the factions. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
[[File:FoY Brimstone.jpg|thumb|left]]

The earliest recorded "beastform" Transformers were re-engineered specimens of naturally occurring Cybertronian wildlife: [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]], the first beast-former, was originally a [[Cryo-Condor]] who'd modified with a rudimentary alternate mode. Soon enough, [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] would join him. {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 1|Menagerie #1}} However, conflicting evidence places beast-form Cybertronians, most prominently [[Brimstone (G1 Decepticon)|Brimstone]], as having existed in ancient times long before the Autobot-Decepticon conflict. {{storylink|Flames of Yesterday}}

As the Autobot-Decepticon war spilled over to Earth, more and more beast-formers rose to prominence, including groups who transformed from humanoid robots into animals. The [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s developed the ability to catalyze organic matter into a crude but usable form, {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 1|Menagerie #3}} while the presence of [[dinosaur transform static]] amongst the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s and their kin indicated the presence of a deeper synthesis taking place between these two disparate forms of life. {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 2|Menagerie #2}} Around this time, both the Autobots and Decepticons began making heavy use of animalistic "Recordabots" and "Recordicons". {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 1|Menagerie #1}}

The [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s were the first beast Transformers with the ability to [[combiner|combine]], and the first to not be based upon any recognizable Earth creature. {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 4|Menagerie #4}} The [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s would become the most notable beast-bots in the years that followed [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s disappearance and the revitalisation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]; [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] speculated that [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] had marshalled the remnants of the Decepticon military to another world, where he could mastermind the evolution of the Decepticons into a new breed of Predacon that combined the advantages of organic [[Pretender]] shells with fuel-efficient [[Micromaster]] bodies. {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 5|Menagerie #5}}

At some point during the Second Golden Age, Cybertronians with beast modes became increasingly commonplace. {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 1|Menagerie #1}} Some forward-thinking Autobots like [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] encouraged this kind of [[Maximal|evolutionary leap forward]], if only to counter the inevitable [[Predacon (BW)|next generation of Predacons]]. {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 5|Menagerie #5}}

{{--}}

====Beast Era====
=====Toy bios=====
The Maximals developed a unique "bio-genetic morphing process" that allowed them to create the perfect fusion of organic musculature and Transformer technology. However, the evil Predacons stole this breakthrough and used it to create new forms for themselves based on Earth's most vicious creatures. {{storylink|Optimus Primal vs Megatron!}}

In order to win the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] developed an experimental [[Transformation virus|anti-conversion virus]]. When used on a group of [[Fuzor]]s, the experiment went wrong and turned the four into [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]]s trapped between two beast modes.<ref>Hasbro ''[[Mutant (BW)#Toys|Mutant Beast Wars]]'' packaging blurb</ref>

=====''Beast Wars'' cartoon=====
[[File:ChainOfCommand-Maximals.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
By the era of the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, three centuries after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], technology had evolved to the point where Cybertronians could now use [[DNA scanner]]s and [[CR chamber]]s to perfectly mimic organic lifeforms, even extinct animals like [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]]s. These next-generation beast modes sheathed Cybertronian superstructures beneath a layer of artificially grown skin and tissue and rendered them largely impervious to [[energon radiation]] that would otherwise damage purely mechanical lifeforms. Transformers would often initiate the process of converting from their [[robot mode]] by using the [[activation code]] "Beast mode!" {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} Beast modes also seemingly have no effect on a Cybertronian's overall size, nor does there appear to be any mass-shifting when converting into their alternate forms. This is likely due to their function as protection, rather than disguise, and thus bypassing the benefits that the smaller sizes of the Great Upgrade provided may have been unnecessary.

Adopting a beast mode in this way appears to have a subtle effect on the Cybertronian psyche. Many combatants in the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] on prehistoric [[Earth]] displayed appetites consistent with the diets of their chosen form: for instance, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] ate cheese and garbage, {{storylink|The Web}} [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] displayed interest in a bunch of [[banana]]s, {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 2}} and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] took a perverse delight in sucking the [[mech fluid|vital fluid]]s from his victims, although it's not clear if their artificial beast modes could actually digest and catalyze these materials into a usable form of energy. {{storylink|The Web}} While in beast mode, Cybertronians could affect internal repairs without the use of a CR chamber, although the process took time. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}}

[[File:TM2Cheetorfly.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Traditionally, a programming block prevented a beast mode's natural instincts from interfering with the higher functions of the Cybertronians. {{storylink|Call of the Wild}} However, damage sustained by [[Tigatron]]'s [[stasis pod]] affected the [[protoform]] within, and after adopting a suitable beast mode he first believed himself to be a normal organic tiger before coming to his senses. {{storylink|Fallen Comrades}} Although [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]'s stasis pod did not sustain any apparent damage, the monomaniacal instincts of his ant beast mode shaped his worldview: he grew to believe that [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] was his "queen" and the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' his "colony". {{storylink|Spider's Game}} When the Predacons sabotaged the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'''s [[rectifier coil]], the Maximals were forced to remain in beast mode for days on end and eventually succumbed to their feral instincts. Thanks to Tigatron, who had already learned how to accept both sides of his being, the Maximals deleted the programming block and embraced their animal sides. {{storylink|Call of the Wild}} Indeed, both Maximals and Predacons would occasionally identify with their beast modes; [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] once claimed that, as a cat, he should know better than to trust [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|a dog]], {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} and later fantasized about playing with cat toys; {{storylink|Changing of the Guard}} Tarantulas, meanwhile, sought to create more of "[his] kind" by ensuring that new stasis pods scanned spider alternate modes. {{storylink|Spider's Game}}

A [[quantum surge]] of exotic energy mutated several Cybertronians into advanced "[[Transmetal]]" bodies: Transformers altered in this way integrated organic matter into the robot mode, while the entirely mechanical beast mode now possessed a third "vehicle mode". {{storylink|Aftermath (BW episode)|Aftermath}} Transformers who evolved even further into "[[Transmetal 2|Transmetals 2]]" became asymmetrical, sometimes monstrous, amalgamations of flesh and metal. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 2}}
{{--}}

=====''Beast Machines'' cartoon=====
[[File:Thereformattingmaximalsmaximize.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Cybertronians could use beast mode technology to mimic lifeforms other than animals—while exploring [[Regalis V|a distant world]] populated by ambulatory plants, [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] and her crew used the technology to adopt plant-based alternate modes. {{storylink|Home Soil}} While Optimus Primal and his crew were off-planet, a [[Quantum Cycle Upgrade|standardized upgrade]] fitted every Cybertronian with an in-built DNA scanner and rendered [[stasis pod]] technology obsolete. {{storylink|Survivor}}

Optimus Primal would later claim that the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] supercomputer had engineered the entire Beast Wars as a way to bring fresh organic material to Cybertron via their biomechanical beast modes. {{storylink|The Key}} Upon arriving on Cybertron after Megatron broke free of their shuttle and conquered the planet, his armies of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s attacked the group with a debilitating [[transformation virus]] that devolved the Transmetal Maximals and trapped them in their beast modes. {{storylink|Revelations Part II: Descent|Descent}} Weakened and dying, the Maximals might've perished had Optimus not discovered the Oracle, which [[Reformatting|reformatted]] Optimus and the other Maximals into [[technorganic]] bodies, a powerful new breed of Cybertronian life that combined the organic and the technological on a cellular level. {{storylink|The Reformatting}} While in their beast modes, the Maximals gave off no energy signatures and were thus invisible to [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] sensors so long as they kept out of sight. Combined with the stress of mastering the lost art of [[transformation]] and consciously having to maintain control over their [[robot mode]]s, their beast modes became their primary form while sneaking around the Cybertronian underlevels. {{storylink|Master of the House}} Although their new bodies could theoretically subsist upon purely organic material like fruit, doing so pushed their bestial instincts to the fore and reduced them to a primeval state. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}}

Having conquered the planet, Megatron developed a virulent hatred for organic life and beast modes as a whole; he regarded the Maximals as "mongrels" and regularly attempted to purge his own beast mode. {{storylink|Master of the House}} When he finally succeeded in doing so, he somehow created [[Noble (BM)|Noble]], a strange organic creature capable of shifting between humanoid wolf and dragon forms. {{storylink|Savage Noble}}
{{--}}

=====2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity=====
[[File:Bw icebird.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

A few of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'''s remaining stasis pods malfunctioned, and when [[Razorbeast]] activated them the [[protoform]]s within emerged as [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]]s, Cybertronians who changed from one animal form to another. They fiercely defended their swamp against intruding Predacons and made it clear that neither the Maximals nor Predacons were welcome in their peaceful home. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 3|The Gathering #3}}

{{--}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
Encouraged by the early success of [[Pretender]] technology, Cybertronian scientists speculated that they could one day directly integrate this miraculous nanotechnology into a Transformer body. A Cybertronian upgraded in this manner could directly assume a biological alternate mode externally indistinguishable from the real thing, and this breakthrough might lead to a new generation of tougher, more-energy efficient Cybertronians. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:TheMindBomb-cathead.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

The earliest known beast Transformers date back to the brief Dark Age that occurred between the departure of the [[Knights of Cybertron]] and the rise of the [[Thirteen]]. Many individual flocks and herds wandered the prehistoric badlands, searching for energon, {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} but among the most notable would be a powerful warrior tribe known as the [[Maximal]]s and their commander, [[Liege Maximo]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} While fleeing the armies of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], the group came into the employ of [[Onyx Prime]]—in reality, a time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] in disguise—who incorporated the Maximals into his personal "menagerie" of beast warriors. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Origin Myths}} Working with [[Alpha Trion]]'s group of [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s, their impromptu alliance confronted Megatronus and his [[Darklands|Darklander]]s on the site that would one day become the [[Crystal City]], blunted his advance for good, and eventually laid the foundations for what would eventually become the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

During the subsequent reign of the [[Thirteen Tribes]] over Cybertron, the Maximals and their kin faced discrimination due to their alternate modes. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} During the later [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] between the tribes and their leaders, Onyx Prime and his armies entered into an alliance with [[Nexus Prime]]; using his [[Enigma of Combination]], they created an army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] that combined small beast-formers with larger humanoid Cybertronians. Darklander warrior [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] declared the union of beast and bot disgusting, and eventually slaughtered the ancient Headmasters to the last 'bot in the name of Cybertronian purity. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}}

[[File:TimeWillRust-Eukaris.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Ultimately, however, the war ended with all of the Primes either dead or missing, and in their absence [[Nova Prime]] united the tribes of Cybertron under a new system of [[functionism]] where one's alternate mode defined their position in society. Under this new societal schema, the beasts were placed near the bottom of society, only outranking the unfortunate 'bots in the so-called "[[disposable class]]". The beasts would become the victims of institutionalized discrimination that lasted until the final days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s reign. {{storylink|The Crucible}} However, before he and his innermost retinue of Maximals abandoned Cybertron for the ruins of [[Antilla]], Onyx Prime instructed the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Chela]] to colonize a distant jungle world; using the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] within his body, Chela birthed an entire civilization of beast mode Transformers who could thrive in safety. These new "[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukarian]]" Transformers remembered the prejudice their ancestors had faced and cultivated a deep distrust of vehicular "standard-formers". {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

[[File:FortMaxCuddles.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

By the time of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], the stigma surrounding beast modes had largely dissipated. Some vehicular Transformers even adopted beast modes—notably, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobot]]s adopted [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] beast modes with synthetic flesh to protect them from high leves of [[Energon]] radiation on prehistoric [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} During his tour of duty on [[Z'verei]], [[Rattrap (BW)#2005 IDW continuity|Rattrap]] adopted a [[Z'verein mole-rat]] alternate mode. {{storylink|Three Monologues}}

Several years after the war, beast modes again rose to prominence: while [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s [[Republic of Cybertron|post-war government]] discovered and opened diplomatic channels with the citizens of Eukaris, the Decepticon [[Demus]] began kidnapping beast mode Transformers, subjecting them to a horrific "[[domestication]]" process, then marketing his victims as "[[Roboid]]s" as torture dolls for organic races. {{storylink|Animals}} Exposure to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s corrupted [[energon]] spontaneously mutated the [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] so that she transformed into a two-headed monster. {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}}

The mad scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Mesothulas]] combined quasi-organic beast mode technology with [[obtenteum]] to create mass-shifting "bio-disguises". Cybertronians who underwent this "[[Chimeracon]]" upgrade gained the ability to perfectly mimic any living creature and completely mask their Cybertronian energy signatures in the process. Members of [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]] adopted this technology and used it to hide out among the native wildlife while operating in the [[Alaska]]n wilderness. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Later still, Tarantulas perfected the technology, allowing [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] to pass himself off as a human politician. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}}

When "Onyx Prime" returned to Cybertron, he brought with him an entire Maximal army; eventually, however, his beast servants betrayed him and allied instead with his ultimate creation, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|Road's End}} Several of the newborn Cybertronians born from [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s hot spot on Earth possessed beast modes. {{storylink|Post}}

{{--}}

====''Hearts of Steel''====
[[File:HoS1-IceAgeWars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

During the "[[Ice Age Wars]]" on prehistoric Earth, both the Autobots and Decepticons transformed into creatures like dinosaurs, flying reptiles, and giant insects. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}}
{{--}}

====''TransTech''====
Although they transformed into a rabbit and pika respectively, [[Kitte Shūshū]] and her husband [[Z Grill]] were nevertheless able to use their "integrated organic parts" to conceive a son, [[Stampy (BW)|Stampy]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/10}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
While investigating the planet [[Chicxulania]], [[Thrashclaw]], [[Slice (G1)|Slice]], and [[Shred]] discovered an abandoned laboratory where an advanced alien civilization had developed "Beast Warrior" technology, which allowed a Cybertronian to assume techno-organic hybrid forms. To protect themselves from ambient [[energon radiation]], they and [[Gnash]] integrated the technology into their superstructures, adopted beast modes based on the local [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]]s, and dubbed themselves the "[[Raptoricon]]s". Later on, the shipwrecked [[Fractyl]] briefly assumed a pterosaur beast form using the same technology, but ultimately switched back to his vehicular configuration when he departed the planet with [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]. {{storylink|Life Finds a Way}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
[[File:Safe Spaces Preditron Gaidora.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

In his [[Autobot]] body, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] possessed a beast mode. Upon transferring his [[spark]] to a Maximal [[protoform]], he gained a vehicle mode. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} When [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] acquired the [[navicomp]] of [[Transmutate (BW)|Trans-Mutate]]'s [[stasis pod]], {{storylink|Clarity}} he reformatted himself into a dragon alternate mode. {{storylink|Intersectionality}}

Several years into the [[Grand Uprising]], the ambitious Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] observed that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s growing menagerie of [[mechanimal]]s could somehow metabolize their own [[energon]] from raw materials like industrial runoff. Inspired by this unexpected resilience, Megatron grew interested in somehow grafting this physiological trait onto the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, who remained reliant on ordinary [[energon cube]]s like their [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]] forebears. Progress did not come easily; most of Megatron's earliest test subjects died from the imperfect process, but after seeking out the disgraced [[Autobot]] scientist [[Leatherhide (Universe)|Leatherhide]], who had previously attempted to hybridize Cybertronians with mechanicals, the pair quickly perfected process—first, they created [[Inferno (BW)|Formikon]], then applied the process to themselves. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

Sure enough, Transformers who adopted the '''Beast Upgrade''' no longer required external [[energon cube]]s to function; instead, they could ingest food which their onboard systems could then process into energon. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}} Beast mode Transformers also possessed increased reflexes as a result of their bio-enhanced physiologies, {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}} enhanced senses, {{storylink|Safe Spaces}} and could quickly repair their injuries while transformed. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}} Soon, Megatron's front corporation made the upgrade public, and Maximals and Predacons across the planet chose to abandon their original vehicular configurations in favor of beast modes. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}} Popular beast mode templates included [[jurassanoid]]s, [[armodrillo]]s, and [[cybercat]]s, {{storylink|Derailment}} although some Cybertronians modelled their alternate modes on strange alien creatures {{storylink|Safe Spaces}} or even mythical animals like dragons and phoenixes. {{storylink|Derailment}} They became a decisive factor as the Grand Uprising came to a close; freed from the need for vulnerable energon supply chains, members of the [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]] and other splinter forces could besiege Builder-held cities with impunity. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

By the time of the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]], Leatherhide had moved on to creating new breeds of biomechanical life like the [[Fuzor]]s and [[Horrorcon (Universe)|Horrorcon]]s after reverse-engineering [[Klaws|a mysterious cybernetic life-form]]. A spectral [[Overshoot]], acting on the will of the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], informed [[Stiletto (BW)|Stiletto]] that the Beast Upgrade marked a new beginning: the rise of the mechanimals and the fusion between beast and 'bot represented Cybertron's efforts to generate a self-sustaining ecosystem. {{storylink|Derailment}}

{{--}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:WeHaveDecievedYou-InfiltrationTroopers.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

During the [[Age of the Firstforged]], the Cybertronian folk heroes [[Halonix Maximus]] and [[Big Bang (G1)|Big Bang]] battled beast mode Cybertronians like [[Preditron]] and [[Gaidora (BWU)|Gaidora]] in the wilderness. {{storylink|End of Time}}

Numerous Cybertronians, most prominently a number of [[Mini-Cassette|infiltration trooper]]s, possessed either beast modes or animalistic robot modes. Although beast-formers did not suffer any kind of institutionalized discrimination, {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|We Have Deceived You}} some individual Cybertronians expressed prejudiced attitudes toward them: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], for instance, once categorized ordinary vehicle-mode Cybertronians like himself as possessing more "advanced forms" then the beasts, {{storylink|Wheeljack: Orbital Decay}} and [[Grotusque]] occasionally grumbled that people looked down on him for his choice of alternate mode. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|We Have Deceived You}}

{{--}}

====2021 IDW ''Beast Wars'' comic====
[[File:SavageLandingPart5-Megatrontransforms.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

To protect the Cybertronians from harmful levels of [[energon radiation]], the artificial intelligences aboard the crashed ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' and ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' reconstructed their crews with new beast modes based on fabricated techno-organic material that matched the native organics on a molecular level. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}} In their new bodies, they were capable of digesting and metabolizing organic material, {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 2}} {{storylink|Thicker Skin}} and retained the ability to access some of their weapons and gadgets while in their beast modes. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 4}}

When [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] were captured by the [[Children of the Vok (group)|Children of the Vok]], the [[force field]]s holding them were only designed to work on the Cybertronians' [[robot mode]]s, allowing the two to escape in their beast modes. {{storylink|Children of the Vok}}
{{--}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
[[File:Kingdom-ep2-beastroars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

After arriving on prehistoric Earth, a group of time-travelling Maximals and Predacons adopted suitable beast modes during their battle over the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]]. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}}

{{--}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
[[File:Maximus Emerges Darkscream gasskunk.jpg|thumb|right]]

In contrast to the vehicular Autobots, their ancient enemies the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s possessed beast forms. Although the Predacon leader [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] could transform into multiple forms, two of his alternate forms were a two-headed dragon and a bat. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}} After becoming Galvatron, he gained additional beast modes that included a one-headed dragon, an elephant, and a griffin. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

{{--}}

===Unicron Trilogy===
====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comics====
The Decepticon [[Predacon (Armada)|Predacon]] experimented with hybridizing Cybertronian technology with organic tissue in the belief that Cybertronians who underwent this upgrade would become far more powerful, and went as far as to test the process on himself. Although most Cybertronians found the idea repulsive, Predacon gathered a small but fanatical cult of personality who believed wholeheartedly in his ideals. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|More than Meets the Eye}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
[[File:Cruellock.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

[[Alpha Quintesson]]'s [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s all possessed animalistic alternate modes. Each sub-species of Terrorcon had their own beast form, with [[Battle Ravage]]s and [[Command Ravage]]s transforming into jaguars, {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}} {{storylink|Crisis in Jungle City}} [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]]s and [[Blackout (Terrorcon)|Blackout]]s transforming into hawks, {{storylink|Energon Grid (episode)|Energon Grid}} [[Cruellock]]s turning into an approximation of a dinosaur, {{storylink|The Return of Demolishor}} and [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]]s turning into beetles. {{storylink|Each One Fights...}}

Terrorcons usually stayed in their beast modes, and only transformed into their rarely-seen robot modes when it became absolutely necessary while in combat. {{storylink|Energon Stars}} {{storylink| A Tale of Two Heros}}

{{--}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
[[File:Cyb ep20 jungle planet natives.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Millennia ago, a group of Cybertronian colonists settled the planet they would name "[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]]" aboard the starship ''[[Hyperborea (Cybertron)|Hyperborea]]''. {{storylink|Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming}} As time passed, their descendents adopted various beast modes to cope with life on their wild and untamed planet: although most inhabitants of Jungle Planet appear to transform into reptiles, dinosaurs, or mammals, {{storylink|Search (episode)|Search}} some have become birds or even arthropods. {{storylink|Honor}}

Jungle Planet's [[Cyber Planet Key]] appears to have the power to instantly reformat Cybertronians into a suitable beast mode. When [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] tapped into the power of the Jungle Planet's [[Cyber Planet Key]], he gained a lion alternate mode and redubbed himself "Leobreaker". {{storylink|Detour (episode)|Detour}} In [[Aurex 1006.0 Beta|one alternate timeline]], the energies of the Jungle Planet key mutated both Optimus Prime and Megatron into beast forms while on the Jungle Planet. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Gorilla|Jungle Planet Optimus Prime toy bio}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/19}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Aurex 615.03 Epsilon|another alternate reality]], a version of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] took place in [[Alpha Q's universe]]. To survive the star system's volatile [[Super Energon]] sun, the Maximals and Predacons adopted a wide variety of unusual beast modes that included mobile fungi, [[mechamorph]]s, [[Rock Lord]]s, [[Beastformer (species)|Battle Beasts]], and even abstract elemental beings. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/03}}

{{--}}

===Live-action film series===
====Movies====
[[File:Dinobots ready for battle AOE.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

In Cybertron's distant past, beast modes appeared to have been more common—ancient warriors such as the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]]s and [[Guardian Knight]]s transformed into imposing predators like dinosaurs and dragons. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}

By the era of the [[Great War (Movie)|Great War]], beast modes appear to have fallen out of favour. Many modern Cybertronians with animal forms, including [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], and the [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticon]]s, are [[mechanimal]]s who have been re-engineered to serve wartime roles, such as espionage or sabotage.<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm#/characters/laserbeak Vector Sigma database at Hasbro.com]</ref> In many cases, these beast warriors formed symbiotic relationships with larger Cybertronians, who could deploy them as needed to scout ahead or carry out specific duties. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

The [[Maximal]]s hailed from [[Jungle Planet (colony)|a Cybertronian colony]] populated by Cybertronians who bore beast modes. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts}}
{{--}}

====''The Veiled Threat''====
A [[Crab spy|particularly cunning Decepticon spy]] disguised himself as one of the many red crabs that periodically infested the [[NEST]] base on [[Diego Garcia]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Veiled Threat|The Veiled Threat}}

====IDW movie comics====
[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] commanded the loyalty of multiple beast Decepticons, including [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]], [[Ratbat (ROTF)|Ratbat]], [[Beastbox (ROTF)|Beastbox]], and [[Rumble (ROTF)|Rumble]]. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 4|Nefarious #4}}

{{--}}

===''Animated''===
[[File:Blackarach anim beast.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Although robotic creatures like [[brontobot]]s and [[cybercat]]s were common enough on Cybertron to be kept as pets, Cybertronians with beast modes were a very uncommon sight. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} During a disastrous expedition to the forbidden world of [[Archa Seven]], the Autobot cadet [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]] attempted to use her download powers on [[Archa Seven arachnid|a native arachnid]], but wound up infecting herself with their venom instead. The transformation mutated her into a [[technorganic]] amalgamation of organic and mechanical and gave her a new alternate mode based on the spiders. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

As part of his many attempts to regain his body and power, [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] experimented on dinosaur automatons to make them attack drones. Perhaps as a result of these modifications, [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]]'s [[AllSpark Key]] was drawn to the automatons, granting them [[spark]]s and turning them into fully fledged Cybertronians. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}} Their beast modes, and indeed their very existence, was viewed as proof by [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] as what a screwloose planet Earth was. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

In her quest to purge herself of her organic half, Blackarachnia fused [[Wasp]] with an organic wasp in the hopes that finding a way to reverse the process could clue her into curing her own condition. Like her, the monstrous "Waspinator" possessed the ability to transform into a huge technorganic wasp. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising}}

{{--}}

===Fun Publications ''Shattered Glass'' continuity===
[[File:Sgpredaconsvsgrimlock.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Inspired by [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]]'s success after the Autobots liberated him from stasis and inducted him into their ranks, the mad scientist [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]] created an entire army of deranged [[Dinobot (SG)|Dinobot]]s, artificial lifeforms who utilized a sophisticated artificial intelligence instead of a life-giving [[Spark|ember]]. Wheeljack used his impromptu army to launch a coup against [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]], but the Dinobots turned on one another and scattered into the Cybertronian wilderness.

Both the Autobots and Decepticons tried to gain control of as many Dinobots as they could. In the meantime, Grimlock stumbled across the ancient [[Omega Terminus]] supercomputer, which imbued an ember upon him that transformed him from a simple-minded beast into an intelligent Cybertronian with a humanoid robot mode. After returning to the surface, he gathered all of his fellow Dinobots and upgraded them in a similar fashion, granting them embers and the ability to transform. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}} While some of the Dinobots and Dinocons gained humanoid robot forms, others, like [[Slugfest (SG)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (SG)|Overkill]], instead transformed into data cartridges. {{storylink|Do Over}}

Other Autobots and Decepticons, most prominently the [[Predacon (SG)|Predacon]]s, transformed into small animals. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}} [[Terrorcon (SG)|Terrorcon]] leader [[Hun-Grrr (SG)|Hun-Grrr]] adopted an alternate mode based on an [[Algean two-headed razor beast]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 28|Hun-Grrr profile}} A future group of time-travelling Transformers led by [[Megatron (BWSG)|a different Megatron]] also possessed beast modes. {{storylink|Shattered Destiny}}

{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
[[File:COP-predacons.jpg|thumb|right]]
At the dawn of time, [[Primus]] created [[Onyx Prime]], the first beast-mode Cybertronian. Although [[Quintus Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] would cooperate with one another in the days after [[Unicron]]'s defeat to found a "farm" of small, semi-autonomous animal robots, these were not truly "alive", although when the remaining Primes fell to violence and chaos in the wake of [[Solus Prime]]'s passing they proved deadly enough to mortally wound Onyx. When he and his friend [[Micronus Prime]] returned to Primus via the newly created [[Well of All Sparks]], Onyx used his [[Triptych Mask]] to scan all the life in the universe and provide the Well itself with an infinite variety of templates for future Cybertronian lifeforms. These included both humanoid Cybertronians and a wide array of beasts, who formed a functioning ecosystem based around exploiting the [[energon]] that flowed freely over the planet's surface. The planet's apex predators, the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacons]], harassed the city-dwelling Cybertronians until [[Prima]] finally defeated [[Predaking (COP)|Predaking]] in single combat. Although all of the creatures that emerged from the Well of All Sparks possessed functioning [[Transformation cog (biology)|transformation cog]]s, the Cybertronians of the era did not understand how to transform and thus creatures like the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s and Predacons permanently remained in their beast modes.

In the wake of Cybertron's [[Great Cataclysm|first mass extinction]], many forms of life, including the Predacons, vanished entirely. Cybertron's overall diversity took a major hit; although some beasts and beast-like Cybertronians like the Insecticons and [[Arachnicon]]s survived, the subsequent rise of civilization pushed many of them out into Cybertron's dwindling wilderness or deeper underground. When the Quintessons invaded, the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] were enslaved as enforcers and executioners.

After the departure of the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' and ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] used a malfunctioning [[space bridge]] to study creatures from other planets and time periods, and found himself captivated by the [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]]s of prehistoric Earth. Inspired by their ferocity, he and [[Forged|his Insecticon minions]] rebuilt [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and four other Transformers into the fearsome [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]]s that incorporated a number of design traits inspired by the extinct Predacons. Later still, Shockwave would even clone [[Predaking (Prime)|one of those Predacons]] to become one of his enforcers. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

{{--}}

====IDW Aligned comics====
[[File:RageOfTheDinobots3-SerKet.jpg|thumb|left]]

Shockwave discovered the Insecticons in the depths of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and re-engineered them into loyal Decepticons who would aid the Decepticon empire as it broadened its reach beyond Cybertron. {{storylink|Fragmentation (FOC)|Fragmentation}} The Insecticons lured [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Lightning Strike Coalition]] into a trap, allowing Shockwave to experiment upon the group; inspired by the creatures he'd viewed on a prehistoric planet called Earth, his experiments took place on the genetic level that spliced dinosaur DNA with their [[CNA]]. {{storylink|Siege Mentality}} {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}}

Later still, following the disappearance of Optimus Prime, Megatron, and their followers, Shockwave wasted no time in establishing an empire of his own, enforced by a legion of warriors who called themselves the "[[Forged]]". {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 1|Rage of the Dinobots #1}} A mixture of remnant Decepticons and cloned Predacons, the most loyal of their number received bestial upgrades that gave them Predacon-like traits and draconic beast modes.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-comics-discussion/917845-q-mairghread-scott-writer-transformers-prime-beast-hunters.html#post9492754 Mairghread Scott Q and A]</ref> Their leader, [[Ser-Ket (Prime)|Ser-Ket]], embraced the idea, and viewed beast modes as the "true forms" of the Cybertronians who had undergone Shockwave's experimentation. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 2|Rage of the Dinobots #2}}

{{--}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:PredaconsRisingSkylynxandDarksteelDragons.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

As the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]] spilled over onto other worlds, [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] cloned an army of Predacons from fossilized remains and deployed them to distant planets to eliminate Autobots. On Earth, they formed the basis for many myths and legends involving [[dragon]]s. {{storylink|Project Predacon}} Other prominent beast mode Cybertronians included the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s, which possessed a strange, quasi-telepathic connection with the similarly insectoid [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]], {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}} and the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]]s. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

In the present day, Shockwave again turned his attention to cloning Predacons, and first created [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] before travelling to Earth, with the intent of producing many more. However, the discovery that the Predacons were intelligent beings with the ability to transform prompted [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] to scrap the project. {{storylink|Evolution}}

Despite this setback, Shockwave would later clone [[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]] and [[Skylynx (Prime)|Skylynx]] after his return to Cybertron and put them to work searching for more Predacon remains. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

====Aligned novels====
A number of Cybertronians with aquatic beast modes, including Sharkticons and [[Leviacon]]s, colonized the planet [[Aquatron]] during Cybertron's [[Golden Age]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
[[File:QuarrysQuarry triumphant team.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
In order to safely navigate [[Wayward Island]], Optimus Prime [[Scanning|scanned]] [[Trex]], an animatronic dinosaur with [[technorganic|techno-organic]] components, and gained the ability to transform into a ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. {{storylink|Land Before Prime (episode)|Land Before Prime}} However, his low [[energon]] levels caused Optimus to succumb to his new form's dinosaur instincts and go on a rampage in [[Griffin Rock]], which attracted the attention of the villainous hunter [[Quint Quarry]]. To rescue the Autobot leader, [[Boulder (RB)|Boulder]], [[Graham Burns]], and [[Ezra Greene|Doc Greene]] developed an [[energon patch]] that would return him to normal, and tested it by having Boulder scan an animatronic ''Triceratops'' {{storylink|Big Game}}

During a second confrontation with Quarry, [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]], [[Chase (RB)|Chase]] and [[Blades (RB)|Blades]] all scanned dinosaur modes, and used energon patches to stay in control of their faculties. {{storylink|Quarry's Quarry}}

{{--}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:TRID S3 E17 E MSS.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Humanoid Cybertronians shared their planet with an impressive variety of bestial offshoots and subspecies, which ranged wildly in both form and function. Notable groups include the metal-eating [[Chompazoid]]s, {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}} frog-like [[Amphiboid]]s, {{storylink|Rumble in the Jungle (RID)|Rumble in the Jungle}} flying [[Corvicon]]s, {{storylink|True Colors}} aquatic [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s, {{storylink|Blurred}} ape-like [[Orangucon]]s, {{storylink|Brainpower}} thick-headed [[Buffaloid]]s, {{storylink|W.W.O.D.?}} or thick-skinned [[Lobstercon]]s. {{storylink|Pretzel Logic}} While some transformed from humanoid robots into animalistic beast modes, others changed from quadrupedal beasts into vehicles, and still others resembled anthropomorphic animals while in their robot modes. Intriguingly, if somewhat confusingly, a naturally-occurring group of Cybertronians with dinosaur alternate modes were referred to as "[[Dinobot (RID)|Dinobot]]s", apparently separate from the artificially-created Autobot subgroup who had appeared in prior "Aligned" media. {{storylink|Similarly Different}}

Almost all of the Decepticons aboard the prison ship ''[[Alchemor (RID)|Alchemor]]'' belonged to one or more of these subgroups. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

====''Go!'' cartoon====
A number of beast-mode Predacons, including [[Dragotron]], the [[Four Oni]], and the [[Jaki]], rebelled against their Decepticon masters and took up residence on Earth, but were later sealed away inside [[Mount Fuji]]. {{storylink|Triple Combination! Swordbot - Samurai!}} {{storylink|Triple Combination! Swordbot - Ninja!}}

===Ask Vector Prime===

When asked what kind of beast mode he'd choose if given the opportunity, Vector Prime mused that he'd always been fond of cetaceans. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/30}}

===''BotBots''===
A very large number of BotBots possess animal-based robot modes—notable examples include [[Unilla Icequeencone]], [[Javasaurus Rex]], [[Big Cantuna]], or [[Chilla Gorilla]]. A few, like [[Venus Frogtrap]] or [[Bonz-Eye]], become plants.

{{--}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:Spotted-Cheetor.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

[[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] received a cheetah beast mode from the [[AllSpark]] to better act as its guardian. {{storylink|Dark Birth}}

After being stranded on Earth, [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] reformatted himself into a ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' to better cope with the harsh environment, even rewiring his circuitry to increase the raw power of his beast mode. {{storylink|King of the Dinosaurs}} His act inspired a number of young Cybertronian colonists, who adopted prehistoric alternate modes and dubbed themselves the "[[Dinobot (Cyberverse)|Dinobot]]s". {{storylink|The Immobilizers}}

{{--}}

===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
[[File:NightshadeOwlMode MissedConnection.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

[[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]], [[Bombshell (ES)|Bombshell]], and [[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]] each have a beast mode. {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 2}}

[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] didn't believe they needed an alt-mode to complete themself. [[Tarantulas (ES)|Tarantulas]], himself possessing a spider beast mode, explained that an alt-mode isn't a missing part, but an expression of their selfhood. Taking these words to spark, Nightshade scanned a statue of the ''[[Winged Sentinel]]'' owl, taking it on as their beast mode. {{storylink|Missed Connection}}

[[Grimlock (ES)|Grimlock]] possessed a ''T. rex'' beast mode. {{storylink|Home, Part 1}}

During a little training at the [[Dino-Mite Quarry]], one of Grimlock's seismic stomps unearthed the fossilized skeleton of a ''Stygimoloch''. Drawn to the ancient bones, [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] scanned them and gained a dino mode of his own. Grimlock and [[Elita-1 (ES)|Elita-1]] were surprised as this wasn't how trans-scanning usually worked. {{storylink|A Stygi Situation}}

{{--}}

==Notes==
* "Beast mode" has since been trademarked by Marshawn Lynch, an American football running back for the [[Seattle Seahawks]], who claims to have "invented" it as his own personal, signature catch phrase. Lynch now uses it as the primary branding of [https://www.beastmodeonline.com/ his clothing line], so don't expect the phrase to appear on any [[Hasbro]] merchandise any time soon.
* Someone with a much better claim to have invented the term is TFWiki's own [[User:Dvandom|Dvandom]], whose 1995 [https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/rcEpU5sy2bo/m/9Gf_6rxA5NYJ review] of an [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] knockoff on [[alt.toys.transformers]] is cited by the Oxford English Dictionary as featuring the earliest identified example.<ref>[https://www.oed.com/dictionary/beast-mode_n?tab=factsheet#1330358300 OED.com entry for beast mode n., factsheet]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Popular beast alternate modes]]
* [[Primitive]]
* [[Chimeracon]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Charlotte Mearing

2026-01-19T15:34:32Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{factions|NEST}}
:''Charlotte Mearing is a [[human]] from the [[movie continuity family]].''
[[Image:DOTMDirectorMearing.jpg|thumb|250px|The single smartest and most competent human in the entire [[Tyran]] cluster.]]

Not everyone can be as pleasant a bureaucrat as [[Theodore Galloway]]. But the [[United States of America|United States]]'s {{w|Director of National Intelligence}} '''Charlotte Mearing''' does her best to live up to his legacy. But where Galloway was spiteful and confrontational, Mearing is overbearing, controlling, and impatient. She demands that every last operation, decision, and piece of intelligence go through her before anyone else. She especially doesn't take kindly to people going over head, no matter how long their list of heroic deeds may be. Just calling her "ma'am" is enough to get on her bad side and earn yourself one of the most intense staredowns you'll ever experience. Mearing's no less demanding and exacting towards her [[Mearing's aide|hapless assistants]] who have to lug around dozens of high-priced handbags and accessories she'll demand at a moment's notice with little to no specification.

If Mearing has any redeeming qualities, it's that she at least sees the big picture. When confronted with a problem bigger than her, she loses her condescending and snippy attitude and tries to work with her colleagues. The Autobots are also able to remind her of her place if she ever tries squaring off with them. Mearing seems to understand the importance of [[NEST]], but they better do things her way.

She also had one-time fling with [[Seymour Simmons]], but she (understandably) doesn't like it brought up. But that doesn't stop him from trying to (unsuccessfully) rekindle old flames.

{{bigquote|It's a little formality called ''paperwork'', it kinda separates us from the animals.|Mearing berates Sentinel Prime|''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Actor:'' [[Frances McDormand]]
{{voiceactor|[[Sayuri Sadaoka]] (Japanese dub)|[[Yang Chen]] (Mandarin dub), [[Yolanda Vidal]] (Latin American Spanish dub), [[Marta Angelat]] (Castilian Spanish dub), [[Arianne Borbach]] (German dub), [[Jocelyne Darche]] (European French dub), [[Chantal Baril]] (Canadian French dub), [[Chiara Salerno]] (Italian dub), [[Mariângela Cantú]] (Portuguese dub), [[Zeynep Özden Ayyıldız]] (Turkish dub)}}
After several incidents involving the [[Autobot]]s on foreign territory, Mearing paid a visit to NEST HQ in [[Washington, D.C.]] to talk to [[William Lennox|Colonel Lennox]] about it. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] was even less forthcoming than the Colonel and had to be nudged just to transform. When he demanded answers on why Autobot technology had been found in human hands, Mearing introduced him to [[Buzz Aldrin]] and two of NASA's founding directors. She and the others explained that decades ago an alien ship had crashed on the moon, triggering a space race to investigate it.

When Optimus and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] returned from the moon with [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] and five [[Pillar]]s, Mearing had the latter safely locked up. She was unimpressed when [[Sam Witwicky]] and his girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]] were let into the base, though Lennox attempted to vouch for them, and threatened to have Sam charged with treason. She and Lennox watched as Optimus revived Sentinel with the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. She was unimpressed when the Pillars turned out to be a technology to transport things across time and space and insisted on keeping them locked up. Mearing opened the "Total Nightmare file" and had a more peaceful discussion with Sam and Carly, though when [[Brains]] got on her desk, she got a gun out.

Mearing tried to confront Sentinel as he rampaged through NEST HQ, and had to be restrained by Lennox. She subsequently blamed Optimus for Sentinel's betrayal. She also apologized to Sam for underestimating him. They headed for [[Florida]], where the Autobots were preparing to launch in the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', and Mearing encountered Simmons who immediately began rubbing her the wrong way. After the destruction of the Xantium and Decepticon invasion of [[Chicago]], Mearing and Simmons worked with [[Morshower]] to try to get more information on the situation. It wasn't until [[Robert Epps|Epps]] and Sam got into Chicago and used a down military drone to report back that Mearing could find anything out. They got more information when [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] hacked into the traffic cameras and Mearing congratulated him when he managed to lower a bridge so Lennox and his men could cross.

Following the defeat of the Decepticons, Simmons gave her a huge kiss, and she ordered him arrested. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{note|Charlotte Mearing’s involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]]''; the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]]'' and ''[[Movie Trilogy]]'' comics; and the storybook "[[The Lost Autobot]]".}}

===IDW movie comics===
National Security Director Charlotte Mearing was appointed the new director of NEST in place of the deceased [[Theodore Galloway|Galloway]], and she ended up revoking Bumblebee's permission to live with Sam. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4|Rising Storm #4}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Charlotte Mearing''' (シャーロット・メアリング ''Shārotto Mearingu'')

{{DEFAULTSORT: Mearing, Charlotte}}
[[Category:Dark of the Moon humans]]
[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:United States of America]]

Cartoon Network

2025-12-04T01:41:35Z

Tribimat: typofix

[[Image:CNlogo2.svg|right|300px|thumb|Still waiting on that ''SWAT Kats'' revival, guys.]]
A product of {{w|Ted Turner}}'s vast empire (since merged into {{w|Warner Bros. Discovery}}), '''Cartoon Network''' was a showcase channel for Hanna-Barbera's extensive archive of classic animation. Making its debut on [[October 1]], [[1992]], it became an instant powerhouse for cable in the 1990s, airing both older and new cartoons. The newer projects led to pioneering shows in their own right, amongst them ''[[Matt Hill|Ed,]] [[Sam Vincent|Edd 'n]] [[Tony Sampson|Eddy]]'', ''Dexter's Laboratory'', ''[[Charlie Adler|Cow and Chicken]]'', ''[[Jeff Glen Bennett|Johnny Bravo]]'', ''[[Tara Strong|The Powerpuff Girls]]'' and ''[[Phil LaMarr|Samurai Jack]]'', the latter leading to two original ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]: Clone Wars'' mini-series. The channel saw a major renaissance in the 2010s with the likes of ''Gumball'', ''[[Tom Kenny|Adventure Time]]'', ''Steven Universe'', and ''Regular Show''.

Cartoon Network eventually expanded itself with greater amounts of original content, soon shuffling its "vintage" animation to a new channel, "Boomerang". New programming blocks such as "[[Toonami]]", "Miguzi" and "Adult Swim" aimed more toward early-teen and adult animation fans and helped to bring a new lease on life to the anime movement.

In 1998, the Toonami block broadcast the final five episodes of season two of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', a welcome development since otherwise American fans would not have seen them for many months and would have been vulnerable to spoilers from dirty [[Canada|Canadians]]. In 2002, Cartoon Network revived ''He-Man'' for all of ten minutes, and also turned their heads towards ''Transformers'', airing all three "seasons" of the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. Near the end of the 2000s, they served as producers and distributors of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'', which featured many of the talents who brought Cartoon Network some of their bigger action cartoons like ''Teen Titans'' and ''[[Ben 10]]''.

Unfortunately, Cartoon Network has a nasty habit of moving ''Transformers'' shows to early morning "death slots," before most of the target audience (yannow, kids) are awake and/or getting ready for school. While this didn't have much of an impact on the Unicron Trilogy because the shows had 52 pre-planned episodes from the get-go, ''Transformers Animated'' suffered from almost-nonexistent advertising and the dreaded early morning "death slot." While this was only one of the many factors that led to ''Transformers Animated's'' untimely ending, Cartoon Network certainly contributed to the show's cancellation.

[[Cartoon Network TOO]], Cartoon Network Europe and Cartoon Network Brazil have the broadcast rights to ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]].''

[[Image:Teletoon Logo.jpg|thumb|200px|O Canada...]]
Cartoon Network was the home of the second ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon since the [[Hub Network]] was reworked into [[Discovery Family]]. True to form, they ran the series in the prestigious Saturday morning 6:30 AM timeslot and generally did not promote it. International Cartoon Networks in Australia and the UK and Ireland also aired the program. By 2022, things would come full circle as Discovery Family would now operate under the Cartoon Network Group due to the merger of its parent companies at the time to form Warner Bros. Discovery.

Cartoon Network was the home of the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon. Surprising nobody, the series suffered from poor timeslots and nigh-nonexistent advertising, though episodes were uploaded to the CN Mobile app even before their television premieres (admittedly less important at the time since Hasbro themselves put every episode on YouTube). The two finale specials didn't even air on the network, going straight to YouTube instead. Cartoon Networks in Europe, the Middle East, the African region, and Latin America aired ''Cyberverse'' as well.

Cartoon Network Japan has rerun a number of ''Transformers'' series over the years, including ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]],'' ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Wars Returns]].'' They also were the first station in Japan to air all three episodes of "[[The Rebirth]]," which before then had only ever been seen as laserdisc and DVD bonus content.

In [[2023]], the Canadian network '''Teletoon''' was rebranded as Cartoon Network, though they have yet to air any any ''Transformers'' content since the rebranding. When it was Teletoon from [[2011]] to [[2022]] they were the home to the Transformers franchise in Canada taking the reins from fellow sister channel [[YTV]], they broadcasted [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]], [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Transformers: Rescue Bots]], [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]] and [[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]. What was notable was that Teletoon had the honour of being the first platform in the entire world to premiere the series finale of Transformers: Cyberverse, "[[The Perfect Decepticon]]".

==External links==
*[http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/index.html Official website]
*{{w|Cartoon Network|Cartoon Network at Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Networks]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. properties]]

Aunty

2025-11-24T23:06:29Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Aunt}}
:''Aunty is the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s [[List of computers|brain]] manifested as a disembodied head from the [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Auntie.jpg|thumb|If [[Teletraan I]] was [[T-AI]]'s dad, is Aunty her mom?]]
'''Aunty''' (also known as '''Auntie''', or '''AUNTIE''') is the visual AI interface for the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s computer systems. Therefore, she is in complete and near-sole control of all of the ship's functions, including its [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardians]]. She's a kind personality, but also dutiful and coldly logical in her actions. That is, until the crash and/or [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s [[fusion cannon]] fried her circuitry, changing her from benign into an untrustworthy, raging megalomaniac.

She does not run {{w|Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome|Bartertown}}.

==Fiction==
===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:AuntieTransmitsSignals.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
''When the [[Decepticon]]s attacked the Ark, Aunty reached the conclusion that the [[Autobot]]s could not possibly come out of the fight victoriously. Thus, she prompted [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] to crash the Ark onto [[Earth]] so that at least the Decepticons would be taken down with them.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

''All combatants within the Ark were rendered offline, but Aunty detected Cybertronian life outside. Dispatching a probe, she learned that [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] had come to Earth and was wandering the [[Savage Land]]. Aunty used data gathered from the Savage Land to convert five of the dormant Autobots into the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. They traveled to fight Shockwave, but their battle reached a stalemate when all combatants became trapped in a tar pit and buried under a collapsing cliff side. Aunty then shut down as well.'' {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} {{storylink|In the Beginning...}} <ref>Though the Ark's computer isn't specifically called out as being Aunty in "Repeat Performance!", "In the Beginning..." recounts these events while identifying Aunty by name.</ref>

Once the restoration of most of the crew after their subsequent four million year slumber was completed, [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] fixed up Aunty as well as he could for the time being. This so that she could [[Sky Spy|collect data]] of the planet they were stranded on. Aunty did, though wrongfully presented human machinery as the native lifeform instead of anything actually alive. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

''It wasn't until another attack by the Decepticons that Auntie was fully reawakened. Though the Autobots fought bravely, Optimus Prime realized they were not going to make it and pondered about their odds if Auntie had been online. He did not know how badly the crash had damaged Auntie, but figured trying to bring her back was the only chance they had and so fled the battlefield to reactivate her. This didn't occur without Megatron's notice however, who deduced his nemesis had to have a plan in mind. Thus, as Optimus pleaded for Auntie to wake up, Megatron blasted the terminal with his fusion cannon. Hope seemed lost for merely a moment, as Auntie still escaped her slumber. Yet unfortunately, she did so with her [[Circuit (circuit)|circuits]] scrambled a lot worse than initially feared. Her first act upon awakening was to magnetize the Ark's walls in order to stop the fighting, her second to tell the two leaders she would listen to both their sides of the story and destroy the less deserving group. Optimus tried to reason with her and remind her of her original identity, but she refuted his claims and insisted on her solution to the conflict. This amused Megatron slightly at first, until Optimus explained to him Auntie was playing with them and that no matter her judgement, she would destroy them all if not stopped. Considering his chances, Megatron opted to take down the glitching computer. As Auntie was distracted in consideration of her verdict, Megatron tapped into the energy of a [[black hole]] to power up for one devastating attack. It didn't come to that though, as [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], who had been able to get past all the traps and defences set up by Auntie, came stumbling in. While Windcharger took care of the [[Guardian (Marvel)|last obstacle]], Ravage aimed for Auntie. Just a little slower than the [[Mini-Cassette]], Auntie died her second death.''

''After chasing the Decepticons out of the Ark, Optimus Prime and Windcharger had a talk about the day's events. Optimus sourly noted it would take a long time to repair Auntie, if they even dared to take that risk again.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

{{note|[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] reckoned that Aunty was no longer operational after this.<ref>[[Source:Dread Tidings#Issue 277|Dread Tidings, issue 277]]</ref> Aunty is not explicitly mentioned by name after this, but the Ark and its systems had many more appearances.}}

The Ark's computer automated the Autobots' use of the [[Tubes of Transference]]. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Upset at the presumed death of [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]], Optimus Prime talked things over with the Ark's computer, simply referred to as "computer". When Prime asked what he could do to best reduce death and tragedy, the computer logically answered that he should stop fighting. Later, when Prime got his fighting spirit back, the computer agreed that past heroes can motivate tomorrow's heroes. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

===''Regeneration One''===
{{NoteRG1}}
Following his revival after the Ark's second Earthbound crash, Megatron reactivated Auntie to use to his own benefit. The computer was able to constantly formulate counter-plans and strategies to any task-force that sought to dethrone Megatron from his seat of power, resulting in many human casualties. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} The Wreckers and a handful of humans tried to reach the Ark and shut her down, and she deployed the Ark's defenses including a number of Guardian robots to defend her. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} She was instructed by Megatron to launch the Ark's nuclear missiles at his and Optimus Prime's forces no matter the outcome of the battle, ensuring all combatants perished. She prepared to fire the Ark's missiles per Megatron's orders, but detected [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] entering the Ark. Despite detaining him, he still managed to overload her systems and shut her down before she could launch the missiles. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

===''Transformers '84''===
[[File:Auntie secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
'''A'''rtificial '''U'''tility '''N'''exus/'''T'''actical '''I'''ntelligence '''E'''ntity, AUNTIE was the supercomputer AI that ran the Ark. When the ship made its fateful crash on Earth, AUNTIE remained online but was severely damaged, unable to distinguish between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}} When AUNTIE detected Shockwave entering Earth's atmosphere, she reconstructed the Dinobots in the likeness of [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]] to combat him, [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] suspecting that the computer had scanned the planet for "something big and ugly" and extrapolated the new [[beast mode]]s based off the fossil remains. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}}

[[File:Auntie guardians secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
When the [[Conehead]]s approached the Ark, AUNTIE responded by reconstructing the bodies of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] but only uploading their experience, to create a drone force. As the battle raged, an over-energized Grimlock blindly stumbled his way back to the Ark, with AUNTIE activating a trio of Guardians. After the Dinobot had dismembered them, AUNTIE reactivated Megatron to deal with him. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}

In reactivating Megatron, AUNTIE had activated the tyrant's ability to channel [[antimatter]] but, forced to spread her processing power thin, was unable to properly contain the dangerous energies. Recognizing what was happening, the Coneheads abandoned the area allowing AUNTIE to focus her processing power on how to contain Megatron, raising her [[force field]]s to maximum. Having breached the ship before the shields were raised, Grimlock ploughed through AUNTIE's internal defences and violently stuck his fist in her central processor, deactivating her and dissipating the antimatter. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 4|Secrets & Lies #4}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*The name "Aunty" was conceived by [[Jim Shooter]] in his original treatment for the franchise to refer to the "thinking machine" that was the computer "brain" of the Autobots' unnamed ship. At some point during development, this name was crossed out of the document and replaced with "The Ark," giving the ship a name and using it to refer to the computer as well, as if they were the same entity.<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref> Though the name was by all appearances intended to be abandoned, Aunty received a single mention in the first issue of the Marvel US series, which probably slipped in by accident, and an early original story written for Marvel UK would then run with the idea, and feature the computer as an antagonist, in the process spelling its name "Auntie." The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]], meanwhile, would name the computer [[Teletraan I]].
*While the summary-story "[[In the Beginning...]]" maintains that Aunty is a living computer, it refers to her only as "it".

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 computers]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]

Pre-Transformers

2025-07-24T00:38:50Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{disambig2|the fandom term for toys derived from lines that existed before ''Transformers''|the cartoon character called "Pre-Transformer" in the script|Guardian Prime}}
[[File:Diaclone Car Robots.jpg|350px|thumb|Pffftt, like these silly novelty gizmos will ever become a decades-long pop culture phenomenon!]]
In [[Fandom|fan terminology]], '''pre-''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]''''' is an umbrella term for the ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]'' toylines, as well as for the original, non-''Transformers''-branded versions of such toys as [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Jetfire]] and the [[Mini-spy#Toys|Mini-spies]]; all of which originally made up the entirety of the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original ''Transformers'' toyline]] for (roughly) the first [[1984|two]] [[1985|years]] of its run. Some of these figures also sported different color schemes than their more well-known ''Transformers'' counterparts. In many instances, future [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]] of these figures or new toys of those characters would be [[redeco]]ed to [[homage]] the pre-''Transformers'' color schemes originally unused in the ''Transformers'' [[Franchises|franchise]].

By [[1986]], almost all of the pre-''Transformers'' toy-molds that made up the original ''Transformers'' toyline had started to trickle out in favor of the all-new molds based on [[Floro Dery]]'s concept artwork designed for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', though, a few [[Diaclone#Posthumous Diaclone|unutilized ''Diaclone'' concepts]], as well as [[retool]]s of previously-released pre-''Transformers'' molds from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] found their way into the mix. By [[1987]], the Hasbro ''Transformers'' line ([[1992]] in the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Takara line]]) had reached the point where ''only'' original molds were being produced.

==Pre-Transformers lines==
[[File:Sunstreaker-diaclone.jpg|250px|thumb|''Diaclone'' "No. 1 Countach LP500S —the first ''Diaclone Car Robot'' and the predecessor mold that eventually led to [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]].]]

[[File:DiacloneTrailbreaker.jpg|250px|thumb|''Diaclone'' "No. 5 4WD Hilux"—the predecessor mold that eventually led to [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]].]]
====Released in Hasbro & Takara's ''Transformers'' toylines====
*[[TakaraTomy|Takara]]
**''[[Diaclone]]'' — [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Autobot Cars]], [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], [[Jumpstarters]], [[Omnibots]], [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], [[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Toys|Blitzwing]]
**''[[Micro Change]]'' — [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his [[Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]], [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Mini-Vehicle|Mini-Vehicles]]

====Released in Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toyline only====
*Takara
** ''[[Kronoform]]'' (first released as its own toyline, later rebranded into a ''Transformers'' subline)
**''[[Mech Soldier]]'' — [[Mini-spy#Toys|Mini-spies]]

*[[Takatoku Toys]]
**''[[Armored Insect Corps Beetras]]'' — [[Insecticon (G1)#Toys|Deluxe Insecticons]]
**''[[Special Armored Battalion Dorvack]]'' — [[Deluxe Vehicle#Toys|Deluxe Vehicles]]
**''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'' — [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Notes|Jetfire]]

*[[Toybox]] — "Super Change Robo Mechabot-1" ([[Omega Supreme (G1)#Notes|Omega Supreme]]) and [[Sky Lynx (G1)#Notes|Sky Lynx]] (never actually released prior to the ''Transformers'' version)

*[[ToyCo]] — "4 Changeable Astro Magnum" ([[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Notes|Shockwave]])

====Released in Takara's ''Transformers'' toyline only====
*Takara
**''Diaclone'' — [[Trainbot|Trainbots]]
**''Micro Change'' — [[Browning]]

====Released in South American ''Transformers'' toylines only====
*[[Yonezawa Toys]] — "Remote Change Robo Series" ([[Eletrix]])

*[[Asahi Corporation]] — "Attack Change Machine Powertron" ([[Bat-Robô]])

*[[Best Join]] — "Radio Robot" (Confusingly, a [[knockoff]] that would later become [[Radio AM Robot]])
{{-}}

==Licensed international releases of pre-''Transformers''==

Hasbro's ''Transformers'' line was originally just one of several international venues for many of these figures. It was only when ''Transformers'' became such a huge worldwide success that it completely eclipsed these other versions, resulting in weird transitional phases in many instances. Some of these are frequently mistaken for [[knockoff]]s (not helped by the fact that there ''are'' knockoffs ''of these versions'' as well!).
[[File:Galactic Man.png|thumb|upright=1.66|RadioShack/Tandy's "Galactic Man"—once thought by many to be a knockoff.]]

'''United States'''
*Takara
**''[[Diakron]]'' (featuring ''Diaclone'' figures, including the [[Powerdasher]]s that were first named as such here)
** ''[[Kronoform]]'' (again, later rebranded into a ''Transformers'' subline)

*[[RadioShack]] — "Galactic Man" (a version of [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Notes|Shockwave]]'s mold)
*Village Toys — ''Convert-A-Bots'', featuring "N-4-SR" (''another'' version of Shockwave's mold in two different color schemes) and ''Pow-R-Bots'' (featuring ''Turbo Z'', ''Porsche'', and ''Jeep'' as versions of [[Esporte]], [[Porsche (Eletrix)|Porsche]], and [[Jipe (Eletrix)|Jipe]]'s molds)
*Select — ''Convertors'' (featuring "Wheels" and "Chopper", plastic versions of [[Roadbuster (G1)#The Transformers|Roadbuster]] and [[Whirl (G1)#The Transformers|Whirl]]'s molds, respectively)
*Ertl Company - ''Pow-R-Trons'' (featuring ''Zoomer'' and ''Turboid'' as versions of [[Turbo (G1)|Turbo]]'s mold and ''Distroid'' and ''Fy-Ton'' as versions of [[Pick-Up (Bat-Robô)|Pick-Up]]'s mold)
'''United Kingdom'''
*Grandstand — ''Convertors'' (unrelated to Select's US line of the same name; featuring "Omegatron", a version of [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Notes|Omega Supreme]]'s mold in its original Mechabot-1 colors)
*Tandy — "Galactic Man" (almost identical to RadioShack's version, due to both being owned by the same parent company)

'''Germany'''
*GAMA — "Trans Robot" (a version of Omega Supreme's mold very similar to Grandstand's "Omegatron", with the packaging design being close to Toybox's original ''Mechabot-1'' version, but with the "Trans Robot" logo taking some cues from Hasbro's "''Transformers''" logo, also replacing the tank's long barrel with a radar dish because no war toys for you, German kids!)

'''Italy'''
*[[GiG]] — ''[[Trasformer]]'' (featuring ''Diaclone'' and ''Micro Change'' figures, some of them already in their unique ''Transformers'' colors; as well as "Megarobot", a version of Omega Supreme's mold)

'''France'''
*[[Joustra]] — ''Diaclone'' (featuring Takara ''Diaclone'' and ''Micro Change'' figures, some of them already sporting Autobot and Decepticon [[insignia]] [[sticker]]s)
*Orli Jouet — "Robotrack" (featuring "Mecabot", a nigh-identical version of Omega Supreme in Hasbro colors, possibly produced as part of a partnership with GiG, with the TV commercial even featuring footage from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Transformers'' cartoon]])

'''Finland'''
*Takara — ''Diaclone'' (featuring ''Diaclone'' figures, including a unique black version of [[Tracks (G1)#Black|Tracks]]'s mold)
{{-}}
==Honorable mentions==
[[File:Mysterians_mobile_force.jpg|250px|thumb|A mystery indeed.]]
* There is a credible case that the unreleased ''[[Mysterians]]'' toyline from American company Knickerbocker Toys was the origin point for the not-[[Choro-Q]]-inspired figures in the first wave of Generation 1 [[Mini-Vehicle|Mini-Vehicles]] - those being [[Brawn (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Brawn]], [[Gears (G1)#The Transformers|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)#The Transformers|Huffer]], and [[Windcharger (G1)#The Transformers|Windcharger]]. These designs were shown in internal Knickerbocker documents in 1982, then Hasbro purchased Knickerbocker in 1983 and the molds were released in ''Micro Change'' in 1983. But the chronology is not entirely clear, because Takara designer [[Masaki Maruyama]] is typically credited as designing these figures (as well as the other Mini-Vehicles). Perhaps Knickerbocker designed the toys and Maruyama's attributed credits are wrong... or early Takara designs were at first licensed to Knickerbocker for a release that never happened... or the two companies were designing them in tandem. Conclusive details about who gets full credit for such obscure unreleased products from a long-defunct company are likely lost to time.
**Notably, the other non-pre-Transformers ''Mysterians'' designs would eventually get released by a different company called Marchon (also under the ''Mysterians'' name), although it is unknown what (if any) deal they cut with Hasbro and/or the late Knickerbocker.

==Notes==
* The act of licensing out Japanese transforming robot toys (and robot toys in general) to Western markets appears to have started with the toy manufacturer, {{w|Popy}} (ポピー). Popy started off as a part of [[Bandai]], but separated from them in [[1971]] to explore other avenues, creating lines such as the ''Popynica'' line, which made toys for the ''{{w|Kamen Rider}}'' franchise, and the ''{{w|Chogokin}}'' line, which made toys for franchises such as ''[[Mazinger Z]]''. The toys released in these two lines ended up being licensed out to [[Mattel]] as part of their popular ''{{w|Shogun Warriors (toys)|Shogun Warriors}}'' franchise in the 70s. Popy is also credited by many as being the inventors of robot-to-vehicle transforming toys (although not the inventors of transforming robots as a genre, as that honor [[Yonezawa Toys#Overview|would belong to Yonezawa's quirky battery-powered "Space Explorer" toy with its TV set alternate mode instead]]), with their figure of the titular character of ''{{w|Brave Raideen}}'' in [[1975]] which was also licensed out to Mattel. All of this would eventually lead to the creation of the ''{{Gb|Machine Robo}}'' toyline—but due to the declining popularity of robot toys in the very early-80s—Popy was reintegrated into Bandai in [[1983]], which thus led to the partnership between Bandai and [[Tonka]], that created ''[[GoBots]]''.
* As mentioned above, Hasbro's once-rival, Tonka, teamed up with Bandai in 1983, to create the ''GoBots'' franchise using licensed-out ''Machine Robo'' toys. Much like Takara's attempts at releasing their products in Western markets through the ''Diakron'' and ''Kronoform'' lines, Bandai attempted the same thing with ''Machine Robo'', releasing the ''{{Gb|Robo Machine}}'' and ''{{Gb|Robo Machines}}'' lines in Europe; the {{Gb|Machine Men (North American franchise)|''Machine Men'' and ''Robot Machine Men''}} lines in America and Canada, respectively; and the (unrelated) ''{{Gb|Machine Men (franchise)|Machine Men}}'' line in Australia—all of which had varying degrees of success, and ran concurrently with one another.
*The [[Action Master]] [[Treadshot (G1)#The Transformers|Treadshot]]'s design was inspired by a toy originally manufactured by Sunmayor Ohkawa (サンマーヤ大川) Co., Ltd., the "357 Magnum Robo" (357マグナムロボ). It was later called the "Highway Patrol Robo" and released in [[GiG]]'s ''[[Trasformer]]'' line in Italy. It was even covered in Takara's ''[[Takara SF Land Collection Complete Works]]'' toy book for unknown reasons.

==External links==
*[http://www.fredsworkshop.com/vdiaclone.html Pre-Transformers!]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170913031534/http://1501bc.com/pretf/ The Pre Transformer Page]

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Pre-Transformer]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Reflector (G1)

2025-03-16T23:07:45Z

Tribimat: wording fix

{{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"), [[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 [[Washington, D.C.]], {{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]] [[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.
{{--}}

==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]]''

{{--}}

==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: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]]

User talk:Repowers

2025-02-27T01:47:09Z

Tribimat: Gold Plastic Syndrome questions

==Commercials==
Hey, had a few questions/thoughts regarding the [[Commercial]] page and wanted to see what you thought about them.

1. The narrator for most of the RID commercials sounds like Neil Kaplan. Would you agree? I think we could email him about that through his website, but would an unpublished e-mail be good enough for confirmation?

2. Along the same vein, I'm really starting to think Even Keel is none other than David Kaye. Again, do you think it's him? We could probably get someone to ask him at BotCon this year (I'd do it myself but I'm not able to attend).

3. Found some interesting info here: http://www.kwcc.com/house/credits/lead.html
But I'm not sure just how to integrate it into the wiki, or if there's enough there to justify it.

4. Thinking about the non-network cartoon promos, what would constitute enough evidence to show it was a nationally used promo. Would clips of the same promo on two different stations be sufficient, or do we need more?

5. Came up with one more, regarding the Energon Optimus/Scorponok commercial. The static, "Each sold separately", shot of the toys doesn't just have the two featured toys. It also has Energon Unicron! I can't find any reference to a longer version of this commercial anywhere online. Is it possible a longer version of such a recent commercial could completely escape the fandom's notice? Or was it left on the cutting room floor and the end shot is all that made it to air?

6. On the subject of movie trailers, I'm not finding any evidence to support what you have listed for #2 and #3. #2 appears to be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbF4mv891Nk which is a fan-made trailer. As for #3, I can't find any example of it. The description seems to be the same as that of "Hidden". What were you basing those entries on? On a related note, the menu on disc 2 of the DVD special edition as well as the file name for the same content on the HD-DVD version refers to the teaser trailer as Teaser Trailer #1. So I think that's why the first full length trailer is listed as #2. What #3 is or was, I've no idea.

--[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 22:19, 4 May 2009 (EDT)

:Sorry I haven't addressed any of these... just haven't had time. I don't know much about the post-G1 commercials, only what I've been able to dig up online, and it's been a long time since I put some of this together. I'll try and put in some time on this next week. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 12:17, 31 May 2009 (EDT)

::Not a problem. I'm sorry about going overkill with my messages. The lack of response for so long gave me the impression you didn't know the list was here. I'll be more patient in the future.

::As for the list, take all the time you need. I'd prefer the movie trailer entry to be looked at first, if possible. I have one minor addition in that I found a third Dinobot commercial: http://www.retrostatic.com/videos/p803_sectionid/999999/p803_js_on/1/p803_fileid/483
::I'm wondering if this one ever made it to air? Some of the aesthetics are so different from other G1 commercials that it seems like a test version or something. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 23:28, 31 May 2009 (EDT)

:::Looks like you were right about the two 2007 movie "trailers". I think those are all pretty well sorted out now... unless somebody wants to start a list of Japanese ads, which would open a huge can of worms since it would mean going back to G1 as well. (that'd probably need to be a separate page.)
:::I don't have enough grasp on Neil Kaplan or David Kaye's "natural" voices to figure out if they were narrating those ads, though I'll have a listen when I have time. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 11:20, 4 June 2009 (EDT)

::::Ok, cool. Since you've been going through the 2007 Movie tv spots I thought you might want to see this list: http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2007/STUVWXYZ/Transformers/trailer.php Several of the spots you have listed appear to have actual "names" (not just according to the list but Michael Bay's MySpace account and other seemingly official sources) instead of being the "Nickelodeon spot version A". I believe there's even some that aren't currently listed.
::::Funny you should mention the Japanese ads, as I had thought about that myself. But given the can of worms as you said, plus the need for translation help, I don't know if I'd try tackling it anytime soon.
::::On a almost unrelated note, why did you remove the Micromasters commercial entry? I don't think it was redundant and I did find a video of it (Just hadn't gotten around to updating the Wiki): http://www.retrostatic.com/videos/p803_sectionid/13/p803_fileid/675/p803_js_on/1 --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 22:49, 4 June 2009 (EDT)
:::::That's the same one listed as "Micromaster Patrols", far as I can tell. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 00:20, 5 June 2009 (EDT)
:::::Holy crap, that movie spot list is AMAZING. I'm not sure what to do with all those clips... I guess they should go in their own section? Or are they even worth full entries? Dunno. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 00:57, 5 June 2009 (EDT)
::::::Ah, you are correct about the Micromaster commercials. Nice catch sir.
::::::I think for the clips we should have a section saying something to the effect of "Preview clips of the movie were released to various TV shows and websites" followed by a list of the clips with brief descriptions. They're really just single scenes shown as is, so the only things to note about them are the when and where of the release and what scene. It probably goes without saying that only clips that were released as part of Paramount's/Hasbro's promotional strategy (or through a rogue Bay) should be included. I don't particularly trust that list in regards to the descriptions of the clips. Looking through the list, I found at least one of those is actually just the final trailer. Could be other issues where the site or TV show they link to isn't where the clip originated. The other sections look like they're accurate, but I would double check the clip descriptions to be safe. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 19:05, 7 June 2009 (EDT)

I was going through [[Commercial]] again and had two sets of questions. First, I noticed that someone named the narrator for [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sxMlvn3Dsw Autobot Cars plus Thrust and Dirge] as You're Gonna Get It. That edit was lost to the Bookworm crash, so I'm hoping you might know where that name came from. Related to that, I think that narrator is the same as the one used for [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df5GGZ3we68 Mini-Spies] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbcwV818LuA Omega Supreme]. Do you agree?

The second set of questions is about the "Original cartoons on VHS". Is this referring to the promos that were on the tapes themselves or a spot that actually aired on TV? If it's the latter, should we add an entry for the former? --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 00:14, 17 September 2009 (EDT)

:<nowiki>*</nowiki>Nudge* Just wanted to see if you had an answer to the VHS question above. The other is just for personal curiosity so you could forget that altogether. Also want to point out my musings at [[Talk:Commercial#International Spots]] --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 02:23, 22 November 2009 (EST)
::IIRC the "cartoons on VHS" was a TV spot I found somewhere at some point. The promos on the tapes themselves is definitely worth a mention.
::I didn't add the name for the Autobot Cars spot... no idea where it came from. It's been so long since Iworked on this stuff that I don't remember much of it anymore.
::International spots? Go for it! I'd say a whole separate section at the bottom of the commercials page, rather than appending them to each franchise section. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 02:39, 22 November 2009 (EST)
:::<facepalms> I just plugged "Transformers VHS" into YouTube and the VHS TV spot was the second video listed [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ_VcOThVZM]. And I have the RetroJunk link in my list of TF ad links. I have no clue why I didn't write it up when I found it or how I completely forgot I found it. Sorry for bugging you about that. Regarding the international, I'm compiling a simple list of any non-Japanese spots so I can see how much volume there is. The combined total is 29 currently. Enough for an 'international' subpage I would think. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 02:41, 23 November 2009 (EST)

==Rob's Big To-Do List!==
An ever-changing list of stuff that needs taking care of. I'll get to it eventually, but if anyone else wants to pitch in, go for it!

===Ongoing projects===
* S3 cartoon errors
* Marvel US Notes sections
**1 Synopsis
**2 Featured characters
**3 Quotes
**4 Notes
**4.1 Continuity notes
**4.3 Real-life references
**4.4 Errors
**4.6 Other trivia
**4.8 Covers (3)
**4.9 Advertisements
**5 External links
* Movie character pages - better images, vehicle mode shots (Op in DOTM, Sentinel, Dino, Dreads (group shot too)
Wreckers, assault ships, dusintegrator Rays

===Additions===
* Production info for Armada, Energon, Cybertron, Robots in Disguise.
* Packaging needs a ton of work and lots of images. Keep an eye out for MISB toy photos.
* Toyline pages: Most are just lists of toys. They need overview writeups: what common elements did the toys have, standard gimmicks, packaging notes, sub-lines, items of special note, reception by fans and general public, images of some sample toys.

==Questions to ask of official-type people==

* Furman:
** Was "Tales of Earth" designed to work around Yanniger's slow production pace?
** What was the Transformer life sign "in two parts" in US #74?
* Budiansky: was the US #5-12 written with the possibility of the series ending at #12 in mind?
* Hasbro team: can you talk a bit about "play patterns" and how they affect toy design? (word this so it doesn't sound so dumb)
* G1 crew: Were there any intentional efforts to reduce the use of certain toys in one particular media if they were heavily used in other media? Skids, for example, hardly shows up in the cartoon at all, but gets heavy promotion in the Marvel Comics. Shockwave also plays a much diminished role in the cartoon compared to his comics role.

==Comic series organization project==

MARVEL GENERATION ONE
Marvel Comics - publisher page. Short overview of the series, and links to:

The Transformers (Marvel comic) - Series overview page. Covers the US series and the UK series. Needs more images -- UK comic covers in particular.
Generation 2 (Marvel comic) - Series overview page.
G.I. Joe and the Transformers
Headmasters (comic)
Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)

Marvel_Comics_continuity - page about the continuity. Still need to link more stuff back to this page.
http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Marvel_US_issues - not so critical now that everything's got nav boxes.

DREAMWAVE GENERATION ONE
Dreamwave - publisher. Lists issues but is mostly about the company.
Dreamwave timeline
Dreamwave continuity

IDW GENERATION ONE
IDW Publishing - publisher page. Intro to rebooted continuity and list of issues ordered by date of publication.
IDW timeline
IDW continuity

DEVIL'S DUE
Devil's Due - publisher page. Short history, list of miniseries.
Devil's Due timeline - No timeline page at present.
G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity - Continuity overview page. Also lists the four miniseries. They should all link back to it.

G1 CARTOON
Generation 1 (cartoon)
Generation 1 cartoon timeline
Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)
Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)/src
No continuity page at present.

BEAST ERA CARTOONS
Beast Era - short overview page, links to main franchise pages.
Beast Wars (cartoon)
Beast Machines (cartoon)
Beast Era timeline - page doesn't exist yet.
No continuity page at present.
==Something to help your Energon recaps==

I recommend referring to NTFA for the japanese episode names and airdates of both series:

* Superlink names and airdates
* Energon names and airdates

I've added the info into the pages you've already done, so to simply follow what's already been written I recommend placing the Japanese SL airdate before the US Energon airdate in the Stats section, given that SL aired first and Energon suffered horrible gaps in episodes aired ;) --FFN 15:54, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Very late, but I just wanted to say how useful this info has been. -- Repowers 05:07, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

==Were you looking for this the other day?==

http://www.emopanda.com/tmp/Energon%20-%2017%20-%20Return%20of%20Demolisher.avi

Yeah, somebody found it for me, somewhere or other. I haven't gotten around to it yet; I've had to slow down on the Energon in general to preserve my brain cells. Thanks! -- Repowers 21:17, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, I think that was me, and I linked you to the wrong episode marked as Return of Demolisher on Veoh. -Derik 22:04, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

==Sorry==

Sorry for overreacting. Thanks for fixing my userpage, much appreciated.--Detour 05:02, 19 September 2008 (UTC)
==Avast all-powerful Admin!==

Go port the contents of the MediaWiki:Recentchangestext talk page over to the page itself. I wants me logs back! -Derik 06:18, 19 September 2008 (UTC)

I'm not quite sure how to do this thing you speak of. You want me to move this page to this page? -- Repowers 06:27, 19 September 2008 (UTC)

So is it easier for an admin to clear out the contents of a category than to just go item-by-item? (I'm a bit unclear on how this works.) -Derik 08:10, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

If there's a way to delete multiple items, it's not showing up on my screen, and I did just spend a few minutes looking around for it. I'm just going one-by-one down the list. -- Repowers 08:11, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

The category list, or the file list? (I'm trying to figure out if there's any point to me flagging these images with a speedy deletion 'cat.) -Derik 08:19, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

Category list. I didn't know there was a file list. Maybe I need to look harder. (I have a bad habit of never going to the Special Pages list.) -- Repowers 08:22, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

Interrobang pointed it out, except you can't just delete blind, because a certain part of the way down it switches into real files. Is it any more convenient to have 'em in a category than this? -Derik 08:34, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

Arg, no, there's no mass-delete function there either. I dunno if Suki or Walky might have such an option, but I do not. Unfortunate, 'cause there's a ton of these things, and the click-click-click-back button method of deleting them is slow and painful. -- Repowers 08:38, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

Given my choices I'd just have Deceptitran do it direct-- (he's already got all the problem files scaped to his database) but he doesn't have deletion privileges. :p -Derik 08:52, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

==Sorry for that..==

Was not looking at where I was posting. Sorry again. --KyleMD03 19:01, 19 September 2008 (UTC)
==Thanks for the Transmutate finishing summary==

Thanks for finishing Transmutate. But now I'm curious...not all the episode headers are standardized or link to the next/previous ones. Should we fix that? Speedball 01:23, 25 September 2008 (EDT)

Yeah, i don't know what's up with that. Some kind of new template that they were fooling around with. -- Repowers 01:40, 25 September 2008 (EDT)

==That Nightbeat GO! box==

Those white edges are pretty raw and ugly there. I put up a PSD template [1] here for all to use, much cleaner. Give it a retry. --M Sipher 10:13, 26 September 2008 (EDT)
==Micromaster base articles, especially the Gas station==

You are the wind beneath my wings. --FFN 13:24, 26 September 2008 (EDT)

You have any idea how goddamn freezin' cold it is here in your shadow?! -- Repowers 14:49, 26 September 2008 (EDT)

Too bad. Take it up with Bette Midler. --FFN 16:10, 26 September 2008 (EDT)

==Golden One's pupil==

Identified in the dialogue script as "Old Man"; the Red Wizard in his form, meanwhile, is identified as "Monk". Kinda funny when you consider they identify the Red Wizard's PET with a name... --Monzo 13:46, 29 September 2008 (EDT)

Does the script actually call the winged thing "sweet pet", like a name and not just an abstract term of 'affection'? -- Repowers 14:34, 29 September 2008 (EDT)

==Can I get you anything?==

Cold flannel? Chicken soup? Stomach pump? You must be a physical and mental wreck after that horrifying effort. Summarizing the whole of Energon should be the dictionary definition of taking one (or fifty-one) for the team. - Chris McFeely 21:09, 1 November 2008 (EDT)

You can find someone to take on Armada in its entirety, thereby ensuring that any lingering notions I might have of taking it on myself are well and truly squashed. Oy! -- Repowers 21:20, 1 November 2008 (EDT)

==A heads up==

Particularly unobservant people on TFW2005.com are discussing creating articles on TFW Funnies or whatever the hell they are on this wiki. So yeah, just a heads up in case anybody decides it would be a good idea to create articles on TF webcomics and fan fiction. --FFN 13:57, 17 December 2008 (EST)
==Flyer scans==

Hey Rob, I've added some flyer pages and brought a bunch of others up to speed, so I hope your friggin' happy. One that I don't have, though, is "The battle is far from over!", and I was wondering if you can make more scans of it. I'd like to see... well, basically all of it, but I'm thinking the front, folded up (to match the others) and the S.T.A.R.S. recruitment blurb in particular. Basically, whatever content is different from Reinforcements from Cybertron!, since I think this would be the very first mention of S.T.A.R.S., and I'd like to know exactly how it was initially presented. Thanks! - Jackpot 22:47, 28 December 2008 (EST)

Well it's about damn time!! :P I'll try and scan that one this evening and post it up somewhere. -- Repowers 14:28, 29 December 2008 (EST)

* Outside fold
* Inside fold

Go nuts! -- Repowers 00:13, 30 December 2008 (EST)

Nuts gone! Thank you muchly, sir. - Jackpot 04:27, 30 December 2008 (EST)

==US/UK navboxes==

From this earlier revision of your talk page: "Looks like the proper way to do it, but seeing Headmasters chopped up like that hurts my head."

Yeah, the slicing and dicing of headmasters was kind of a headache for me too, but looking through the issues and usch, it seems that this crazy wrongheaded order is the best way to do it. I'll stop futzing with the nav link chains on my UK re-formatting efforts. -- G1MarvelBlaster 08:58, 30 December 2008 (EST)

It's definitely screwy, but then, so was the original publication format. I console myself by remembering that if someone wants to thumb through the full sequence of Headmasters issues, there's the US nav links right above the UK ones. -- Repowers 14:25, 30 December 2008 (EST)

Heaven forfend we should have an alternate set "reading order" links when publication order doesn't measure up. No, that would be just silly. What kind of drunken fool would propose such a thing when the navbox template was being developed? "If we have a reading order function it'll save a lot of angst and headaches over peopel who want the forward-and-back publication order links to represent a reading order." Utter poppycock! -Derik 18:16, 6 January 2009 (EST)

*wonders if this is a good time to mention that, while going through and reformatting lots and lots of comic pages, she has thought about how awesome it would be to set up reading order lists for the various series and have the infoboxes automatically call them somehow instead of futzing with manual prev/next links*
I even know a way to possibly auto-prev and next comic series that are "Name issue #" thanks to something I had to cook up for my own personal wiki... --Jeysie 18:47, 6 January 2009 (EST)

==CamelCase variants==

The search function doesn't care how many capital letters you put in your search term, it'll take you to "BotCon", even if the "Botcon" page does not exist. —Interrobang 18:09, 6 January 2009 (EST)

Fer real? I've had lots of case-based search problems in the past, thought that was with multiple search terms. -- Repowers 18:12, 6 January 2009 (EST)

Yeah. "CRACK", "crack", "CrAcK", and "cRaCk" all take you to "Crack" if you enter them into the search box. —Interrobang 18:21, 6 January 2009 (EST)

...And it turns out this doesn't work on articles with CamelCase titles. Urgh. —Interrobang 18:24, 6 January 2009 (EST)

==Er...?==

Not that I think they're needed, but is there a reason you're deleting all the redirects Siph and Monzo created over the past few days? It's just kind of weird seeing their creation clogging up the recent changes, and now they're all deleted again.--RosicrucianTalk 16:42, 17 January 2009 (EST)

cur) (last) 18:22, 2 July 2006 M Sipher (Talk | block) (24 bytes) (Shortround (UT) moved to Shortround)
2006 is "the last couple of days"? -- Repowers 16:48, 17 January 2009 (EST)

Maybe I'm misjudging. Was all the recent activity on those marking them for deletion, then?--RosicrucianTalk 16:51, 17 January 2009 (EST)

Yeah. We stopped using (UT) ages ago (almost none of them are linked from anything -- I've been checking and fixing as needed.) I'm kinda shocked that there are this many still hanging around. -- Repowers 16:52, 17 January 2009 (EST)

I could also be going crazy, because I can't find the edits in question. Of course, that's likely because you've just deleted them :P--RosicrucianTalk 17:01, 17 January 2009 (EST)

I think you're confusing Monzo and Sipher labelling them for deletion as them creating the redirects. Since they put the delete template below the redirect code, the edit summaries automatically come up as "Redirected to X". —Interrobang 17:04, 17 January 2009 (EST)

Ah, so THAT is why some of them automatically redirected and others didn't. Innnnnteresting.
And yeah, last night in IRC Siph is all "Monz why don't you just nuke that (UT) junk" and Monz is all like "OMG DUDE LOL I'm totally not an admin." -- Repowers 17:07, 17 January 2009 (EST)

==Quote purging?==

Just out of curiousity, what's with all the quote deletions on the Animated episode pages? I don't really see any reason to delete them. It seems to be a shame, really. --Nightshade83 15:41, 28 January 2009 (EST)

It's come up many times that these sections are longer than they need to be. Most of the ones I'm cutting aren't particularly noteworthy or interesting or good or even comprehensible out of context. If anything, I'm being extremely lenient in what I cut. -- Repowers 15:44, 28 January 2009 (EST)

The quote sections are growing out-of-control . . . pruning them is a valuable service, IMO. --Jimsorenson 15:45, 28 January 2009 (EST)

Ah okay. I was just wondering, that's all. --Nightshade83 15:49, 28 January 2009 (EST)

Also -- a lot of these aren't really even quotes in a functional sense. They're transcriptions of entire scenes (which, like the first quote on Megatron Rising I, may be fun or memorable scenes, but not feature especially noteworthy dialog), or descriptions of action which happen to have some words in the middle of them, or attempts to transcribe a moment of particularly memorable voice acting, or totally mundane quotes that are only there because someone thought of a cute commentary to put after it (or worse still, a really-stretching OMG G1 cross-reference.) But that's not what a quote is really supposed to be. A quote should be memorable or clever or character-defining even out of context, even without scene descriptions, even if a person's never seen the episode. It should be relatively short and succinct, require minimal description, and not rely on prior knowledge to make sense. -- Repowers 16:01, 28 January 2009 (EST)

==Categories in Preview mode==

They're still there. You just have to scroll waaaaay down to see 'em.--RosicrucianTalk 20:03, 3 February 2009 (EST)
==Other Books

* Bunch here

* More here

I'd never even heard of some these before, like the Decepticon Camp one. --Monzo 00:35, 12 February 2009 (EST)

EDIT: Actually, this looks like this is the full gallery for that first page. Oops. --Monzo 00:38, 12 February 2009 (EST)

Aw man, just when I thought I was starting to get a grip on all this stuff. I both love and hate you for this. :D -- Repowers 00:39, 12 February 2009 (EST)

==Rob's Big To-Do List!==
An ever-changing list of stuff that needs taking care of. I'll get to it eventually, but if anyone else wants to pitch in, go for it!

'''General cleanup:'''
* Production info for ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'', ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'', ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]''.
* [[Pack-in flyer]] - cleanup? Split? additions?
* Find a better front image for [[toy]].
* [[Transformers: Universe (comic)]] issues are still a mess. They should all look like [[G.I._Joe_vs._the_Transformers_II_issue_2|this page]] when all's said and done.
** Overview page looks awful.
** Most issue pages look awful.
** The caption "The universe is very large place." has not been used. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.
* UK Annual text stories -- which ones fit with the mainline comic?
** [[Trigger-Happy!]] - has Megatron and Scoop on Earth, so, no.
** [[The Quest!]] - one of those recap-the-storyline ones.
** [[The Return of the Transformers]]
** [[To a Power Unknown!]]
** Headmasters retelling trio
** [[Plague of the Insecticons!]]
** [[Hunted!]]
** [[Missing in Action]]
** [[The Mission]]

* UK Future Autobot stories -- cross-link somehow?
** [[Ark Duty]]
** [[Prime's Rib!]]
** [[Ark Duty]]
** [[Target: 2006]]
** Death's Head / Legacy of Unicron / Space Pirates
** [[Time Wars]]
** Dystopic future saga
** [[Aspects of Evil!]]
** [[Peace]]

'''Toyline pages:''' Most of these are just straight lists of toys. They need overview writeups: what common elements did the toys have, standard gimmicks, packaging notes, sub-lines, items of special note, reception by fans and general public, images of some sample toys.
* [[Generation 1 (toyline)]] -- Just about perfect.
* [[Generation 2 (toyline)]] -- needs re-writing, and images.
* [[Movie (toyline)]] -- main line has writeup & images. Many sublines have nothing. Add cross-sells.
* [[Beast Machines (toyline)]] - needs images/cross-sells.
* [[Robots in Disguise (toyline)]] - needs images/cross-sells.
* [[Cybertron (toyline)]] - cleanup, images.
* [[Beast Wars (toyline)]] - cleanup.
* [[Machine Wars]] - needs a few images.
* [[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)]] - Needs more write-up, and images. Purple Silverbolt would be ideal. Or catalog.

'''Standard format:'''
* [[Armada (Panini comic)]]

==Comic series organization project==
MARVEL GENERATION ONE
 [[Marvel Comics]] - publisher page. Short overview of the series, and links to:
::[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)]] - Series overview page. Covers the US series and the UK series. Needs more images -- UK comic covers in particular.
::[[Generation 2 (Marvel comic)]] - Series overview page.
::[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]
::[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters (comic)]]
::[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)]]
 [[Marvel_Comics_continuity]] - page about the continuity. Still need to link more stuff back to this page.
 http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Marvel_US_issues - not so critical now that everything's got nav boxes.

DREAMWAVE GENERATION ONE
 [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] - publisher. Lists issues but is mostly about the company.
 [[Dreamwave timeline]]
 [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity]]

IDW GENERATION ONE
 [[IDW Publishing]] - publisher page. Intro to rebooted continuity and list of issues ordered by date of publication.
 [[IDW timeline]]
 [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]]

DEVIL'S DUE
 [[Devil's Due Press]] - publisher page. Short history, list of miniseries.
 [[Devil's Due timeline]] - No timeline page at present.
 [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity]] - Continuity overview page. Also lists the four miniseries. They should all link back to it.

G1 CARTOON
 [[Generation 1 (cartoon)]]
 [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline]]
 [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)]]
 [[Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)]]
 No continuity page at present.

BEAST ERA CARTOONS
 [[Beast Era]] - short overview page, links to main franchise pages.
 [[Beast Wars (cartoon)]]
 [[Beast Machines (cartoon)]]
 [[Beast Wars timeline]] - page doesn't exist yet.
 No continuity page at present.



==Testing Comics nav template for mini-series==

'''''The Transformers: Infiltration''''' is the first in a line of miniseries by [[IDW Publishing]] set in a "re-boot" of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] continuity, bringing the presence on [[Earth]] of the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s into the present day and placing the "robots in disguise" concept firmly in the forefront of its narrative. Infiltration is set in the same time period as ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer |The Transformers: Stormbringer]]'' and both are followed by ''[[The Transformers: Escalation]]''.

{| style="background:#f9f9ff;border:solid 1px #d8dcdc;padding:.5em 1em .4em 1em;float:right;clear:right;-moz-border-radius:.5em;-webkit-border-radius:.5em;padding:.5em;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"
|- style="background-color:#e7d492;"
!class="tt1-navigation_franchise-prev tti_buttonlink"|{{#if: |[[«]]|}}
!'''{{ #if: IDW continuity | [[ IDW continuity |IDW continuity]] | [[ IDW continuity ]] }} > {{ #if: {{#ifexpr: Infiltration }} | Infiltration | Issue # Infiltration }} '''
!class="tt1-navigation_franchise-next tti_buttonlink"|{{#if: Escalation (IDW)|[[The Transformers: Escalation|»]]|}}
{{#if:|
{{!}}- style="background-color:#e7d492;"
!class="tt1-navigation_franchise-prev tti_buttonlink"{{!}}{{#if: |[[{{{prev2}}}|«]]|}}
!{{ #if: | '''{{ #if: | [[{{{series2}}}|{{{seriesname2}}}]] | {{{seriesname2}}} }} > {{ #if: {{#ifexpr: {{{issuenumber2}}} }} | {{{issuenumber2}}}''' | Issue #{{{issuenumber2}}}''' }} |}}
!class="tt1-navigation_franchise-next tti_buttonlink"{{!}}{{#if: |[[{{{next2}}}|»]]|}} |}}
|}

{|style="margin:0 auto;padding:0 auto" align=center id=toc
!align=center bgcolor=#6699CC|'''''Infiltration'' issues:'''
|-align=center
|| [[Infiltration issue 0|#0]] | [[Infiltration issue 1|#1]] | [[Infiltration issue 2|#2]] | [[Infiltration issue 3|#3]] | [[Infiltration issue 4|#4]] | [[Infiltration issue 5|#5]] | [[Infiltration issue 6|#6]]
|}
{{-}}

...man, that doesn't really work, does it. What comes next -- ''Stormbringer''? ''Escalation''? One of the ''Spotlight''s?
:IDW's timeline is epochal, with each successive era marked by it's G1 miniseries. There may be other events that take place between the minis-- even (in the case of Stormbringer) major events but the G1 minis are the 'core' of the brand. We need a markup that recognizes this. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 11:08, 1 November 2007 (UTC)
::Yeah, that makes sense... so long as they all also link back to a continuity page so the complete picture is available as well. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 15:01, 1 November 2007 (UTC)
:::I know I'm really late, but the IDW TPBs are numbered. Volume 1 is Infiltration, 2 is Stormbringer, and 3 is Escalation. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 18:47, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
::::Ah, handy! Will adjust accordingly. I kinda gave up on the mini-series nav box idea anyway -- it seems a bit like overkill. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 19:12, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

==Images==
Hi, as the self-appointed pics guy (as I probably upload the most pics here), I'd suggest that you use Photoshop to edit out the backgrounds of the MTMTE scans you upload, so we're left with a nice, white background that matches the default colour of the wiki.

I'd also advise you to use copyright tags when uploading images such as:

<nowiki>{{hastak}}</nowiki> for Hasbro/Takara-owned images such as stock toy photos or screencaps.

<nowiki>{{comicinterior}}</nowiki> for comic page scans (which apply for the MTMTE series).

<nowiki>{{comiccover}}</nowiki> for comic covers.

<nowiki>{{fairuse}}</nowiki> for general pictures relating to Transformers but not exactly owned by Hasbro, or its a legal grey area. This can be used when you upload toy photos that you didn't take yourself.

A tip for recognising artists - [[Don Figueroa]] is VERY prolific in the MTMTE series, and you can tell which works are his by by their big hands with vents on the back of them, which are his trademark. Another trademark of his is cyclindrical piping on the edges of limbs, particularly the thighs. Also, most artists tended to be assigned all the art for a particular subgroup or team.

If in doubt, use <nowiki>{{artist?}}</nowiki> and it will be added to the category of art by undetermined artists.

Finally, I would advise caution in using so many pictures from a single source, as it would be hard to argue fair use. -[[User:FFN|FFN]] 19:12, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

:Thanks for the tips. I may not have time to follow up on 'em all today but I will soon. Ish.

:The toy photos, FYI, are all my own. Isn't there some "I hereby release into public domain blah blah blah" template for that sort of thing? -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 19:29, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

::I don't believe we do, at least to my knowledge. You can just say something like 'Photos by [[User:Repowers]], released to the public domain.'

::I've started adding tags to the pictures you've uploaded, but I'll leave the toy pics alone now. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 19:39, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

===Slog===
Can you scan a picture of Slog's MTMTE robot mode? I prefer to use some kind of uncluttered 'profile' pic if possible for the main article picture, and comic panels for the fiction section (since there isn't anything there in the Marvel section anyway). Assumign the scan of is good quality, I suggest using the magic wand tool in photoshop to cut out the background, leaving a nice, white crisp background behind the character.

I'm going to request the deletion of the beast mode picture because we can't fit it anywhere in the article, and we should only have one picture up at the start.

Formatting tip - when you don't want images to jut into other article sections or mess up the formatting, use <nowiki>{{-}}</nowiki> instead of a bunch of return key strokes :D --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 04:53, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

==US/UK Navboxes==
Following is the sequence that should be used for the remaining UK stories as their pages are created. See also:
[http://transformers.wikia.com/index.php?title=User_talk:Repowers&oldid=128717 older list] rationalizing the order of pages already created.

232-235: King Con, Small War, Prime's Rib, Deathbringer

236-239 Wrestling, Way/Savage/Survival

240-242 Back from Dead, Out to Lunch, RAge, Assault

243-245 Resurrection Gambit, Mind Games, Two MEgs, Underworld

246-248 All the Familiar, Demons, Dawn of Darkness, Fallen Star

249-251 Skin Deep, Whose LIfeforce, Greatest Gift, The Void.

252-255 Yesterday's Heroes, Edge of Impact, Shadow of Evil, White Fire

256-261 Perchance, Primal Scream, Starting Over

262-264 Bird of Prey, Two STeps BAck, Break away, Desert Island risks

282-285 Kings of the Wild Frontier, Shut Up, Maneuvers, Assassins, External Forces

286-289 Deadly Obsession ,Lesser Evil, Frontline, INside Story, End of the Road

==Older Discussion==
I'm bringing this up to you since you seem to be the main person integrating them. It seems unelegant, but at the same time the simplest solution. Could their simply be two navboxes on each (relevant) issue page? One for the US comic, and one for the UK?

It looks like the shared stories are summarized under their US issue numbers, using [[Deadly Obsession]] as a single example. It wouldn't be much to edit these pages to make their UK numberings a bit more prominent; a navbox would actually take care of that fine.

It would also require some minor edits to link seperate second-story-only pages to the stories which they share books with. Just something like "UK issue #254 also contained [[White Fire]]." I think that could be fit into the UK navbox, or worked in with the initial information block containing the reprint notice is.--[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 02:36, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
:If possible, putting it in a single navbox would be best allowing for as many listings as needed for the various reprints, as well as a "printed with" below the next and previous links. I don't think anything has been reprinted more than three times in a comic series. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 02:57, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
::Oh lordy lordy, the whole thing's such a headache I don't wanna think about it just now. But you're right, we do need to address it sooner or later, somehow. Someone who knows something about setting up nav boxes should probably decide how it's best done, though.
::There aren't any UK issues with *two* original stories in them, right? -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 06:16, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
:::I dunno about the Titan comics, but there was only one Marvel UK comic with more than two TF stories period (issue 232, which had a US story, the end of a UK reprint and the start of a new UK story. I've thought it over, and figured it would be best for one navbox per series instead od one with every comic series the story was printed in. That way, there would only be at most two sets of "next" and "previous" links, which could be done by adding some optional parameters to the current template.
The one problem is how to deal with stories printed in the same issue. Few of the B&W UK strips are multi parters, so some US reprints have three or four UK backup strips. Not to mention the ''Transformers Magazine'' of the current Titan comics. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 17:06, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
:Got it made up. The real beauty is no change need to be made for issues not reprinted in the same series.

{{User:FortMax/Template:Comicnav | The Transformers (Marvel comic) | Issues #s 13 - 17 | seriesname=Marvel UK | prev=Man of Iron (issue) | next=Raiders of the Last Ark | issuenumber2=Issue #s 308 - 317 | prev2=In the National Interest | next2=The Big Shutdown! }}

{{User:FortMax/Template:Comicnav | The Transformers (Marvel comic) | Issues #s 13 - 17 | seriesname=Marvel UK | prev=Man of Iron (issue) | next=Raiders of the Last Ark }}

--[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 18:24, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

::Hrm. I'm not sure why we even need to worry about the reprinted stories -- they're just straight reprints of previous stories, right? The chain of links should just run straight through the set of stories once, in the order it was published. Why not just skip the reprints? If we want to record the info, it should just go as a note as on the story's page. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 21:03, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

:::I was thinking the same thing. The main Marvel Comic page lists everything as issue numbers, but the actual individual pages are made for stories, not issues. So we take Story X. In the UK, Story X is followed by Story Y. In the US, Story Y wasn't printed and story X is followed by Story W. A UK Navbox would, from X's page, link "Y" as "Next->", and the US would link W as "Next->".

:::Now, I'm not very familiar with the original printing format, so this may be all hypothetical. Given what I just pointed out about the organization of the pages... standalone backup strips can either be "pooled", set aside, and then inserted into the "navbox stream" after the main story they backed up. Or, they can (more simply) share story pages with their appropriate main story. My first solution would allow for shorter, more concise story pages, the second would better preserve the issue sequence of the "<-prev/next->" links.

:::I feel like I might not be communicating my ideas properly, so please tell me if I need to clarify! --[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 21:39, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
::::I think I gotcha. It looks like we've already got a precedent, with (for example) "[[Perchance to Dream]]" having its own page. I don't know what else was in those 6 issues, but presumably it was something that's already covered in the US issues.
::::I suppose someone could come into the list link for, say, UK #259, looking for "[[Perchance to Dream]]", only to find "[[The Primal Scream|Primal Scream]]". ("Perchance" ran #255-260; on our list, it's linked from #255-258.) But anyone with that specific a knowledge of the UK stories will probably be able to figure it out... especially if there's a handy nav box to lead them to the previous and next story.
::::The contents of each UK issue could maybe be summarized along with the "also printed in..." note for the UK, though that's maybe getting a bit unwieldy. Not having a big list of what's in which issue hurts. Does such a thing exist on the net anywhere? -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 21:58, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
:::::If one isn't found by late tonight I'll take a stab at compiling one. I didn't find much on a (very brief) Google search for "transformers uk issue list". The best possible chance I can think of for finding one would... be on Iggy's old links page, and I wasn't able to pull that up on Internet Archive immediately. Like I said, though I'll have more time later tonight. --[[User:Sntint|Sntint]] 22:19, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
::::::Heck, come to think of it? We should just have that list as a wiki page. Then the story pages can just be story pages, instead of trying to describe what parts of what are in which issue (ie, Perchance is spread across 6 issues. Are we gonna have 6 notes on the Perchance page? "#255 had Part 1 of Perchance and the second part of blah blah whichever story". Sounds messy and to be avoided.) Not sure how the issues would link back to it... maybe from the Marvel G1 page. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 22:47, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
Got your list [http://tfarchive.com/comics/marvel/index.php?s=storylist here] --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 00:05, 18 November 2007 (UTC)

==To-do-list==
Oh, I thought the to-do list was for yourself. You know, like a list of New Years Resolutions. ...you're not one of THOSE people, are you? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 02:56, 20 November 2007 (UTC)
:It is, mostly, yeah. But if anybody wants to pitch in, that'd be nice too. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 03:41, 20 November 2007 (UTC), one of THOSE people.

== Good job ==

Hey nice edits man. You fix grammar too. Also I like the way you always edit things because what you did was impressive.([[User:76.195.186.73|76.195.186.73]] 00:12, 4 December 2007 (UTC))

You're doing a heckuva job, Powersy. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 20:33, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

I just went to fix the 1992 Annual entry after realising my mistake, and you've already done it! Quick work. --[[User:Specimen-17|Specimen-17]] 20:18, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

== Carnivac ==
The deletion of your paragraph wasn't intentional. This is the third time this has happened to me, twice today alone. I initiate an edit, go through all the text carefully to check for spelling, punctuation, etc., and by the time I'm done, someone else has already made another edit. However, when I submit my edit, I get no "out of date version" warning; it's simply processed as normal. As noted on [[User_talk:Apcog|my Talk page]] in a discussion with [[User:M Sipher|Sipher]], the wiki response was very sluggish for me this afternoon, which may or may not have had anything to do with it.--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 00:20, 10 December 2007 (UTC)
:Ah, okay, fair enough. Sorry if I seemed like I was jumping down your throat. :] -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 03:11, 10 December 2007 (UTC)
::No need to apologize; you weren't harsh at all. I'm annoyed with the situation, not the people bringing it to my attention.--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 06:33, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

== Package art ==

[http://www.botchthecrab.com/gallery.asp?gallery=7 This'll help] with the back-of-package art info! - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 20:53, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

==Template names==
Hey, Rob -- you might be done creating nav templates now anyway, but just in case you are planning to do more: I recommend using all lowercase letters in the name of any template you create. It looks like there was already a mixture of cases in the nav templates when you started making yours, but, if template names are always all-lowercase, that just makes it easier to remember. Like all wiki pages with initial capital letters, something like [[Template:Nav-armada]] can be called with <nowiki>{{nav-armada}}</nowiki>, ignoring the initial capital. But if there's a capital letter in the middle somewhere, you ''have'' to match it or the link doesn't work. I'll put it on my todo list to go through all the templates and remove extraneous capital letters... But for future reference, please stick to lowercase. :) --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 05:19, 30 December 2007 (UTC)
:If it comes up again, I'll stick to lower case. I was just following what seemed to be the precedent, but what you say about linking makes a lot of sense. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 06:43, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

==Screencaps==
You've got some fantastic screencaps from the G1 cartoon on your blog. Any chance we could use some for episode/character pages? -- Repowers 19:23, 11 January 2008 (UTC)
:Why, thanks. The site is a little obsession of mine. I'd post more pictures on this wiki, but I haven't had the time. Do have some specific ones in mind you want? --[[User:Suzyprime|Suzyprime]] 19:37, 11 January 2008 (UTC)
::None in particular at the moment -- I was just skimming. Some of the group shots would be good for the main G1 cartoon page. Other than that, every episode page ought to have a couple of screencaps; likewise for character pages. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 19:54, 11 January 2008 (UTC)

== Protoform Toys ==

Awww...after all I went through to be sure the parallel versions were all accurate, too. Oh well, at least one of my captions survived, and the individual toy pages are fixed.--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 15:47, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
:My sole purpose in life is to torment you thus! BWAAHAHAHA.
:Seriously... I almost purged the whole section before realizing it is a good idea to at least have some mention of toy incarnations. But IMO it's asking for trouble to have the same info repeated in two places like that. They'll inevitably drift apart. Anyways, what with this whole "World Wide Web" thing, we can just link from one location to the other and save ourselves the trouble! -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 16:03, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
::Ehn, I wasn't objecting to the deletion on principle or anything, just expressing disappointment that I'd expended some effort for nothing. As noted, the fixes still exist on Prime and Starscream's toy pages, so it's not like ''all'' the work was for naught.
::I kinda miss my revised Starscream caption, but I'll live.--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 16:34, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

==Show bible==
... came "much, much later"? What, exactly, the ''hell''? --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 19:32, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
:Who on ATT in 1994 had read the show bible? NOBODY, that's who! It was not a consideration until years later. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 19:37, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

== "error" in Prime spotlight ==

''Bristleback asks a question ("Which is?"), and Birdbrain starts to answer it ("SMASH our way in..."). However, in the following panel, Bristleback is shown finishing Birdbrain's sentence ("...and kill WHOEVER and WHATEVER we find inside!")''

: Not an error, here's why... In the panel before, one of them (not pictured) says "It it him?" [referring to Omega]. Then someone says "Only one way to find out." Then, as above, Bristleback says "Which is?" [referring to how they would find out]. Birdbrain says "Smash our way in" and Bristleback finishes the sentence, "...and kill WHOEVER and WHATEVER we find inside!" In other words, Birdbrain started to answer the question and Bristleback decided to add his 2 cents in.
:I really don't think it's an error, it makes sense to me. --[[User:MistaTee|MistaTee]] 17:49, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
::So Bristleback doesn't know what they're going to do, and asks, and after three words from Birdbrain he suddenly answers his own question? Given IDW's propensity for screwing up their speech balloons, combined with the obscurity of the individual Pretender Monsters, I think it's an honest error. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 18:13, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
:::No biggie. However, they didn't correct it in the TPB. --[[User:MistaTee|MistaTee]] 22:53, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
::::Y'know, I was thinking that'd be a good litmus test, actually. In light of that, I'm gonna re-write the note in a more neutral tone. I still think it ''could'' be an error, again owing to the obscurity of the characters, but the lack of a correction makes it a less solid case than I thought it was. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 01:40, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
:::::seems fair. cheers! --[[User:MistaTee|MistaTee]] 04:37, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

==Boxart copyright==
If the boxart belongs to either Hasbro or Takara (as boxart generally does), then we normally use the <nowiki>{{hastak}}</nowiki> tag, since it mentions the fair use provision of United States copyright law. But I guess the fair use tag is fine, too :) --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 02:53, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
:Ah, thanks for the heads-up. I wasn't aware of the difference. Will adjust accordingly! -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 02:57, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

==Something to help your Energon recaps==
I recommend referring to NTFA for the japanese episode names and airdates of both series: 
*[http://www.ntfa.net/ntfa/japan/SLeplist.php Superlink names and airdates]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/ntfa/energon/eplist.php Energon names and airdates]

I've added the info into the pages you've already done, so to simply follow what's already been written I recommend placing the Japanese SL airdate before the US Energon airdate in the Stats section, given that SL aired first and Energon suffered horrible gaps in episodes aired ;) --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 15:54, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

:Very late, but I just wanted to say how useful this info has been. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 05:07, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

== How does a plot NOT conclude successfully? ==

I of course feel that the platonic ideal of a plot not concluding successfully in any meaningful fashion whatsoever, a comic that just leaves you scratching your head and wondering why they even roused Rob Ruffolo out of whatever alcoholic haze he was in prior to drawing it, would have to be [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[Micromasters]].--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 23:17, 4 April 2008 (UTC)
:Hahahahaha. I was thinking nearly the same thing even as I wrote it. XD -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 23:19, 4 April 2008 (UTC)

=="Worthless piece of stupid trivia?"==
Buddy, I've seen a ''lot'' of "worthless pieces of stupid trivia" on here, of the irrelevant, personal canon, and/or just plain inaccurate kind. A while back, I had a huge debate with some editors on here over a trivia post I made on Blackarachnia's article stating how her telekinesis ''may'' have originated from her mind link with Tarantulas, with them saying that was wrong and had no basis in fact when it was "obvious" that she got it from the Transmetal driver, an opinion that was just as much speculation as they claimed the mind-link thing was. The editors here are mostly idiotic hypocrites that like to toss out anything that doesn't fit into their own "personal canon" as invalid for this wiki. I know for a fact that quite a few RiD fans joke about Scourge having Kelly's DNA in him makes him a transgender (as I said in Scourge's article's discussion, Ben Yee's TF forum made quite a few cracks about that), so it's valid. [[User:64.13.101.210|64.13.101.210]] 00:28, 9 April 2008 (UTC)
:It is valid to discuss Scourge having Kelly as part of his biosignature, since he actually does according to the show. Notice the great contrast between that and, say, Blackarachnia's telekinesis being caused by Tarantulas, which is something you just made up. --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] 00:52, 9 April 2008 (UTC)
:You're not listening to me. Go do something useful. This isn't it. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 02:16, 9 April 2008 (UTC)

== Hosehead ==

Your caption fu is mighty. [[User:JW|JW]] 19:49, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

== Selling toys Sandbox ==

Good work. A few comments/suggestions, mainly on bits imported:

''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:
* ''The comic issue [[Pretender to the Throne!]]''

This isn't clear for anyone unfamiliar with the comic and even if one is it's not really clear how this one jars too much, particularly as it does pick up on Goldbug and Fort Max getting new bodies and leads into the next battle with Ratbat's Decepticons. I'd say the disjointed narrative problems the comic story had in 1988 are more down to having two Autobot factions and two Decepticon factions all running around on or in orbit around Earth, requiring each to take a back seat from time to time (and the UK comic makes it worse by throwing in a third earthbound Decepticon faction, the Autobots on Cybertron, the Transformers in the future and various mavericks) and the need to tie up loose ends (and cartoon adaptations) than the requirement to sell toys.

* ''Mainframe 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's).''

That didn't really involve dumping any old characters. Scorponok taking a backseat to Inferno might be a better example but it's been a while since I've seen the first season of Beast Wars to be sure if that was the case.

* ''In the Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], and the introduction of the Pretenders, saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical gimmicks at the same time.''

True in the UK comic but I can't recall any talk at all in the US one about Megatron explicitly copying the Aerialbots' combining ability for the Stunticons. The Head, Target and Power masters may be better examples.

''Power levels''

If you need a comic example, Omega Supreme annihilates six Decepticons in his first appearance over just a few pages (and would have got two more if they hadn't flown away). But in a later issue he's shown losing the return battle with just Buzz Saw!

* ''Megatron is turned into Galvatron three times - at the end of each series, he's turned back into Megatron but with a different body. This is due to Hasbro wanting to keep the [[trademark]]s "Megatron" and "Galvatron" as well as to sell more toys.''

Which era does this refer to?

* ''Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga [[Time Wars]]. The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and Shockwave) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]], [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], for example.)''

Erm the Terrorcons in Time Wars were from the future and there were enough problems with future characters dying in the present day already. And their contemporary versions ''were'' killed off in the Underbase Saga.

Otherwise the piece looks a good rewrite/slim down so far.

[[User:Timrollpickering|Timrollpickering]] 19:36, 25 May 2008 (UTC)
:Thanks for the feedback. Some of that's just stuff that I didn't quite finish writing out as well, or didn't give additional context after pulling it from its original fiction section. Ironically, I think the page is actually a little bit ''longer'' than the pre-revision version. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 23:41, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

== Were you looking for this the other day? ==

http://www.emopanda.com/tmp/Energon%20-%2017%20-%20Return%20of%20Demolisher.avi
:Yeah, somebody found it for me, somewhere or other. I haven't gotten around to it yet; I've had to slow down on the Energon in general to preserve my brain cells. Thanks! -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 21:17, 27 May 2008 (UTC)
::Yeah, I think that was me, and I linked you to the wrong episode marked as Return of Demolisher on Veoh. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 22:04, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

== MediaWiki Stuff That Exists and How to Find It ==

[[Special:AllMessages]]

...not the most user-friendly organized list out there, to be sure, but it is a full list. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 15:03, 7 May 2009 (EDT)

== Magazine ==

According to my issue, the 3H club magazine was called "The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine". The "the" is on the front outside cover but is not capitalized in the notes on the inside cover. --[[User:Bluestreak7|Bluestreak7]] 14:05, 24 May 2009 (EDT)

== Micromaster catalogues? ==

Hey Rob, seeing as wot you're uploading pics of the two teams that this question relates to - do you happen to have the instructions/catalogs for the MC reissues of the Train Team and the Turbo Team? Cause those are the only two that we need a picture from to complete the [[The Transformers: Micromaster|Micromaster Collection]] page's story section, all illustrated-like. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 10:59, 30 May 2009 (EDT)
:See if any of these are what you need: [http://www.builtstlouis.net/journal4/sixteams/ Core dump of my MM reissue scans] -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 13:16, 30 May 2009 (EDT)

== Amory's Page ==

Mrr. Sorry about that, I usually am instead writing out issue/episode synopses that use the present tense, and didn't even realize this time that I'd goofed. 
On that note, the likely reason it read similarly to the Cheap Shots synopsis is because I wrote that too, and you picked up on my writing style. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 13:25, 15 June 2009 (EDT)
:Ah, gotcha. No problem - stuff happens! -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 13:26, 15 June 2009 (EDT)

== It should be noted that... ==

... Rob hates it when others tell him to take note things. Seriously. He will kill you. Probably to death. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 02:26, 16 June 2009 (EDT)

==Micromaster Squad prices==

For what it's worth, there's a list of G1 prices here: [http://web.archive.org/web/20021205162625/www.geocities.com/pdpool/1990.html] I can't really speak to the validity of the list, however.--[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 10:51, 24 June 2009 (EDT)
:Interesting... I'm little leery of it, though. I remember the Battle Patrol costing me $5 at ToysRUs, and subsequently thinking to myself, wow, each of these little guys is only $1.25! It seems unlikely that the Patrol price jumped to $7 in just one year. I wonder where they got those numbers? -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 11:08, 24 June 2009 (EDT)

::Heh, you'd probably be less confused had I linked you to the main page for that list like I'd intended. Sorry about that. On the [http://web.archive.org/web/20021205063120/www.geocities.com/pdpool/prices.html main page] it mentions that the prices were verified from catalogs and price tags. Catalog pricing could explain the why it seems high. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 02:09, 25 June 2009 (EDT)

== Jazz vs Frenzy ==

Optimus instructed Jazz to take on Frenzy two times in [[Ghosts of Yesterday]], leading Jazz to complain that he always fights the little ones. He only fought him once, though, but knocked him out cold in a matter of minutes. So they have encountered each other, just outside of the films and comics. -- [[User:SFH|SFH]] 17:02, 14 July 2009 (EDT)

== Bad version purging ==

By going to [[Special:Undelete/Nemesis_(SG)]], you could have selectively restored the history (i.e., including Blackout & McFeely, but not you-know-who). Just FTR - [[User:SanityOrMadness|SanityOrMadness]] 16:18, 25 August 2009 (EDT)

== You, sir, are a god. ==

I've read your near-total revision of the [[Death]] page, and it is GLORIOUS, sir. I'm deeply regretful that you don't receive some kinda recognition or payment for all the work you've done -- you've made a list of horrible slaughter and toy-based genocide fun and interesting to read, for which: KUDOS.

So, um, I can only hope that one day they name a toy after you. You deserve it.

== That's me! ==
Excuse me for the beginning on the very top, but your page is so great… Well, I'll try to consider your advices in my mind. Thank you. But tell me why there were no signs to illustrations in "Armada" almost at all till I began to add them? And now everybody tries to take part in name-giving… Excuse my poor English.--[[User:He-l-en1959|He-l-en1959]] 11:01, 29 November 2009 (EST)
::* Thank you VERY MUCH!!!--[[User:He-l-en1959|He-l-en1959]] 12:26, 29 November 2009 (EST)

== And who's the god that Beohort calls upon? ==

[[Tyrwas]]! --[[User:Abates|abates]] 01:25, 22 December 2009 (EST)

== Alex Karras prime time spot ==

It seems the owner of Scratchbomb has seen fit to bestow upon Transfans a holiday gift. In his latest batch of commercials uploaded to YouTube, he has included the [http://scratchbomb.com/2009/12/holiday-triumphs-more-adtacular-halloween-1985.html Alex Karras prime time spot]. I was mucho excited as I had figured we'd probably never find a recording of it. I'm posting it on your talk page first, in case you'd like to be the one to write it up proper. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 23:47, 23 December 2009 (EST)
:Last call on writing this spot up. I'll do it next week unless you call dibs. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 23:34, 15 June 2010 (EDT)
::Heh, naw, go ahead. If it's a privilege, you've totally earned it by this point. Most of my energies are directed toward cartoon bloopers these days, anyway. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 23:41, 15 June 2010 (EDT)
:::Ok, cool. I wasn't thinking privilege so much as I was thinking you might want to finish what you started. On a related note, I found the audio for the Pretenders comic commercial on Bigbot. I wish Renaud would've credited the provider so I knew who to ask about possibly getting the video. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 23:58, 15 June 2010 (EDT)

== Thanx for blocking the account ==

Thanks. If that "Fuck DEtour" account worked, it was clearly a personal attack at DETOUR. [[Special:Contributions/86.147.177.207|86.147.177.207]] 07:56, 19 December 2010 (EST)

== Flagging ==

Good to know! :P [[User:Might Gaine|Might Gaine]] 19:16, 16 January 2011 (EST)

== Blaster Blues ==

From "Animation or technical glitches": Red Alert's "horns" flash orange. Last time, they flashed blue. 
From the "Gadgets and Powers" section of "Continuity notes": Red Alert's "horns" flash to indicate Decepticon activity, just like in "Auto Berserk". This time they're orange, though. 
I don't know which place is the best for it, but both is overkill. I simply removed the less detailed write up. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 11:00, 17 June 2011 (EDT)
:It's not overkill. One is noting an ability. The other is noting a technical glitch/inconsistency within the animation. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 22:05, 17 June 2011 (EDT)

== Question ==

Noticed you pretty much created the whole page of the [[OTFCC Live-Action Drama]]. You wouldn't happen to have a copy of the performance's script, would you? --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] 14:35, 16 April 2012 (EDT)

== To do list Pt 2 ==

Sherma Bridge - retconned by Monstrosity as not Prime & Megs' first open fight?
Add Circle of Light to timeline
Add Sherma Bridge battle name to timeline

==Minimus Ambus edit clash==
Sorry, looks like we both went for it at the same time...I've left it as a hybrid of both versions if that's okay with you --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] 06:04, 28 September 2013 (EDT)
:No problem - looks really good. The template's a nice touch. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 09:01, 28 September 2013 (EDT)

== Thumb|upright=* ==

It means people's profile thumbnail setting doesn't get crapped over, so if you like really big (or small) thumbnails you can have that. Upright=1.1 is 1.1x your profile thumbnail size rounded to the nearest 10px, and so on . - [[User:SanityOrMadness|SanityOrMadness]] ([[User talk:SanityOrMadness|talk]]) 01:54, 8 December 2014 (EST)

== Notes for 1st Marvel Comic. ==

I agree that the IDW notes format would be a much better format for the Marvel Comics format. Hell, I think probably every comic article should use it. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 18:40, 18 December 2014 (EST)

=="Advertisements" not showing up==
It's cause you have AdBlock on! :) - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] ([[User talk:Chris McFeely|talk]]) 18:37, 19 December 2014 (EST)
:Well ain't that just a thing. Short of turning off Adblock (hahahahaha not gonna happen) is there anything I can do about it? -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] ([[User talk:Repowers|talk]]) 19:05, 19 December 2014 (EST)
::Adblock allows you to whitelist individual sites. It's what I do for this, webcomics, and video people's sites. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 07:20, 20 December 2014 (EST)

== Predacons ==

Not saying you're wrong to remove it, 'cos it doesn't belong in the cartoon write-up itself, but I dunno if you know that in Japanese continuity, story pages did establish that the Quintessons built the Predacons. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] ([[User talk:Chris McFeely|talk]]) 19:16, 6 March 2015 (EST)
:Innnnnerestin'! Did not know that. Looks like it's on the Predaking and Predacon pages, but not the individuals' pages. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] ([[User talk:Repowers|talk]]) 09:18, 7 March 2015 (EST)

== Recent edits ==

I know, I had a little too much fun with the edits on the ''Energon'' pages, thanks for telling me to stop. Personally, the formal style of wiki editing is my strong suit but it's nice to get a laugh sometimes. For now, I'll stick to continuity and errors sections and edit sparingly. --[[User:Wxy|Wxy]] ([[User talk:Wxy|talk]]) 14:24, 12 September 2015 (EDT)

==Gobots Vote==

I was about 90% sure you were in the no screen capture camp so put you down to that vote. That's the only thing really still on the table, everything else has been hashed out. If I misunderstood your position it's more subtle then please change appropriately. I didn't want to understate support for the opposition. --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 09:06, 3 November 2015 (EST)

Hey, this title still works. Seriously, I know that you think there's "wiki gaming" going on, but have you actually checked out Renegade Rhetoric? You seem open minded. [https://www.facebook.com/Renegade-Rhetoric-959112720811889 Renegade Rhetoric on Facebook] There are some really great stories being told here that have nothing to do with gaming the wiki and everything to do with entertaining. Please at least take a read of one of the posts before you vote. Some people are really passionate about this material. --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 23:45, 6 January 2016 (EST)

== Fat ballerina ==

Where was the other instance of the fat ballerina quote? Were you referring to the quotes on the movie page? -[[User:Chopperface|Chopperface]] ([[User talk:Chopperface|talk]])
:Correct. -- 00:01, 6 October 2017 (EDT)

== User page ==

I wanted to thank you personally for your user page. It is an amazingly succinct and memorable lecture on how to improve article writing that I recommend almost weekly to editors on many other wikis.[[User:KrytenKoro|KrytenKoro]] ([[User talk:KrytenKoro|talk]]) 15:43, 8 December 2024 (EST)

== Gold Plastic Syndrome ==

I ended up doing a bit of investigating while attempting to fix some broken Google Groups links in the GPS article, and as far as I can see (hedging my bets, because of Google Groups' terrible search function), you were the one to coin "Gold Plastic Syndrome", rather than Sky Shadow, back in August 2002 (original message [https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/ChSpgoQfJN8/m/FQwvwGHwzokJ here]). I was just wondering how (and whether) you want to be credited: by name, by TFWiki handle, not at all, etc. Also, is [https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/trqqmHi9ZDw/m/xYT3SWqMhd8J this] the very first mention of GPS, back in 1996? The first big discussion of the wider phenomenon is in late 2000, a year earlier than the article currently states, but the 1996 conversation seems worth noting. [[User:Tribimat|Tribimat]] ([[User talk:Tribimat|talk]]) 20:47, 26 February 2025 (EST)

Talk:Three-headed dragon pendant

2025-02-09T16:10:45Z

Tribimat: Quick gloss of the Latin motto

For the record: nullum agrees in case and gender with sacrificium (2nd declension neuter nominative / accusative singular); victoria (1st declension) is either nominative / vocative singular or ablative singular, but sine ('without') always takes the ablative so it has to be the latter. 'No victory without sacrifice', which would be a better Latin equivalent of the English, would be 'nulla victoria sine sacrificio' (in motto-Latin, at least). [[User:Tribimat|Tribimat]] ([[User talk:Tribimat|talk]]) 11:10, 9 February 2025 (EST)

Three-headed dragon pendant

2025-02-09T16:04:42Z

Tribimat: Swapped out translation of the Latin for the Witwicky motto it's supposed to equate to; added note in parentheses giving the literal translation

[[File:Three-headed_dragon_pendant.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"...the Precious."]]

This '''three-headed dragon pendant''' depicting [[Dragonstorm]] was central to [[Viviane Wembly]]'s falling out with her father. It was stored in a matching urn.

==Fiction==
===''The Last Knight'' film===
Upon finding the pendant within its urn in her father's study, Viviane experienced flashbacks to her childhood. {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The reverse of the pendant is inscribed with a Celtic maze and the motto "NULLUM SACRIFICIUM SINE VICTORIA", Latin for "[[Witwicky (surname)|No sacrifice, no victory]]". (Well, it's ''actually'' Latin for "no sacrifice without victory", but it's the thought that counts.)
*There is also a quote written using an as-yet-untranslated [[Cybertronian language|Cybertronian alphabet]] created by [[Ben Procter]] for the live-action film franchise.

===Gallery===
<gallery>
File:Pendant reverse.jpg
File:Three-headed_dragon_urn.jpg
</gallery>

==External links==
[https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/-merlin-three-headed-dragon-pots-8-and-trinkets-from-transformers-the-last-knight/a/997054-1218.s Three-headed dragon urn prop] via HeritageAuctions

[[Category:The Last Knight]]

Chromedome (G1)

2025-02-01T23:28:33Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{featured}}
{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the heroic Autobot|his evil mirrorverse counterpart|Chromedome (SG)}}
{{suite}}
:''Chromedome is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Chromedome manga.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"You're such a coward, Wally!"]]
In most [[universal stream]]s, '''Chromedome''' (aka '''Tumbler'''<ref name="tumbler">"Tumbler" was revealed to have been Chromedome's original name in the [[2005 IDW continuity]]. See [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity#Notes|here]] for more details.</ref>) is a comparatively quiet academic. Originally a number-cruncher at [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Institute for Higher Programming]] working on ways to improve the processing power of the [[Transformer]]s' computerized minds, Chromedome found himself forcibly dragged into the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] when a [[Decepticon]] attack destroyed the facility. Chromedome put his work to use programming Autobots so they could outsmart their Decepticon foes, but alas, only wound up fostering an intellectual arms race of sorts, in which both sides competed to repurpose the newest advances in programming into military advantages. Ground down over the years by this inevitability, Chromedome has come to accept that war with the Decepticons cannot be prevented—but only won. Well-versed in the mechanisms of the Cybertronian mind, Chromedome has been known to specialize in [[mnemosurgery]], the science of manipulating the Transformer brain and the memories within.

In some universes, Chromedome is [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] to the egotistical [[Nebulan]] [[Stylor]], who is more concerned with the finer things in life than intellectual or military pursuits. As such, the two occasionally clash, with Chromedome trying to get Stylor to be a little less superficial, and Stylor trying to bring out Chromedome's more social side, but generally speaking, they get along quite well despite their differences.

As a quiet 'bot of the mind, Chromedome has a tendency to fade into the background, but there also exist universal streams in which he has foregone science and taken to the front lines of battle to become a much more prominent figure. The Chromedome of [[#Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|these worlds]] is barely recognisable as the reserved scientist of those more well-known realities: instead, he is a hot-headed youth full of [[burning spirit]] and a passion for justice who even serves as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s trusted, if impulsive and occasionally irrational, second-in-command. He also works with the [[Partner Drone]] [[Moguru]].

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
A long time ago, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Chromedome was part of an Autobot strike unit led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. This unit operated out of a cave dug into the [[Manganese Mountains]], and often worked to foil the schemes of their primary nemesis, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}} ''Chromedome was a computer programmer, but grew increasingly disillusioned with his work being channeled exclusively into military uses.'' {{storylink|Stylor's Story}} Chromedome's last major mission on Cybertron was to upset a slave march to the [[smelting pool]]s. After that, however, Fortress Maximus revealed to the Autobots that he had grown sick of warfare, and planned to escape the endless ring of hate by immigrating to a new world altogether: [[Nebulos]]. At first, Chromedome was shocked, but eventually he and many others chose to join Fortress Maximus on his quest for peace.

[[File:Brokenglass-autobotstorage.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Nebulan floors apparently are built as an upward slope.]]
Upon arrival on Nebulos, Chromedome chided Brainstorm for analyzing their new home with his digital readouts rather than just looking around. Indeed, Chromedome found that Nebulos was "a paradise". But when their attempts to forge an alliance with the native [[Nebulan]]s failed (due to sabotage for political reasons), Chromedome suggested that they "talk some sense" into their new neighbors. Their unit was met with military force and Fortress Maximus ordered Chromedome and the others into the woods.

Despite these setbacks, Fortress Maximus was determined to wage peace, not war. He brought an envoy of Autobots, including Chromedome, to the Nebulan capitol of [[Koraja]] to once again plead for peace. When the Nebulans still were not totally swayed after he and his Autobots disarmed, Maximus removed his own head from his shoulders, leaving his body deactivated and inoperable in the Nebulans' care. Chromedome and three other Autobots joined their leader in his gesture. It was this gesture which finally ushered in a cease fire with the Nebulans. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[File:BrokenGlass-Chromedomeoof.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|As the saying goes, "Look before you boing your car into the air."]]
Chromedome and the four others who had removed their heads were kept confined within Koraja while the Council of Peers, collateral for a peaceful Autobot settlement within the forest. Soon, however, Scorponok's Decepticons followed the Autobots to Nebulos and attacked Koraja. The peaceful Nebulan [[Galen]] refused to surrender the captive Autobots to the Decepticons, but the terms of the cease fire prohibited the Autobots' heads be returned to their bodies. Instead, a loophole was sought. At first Galen and a few like-minded Nebulans attempted to operate the Autobot bodies by remote control, but this was an awkward solution. The Nebulan scientist [[Arcana]] suggested something more elegant yet groundbreaking - the Nebulans should undergo the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster process]], surgically altering themselves to become the heads of the Autobots! [[Stylor]] volunteered to undergo the process to become Chromedome's head, and the procedure commenced. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}} ''Stylor would later narrate how fantastic the process of bonding with Chromedome had been for him. ''{{storylink|Stylor's Story}}

The new Headmaster Autobots met the Decepticons in battle, and the Decepticons were amazed at how powerful and agile their foes had suddenly become. Chromedome was able to leap out of the way of Scorponok's deadly stinger attack ''in car mode'', to Scorponok's incredulity, though he did land up-side down. When the Decepticons realized how outclassed they were, they staged a panicked retreat, and the Autobots returned to the city streets victorious. Along with the others, Chromedome removed his head so that the Nebulans could see that the terms of the cease fire were not broken, and they were met as heroes. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

[[File:Loveandsteel-runfortmaxrun.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Chromedome thinks Fort Max is being a little passive-aggressive about the whole [[Alternate mode|altmode]] thing.]]
Despite their newfound celebrity, the populace was still wary of Chromedome and the others, so the [[Council of Peers]] arranged an inspection. Chromedome's body stood by silently as the Council of Peers expressed concerns with the Autobots' Nebulan partners. They were interrupted by a distress call from Galen's political rival, Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]], who had been kidnapped by the Decepticons. Fortress Maximus led Chromedome and the other Headmasters into battle, but the kidnapping was a ruse. Zarak and his political cronies had undergone the Headmaster process themselves, but with the Decepticons! Now evenly matched, the battle turned against the Autobots when they were forced to come to the aid of the Council of Peers, after which the Decepticons shot the Autobots in the back. Scorponok and the Decepticons claimed Chromedome, his partner, and the other Autobots as prisoners. {{storylink|Love and Steel!}}

Here they remained until Lord Zarak, with the last remaining bits of his dwindling sanity, realized the destruction he'd wrought upon his own homeworld. He set the Autobot Headmasters free, hoping to follow the Autobots to another world so they could leave Nebulos in peace. On their way out of Koraja, Chromedome and the other Headmasters battled the new Decepticon [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]]. Once they escaped the Targetmasters, they returned to the Autobot camp in the forest, where the Headmasters learned of a distress signal from other Autobots on [[Earth]] and prepared to depart Nebulos. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[File:WorldsApart-Chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Every time Chromedome says this, Furman gets a dollar.]]
''Before they left, however, the Autobot Headmasters had another encounter with their Decepticon opposite numbers. After the Targetmasters were captured by the Decepticons for analysis and dissection, Chromedome and the Headmasters went out looking for them, only to run into the Decepticon Headmasters on the way. After Chromedome stared down [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], the Autobots regrouped to follow Mindwipe, the last of their attackers, who was apparently fleeing for safety. After entering the Decepticons' Fortress of Despair, however, Chromedome and the others realized they had been led into a trap, and were confronted by the might Scorponok and the Decepticon Targetmasters. In order to help even the odds, the Autobot Targetmasters were freed, but the Autobots weren't out of the woods yet. Chromedome singlehandedly fought Scorponok, lecturing his massive nemesis about how despite the differences between him and his partner Stylor, their shared purpose made them stronger than might alone. His speech helped renew Highbrow and Gort's bond, which had weakened throughout the fight due to their conflicting viewpoints. Once they were back in the fight, they helped Chromedome pummel down Scorponok, who was ultimately forced to withdraw.'' {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}

''Chromedome and Stylor witnessed a duel between Fortress Maximus and Scorponok, with overall victory between the two factions at stake. However, the clash turned out to be a distraction set-up by the Decepticons to steal a fuel convertor. With it in hand, the Decepticons blasted off towards Earth, forcing the Autobots to follow.'' {{storylink|The Final Conflict}}

{{note|The events in this UK story differ in significant ways to the [[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]] mini-series.}}

[[File:TrialbyFire-Chromedome.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Eek, don't tell Rewind he's still doing this.]]
During the long journey to Earth, the Autobot Headmasters had Fortress Maximus heavily upgraded into a larger, more powerful body. Once their construction was completed, Chromedome introduced Fortress Maximus's full arsenal of abilities to the others, including his battle station mode and [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]]. Upon arrival, Fortress Maximus, Chromedome and the other Headmasters took a shuttle down to Earth's surface, and located the caves in [[Mount St. Hilary]] where the distress call had first been broadcast. They also found the broadcaster himself, an Autobot named [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] whose [[brain module]] had been retrofitted into a tiny electronic toy car. [[Toy Soldiers!|Long story]]. Scorponok and the Decepticon Headmasters had also come to Earth after the distress call, however, and a battle broke out. The battle proved costly, as Galen died protecting an Earthling from Scorponok. He passed on his control helmet to this boy, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], leaving Fortress Maximus and the Autobots in his hands. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

Fortress Maximus's group of Autobots inevitably met up with the group of Earthbound Autobots led by [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Unfortunately, Grimlock was difficult to deal with, and so their meetup resulted in a battle for Autobot supremacy between Grimlock and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. Chromedome disembarked along with the rest of the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'' crew to watch the fight. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

When the [[Micromaster]] [[Air Strike Patrol]] raided [[MacDill Air Force Base]], returned Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] led nearly all of the Autobots' forces to its rescue, including Chromedome. But when Optimus began to suspect fowl play from a third party, he ordered the Autobots to retreat back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] without him. At first they were hesitant to leave their leader behind, but Chromedome and the others eventually agreed. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}

[[File:EyeoftheStorm-legquest.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|And so Prime sez back, "Maybe if you were [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] [[Yesterday's Heroes!|I would care]]."]]
Soon it was learned that the vengeful chaos god [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], their forgotten enemy, had learned the location of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and was headed there to destroy the Transformers' creator [[Primus]]. Since the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] was the only thing that could destroy him, Optimus Prime sent teams to find it. However, the new Decepticon leader [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] returned with it instead, and Chromedome and the other Autobots on board fought the Matrix-possessed [[Pretender]]. The corporeal form of the Matrix's increasing evil influences grabbed Chromedome and tried to throw him at [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], but missed. Good for Blurr, but not so great for Chromedome. {{storylink|All Fall Down}} After Thunderwing was defeated (and unfortunately the Matrix as well), Chromedome was sent to [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] for repairs. He snarked to [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] that he'd had enough of the [[Matrix Quest]], and was ready for a "leg quest." Chromedome was still being repaired when Optimus Prime announced over the Ark's communications system that he was surrendering the Autobots to Scorponok's Decepticons in the desperate hope that it would encourage an alliance between them against Unicron. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}}

Ultimately, the Transformers were transported to Cybertron to face Unicron. Like any very smart individual, Chromedome was last seen transforming into his car mode and driving away as fast as he absolutely could. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Chromedome stylor project lazarus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1]]
Following the invasion of Cybertron by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Blitz Engine]]s, Chromedome was last seen in car mode driving towards them very fast, alongside [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Siren (G1)|Siren]] and [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]]. That perhaps wasn't so smart. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} He managed to make it out all right, though, as after the battle it was reported that he had successfully been reunited with his original head on Nebulos, and Stylor's Headmaster process had been reverse-engineered so that he could reintegrate with Nebulan society. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

When Cybertron went to war with [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]], Chromedome was part of the commando team of Autobots who made a beachhead on the Hub to coordinate a surgical strike on the network. When the strike failed, Chromedome and the others were hunted down by Jhiaxus's [[Primum Fugae]]. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} They were imprisoned at the [[Corral]] until Jhiaxus fell to outside forces. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Fortress maximus secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In the early days of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s launch, Chromedone was one of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s troops when they were attacked by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s troops. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}
{{-}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Kunihiko Yasui]] (Japanese)|[[Franz Rudnick]] (German, "The Rebirth, Part 1"), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, "The Rebirth", Part 2 & 3), [[Francis Lax]] (European French), [[Georges Atlas]] and [[Michel Barbey]] (European French, supporting voices in "The Rebirth, Part 1")}}
[[File:Rebirth3 chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Chromedome eagerly awaits the cue to speak his one line in the entire series.]]
Chromedome was stationed on Cybertron in [[2007]] when the combined forces of the Decepticons attacked the planet with the intention of opening the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]]. Chromedome and his allies were able to steal back the key to the chamber, but not before a bolt of its energy was briefly released, hurling them and their shuttle across the galaxy. Eventually, the shuttle began to slow, as Chromedome noted its engines had finally burned out, but it still had enough momentum to lead it to crash on a nearby alien world. The Autobots survived the crash, but before long, they were captured by a cell of rebel natives, who mistook them for robotic agents of the planet's evil ruling council, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]]. Imprisoned and facing execution by magnetic bombs, Chromedome kept his cool, calmly inquiring as to the name of the planet, and was given his answer by [[Duros]]: [[Nebulos]]. Before the rebels could destroy the Autobots, a squad of Decepticons arrived to steal back the Plasma Energy Chamber key, and although Chromedome helped repel them by hurling the magnetic bombs, the villains managed to abduct several of the Autobots. Chromedome, [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] tried to give chase, but found their way barred by the Hive's machines. Returning to the rebels' base, they learned the story behind the Hive and their machines, and decided to employ a theory devised by Brainstorm that would see the Nebulans bond with the Autobots as "Headmasters" to help defeat by the Decepticons and the Hive. The enthusiastic Chromedome was the first to volunteer for the process, and was bonded to rebel strategist Stylor. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[File:Rebirth2 chromedome and stylor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|You know what they say about people who dress like their cars...]]
Chromedome and his fellow new-born Headmasters proceeded to smash their way through the Hive's machines and rescue their friends from the Decepticons; during the battle, Chromedome personally shot down [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]]. This defeat prompted the Hive and the Decepticons to join forces to become Headmasters and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] themselves, and when they attacked once more, Chromedome and [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] found themselves no match for the [[Horrorcon (G1)|Horrorcons]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

With the key back in their hands, the Decepticons departed Nebulos and returned to Cybertron, which [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] then moved into Earth orbit, planning to destroy both worlds by opening the Plasma Energy Chamber and using its energy to explode the [[Sun]]. Chromedome and the Autobots followed them, but when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] insisted that the Plasma Energy Chamber key ''not'' be destroyed (in accordance with the wishes of [[Vector Sigma]]), their Nebulan allies rebelled and ran off, leaving Chromedome and the other Headmasters stuck in vehicle form. Following their partners into the bowels of the Decepticon city-robot Scorponok, Chromedome and the Autobots were captured, but were thankfully saved by the arrival of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] and his new creation, Fortress Maximus. Subsequently, the Plasma Energy Chamber was deactivated and the Decepticons were exiled to deep space, and with the [[Golden Age]] of Cybertron restored, Chromedome returned to Nebulos with the Headmasters and Targetmasters to help to eradicate every last trace of the Hive's evil from the planet. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:FlashForward3-Headmasters.jpg|left|thumb|My head, uh, lost some weight.]]
Following [[Hi-Q]]'s kidnapping, Chromedome turned out with Highbrow, Crosshairs and Brainstorm to brief [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]]'s team. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 3}}
{{-}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{note|In Japan, Chromedome is a small robot who transforms into a head and controls a larger, lifeless [[Transtector]] body. The Headmasters toyline referred to the small robot as "Chrome", with "Chromedome" being the name of the combined small robot/Transtector form, but this distinction of nomenclature is made in fiction only very rarely, with the character usually being referred to as "Chromedome" regardless of what form he takes.}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Hideyuki Hori]] (Japanese), [[Jack Murphy]] (English)}}
[[File:Hmep8 chromedome and abel.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Oh, where is your silicon, baby?]]
Four million years ago, Chromedome and his friends [[Jack (G1)|Jack]] and [[Abel]] were among a group of [[Cyberdroid|diminutive Cybertronians]] who departed Cybertron under the leadership of Fortress, seeking to escape the eternal war that had consumed the planet. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Alas, engine trouble caused their craft to crash-land on the planet Master, an inhospitable world whose murderous environments and wildly changeable atmospheric conditions threatened the lives of the Cybertronians almost as soon as they stepped off their ship and were caught in a desert of sinking sands. The need for survival fostered several technological advances, and the Cybertronians fought against the odds to make a life for themselves on the planet. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} This relative peace was eventually disrupted, however, when a shadowy ninja able to transform into six different modes attacked an [[energon]] mining facility on the planet. Abel tried to drive him off, only for the ninja to brutally murder Abel and his militia group in front of Chromedome's eyes. As he cradled his friend's dead body, Chromedome felt hatred towards evil-doers for the first time in his life and vowed vengeance against the Decepticon. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

[[File:Headmasters tf stuck.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|A ''Body''master technology?..]]
When the scientists of Master made their next quantum leap of technology with the creation of larger, lifeless Transformer bodies called [[Transtector]]s, Chromedome and many of his comrades underwent rigorous physical and mental training to master the art of [[transformation]], learning to transform into heads that connected to the Transtectors, placing them under their control. While Jack unfortunately washed out of the program, {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}} Chromedome was one of ten warriors who became one of these elite "Headmasters" (even if he ''did'' have a little trouble getting his Transtector to transform the first time out). Unfortunately, half their number soon rebelled against Fortress's leadership, siding against him with a traitor named [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], who soon forged an alliance with the Decepticon leader, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

[[File:Hmep2 chromedome.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"So anyway, I started blasting".]]
In the year 2011, when Galvatron launched his latest attack on Cybertron with the added power of his new Decepticon Headmasters, Chromedome and his fellow Autobot Headmasters traveled to the planet to help their comrades defend their homeworld. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Making a dramatic entrance in the middle of the conflict, Chromedome grappled with [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] and helped [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] thwart [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotism, before Fortress's Battleship Maximus forced the Decepticon off. The Autobot Headmasters then formally introduced themselves to Cybertron's Autobots, and Chromedome proposed that they accompany [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] to Earth to help him search for the missing [[Matrix of Leadership]], needed to stabilize the malfunctioning [[Vector Sigma]]. [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] argued against the notion, and he and Chromedome immediately started fighting, so Hot Rod sidelined them for the moment and headed to Earth with [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] instead. Blaster perished during the search, and the emotionally shaken Wheelie told Chromedome they were now counting on him and the Headmasters. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Chromedome's team quickly joined Hot Rod on Earth and held off the Decepticon Headmasters while Hot Rod recovered the Matrix. Together, the group returned to Cybertron, where Hot Rod used the Matrix to become [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] once more, but he was unable to stabilize Vector Sigma in time, forcing [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] to sacrifice his life to do so. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

When the Decepticons unveiled their newest invention, the [[Madmachine]], Chromedome's plan to attack [[Chaar]] directly was shot down. He and the Headmasters then acted like a bunch of insensitive pricks to the Autobot Cassettes, who were still mourning the loss of Blaster, but pulled their heads out of their butts when Blaster was resurrected as Twincast. They then helped the [[Throttlebot]]s defend Cybertron against the Madmachine, destroying the evil device. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} A little later, Chromedome and Hardhead hunted down a stowaway on Battleship Maximus, only for it to turn out to be [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] and Wheelie. With the two youngsters at their side, Chromedome and the Headmasters then went on to help liberate the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] from Decepticon control. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} Daniel was also instrumental in destroying the Decepticons' metal-warping meteor [[Metamorphose]], and Chromedome and the Headmasters helped hold the Decepticon forces off so the boy could complete his task. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

[[File:Hmep7 chromedome crossheadon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Chromehead or Harddome?]]
Investigating word of a Decepticon attack on the planet [[Praum]], Chromedome and the Autobot Headmasters found themselves caught in a trap sprung by their old enemy Scorponok. Trapped in a subterranean chamber with the planet's endless desert sands pouring in on top of them, the Headmasters recalled their early days on Master, and decided to try their head-swapping "[[Head Formation|Cross-Head On]]" technique to boost their power and free themselves. Chromedome ''meant'' to switch heads with Highbrow, but accidentally wound up on top of Hardhead's Transtector instead. Nevertheless, the idea worked, and the freed Headmasters took the fight to the Decepticons, with Chromedome pummelling Galvatron himself. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}

[[File:Hmep8 chromedome ninjastar.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Chromedome wonders if ninja stars are edible.]]
After a sextet of mysterious blackmailers threatened six nations on Earth, the Headmasters staked out [[New York City]], where Chromedome took offense to his team-mates comparing the Statue of Liberty's looks to [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]'s. Hop-scotching around the globe trying and failing to keep up with the blackmailers, the Headmasters were at the end of their rope, and subsequently began fighting with the [[Trainbot]]s when they found out they taken Daniel and Wheelie shopping in Japan. Chromedome had the decency to feel like a jerk when Daniel got upset at the fight, and calmed down long enough to apologise. Looking at a ninja star Daniel had bought in Japan, Chromedome was suddenly reminded of the shadowy ninja's visit to Master years beforehand. Realizing that they were not dealing with six blackmailers, but with that selfsame six-changing ninja, Chromedome and the Headmasters made peace with the Trainbots and worked together to stop the mysterious mech and uncover his true identity: the Decepticon ninja commander, [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]! Sixshot was able to escape justice, but the long-standing desire Chromedome had for revenge over Abel's murder had been reawakened in the Headmaster's heart. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

[[File:Hm10 chromedome telepathy.jpg|thumb|A little known fact is Chromedome's Autobot symbol on his chest is ALSO his weak point. How do you think he found out Scorponok's?]]
Chromedome and Hardhead were investigating the Decepticons' movements on Earth when the villains' assembled forces staged a massive attack on Cybertron in order to obtain the new alloy, [[cybertonuron]], that had been developed by Vector Sigma. The duo headed straight to Cybertron and regrouped with their allies, launching into battle with the Decepticon Headmasters. During the fight, however, their enemies mysteriously pulled out, {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} so the Headmasters split up to hunt them down. After locating the Decepticons, Chromedome used his Headmaster powers to telepathically summon his allies to his side so they could keep Weirdwolf and [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] busy while he chased Mindwipe through Cybertron's subterranean tunnels. Chromedome caught up to Mindwipe in Vector Sigma's chamber, where the Decepticon hypnotist revealed he was planting bombs that would destroy the planet. All attempts to remove the bombs failed, forcing Chromedome to return to the surface and sound the alarm. The Transformers all withdrew from Cybertron, which was then devastated when the bombs exploded. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

[[File:Hm11 chromedome arcee dance.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Oh, Calculon!]]
Despite this sad turn of events, punctuated by the departure of Rodimus Prime and the appointment of Fortress as leader in his place, the Autobots pressed on, and even held a party to announce the successful completion of the [[Sol 1]] satellite, a joint venture between the Autobots and [[human]]ity, during which Chromedome danced with Arcee. It wasn't all good news, however: Chromedome and the Headmasters failed to prevent Sol 1 from falling into Decepticon hands, and were forced to destroy it rather than let their enemies keep it. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Chromedome's team was at least able to get one in the win column when they helped saved a South American village from a Decepticon-instigated volcanic eruption. Chromedome was given a necklace by village girl [[Alyssa]] as thanks. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} Later, Chromedome joined in the defence of [[San Francisco]] when the city was attacked by the Decepticons with [[Buridanka|a giant carnivorous plant]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

When Spike, Daniel, Wheelie and the Trainbots uncovered a Decepticon plot to destroy [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], Chromedome and the Headmasters headed straight to the red planet to aid them. After defeating [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] and rescuing Daniel and Wheelie, however, the Headmasters were caught in a trap and used as bait to lure Battleship Maximus into position so it could be immobilized. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} Chromedome's team fought on against the Decepticon Headmasters and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], but when Scorponok arrived with his new ultimate weapon—a gigantic Transtector of his own—the fight was lost. Although Chromedome and the Autobots were able to escape, Mars was destroyed by Scorponok's [[plasma energy]] bombs. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

[[File:Hmep16 chromedome wobbles.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Chromedome fails miserably at the Soulja Boy dance.]]
Furious after the destruction of Mars, Chromedome was determined to get revenge, despite Fortress's orders. He and Hardhead hid themselves in the Maximus's cargo hold in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], and when the ship went on patrol on the fringes of Decepticon territory, the pair ejected and headed for Chaar on their own. Much to their irritation, however, Autobot deep-cover agent [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] had been given information on their movements, and fed it to Scorponok, who deployed the Decepticon Headmasters and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to intercept the pair and see them off. Subsequently, Chromedome joined in the Autobot attack on Scorponok's coronation on Earth's moon. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} Later, Chromedome helped deliver energy to the stricken world of [[Sandra (G1)|Sandra]] by abandoning his Transtector and leaving it to serve as a decoy while he and Hardhead took a small shuttlecraft to the planet. When the Decepticons attacked the planet, Chromedome and Hardhead, still in their small robot forms, used their diminutive size to win the battle by sneaking bombs onto Scorponok's Transtector. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

[[File:Hmep18 chromedome vs sixshot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Wildcat Rescue Force!]]
Chromedome joined the Headmasters and Trainbots in serving as bodyguards for Spike when he met with Galvatron to discuss the unlikely possibility of the Autobots and Decepticons working on energy research together. When a report from Punch revealed that the "Galvatron" Spike was talking with was actually an impostor, Chromedome had the Trainbots stage a diversion so he could burst in on the negotiations and reveal the deception. The false Galvatron was revealed to be Sixshot in disguise, and a fierce battle erupted between Chromedome and the ninja that ran all down the shoreline. Seeing through Sixshot's tricks, Chromedome wounded him and forced him to retreat. It was discovered that the Decepticons had staged the phoney negotiations to cover for their departure on an interplanetary energy quest, and Chromedome joined the Autobots in pursuing them aboard Battleship Maximus. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}}

[[File:Hm19 chromedome makk energymoat.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
On the Decepticons' trail through space, the Autobots discovered a ruined ship from [[Hive (planet)|Hive]] floating in space, victims of a Decepticon attack. Chromedome investigated the wreck and discovered [[Makku's father|a survivor]], but the alien did not live long, clinging to life just enough to give Chromedome [[Medal of Valour|a medallion]] to pass down to his son. As they drew closer to Hive, Battleship Maximus came under fire from the suspicious natives, and while Fortress insisted on showing non-resistance, Chromedome's fiery temper flared, and he headed down to the planet's surface on his own to try and speak with Hive's [[Queen Bee]]. On Hive, he met the soldier's son, [[Makku]], who helped him gain an audience with the queen and convince her that the Autobots were on their side. Of course, the Decepticons chose that moment to strike, and Chromedome was blasted into the energy moat around the queen's castle by Galvatron and Sixshot. Luckily, with Makku's help, Chromedome was able to absorb energy from the moat and leap back into the middle of the battle, joining with the other Headmasters in using the Maximus's "Master Shot" cannon to force the Decepticons off. {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}}

Shadowing the Decepticons on their way to their next target, the worlds of [[Twin Star]], Chromedome suggested attacking the Decepticons in the void of space. Brainstorm chided him for not thinking his actions through, and the pair started arguing, until Brainstorm's brains helped win the fight on Twin Star. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} On their next stop, the planet [[Daros]], Chromedome's team used the Master Shot again to force the Decepticon off, but sadly not before the Decepticons killed a [[Beastformer]] named [[Tekna]]. In death, however, Tekna left them with a piece of microfilm supposedly containing coded information on Scorponok's weak spot. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}}

[[File:Hm22 chromedome repairs.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Head On! Neck Wrung!]]
While conducting exterior repairs on Battleship Maximus on the way to the planet [[Paradise]], Chromedome goofed pretty badly when he punched the ship's hull in frustration, jostling loose a few important components and sending them floating off into space. Although he was able to fix his mistake, the delay necessitated that Highbrow go on ahead to Paradise, where he was captured by the Decepticons. Once they made it to Paradise, the worried Chromedome led the Headmasters to Highbrow's rescue, and they performed the [[Head Formation]] to power up their teammate. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} Soon after, Chromedome helped battle the Decepticons on [[Pirate Planet]]. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}}

With the Decepticons' energy raids done, the Headmasters to Athenia. Sadly, Chromedome's team was unable to prevent [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s death at the hands of Sixshot on Earth, but they did arrive in time to deliver a ferocious Head Formation-powered beating to the six-changer. Chromedome's hatred of the ninja only grew. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} Magnus's death only galvanized the Decepticons into more aggressive action, and the Autobots were spread thin fighting back. Chromedome and his team followed Galvatron to [[Alaska]], where they used information from Punch to pinpoint his weak spot—his head—and defeat him, entombing him in ice using the power of the Head Formation. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

[[File:IRiskMyLifeForEarth-Letgoofme.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Head on, hands off.]]
Galvatron's demise allowed Scorponok to take leadership of the Decepticons, and he initiated a plan to destroy the Earth by simultaneously erupting every volcano on the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]]. When Spike realized what they were planning, Chromedome escorted him to Earth to present his findings, only for [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] to come under attack by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and Sixshot. Consumed with rage, Chromedome rushed to engage Sixshot, and the unprotected Spike was wounded by Trypticon. The Trainbots and [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] forced the Decepticons off, but Chromedome was consumed with guilt and anger. He started blaming everyone else, including Fortress, claiming it never would have happened if he had allowed them to take out the Decepticons' Earth base, and in his frenzy, tried to leave for Earth to take care of it himself. Restrained by Hardhead, Chromedome was consigned to Athenia by Fortress, deemed incapable of leading due to his emotional statue. While the other Headmasters headed to Earth to engage the Decepticons on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Chromedome turned his attention to the coded information left to them by Tekna. With Daniel and Wheelie's help, Chromedome was finally able to decode the microfilm and identify Scorponok's weak spot, and raced to Earth to pass it on to Fortress. With Chromedome's information, Fortress was able to defeat Scorponok, and force him and the Decepticons off the Earth. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

[[File:Hm27 chromedome hardhead cross head on.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Head Off!]]
With the Decepticons gone from Earth, the Autobots set about removing all traces of their evil from the planet. Chromedome and Hardhead were charged with removing the plasma bombs planted along the Ring of Fire, and things were going well until a volcanic tremor caused Chromedome to drop one of the bombs, setting off its timer. Switching heads with Hardhead to boost their strength and courage, the pair ran through the waves of magma and collapsing rock walls, successfully getting the bombs to the surface so Battleship Maximus could take them into space. The intention was to let the bombs detonate harmlessly in the void, but on the way to jettison them, the Maximus encountered a ship from Master containing a group of refugees, pursued by a team of Decepticons. A newly arrived team of elite Autobots—[[Pointblank]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]—set out to rescue the Master refugees, when the bombs detonated, causing a plasma explosion that fused the refugees and the Autobots and Decepticons together, creating the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]]. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}} Chromedome took an immediate and strong dislike to Pointblank, who considered the Headmasters weak and undisciplined.

[[File:Hm28 chromedome shoots jack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|So you see, we shouldn't be mad at Jack for leaving us. We should be mad at that [[Decepticon|fruity little club]] for [[Mindwipe (G1)|scrambling his brains]]!]]
Learning from the Master refugees that Scorponok's Decepticons had returned to Master and were causing chaos there, Chromedome returned to his adopted homeworld with the Autobots to help defend the natives. Soon after his arrival, he was reunited with his old friend Jack, who at first pretended like he did not know him: The sight of the successful Headmaster that Chromedome had become reminded him of how he had failed in the same pursuit. Chromedome wouldn't stand for his friend's guff, telling him that just because he was a Headmaster, it didn't mean he was better than Jack, whose incredible scientific mind had helped create Battleship Maximus and the [[Master Sword]]. Jack apologised and welcomed Chromedome properly, but after they parted ways, Sixshot struck, impersonating Chromedome and kidnapping Jack so that the Decepticons could torture information on the composition of the Master Sword out of him. Jack refused to give them any information, so instead, the villains planted a bomb in his body and Mindwipe hypnotised him to walk into Battleship Maximus. The horrified Chromedome was forced to shoot Jack to stop him, and the bomb detonated, taking his life. His hatred of Sixshot burning stronger than ever, Chromedome blasted off the ninja's arms, and was set to pursue him until Pointblank held him back. In the wake of the battle, Chromedome and Pointblank confronted each other, mutually concluding that they didn't ''like'' each other, but they respected one another, and would fight together in the future. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}}

[[File:Hm29 chromedome daniel rescue wheelie.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|...And then Chromedome locked that closet door, never to be opened again.]]
Having failed to pry information on the Master Sword from Jack, the Decepticons kidnapped Wheelie in order to ransom him for the data they needed to construct a weapon to counter it. Although Chromedome and Daniel snuck into Scorponok's Transtector and rescued Wheelie, the fight broke out over the data disk, and the Decepticons were able to make off with it. Chromedome, Wheelie and Daniel were charged with cleaning Battleship Maximus for their breach of the rules. {{storylink|The Master Sword Is in Danger!!}} Using the stolen data, Scorponok created the [[Zarak Shield]], despite Chromedome and his allies' attempts to stop them. {{storylink|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide}}

[[File:Hm31 pointblank decks chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|LET ME SHOW YOU THE DANCE OF MY PEOPLE!]]
While discussing what the Autobots' next step should be, Chromedome opposed the Targetmasters' plan of luring the Decepticons into space, believing that they might lose them, and advocating a hard strike now before they left Master. The Targetmasters dismissed his plan out of hand, prompting an angry Chromedome to go off on his own an set up a meeting with the young warriors of Master, led by [[Kirk]]. He soon brought the other Headmasters in to join the effort, and together, they formulated a plan that involved luring the Decepticons into the confines of a nearby cloudy mountain range. The plan went wrong, however, when Scorponok emerged from beneath the planet's surface right in the middle of a city, and many of the young warriors died in the disorganized response. Chromedome was forced to call the warriors off, and to make matters worse, Fortress's Master Sword was bested by the Zarak Shield. The victorious Decepticons departed Master, heading back to Earth, while Pointblank punched some sense into Chromedome, blaming him for the entire debacle. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

[[File:Hm32 chromedome sixshot daniel.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Stop, don't hurt Uncle Sixshot! He's so stylized and cool!"]]
The Autobots quickly gave chase, catching up to the Decepticons in space, but the battle that resulted led to Sixshot and Daniel being stranded on the barren planet [[Daira]]. The Autobots were able to track them down after a while, but Chromedome was unconvinced by Daniel's claims that Sixshot was a noble warrior who had protected him. {{storylink|My Friend Sixshot!}} Soon after, when Scorponok had to set down in the asteroid belt for repairs, the Autobots caught up another battle broke out. Sixshot decided to settle their rivalry once and for all, and challenged Chromedome to a climactic one-on-one duel on the asteroid [[Juno]]. Chromedome accepted the challenge, refusing to listen to the protestations of Fortress or Daniel, and even punching Brainstorm when he offered to fight as his second, taking it as a slight to his abilities. Ironically, it was Pointblank who supported Chromedome's decision, understanding his feelings because he had been brash and impassioned in his own youth. The pair's fated duel began, but before long, Daniel got in the middle of the fight and tried to stop his two friends from killing each other. A definite outcome was denied Chromedome, however, when bombs Scorponok had planted on the asteroid in an effort to destroy Sixshot began to detonate, forcing the combatants to break off their battle. {{storylink|Duel on the Asteroid}}

[[File:Hm35 chromedome hardhead hypnotised.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Thanks to the delay caused by Chromedome's duel, the Decepticons beat the Autobots back to Earth, and began causing chaos, erecting energy-discharging "[[Death Tower]]s" composed from [[crysmagnetal]] around the planet. Upon landing, Chromedome and the Autobots had to rush off to rescue the human victims of a plane crash caused by the Decepticons, which included Daniel's parents. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} After trying and failing to stop the erection of another Death Tower in [[Egypt]], Chromedome and the assembled Autobot army followed the Decepticons to the North Pole for a final mighty battle. During the fight, Chromedome and Hardhead were hit by Mindwipe's hypnotism, but were saved by Twincast and his cassettes. With the Death Towers creating a field of energy that was threatening to tear the Earth apart, Chromedome and the Headmasters joined in Head Formation, hoping to channel their energy into Fortress Maximus and give him the strength to destroy Scorponok and the crysmagnetal. Their own energies were not enough, but at Daniel's suggestion, they expanded their formation to include the assembled Autobot forces. Thus combined in "Final Formation", they provided Fortress with the energy he needed, and the Earth was saved.

Following their defeat at the North Pole, the Decepticons were finally expelled from Earth, and the Autobots prepared to follow them. Chromedome assured Daniel that although the Autobots were leaving, the peace they had brought to the Earth was here to stay. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
{{-}}

====''Kiss Players/15 Go! Go!''====
[[File:KPBraveMax.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
Slumped miserably on the barren surface of Master in their smallest robot forms, Chromedome, Fortress and Highbrow's attention was caught when a [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|time-travelling spaceship]] materialized over their heads and crashed nearby. By studying and reverse-engineering the technology found in this spaceship, Fortress and the scientists of Master invented Transtectors and the Headmaster process. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 48|Kiss Players #48}} {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 3}}

====''Super-God Masterforce Master File''====
Following the expulsion of the Decepticons from Earth after the battle at the North Pole, the Transformers' war shifted into a series of space-based exchanges between the planet Athenia and Chaar known as the [[Master Wars]]. Chromedome and his fellow Headmasters had further training under the tutelage of Pointblank and the Targetmasters, and grew into mature warriors, who went on to help train the next generation of [[Autobot Master Warrior]]s.

With the space bridge destroyed, travel between Athenia and Earth became severely limited, and so, when news of a [[Devil Z|new Decepticon threat]] rising on Earth reached the Autobots in space from [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] on Earth, it proved difficult to spare any troops. This need fostered another scientific leap: the scientists of Master developed the [[Master-Brace|Masterforce system]], which would allow human beings to bond with Transtectors and defend Earth while the Autobots continued to fight in space. Chromedome participated in the project, and arranged for six Transtectors and six sets of [[Master-Brace]]s to be sent to Earth on a transport ship. Unfortunately, the ship was intercepted by the Decepticons in transit, and half its cargo was stolen, leading to the birth of [[Headmaster Junior]]s on both the Autobot and Decepticon side. {{storylink|The Headmasters Now!!}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
[[File:Mfep4 chromedomes message.jpg|left|thumb]]
{{voiceactor|[[Hideyuki Hori]] (Japanese)|[[Rik Thomas]] (English, Omni Productions dub)}}

After giving the Transtectors to the three human children, [[Shūta Gō|Shūta]], [[Cab (human)|Cab]], and [[Minerva (human)|Minerva]], transforming them into the Autobots' new Headmaster Junior warriors, Metalhawk informed them of Chromedome's role in their new powers. Shūta had heard his [[Haruma Gō|father]] speak of Chromedome before and expressed a desire to meet him, so Metalhawk played a recorded message that Chromedome had sent them. Evidently recorded in the middle of battle, the short but sweet missive had Chromedome inform them that fighting was only worsening out in space, and that he hoped they would all fight their hardest on Earth as well. The Headmasters Juniors all thought Chromedome was cool, and vowed not to let him down. {{storylink|Birth! Headmaster Jrs}}

====''Unite Warriors''====
Chromedome and his comrades' involvement in Galvatron's defeat and icy entombment was recounted. {{storylink|Grand Galvatron Chapter}}

====''Legends'' comic====
Years prior to his departure from Master, Chromedome helped uncover and put an end to Scorponok kidnapping and experimenting on his own people. {{storylink|Mutant Targetmaster Birth Chapter}}

In a dream, [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] told the [[Legends World]]'s [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] the story about how he and his comrades, including Chrome, left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to escape the war and settled on [[Master (planet)|Master]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 9|Bonus Edition Vol. 9}} Brainstorm later told Rattrap that he'd gotten a new body since his previous adventures, angering the nearby Chromedome who found it unfair that only ''he'' got an upgrade and accused him of ruining the [[Head Formation|Cross-Head On]]. [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] tried to calm him down by saying they needed all the power they could get since [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]] might get resurrected, but this didn't appease Chromedome who retorted that that just means they should ''all'' get upgrades. He was surprised when Brainstorm had lost his new body and watched him take it back from a thieving Rattrap, comparing the flip-down [[Tech Spec]] plate used to catch Rattrap to a mousetrap. {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Brainstorm Chapter|Brainstorm Chapter}}

Scorponok indeed returned, and a battle with him in 2021 ended with Chromedome and his comrades being afflicted with "[[blackball]]s", tiny black holes that were causing their bodies to shrink until they would eventually collapse in on themselves. To save themselves, Chromedome and the other Headmasters had to disconnect from their transtectors and watch as they disappear into nothingness. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} In need of new bodies, the tiny Autobots traveled to the Legends World and formed a partnership with the [[Axalon Trading Company]] for their resources. Chromedome's didn't enjoy this one bit; first he had to settle into the boring life of an office worker, and he wasn't even the first one to get a new transtector out of it! When a meteor threatened the city, he instead had to ride into battle on Hardhead's new partner drone, [[Tankette]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 21|Bonus Edition Vol. 21}}

When a rampaging Skullcruncher revealed that the Decepticons had also come to the Legends World, Chromedome set out with Hardhead to stop him, only to be captured by Weirdwolf, stuck inside [[Butla]] and held hostage. Though the Decepticons were driven off, Chromedome was unable to get out and had to continue working at the office in the form of Butla's dinosaur mode. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 22|Bonus Edition Vol. 22}} He was still in this form when Rattrap to him and Hardhead that the Axalon employees had gotten their own [[Master-Brace]]s. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 28|Bonus Edition Vol. 28}} Chromedome and Hardhead were out drinking after work when they encountered Weirdwolf, who was searching for his runaway transtector, and ended up fighting over his "lost dog" posters and sending them flying into a river. Weirdwolf's ensuing anger summoned [[Rarigo]], who punched Chromedome so hard he was separated from Butla. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 30|Bonus Edition Vol. 30}}

[[File:LegendsManga BonusEdition32 ChromedomeNewTranstector.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
When the encroaching rival Decepticon company took over [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] near the Autobot Axalon HQ, Chromedome demanded that Fortress destroy them, calling him a coward for preferring a peaceful solution. After suddenly collapsing, Fortress revealed to Chromedome that his reason for avoiding transforming into Fortress Maximus was that the process drained his life force, and despaired that he was indeed a coward who only thought of his own safety. Regretting what he'd said, Chromedome reassured Fortress that he was the greatest commander ever and that keeping this secret to keep his troops' morale up was proof of that. When the commander next transformed into Fortress Maximus, Chromedome offered to save him by taking his place, but was told he wasn't strong enough. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 31|Bonus Edition Vol. 31}}

Encouraged by his new partner [[Moguru]], Chromedome learned to redirect his endless energy into his job and a new hobby—drawing [[w:Dōjin|dōjins]]—and eventually grew accustomed to a peaceful lifestyle. Even when he received his new transtector, he showed no interest in using it for fighting, but just wanted to use it to transport his ''[[Robopara]]'' drawings to an upcoming event. When Weirdwolf attacked the Autobot base, however, Chromedome's spirit of justice quickly resurfaced and he disregarded the event in favor of taking the Decepticon on, leaving Moguru to sell the dōjins in his place. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 32|Bonus Edition Vol. 32}} Disappointed in Highbrow for locking himself in his room and researching all the time, Chromedome tried to lure him out by stealing [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'s [[10.2 ultra-drill|ultra-drill]] and summoning [[Papika]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 33|Bonus Edition Vol. 33}} Alongside everyone else, he was then temporarily hypnotized into a mindless servant of Mindwipe. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 34|Bonus Edition Vol. 34}} While partying at the [[Dancitron]], he was hypnotized ''again'' by [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] into attacking Twincast. He was soon cured and turned on Soundblaster, only to have his transtector transformed into an immobile "base mode" by the [[Zodiac]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 36|Bonus Edition Vol. 36}}

When Brainstorm arrived in the Legends Universe, Chromedome was confused to learn that he and Rattrap were already friends. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 39|Bonus Edition Vol. 39}} He defended the Autobot base when [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s [[Astroforce]] attacked, though they quickly fell to their own energy shortage. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} Chromedome, Hardhead and Brainstorm were doing maintenance on their transtectors when three Headmasters identical to them appeared and locked them in their own vehicles. The newcomers explained that they were [[Nebulan|Nebulons]] from another universe and needed bodies to battle their own version of Scorponok, [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]], so Chromedome and the others agreed to pilot the transtectors from their cockpits while these other Headmasters formed the heads. Their combined "Double-Headmaster" power was enough to defeat Zarak, after which Chromedome and friends said goodbye to their counterparts. {{storylink|LGEX Headmaster Set Chapter}} Chromedome later helped build a new [[Godbomber]], but was unable to prevent [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], [[Trickdiamond]] and [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] from stealing it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 42|Bonus Edition Vol. 42}}

When [[Scourge (RID)|Black Convoy]] and the [[Dimensional Patrol]] placed the Legends World under martial law and confiscated everyone's transtectors, Chromedome and the others resisted by converting [[Black Convoy Mass Production Type Drone|Black Convoy drones]] into Headmaster-compatible bodies and using them to fight back. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Black Convoy 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} The Autobot Headmasters confronted their Decepticon counterparts after they'd rebuilt [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], but were defeated by their creation. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} Chromedome was seen driving on the streets of Akihabara after the city was rebuilt in the wake of Trypticon's rampage. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} After quitting his job to become a full-time manga artist, Chromedome was approached by Daniel and Sixshot, come to the Legends World to hide [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] from his enemies. He was unhappy about having to harbor Sixshot and tried to throw him out, only relenting on the condition that the ninja assist him with his manga career, and ended up being embarrassed when Sixshot noted certain similarities between his original [[Dripara]] character and Arcee. When Ultra Magnus came to arrest Star Saber, Chromedome brought him to safety while Sixshot battled their assailant. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 50|Bonus Edition Vol. 50}}

Chromedome was knocked out cold when [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] exposed all Transformers in the Legends World to [[anti-electron]]s. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 55|Bonus Edition Vol. 55}} At another time, [[Pounce]] and [[Wingspan]] would recall his role in the defeat of Galvatron. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 61|Bonus Edition Vol. 61}} During [[Tigerburn]]'s flooding of the world, Chromedome wondered why he was talking to himself and was informed by [[White Lune]] that he was hearing the voice of [[Lione]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 64|Bonus Edition Vol. 64}} When the [[Jumpstarter]]s used the Zodiac to battle Windblade, he needed [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to explain how they could do that. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 65|Bonus Edition Vol. 65}} One day, Jack was resurrected by the repentant Sixshot, now going by Greatshot, and Chromedome was tearfully reunited with the friend he thought lost forever. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Greatshot)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} He was then present when [[Devil Z]] and BlackZarak attacked the Legends World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

During the battle to defend the Legends World from Scorponok's [[Majin Zarak]], Chromedome was approached by the Autobot Targetmasters who revealed that they had traveled there as well. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}} When Weirdwolf turned against Scorponok, Chromedome put his animosity aside and performed a Cross Head-On with the Decepticon, increasing their power so they could help push Majin Zarak through a warp gate. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two}} After the Legends World was destroyed due to Scorponok's machinations, Chromedome and the other Transformers from his time period returned to their own dimension, ending up on Beast where they aided the Beastformers in their war with the [[Laser Beast]]s. {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 1}} By [[2026]], he had forgiven Greatshot and joined a rescue team that located him after his disappearance in the [[Silvart War]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Greatshot)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Years later on Earth, Chromedome and Highbrow were shocked when Ultra Magnus came back to life, very unhappy with their decision to bury him on the ocean floor. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#Resurrection Chapter|Resurrection Chapter}}

===''TV Magazine'' comic continuity===
====''The Great Transformer War''====
[[File:Hmmanga battered headmasters.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66]]
In the closing days of 2010, while significant Transformer battles were being waged on Earth and across space, Chromedome and his fellow Autobot Headmasters were active on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], battling their Decepticon counterparts. It seemed that their foes were able to escape them by leaping into a crevasse, but moments later, they came bursting out of the ground beneath the Autobots' feet. Chromedome and company, however, were able to use this to their advantage by sneaking away under cover of the dust cloud the villains' emergence had created. When the cloud cleared, the Decepticons realized they had been beating up each other, and were then promptly flattened as Chromedome and the Autobots ran them over in vehicle mode. The tide of battle turned suddenly with the arrival of the Decepticon ninja [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], who blasted Chromedome's team to cover the Decepticon Headmasters' escape. Informed by their leader [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] that the Decepticons were heading for Cybertron, Chromedome and the other Headmasters set out after them aboard Fortress's Battleship Maximus, with Chromedome particularly excited at the prospect of meeting [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}
{{--}}

====''The Headmasters'' manga====
[[File:Hmmanga chromedome snatches bomb.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Shortly after Optimus Prime gave up his life to stabilize Vector Sigma, Chromedome and the Headmasters attended the unveiling of a [[Optimus Prime memorial|bronze statue]] dedicated to Prime's memory on Athenia. Chromedome spoke for the Headmasters, proclaiming Prime the greatest warrior that ever lived. The ceremony was then interrupted by the arrival of the Decepticons in Athenian space, and the Headmasters rocketed off in Battleship Maximus to intercept them. This, it turned out, was part of the Decepticons' plans, as they intended to hurl a bomb into the Maximus when the Headmasters exited it, but Chromedome moved too fast for the Decepticons, disconnecting from his Transtector and snatching the bomb out of Mindwipe's hands. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 1|The Headmasters #1}}

[[File:Hmmanga chromedome hardhead vines.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Responding to an SOS from their Beastformer comrades, Chromedome and the Autobot Headmasters headed to planet Beast and split up into two teams to search. Chromedome and Hardhead had the misfortune to stumble into the clutches of [[Reprogamma|some energy-draining vines]], but were cut free by [[Kane]], the Beastformers' human ally. Kane led them to the Decepticon camp, where Brainstorm and Highbrow had been taken prisoner, and proceeded to create a distraction that allowed the two captive Autobots to break free. Kane was then pursued by the Decepticon Headmasters, but Chromedome's team followed them, and took the villains out. {{storylink|The Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}}

Investigating news of a Decepticon attack on an energy plant in Alaska, Chromedome and the Headmasters were caught by surprise by the Decepticon Headmasters, and prevented from combining with their Transtectors. At first they were forced to flee from the Decepticons' bestial Transtectors, but soon, they were able to execute a "Southern Cross Jump" that carried them over the Decepticons' heads and allowed them to reconnect with their bodies. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 2|The Headmasters #2}} Later, Chromedome's team went to Earth with the Trainbots to look into reports of the Decepticons stealing energy under the sea, and foiled their plan by destroying their robot squid through teamwork. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 3|The Headmasters #3}} Unfortunately, they had less success when they tried to stop Sixshot from stealing a capsule of emergency food rations, as the Decepticon ninja disappeared in a flash of smoke. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 4|The Headmasters #4}}

[[File:Hmmanga charge arrow.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
On an unknown alien world, Chromedome and Daniel discovered the legendary weapon known as the "[[Charge Arrow]]", and Chromedome felt that with its power in his hands, he could become the greatest warrior in the universe. [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] then attacked, and when Chromedome attempted to use the Charge Arrow on them, he discovered he was not worthy enough to control its fabled energies. Knocked unconscious by the Horrorcons' attack, Chromedome had a vision of his Transtector telling him that he was worthy, if only he believed it. Awakening to see the two Decepticons' advancing on Daniel, Chromedome sprang into action, and, fuelled by the need to save his friend, successfully fired the Charge Arrow, frying the Horrorcons. When Daniel inquired if he regretted using up the one-shot weapon, Chromedome replied that a warrior is not defined by his weapon. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 5|The Headmasters #5}}

Chromedome and the Headmasters were handing out Christmas presents at a Japanese children's hospital when the Decepticon Headmasters attacked. Chromedome had the Trainbots get as many patients to safety as possible before he and the Headmasters unleashed their "Hell's Great Wheel" attack, sending their enemies whirling off into the sky. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 6|The Headmasters #6}} Not long after, on New Year's Day, Chromedome, Daniel and the Autobots' two newest Targetmasters, [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] and [[Artfire]], responded to a raging fire in [[Shinjuku]]. They were suddenly attacked by the Decepticon Targetmasters, who had started the fire, and were unable to fight back because they were focused on saving lives. Once Fortress Maximus put out the fire by dumping water on it from above, however, Chromedome and his allies were freed up to turn all their firepower on the Decepticons, sending them packing. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters #7}}

[[File:Hm manga8 master chrome hurricane.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Soon after the Decepticons' defeat at the North Pole, but before the Autobots' departed the planet, Chromedome gathered with Wheelie, Spike, Daniel and [[Carly]] to say goodbye. The tearful farewell was interrupted by the arrival of [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]], who had been ordered to stay behind on the planet by Scorponok. Chromedome attempted to attack him, but Soundblaster deployed [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] to hold the Witwickys hostage and prevent Chromedome from making a move. It was Daniel who saved the day by leaping on Slugfest and covering his eyes, causing him to run into Overkill, and freeing up Chromedome to hurl Soundblaster over the horizon with his "Master Chrome Hurricane" technique. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8|The Headmasters #8}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
Cajoled by Shūta, Cab, and Minerva into allowing them to become Headmaster Juniors, Metalhawk explained to them the origins of the Transtectors and Master-Braces, and Chromedome's role in the process, before giving them to the kids. {{storylink|The Birth of the Junior Headmasters}}

[[File:Mfmanga raiden chromedome scramble7.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95]]
The Headmaster Juniors later got a chance to meet Chromedome in person when they and Ginrai were brought by the Trainbots to Athenia, so that Ginrai could be appointed [[Supreme Commander]] of all Autobots. After the ceremony, Fortress headed back to Master, and Chromedome was left in charge of Athenia, only for the Decepticons to attack during the night. Chromedome was quick into battle, but he and [[Raiden]] were cut down by a blast from the Decepticon combiner [[Scramble 7]] even quicker. Ginrai was able to end the threat, but the battle only proved that the Decepticons on Earth had joined forces with the Decepticons in space, and so the Autobots elected to do the same to better combat their enemies. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The Earth-Space Alliance Army}} To this end, Chromedome went to [[Earth]] to assist with the [[Godbomber|Bomber Project]]. When [[Jin (Masterforce)|Jin]] and [[Mirai]] showed up and threatened to destroy the Autobots' work, Chromedome and [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] sped into battle with the two, but were outclassed when Jin and Mirai performed Get On with the suddenly-appearing [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Super Megatron]]. Fortunately for the two, Chromedome's Autobot comrades arrived on the scene with the Godcannon, which they used to defeat their enemies. {{storylink|Headmasters VS Masterforce}}

Soon after, when the space-based Decepticon commander [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] began heading for Earth, Chromedome, his fellow Headmasters, Raiden, and [[Grand Maximus]] all gave chase. Chromedome was no match for the mighty Decepticon, however, and was beaten back, unable to stop his advance on the planet. As soon as BlackZarak reached Earth, however, Ginrai was able to trick both him and the Earth-based Decepticon leader [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] into injuring each other, and Chromedome and his allies cheered for Ginrai's success. {{storylink|God Ginrai's Amazing Divine Combination!}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
[[File:HeadlessChromedomeandHardhead-ASO.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]
During a period when the Autobots on Nebulos were low on lubricant, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] dispatched [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and Chromedome to search for a legendary lost lake of oil. They searched a possible valley with their Headmaster partners, but [[Stylor]] reported back with no luck. Looking for [[Duros]]'s return, Chromedome transformed into his headless [[robot mode]] to get a better view across the plains. When Duros returned with a clear signal on his geo-sensors, the Headmasters traced the spot. Hardhead used sonic shell as a non-inflammatory means of drilling down to the reservoir. Duros and Stylor entered the tunnel and found a vast source of oil for the Autobots to claim. {{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}
{{-}}

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

===''United''===
Like the other Headmasters and Targetmasters, Chromedome was fine when a [[nano-virus]] struck the Autobots at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], incapacitating them. Because of their immunity, a team made up of him, [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]], [[Artfire]], and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] were sent to Nebulos to recover an antidote crafted by the Nebulan scientist [[Zella]].

As the team arrived on Nebulos, an army of Decepticons led by [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] erupted from an inter-dimensional portal and attacked them, revealing that the nano-virus was part of a larger plot to draw out the Headmasters and Targetmasters and steal their Nebulan partners. By concentrating their fire on Straxus, Chromedome, Artfire, and Kup defeated him and drove the Decepticons away, allowing Autobots to gather the antidote and cure their comrades. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:TheRoadNotTaken-ChromedomeRewind.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
{{main|Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}

Get your tissues ready.
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:Chromedome Kre-O Character Image.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|right|The [[Headmaster (technology)|Helmetmaster]]'s failure to do the [[Head Formation|Helmet Formation]] was all his fault.]]

Chromedome was sent flying to the air along with [[BuggyMan]] by the destructive [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] [[Brawl (G1)#Kre-O online manga|Brawl]]'s destructive nature. {{storylink|New Military Unit Combaticon! Bruticus, Combine!}}

===''TransTech''===
In [[Primax 806.30 Gamma|one universe]], Chromedome was binary-bonded to the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] operative [[Mouse]], joining up with the [[Screaming Eagles]] against the forces of [[S.K.A.R.]] Ultimately, the Screaming Eagles emerged victorious in the globe-spanning confrontation, ushering in a new Golden Age for Earth. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/05/01}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
Chromedome was seen defending Cybertron from Soundwave's all-out attack. {{storylink|Titans Return: The Power of the Titan Masters}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Storm Horizon Part 1|''Galaxies'' #10]]}}

[[File:StormHorizonPart1-UltraMagnus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|He's got his [[Bob Budiansky|Budiansky]] personality, his [[Chromedome#Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Japanese]] job, and his [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|IDW 1.0]] head design.]]

Chromedome was a crew member on the starship ''[[Fist of Iacon]]'' under the command of Ultra Magnus. Chromedome told Magnus about the encrypted message sent from Cybertron that only he can translate, when it was discovered that [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] has gone missing, he accompanied Magnus to the planet [[Kworia]] in the [[Decimus Sector]] while searching for Alpha Trion after shooting down an alien ship. Their initial sweep turned up nothing, [[Erector (G1)|Erector]] helped Chromedome track Magnus's signal before [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] and his crew of splice-thieves ambushed their ship and took the crew hostage, Chromedome pleaded with Magnus to leave the crew behind, but Magnus's code of honor wouldn't allowed and cooperated with Spinister's crew for the safety of his men. {{storylink|Storm Horizon Part 1}} As part of a conditional bargain, Spinister released Chromedome and several other members of the crew, who piloted their ship into the [[Black Sphere]] system to find Trion. Chromedome later confirmed that the signal Magnus received was Krm'zik from Koan. Chromedome then stood by with several other members of the crew as Magnus faced off against Spinister's crew, and watched as [[Victory Leo]] took on the villains after having received an emergency beacon from Chromedome. When Alpha Trion was found, he explained what happened to him via holographic transmission as he and Soundblaster requested help from a Kworian armada. {{storylink|Storm Horizon Part 2}}

Chromedome provided remote assistance for Magnus as he sought to avoid the ships and recover Alpha Trion before he fell into an event horizon. They were successful, but the time dilation that close to a black hole meant the ''Fist of Iacon'' was absent for 70 cycles, relatively speaking. In their absence, the Senate had fallen to a revolution led by Megatron. {{storylink|Storm Horizon Part 3}} They returned to Cybertron and landed at [[Crystal City]] to meet with Optimus Prime, the former Senator Orion Pax and last-standing official representative of the legally elected government. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} Those who opposed Megatron united under the Autobot faction, and Chromedome was seen accepting the Autobrand at a mass ceremony. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:Commercial chromedome removes head.jpg|right|thumb]]
*Chromedome was among several Transformers who left the war on Cybertron behind, to blast their way to the distant planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]]! After arriving on the alien world with the other Autobots and surrendering to the native Nebulons, he removed his head (see [[#Notes|notes]]) and allowed one to fuse with it. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmaster comic book|Headmaster comic book commercial}}
*Stylor boarded Chromedome, and along with the other Headmasters, they sped out of their hangar onto a roadway, where the Decepticon Headmasters were running straight for them. Chromedome transformed to [[robot mode]], and a fight broke out, during which Chromedome grappled with Weirdwolf. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmasters|Headmasters commercial}}
*A stone sculpture of Chromedome was savaged by Weirdwolf as part of his training. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Decepticon Headmasters|Decepticon Headmasters commercial}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
[[File:HeadmastersGame-ChromedomeSprites.png|frame]]
When the Decepticons kidnapped his fellow Autobots, Chromedome was left alone to rescue his teammates and stand against the forces of evil. He fought his way through many foes on three separate planets, rescuing [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] before they all joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] in the finale battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

{{Note|Chromedome is the only Autobot available for play from the beginning of the game. Other characters become available as the game progresses. His [[robot mode]] sprite not only uses the same pixel layout as the other playable characters except Fortress, but is identical in colour to Rodimus.}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Strings Kozisek]] (English)}}

====Autobot story====
{{Note|Chromedome was available as a playable character in the Autobot campaign during the second playthrough.}}

====Decepticon story====
As the Decepticons searched a recently unearthed dig site for the [[Jewel of Mystery]], they were confronted by Chromedome. Chromedome was soon defeated by the Decepticons, but taunted them with the knowledge that they couldn't proceed further without the proper key.

Later, at [[ELTA]], Chromedome and [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] joined forces to battle the Decepticons again, to no avail. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
When the Decepticons aimed to get hold of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber]], Chromedome and his fellow Headmasters made off with it but soon crashed on Earth. They were aided by the [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]], who patched them up and helped them fight off [[Apeface]] and [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]]. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Earth Defense Command}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsChromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Despite wielding a gun, I'll attack with my sword!]]
Chromedome participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Super Rare character who could be recruited by collecting 275 units of Cybermetal, 85 units of Transmetal, 55 scout cores, and 5 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The withdrawn Chromedome was partnered with the vain and flashy Stylor. However, Chromedome helped bring out Stylor's more practical side; {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}} on one occasion, the two conducted research into enhancing their shared processing power, and used their findings to develop a wide range of battlefield tactics. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1-toy Chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Chromedome: Eternal Headmaster Soldier.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Chromedome''' (Headmaster, [[1987]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-101'''
:*''Accessories'': "Stylor" Headmaster driver, 2 laser guns
{{toydesigner|[[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Released in the fourth year of Hasbro's US ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' toyline (third year in Europe and in Takara's ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'' line), Headmaster Chromedome transforms into a brown, cream, and red Cybertronic sports car. He is armed with two non-firing laser rifles which mount on his roof in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], although the rifles must be removed in order to open the figure's hinged cockpit.

: In [[robot mode]], like all Headmasters, Chromedome features a flip-down panel on his chest that covers a mini [[Tech Spec]] meter displaying ratings for Speed, Strength and Intelligence. The tumblers of this meter are activated when [[Stylor#Toys|Stylor]] is transformed into head mode and inserted into Chromedome's neck socket. Chromedome's body can accommodate other Headmaster heads, and his meter will display different stats accordingly.

: A [[redeco]] of Chromedome as [[Arcee (G1)/toys#HeadmasterConcept|Arcee]] was proposed during Generation 1, but never produced.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Chromedome/chromedome.htm More information on Chromedome at TFU.info]
{{-}}

===''Transform Jr''===
[[File:Tfjr chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Not to be confused with Chromedome Sr.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Chromedome''' (1987)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-101'''
:*''Accessories'': 2-piece "Chrome" Headmaster unit, laser gun

:The ''[[Transform Jr]]'' version of Chromedome is a smaller, simplified take on the original toy. The [[transformation]] scheme remains the same, but Chromedome's cockpit no longer opens, so his Headmaster unit has nowhere to store. Additionally, the Headmaster unit does not really ''transform'' into a head; you simply remove its legs and set them aside. Chromedome's [[Tech Spec]] meter lacks the functionality of the larger toy, featuring only a permanent, non-moving readout, and he also has only one gun instead of two. But on the very cool plus side, his hood is now made of [[die-cast]] metal!

::*''[http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/chromedomejr.php More information on Transform Jr Chromedome at Cliffbee.com]''
{{-}}

<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Cybertron Leader Set''' (Multi-pack, 1987)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': 2-piece Headmaster unit, laser gun

:The ''Transform Jr'' version of Chromedome was also sold in a two-pack with a vinyl figurine of [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Transform Jr|Rodimus Prime]]. The set also included a small, die-cast metal figure of [[Metroplex (G1)#Transform Jr|Metroplex]].
{{-}}

[[File:Transformjr hero set.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''3 Hero Set''' (Multi-pack, 1987)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': 2-piece Headmaster unit, laser gun

:''Transform Jr'' Chromedome was also ''also'' available in a "Hero Set" alongside the ''Jr'' versions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transform Jr|Optimus Prime]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Transform Jr|Fortress Maximus]]. Aagin, all three are identical to their individual releases.
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:TL-toy Chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Stylor heard that hanging out with ''Prime'' Wheeljack redecoes is the new trend.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Chromedome w/ Stylor''' (Deluxe, [[2014]])}}</ul>
:*''TFSS2 number'': '''5'''
:*''Accessories'': 2 [[sword]]s, "Stylor" partner/weapon
{{toydesigner|[[Nick Roche]] (concept artist)}}

: Part of the 2014 [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service]], ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' Chromedome is a [[redeco]]/[[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Robots in Disguise (2012)|Prime: Robots in Disguise]]'' Deluxe Class [[Wheeljack (Prime)#Prime|Wheeljack]], transforming into a modified [http://www.new-stratos.com/en/#/downloads 2011 Lancia New Stratos Concept]. He sports a new headsculpt designed by [[Nick Roche]], based on his design for Chromedome in the ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' comics.

: He also comes with his smaller partner [[Stylor#Timelines|Stylor]], who now transforms into a crossbow weapon.

: The [[:File:TCCSS2-Chromedome.jpg|first digital mockup of the toy]] depicted Chromedome with a show/toy-accurate gray head with a blue visor, while his car mode had a third, very large Autobot symbol on his hood. In response to fan input, not only was the third symbol was removed, but the final production version revealed that the head's colors had been altered to look more like the IDW design as well.

: This mold was also used to make ''Prime'' [[Dead End (WFC)#Toys|Dead End]] and [[Wildrider (Prime)#Toys|Stunt Wildrider]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/TFSSChromedome/chromedome.htm More information on ''Timelines'' Chromedome at TFU.info]''
{{PrimeRIDWheeljackMold}}
{{-}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Deluxe-Chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Hey, Rewind, remember way back before the war when my head turned into a guy?"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Stylor & Chromedome''' (Deluxe Class, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Small gun, big gun, "Stylor" Titan Master
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Deluxe Class toys, Chromedome transforms from a robot (based on [[:File:MTMTE9 early Chromedome.jpg|his appearance]] in the IDW comic storyline "[[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Shadowplay]]") to futuristic car and back. Chromedome's head can transform into the [[Titan Master]] [[Stylor#Generations|Stylor]], who can either drive Chromedome in vehicle mode or pilot Chromedome's larger weapon, which can also attach via tabs to the roof of the vehicle mode. The toy shares some engineering with [[Dead End (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Dead End]] while not actually sharing any parts. It ''does'' reuse several parts from ''Titans Return'' [[Blurr (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Blurr]], including the thighs and kneepads, smaller rifle, and the Titan Master's robot mode. Stylor's deco changed from the early renders—the final figure had his tiny head changed to solid, unpainted red with an undecorated dark brown chest.

: In 2017, multiple specimens were found at US retail with the TakaraTomy ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' counterpart's "Headmaster" figure (see below), complete with the different [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] Chromedome face sculpt, additional paint operations for the Titan Master figure itself and a black screw otherwise unique to the TakaraTomy versions.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/03/03/titans-return-chromedome-variant-features-takara-titan-master-334923 "TFW2005 Titans Return Chromedome Variant Features Takara Titan Master"]</ref>

: Chromedome was [[retool]]ed with a new head-partner into [[Getaway#Generations|''Titans Return'' Breakaway]]. Chromedome's packaging art and trading card show him with Breakaway's headsculpt, probably the result of the artist being sent incorrect reference material.

: The Hasbro Asia exclusive giveaway sticker sheet can be used to enhance the figure's details.<ref>https://news.tfw2005.com/2016/09/23/hasbro-asia-titans-return-stickers-wave-2-325179</ref>

::*''[http://tfu.info/2016/Autobot/TRChromedome/chromedome.htm More information on ''Titans Return'' Chromedome at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG32-Chromedome.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Chromedome''' (Deluxe, 2016)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': [[November 26]], 2016
:*''ID Number'': '''LG32'''
:*''Accessories'': Large gun, small gun, "Chrome" Headmaster, "Moguru" partner drone

: Released in the fifteenth wave of TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' toyline, Chromedome is a redeco and retool of the ''Titans Return'' Deluxe mold, featuring a cartoon-accurate paintjob and a new, more original-toy-like headsculpt based on how the character looked in the [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''Headmasters'' cartoon]].

: He also comes with the [[Partner Drone]] [[Moguru#Legends|Moguru]], a redeco of the Titan Master vehicle which originally came with [[Nightbeat (G1)#Titans Return|Nightbeat]].

: Care must be taken with Moguru's gun mode's handle: the handle fits tightly in many 5 mm-compatible closed hands, and combined with the handle's lack of a metal pin running through the joint, removing it by force may cause the handle to pop out of the joint.

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2722.html Legends Chromedome at Alfes's Blog Part 1]''
::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2723.html Legends Chromedome at Alfes's Blog Part 2]''
{{TRHyperfireMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|LGEX}}
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-EX-Headmaster-Set-Chromedome.jpg|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Headmaster Set''' (Multipack, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': [[February 19]], 2017
:*''ID Number'': '''LG-EX'''

: Released as a [[Wonder Festival]] 2017 [Winter] exclusive, this Chromedome is a redeco of the aforementioned Hasbro ''Titans Return'' head tooling, featuring more extensive paint applications. The [[LGEX Headmaster Set Chapter|pack-in mini-manga]] depicts this toy as Stylor from "The Rebirth".

: The set also came with [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Legends|Grimlock]], [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Legends|Gong]], [[Duros#Legends|Hardhead]], [[Flywheels#Legends|Flywheel]], and [[Arcana#Legends|Brainstorm]], all similarly-extra-deco'd versions of Hasbro Titan Masters which were not otherwise released in Japan.
{{TRHyperfireMold}}
{{-}}

===''Retro Headmasters''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Retro-Headmasters-Chromedome.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now in '''b r o w n'''.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Chromedome''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Small gun, big gun, "Stylor" Headmaster
{{toydesigner|[[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}

: Released as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Retro Headmasters|Retro Headmasters]]'' line, Chromedome is a redeco of the ''Titans Return'' Deluxe Class toy in even-more-original-toy-accurate colors. In keeping with the super-toy-based appearance, [[Stylor#Retro Headmasters|Stylor]] utilizes the ''Headmasters'' toy/anime face from ''Legends'' figure.

: Along with the rest of the ''Retro Headmasters'' toys, Chromedome is a [[Walmart]] exclusive in Canada and the US, and was also sold exclusively at The Warehouse and Toyworld in New Zealand. This figure also serves as the basis for ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Chromedome (SG)|Chromedome]]'s appearance in IDW's ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' comic.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Caramel''===
[[File:Tfcaramel chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Chromedome''' (1987)
:A soft-rubber figurine of Chromedome was available as part of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel|Transformers Caramel]]'' line of "[[candy toy]]s" in yellow, red, or blue. Like all the figures from the ''Headmasters'' assortment, the figure was permanently attached to a flat base that had a rubber stamp of Chromedome's face and name on its underside.
{{-}}

===''Transformers Choco''===
[[File:Tfchoco chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Molddome]]
*'''Chromedome''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' Head, "Chrome" Headmaster figure, laser gun
:Released as part of the ''Headmasters'' assortment of Kabaya's ''[[Transformers Choco]]'' line of small snap-together model kits, this solid-color Chromedome figure is a simplified version of the larger Chromedome toy, featuring only one laser gun, and lacking the Headmaster gimmick. His head does disconnect, but it doesn't transform; instead, he came with a small, non-poseable Chrome Headmaster figure. As with all the ''Transformers Choco'' figures, he was packaged with small candies similar to M&Ms called "Chocolate Dots".
{{-}}

===''Transformers Gum''===
[[File:Transformersgum chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Chromedome''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' "Chrome" Headmaster unit, 2 laser guns
:Chromedome also had a presence in Kabaya's line of larger model kits, ''[[Transformers Gum]]''. ''Gum'' Chromedome is virtually identical to the original toy in all but height and color, standing at about four inches tall and cast in cream, black, and red plastic. He retains all the features of the larger figure, including his transforming Headmaster unit, opening cockpit, and functioning Tech Spec meter. As a ''Transformers Gum'' kit, he featured no paint applications, but came with stickers for detail, and a piece of terrible gum.

::*''[http://bowbowdaijin.blog96.fc2.com/blog-entry-23.html More information on Transformer Gum Chromedome at a Japanese fansite]''
{{-}}

===''TV Magazine'' coloring contest===
[[File:Chromedome trophy.jpg|thumb|"Puttin' the Chrome in Chromedome!"]]
*'''Chromedome trophy''' (1988)
:100 chromed silver Chromedome trophies, made out of Chromedome toys, were available as prizes in a coloring contest held by [[TV Magazine]] in their February 1988 issue. Entrants had to color in lineart of [[Pointblank]], but rather than operate on a simple first- and second-place system, the prizes were meted out using different criteria: entries displaying the "most skill" won a gold-chromed Optimus Prime trophy, while those entries showing off the "most imaginative" color schemes would win a Chromedome trophy.

::*''[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/778/37/ More information on the Chromedome trophy at TFPulp]
{{-}}

===''Super Collection Figure''===
[[File:SCF Chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Ironically, one wave too early to be done in the "metallic" pewter deco.]]
*'''Chromedome''' ([[2001]])
**''Act'': '''3'''
**''Accessories:'' Display stand
:A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Chromedome was available in the third ''Headmasters''-centric wave of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' line. Like all the figures in the wave, it was available in both standard full color figure and colorless clear plastic versions, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures.

: Additionally, in two out of every ten cases, the colored version of Chromedome came packaged with the left arm of the wave's collectible [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Super Collection Figure|Fortress Maximus]] "build-a-figure"; these parts could be either full-color or clear-plastic, at an equal ratio of 1:1.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2001/Cybertron/Chromedome/chromedome.htm More information on Super Collection Figure Chromedome at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://tfu.info/2001/Cybertron/ClearChromedome/chromedome.htm More information on clear Super Collection Figure Chromedome at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W5Chromedome.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Chromedome, Computer Programmer''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''UT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T14/T46'''
**''Stars: ''8

:Chromedome, Computer Programmer is one of forty-six double sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titans Masters Attack. As a character with a body mode, Chromedome begins the game with a Titan Master attached in head mode. Once Chromedome is KO'd, said Titan Master is deployed.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''Titans Return'' Chromedome toy, with the body mode artwork being reused from the toy's packaging art (minus the Autobot Stylor Titan Master).

: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:G1ChromedomeOriginalHead.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Cheer up, Emo-Head.]]
*In the television [[commercial]] for [[Marvel Comics]]' ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' limited series, the Autobot and Decepticon Headmasters are shown having different head designs than the ones their Nebulan partners would later turn into. These designs were seemingly never used in any other piece of ''Transformers'' media. The models for most of them, however, turned up in the ''[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|Transformers Generations]]'' guidebook.
*Like nearly any other cameo Kreons, there is the heavy urge to use existing Kre-O parts. In this case, Chromedome utilities the [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Soundwave]] helmet (though partly modified to match the original's head), and two red pistols.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Chrome''' (クローム ''Kurōmu''), '''Chromedome''' (クロームドーム ''Kurōmudōmu''), '''Tumbler''' (タンブラー ''Tanburā'')
*''French:'' '''Chromedôme''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Krómpáncél''' ("Chromearmor")
*''Italian:'' '''Duobot'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kuāngdǐng''' (Taiwan, 筐頂, "Basket Top"), '''DiànNǎoGuàiJié Guōwén''' (电脑怪杰郭文, "Computer Geek GuoWen")
*''Russian:'' '''Chrom''' (Хром, "Chrome")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]

Hook (G1)/toys

2024-12-22T14:01:20Z

Tribimat: wording fix

{{suite}}
[[File:Hook G1 boxart.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
'''Hook''' is the Decepticon crane.

{{TOCclear}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:Hook toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"That's Captain Hook to you."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Hook''' (Constructicon, [[1985]]/[[1986]])}}</ul>
:*''Hasbro Team ID number'': '''4'''
:*''Takara ID number'': '''33'''
:*''Accessories'': "[[Laser pistol]]", Devastator head, Devastator head laser
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Released in the second year of Hasbro's ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' toyline (first year in European markets), Hook is a [[redeco]] of the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] [[Pre-Transformer]]s ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Construction Vehicle Robot No. 3 Truck Crane", transforming into a bright green Nissan Diesel Unic K-160B truck crane. He also has an "Attack Crane" mode, formed by attaching Devastator's head and head-gun behind the vehicle mode cab. And of course, he can combine with his fellow Constructicons to form [[Devastator (G1)/toys#Toys|Devastator]], functioning as the upper torso.

: During his transformation into robot mode, it is required to pull his legs outwards mid-swing in order to allow proper clearance for the plastic tab that secures his shins. Many were unaware of this tab's purpose and ended up snapping it off when trying to unfold the legs.

: On the European continent, Hook was initially released individually alongside the other Constructicons by Hasbro's subsidiary [[Milton Bradley]] (MB) in 1985.<ref name="mbredtr">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous/mb_template.html "Milton Bradley and the red TF Tracks"] at TF-1.com.</ref><ref name="mbcollection">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/transformers/mb-transformers-collection/ "MB Transformers Collection"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref> In 1986, Hook and the other Constructicons were re-released in Europe, albeit this time in "Hasbro"-branded packaging (but manufactured by [[Joustra]]). The main difference with all other releases thus far was that the Constructicons' main color was now ''yellow'' instead of green.<ref name="frenchcon">[http://tfsource.com/blog/french-connection/ "French Connection"] at the TF Source blog.</ref><ref name="europestrange">[http://tfsource.com/blog/europes-strangest-attractions/ "Europe's Strangest Attractions"] at the TF Scource blog.</ref><ref name="frenchconst">[http://www.fredsworkshop.com/vjap6.html "French TFs: G1 Yellow Constructicons"] at Fred's Workshop.</ref> These are ''not'' to be confused with the later, ''non''-combining yellow European Constructicons, nor with the yellow ''Generation 2'' Constructicons (see below for both).

: For the [[GiG]] Italian release of ''Transformers'', "Rostro" and the other "Escavators" were sold in boxes very similar to the Takara packaging instead of on Hasbro-style cards. The boxes even sported the Takara ID numbers from "31" to "36", and omitted the "Hasbro" logo on the packaging in favor of a "Takara" logo.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1985/Decepticon/Hook/hook.htm More information on G1 Hook at TFU.info]''
{{G1ConstructiconMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|DevastatorSet}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Devastator''' (Giftset, 1985)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''37'''
:*''Accessories'': "Laser pistol", Devastator head, Devastator head laser

: Hook was also available as part of the Devastator gift set that was available in several markets, including the United States and Japan. All of the toys in this set are identical to their individual releases.

: Hook is packaged facing the opposite direction from all five of the other Constructicons, presumably to feature his forward and rear cab detail, rather than the empty space under the crane arm. This arrangement extends to all giftsets using these molds, even the Japanese releases which feature a different package layout.

: Rumors are that an MB-branded Devastator giftset was also released in continental Europe, but thus far no packaged sample has surfaced.<ref name="mbcollection"/>

{{-}}{{anchor|1992yellow}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Constructicons''' (Constructicon, [[1992]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': "Laser pistol"

: Another yellow European exclusive version of Hook was released very late in the original toyline, in colors very similar to the previous yellow European release, although the extractable part of the crane arm was now cast in gray instead of yellow plastic. This version, just like the other Constructicons in this set, came with no Devastator parts. Hook's metal post which Bonecrusher connects to in Devastator mode was also omitted -- but there were no changes to the mould itself, so a connector salvaged from a normal Hook could replace it.

: This toy was also not officially named, as he came on a standardized card also used by the other five Constructicons.
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[file:HookGeneration2Toy.gif|thumb|upright=1.66|It's Perfect!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d2|'''Hook''' (Constructicon, [[1992]])}}</ul>
:*''Team ID number'': '''4'''
:*''Accessories'': "Laser pistol", large "laser", Devastator head

: Part of the very first assortment of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' product released just in time for the 1992 holiday season, all six Constructicons were [[redeco]]ed, once again in primarily yellow and purple. However, these releases have some notable differences from the prior European-market yellow versions, the most blatantly obvious being the addition of a ''Generation 2''-style Decepticon [[insignia|logo]] and "DECEPTICON" [[tampograph]] on each (in this case, on Hook's right boot). The purple plastic is also brighter in tone, and there are no gray-plastic parts. Most importantly, their ability to combine into [[Devastator (G1)#Generation 2|Devastator]] has been restored, the swing-out square peg to attach [[Bonecrusher (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Bonecrusher]] back in place along with the add-on Devastator pieces.

: A later and seemingly less common run in 1993 changed the yellow plastics to rich orange. It was [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#KBG2Devastator|long rumored]] that this release was a [[KB Toys]] exclusive, but that has since been debunked; KB just ended up with the lion's share of what was a simple late-run [[Variant|running change]] to the normal retail release.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1993/Decepticon/Hook/hook.htm More information on G2 Hook at TFU.info]''
{{G1ConstructiconMold}}
{{-}}

===''Encore''===
*'''Devastor''' ([[2011]])
**''ID number:'' '''20'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser pistol, Devastator head, Devastator head laser

:Hook was reissued in a gift set with his Constructicon teammates as part of [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' line. Apparently cast from a newly created mold, given the presence of a Tomy copyright stamp rather than the original Hasbro/Takara one, Hook sports a few minor differences from the original figure, including a softer face, a longer, rounder peg on his shoulder, a reversed crane hook that now points inwards, and an additional tab to lock him together more firmly while forming Devastator.
{{G1ConstructiconMold}}

{{anchor|Anime}}
*'''Devastor (Anime Color Ver.)''' ([[2013]])
**''ID number:'' '''20A'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser pistol, Devastator head, Devastator head laser

:Hook was ''again'' reissued in a giftset in 2013 as part of [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' line, this time in a more 'anime accurate' color scheme. In addition to the mold changes of the 2011 version, Hook is also a slightly different color and features more cartoon-accurate paint applications on his face. Notably, Devastator's head is a new mold, which more closely resembles his head as it appears in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]].
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy HookKreon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[City of Steel (episode)|Cutting a guy to pieces ALIVE]] got too creepy to allow him team membership...]]
*'''Decepticon Hook''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2012)
**''Collection'': '''1'''
**''Bag number'': '''*****48'''
**''Accessories'': Logo brick, small pistol
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the first normal wave of [[Micro-Changer]] [[Kreon]]s, Hook is a [[blindpacking|blindpacked]]-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra parts so he can be rebuilt into a crane, or as near as you can get with a Kreon. He features a brand-new "blockhead" piece that resembles a flatnosed truck grill and windshield on top.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OHook/hook.htm More information on Hook at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|DollarStore}}
*'''Constructicon Hook''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2016)
**''Collection'': '''1'''
**''Accessories'': Logo plate, small pistol

: Re-released in 2016 through Dollar General (then later other outlets), this version of Hook is significantly different from the original. He uses the extensively [[retool]]ed 2015-style Kreon body, his existing [[tampograph]]s are more complex, plus he has new leg tampos. His "hook" piece is a similar but entirely different piece from the original, plus the 1x1 top-clip piece is slightly different. He also has a new 3x4 "KRE-O" logo stand-plate rather than the old 2x4 brick.

: The 2015-style re-releases lack any individual ID numbers on the bags, so you're forced to buy blind or feel for parts through the bag.
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CombinerWarsHook.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|It's ''so good'' to be back!]]
*'''Devastator''' (gift set, [[2015]])
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Mark Maher]] (deco artist)}}

:''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Constructicon Hook is a Voyager-sized figure that transforms from crane to robot and also forms Titan Class Devastator's upper body. The combiner head is also integrated to Hook rather than being a separate piece like the original toy. He's packaged with the other Constructicons in a massive box. Unfortunately, Hook's crane arm does not extend.

:As a part of a promotion in Hasbro's Asian markets, a free sticker sheet for the Constructicons was given out when purchasing the set. As such, Hook was given Generation 1 toy-esque stickers for the owner to apply if they wanted.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2015}}
[[File:TF-Combiner-Wars-SDCC-Devastator-Hook.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Devastator''' (gift set, 2015)

:A redeco of the above Hook figure also available as part of a gift set, featuring extensive [[paint operation]]s and [[vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] purple parts. The packaging of this set is designed to evoke both Bonecrusher's shovel and Devastator's head, and its interior is designed to resemble the title image of Devastator on his wiki page.

:In the U.S., this set (also referred to as "Devastator Special Edition" in a Hasbro press release) was exclusive to the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] website and the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2015. In Asia, it was also available at Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong 2015 and subsequently stocked by Toys"R"Us Hong Kong. Later, it was also available at The Falcon's Hangar booth at Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention 2015.
{{--}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:TF-Unite-Warriors-Hook.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's ''so good'' to have ''real elbows!'']]
*'''Devastor''' (giftset, [[December 12]], [[2015]])
**''ID number:'' '''UW-04'''
**''English name:'' '''Devastator'''
**''Accessories'': Missile launchers/hands, two-piece gun, chest plate/gun, 2 swords, 6 rifles
{{toydesigner|[[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Takara's "Gren", included in the ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Devastor set, has some deco changes to better match the Generation 1 cartoon. He now includes his original handgun. In addition, his elbow joints were [[retool]]ed, adding an extra hinge on the inside of his arm to give the bend a more natural look. The original joints were kept as well, as they are required for Hook to form Devastator's chest. This change was also made to [[Mixmaster (G1)#Unite Warriors 2|Mixmaster]].
{{charstubtoys}}
{{--}}

===''Vintage G1''===
[[File:TF-Vintage-G1-Devastator-Set-Hook.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Devastator''' (Walmart exclusive reissue, 2018)
**''Team ID number:'' '''4'''
**''Accessories:'' Robot head, head laser, 2 forearms/launchers, 2 fists, 2 drills, "super wing" chest plate, "missile mount" hip connector, "wing" pelvis armor, "magna laser"/"solar energy rifle", individual robot guns, Mixmaster's 2 missiles

:The original Devastator toy was once again available, this time in the [[Walmart]] exclusive ''[[Vintage|Vintage G1]]'' series. All of the toys inside were cast in a slightly yellower shade of bright green than prior releases, and were given a new style of [[rubsign]] used on all of the ''Vintage G1'' toys; the insignia only turns red rather than the mood-ring multicolor of older rubsigns, plus the silver border is mirror-level reflective.

: Each individual toy in the set has a number of smaller differences from previous versions as well. In Hook's case, his waist is now secured with a metal pin rather than screws, and the crane arms' sculpted circular details are shallower than on his original and ''Encore'' releases.

:His robot mode stock photo is mistransformed: His legs are not folded out properly.
{{G1ConstructiconMold}}
{{-}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:SS TFTM Commander Hook.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|{{w|Cell (Dragon Ball)|I have become what no other could ever achieve. I am perfect.}}]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Constructicon Hook <nowiki>|</nowiki> Constructicon Long Haul''' (Commander Class, [[2025]])}}</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
:*'''3 of 5: [[Devastator (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Devastator]]'''
:*''Accessories'': blaster, Devastator components (waist, breastplate, forearms)
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfy3IcQd3g4 The Hasbro ''Transformers'' Panel] at [[San Diego Comic-Con#2024|San Diego Comic-Con 2024]] with [[Mario Carreiro]], [[John Warden]], [[Evan Brooks]], and [[Nate Purswell]], recorded at the "Memo's Collection" YouTube channel.</ref>

:''[[Studio Series]]'' "Constructicon Hook" is one half of the line's annual Commander Class release, individually advertised as a Voyager but sold with fellow Constructicon [[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Long Haul]], also a Voyager-esque figure. He includes his pistol and transforms into a crane with an extendable arm in 17 steps. Naturally, he forms the upper torso of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' Devastator. As he and Long Haul are merely Voyagers, the rest of the set is filled out with the parts to form the waist, chest, and forearms of the combiner, which can combine into a trailer that Long Haul can tow. The wings of the breastplate can also be attached to [[Scrapper (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Scrapper's]] vehicle mode as they could on the original toy.

:Devastator was announced to much acclaim at [[San Diego Comic-Con#2024|San-Diego Comic-Con 2024]], with Hook and Long Haul getting a brief reveal [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD2bDaopinN/ via Instagram] on [[December 21]], [[2024]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Decoy===
*'''Destron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

:In Japan, a purple rubber mini-figure of Hook was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[Tech Spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Hook''' (Decoy, [[1987]])
**''Decoy number'': '''42'''

:The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Hook game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Decepticon Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]. Early Throttlebots were packaged with red Decepticon decoys: these are much rarer than the purple ones.

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

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W2AHook.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hook, Surgical Engineer''' (2019)
**'''Wave 2A: Devastator Deck'''
**''Rarity: '''''RT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T02/T06'''
**''Stars: ''5

:Hook, Surgical Engineer was released as part of the ''[[Transformers Trading Card Game]]'' Devastator Deck box set, which includes character cards for all six Constructicons, a ready-to-play battle deck, and a unique Tower card. Like the other members of combiner teams released as part of the Trading Card Game's Wave 2: Rise of the Combiners, as well as the other Constructicons included with the Devastator Deck, Hook, Surgical Engineer is a folding card, with the Bot and Alt modes being depicted when the card is folded in half, and a holofoil portion of the the combined mode depicted when unfolded. The reverse of Hook, Surgical Engineer depicts the upper left portion of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]].

:The artwork for Bot and Alt Mode is reused from the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game.

:Hook, Surgical Engineer can be used to form Devastator, Towering Warrior with the use of the Action card [[Enigma of Combination|Constructicon Enigma]] while he and the other Devastator Deck Constructicons are in Bot mode on the battlefield or KO area.
{{-}}
===Blokees===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Hook''' (2024)}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Galaxy Version 04 - Fractured Space-Time'''
{{toystub}}
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Encore]]
[[Category:Generation 1 combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Constructicons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Studio Series Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]

More than Meets the Eye, Part 2

2024-11-09T19:00:36Z

Tribimat: Featured characters list reordered - Prowl is briefly visible next to Huffer before Gears and Hound use their headlights, while Windcharger doesn't appear till the Autobots fly to the power plant

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=2
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=2
|prev2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 1
|next2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=2
|prev3=More than Meets the Eye, Part 1
|next3=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|image=More Than Meets Part 2.jpg
|caption=[[Oil]] is a burnin' thing, and it makes a fiery ring.
|title="More than Meets the Eye, Part 2"
|season=1
|season ep=2
|production code=4024
|airdate=[[September 18]], 1984
|written by=[[George Arthur Bloom]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Ashi Productions]], [[Nakamura Production]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Optimus Prime]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdskAJwHdLw
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Decepticons continue raiding Earth's energy sources, including Sherman Dam and the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:MTMtE Part2 Greetings.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Are you Samuel James Witwicky, descendant of Archibald Witwicky?" "No." "Oops, sorry, my bad." [Throws him back in the water]]]
The fire at the off-shore [[oil rig]] continues to grow. Poor [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] is caught in some girders, but is freed by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]. Not so easy to extricate are the humans [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]. As [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] grapples with the debris trapping the workers, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] put out the fire. Rescued by Prime, Spike and Sparkplug introduce themselves to the [[Autobot]]s, offering their terrestrial knowledge to help them.

[[File:Mtmte2 spike finds soundwave.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|A legacy of Stupid Human Tricks begins here.]]
Their newfound human friends return with the Autobots to their headquarters. As Spike explores the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], he finds a small cassette player and brings it in with him, setting it aside. Little does he realize he has brought [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] into Autobot Headquarters. Soundwave and his minion [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] begin using [[Teletraan I]] to locate [[Earth]]'s most plentiful energy resources. Meanwhile, Spike enjoys a tour of the headquarters and some sunset joyriding with [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]]. Returning to the base, Spike spots Soundwave's intrusion and sounds the alarm. Soundwave escapes, but the Autobots catch Ravage, thanks to [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]' infrared light.

Soundwave briefs [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] on his findings. Megatron decides to attack [[Sherman Dam]], causing a tidal wave to increase the dam's output. The next day, the [[Decepticon]]s arrive at the dam. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] dives into the river and activates his piledrivers to whip the river into dangerous rapids. The energy output is detected by Teletraan I, and the Autobots rush there to stop the Decepticons.

[[File:MTMte Part2 Autobotsrally.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Raise your hand, raise your haaaand—if you're sure!]]
With the river at its peak, the Decepticons begin producing [[energon cube]]s. The Autobots arrive, and a battle ensues. Hound dives into the river to stop Rumble's quaking, and the two scuffle in the depths, with the Autobot coming off worse. [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] help divert the course of the river to save a nearby neighborhood from being flooded. Megatron and Optimus Prime duel with energy [[Energon-axe|melee]] [[Energon mace|weapons]] atop Sherman Dam while exchanging insults. Megatron knocks Prime into the rapids (the latter was distracted by Spike's shouts for help) and he and his Decepticons escape with their spoils.

[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] helps pull Prime from the river. The Autobots regroup and vow to stop the Decepticons as they continue their activities across the land... but apparently don't do a very good job of it at ''all''. The space cruiser they are developing is almost complete, and they are one more energy raid away from having enough fuel to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Unfortunately, the impudent [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] feels the need to test some of the energon cubes. His wasteful experimenting forces the Decepticons to now make two trips. Their first destination, the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]]. These plans are overheard by Trailbreaker, Spike and Sparkplug, who are eavesdropping on the Decepticons.

[[File:Mtmte2 witwickys and trailbreaker.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Trailbreaker deploys his combat bird bath.]]
As Trailbreaker returns to Autobot headquarters to relay the news, the trio are attacked by a pair of generic [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Sparkplug radios for help, which comes in the form of [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]]. Sunstreaker uses a [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] cannon to give one of the Seekers a small scratch on its wing, prompting the two jets to retreat.

The Decepticons are soon in Burma, pulling [[Ruby crystal|energetic rubies]] from the Earth's crust. The Autobots wait for them outside the mine. Wheeljack has developed a powerful and compact explosive. Bumblebee and Sparkplug volunteer to plant the charge in the mine. They do so, but are caught by [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] as they make their escape.

Concerned that Sparkplug and Bumblebee haven't returned, Optimus Prime drives up the mine's entrance and dispatches [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] into the mine. The explosive detonates, and the blast knocks Prime off his wheels, sending him tumbling down the mountainside.

'''[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3|To be continued...]]'''
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (1)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (6)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (7)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (11)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (12)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (13)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (14)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (16)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (17)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (18)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (19)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (26)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (27)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (28)
*[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (29)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (9)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (15)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (20)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (21)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (22)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (23)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (24)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (25)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (4)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"For someone who doesn't like to fight, heh, you're not bad, Mirage!"
:—'''Cliffjumper''' complimenting Mirage after he helped fight off Skywarp and Thundercracker

"You destroy everything you touch, Megatron!" 
"Because everything I touch is food for my hunger, my hunger for power!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' banter while fighting on top of Sherman Dam

"You're old, Megatron. Yesterday's model—ready for the scrap heap!" 
"We'll see who's ready for the scrap heap!" 
"Junk! That's what you are, ''junk''!" 
"''Silence''!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' insults '''Megatron''' during their battle

"Don't push me, Megatron, my desire for power is as great as yours!" 
"Power flows to the one who knows ''how''. Desire alone is not enough." 
"Time makes all things possible. I can wait."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''', foreshadowing several repetitive scenes in the future

"Let's give Megatron a little present." 
"Heh. Maybe we oughtta wrap him up and put a little bow on him."
:—'''Skywarp''' and '''Thundercracker''' on capturing Bumblebee. Not seen: Bumblebee's humiliated weeping.

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}

[[File:PrimeLandsInTheBarrenWasteland.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
[[Tommy Kennedy]] once again runs out into the middle of the barren wastelands and summons help from [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Prime arrives via rocket-boots and lifts him up to his face, inquiring if he's still working on his "special project" for school. Tommy says that it's a time-consuming effort, so Prime continues his story of how the Transformers first came to Earth without delay...

After concluding the story, Tommy remarks that the "tumble" Prime took sure was something. Prime starts to tell him about the tumble he took when he pursued Megatron into outer space, but Tommy laughs, telling Optimus, "Next time, take a spaceship". Prime passive aggressively replies, "What would I do without you, Tommy?" Prime's eyes then narrow as he demands to know what Tommy's "special project" is. Tommy once again withholds the information, but vows to bare all next time, when he "transforms" Prime's day "into an adventure". Prime then blasts off into space, giving Tommy a ride back to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Script revisions: 13 March 1984
* First draft storyboards completed: 7th April 1984 (Artists: [[Wendell Washer]], [[Don Sheppard]], [[Paul Gruwell]], [[Jim Fletcher]])
* Storyboards revised: April 16th and 19th, 1984
* Telecine: 27 August 1984

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Mtmte2 ironhide diverting river.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Mtmte2 shermandam.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Gadgets and powers:
**Brawn uses a retractable welding tip to cut Huffer free. This same hooked welding tip seems to be fairly standard Autobot equipment, showing up in many future episodes, attached to many different 'bots.
**Trailbreaker's "force shield" is fired from a three-pronged wrist-gun.
**Wheeljack can shoot a fire extinguishing chemical of some sort from his retracted wrist.
**Jazz uses a retractable grappling hook that slides out of his wrist (with a little pulse-glow of energy, no less.) This gadget will show up a couple more times in this and the next episode.
**Soundwave gives us the most overt instance of size-changing we've yet seen.
**A couple of stock powers make their debut, as Hound demonstrates his holograms and Mirage turns invisible.
**Gears displays his infrared. Well, actually, it's just a red light. Don't tell anyone.
**Jazz and Prowl can both fire energy-net things out of their wrists. Prowl will repeat this ability in "[[Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots]]".
**"The <s>noal</s> null ray" actually does what it's supposed to this time, shutting down some generators when Starscream shoots them with it.
**When Hound submerges to pursue Rumble, he drops a face shield into place, implying he may be susceptible to water.
**Ironhide has a mounted cannon in the back of his van. It's heavily based on the similar cannon that his toy's repair bay has.
**Starscream owns a [[Slingshot (weapon)|slingshot]] and uses some unidentified crystal as ammunition.
**In one of the series' most inexplicably well-remembered scenes, Megatron and Optimus both deploy glowing, semi-solid energy weapons from their wrists: a [[Energon mace|morning star]] and an [[Energon-axe|axe]], respectively.
**Trailbreaker can deploy a roof-mounted radar dish to listen in remotely on the 'cons.
[[File:Roller deploy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Early in the episode, the scene is shown changing from the Ark to a similar-looking shack nearby. This shack appears to have the same construction as the Ark itself, but is not a part of the ship. It is almost never seen again, except in the episodes "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]".
*As he returns to tape mode to enter Teletraan I, Ravage's missiles disappear in a glowing flash.
*According to Starscream, 1,750,000 KiloWatts is not enough electrical power to make energon cubes!
*The script that Teletraan I displays differs significantly from the Ancient Autobot language the Decepticons find in "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]". It's also rather different from the Ancient Cybertronian that [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] finds on the control panel of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] in "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]". One might reasonably fanwank it by saying that Jazz is reading the modern version of these languages.
*Optimus calling Megatron old lines up quite well with the later episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]". In it, Orion Pax is portrayed as a much more youthful bot than Megatron.
*Optimus deploys Roller for the first time. He's gray, based on an earlier iteration of the toy, rather than the blue of the US release.
*While Soundwave and Ravage are using Teletraan I, a shot of the oil rig from Part 1 was briefly shown.

===Non-final premises===
[[File:G1 cartoon Autobots fly.JPG|thumb]]
As part of the series pilot, this episode features some conventions and details which would be changed for the series proper:
*The Autobots can all fly in [[robot mode]].
*[[Corey Burton]] employs a different voice for Brawn, one that is higher and more hoarse-sounding than the "correct" version that will appear in later episodes. The same voice pops up again in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]" (after Skyfire catches a falling Brawn).
*Mirage gets a different sound effect for his disappearing abilities (which would actually be used again in "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]").
*Wheeljack acquires a bit of southern accent in the third act of this episode. Oddly, he already had his finalized voice in the previous episode, and indeed, shows no real signs of the accent in his sparing lines during this episode's first two acts. Consequently, fans have speculated that voice actor [[Chris Latta]] was trying to differentiate the voice from his Sparkplug voice, as they ''are'' pretty identical, and he only begins to affect the accent when Wheeljack and Sparkplug share a scene.
*The "next time" preview refers to the three episodes collectively as "The Transformers". They would later be rechristened "More than Meets the Eye" (obviously!)

===Real-world references===
*[[Burma]] is a country in southeast Asia, currently known to the [[United Nations]] as Myanmar. It is, indeed, particularly rich in rubies, and is the source of 90% of the world's supply of the gems.

===Animation and technical errors===
*In the recap of "Part 1" at the beginning of the episode, a scene is shown in which Optimus Prime is trying to lift a grate trapping Spike and Sparkplug. However, in "Part 1", the grate was orange, while in the recap that same grate is shown as gray.
*Huffer's trapped arm does not appear to actually connect to his torso.
*As Huffer and Brawn converse, Brawn's lips move for Huffer's line, "Let's take off."
*Prime's running lights are drawn as rectangular instead of round as he explains the Decepticons to Spike and Sparkplug.
*Soundwave commands Ravage to "enter Teltraan I", omitting the second syllable from the computer's name.
*After picking up Soundwave, Spike runs into the Ark carrying his rucksack slung over his shoulder. In the next shot, the rucksack has vanished.
[[File:Reflector in red.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey! That's my color scheme!]]
[[File:Weirdstreak.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Ratchet and Bluestreak just came back from the helmet salon.]]
*Coloring errors:
**Soundwave's eject button is one of the most common coloring errors of the whole series. Based on his toy, it's supposed to be white in the cartoon, but almost as often as not, the colorists simply colored it the same blue as the rest of him:
***Soundwave's eject button and cheek guards are both blue instead of white as he returns to robot mode.
***Blue button as he swipes at Spike.
***And after he plays back the Sherman Dam info.
***And as Megatron pontificates about the [[ruby crystal]]s. (Cheek guards too.)
**Brawn's helmet is a bit too light as he watches Soundwave retreat.
**When Gears transforms, his blue parts change to red, leaving him as an all-red truck.
**Soundwave is missing all his yellow stripes as he plays back Teletraan I's info on Sherman Dam.
**When Optimus orders his troops to head to the power plant, he has a gray eyeband instead of two blue optics. In the next shot, the Autobots who take off beside him include Windcharger coloured like Cliffjumper, Brawn coloured like Sunstreaker, and Gears coloured like Brawn.
**As the Autobots blast into the power plant, they shoot down both Starscream and a Reflector colored like Starscream.
**Soundwave's visor switches from white to red and back as he and Megatron ride the elevator.
**Starscream's collar is yellow as he asks "What's the difference?"
**Half of Starscream's collar is yellow again during "I can wait".
**In the establishing shot of the Autobots outside the Burma ruby mines, Ratchet's head is black and gray. When the shot is repeated, Bluestreak's head is yellow, making his head resemble Bumblebee's.
**As Thundercracker faces Sparkplug, his wing insignia are rendered as purple rectangles. As he joins Skywarp to double-team Bumblebee, they're missing completely.
**Sideswipe's helmet is red instead of black as Bumblebee transforms in front of him.
**Bumblebee's midsection flickers between grey and yellow as he walks down the mine with Sparkplug.
**Starscream's face is white instead of gray as Bumblebee and Spike spy on the 'cons.
**Jazz's helmet and hand are mostly white instead of black as he worries about Bumblebee.
**When Optimus and Megatron confront each other atop Sherman Dam, Optimus is slightly miscolored; his helmet, hands, lower legs and skidplate are all dark gray...which makes him look a heck of a lot like Sideswipe, funnily.
[[File:mtmte2 shermandam.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Maybe it's Sideswipe cosplaying as Optimus Prime?]]

*As the Autobots try to capture Ravage, their miscellaneous shouts were scripted simply as being collectively delivered by the group and were not attributed to any individual 'bots. As such, they were performed by a random collection of actors, not using any of their standard Transformers character voices, but the animation would then depict mismatched Autobots speaking the lines in voices that are not their own. We hear "There he is!" (voiced by [[Chris Latta]], but delivered by Sideswipe), "Get him!" ([[Ken Sansom]], Jazz), "Fire!" ([[Frank Welker]], Sideswipe again), "It's too dark!" (Latta again, from offscreen) and "Can't see him!" (Welker again, also from offscreen). Another example of this problematic practice would crop up next episode; it would mostly be avoided in the series proper, but another instance can be heard in "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]".
*Gears and Hound are extremely tiny in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s in the next shot, as a titanic Optimus Prime walks up behind them. This is the result of an earlier height chart which depicted Optimus and Megatron as towering over their troops. The miniseries' storyboards were revised to match the two leaders' finalised scale, however this scene remained unaltered.
*When arriving at the dam, Optimus Prime speaks the line "We've got to work fast", but Prowl is shown talking.
*When Optimus orders the Autobots "to the air," Hound is part of the group that takes off, but in the very next shot, he's on the ground by the river with Spike. Per the script of episode, he ''is'' actually meant to take off with the group, but a shot of the Autobots then splitting up and going in different directions to deal with different threats was cut from the episode; as intimated by the cloud of dust visible around Hound's feet, he's meant to have just landed again after his brief flight.
*One of the neighbors that Ironhide and Bumblebee rescue appears to be a woman in a pink dress...who is waving and moving as a ''man''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s voice says, "Thanks, neighbors!"
*When the Autobots are first confronting the Decepticons at the power plant, Sideswipe and Optimus appear to have Decepticon logos on them. (See the flying picture above.)
*As Megatron is taunts Prime during their battle on the dam, Optimus disappears for a couple of frames at the beginning of the wide shot after the closeup of Megatron.
*The camera is strangely blurry as two Seekers attach two wires together at the snowy oil refinery before it quickly refocuses. This is explained by a deleted shot in the storyboards that shows one of the generic Seekers ripping open a gas pipeline with his bare hands, before connecting one end to a hose attached to the empty energon cubes.
*As Starscream prepares his strange slingshot thing, one of his wing stripes becomes transparent. His wings are also mounted much higher on his back than normal.
*As Soundwave and the Reflectors fill Energon cubes in a grassy meadow, there is a registration error that causes Soundwave's lower half to vanish several frames before the foreground content is meant to block it.
*The second purple jet to leave the Black Diamond mine does so alone, but when he drifts back into the shot, he's got a Rumble and a Reflector with him.
*Both he and Megatron are missing their insignia as the elevator reaches the bottom.
*While the Reflectors are stacking Energon cubes, the Energon cubes are translucent enough to see the background (and to see that the Reflectors' legs weren't animated).
[[File:G1toon starscream laser turret.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|They were only counting on having to fight three Autobots back home.]]
*Starscream's leg is disconnected from his body as he fires his cannon.

*The microphone that Sparkplug uses to radio the Autobots changes appearance between shots; it looks like a microphone in closeup, but more like a {{w|Simon (game)|Simon}} toy when Sparkplug is holding it.
*In the "strike force" lineup, all of the Reflectors have gray lower legs, rather than the lavender they're supposed to.
*One gun, many lasers:
**The two generics who attack Trailbreaker shower him with a dozen or more lasers, despite having only two guns apiece.
*After Sunstreaker shoots one of the generics and Spike's comment, Sideswipe's shown to have a weapon in the same place as Sunstreaker's, with smoke pouring from the end.
*The ends of the ruby collection tubes are closed like test tubes, leaving the falling crystals nowhere to go.
*Prime's right antenna disappears as he points at the mine entrance.
*Only the front of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he shows off his new explosive.
*[[Norm McCabe]] is again credited as Nor M McCabe.
*Like the previous episode, Frank Welker's name was accidentally omitted from the credits.

===Continuity errors===
*Brawn uses a blow torch to free Huffer's oil-soaked arm, and somehow, it doesn't catch fire.
*All the other humans from the oil-rig disappear. (Or drowned, [[Titanic|DiCaprio-style]].)
*For some reason, Sunstreaker and Cliffjumper are just sitting around in the repair bay in automotive form.
[[File:AirWarriors MTMtE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|We don't know where we came from, either.]]
[[File:GenericDecepticons MTMTE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Rumble, Rumble, Rumble, Rumble, eject. Operation: crowd filler."]]
*This episode totally shatters the previous episode's consistent cast of Decepticons, which was clearly shown to be Megatron, Soundwave, 3 jets, 3 Reflectors, and 3 tapes. To pad out the Decepticon ranks, a horde of generic Decepticons just starts appearing out of nowhere:
**A light purple-gray jet is standing behind Thundercracker after the Decepticons land at the dam.
**As Reflector compresses the energon cubes, there are ''four'' Reflector robots, as well as three Rumbles. The real Rumble is, at this point, still underwater, fighting with Hound. Rumble shows up in two more subsequent shots as well, including one where he's the only guy in the shot!
**And then it all goes to hell after the Sherman Dam sequence. Two purplish jets are with Thundercracker in the snow. Then a subsequent pan shot shows ''four'' light blue jets, ''three'' light purple jets, and ''two Thundercrackers''.
**At the Black Diamond mine: three purple jets, and a slate blue Rumble.
**The assembled strike force: one Skywarp, two Thundercrackers, another lavender jet, four Rumbles in yellow, orange, bright blue and slate blue, and ''seven'' Reflectors.
**Two lavender and one slate blue jet answer Megatron's order to "Scramble!"
**A shot of the Decepticons in flight shows a total of ''twenty-seven'' robots.
**Two generics even get their own scripted appearance, attacking Trailbreaker, complete with speaking parts!
**After all that, there's not much point in noting 2 blues and 2 lavenders loading ruby crystals, is there?
**6 generic jets plus Starscream as Bumblebee and Spike observe the 'cons mining the crystals.
*Megatron's definition of "tidal wave" is a bit wonky, considering that Rumble doesn't really make one huge wave. Of course, we wouldn't expect ''aliens'' to have a perfect grasp of the English language.
[[File:G1 cartoon Autobot letters.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|"Okay, Spike, here's your next Cybertronian lesson!" "Uh...for a...good...time...call..." "Whoops! Wrong screen!"]]
*When Spike tells Jazz that there's trouble at Sherman Dam, the screen shows what is presumably Cybertronian text. Spike shouldn't be able to read this.
*Likewise, the dam worker says "she's gonna blow" (twice!) in reference to the crumbling dam. The dam might crack, fail, or give way, but neither the dam nor the generators are likely to ''explode''.
*Megatron lacks his signature [[fusion cannon]] when battling Prime atop Sherman Dam.
*Superhuman Spike:
**A shot of Sherman Dam shows us that the water behind it (where Rumble is making his earthquake) is clearly hundreds of feet deep. Somehow, Spike just leaps right into it to rescue Hound. The water is also ''ragingly'' turbulent in the previous shot, yet perfectly still once Spike is actually in it.
**He then has no trouble at all moving a big boulder that's pinning Hound in place.
**It must be hereditary. Sparkplug survives being punched directly in the ribcage and into a stone wall by Thundercracker. He should be wall-pizza after that. Spike also is no worse for wear after Rumble whacks him across the face. A blow like the one Rumble gives Spike should have shattered Spike's skull.
[[File:Rubycrystalminesofburma.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Thus explaining why Burma was the dominant world superpower in 1984.]]
*Megatron yells to his troops from offscreen to "Follow me!" when he's getting bashed around by Prime; according to the dialogue script, this line was supposed to be spoken by Starscream.
*One of the shots of filling energon cubes appears to take place in a forest, with no machinery of any type in sight. Are they stealing energy from trees?
*A few shots from Starscream's little cannon drain a whole gigantic stack of energon cubes. Are the cubes really ''that'' paltry?
*The likelihood of rubies being a viable power source, let alone "the richest source of energy on the face of the Earth", is questionable. Apparently Megatron is not yet familiar with the bizarre physics of cartoon Earth, where all kinds of super-powered crystals are just sitting around waiting for someone to sap energy out of them.
*Sparkplug claims to have previously worked in the ruby mine, which, while not thoroughly implausible, seems unlikely for an American [[oil]] rig worker/mechanic.
*Wheeljack tells Sparkplug that the bomb timer is 60 seconds. All the views of the countdown timer show it decreasing at approximately two units per second, meaning that the bomb would go off in about 30 seconds.

===Trivia===
*Deleted scenes from the original script to this episode include Spike and Jazz tapping Teletraan I into "the Emergency Alert System" (thirteen years before the real world system of that name would exist), leading to it detecting the trouble at Sherman Dam; Trailbreaker covering Ironhide as the older 'bot uses his adhesives to seal the cracks in the dam; the two nameless Decepticon jets appearing in robot mode, standing guard at the Decepticon base, where they spot Trailbreaker and the Witwickys driving by and decide to pursue them; and Bumblebee and Sparkplug facing two Decepticon guards at the mine entrance, who Bumblebee paralyzes with a stun ray from his headlights. Other differences include Bumblebee teaming up with ''Wheeljack'', rather than Ironhide, to carve the trenches that break up the raging river; in accordance, Wheeljack's alternate mode is described as a "van", which, coupled with several other awkward or incorrect alternate mode descriptions in the "More than Meets the Eye" scripts, suggests that complete finalized details on the Transformers' alternate modes hadn't been provided to the writer yet.
*The dam sequence was adapted for the UK comic story "[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!]]" in issues #29-30, and also released as a set of [[View-Master]] reels. The weapons used by Prime and Megatron would be immortalized in toy form several times, and even get a bit of an [[homage]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action movies]], where Prime thrice wields orange-glowing bladed [[Dual Energon Swords|energy]] [[Energon Hooks|weapons]] in all three films, including an [[Energon-axe|axe]], while Megatron uses a [[Mace|flail]] in the first film.
*Much of the character animation in this episode is pleasingly fluid, with some rather dynamic transformations. Decepticons in particular do lots of flips as they transform.
*Bumblebee's mission is hilarious. He transforms to car mode, drives about twenty feet, returns to robot mode, stands outside the mine and says "Come on, let's go inside." Well, what ''else'' were you planning there, 'Bee?

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Plein la vue - Partie 2'''" ("Show off - Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*In the European French dub, Jazz's line "Catch!" is replaced by "D'accord !" ("Okay!"), which does not really make sense in the scene.

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Rückkehr'''" (''Generation 2'', "The Return")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 7]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''La miniera di rubini'''" ("The Ruby Mine")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Molto più di quel che appare - Seconda parte'''" ("Much More than What Appears - Second Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ruby Crystal no Himitsu'''" (ルビークリスタルの秘密, "Secret of the Ruby Crystals")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 13]], [[1985]]
::*'''Cut:''' After Spike picks up Soundwave outside and runs off, a few seconds are shaved off of him disappearing off screen. The long shot of him running through the entrace of the Ark is cut, as are the first few seconds of him running down the hall of the Ark with Soundwave clutched in his right hand.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dì'èr Tiān'''" (第二天, "The Second Day")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mais do Que Os Olhos Veem, Parte 2'''" ("More than Meets the Eye, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode did not air in the 1980s and was first released on DVD with a different dub from the rest of the show.

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ne vsjo tak prosto (Chast' 2)'''" (Не всё так просто (Часть 2), "Not All Is So Simple (Part 2)")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Više nego što se vidi drugi deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Више него што се види други део, "More than Meets the Eye Part 2"), "'''Sile zla drugi deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Силе зла други део, "Forces of Evil Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:Tf collection 0 convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Takara, setting trends since 2000.]]
*'''''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' 0 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Convoy]] ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]], 2003)'''
:A reissue of the original ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] toy that includes a new accessory, an [[Energon-axe]] based on the one he wields in this episode that can be swapped out for one of his fists. A plethora of other Optimus Prime toys (including various ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' figures) also include the axe, either as an optional accessory or as a permanently affixed hand replacement, which includes a ''[[Heroes of Cybertron#SCF|Super Collection Figure]]'' (later released by Hasbro under the name "Heroes of Cybertron") that predates the ''Transformers Collection'' line.

*'''''The Transformers Collection'' 6 [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Megatron]] (Takara, 2003)
:A reissue of the original ''Generation 1'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Megatron]] toy that includes a new accessory, an [[Energon mace]] based on the one he wields in this episode that plugs over one of his hands. Like with Optimus Prime's Energon-axe, the mace has also become a standard accessory or permanent feature of numerous additional Megatron toys, again including an SCF figure that predates the ''Transformers Collection'' line.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-47 [[Hound (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Hound]] (2019)'''
:This figure includes, among its accessories, a Spike figure to represent their friendship through the 3-parter and the holographic driver he briefly shows to Spike in this episode. His head also features a flip-out face shield to recreate his underwater scenes.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-56 [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Trailbreaker]] (2022)'''
:This figure features accessories based on this episode, such as the multi-nozzle forcefield generator that attaches to his left hand and the satellite dish that attaches to the car roof.
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 1: "More than Meets the Eye" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1985 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' ([[VAP]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|A.M.T. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|Little Gems Junior Video Club]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: Generation 2'' — More than Meets the Eye ([[Malofilm|Seville Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Exclusively from Blockbuster ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers: Generation 2'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 1 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (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 First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory) 
[[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]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://zobovor.tripod.com/more_than_meets_the_eye_part_2_bloopers.html Zobovor's Bloopers list]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c8F3_ZrSADyU7EVIYH2xJjcSXRYXHZZM/view?usp=drive_link Full episode script with revision pages dated 13th March 1984]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/the-transformers-mp-4024-more-than_5.html Full storyboards for Act I and samples for Act III of this episode]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Talk:More than Meets the Eye, Part 1

2024-11-07T00:08:26Z

Tribimat: Featured characters list - notes on changes

I'm kind of working with the template that was here to begin with, so could someone tell me what's expected for "Transformers References" and "Real World Reference" sections? Also, what constitutes a minor character or a major character? --[[User:Infinata|Infinata]] 23:40, 3 August 2006 (UTC)
: "Transformers references," for MTMTEp1-3, I would think, would be non-existent. There wasn't any Transformers to reference back to yet. :) "Real World Reference" would be mentioning if, say, the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma actually exist or not. As for major or minor characters, use your own judgment. I tend to peg the major characters as those who have speaking roles or do important things and the minor characters the ones who appear in the background or do very little. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 01:51, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Is Teletraan I concidered a character?
: It talks, so I'd say sure. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 02:18, 17 November 2007 (UTC)
So could I put him up on the character list for this episode?
::As long as you format him properly in there. Those numbers after all the names indicate the order in which the characters appeared in the episode. You'll have to figure out when Teletraan I first spoke, give him the proper number, and then renumber everyone who appeared after him. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 02:23, 17 November 2007 (UTC)

Got it I'll watch the episode again.

Uh, just a quick question: Why are there two (I'm not sure how to call it) "episodenav"s? I know this series has a Japanese version, but maybe, just maybe, two "episodenav"s is a little too much? I mean no offense! Please don't get angry! I'm just confused! -- Hwin

:The answer is only known to our admin and editor of most things 80s Japanese G1, [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]]. I was wondering myself, as I thought it looked messy. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 06:49, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

::The second nav box is, indeed, for the Japanese version. Although you won't notice the difference for a couple of episodes if you start clicked ahead from MTMTE Pt 1, the Japanese version puts the episodes into quite a different order, and inserts several of its own, ''new'' episodes into the mix as well, so it realy does need a separate set of nav links. However, you're right - it doesn't need to be two nav boxes. After I'd gone through and added all the links to a the pre-movie episodes, the dual nav boxes that we use for the US/UK comics were brought to my attention (see [[Child's Play (issue)|here]], for example). Unfortunately, I have ''noooooo'' clue how to tweak the coding of the episode template to create this effect, and am waiting for some kindly soul with the know-how to fix it up for me. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 10:51, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

:::Thank you both! --[[User:Hwin|Hwin]] 08:54, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

== Animation glitch ==

"When Hound and Cliffjumper are being chased by laserbeak, when he shoots at them his gun is visable but no Laserbeak."

As I understand it, this wasn't an error. Hound and Cliffjumper split up so "at least one of [them] will make it back to Prime." Laserbeak followed Hound, dispatching only his gun to follow Cliffjumper.

==Main pic==
Can we drop the video covers as the main pic for these pages, and just have them on the [[Family Home Entertainment]] page?
:a) it's inconsistent with the eps that don't happen to have their own video
:b & c) a couple of times I have thought I was on the wrong page because I was looking for the episode, not the video, and I couldn't tell that the page is actually about the episode because all the content is pushed down way below the fold
:d) these episodes have been released several times by several different companies, what makes these versions more notable than the others?
- [[User:Magnus Maximus|Magnus Maximus]] 08:07, 12 October 2009 (EDT)
:I tend to agree. Unfortunately they're way too big to be where they are. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 02:15, 13 October 2009 (EDT)
::I like them, for the most part. It's rare we get to use non-screencap portrayals of events in the cartoon. I do think the one for FFOD #1 should change, because it ''doesn't'' show what happens in the episode. On the flip side, I'd love to see that VHS cover with Magnus and the Quintesson used for "The Killing Jar". -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 08:10, 13 October 2009 (EDT)
:::So, we've got one for and one against. Anyone else care to chime in? - [[User:Magnus Maximus|Magnus Maximus]] 11:31, 22 October 2009 (EDT)
::::I like having the video covers when we have them. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:45, 22 October 2009 (EDT)
:::::What about having a gallery at the bottom (similar to the issue cover gallery on comics pages), showing the various video releases? [[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 18:17, 14 December 2009 (EST)
::::::I kind of plan to do something like that anyway, once I've finished doing up the [[:Category:Home video|various home video pages]]. - [[User:Magnus Maximus|Magnus Maximus]] 18:56, 14 December 2009 (EST)

If we are going to keep them, can we at least make them a bit smaller (comic covers aren't that big) and take out the {{tl|TOC}} template so at least some of the content will be above the fold? - [[User:Magnus Maximus|Magnus Maximus]] 17:28, 14 December 2009 (EST)
:I've made a mock-up of the idea at [[User:Magnus Maximus/EpNav/doc]], where the pic is set to the comic covers' size if you return the "vidcover" field as true, but the template stays the same width. Thoughts? - [[User:Magnus Maximus|Magnus Maximus]] 19:08, 14 December 2009 (EST)

== What does Prowl say? ==

What does Prowl say when the Autobots are in the Ark and just got clear of the asteroid field? It sounds like "utrex report: We are being followed." - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 00:08, 13 December 2009 (EST)
:I think its "view-trex" (possibly spelled differently). I always figured it was technobabble for "look at the monitor screen". [[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 00:39, 13 December 2009 (EST)
::"viewtrex" one word. (It was used in Wreckers #2.) It appears to be a specific type of report, with consolidated data. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 17:34, 14 December 2009 (EST)

== Another Continuty Error? ==

At the oil rig, Megatron orders Starscream to use his null ray to stop the pumping of the oil. Wouldn't Megatron want the oil to continue to be pumped? It sounds obvious, but I want to clear it with everyone just in case there's a logic to it that I'm missing. - [[User:Zadok Rox|Zadok Rox]] 12:33, 15 January 2010 (EST)

== error how? ==

Oddly enough, nobody opens fire during the scuffle when the Decepticons board the Ark... not even Megatron. how is this an error Megatron more then likely did not wish to damage the ship's command center (bridge) because he was trying to take it over [[User:Chasemarc|Chasemarc]] 15:19, 10 December 2012 (EST)

== Rainmakers ==

I'm confused - if Bitstream and Hotlink are the guys from this episode, why are they Rainmakers? --[[User:Flicky1991|flicky]][[User talk:Flicky1991|1991]] 04:43, 28 June 2013 (EDT)
:I dunno, but Hotlink's bio makes it clear that those are the guys from that scene, if their color schemes didn't already. [[User:Mimi|Mimi]] 05:11, 28 June 2013 (EDT)
::"Lets talk the "Rainmakers"... Please consider the term for the Troop Builder set to be a little more generic for this offering." That's from the Botcon Twitter feed. It's not totally clear what it's supposed to mean, but it sounds like FP decided all generic Seekers are Rainmakers, which good call there FP. -[[User:LV|LV]] 11:45, 28 June 2013 (EDT)
:::So, after dispelling the rumor that Sunstorm was the Yellow Rainmaker, it was later decided that he was a Rainmaker after all - just not THAT Rainmaker. My head hurts. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 16:52, 28 June 2013 (EDT)

==Japanese Version==

Hi everybody, I'm a late coming exile from the world of the for-profit-special-interest-wiki world (that shall remain nameless, but rhymes with "and dumb" if you squint a little). Anyway, I have been sucked back into the magical world of Transformers recently and I came across something that's not mentioned on the page. I'm so used to just hopping in and editing things on the fly, but as a new user I figured I'd make my presence known and make sure I'm doing it right. I am currently in the process of trying to translate the Japanese version of the original series. Between a combination of my meager Japanese skills (I'm still learning and have a long way to go), the stories not navigating far from the English plots, and machine translation I'm doing a decent job. Maybe something I'd put out after I have someone more fluent take a look at it, but anyway, not the point of my post... Okay, so I was watching the Japanese version of MTMTE Part 1 while doing timing, and you know that scene where the Decepticons are boarding the Ark and they just looped the boarding scene with Prime issuing orders and then Megatron ordering an attack? Well in the Japanese version, only Convoy is talking through that repeated shot. He's basically just ordering his troops to prepare for battle and then to attack.

I thought it'd be interesting to mention but I didn't want to go in an cold editing without saying hello and explain my intentions and get a clear idea of how things are done around here (Each Wiki being an authority onto their own, and all that). I mean the general rules are probably all the same and I swear I'll comb through the really dry community standards at some point, but NGL just dropping in an editing a major page moments after signing up is always sus, so y'know I tempered my compulsion and decided to ask first.

Anyway, not sure how actively I am going to be a contributor, maybe just pop in an add a few things here or there, but I hope to at least provide some interesting or useful information every now and again.
Cheers!

[[User:Transtector|Transtector]] ([[User talk:Transtector|talk]]) 13:45, 8 August 2023 (EDT)

==Featured characters list==

I've gone through the episode again and reordered the list on the basis that it's the first appearance of any kind that counts: Bluestreak is alongside Trailbreaker and Ratchet manning the controls at the front of the Autobot spaceship at launch; two Reflectors are visible when the Decepticon spaceship is about to take off; Mirage appears and actually gets a line of dialogue when the two asteroids appear ("There's another one!"); Brawn, Gears and Windcharger are all present in the shot just after the asteroids collide; Sunstreaker, Hound and Huffer are all easily identifiable among the robotic wrecks in the big panning scene just before Teletraan I wakes up; Joe and Frank show up on screen before Ravage; Sparkplug appears before Spike.
I've also tweaked the note at the animation and technical errors section identifying Hauler among the wrecked Transformers; it seems possible, but not as certain as the identification of Sunstreaker et al.[[User:Tribimat|Tribimat]] ([[User talk:Tribimat|talk]]) 19:08, 6 November 2024 (EST)

More than Meets the Eye, Part 1

2024-11-07T00:08:00Z

Tribimat: Featured characters list reordered after close viewing of episode - breakdown in talk section for transparency

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=1
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=1
|next2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=1
|next3=More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
|image=MTMtE Part1 Prime repair.jpg
|caption=Prime spends a few hours at a discount tanning salon.
|title="More than Meets the Eye, Part 1"
|season=1
|season ep=1
|production code=4023
|airdate=[[September 17]], [[1984]]
|written by=[[George Arthur Bloom]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Optimus Prime]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1ujpoDlgRU
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''In search of energy, the Autobots leave Cybertron and are pursued by the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:MTMtE1 Wheeljack and Bumblebee collect energy.jpg|left|thumb|"That's not that impressive. I can transform too, y'know."]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], many [[MYA|millions of years ago]], the [[Autobot]]s are on the verge of extinction. Eons of war with the [[Decepticon]]s, their bitter enemies, have drained the planet's once plentiful resources. Autobots [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] have managed to find a scant few [[Conductor|energy conductors]] and muse that what they've found won't last very long. Bumblebee loads the conductors into Wheeljack and they head back towards [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. However, as they reach the bridge to home base, they run into a Decepticon patrol. Wheeljack's attempt to drive through is cut short by enemy fire, and they're soon literally surrounded by a ring of fire, thanks to the Decepticons' flame throwers. The pair manage to escape the flames and ram their way through the Decepticons, two of whom give chase. The pursuing Decepticons manage to hit Bumblebee with their lasers, and the smaller Autobot is forced to drive aboard Wheeljack. Wheeljack manages to evade the two Decepticons by heading underground and arrives at Iacon. As they enter the fortress, a nearby sensor lamp reveals itself to be [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], who dispatches [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] to do some spying. Also returning to Iacon is [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], who reports to [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] that he was unable to find any energy in Cybertron's lower regions. Optimus confers with Jazz, [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] on the plan to leave Cybertron on a mission to search for energy elsewhere. Having heard all they need, Laserbeak and Soundwave depart.

[[File:MTMtE1 Ark and Nemesis over Earth.jpg|thumb|Starting a long, long tradition of Transformer ships crashing on Earth.]]
Inside [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|their base]], [[Decepticon leader]] [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] plots to intercept the Autobots, and leaves his [[second-in-command|first lieutenant]] [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] in charge of Cybertron. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] asserts the war would have been won if the Decepticons were under his leadership.

The Autobots blast off aboard [[Ark (G1)|their spaceship]], and the Decepticons give chase in their [[Nemesis (G1)|Decepticon cruiser]]. The Autobots immediately run into trouble when two large asteroids collide in front of them, resulting in a storm of rock that pelts both ships, until [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] uses the ship's weapons to clear a path. The Autobots next detect the pursuing ship, but are unable to outrun the Decepticon cruiser, which locks onto them with [[tractor beam]]s. The Autobot ship's lasers are out of power, so the Autobots are forced to instead engage the Decepticons in combat once they board. With no one at the respective helms, both ships drift into [[Earth]]'s gravity well, and despite Prime's best efforts to right the Autobot ship, both vessels spin out of control and crash. The Autobot ship embeds itself in the side of a volcano.

Four million years pass. It is the year 1984, and volcanic activity stirs the half-buried ship, awakening the computer systems aboard. [[Teletraan I]] sends out a [[Sky Spy]] satellite to reconnoiter this new world, and scans examples of terrestrial machinery in order to reformat the Transformers into new [[Alternate mode|alt modes]]. The Decepticon [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] happens to be the one who is in the path of the repair beam, and thus is awakened first. He revives Megatron, and the other Decepticons follow. Leaving the Autobot ship, Megatron observes that much time has passed since the crash but declares their mission to find energy is unchanged. An impudent Starscream leaves a parting shot, blasting the rocks over the ship in an attempt to bury it further. However, he unwittingly knocks Optimus Prime into the repair beam and the Autobot leader is revived.

[[File:Cliffgun.JPG|thumb|left|"You see the size of that gun he fired at us? It was bigger than him!"]]
The Decepticons locate a clearing and Megatron puts Starscream in charge of converting the area for the construction of a [[Victory (G1)|new star cruiser]]. Soundwave, Starscream and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] head for a nearby power station to find the needed raw materials. Meanwhile, the Autobots have all been repaired. Optimus Prime announces that they need to find out what the Decepticons are doing, and dispatches [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] to scout the area. Starscream and his team arrive at the power station, where Starscream again grouses about wanting to lead the Decepticons, and has Rumble use his pile drivers to level the plant. Some time later, Hound and Cliffjumper find the Decepticons in the middle of work on their ship. Though Cliffjumper's keen to wade in, Hound listens in as the Decepticons plan to take [[energon cube]]s back to Cybertron. Cliffjumper rashly takes a shot at Megatron, but misses, and Soundwave unleashes Laserbeak in pursuit. Though the pair split up, Laserbeak detaches a laser cannon so he can pursue both Autobots. While Cliffjumper manages to deal with the cannon, Laserbeak blasts Hound, sending him off a cliff.

[[File:MTMtE Part1 OilRig battle.jpg|thumb|Do yourself a favor, don't smoke at a Cybertronian waterpark.]]
Autobot medic [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] and [[Hauler]] come to fetch Hound. Cliffjumper apologizes for giving away their position as Hound is winched to safety. Meanwhile, Decepticons [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] spot an Earth vehicle approaching. The two human workers find the demolished power station, but while they're puzzling over what happened to it, [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] attacks and frightens them away.

Hound is repaired, and reports what he overheard: that the Decepticons are on the hunt for energy. Prime has Jazz assemble a battle group to go after them and the Autobots roll out. Elsewhere Laserbeak returns to the Decepticon construction site with the news that he's found a new source of energy. The Decepticons attack an off-shore [[oil rig]], where [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and his son [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] work. The humans attempt to resist, but it's futile and they end up jumping or falling overboard. The Decepticons begin filling energon cubes from the [[oil]] pipeline, but as Megatron is telling Starscream that they will need a lot more energy, the Autobots arrive to spoil their party. A battle erupts on the drilling platform until the Decepticons simply grab what they can and take off. Megatron blasts the rig's supports, tipping it into the ocean and taking the Autobots with it. Another shot ignites the oil, turning the surface of the sea into an inferno. Realizing the humans are in danger, Optimus Prime tries to save Spike and Sparkplug while the Decepticons retreat with their energon plunder.

'''[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|To be continued...]]'''
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (14)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (15)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (18)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (21)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (23)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (24)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (25)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (26)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (27)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (28)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (29)
*[[Teletraan I]] (30)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (31)
*[[Hauler]] (33)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (4)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (5)
*[[Sunstorm (G1)|Yellow Seeker]] (6)
*[[Hotlink (G1)|Purple Seeker]] (7)
*[[Bitstream (G1)|Light blue Seeker]] (8)
*[[Nacelle (G1)|Dark blue Seeker]] (9)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (11)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (16)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (17)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (22)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (32)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (36)

|c3=
*[[Joe (MTMTE)|Joe]] (34)
*[[Frank (G1)|Power plant worker]] (35)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (37)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (38)

}}

==Quotes==
[[File:MTMTE1-JazzProwlPrimeTrailbreaker.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
"Prime told me there'd be days like this." 
"And you didn't believe him?" 
"I do now!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Wheeljack''' under fire.

"When do we start the search mission?" 
"Soon as you're ready to launch."
:—'''Prowl''' is told to hurry up by '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Fear not, Megatron. Cybertron shall remain as you leave it."
:—'''Shockwave''', more accurate than he realizes.

"Leakin' lubricant!"
:—'''Ironhide'''

"What about materials?" 
"Use your imagination!"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron'''

"Here's something to keep you warm."
:—'''Megatron''' as he ignites the oil spill.

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}

[[File:PrimeTakesTommyIntoSpace.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"There's no ''air'' in space!" "But there's an Air in Space Museum!"]]

The young human [[Tommy Kennedy]], a resident of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], needs help from [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. He runs out into the middle of a barren wasteland, calling Prime's name. Prime arrives via rocket-boots and, after lifting Tommy up to his head, asks him what's the trouble. As it turns out, Tommy has a "special project" for school that's due soon and only Prime can help him. Optimus inquires what the project is about, but Tommy dodges the question, simply saying that he needs to know how the Autobots arrived on Earth. Prime concedes, "Okay Tommy, I've handled enough emergencies to know that ''some things'' just can't wait." Prime then launches into the tale of how the Autobots and the Decepticons left Cybertron, crash-landed on Earth and began their war for energy anew...

Prime continues into the next part of his story, about their first encounter with humans and whatnot, but Tommy stops him. Tommy says he's out of time and he ''really'' has to get back to Autobot City. Prime offers to give him the ride on the condition that next time they hang out, he tells him the juicy details of this "special project". Prime then blasts off into space with Tommy clinging to his shoulder (and somehow not dying horribly).

{{--}}

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Script revisions: 13th March 1984
* Returned to the US for telecine: 27th August 1984
* Official Sunbow Productions synopsis:
:''In search of the precious energy needed to rebuild their war torn planet Cybertron - the Autobots venture forth into outer space. But the evil Decepticons attack them and the two robot armies crash on Earth.''
:''Four million years later, the Autobots and Decepticons are reactivated and the battle between the forces of good and evil rages anew. Megatron, the brutal leader of the Decepticons, vows to conquer the Universe. And only the Autobots have a chance of stopping him. Megatron's first step: to plunder the Earth's sources of energy.''
:''The Decepticons capture an offshore oil rig, convert the oil into Energon cubes and destroy the rig, leaving the workers and their Autobot rescuers trapped in the burning wreckage.''
:''Then the evil robots create a tremendous tidal wave which threatens to destroy a power plant and flood an entire valley...''
:''And Megatron discovers the Ruby Crystals of Burma - the ultimate power source that will enable him to conquer the universe...''
:''In a race against time, the Autobots track the Decepticons to the Crystal Mines of Burma, but their dangerous mission backfires and Optimus Prime must risk his very existence in a desperate space battle as the Decepticons rocket back to Cybertron with enough energy to rule the universe forever.''<ref>This is the only time an official Sunbow Productions synopsis would cover an entire miniseries instead of the individual episodes.</ref>

===Deleted scenes===
Added Scenes
* Shockwave's appearance was added in script revisions during March 1984, under the early name of Flash Beam. Presumably as a reaction to the toy line's retail success at Toyfair 1984 the month before, as Hasbro would have given the green light to plans for the toyline's second year.

Changed Scenes
* After the montage at the start of Act II, after the volcanic eruption “Four Million Years Later”. We cut to “Several Days Later” when the lava from the eruption has dried and hardened. Inside the ship, Teletraan I comes back online. It uses an Electron Gun that emerges from the side of the ship to blast through the rock. Its beam punching through the volcano wall and bouncing off several rocks in the area to form a “satellite dish” of energy. Through this energy, Teletraan receives data on Earth, displayed on its monitor. It then uses this data to repair the wrecked occupants of the ship, with Soundwave the first to be revived. This sequence was changed during storyboard revisions to have Teletraan I send out manual Sky Spies to collect data for Earth modes, rebuilding those placed in its repair beam into those new modes.
* Throughout the miniseries, wherever possible to do so without affecting the plot, instances of the Autobots flying are replaced by them driving or are cut entirely.
* Some scale issues are present, likely due to using toys for reference. The script describes Soundwave as being the size of Andre The Giant, while Megatron does not mass-shift when transforming to gun mode, nor is he wielded by other Decepticons. Instead he transforms into a giant gun mode and remains in mid-air while firing (similar to the show's intro).

Deleted Scenes
* The Decepticon “welcoming committee” is a blockade at one end of a bridge. Wheeljack deploys his deflector shields and he and Bumblebee crash through the barriers, with several generic Decepticons in pursuit. The two get halfway across the bridge before they see another blockade waiting for them at the other end. Wheeljack swerves to a halt as the two Autobots are now caught in crossfire.
* As Wheeljack brings the damaged Bumblebee into Iacon, Soundwave is skulking in the shadows outside. We get many establishing shots of the Ark being constructed. Ratchet works on Bumblebee in the med bay, who is praised for his energy-finding efforts by Optimus Prime.
* After Soundwave recalls Laserbeak and takes off, we cut to a “futuristic” airfield with the Decepticon starship in the distance, resting at a launch tower. A plane-mode Soundwave lands and transforms. Like his earlier lamppost mode, this was an example of George Arthur Bloom's idea that the Transformers could assume any form for disguise, which would be largely eliminated during script revisions to maintain [[Show-accuracy|toy-accuracy]].
* General scenes aboard the Ark include Trailbreaker and Prime consulting on energy sources. Ironhide complaining to Mirage about wanting to see action. Mirage in turn reminiscing about Cybertron before the war.
* Prowl reports to Prime that they're possibly being followed. Prime orders “release the Viewtrex!”. A metallic sensor rod emerges from the ship and scans space. Meanwhile, aboard the Decepticon ship, Megatron orders Soundwave to “execute cover phase”. Much to Starscream's irritation, who suggests blowing up the Autobots instead. Megatron shoots down that idea “If Optimus Prime knows of an energy source, let him lead us to it.”, thus explaining why Megatron didn't take Starscream's suggestion and just end them right there when they were all in one place. “Cover phase” is a form of cloaking device, the Decepticon ship disappearing both onscreen and on the Autobots’ monitors.
* Rumble uses his piledriver arms at the base of a mountain that supports one end of a railroad trestle. A freight train above is crossing as the trestle begins to fall apart, its cars plunging into the water while the engine makes it to safety. The other Decepticons collect the steel girders of the wrecked trestle, Starscream noting “I’m glad you’re on our side, Rumble!”
* While Hound and Cliffjumper are spying on the Decepticon base, Skywarp and Thundercracker are grumbling about doing grunt work. Megatron appears before them and berates Skywarp. When Thundercracker attempts to apologise, Megatron hits him in the head with such force that he is sent flying across the construction site. Landing in a heap and having to twist his own head back into place.
* As Thundercracker reports back to base about the approaching humans, Skywarp randomly finds a frisbee (“some Earth gadget”). Throwing it to a disinterested Starscream, who throws it back, only for it to be blasted out of mid-air by Megatron. Demanding Starscream get to work, who then chafes at being given orders. This argument is interrupted by Thundercracker's transmission reaching Soundwave.
* Discussing Hound's report, Prowl suggests warning humanity about the Decepticons, to which Jazz replies “They’d never believe us, Prowl.”. Optimus Prime agrees, stating “...and it’s up to us. We brought them here.”
* The Autobot “battle unit” is brought to a halt by Prime, who sees on his “vista scope” the Decepticons flying to the oil rig. The Autobots transform and take to the skies in pursuit.
* The final major scene of the episode sees Brawn and Huffer atop the last intact derrick on the burning oil rig, carrying the rig's large hose. Ignoring Huffer's complaints that it won't work, Brawn calls down to Windcharger to turn the water on. Their firefighting efforts aren't enough, even with the water supply turned all the way up. The derrick collapses and tips into the sea. Brawn jumps free, but Huffer lands with the Derrick and is entangled in the metal girders. Brawn rushes over to free him, while a short distance away, Prime is still trying to free Spike and Sparkplug with the ring of fire coming ever closer.

===Continuity notes===
* Wheeljack says there isn't enough energy in the conductors they find to "last a [[Units of time|quartrex]]". Bumblebee and Wheeljack were "one [[Units of length|megamile]]" from the bridge to Iacon. Prowl provides a report from the Autobot ship's "[[Viewtrex]]".
* Along with the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|first issue of the Marvel comic]] (of which this series is ''technically'' an adaptation), this episode establishes several iconic aspects of the cartoon and the entire [[Transformers brand]]. The planet Cybertron and its city Iacon both appear in many other media and continuities. The crash of the Ark and the four-million-year slumber of its inhabitants likewise recur in several other versions of the Generation 1 story.
* The orange Seeker from the "welcoming committee", visible for all of about two seconds, was [[Retcon|retroactively established]] to be the neo-G1 character [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. Other characters in the same shot were later named [[Hotlink (G1)|Hotlink]] (the purple Seeker with the flamethrower), [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]] (the blue Seeker behind him holding his weapon like a rifle), and [[Nacelle (G1)|Nacelle]] (the dark blue Seeker barely visible between Sunstorm and Hotlink).
[[File:Cybertronlaserbeak.jpg|thumb|Tommy! How's the peeping?]]
* We get a look at Cybertronian alternate modes for Bumblebee, Wheeljack, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Jazz, and Soundwave. Meanwhile, Laserbeak is given a Cybertronian ''robot'' mode. Soundwave's toy can totally be configured into that lamp-post mode.
*Trailbreaker's presence alongside Jazz and Prowl on Cybertron is just about the ''only'' indication of his "defense strategist" [[function]] in the cartoon.
*Three episodes from now, we will see that Shockwave was true to his word, and Cybertron has not changed one iota in four million years.
*The Decepticon vessel is last seen spiraling out of control, unpiloted, toward Earth. It will be rediscovered in the Season 2 episode "[[Microbots]]". The unnamed ship would finally be given a title almost 15 years later, when it was referred to as the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'']] episode "[[Nemesis Part 1]]".
*The events of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon take place during the 4 million years in which the Autobots and Decepticons lie dormant in the wreckage of the Ark... a time frame covered by about 5 seconds of footage in this episode.
[[File:Sky Spy.jpg|thumb]]
*As the satellite-like probe (later dubbed a [[Sky Spy]]) leaves the Ark, we see a city skyline in the distance. While the cartoon's animation could never make up its mind about what was around the crashed ship (oceanside cliffs? desert? forests and rivers?), one might take this city to be [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], later established to have jurisdiction over the land where the Autobot ship rests.
[[File:MTME1 Reflector camera.jpg|thumb|Yep, pretty clearly an SLR.]]
[[File:Ratchetg1cartoon.jpg|thumb|Repair bay optional.]]
*Gadgets and powers:
**Wheeljack raises deflector shields<ref>Specifically named in deleted dialogue.</ref> in vehicle mode to block the Decepticon laser-blasts.
**Wheeljack deploys a pair of tiny spinning blades from his front bumper, which lets him... drive through fire? Per the original script, it was supposed to be a metal battering ram with "spinning propeller-like blades" on the end of it.
**Laserbeak spies with a pair of cylindrical doodads that come out of the side of his head.
**Rumble demonstrates his earth-quake-making power, which consists of banging the ground with a couple of big pile drivers that replace his arms. This will become one of the cartoon's most frequently-seen special powers, to the point that it eventually would carry over to the Marvel comics as well. (This power also seems to exclude Rumble himself from its effects, as the ground under him never cracks open.)
**Hound pops out a little wrist radar dish that lets him hear what the Decepticons are saying from some distance away.
**Soundwave can display graphics—the space cruiser, in this case—on his chest door.
**Cliffjumper somehow stores on his person a [[Cliffjumper's bazooka|bazooka]] that's as big as he is. We don't want to know how he does this. Although it does look like it's collapsible.
**Cliffjumper also can deploy a gun from the rear of vehicle mode that fires his signature [[glass gas]].
**Laserbeak's cannons are shown to be able to disconnect from him, fly on their own and target Autobots independently. Although an ability actively described in his ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|Universe]]'' profile, this would be the only time Laserbeak would employ his weapons this way.
**Ratchet is shown splitting into his robot form and his repair bay; however, the repair bay is never seen again.
**Reflector, being a super-advanced space robot, can take a photograph and instantly spit out a paper print of the resulting image. Instant photographs?! It must be THE FUTURE!
**Starscream "activates the <s>noal</s> null ray", which freezes the device it's aimed at.
[[File:Hauler01-sm.jpg|thumb|Frank Lloyd ''Wrong''.]]
*A [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]-like crane named [[Hauler]] is seen with Cliffjumper, recovering Hound; he's never seen again, however. Fans have speculated that this was to be an earlier release of Grapple's toy, aborted for reasons unknown.
*[[Energon cube]]s make their first appearance here. They have to be compressed before they convert the fuel they have been filled with into energon, at which point they glow a sort of yellowish-white iridescent-y rainbow-y sort of color. The "compressing a stack" aspect of the cubes was quickly done away with after the pilot mini-series, but the rainbow-glow would stick around for a little while before being phased out in favor of a pink-purple coloration that became the standard representation of energon cubes down through ''Transformers'' history.
*Despite being known for the command "Autobots, transform!", Optimus Prime doesn't actually issue it until two episodes later, in [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3|part 3]]. Megatron beats him to it with the less-common counterpart "Decepticons, transform!" command to his troops on the oil-rig. They, however, do not actually transform - just Megatron himself.

===Real-world references===
*As with the corresponding [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue of the Marvel comic]], the here-unnamed [[Mount St. Hilary|volcano]] is certainly inspired by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
*''The Transformers'' made heavy use of the sound effects library that sprung out of the movie ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''. Fans have a tendency to make tiresome shocked exclamations that Laserbeak sounds like a [[TIE Fighter]]; it is therefore instructive to catalog these sound effects, which are used ''far'' more extensively than just a couple of TIE engine roars. About half a dozen sound effects tend to appear in nearly every episode, and at least a dozen total are known to have been used on ''The Transformers''. In this episode:
**The sound of the [[Death Star]] firing to destroy Alderaan, and Alderaan's subsequent explosion, is used as Skywarp and Thundercracker strafe Bumblebee and Wheeljack, and again as they abandon their pursuit.
**The sound of the Seeker training sphere aboard the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'', along with [[Luke Skywalker|Luke]]'s [[lightsaber]] humming and igniting, is used as Soundwave begins making energon cubes.
*We also get the lesser-used ''[[Star Trek]]'' sliding door sound effect as Soundwave sends Laserbeak after Hound and Cliffjumper.
*There are also hints of the Sonic Screwdriver sound effect from ''[[Doctor Who]]'', most notably Wheeljack opening and closing his rear door.

===Animation and technical errors===
*In the very first shot, stars are shown passing in front of Cybertron.
*Soundwave's mouthplate doesn't move during his "Autobots are set to launch" line.
[[File:Sunstorm Cartoon.jpg|thumb|Then again, Thundercracker has ''two'' wings.]]
*The Decepticon "welcoming committee" is a bit confusing:
**The initial shot shows [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]], and [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]]. None of these characters were in this scene in the original script, which just credited the characters as "Decepticons"; Starscream, in particular, is shown to be at Decepticon headquarters in a minute, and the voice that comes out of his mouth ("Autobots! Stop them!") is intended for a generic character and is provided by [[Dan Gilvezan]] instead of [[Chris Latta]].
**All three are absent from the second shot, which shows four new characters: a purple one with a flamethrower, a golden-yellow one, a rich blue one, and a dark navy one.
**The third shot, as Wheeljack bears down on the group, shows a total of five Seekers, all very small figures with block coloring, one purple, one black, and the other three grey. In the very next shot, Wheeljack is shown barrelling through Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker again.
**The final shot of the group sees Thundercracker and Skywarp transforming to pursue them. Though originally scripted only to be generic Decepticons, the pair subsequently have lines in what will become recognizable as their normal voices ("They've gone underground, we'll never catch 'em now!"/"We'd better report back to Megatron," provided by [[John Stephenson]] and [[Frank Welker]] respectively), indicating the script was reworked with the genuine intention of placing the two characters in the scene.
**Less explicable, though, is the voice heard declaring "After them!" just before Skywarp and Thundercracker take off. No speaker is obvious (nobody's mouth is seen moving on-screen) and the line was not in the original teleplay for the episode. Presumably, it was meant to be another generic Decepticon from the group ordering the two into action, but as the line is provided by Frank Welker, the possibility exists that it's supposed to be Skywarp speaking. If so, though, the voice is way off from his normal one, sounding almost exactly like Megatron.
*Bumblebee steps out of Wheeljack and immediately fires a shot in the completely opposite direction from their attackers. Was he testing his gun??
*Bumblebee is repeatedly shown to be a hovercar... yet somehow he's got wheels and an axle when the Seekers manage to hit him.
*Bumblebee is repeatedly shown to be ''wider'' than Wheeljack in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], yet he has no trouble driving right into Wheeljack's cargo compartment. He ''keeps'' driving in until he's completely out of sight, even though we can see at least half of the compartment.
*As Wheeljack opens his cargo compartment to let Bumblebee in, the energy conductors clip through his vehicle mode.
*Coloring errors:
**As Megatron gives Shockwave his orders, Starscream is missing his canopy lines, and Soundwave's eject button is blue, while his backpack is white.[[File:MTMTEProwlstreak.jpg|thumb|TakaraTomy later used this shot as a justification for giving ''Masterpiece'' Prowl his shoulder cannons.]]
**Bluestreak is colored like Prowl as the Autobots stumble around in the wake of the asteroid collision; Trailbreaker, meanwhile, has one white and one gray hand.
**Starscream has a red "collar" around his neck as he prepares the tractor beam.
**When the Autobots and Decepticons fight aboard the ''Ark'', there are two Starscreams - one fighting Prowl, the other fighting Ironhide.
**As Starscream fires on the Autobot ship, the top segment of his canopy is red instead of gray in some frames.
**As the gathered Decepticons gaze at the desert from atop the volcano, Skywarp's arm cannon is colored teal.
**Part of Megatron's fusion cannon is white as he says "we'll set up here".
**Soundwave's eject button is blue instead of white as Megatron orders him to plan the new space cruiser.
**After landing at the power plant, Soundwave's eject button is blue, instead of... y'know what? Let's just say the colorists screwed up this little detail ''all the freaking time'', and leave it at that.
**As Starscream talks about his plans with Soundwave and Rumble standing behind him, the tip of Soundwave's shoulder cannon is colored entirely black.
**When Optimus Prime assigns Hound his mission, the establishing shot has Cliffjumper with Bumblebee's yellow colors.
**In the long shot of the Decepticons building their base, Soundwave appears in Sideswipe's colors. The Seekers also appear to have the wrong colors in this shot - the one standing behind Megatron is colored as Skywarp and the one opposite him is colored as Starscream, but in the next shot they become Starscream and Thundercracker respectively.
**Cliffjumper's mirror housings are white instead of red as he delivers his "moonbeam" line.
**Ratchet's Autobot symbol is gray before he jumps off the cliff.
**Prime's running light housings are white instead of red as he orders Jazz to organize a battle unit.
**In the pan across the battle unit, Sideswipe's helm is red instead of black, and the top of Trailbreaker's chest is white instead of black.
**The center segment of Megatron's fusion cannon is white as the wrenches & etc. bounce off of him.
**Soundwave's cheekguards are blue instead of white as he starts making energon cubes.
*The retracting segments of Iacon's dome appear to come out of solid, unbroken metal. The interior shot of the bridge also shows the segments retracting incorrectly. Since the ship is upright at a 90-degree angle, the retracting segments should go from camera-right to camera-left, down the length of the ship.
*Sideswipe's missing his shoulder launcher as he mans an Ark console.
[[File:ArkCartoon1.jpg|thumb|If it's supposed to be transparent, then it probably shouldn't be blocking out the scenery behind it.]]
*The Ark's exhaust comes from ''behind'' the thruster ports.
*The Decepticon insignia on the Nemesis is missing its "eyes" as the Ark blasts off.
*Presumably, an impact is supposed to be knocking Jazz out of the pilot's seat; what the animation actually shows, however, is Prime saying "Jazz!", to which Jazz responds by spontaneously flying out of his seat.
*Immediately after a shot of Optimus Prime rallying his troops to prepare to repulse Decepticon boarders ("Prepare for battle!"), the same animation is re-used, but this time with Megatron's voice urging his troops to "Attack! Attack!" When the episode was re-done for the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' series, this scene was amended by placing a shot of Megatron sitting on this throne from earlier in the episode over the image, shouting the command. (In the same shot, Prowl's eye is missing and the cameraman's hand can be seen for a few frames during the second instance, which ''was'' fixed for the Rhino DVD release)
*A shot of Soundwave being kicked out of frame by Ironhide is immediately followed by Soundwave sparring with Ratchet.
*After Ratchet is thrown into the console, Optimus Prime and Megatron enter the frame, struggling with each other. Megatron is missing his fusion cannon in this shot, but it reappears when the angle changes to show them grappling as Prime asks for a status report.
*Ratchet is shown being thrown by Soundwave, but after Optimus Prime asks for a status report, Ratchet is seen fighting with Thundercracker on the other side of the room.
*When Soundwave tosses Ratchet into a console aboard the Ark, the Autobot Medic is sporting a Decepticon symbol in the center of his chest windshield, most likely the result of the animator carrying over Soundwave's design.
*As the above shot pans across the bridge to the right, we see Soundwave has teleported from one side of the bridge to the other, slumped against a console.
*In the pan shot on the Ark when the Transformers find out they're going to crash, there are TWO Soundwaves and TWO Starscreams.
*As the Ark rocks and sends the combatants tumbling, the left arm of the second Soundwave turns into an extended smear of gray paint for a couple of frames.
*The voice that reports about g-forces is Prowl's, but he's struggling with Starscream and doesn't seem to have time to read a console or make a report or anything. Although it's hard to tell due to the ship shaking, Jazz's mouth seems to be moving, and he ''does'' seem to be looking at machinery.
*Quite a few generic robots are mixed in among the identifiable inert Transformers in the crashed ship, including an orange one that might be [[Hauler]] and a yellow version of Jazz.
*The land around the volcano changes frequently between shots. Sometimes it's rocky desert; other times it's got forests and a river, sometimes both at once. This trend would continue throughout the whole series.
*When Megatron orders Skywarp to revive the other Decepticons, his voice is missing the metallic echo usually applied to it.
*Megatron is missing his barrel as he speaks to his newly revived troops. In a close-up, he has a "five o'clock shadow", as the central segment of his face is a darker shade than the rest of it.
[[File:Mtmte1 prepare the energon cubes.jpg|thumb]]
*Starscream has no transformation sound as he lands at the power plant.
*Hound's voice carries a soundproof-room echo as he comments on how different Earth is.
*Hound says that he got shot in the drive train, but Laserbeak shot him topside. Did the shot go straight through him??
*Reflector's three component robots are standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they turn to look at the truck, but are standing in a line in the next shot.
*After Thundercracker informs Soundwave about the approaching vehicle, there's a [[scene transition]]. The final frame of the scene transition is faded into an image of Sparkplug and Wheeljack working on Optimus Prime from "Divide and Conquer".
*In the Autobot roll call scene, when Jazz calls Prowl's name, Cliffjumper transforms as well. Ratchet is shown in vehicle mode, even though Jazz never called his name. Finally, near the end, Optimus Prime's headlights are red instead of white, but in the next scene this is corrected.
*Rumble isn't a big guy, but he should at ''least'' be a few feet taller than a human. He's shown the same height as Sparkplug.
*Starscream is missing his wing insignia as Megatron returns to his robot form.
*Ironhide and Starscream are shown sparring with poles, while Prowl and Thundercracker have a shootout from cover. In the very next shot, Ironhide is taking on Skywarp and Thundercracker, while Starscream is now busy with Huffer and Gears, and Prowl is grappling with a Reflector. In the shot after that, Prowl is suddenly free from Reflector and charging toward Skywarp.
*A red robot of indeterminate character model is shown retreating with the Decepticons. It looks a bit like an upside-down Sideswipe.
*When Rumble knocks Spike into the water, Sparkplug yells "Pike!", due to an editing error in the creation of the dialog track. (The original 'unslugged' cassette from the recording session has "Spike!")
*Frank Welker is not listed among the voice actors in the credits sequence. This error would be repeated in the other two parts of the miniseries as well.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:MTMtE Part1 Cybertron.jpg|thumb|Pale silver dot]]
*Later episodes will go to some length to establish that Cybertron is outside of our galaxy. There's even some implication that it's not inside ''any'' galaxy, but that unlikely notion is put to the lie by the very first shots of this episode, which show its surface illuminated by an unseen sun, and the space around it filled with stars.
*Whether for reasons of cost (unlikely considering how much effort was expended on this episode's artwork) or to avoid confusing the kiddies, hardly any of the Transformers were designed to have Cybertronian [[robot mode]]s (Laserbeak is the sole exception). Thus we get the strange phenomena of, for example, Jazz having a Porsche 911 bumper on his chest, four million years before Porsches were invented. This also leads to some strange transformations, with guys like Bumblebee and Wheeljack not having a single part from their vehicle forms visible in their robot modes.
*Soundwave is in robot mode outside of Iacon, not transforming back to lamppost mode until Jazz is practically on top of him. How could Jazz have failed to notice the big blue Decepticon right in front of him?
[[File:Shockwave Hands.jpg|thumb|''My honey my baby Don't put Shockwave upon no shelf She said don't gimme no lines And keep your hands... hand... whatever... to yourself!'']]
*During the scene in [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]], Shockwave is consistently drawn with two hands. This may not be an error ''per se'', as he shows up a couple of other times with two hands, and plenty of characters can retract their hands and replace them with various gadgets and weapons. Not to mention that the 4 million year gap between this episode and his next appearance (when his left hand is replaced with a laser cannon) leaves plenty of time for him to have lost and subsequently replaced the hand offscreen. However, this still goes against his toy design and his established character model.
*Two asteroids in deep space just show up out of nowhere and collide? Right by the passing ship? The cosmic improbability beggars the imagination.
*Oddly enough, nobody opens fire during the scuffle when the Decepticons board the Ark... not even Megatron.
*The Transformers' interplanetary cruise is ''incredibly'' short. At no point do they engage any kind of faster-than-light drive, yet somehow they go from Cybertron to Earth in what seems to be a matter of minutes. The only possible gap that might account for this is the scene cut between the Decepticon launch and the asteroid collision.
*The animation would have us believe that the Autobot spacecraft has just been sticking out of the side of this active volcano for ages, without anybody noticing. The intended gist might have been that the eruption uncovered it, but the animation doesn't show it.
*Cliffjumper somehow stores on his person a [[Cliffjumper's bazooka|cannon]] that's as big as he is.
*Okay, maybe it's not an actual error. But considering how many ordinary Transformers are shown to have enhanced visual abilities (Hot Rod, Rumble, Arcee, etc.) it seems a tad ridiculous that Thundercracker needs to use Reflector's camera mode to zoom in a little bit on the approaching truck. It's ''insanely'' ridiculous that Reflector produces Polaroid prints. He's not even that kind of camera! (More to the point, he should just be able to see what's visible through his own viewfinder.)
*While he is getting repaired by Ratchet, Hound refers to an Energon cube as "some kind of cube", implying that the Autobots don't know what Energon cubes are. The inference that energon cubes are a Decepticon invention holds true for almost the entirety of the pre-movie cartoon, during which time they are never used by the Autobots (something that is even made a plot point in "[[Traitor (episode)|Traitor]]"). We say "almost" because of a contradictory flashback in "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]" that shows what appear to be energon cubes being used by Autobots nine million years in the past. By the time of the movie, the Autobots are shown to have begun using the cubes, and continue to do so throughout the third season. It's possible that Hound is a younger Autobot and was not created until after Autobots stopped using Energon cubes. Optimus would know what they are, since he was there back then in "War Dawn".
*During Jazz's roll-call of the Autobots, he neglects to call out Cliffjumper's name. The little red guy transforms anyway.
*The large cast frequently gave the animators trouble in remembering which secondary characters should or should not be present, especially concerning the Autobots. Thus, we frequently must catalog appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Jazz's battle group consists of Prowl, Cliffjumper, Trailbreaker, Wheeljack, Mirage, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, and Ironhide. Even before they've left headquarters, the problems start, as Ironhide disappears and Ratchet takes his place. Ratchet is still with the group when they arrive.
**Bluestreak joins the group as they fly toward the oil rig.
**Huffer and Brawn are with them as they land on the platform.
**Gears is visible in a wide shot of the battle.
*In what ''universe'' is it legal for a fourteen-year-old American kid to be working on an oil rig, even ''with'' his father? The original script offers an unexpected answer for this: Spike was SUPPOSED to be seventeen! While still not meeting real-life legal requirements (you have to be 18 to work on an oil rig), it's at least a ''little'' better. This intended info about Spike's age was either unnoticed or ignored by the writer(s) who put together the show's subsequent story bible, which declared Spike to be fourteen—a fact that worked its way into "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]", where Spike states he isn't old enough to drive yet.
[[File:MTMtE1 spare seeker.jpg|thumb|right]]
*Until the oil platform attack, the episode has consistently portrayed the Decepticon forces as Megatron, Soundwave, 3 tapes, 3 jets, and 3 Reflectors. Things start to fall apart here, as a purple jet is shown diving alongside Thundercracker. It gets ''much'' worse in the following episodes.
*''The Transformers'' had a tendency to frequently exaggerate the capabilities of humans to survive being dropped, punched, swatted, hit, etc. As a main protagonist, Spike Witwicky was especially susceptible to this treatment; thus we catalog the adventures of ''Superhuman Spike!'':
**Spike punches Rumble in the back without breaking or even seeming to hurt his fist.
**Spike survives being bashed aside by Rumble's metal fist without even bruising a rib.
*When Starscream fires his [[null-ray]], ice appears on the machinery that the ray hits. However, a null ray only stops the flow of electricity; it doesn't cause freezing. (Megatron prompts him with the strange command to "activate the null ray", as if it's some external piece of equipment.)
*Flying Autobots:
**In this and the following two episodes, the Autobots are all shown flying just as easily as the Decepticons. Once the show went into full production, this ability mostly disappeared, with occasional exceptions due to special abilities (Wheeljack, Sideswipe, the Dinobots), and some [[Roll for It|scripting]], [[Attack of the Autobots (episode)|animation]] and [[The Master Builders (episode)|sound]] [[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|effect]] screw-ups. The change was, in part, to help distinguish the two forces (and perhaps because it doesn't make sense for the Autobots to drive places if they can just fly there instead).

===Trivia===
*Shockwave's appearance hints that Hasbro was already planning for expansion of the toyline. His toy was not among the initial 28 characters advertised by the 1984 Transformers catalog, yet there he is, making a short appearance that obviously sets up the possibility of future appearances. His toy would be one of the very first 1985 toys to see release, and his character would return in the very first post-pilot episode.
[[File:Cartoon Cybertron Marvel Iacon case 1.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb]]
*While Ironhide exclaiming "leakin' lubricant!" was in the original script, him ''physically'' leaking lubricant was not called for, suggesting the storyboard artist was unaware that Ironhide was merely using a catchphase from his character bio.
*The episode ends with a preview of "Part 2". While other multi-part Transformers episodes generally refer to the episode by its title ("Next time, on ''The Transformers'': 'The Ultimate Doom'"), this preview uses the series title, ''The Transformers'', as "More Than Meets the Eye" is a retroactive name for the three-part episode, which began as a mini-series before becoming a regular program.
*Many later episodes would mine this one for recycled footage, particularly the line up of transforming Autobots near the end. Transformation sequences (with and without new backgrounds) from this episode appear in "[[Heavy Metal War]]", "[[Blaster Blues]]", and others. Optimus Prime's third-act transformation sequence from this episode was revised and improved for "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]", and the revision was used in ''dozens'' of episodes thereafter.
*Imagery of Cybertron from this episode was used to depict Iacon in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel story]] "[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]". Several buildings are clearly taken from the cartoon, and the most precious comparison has to be the tunnel entrance used by Wheeljack and Bumblebee to get energy conductors to the cartoon's dome-shaped Autobot headquarters, which is exactly the same as the one [[Fusion (Marvel)|Fusion]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] used to get shatter bombs to the [[Great Dome]]. The only difference is that the next piece of road for Fusion and Bluestreak is the same road Wheeljack and Bumblebee drove over before entering the tunnel.
[[File:G2DoubleTargetmasters.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb|The new RCA Colortrak, with Commercial-in-Commercial feature!]]
*The mid-80s [[Family Home Entertainment]] VHS release of "More Than Meets the Eye" was granted the {{w|Film Advisory Board}} Award of Excellence, proudly displayed on the video box cover above. However, this particular "award" does not reflect the ''quality'' of any work submitted, but rather that the work is "family-friendly". Cheeky, that.
*The three parter was released on video in the United Kingdom in 1986 under the title "Arrival from Cybertron".
*Footage from the [[commercial]] featuring the Autobot [[Targetmaster (technology)|Double Targetmaster]] trio was spliced into the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' version of this episode by way of the [[Cybernet Space Cube]]. Outside of this, they never actually appeared in the cartoon.
*Footage from this episode was used to represent a historical video in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", the opening movie for ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''.
*In 2016, "Transformers At The Moon" released onto YouTube<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwOQhJ_UA5E</ref> a collection of audio clips from the original Sunbow Productions "unslugged" cassette tapes and included many scenes deleted from the final show.
** Also on this tape is what [[Wally Burr]] terms "Body English", which consists of various Autobots and Decepticons grunting and groaning during the fight on the oil platform; "Body English" was recorded for Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Wheeljack, Reflector, all of the Decepticon troops, and the workers
{{--}}

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Plein la vue - Partie 1'''" ("Show off - Part 1")
:*''Original airdate (France):'' [[June 1]], [[1985]]
:*''Original airdate (Canada):'' [[March 30]], [[1985]]
::*Concerning the European French dub:
:::*When transforming back as [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] arrives, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] does not say anything. In the original version, he warns [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]].
:::*For some reason, the dialog between [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and Soundwave is left in English. ("Thundercracker to Soundwave, Thundercracker to Soundwave!" - "Proceed, Thundercracker.")
:::*This is the first episode of a long series in which various Transformers names are replaced by additional dialogue to avoid pronouncing the rather difficult English names ("Move!", "We have no choice!", "Come on!", or Soundwave saying "Warning!" every time he ejects a cassette). Some other names are distorted (Irok, Soundax, Balbee...).

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Im Weltraum verschollen'''" (''Generation 2'', "Lost in Space")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 30]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Fuga da Cybertron'''" ("Escape from Cybertron")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Hauler is not named, so it looks like he is actually Grapple.
::*Reflector is called "Reflector'''s'''".
::*When Megatron orders Soundwave to release Ravage, in this dub he instead orders Ravage to attack, despite the latter being inside Soundwave.
::*When Jazz calls the Autobots by name, he says nothing when he calls Sunstreaker in English, and then calls his name when he should instead call Sideswipe. The latter in not mentioned at all.
::*In the next episode preview, Sherman Dam is called by its English name, despite being translated as ''diga di Sherman'' in the episode itself.

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Molto più di quel che appare - Prima parte'''" ("Much More than What Appears - First Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Hauler is renamed "Grapple" in order to retcon them as the same character.
::*When Rumble is ejected for the first time, Soundwave [[FIRRIB|calls him Frenzy]].

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Chikyū e no Michi'''" (地球への道, "The Road to Earth")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 6]], [[1985]]
::*When [[Hotlink (G1)|the Seeker]] fires the ring of flame around [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] from his flame-thrower, he shouts out the name of his "special attack" in traditional anime-style. It was called the "Fire Attack", by the way.
::*'''Cut:''' Immediately after [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] says, "Megatron, my leader, we are alive again", a few seconds of the close-up of him and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] staring at each other and the fade away into the next scene is cut. Megatron's line, "Quickly, we must revive the other Decepticons", followed by him carrying and dropping [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]], was also cut. The sequence resumes right after Megatron sets Reflector down next to [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]].
::*"[[Hauler]]" is not referred to by name in this version and most Japanese fans just presumed him to have been [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]. Most Japanese fans, [[Hirofumi Ichikawa|but not all]].

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dìyī Tiān'''" (第一天, "The First Day")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mais do Que Os Olhos Veem, Parte 1'''" ("More than Meets the Eye, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode did not air in the 1980s and was first released on DVD with a different dub from the rest of the show.

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ne vsjo tak prosto (Chast' 1)'''" (Не всё так просто (Часть 1), "Not All Is So Simple (Part 1)")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Više nego što se vidi prvi deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Више него што се види први део, "More than Meets the Eye Part 1"), "'''Sile zla prvi deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Силе зла први део, "Forces of Evil Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:G1toy-SunstormeHobby.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|WHAT HAVE WE DONE]]
*'''''[[The Transformers: Collector's Edition|Collector's Edition]]'' 89 [[Sunstorm (G1)#Collector's Edition|Sunstorm]] ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]], 2003/2009)'''
:An [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] redeco of the original ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Starscream]] toy, representing the yellow [[generic]] [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] seen in this episode. In part thanks to being given additional prominence in [[Dreamwave Productions]]' comic books, the character would subsequently spawn a plethora of additional toys, including ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' figures by both Hasbro and Takara. While most "Sunstorm" figures are based on the standard Seeker body-type that transforms into an Earth jet, both the ''[[Titanium Series]]'' "Cybertron Heroes" [[Sunstorm (G1)#Titanium Series|Sunstorm]] figure and the ''[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends]] of [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Sunstorm (Universe)#Cybertron|Sunstorm]] figure (the latter of which represents the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] version of Sunstorm) transform into Cybertronian fighter jets that are heavily inspired by the Seekers' "tetrajet" alternate mode seen in this episode. The original Sunstorm figure was later re-released in 2009, once again exclusive to e-HOBBY.

[[File:MP Prowl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|The shoulder cannons absolutely needed to be justified with an episode screencap… which actually shows an animation error.]]
*'''''Collector's Edition'' 88 [[Hauler#Collector's Edition|RoadHauler]] (Takara, 2003)'''
:An e-HOBBY exclusive redeco of the original ''Generation 1'' [[Grapple (G1)#Generation 1|Grapple]] toy in a [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]-inspired green color scheme, intended to represent the Grapple lookalike seen in this episode, with the choice for his colors taking inspiration from "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]" and "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]".

*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-13 [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Soundwave]] (TakaraTomy, 2013)'''
:One of the accessories included with the figure is a display grid that attaches over his chest door: The last page of the instruction booklet features a pair of cutouts you can place underneath the grid to simulate Soundwave projecting them on his chest, one of them being the space cruiser blueprints from this episode.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-17 [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Prowl]] (TakaraTomy, 2013)'''
:Although they were technically based on the original ''Generation 1'' toy, TakaraTomy specifically used a screencap from this episode to "justify" the inclusion of shoulder cannons with their ''Masterpiece'' toy of Prowl… a screencap that actually depicts an ''animation error'' with ''[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]'' colored like Prowl (see above), hence the shoulder cannons.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-29 [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Destron Laserwave]] (TakaraTomy, 2016)'''
:Among the other accessories, this figure includes a normal left hand that replaces his laser gun to recreate Shockwave's two-handed appearance in this episode, plus an alternate right hand to recreate the salute he gives to Megatron.

*'''''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' (2019)'''
:Representing Cybertronian forms rather than Earth modes, many of the figures from ''Siege'' are either directly based upon or incorporate features or design elements referencing this episode. Voyager [[Starscream (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Starscream]] transforms into a tetrajet based on thie episode, [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Soundwave]] has an "easter egg" third mode of "Cybertronian Sensor Lamp", and although ''Siege'' [[Laserbeak (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Laserbeak]] still resembles his more bird-like form, his head design is a direct reference to his cartoon Cybertronian form.

*'''''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'' [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]] (2020)'''
:This figure comes with the giant cannon from this episode as one of its accessories. The ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' redeco of the figure features a deco that closely resembles the weapon's color in the show.

*'''''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' [[Ark (G1)#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Autobot Ark]] (2021)'''
:A Titan-class transforming figure based directly off the Ark's appearance in this episode. One of its included accessories is the [[Sky Spy]] drone that provided the Autobots and Decepticons their Earth alt-modes

*'''''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BuzzworthyOrigin|Origin Bumblebee]] (2021)'''
:This figure is based on Bumblebee's Cybertronian form, and comes with five [[Conductor|conductor rods]].

*'''''[[Studio Series]]'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Coronation Starscream]] (2022)'''
:The throne accessory included with this figure is based on the one Megatron [[:File:Mtmte1 megatron throne.jpg|uses]] in the Nemesis from this episode.

*'''''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Origin Autobot Jazz]] (2023)''
:This figure is based on Jazz's Cybertronian form.

*'''''[[Transformers: Legacy|Transformers Legacy Evolution]]'' [[Nemesis (G1)#Legacy 2|Nemesis]] (2023)''
:A Titan class transforming figure based directly on the ship the Decepticons used to follow the Autobots to Earth. One of its advertised features is a boarding dock to simulate the Decepticon attack on the Ark.

*'''''[[Transformers: Legacy|Transformers Legacy United]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Legacy|Origin Wheeljack]] (2024)''
:A Voyager class based on his Cybertronian form, being the first on-screen Transformer, and can fit [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BuzzworthyOrigin|Bumblebee]] (even including sculpted conductor rod storage racks!) into his trunk. Oddly, this toy is not part of the Buzzworthy lineup.
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 1: "More than Meets the Eye" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1985 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' ([[VAP]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|A.M.T. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|Little Gems Junior Video Club]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: Generation 2'' — More than Meets the Eye ([[Malofilm|Seville Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Exclusively from Blockbuster ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers: Generation 2'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 1 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — Cult Sci-Fi Legends (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (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 First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Studios|Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory) 
[[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]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 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/1hd2wbHm760yJOXTQ2toOyVUAPosa2suB/view?usp=drive_link Full episode script, with revision pages dated 13th March 1984]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)

2024-10-10T20:24:43Z

Tribimat: grammar fixes

{{disambig3|War for Cybertron}}
{{nav-WarForCybertronSiege}}

The '''''War for Cybertron Trilogy''''' (aka '''''Transformers Generations War for Cybertron''''') was a [[subline imprint|segment]] of [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Transformers: Generations]]'' line that launched in late [[2018]]. Like the preceding ''[[Prime Wars Trilogy]]'', "War" is primarily based around the toylines that make up the trilogy, and was accompanied by a [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|tie-in cartoon series]]. Released just before [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s [[2019]] ongoing comic series, several of the trilogy's toys were used as the basis for character designs and heavily inspired some of the uses of previously unused characters that had also been featured in any of the 4 main toylines.

{|style="margin:0 auto;padding:0 auto;" border="0" align="center" id="toc"
|-
!align="center" bgcolor="#6699CC" colspan="12"|War for Cybertron Trilogy:
|-
|align="center" colspan="3"|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)]]'' ([[2020]]–[[2021]])
|<div style="background-color:#999;width:5px;height:20px;margin:2px 10px;"></div>
|align="center" colspan="3"|''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)]]'' ([[2019]]–[[2022]])
|-
|align="center" colspan="2"|''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' (2018–2020)
|<div style="background-color:#999;width:5px;height:20px;margin:2px 10px;"></div>
|align="center" colspan="2"|''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' (2020-2021)
|<div style="background-color:#999;width:5px;height:20px;margin:2px 10px;"></div>
|align="center" colspan="2"|''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' (2021–2022)
|}

==Toys==
{{Main|War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)}}

The ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toylines aim to serve as a back-to-basics approach to ''Transformers'', with a focus on [[show-accuracy|media-accuracy]], [[articulation]], and a consistent robot mode [[scale]] (relatively based on the Generation 1 cartoon).

The first installment of the trilogy, ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'', is set during the final days of the Transformers' civil war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], reimagining classic characters to give them Cybertronian [[alternate mode]]s and battle damage deco. The second installment, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', takes place during an interstitial period as the Autobots and Decepticons travel through space, seeing many gain Earthly vehicle modes, while also introducing space-faring characters such as the [[Quintesson]]s and [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]]. The toyline also focuses on modular base-forming with the [[A.I.R. Lock System]]. A third installment, ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'', concludes the trilogy and features the return of the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] factions from the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' franchise, and sees the addition of a new(-ish) size class, Core.

In keeping with installments of the ''[[Prime Wars Trilogy]]'', the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' lines feature a unified, line-wide [[gimmick]]: weaponry. All figures are now compatible with the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], with Deluxe Class-and-higher figures being littered in [[5 mm post|5 mm port]]s to facilitate being armed up with any combination of compatible weaponry. In keeping with this, the ''Siege'' and ''Earthrise'' [[Battle Master]] and [[Micromaster]] size classes form modular weapons, as did the introduction of [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|Weaponizer]]s, [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]]s, and [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizers]] figures which could be disassembled into a variety of 5 mm compatible weapons and accessories.

==Cartoon==
{{main|Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)}}

A ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' animated series premiered in mid-[[2020]]. The series was produced by [[Rooster Teeth]] and animated by [[Polygon Pictures]], and focused on the origins of the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. [[F.J. DeSanto]] acted as the series showrunner, with [[George Krstic]], [[Gavin Hignight]], and [[Brandon M. Easton]] as writers. Three chapters were released as individual shows via [[Netflix]], with each chapter named and based on the each of the franchise's three lines.

For the sake of easy documention, TFWiki.net has chosen to document all three chapters in a season format, despite Netflix releasing them separately as individual shows.

==Comics==
{{main|2019 IDW continuity}}

While not branded as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'', the [[IDW Publishing]] ongoing series ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'', and other concurrent comics set in that universe, makes extensive use of contemporary ''Siege'' toy designs wherever possible.

==Marketing material==
When the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' was first conceived, [[Hasbro]] worked hard to establish a multi-platform storyline for audiences to build upon with both their toys and their imaginations.

This continuity is somewhat similar to the cartoon continuity, however; several elements within both storylines are very different from one another. To put it simply; both pieces of ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' fiction spawned from the same outline that had been established, and move in their own unique directions.

===''War for Cybertron: Siege''===
[[File:WFC-Siege-website-backdrop.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Minimal.]]

{{bigquote|It is the day of reckoning. The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, make a perilous last stand to hold off the Decepticon conquest of Cybertron. Outnumbered, outgunned, and pushed to the brink of extinction, the battle-weary band of resistance fighters orchestrates a desperate series of counterstrikes on a mission that, if everything somehow goes right, will end with an unthinkable choice: kill their planet in order to save it.|''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' webpage blurb.}}

The storyline started out strong with the '''''War for Cybertron: Siege''''' line, which placed all of its fiction during the final days of the war for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. In order to add depth to the characters, each were assigned a unique military [[insignia]], that were made up of smaller chunks, representing the different divisions, units, and ranks within the respective faction's military. These rankings also severed as a means to show the dark past behind some of the characters that would adapt into the [[Fandom|fan-favourite]] icons that we all know and love.<ref>[https://hasbropulse.com/blogs/unboxed/the-story-behind-the-transformers-wfc-military-insignias-revealed "THE STORY BEHIND THE TRANSFORMERS WFC MILITARY INSIGNIAS: REVEALED"] - on Hasbro Pulse</ref>

The main key points of the story relied on both visual storytelling through each toy's [[Package art|box art]] and the "Teletraan-1 Data Files" which were mostly found on the [https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-au/brands/siege ''Siege'' webpage,] but could also be found on [[Hasbro Pulse]] through occassional blog entries and downloadable desktop wallpapers from both sites. Each Date File listed off the last location a character had been seen or heard from, giving an idea to who were together during the final battle and what role they played in making the ultimate sacrifice—sending the [[AllSpark]] off-world, leaving their planet to ultimately perish.

The ''Siege'' story consists of the following media (in no particular order):

*The [[Source:Teletraan-1 Data Files|Teletraan-1 Data Files]] on the ''Siege'' webpage and Hasbro Pulse
*Character bios on the ''Siege'' webpage
*"Autobots vs. Decepticons" stop motion posted to both the website and the Official Transformers YouTube channel
*[[Cybertronian military insignia/gallery|Military insignia]] found on the back of boxes, in the instructions, and on the ''Siege'' webpage
*Various behind the scenes blog entries on Hasbro Pulse
*Several Hasbro product descriptions on Amazon, Hasbro Pulse, and other online retailers

===''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''===
[[File:WFC-Earthrise-website-backdrop.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Cluttered.]]

{{bigquote|Following the events of SIEGE, the Autobots hurtle deep into the unknown as their pursuit of the Allspark through space turns into a furious race for their own survival. With unforeseen dangers lurking ahead and the Decepticons closing in from behind, the only way out is to find a way through. The crew of the Ark must escape the perils of space as they chase the thin sliver of hope that lies on the edge of the horizon. They will reach their salvation, or they will meet their end.|''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'' webpage blurb.}}

Contrary to popular belief, the '''''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''''' story mostly revolved around space travel, rather than spending time on [[Earth]]. The storytelling elements found in this line mostly consisted of a map of the universe that was printed on packaging inserts that required the owner to carefully cut out and keep to build the full map. Also included were transparent red decoders that revealed the names of locations on the map pieces and the path that the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' and the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' took as they searched for the AllSpark. Carrying on from ''Siege'', Hasbro also released several character bios on the [https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-au/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' webpage.]

Eventually, more elements of the story were revealed in the exclusive "Galactic Odyssey Collection" listings on Amazon. Each of the five sets came with a detailed universe map of the five planets the [[Transformer]]s interacted with while searching for fuel and the AllSpark. Story elements that described each of the planet's inhabitants and habitat were also printed on cards included in the sets.

To be frank, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' was released at what can only be described as the worst possible time. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit worldwide in [[2020]], the same amount of effort found in the ''Siege'' storyline could not be found in ''Earthrise'', likely due to the lack of staff on-hand for health and safety reasons. Also due to the pandemic, worldwide distribution was halted and several countries went into lockdown, resulting in the toyline being cut short, with around half of it only being sold as online exclusives. To top it off, what was being distributed appeared to be supplied in such short number that most of the line never saw the light of day in some countries and even parts of the [[United States of America|United States]]. Ultimately, the storyline took just as big a hit as [[To sell toys|the toys it was made to advertise]].

The ''Earthrise'' story consists of the following media (in no particular order):

*The "[[Transformers Universe Map]]", clipped together from packaging inserts
*Character bios on the ''Earthrise'' webpage
*[[Cybertronian military insignia/gallery|Military insignia]] found on the back of boxes, in the instructions, and on the ''Earthrise'' webpage
*Several Hasbro product descriptions on Amazon, Hasbro Pulse, and other online retailers (namely, the [[Source:Earthrise Galactic Odyssey Collection|''Galactic Odyssey Collection'']])

===''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''===
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-website-backdrop.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Balanced.]]

{{bigquote|In the third and final chapter of the War for Cybertron trilogy, the Autobots and Decepticons awaken after crash-landing on pre-Ice Age Earth…They are closer than ever to finding the Allspark. But they are not alone. Transformers beasts, the Maximals and Predacons, have traveled across time to find the Allspark and change the fate of Cybertron. As the power of the beasts is unleashed, Optimus Prime and Megatron fight their greatest battle as the two leaders come face to face with the consequences of their war.|''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' webpage blurb.}}

Finishing off the trilogy with a bang and celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the original ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' franchise, the '''''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''''' line took a new spin on both the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] and its famous [[time travel]]ling theme. Waking up from stasis before [[1984]], the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s found themselves caught up in the Beast Wars where the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s had been fighting over the AllSpark to right the wrongs the Transformers' battle had brought to their future timeline.

''Kingdom''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s biggest story elements are the collectible "Golden Disk destiny" cards selected at random and included inside the packaging of mainline figures. Each card features four possible destinies for each of the six different character cards. Each of these destiny cards represent readings of alternate futures that had been imprinted onto the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]].

Another element used was, once again, the [https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-au/brands/kingdom webpage's] character bios. Released in conjunction with the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''Kingdom'' cartoon]], the ''Kingdom'' webpage's bios heavily reflected the characters from the cartoon over the pre-established continuity given with the previous two lines, even going so far as to include characters/toys only released in the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'', ''Siege'' and ''Earthrise'' toylines, instead of the ones released in the ''Kingdom'' line itself, such as the [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizers]]. Also following on from the theme of possible destinies, the toyline saw the exclusive "Golden Disk Collection" [[subline imprint]], which followed the same suit as the "Galactic Odyssey Collection", placing large chunks of the line's fiction in product descriptions on Amazon.

Released around the same time, ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' toys released in the ''[[Studio Series]]'' toyline had also been described by Hasbro as being alternate universe counterparts to the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' characters, due to characters like [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] being released in one line, while [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] were in the other. This made for more of an additional [[personal canon]]-type element to the story and playability between the lines.

The ''Kingdom'' story consists of the following media (in no particular order):

*[[Source:Golden Disk destinies|Golden Disk destiny cards]]
*Character bios on the ''Kingdom'' webpage
*Box art
*[[Cybertronian military insignia/gallery|Military insignia]] found on the back of boxes and in the instructions of Autobots and Decepticons
*Several Hasbro product descriptions on Amazon, Hasbro Pulse, and other online retailers (namely, the [[Source:Kingdom Golden Disk Collection|''Golden Disk Collection'']])

===Continuity notes===
Unlike the original ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon, the time travel elements within the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material fiction don't entirely mesh as well as they could.

Though there is a bulk of fiction released in ''Earthrise'' that takes place in space before reaching Earth, there are other elements of the story the depicts their battle on Earth during 1984. This makes placing ''Kingdom'' on a timeline somewhat difficult, as several Autobots and Decepticons are depicted in their Earth vehicle modes over the Cybertronian vehicle modes from ''Siege''. Further, the ''Kingdom'' webpage blurb has them wake up on pre-historic Earth to participate alongside their descendants in the Beast Wars, which makes one wonder, ''how did they get these modes if Earth vehicles don't exist yet?'' The product descriptions for the ''Earthrise'' Autobot Alliance and all five of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker Elite]] members also suggest they woke up in 1984, which adds to the confusion.

There seems to be only two logical explanations:

# The first is that the Autobots and Decepticons woke up on pre-historic Earth, fought in the Beast Wars, and then went back into stasis, before waking up again to continue the battle in 1984... ''but'' that still leaves the question as to where the Earth vehicle modes came from, which leads into the second theory:
# It takes place in an alternate timeline. The ''Kingdom'' blurb ''does'' hint at some kind of catastrophe taking place in the distant future where the Maximals and Predacons hail from, which led them to pre-historic Earth in search of the AllSpark to fix whatever happened, so it ''is'' possible that some kind of time vortex-type issue may have played into this.

If the second theory is to be the "correct" one, then that would mean the events of ''Kingdom'' never happen in one reality, but happen in another, so one could happily skip the continuity headache ([[Trukk not munky|and the Beast Wars]]) altogether.

At the end of the day, the marketing material fiction built around the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' is only there to sell the toys it's advertising. A lot of the fiction isn't all that easy to find if you don't know where to look for it either, so the attention to smaller details aren't all that needed for something with very little significance over a cartoon which more people are likely to see.

==Notes==
* Each portion of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' has a hidden number picked out in the word '''War''' in each lines' logo that indicates which section of the trilogy it is. For ''Siege'', the letter '''W''' has the number '''1''', for ''Earthrise'', the letter '''A''' has the number '''2''', and for ''Kingdom'', the letter '''R''' has the number '''3'''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 franchises]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Trilogy| ]]

Porsche

2024-10-10T20:22:37Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{disambig2|the company|the character|Porsche (Eletrix)}}

[[File:Porsche-Logo.jpg|175px|right]]

'''Porsche''' is a popular [[Germany|German]] sports car manufacturer, being highly desirable amongst young [[humans]] who [[Sam Witwicky|just got out of 10th grade]] or are [[Noah Díaz|struggling with precarious living conditions in 1990s New York]].

Sadly, [[Ron Witwicky|your father]] will probably not give you one as your first car.

==Overview==
[[File:PorscheMiniSubaru.jpg|thumb|200px|"We're not worthy! WE'RE NOT WORTHY!"]]
{{w|Porsche|Porsche AG}} was originally established in Stuttgart by the titular {{w|Ferdinand Porsche|Ferdinand Porsche}} in 1931, serving not as a car manufacturer but instead as an engineering consultancy company for other brands in the automotive industry. One of their earlier design hits was the [[Volkswagen]] ''Beetle'', conceived under the orders of [[Adolf Hitler]], which has since become one of the most successful cars in the world (and of course, also [[Bumblebee (G1)|a popular Transformers character]]). Porsche's first proper badged car was the {{w|Porsche 356|Porsche 356}}, released in 1948 and beginning the brand's legacy of high-performance sports cars that would continue until today.

Porsche AG has had a complicated relationship with Transformers. A multitude of iconic ''Generation 1'' Transformers characters like [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] featured Porsche vehicles as alternate modes, however; despite the original [[Diaclone]] and [[Microman]] versions of Jazz and Cliffjumper featuring the Porsche name in their packaging (and with Jazz even retaining "Martini Porsche" stickers in his Transformers release), these were all actually unlicensed, as customary with toy cars in the 1980s. Enter the turn of the millennium and car brands become much more stringent about the enforcement of intellectual property laws, which means that, when Hasbro decided to produce a series of highly-accurate transforming 1:24-scale automobiles with ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Transformers: Alternators]]'', it became inevitable that these would have to be licensed. The first toy planned for the ''Alternators'' toyline was actually Jazz (probably to be named "Autobot Jazz" for [[trademark]] reasons), intended to be a licensed Porsche 986 Boxster. A prototype was made, but Porsche actually openly refused to grant Hasbro and Takara the license, stating that "Transformers are not worthy [of] carrying the Porsche trademark. They are war machines and the toyline in no way represents the lifestyle and ideas which Porsche represents." <ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24622 Former Porsche employee Addl recounting an informal inquiry with Porsche's licensing department at TF Archive]</ref> As a consequence, the toy ultimately never went into production. Photos of the prototype were first depicted in the Japanese book ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'' and Hasbro later displayed the prototype during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour; TakaraTomy subsequently displayed it as part of Transformers Expo in 2014. This is similar to Volkswagen, who also refused to license [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Bumblebee]] as a {{w|Volkswagen New Beetle}} under the similar concerns of not wanting to associate their cars with "war toys", but [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Masterpiece 2|later gave in to having a licensed figure almost a decade later]].

Much like Volkswagen, Porsche ultimately changed their mind on this issue with [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] featuring a Porsche 911 (964) Carrera RS 3.8 [[alternate mode]] in ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'', even proudly exhibiting prominent "PORSCHE" decals on both sides of the car that were not originally present from the factory (similar stripes were introduced in older 911 models and became commonplace in special editions of Porsche vehicles again in the 2010s, but have never been featured on the 964). They licensed [[Mirage (Movie)#Studio Series|a ''Studio Series'' toy featuring his alternate mode]] and were heavily involved with the marketing for ''Rise of the Beasts'', even releasing the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adkwBXpyieg teaser trailer] for the movie through [https://www.youtube.com/@Porsche/videos their official YouTube channel] and producing an official [[Mirage (Movie)#Porsche Lifestyle|die-cast model of Mirage]] under their in-house ''Porsche Lifestyle'' brand!

==Fiction==
===''Transformers''===
After learning that [[Sam Witwicky]] got an A- on his family genealogy report, [[Ron Witwicky|his father]] took him to buy a car. He went through the driveway of a Porsche dealership to tease Sam about the possibility of getting one, but alas, it was just a mean prank. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''===
In 1994, [[Noah Díaz]] was convinced by his his friend [[Reek]] to steal a Porsche 911 (964) Carrera RS 3.8, but the "car" turned out to be the Autobot Mirage in disguise. After getting embroiled in the Autobots' mission and going on an adventure across [[Peru]] where Mirage was critically injured, Noah later repaired his alternate mode with spare Porsche parts. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts}}

==Toys==
{{Note|Toys in italics indicate an unlicensed alternate mode.}}
[[File:G1 Jazz toy.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|250px|[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|''I believe there'll come a day,
Maybe it will be tomorrow...'']]]]
[[File:G1 Cliffjumper toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|250px|"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7rzne25qH0 For lunch, the Cliffjumper generally prefers Megatrons, although it has been known to occasionally snack on Starscreams.]"]]
===Porsche 911===
====Porsche 930====
*''[[Porsche (Eletrix)|Eletrix Porsche]]''

====Porsche 935====
*''[[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]''
*''[[Ricochet (Headmasters)#Toys|Ricochet]]''

====Porsche 964====
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage (''Rise of the Beasts'')]]

===Porsche 924===
*''[[Carrera]]''
*''[[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Cliffjumper]]''
*''[[Hubcap (G1)#Toys|Hubcap]]''
*''[[Tap-Out (Universe)#Toys|Tap-Out]]''

===Porsche 928===
*''[[Dead End (G1)#Toys|Dead End]]''
*''[[Mini-spy]]''
*''[[Sonic (G1)|Sonic]]''

===Porsche 959===
[[File:MF-toy Minerva.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|250px|Tonight, on Top Gear...]]
*''[[Blowout]]''
*''[[Hot Shot (RID)#Toys|Hot Shot]]''
*''[[Metrobomb]]''
*''[[Minerva#Toys|Minerva]]''
*''[[Nightbeat (G1)#Toys|Nightbeat]]''
*''[[Skystalker (G1)#Toys|Skystalker]]''
*''[[Rabbicrater#Toys|Rabbicrater]]''

===Porsche 962===
*''[[Backstreet (G1)#Toys|Backstreet]]''
*''[[Daytonus]]''
*''[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Jazz (''Power of the Primes'')]] / [[Ricochet (Headmasters)#Generations|Ricochet (''Selects'')]]''
*''[[Tailspin#Toys|Tailspin]]''

===Porsche 986===
*''[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Notes|Jazz (Alternators)]]'' (Unreleased)

==Notes==
*{{w|Porsche#Pronunciation|Most native English speakers will mispronounce the company's name. Just accept this as a fact.}}
*Contrary to common misconceptions, the relationship between Porsche and [[Volkswagen]] is a lot more complicated than one being the parent company of the other one (which wasn't true until a few years ago). Here's the cliff notes version: As previously mentioned, company founder Ferdinand Porsche designed the original "Volkswagen" ("people's car"), later also called the "KdF" car (''"Kraft durch Freude"'', "power through joy"), which later became known as the "Volkswagen Type 1", or "Volkswagen Beetle", or "Bug". However, Volkswagen and Porsche officially remained two separate companies, even though they collaborated on several projects, Each company held stock of the other one, and members of the Porsche family as well as the Piëch family, which is related to the Porsche family, have been members of on the boards of directors and the supervisory boards of the two companies for decades. It's all very complicated, really. In 2005, the much smaller Porsche AG tried to take over the larger Volkswagen AG but eventually failed. Instead, Volkswagen began taking over Porsche in 2009. The takeover was completed in 2012.
*Interestingly, [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]'s "flat" spoiler, which is often erroneously described as a spoilerless variant of the Cliffjumper mold, is actually more accurate to the real-life wrap-around spoiler that was used on some models of the Porsche 924 like the Turbo and the Carrera and later became standard on the 944.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{w|Porsche}} at Wikipedia

[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Movie locations]]
[[Category:Vehicle brands]]

Puffer

2024-10-10T20:21:41Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{factions|autobot}}
:''Puffer is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:TF-WFC-GDC-Through-the-Vortex-Puffer.jpg|upright=2|thumb|From the people who brought you "[[Bumper (G1)|Bumblejumper]]" and "[[Blast (G1)|Blast]]"...]]

'''Puffer''' was created from a time anomaly, fusing the [[Autobot|Autobots]] [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] into one being. Despite his rather bizarre origin, he can still tussle with the best of them.

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material===
Due to the effects of the [[quantum surge]], a vortex in time and space was torn open which not only fused Huffer and Pipes into a single being but also sent them hurtling back in time to prehistoric [[Earth]] alongside the [[GoBot]] [[Road Ranger]]. {{storylink|Source:Kingdom Golden Disk Collection#CHAPTER 1: THROUGH THE VORTEX|Golden Disk Collection Chapter 1}} The pair eventually met two more victims of the vortex, Puffer's fellow Autobot [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] and his partner [[Sights (G1)|Sights]], and joined them in their efforts to stop [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] and the mutated [[Tigatron]] from stealing the [[Transwarp cell]] aboard the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. {{storylink|Source:Kingdom Golden Disk Collection#CHAPTER 2: …AND OUT THE OTHER SIDE|Golden Disk Collection Chapter 2}} The four of them managed to reach the ship before the beasts and delivered a surprise attack upon their arrival. After helping to defeat Terrorsaur, the restored Tigatron enacted a plan to prevent the vortex from ever opening by sending the ''Nemesis'' back in time to the moment of the quantum surge. Puffer would be the only one to survive Tigatron's plan, as he and the Transwarp drive were launched in a pod away from the ''Nemesis'' before the quantum surge hit and completely destroyed the ship, lessening the surge's impact on the planet below and putting history on its [[Aftermath|proper path]]. Lucky him? {{storylink|Source:Kingdom Golden Disk Collection#CHAPTER 4: THE TERRORFYING CONCLUSION|Golden Disk Collection Chapter 4}}

==Toys==
===''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Puffer / Autobot Road Ranger''' (Golden Disk Collection 2-pack, [[2021]])}}</ul>
:*''Chapter 1: Through the Vortex''
:*''Accessories'': 2 pipe blasters

:Part of the first release in the [[War for Cybertron: Kingdom#Exclusives|Golden Disk Collection]], ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' "Autobot Puffer" is a redeco and retool of ''Kingdom'' Deluxe Class [[Pipes (G1)#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Autobot Pipes]] in colors based on Pipes's Generation 1 [http://www.fredsworkshop.com/puffer.html European variant] release. His head is accurate to Pipes's Generation 1 toy head, sporting a visor, instead of the animation-influenced eyes and nose of ''Kingdom'' Pipes. Puffer transforms into a cab-over truck in 16 steps, and includes a pair of pipe blasters that can store on his vehicle mode's back or as smokestacks. His robot mode is covered in [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]]/[[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology]] play patterns. He also has a torso transformation joint that functions as an ab-crunch.

:As a carryover from Huffer, Puffer can tow ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Optimus Prime]]'s trailer (or any of its redecoes).

:Puffer was only available in a multi-pack with his mold-mate "[[Road Ranger#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Autobot Road Ranger]]". This set was revealed and made available for pre-order on [[September 27]], 2021, and was the first of four daily announcements concerning the Golden Disk Collection; as with the other sets in this series, Puffer and Road Ranger's packaging is printed with a portion of a [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] graphic, and customers are encouraged to collect all four packs to unite the full image. The set is an [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]] and [[Hasbro Pulse]] exclusive in the [[United States of America|U.S.]], [[Canada]], and the [[United Kingdom]].

:Despite originally being scheduled for a [[March]] [[2022]] release, the set started to be released in [[December]] of 2021.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1toy European Pipes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4||A fusion of Huffer and Pipes… So he collects American consumerism then complains about it?]]
* Puffer is loosely based on [[Pipes (G1)#Toys|the toy Pipes received]] during "Generation 1" only in some parts of Europe, which was a straight redeco of [[Huffer (G1)#Toys|Huffer's toy]] in Pipes-ish colors. We say "loosely based" because, rather than using the concurrent [[Huffer (G1)#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' Huffer]] "G1 toy" version of the mold, Puffer is (mostly) a straight redeco of ''Kingdom'' Pipes, except for the head (which is still based on Pipes's original toy, rather than any version of Huffer)… essentially making it Pipes in slightly-off Pipes colors. This was likely done so as to ensure all pretooled parts of the mold saw use, as was the case for ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Ironworks (Micromaster)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Irontread]] and later releases like ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Burn Out (Diaclone)#Legacy|Burn Out]] and [[Galaxy Shuttle#Legacy|Galaxy Shuttle]].
* The name "Puffer" is a deliberate portmanteau of '''P'''ipes and H'''uffer''', a concept taken very literally by the published bio. The name had been devised by fans to refer to said European Pipes variant (as well as the similar, but distinct, [[IGA]] [[Pipes (G1)#IGA|Pipes]] released in Mexico), with the earliest known usage dating back to a post made in [[2000]] on [[alt.toys.transformers]].<ref> https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/YkR6bBAj9ww/m/bpGU4XDJkVoJ</ref> Its use in the Golden Disk Collection marks another instance of a fan nickname being [[Canonizing|canonized]], which the product description for the set notes with the baffling turn of phrase that it "features a fun fan nod (insert nod here)".

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Amazon exclusives]]
[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toy-only characters]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Autobots]]

Gifted Guild

2024-10-10T20:21:25Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{factions|giftedguild}}
:''The Gifted Guild are a subgroup from [[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBots]].


The '''Gifted Guild''' are the bots to turn to when you want to express thank yous for being a friend.

==Members==
These gifted and talented bots include:
{{collist|3|
* [[Alda Feelz]] the Have A Nice Day button
* [[The Dooks]] the fake poop
* [[Energon the Nevergone]] the crystal
* [[Lord Jewelius the Strong]] the diamond
* [[Rainbow Smileypop]] the rainbow ice cream pop
* [[Rubeus the Red]] the ruby
* [[Slogre the Emerald Ogre]] the emerald
}}

==Toys==
===''BotBots''===
*'''''BotBots''''' packs (<s>[[2020]]</s>)
**''Series'': <s>'''6'''</s>

: The Gifted Guild were originally intended to be part of the sixth Series of ''[[Transformers: BotBots (toyline)|BotBots]]'', available in the single-pack [[Blindpacking|Blind Bag Mystery Figures]] assortment, the five-pack assortment, the 8-pack assortment, and the Surprise Unboxing assortment.

: However, this iteration of Series 6 was never fully announced, and quietly put on a seeming indefinite hiatus, with a completely different Series 6 lineup being released in 2022. It is uncertain if the original Series 6 lineup will ever see release, but best not to hold your breath.

{{canceledtoy}}

==Notes==
* It's unclear what is the home store for the Gifted Guild. Given the name it may be some sort of gift shop, but alas it may never be known.
* The squad symbols for the Gifted Guild and [[Play Plexers]] were accidentally swapped on their Series checklist. This apparently extended to the colors on the background for each squad: the silver behind the Plexers certainly matches the Guild more thematically, while the Guild's purple background color feels more playroom-esque.

[[Category:BotBots subgroups]]
[[Category:Gifted Guild| ]]
[[Category:Guilds]]

Comics

2024-10-10T20:21:10Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|'''''The Transformers''''' #1. Interestingly ''not'' the most replicated & referenced cover ever.]]

As a multi-decade multinational multimedia franchise, ''Transformers'' has naturally had a huge '''comics''' presence over its lifetime. And since it's not a property owned by a comic company, the comic rights have bounced across multiple publishers over the years.

==A Brief History of Major ''Transformers'' Comics==
In the beginning, [[Marvel Comics]] held the rights to ''Transformers'' comics in the US and UK, owing to their hand in developing the characters and story for [[Hasbro]]. The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original ''The Transformers'' comic]] ultimately ran monthly from 1984 to 1991, spanning 80 issues with multiple extra mini-series in the US. The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|UK ''The Transformers'' comic]] was ''weekly'', and added a ton of extra stories woven into and around the reprinted US stories but it too ended not long after the US series did.

In Japan, the rights to ''Transformers'' comics were granted to [[Kodansha]], who would split content among several publications, but the serialized ''manga'' stayed with ''[[TV Magazine]]'', first telling side-stories woven around the accompanying cartoons, then telling completely new-timeline tales for later lines. However, by the late 80s, the comics were reduced to one-shots, then bare-bones "[[story page]]s", with the final genuine ''manga'' chapter being released in 1991.

When Hasbro attempted to revive ''Transformers'' with ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', Marvel once again produced the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|accompanying comic]] in the US, though the story actually ''started'' in the pages of the still running [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' comics]]. But a combination of low faith from Marvel and poor sales ended the book after twelve issues, but with enough forewarning for the story to properly end. The UK got a modified version of Marvel ''Generation 2'' through [[Fleetway]] (replacing any bits involving G.I. Joe with original content) that similarly fizzled out. Japan would skip "major" comic outlets, with [[Transformers: G-2 (pack-in manga)|its "''G-2''" story]] told through [[pack-in material|mini-comics packed in with the toys]]. Which also didn't last long.

Mass-market ''Transformers'' comics more or less took a hiatus in English-language markets until after the turn of the century, but Japan would see a brief resurgence in the late 90s. Following the success of their imported version of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', Kodansha published serialized manga in their ''[[Comic Bom Bom]]'' monthly anthology book for the Japanese sequel series ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|Beast Wars II]]'', ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (manga)|Beast Wars Neo]]'', and ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals (manga)|Beast Wars Metals]]'' (Takara's version of the latter half of Hasbro's ''Beast Wars'' franchise). But sales of all three series were low and getting lower all the time, and Takara took another break from mainstream ''Transformers'' comics for a few years.

In 2002, the comics got a ''major'' rebirth when Hasbro granted comic rights to [[Dreamwave Productions]], who capitalized heavily on the current "nostalgia boom" that saw renewed (and short-lived) interest in many 80's toy-based properties. Dreamwave made ongoing ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation 1]]'' comics in a more "adult" tone, as well as ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Energon]]'' books for the then-running kids' series. Though they were a huge success, the Dreamwave era was very short, as the company imploded in 2004 owing a lot of people a lot of money.

But ''Transformers'' comics rebounded quickly as Hasbro granted the rights to [[IDW Publishing]], who took the property in a new direction, with a [[2005 IDW continuity|"hard" reboot]]. Told at first through a series of connected mini-series and eventually moving to multiple ongoing titles (supplemented by even ''more'' mini-series and one-shots), IDW would go on to produce the single longest continuous run of ''Transformers'' comics in the brand's history, with their original storyline ultimately spanning ''thirteen years'' and hundreds of books, crossing over with multiple other Hasbro properties as a "shared universe", before being brought to a voluntary close in late 2018. Throughout that run, IDW also put out mini-series based on other then-current ''Transformers'' media, including the [[live-action film series|live-action movies]], ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'', ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' and the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''. And on top of ''that'', numerous out-of-continuity mini-series crossovers with non-Hasbro properties. [[2019 IDW continuity|A new, rebooted ongoing continuity]] subsequently began with the publication of [[The World In Your Eyes Part One|a new ''Transformers'' #1]] in March 2019, starting shortly before the beginning of the war, which eventually concluded in 2022 due to the expiration of IDW's ''Transformers'' license.

In 2023, ''Transformers'' comics came back in a big way with the announcement that not only had [[Skybound Entertainment]] picked up the license, but they would be launching the "[[Energon Universe]]", a new shared comic universe that combined ''Transformers'' with ''G.I. Joe'' and an original property, ''[[Void Rivals]]''.

In the UK, [[Titan Magazines]] put out a [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|''Transformers'' comic magazine]] to coincide with the [[Transformers (film)|2007 live-action movie]]. This book would run for seven years, containing new stories set not only in the live-action film continuity (all the way up to ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Age of Extinction]]''), but for ''[[Transformers Animated (Titan)|Transformers Animated]]'' and ''Transformers: Prime'' as well.

Japan's "mainstream" comic output through this period, and to this day, remains scattershot. The majority of Japanese ''Transformers'' comics would come in the form of [[pack-in material|comics packed in with toys]], short comic stories included in larger books, and a ''lot'' of online exclusive comics. There have been a few serialized comics over the years in several "mainstream" publications from different publishers, each usually ending after a year or so.

==A More Involved History of ''Transformers'' Comics==
===US-market ''Transformers'' comics===
====Marvel Comics (1984–1994)====
[[File:MarvelUS-05.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''The Transformers''''' #5. ''This'' is the most replicated & referenced cover ever.]]
{{Main|Marvel Comics}}

Duplicating the successful formula of having [[Marvel Comics]] develop the story and characters for ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', as well as producing a comic book and having a major hand in other tie-in media, [[Hasbro]] had them do the same for their new ''Transformers'' line. What was originally planned to be a four-part mini-series quickly ballooned into an 80-issue monthly ongoing series, and that's ''not'' counting several in-continuity mini-series, including a [[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|crossover with ''G.I. Joe'']] (which would happen a ''lot'' over the years).

After a couple years' hiatus with the end of the original series, Marvel was once again tapped to produce the comic tie-in for ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Transformers: Generation 2]]'' in the US, which actually started with a five-issue setup crossover in the still-ongoing [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' comics]]. But limping sales (and not much faith from Marvel's higher-ups out of the gate) meant the series only lasted a year before cancellation. And that was the end of Marvel's run of ''Transformers''... except for a weird ''[[Avengers]]'' crossover miniseries co-produced with [[IDW Publishing]] over a decade later.

:'''Major titles'''
:* [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]]
:* ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
:* ''[[New Avengers/Transformers]]''

Much of Marvel's ''Transformers'' output has been collected into volumes by [[Titan Books]] and IDW, which is a fair bit easier than tracking down all those individual issues.

{{-}}

====Blackthorne Publishing (1987)====
[[File:TF3D-1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Transformers in 3-D''''' #1. Feel the excitement.]]
{{Main|Blackthorne Publishing}}

In a very sneaky move, [[Blackthorne Publishing]] finagled the rights to make ''Transformers'' comics in the US and UK at the same time as Marvel, as Blackthorne's books were gimmicky 3-D comics and therefore different enough from Marvel's output in Hasbro's (and various lawyers') view for both to exist. However, the series was ''incredibly'' short-lived, lasting all of three issues. Marvel didn't have a lot to worry about there.

Story-wise, these seem to take place in some variant of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon's]] continuity, though inter-issue continuity itself is... shaky at best. Oh, it also ended on a major cliffhanger. *''thumbs up''*

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Transformers in 3-D]]''

{{-}}

====3H Productions (1997–2004)====
[[File:Beastwarscriticalmass.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Ground Zero'''''. The first ''Transformers'' comic in years, and boy, were folks happy about that.]]
{{Main|3H Productions}}

Following the end of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' and the emergence of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', no major (or minor) comics publisher had the rights to make ''Transformers'' comics. [[3H Productions]], the original producers of the [[BotCon]] conventions, negotiated a limited license to make convention-exclusive comics centered on their exclusive toys and stories. Taking place mostly in the same continuity as the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoons, the series spun its own side-stories, even continuing the timeline following the end of ''Beast Machines'' and tying into the [[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|''Universe'' toyline]].

This series can be a bit confusing to follow, as much of the early story was continued/supplemented with text stories both online and printed in convention booklets, web pages, and more, and usually on a slow, slow drip-feed. On top of that, the removal of the convention license in 2004 left multiple stories in cliffhanger limbo. Several years later, convention-license-recipient [[Fun Publications]] would "finish" most of these unresolved plotlines in one form or another.

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Ground Zero]]'' (aka ''Critical Mass'')
:* ''[[Reaching the Omega Point]]'' (multi-part multi-media story)
:* ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|The Wreckers / Primeval Dawn]]''
:* ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]''

{{-}}

====Dreamwave Productions (2002–2004)====
[[File:G1 Vol.1 Issue1 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Prime Directive''''' #1. Don't stare directly at it.]]
{{Main|Dreamwave Productions}}

Following a renewed interest in the brand, coinciding with the big "nostalgia boom" of the early-Oughts, Hasbro granted the rights to produce ''Transformers'' comics to up-and-coming Canadian comics house [[Dreamwave Productions]], a decision based heavily on a piece of "concept art" by [[Pat Lee]] (well, theoretically by him, at least. He was given credit for it. But... well....)

Dreamwave first produced a six-issue mini-series based on the "Generation 1" franchise that sold amazingly, then another, then made that storyline an ongoing title, supplemented by extra mini-series. They also produced ongoing tie-in comics for Hasbro's then-current iteration of ''Transformers'' for kids, ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]].'' On top of that, both series got extensive multi-issue [[profile]] books, which gave personalities to many toys that had gone character-less for over a decade.

That all came to a crashing end in late 2004 as the company basically imploded, with creators going unpaid, numerous license-granters going unpaid (not just Hasbro!), and Dreamwave head honchos going somewhere far away with wads of cash to try and pull it off again. This left multiple storylines in cliffhanger limbo, but unlike with 3H's stories, nobody bothered to cap them off later (well, with one [[Revelations Part 2#Continuity notes|minor exception]]), though some scripts for unproduced issues have since surfaced.

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Prime Directive]] / [[War and Peace]]''
:* ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]]''
:* ''[[Transformers: The War Within]]''
:* ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'' (profile series)
:* ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Armada]]''
:* ''[[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Transformers: Energon]]''
:* ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe]]''

{{-}}

====Devil's Due Press (2003–2007)====
[[File:GI Joe vs Transformers 1a.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''''' #1. The contents are ''way'' more interesting than the cover, thankfully.]]
{{Main|Devil's Due Press}}

While Dreamwave held the ''Transformers'' comic rights in 2003, the rights to ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' were held by [[Devil's Due Press]] (later moved to [[IDW Publishing]], see below). As part of a cooperative project with Dreamwave, both companies made their own Transformers / G.I.Joe crossover miniseries in 2003. Devil's Due would go on to make three more of these minis well after Dreamwave's demise, all in a single continuity that got crazier and crazier the longer it went.

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]''
:* ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II]]''
:* ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War]]''
:* ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: Black Horizon]]''

{{-}}

====IDW Publishing (2005–2022)====
[[File:Infiltration 0a.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Infiltration''''' #0. The beginning of an era.]]
{{Main|IDW Publishing}}

Following Dreamwave's ignoble end, Hasbro gave the US/Canada comics license to [[IDW Publishing]]. Though they briefly (very briefly) flirted with the idea of continuing Dreamwave's story, they instead decided upon a ground-up restart, focused on the "Generation 1" cast, different in tone, different in look. It started with a series of six-issue mini-series following one after the other (although not always in chronological order), and would eventually balloon into multiple ongoing titles, soft reboots, side-story mini-series, one-shots, a ''major'' multi-brand crossover... all in all, IDW would produce the longest continuous run of ''Transformers'' comics in the brand's history, the largest number of issues published, and longest ongoing single storyline.

The initial ''thirteen-year'' "[[2005 IDW continuity|Generation 1" continuity]] ended in late 2018, with [[2019 IDW continuity|a new continuity reboot]] (one based on the franchise's concurrent heavily-"Generation 1" styling) running from 2019 to 2022.

In addition to its main "Generation 1" based series, IDW put out mini-series based on other then-current ''Transformers'' media, including the [[live-action film series]], ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'', the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]] (primarily ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'')... and even a "sequel" series to the original Marvel comics continuity, separate from ''Generation 2'' because... reasons. And on top of ''that'', numerous out-of-continuity mini-series crossovers with non-Hasbro properties.

Due to the ''heavy'' reliance on the miniseries format for vast swathes of story, as well as the books hopping around their respective timelines rather willy-nilly, it is highly recommended to look at the [[IDW Publishing|main "IDW Publishing" page]] for a complete list of their books, as well as the "[[2005 IDW continuity]]" page for assistance in detangling ''that'' whole deal.

{{-}}
{| style="margin-left:3em;" width="90%"
|width="30%" valign="top"|'''Major "Generation 1" (2005–2018) titles'''
* ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]] / [[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]] / [[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]] / [[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]''
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''
* ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]''
* ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]] / The Transformers vol. 2 / [[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]''
* ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]] / [[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]''
* ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]] / [[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]''
* ''[[Revolution]] / [[First Strike]] / [[Transformers: Unicron|Unicron]]''
|
|width="30%" valign="top"|'''Major live-action film titles'''
* ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]]''
* ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Destiny|Destiny]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen|Tales of the Fallen]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm|Rising Storm]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Prequel|Bumblebee Movie Prequel]]''
|
|width="30%" valign="top"|'''Other major titles'''
* ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]] / [[Transformers: Beast Wars: The Ascending|The Ascending]]''
* ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival]]''
* ''[[Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic)|Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)|Robots in Disguise]]'' (2015)
* ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]''
* ''[[Transformers '84 issue 0|Transformers '84 #0]] / ''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Secrets & Lies]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars]]''
|
|width="10%" valign="top"|
|-
|width="30%" valign="top"|'''Major non-main crossover titles'''
* ''[[New Avengers/Transformers]]''
* ''[[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|Angry Birds Transformers]]''
* ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]''
* ''[[Star Trek vs. Transformers]]''
* ''[[Transformers/Ghostbusters]]''
|
|width="30%" valign="top"| 
* ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''
* ''[[My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise!]]''
* ''[[Transformers/Back to the Future]]''
* ''[[My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron]]''
|
|width="30%" valign="top"|'''2019 ongoing titles'''
* ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Escape]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits]]''
* ''[[Transformers: War's End]]''
|}

IDW also produced ''tons'' of trade paperbacks of both their own comics, and reprints of the Marvel comics from both the US and UK runs, as well as a fair amount of Dreamwave material... though that company's stories were interspersed among "theme" books along with Marvel and IDW tales, rather than given their own separate collections.

{{-}}

====Fun Publications (2005–2016)====
[[File:Descentintoevil-cover.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|'''''Timelines''''' #1. The first Collector's Club issue predates this, but that's [[:File:Htcc-1.jpg|not as interesting visually]].]]
{{Main|Fun Publications}}

After the convention and "fan club" rights were taken from 3H, they were transferred to [[Fun Publications]], the company that had been producing the official ''G.I. Joe'' convention and newsletter for many years prior. Like with 3H, the focus of Fun Publications' comics (and other media) was primarily to promote their current selection of convention- and club-[[exclusive]] toys. As they were not beholden to any single franchise or continuity (basically anything but the [[live-action film series]] was fair game, fictionally), Fun Publications had perhaps the broadest range of story settings of any "comics" publisher. Virtually all of their media was put under the umbrella name ''Timelines''.

Their comic output started with the bi-monthly ''Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club'' magazine, which featured a multi-page ongoing comic story at the back end of each issue. These stories were serialized and could span several years. These issues would also sometimes feature comic strips and single-page comic "previews" of prose stories to be published online later. Some comic previews were posted exclusively online rather than within the magazine's pages.

Each year's [[BotCon]] box set of toys also included a full comic issue, telling a story featuring that year's crop of toy exclusives. Many were "jumping off" points for later prose stories or magazine comics, and even included all-new continuities, most notably the "Shattered Glass" "mirror universe" series. Most years, these comics were reprinted with extra ancillary material and sold in comic shops later in the year.

''Timelines'' ended in 2016 when Hasbro dissolved its ''Transformers'' relationship with Fun Publications. The rights to the ''G.I. Joe'' convention and club continued with Fun Publications another two years, but that too came to an end.

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club]]''
:* ''[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]''
:* ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]''
{{-}}

====Skybound Entertainment (2023–current)====
{{Main|Skybound Entertainment}}

[[File:Transformers 2023 1 cvr.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.85|'''''Transformers''''' #1. Nothing says "new universe" like a Sunbow design!]]

Several months after IDW formally relinquished the ''Transformers'' license, [[Skybound Entertainment]] announced the launch of a new science fiction comic, ''Void Rivals'', which followed a pair of shipwrecked aliens stranded on a barren planet. Partway into the story, the pair discover a derelict spacecraft—only to discover that this is really the Cybertronian [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] in disguise. Off the back of this surprise reveal came the announcement that Skybound had acquired the ''Transformers'' and ''G.I. Joe'' licenses, and used them to springboard the "[[Energon Universe]]", a new shared universe setting that would encompass ''Void Rivals'', ''Transformers'', and several ''G.I. Joe'' miniseries.

:'''Major titles'''
* ''[[Void Rivals]]''
* ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]''
* ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]''
* ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''
* ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]''
* ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]''
* ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]''
{{-}}

===European-market ''Transformers'' comics===
====Marvel Comics (1984–1991)====
[[File:MarvelUK-001.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Transformers''''' #1. UK-tastic!]]
{{Main|Marvel Comics}}

Marvel also held the rights to publish ''Transformers'' in the UK from the start, but that market's books were... a bit different. Most importantly, the book was ''weekly'', and had a shorter pagecount to boot. This meant that the reprinted and recolored US stories needed to be chopped in half, and more stories needed to be created to fill out the other weeks each month. Thus, the UK got twice the content, with wholly unique stories interwoven into the continuity of the US series (not always gracefully, and occasionally a royal continuity headache), omitting the ''G.I. Joe'' bits as needed. On top of this were several "Annuals" and text stories full of original content.

:'''Major titles'''
:* [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]]

Much of the UK ''Transformers'' output has been collected into volumes by [[Titan Books]] and IDW, which is a fair bit easier than tracking down all those individual issues, ''especially'' for US fans.

{{-}}

====Fleetway (1994)====
[[File:FleetwayUKG2-01.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Generation 2''''' #1. Yikes.]]
{{Main|Fleetway}}

While Marvel produced the ''Generation 2'' tie-in comic in the US, for the UK the rights ended up with [[Fleetway]], mainly because Marvel UK was dying/dead at the time. It started with its own similar-but-different take on the US comic's story, featuring some of the toys that had only been released in European markets, and in the process excising G.I. Joe's involvement from the series. But soon it would move on to reprinting the US comics, with extra character [[bio]]s and other ancillary material.

But this series was even ''more'' short-lived than the US comic, only releasing a whopping ''five'' issues, ending mid-story.

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''

{{-}}

====Panini (2003)====
[[File:Panini01.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Armada''''' #1. Get used to the look of this cover, you'll see it again soon.]]
{{Main|Panini}}

Italian comic publisher [[Panini]], mainly known for their [[The Transformers Sticker Book (1986)|sticker books]] in many countries, acquired the rights to produce comics based on ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' in the UK. This book would take the form of a "comics magazine"; mainly a magazine with two comic stories inside and multiple other features, plus a small pack-in gift in every issue. Poor sales led to its cancellation after nine issues.

The series was in its own continuity separate from Dreamwave's concurrently running ''Armada'' comic, even though it was written by the [[Simon Furman|same author]] (and shared a few story beats here and there).

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|Transformers: Armada]]''

{{-}}

====Titan Magazines (2007–2014)====
[[File:Tf mag 01 2007.JPG|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Transformers''''' #1. Told you you'd be seeing that style of cover again.]]
{{Main|Titan Magazines}}

After obtaining the rights to produce ''Transformers'' comics in the UK, [[Titan Magazines]] (part of the same company as Marvel comics reprinter [[Titan Books]]) went nuts producing its own stories based on numerous then-current franchises, but all under the singular ''Transformers'' title (with one super-short-lived exception). Like Panini's book (see above), Titan's ''Transformers'' was more of a magazine-with-comics-in-it than a proper comic book, but again, it's a ''lot'' of original comic content. It bounced heavily from franchise to franchise, changed prices, pagecount and physical size seemingly at random, "relaunched" numerous times... it was a real mess, but it did last an admirable seven years!

:'''''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Transformers]]'' comics'''
:* ''Transformers'' (2007 movie)
:* ''[[Transformers Animated (Titan)|Transformers Animated]]''
:* ''Revenge of the Fallen''
:* ''Dark of the Moon''
:* ''Transformers: Prime''
:* ''Age of Extinction''

{{-}}

====Eaglemoss (2012–2013)====
[[File:TFPrimeRU issue 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Transformers: Prime''''' #1. And again! But Russian!]]
{{Main|Eaglemoss}}

Did you know that there was a ''Prime'' comic in Russia? Yeah, we were shocked too. As with Panini and Titan, [[Eaglemoss]]'s ''Transformers: Prime'' is a magazine full of features that also includes original comics. Though the book only lasted a year, it published weekly for the overwhelming majority of its run, totaling 65 issues by the end.

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Transformers: Prime (Eaglemoss)|Transformers: Prime]]''

{{-}}

====Ades Media (2018–present)====
[[File:Target2006 SWECover.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''I siktet: 2006'''''.]]

Starting in 2018, Swedish publisher [[Ades Media]] began publishing ''Transformers'' books in Swedish for the first time since the early 2000s. This came about due to an increased interest in the franchise within the Nordic region in recent years. Sweden in particular has had a relatively big appreciation for the Transformers franchise and has seen publication of material from both the Marvel US and UK comics in the 1980s and '90s, as well as some of the Dreamwave books during the 2000s. These books were initially done in more-or-less connection with the [[unofficial conventions|unofficial convention]] [https://retcon.se/retcon/ RetCon: The Nordic Transformers Convention], that launched in 2017. Beginning with ''I siktet: 2006'', their Transformers books would be published through imprint Retrobokklubben. On [[March 2]] [[2024]], they announced on [https://www.facebook.com/svenskaretrobokklubben/posts/pfbid0YBTtpYCfSBRXWY1FmkEYj8ivXbmdnuFZy4FSsW1vpqAKPKmRB7n4roNzmFy38ZYBl Facebook] that they had worked out a deal with Skybound and will continue publishing Transformers titles after their time with IDW had ended the previous year.

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''Wreckers sista strid'' - collection of ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'', "[[Bullets]]", ''[[Spotlight: Kup]]'', and "[[All Hail Megatron issue 15|Everything in Its Right Place]]", along with all the bonus material originally featured in each publication's original TPB releases, as well as "[[Wreckers: Sweclassified]]" - a short article written by translator [[Johan Boström]].
:* ''Mer än ögat kan se'' - a collection of the first eight issues of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'', along with "[[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations]]", "[[The Reluctant Specialist]]", and "[[The Waiting Game]]" - as well as the bonus material and cover gallery from each of those publications, an interview with author [[James Roberts]], and a reprint of "[[Bullets]]," correcting spelling-errors and mistakes present in ''Wreckers sista strid'', featuring new and exclusive illustrations to go along with the story by famed ''Transformers'' artists [[Nick Roche]], [[Jeff Anderson]], and [[Stephen Baskerville]], and non-pros [[Winston Chan]] and [[Thomas Sjöström]].
:* ''Jakten på Matrixen'' - a translation of the "[[Matrix Quest]]" storyline from the Marvel comics run, based on the IDW reprints found in ''[[The Transformers Classics]]'', and about 100 pages of supplementary material taken from the Marvel UK comics, as well as an assortment of translated [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]] profiles.
:* ''Kaos och Skuggor'' - a collection of issues #22, #23, #24, #26, #28 and #30 of ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'', "[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]" and issues #9-#13 of ''More than Meets the Eye'' including "[[Signal to Noise]]". Bonus material includes original pages, a cover gallery and an afterword from James Roberts.
:* ''Krig och hågkomst'' - a translation of #14-#22 of ''More Than Meets the Eye'' as well as [[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]] and a special illustrated version of [[The Sound of Breaking Glass]], in the same vein as "Bullets". Bonus material is once again original pages, cover gallery and an afterword from James Roberts as well as some sketches from [[Alex Milne]].
:* ''I siktet: 2006'' - a translation of various Marvel UK materials, mainly [[Target: 2006]] and other related storylines. Bonus material includes more translated Transformers: Universe profiles, four articles from James Roberts, all translated from the pages of [[The Transformers Classics UK]], an article on Atlantic's original Swedish reprints of the Marvel comic from the 1980s and various emphemera.
:* ''Transformers & Action Force: Vedergällning'' - Mainly the very first collection of Marvel UK's original weekly [[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]] strips, this hardcover also includes the [[Ancient Relics!|Ancient Relics]] crossover, as well as [[Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night]], [[What's in a Name?|What's in a Name]] and [[Grudge Match!|Grudge Match]].
:* ''Du sköna nya värld'' - a translation of issues #28-38 and #40 of ''More Than Meets the Eye''. Bonus material this time consists of a preliminary sketches and finished pencils from [[Atilio Rojo]] with commentary by Roberts.
:* ''Optimus Prime - Tillbaka till jorden'' - a translation of issues #28-32 and #34-38 of [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]] and the [[The Transformers: Punishment|Punishment]] mini-series. Bonus material consists of an afterword by [[Andrew Griffith]].

{{-}}

===Japanese-market ''Transformers'' comics===
{{note|For an exhaustive list of published Japanese Transformers comics, see [[Manga]].}}
====Kodansha (1985–2005)====
[[File:TVMag-May1985cover.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''TV Magazine''''' May 1985. The first issue with ''Transformers'' content. Crowded!]]
{{Main|Kodansha}}

In Japan, the rights to produce comic material for this new ''Transformers'' line went to [[Kodansha]], the publisher of several different monthly comic compilations and magazines for kids.

The bulk of the ongoing, serialized fiction in the original series was in the pages of ''[[TV Magazine]]'', a mix of multi-page advertising spreads for the newest, flashiest kids' TV shows and associated merchandise (well, those that paid for space in the magazine) as well as exclusive black-and-white ''manga'' (comics). The ''Transformers'' manga started as side-stories to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|imported cartoon series]] and the Japan-exclusive [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'' cartoon]], but later series would tell their own stories separate from the cartoons. By the late 80s, ''TV Magazine''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ''Transformers'' content was heavily reduced; without any new cartoons to shill for, only a few one-shot manga were produced, and the last years of Japan's "Generation 1" story were represented only in super-truncated "[[story page]]" form. Over a decade later, ''TV Magazine'' would feature an ongoing ''Transformers'' comic again... in the form of a "toy photos" comic for the short ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' series.

Kodansha's other big publication, ''[[Comic Bom Bom]]'', was primarily made up of comics both original and based on popular kids' licences from multiple companies. While it featured ''Transformers'' content right from the beginning, it was mainly a series of one-shots, with very little after the first couple years of the franchise. ''Comic Bom Bom'' would not get a regular serialized ''Transformers'' comic until the late Nineties, with the Japan-original ''Beast Wars II'' manga, and the following series. These stories were, like the later ''TV Magazine'' comics, unique stories in a separate-but-sometimes-similar continuity from their cartoon counterparts. But as the Beast series did not end well for [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], there was another long gap in ''Transformers'' manga until a brief resurgence with ''Galaxy Force'', the Japanese version of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''... but that too did not last. And neither did ''Comic Bom Bom'' itself, as the book was ended in 2007 after poor sales.

{| style="margin-left:3em;" width="90%"
|width="33%" valign="top"|'''Major ''TV Magazine'' titles'''
* ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (manga)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''
* ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (manga)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (manga)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]''
* ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (manga)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]''
* ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone]]''
* ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (manga)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars]]''
* ''[[Robotmasters (3D diorama comic)|Robotmasters]]''
* ''[[Transformers Go! Go!]]''
|
|width="33%" valign="top"|'''Major ''Comic Bom Bom'' titles'''
* ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers]]''
* ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (manga)|Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo]]''
* ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals (manga)|Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Galaxy Force (manga)|Transformers: Galaxy Force]]''
|
|width="34%" valign="top"|
|}
Following the end of Takara's relationship with Kodansha, Japanese ''Transformers'' comics tended to be ''very'' scattered, focusing mostly on [[pack-in material|comics packed in with toys]], and mini-comics in larger books or published online. But some serialized content did pop up here and there.

{{-}}

====Media Works (2005–2007)====
[[File:Teletraan15-jul.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.85|No, we're not giving you the full singular page of '''''Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!''''' #1.]]
{{Main|Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!}}

To advertise Takara's ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' series of "Generation 1" [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]], an ongoing single-page manga was produced for ''[[Dengeki Hobby Magazine|Dengeki Hobby]]'' magazine, a light humor series where the humanoid computer [[Teletraan 15]] would journey through space and time to gather data on various Cybertronians. However, as the reissue line could go months without a new release, filler had to be created, so some "missions" spanned several issues. Towards the end of its run, with the ''Collection'' line effectively dead, the story began highlighting new ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' toys instead, and eventually entire installments were given over to hypercondensed "pre-caps" of the [[Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|weekly ''Kiss Players'' radio shows]] rather than 15's adventures. (As in, they recapped the events of the radio plays, ''before'' the plays actually aired. Oops!) But 15's story was brought back to conclude in the final few months.

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!]]''

The entire run of ''Go! Go!'' was collected together in the ''[[Kiss Players/15 Go! Go!]]'' compilation book.

{{-}}

====Poplar (2008–2009)====
[[File:Henkei chpt 01 title.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers''''' #1's "splash page". We don't have a pic of the book it came in, sorry.]]
{{Main|Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (Comic Bun Bun)}}



:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (Comic Bun Bun)|Henkei! Henkei! Transformers]]''
{{comicstub}}

{{-}}

====Kadokawa Shoten Publishing (2010–2013)====
[[File:Kerokero ace cover.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.85|'''''Kerokero Ace''''' #1... which came out 3 years prior to it getting ''Transformers'' comics. Um. We're working on that.]]
{{Main|Kerokero Ace}}

''Transformers'' eventually settled down at ''[[Kerokero Ace]]'', a boys' magazine that actually dedicated a ''lot'' of its pagecount to Takara's rival toy company [[Bandai]], particularly their ''Gundam'' toys. But ''Kerokero'' ran two serialized year-long ''Transformers'' comics, as well as some one-shot stories (including a [[Keroro Gunsō × Transformers|crossover]] with the magazine's other major focus, the ''[[Keroro|Sgt. Frog]]'' manga/anime). However, ''Kerokero'' closed down in 2013, the final issue also containing the final episode of its second serialized ''Transformers'' manga.

Every ''Transformers'' comic to appear in ''Kerokero'' was done by the [[Naoto Tsushima|same author/artist]], who also did plenty of ''Gundam'' art for the magazine. Busy man!

From this point on, TakaraTomy would pretty much stick to "in house" manga with pack-in and web-based comics (see below).

:'''Major titles'''
:* ''[[Transformers Animated: The Cool]]''
:* ''[[Transformers: All Spark]]''
{{-}}

==Pack-in comics==
{{Main|Pack-in material}}

As noted above, a lot of original comic material has been produced to be packed in with toys Hasbro/TakaraTomy are selling. Takara has historically used this outlet more frequently than Hasbro.

Hasbro's most active time of ''original'' pack-in comics was during ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', adding small booklets in with every Deluxe-and-above-size toy. These booklets were half comic (usually created by [[Dreamwave Productions]]), half catalog for other toys in the line. The practice slipped out of favor quickly after the collapse-and-plundering of Dreamwave, and not helped by rising production costs.

In 2013, Hasbro and [[IDW Publishing]] worked together to add reprints of IDW's currently-running series in with the deluxe-level ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Transformers: Generations]]'' and ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' toys. These comics were ''usually'' coordinated to feature the relevant toy character... but sometimes the toy would merely be a cameo, and sometimes ''not even in the issue at all''. These reprints also had various edits for content, emphasizing the use of [[trademark]]ed names and replacing "harsher" words like "kill" with "destroy". But by ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' this too would end.

{{comicstub}}

==See also==
* [[List of Generation 1 comics]]
* [[Manga]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Lists]]
[[Category:Comics| ]]

Caffeine Collective

2024-10-10T20:20:45Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{factions|caffeinecollective}}
:''The Caffeine Collective are a subgroup from [[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBots]].


Need a little perk-me-up? The '''Caffeine Collective''' can make you slightly more productive than previous, because.

==Members==
These buzzworthy bots include:
{{collist|3|
* [[Borgel]] the bagel
* [[Eco-Spresso]] the coffee cup
* [[Foam-O]] the Frappuccino cup
* [[Mr. Squishy Brains]] the mug of marshmallow cocoa
* [[Saul Natural]] the sugar packet
* [[Writer's Blockhead]] the laptop computer
}}

==Toys==
===''BotBots''===
*'''''BotBots''''' packs (<s>[[2020]]</s>)
**''Series'': <s>'''6'''</s>

: The Caffeine Collective were originally intended to be part of the sixth Series of ''[[Transformers: BotBots (toyline)|BotBots]]'', available in the single-pack [[Blindpacking|Blind Bag Mystery Figures]] assortment, the five-pack assortment, and the 8-pack assortment, with a set of "Caffeine Collective"-themed 8-packs slated for release.

: However, this iteration of Series 6 was never fully announced, and quietly canceled, with a completely different Series 6 lineup being released in 2022.

{{canceledtoy}}

[[Category:BotBots subgroups]]
[[Category:Caffeine Collective| ]]

Play Plexers

2024-10-10T20:20:24Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{factions|playplexers}}
:''The Play Plexers are a subgroup from [[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBots]].


The '''Play Plexers''' like fun.

==Members==
These funsters include:
{{collist|3|
* [[Fall Guy]] the rock-climbing wall
* [[Home Rundown]] the baseball bat
* [[Pizzazz]] the pizza slice
* [[Zapfire]] the foam dart gun
}}

==Toys==
===''BotBots''===
*'''''BotBots''''' packs (<s>[[2020]]</s>)
**''Series'': <s>'''6'''</s>

: The Play Plexers were originally intended to be part of the sixth Series of ''[[Transformers: BotBots (toyline)|BotBots]]'', available in the single-pack [[Blindpacking|Blind Bag Mystery Figures]] assortment, the five-pack assortment, and the 8-pack assortment.

: However, this iteration of Series 6 was never fully announced, and quietly canceled, with a completely different Series 6 lineup being released in 2022.
{{canceledtoy}}

==Notes==
* The squad symbols for the [[Gifted Guild]] and Play Plexers were accidentally swapped on their Series checklist. This apparently extended to the colors on the background for each squad: the silver behind the Plexers certainly matches the Guild more thematically, while the Guild's purple background color feels more playroom-esque.

[[Category: Play Plexers| ]]
[[Category: BotBots subgroups]]

Kabaya

2024-10-10T20:20:06Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

[[Image:Kabaya logo.jpg|right|350px]]

'''Kabaya Foods Corporation''' (カバヤ食品 Kabaya Syokuhin) is a [[Japan|Japanese]] confectionery company. In business at least since the 1960s, they are well known for their [[candy toy]]s: a variety of figurines, [[model kit]]s and other widgets that come packaged with a variety of different candies and gums. And they make a ''lot'' of them, with boy-oriented products alone ranging from plastic dinosaur kits to a broad variety of [[LEGO]] properties to ''Transformers'' toys and merchandise, the most widely-known being their many kits that usually replicate scaled-down versions of larger figures.

Kabaya's relationship with ''Transformers'' began in the Generation 1 era, when they consistently produced figures and model kits of various size from 1985 to 1990. The dawn of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' saw the relationship reignite in 1997, and continue through [[Car Robots]] and the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. There was another pause in releases after 2005's [[Galaxy Force]] assortment, but Kabaya returned to the ''Transformers'' brand yet again in 2009, with a series of Generation 1 themed products being released up until 2016 and [[Transformers Adventure]] products also being released in 2016. Unfortunately, there hasn't been another been another line of Kabaya kits since.

==Generation 1==
As mentioned, Kabaya is best known for their snap-together model kits, which were released in two separate series: the small-scale, single-color ''[[Transformers Choco]]'', and the larger, multi-coloured ''[[Transformers Gum]]'' series, the latter being the premiere line for which Kabaya is most widely recognized. Both types of kit were fully transformable, but the ''Gum'' kits went the extra mile by preserving many of the gimmicks from the original toys they were based on.

Kabaya also released a variety of soft rubber figures (similar to the [[Decoy]]s, a type of figure known as ''keshigomu'' in Japan) through their ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel|Transformers Caramel]]'' and ''[[Transformers Ramune]]'' lines; ''Ramune'' was also home to a variety of other candy toys, including PVC figurines and keychains.

When Generation 1 surged in popularity in the early 21st century, Kabaya got in on the nostalgia act with a series of "bottlecap" figurines. Later, they revived ''Transformers Gum'' to celebrate various eras of the Generation 1 franchise, spinning it off into a separate lines of candy toy models dedicated to new characters.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Classic products (1985-1999)'''
*[[Jigsaw Puzzle (Kabaya)|Jigsaw Puzzle]]
*[[Transformers Choco]]
*[[Transformers Gum]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
*[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]
*[[Transformers Ramune]]
*[[Parody Deformed]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Modern products (2000-today)'''
*[[Transformers Wafer Choco]]
*[[Generation 1 Figure-Collection]]
*[[Transformers Gum#2009 series|Transformers Gum (2009 series)]]
*[[Gaiacross]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
*[[Gaia Guardian]]
*[[Gaia Scramble]]
*[[Transformers D-Collection]]
*[[Transformers Block Wars]]
|

|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

==Beast Era==
The formula employed during Generation 1 was faithfully replicated during the Beast Era, with the assorted ''Gum'' and ''Choco'' lines offering variously-sized model kits. Later waves of the ''Gum'' series along with the numerous ''Ramune'' lines offered fully-painted PVC figurines, while the ''[[Beast Fighters]]'' and ''[[Beast Battler]]'' lines took things in a [[super deformed]] direction.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Beast Wars'''
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|Beast Wars Gum]] Part 1
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|Beast Wars DX Gum]] Part 1
*[[Beast Wars Gummy]]
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Choco|Beast Wars Choco]]
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Ramune|Beast Wars Ramune]]
*[[Ju-C]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Beast Wars II'''
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|Beast Wars Gum]] Part 2 & 3
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|Beast Wars DX Gum]] Part 2 & 3
*[[Super Beast Wars Choco]] Part 1
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Ramune#Beast Wars Ramune W|Beast Wars Ramune W]]
*[[Beast Wars II Choco]]
*[[Beast Wars II Holder]]
*[[Beast Fighters]]
|valign=top|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Beast Wars Neo'''
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|Beast Wars Gum]] Part 4
*[[Super Beast Wars Choco]] Part 2
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Ramune#Beast Wars Selection Ramune|Beast Wars Selection Ramune]]
*[[Beast Battler]]
*[[Beast Wars Model Choco]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Beast Wars Metals'''
*[[Transmetals Dash!! Choco]]
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Ramune#Metals Hero Ramune|Metals Hero Ramune]]
*[[Metallic Beast Ramune]]
*[[Hyper Beast Wars Choco]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

==Car Robots==
The lines produced for ''Car Robots'' were all quite small, with only the ''[[Transformers DX]]'' figures being capable of transformation.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
*[[Ju-C]]
*[[Transformers DX]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
*[[Transformers Gum#Car Robots|Transformers Gum]]
*[[Trans Kit]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
|}

==Unicron Trilogy==
Model kits were fully abandoned for the Unicron Trilogy product line, in favor of a wide variety of transforming miniature figures, and PVC figurines.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Legends of the Microns'''
* [[Big Transformers]]
* [[Transformers Mini Car Collection]]
* [[Change Micron]]
* [[Transformers Card]]
* [[Transformers Wafer Choco]]

|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Super Link'''
* [[Jigsaw Puzzle (Kabaya)|Jigsaw Puzzle]]
* [[DX Transformers]]
* [[Transformers (Kabaya)|Transformers]]
* [[Hyper Transformers]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Galaxy Force'''
* [[Micron Galaxy]]
* [[Hyper Galaxy]]
* [[Blockformers]]
* [[Change Galaxy]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

==Adventure==
*[[Transformers Adventure Gum]]
==Notes==
*This is actually the most extensive English-language article about Kabaya Foods on the internet, sadly.

==External links==
*[http://www.kabaya.co.jp/ Kabaya homepage] (Japanese)
*[http://www.fredsworkshop.com/vmodelkits.html Checklist and gallery of Kabaya Transformer kits]
*{{w|Kabaya|Kabaya at Wikipedia}}

[[Category:Companies]]

Breakdown (WFC)

2024-10-09T23:50:11Z

Tribimat: typofix + grammar fix

{{faction|decepticon|unicron|primestunticon|primusvanguard|{{factions/icons|custom=MayhemAttackSquaed-Insignia-LegacyToyline.png|cLink=Mayhem Attack Squad}}}}
{{disambig3|Breakdown}}
:''Breakdown is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[File:PrimeBreakdown-HowToDraw.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95|He ain't nobody's leg any more.]]

Despite a level of skill to match any Decepticon warrior's, '''Breakdown''' is almost crippled by a persistent paranoia, especially when he is in crowds. He is much happier working alone, away from the eyes he is sure are watching him at every moment. That said, he is quick to come at [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s call, as his fear of his powerful leader may be the only thing outreaching his agoraphobic tendencies.<ref>[[How to Draw Transformers Prime]] Breakdown bio</ref>

After spending most of his time on Cybertron in a smaller form, the scout later upgraded to a bulkier, more threatening body following a clash with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], a clash which initiated a heated rivalry between the two.<ref>[[Arms Micron]] War Breakdown's tech spec bio</ref> Breakdown has brought that rivalry to present-day Earth, where he assists [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] in his various misdeeds. The two have become good friends in their long partnership, and seem to value each other as much as any pair of friends could.

Since joining the war on Earth, Breakdown has proven to have some quite intriguing depths to his character, besides his deep friendship with Knock Out. He doesn't treat the cannon fodder [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] as such, and even chats to them about romance and is sure to thank them for their hard work. He also has a healthy dose of respect for his foes, as well as gratitude. However, these noble traits are tempered by his boisterous temper; always eager to join a fight or pound some dents into someone, even on his best days.

{{bigquote| Never run when you can fight.|Breakdown|"[[Operation: Breakdown]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====IDW ''Prime'' comic====
[[File:BreakdownPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|His self-esteem ruined by his small size, Breakdown resorted to steroid use.]]
Breakdown was on [[Earth]] when he received [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]'s signal. He found the air commander buried under rubble by [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|a little Autobot]], whom he promptly pummeled. [[Arcee (WFC)|An even smaller, blue Autobot]] shot at Breakdown, which pleased him, because it meant he was going to kill two Autobots today. At Starscream's insistence, Breakdown got him out of the rubble, and they began chasing and shooting at the Autobots. Breakdown finally cornered them and overwhelmed them with his missile launcher. As they lay dying and Starscream was about to finish them, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] got the jump on him and shot Breakdown into the face of a mountainside, causing him to flee to fight another day. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|Transformers: Prime}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Adam Baldwin]] (English), [[Atsushi Imaruoka]] (Japanese)|[[Alexander Kovriznyh]] (Russian; season 1), [[Sang-hyeon Eom]] (Korean), [[Fábio de Castro]] (Portuguese), [[Christoph Banken]] (German), [[Walter Rivetti]] (Italian), [[Arturo Cataño]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Jaime Roca]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Juhani Rajalin]] (Finnish), [[Adam Krylik]] (Polish, "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and "[[Metal Attraction]]"), [[Bruno Bulté]] (French)}}

[[File:DeusExMachina-Breakdowntruck.jpg|thumb|upright=1|"Shiny. Let's be bad guys."]]
Breakdown had a long history with the Autobot known as [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} to the point one would call them "archenemies". During their rivalry, Breakdown caused Bulkhead great pains. {{Storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

When Starscream requested that [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and Breakdown come to the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', Breakdown was much too busy trying to track down an [[energon]] trace. He reached an excavation site in [[Greece]], where he encountered an old friend—Bulkhead—and spotted a depiction of an [[Energon Harvester]] on an ancient fresco. After breaking the fresco with Bulkhead's head, Breakdown proceeded to the ''Nemesis'', where [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] located the device in a museum. As the Autobots had surrounded said museum, Knock Out and Breakdown drew them around to the front for a fight, where Breakdown caused [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and Arcee to collide with each other and sent Bulkhead flying into Knock Out. This distraction allowed Soundwave to sneak in the back and steal the Harvester. The Harvester was successfully obtained, and Breakdown and Knock Out accompanied Starscream to the energy vein in Greece to test it out. When Bulkhead turned up there to stop them, the two Decepticons attacked him but came off decidedly second-best, as Bulkhead managed to make Breakdown hit Knock Out by accident which allowed Bulkhead to steal Knock Out's [[Energon prod]] and use it to shock Breakdown into submission. They fled once the Harvester was destroyed and the other Autobots turned up. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}

[[File:SpeedMetal-BBvsBreakdown.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1]]

Breakdown was buffing Megatron's <s>corpse</s> body when Starscream asked him where Knock Out was. Knock Out, it turned out, had been street racing with the humans again. Some time later, Knock Out radio'd Breakdown to let him know there was another street race on. Much later still, Knock Out contacted him with the news that Bumblebee's human friend had been captured. Breakdown joined the other 'Con in setting a trap for the Autobots in a storage facility. Once Bumblebee and Bulkhead turned up, Breakdown ambushed them. He was able to hold his own against the two Autobots until Knock Out announced he was bugging out, and the distraction resulted in Breakdown being knocked into a wall by Bulkhead. Returning to the ''Nemesis'', Breakdown bore silent witness to Starscream's "cosmetic punishment" of Knock Out. {{storylink|Speed Metal}}

[[File:OutHead-BulkheadBreakdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Foefist!]]
During a Decepticon plan to melt a glacier to find some energon, Breakdown was hanging around on the hull of the ship when Bulkhead and Arcee appeared nearby. On Knock Out's order, he jumped from the ship and started fighting the two Autobots, unaware that it was a diversion while Optimus Prime scaled a nearby cliff face. He was still fighting them when Optimus caused the heat ray atop the ship to explode and was sent flying by the blast wave. {{storylink|Out of His Head}}

While out scouting an energon source, Breakdown took the opportunity to ambush Bulkhead. Though the Autobot fought back vigorously, Breakdown overcame him and was about to deliver the killing blow when he was zapped by an energy beam from a nearby helicopter. He came around to find himself a captive of the [[human]] organization [[MECH]], the leader of which, [[Silas]], informed him that they wanted to take him apart for his technology. Breakdown was defiant, but the MECH technicians disabled his pain receptors and began dismantling him, including removing his right eye. He was stunned when he was rescued not by the Decepticons, but by Bulkhead. The pair emerged from the rail tunnel to face the main MECH force, and when Silas's helicopter again fired its energy weapon, the 'Con knocked Bulkhead out of the way. After Starscream arrived and chased MECH off, he demanded Breakdown destroy Bulkhead. Breakdown was initially reluctant, but Starscream talked him into it. Though Bulkhead bested Breakdown and used his body to bash the Vehicons, Breakdown was still able to retreat, and Starscream later told him to remember the rescue when the time came to choose between Megatron's leadership and Starscream's. {{Storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

[[File:TFP ep18 BD optic patch.jpg‎|thumb|left|upright=1.4|[[Major Bludd]] knows how you feel, Breakdown.]]
Breakdown took to wearing an eye-patch as a reminder of his failure. When Soundwave detected a magnetic signature, Breakdown saw the chance to redeem himself and insisted on being the one to retrieve the [[polarity gauntlet]]. Once there, however, he found himself under attack by [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]], who also coveted the device and made a failed attempt to trap him underground. The two fought over it until Arcee and Bulkhead arrived and joined in the party. Breakdown was able to use the gauntlet to magnetically stick the two Autobots together, but while he was on his way back to the ''Nemesis'', Airachnid ambushed him and webbed him to a derelict gas station. He was freed when the Autobots turned up and the gauntlet was triggered, yanking him off the wall. At one point during the following battle, he got hold of the weapon and used it to hit Bulkhead with an oil derrick. After some more fighting, Airachnid tried to make a getaway with the gauntlet and Bulkhead threw her at Breakdown. Breakdown was forced to return to the ship without the gauntlet, but made up for it by presenting Megatron with Airachnid, who had become stuck to his back. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}}

Knock Out and Breakdown were sent with some Vehicons to secure a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]], which the Autobots were also after. Breakdown not only got to fight, but got to be on the winning side for a change. Unfortunately when they got back to the ''Nemesis'', they discovered that the cylinder's contents had already been discharged. After Megatron went to try and find Bulkhead, whose noggin held the data, Knock Out detected where Bulkhead was hiding out, and thus he and Breakdown went to the monster truck track. Bulkhead went and hid in the car park, so the two Decepticons started searching in their own ways—in Breakdown's case, smashing random vehicles. They eventually found Bulkhead, but the cylinder data was lost in the process. The pair were ready to take out some revenge until the arrival of more Autobots forced them to retreat. {{storylink|T.M.I.}}

The pair teamed up again to transport energon around. Though Breakdown was keen to GroundBridge out of there when the Autobots turned up, Knock Out reminded him that they were under orders to lead the Autobots on a chase so the foe would deplete their energon reserves. When Ratchet turned up and bashed their Vehicon escort around, Breakdown was ready to take on the newcomer, but he and Knock Out had to leave after the other Autobots attacked them. Some time later, Breakdown was chatting to a [[Decepticon Miner|miner]] when Ratchet entered the cavern. The rematch was short lived as Ratchet overpowered Breakdown. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

Breakdown and Knock Out watched Soundwave and Airachnid dispute over whether Megatron would return from a visit with [[Unicron]]. When Megatron came back to the ship, Breakdown was on the bridge to greet him, though the others had to restrain him when he saw that Megatron was being accompanied by Optimus Prime whom Megatron addressed as "Orion Pax". {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

The Decepticons, including Breakdown and Knock Out, hit a military base and managed to get away with the energy source they needed for their new [[space bridge]], though they did accidentally let Arcee get on board the ship. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Breakdown attempted to contact the Vehicons at the space bridge and, though he had trouble getting through at first, was told [[William Fowler|everything was fine]]. When asked how ''he'' was doing, Breakdown replied with surprising kindness and sincerity, responding that he was fine, acknowledging the Vehicons' thankless job and encouraging them to keep up the good work. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}}

[[File:OperationBumblebee2 Breakdown Knockout find Forge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|STOP! Pick up the Hammer Time!]]
Sent with Knock Out to retrieve a hidden Cybertronian treasure, Breakdown was no doubt pleased to run into Bulkhead again. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} After their previous success, Breakdown and Knock Out went to secure the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. Breakdown again found himself fighting Bulkhead, but during a moments distraction, Bulkhead hit him with the Forge. After Megatron secured the Forge, Breakdown retreated through the GroundBridge. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

[[File:Crossfire MECH finds Breakdown.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"We have a crime scene here."]]
Breakdown was assigned to accompany [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] and Airachnid on a mission, the purpose of which was to get rid of Airachnid. Breakdown's quick temper proved their undoing, as Airachnid goaded him into attacking her. After spending a short amount of time trying to unstick the webbing from his face, Breakdown pursued her, leaving Dreadwing webbed to a tree. Though he caught up with Airachnid, it proved to be a trap, and she swiftly dismantled him. A short time later, a MECH team discovered him in pieces. They elected to bring the remains back to base. {{storylink|Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire}}

After [[Silas]] was badly crushed, the [[MECH Surgeon]] intended to use Breakdown's body to revive him. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}}

Knock Out would continue to hunt Iacon relics in Breakdown's memory, {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} though he missed Breakdown's buffing. {{storylink|Hurt}}

While Breakdown was offline, MECH worked to rebuild and partially repair his body. Eventually, his body was reactivated and integrated with the remains of their leader, producing what Silas declared a "Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis", or "Cylas". This had the side-effect of bringing Breakdown's life signals back online, though they appeared corrupted to the Decepticon sensors. Cylas made good use of Breakdown's body, at least until he failed Megatron and was consigned to Knock Out's dissection table. {{storylink|The Human Factor}}

[[File:Thirst-restinpeace.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He's dead?! He's supposed to be a llama!!]]

Cylas had become Knock Out's guinea pig for virtually any test he could think of. Knock Out had no qualm about experimenting even further on Breakdown's corpse, believing that his deceased partner would approve of the situation's irony. Cylas became a new form of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]] who fed on a host's Energon, and the ensuing plague ravaged the Decepticons' ranks and numbers. Cylas was finally killed when he freed Airachnid, who left Breakdown's inactive body a lifeless and, ahem, empty husk once more. {{storylink|Thirst}}

====Titan ''Prime'' comic====
Breakdown and [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] took over a TV studio which was filming ''[[Down and Out]]'', and modified the course into a death trap which they then invited [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to take part in. To ensure they complied, they put the show's crew and audience into a box suspended over a pit of spikes, and Breakdown held on to [[Chuck Chuckles]]'s unconscious form as extra insurance. Unfortunately for the pair, the death trap was less than deadly, and the two Autobots had brought [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]], who shot the floor out from under the two Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.14|It's a Knock-Out}}

====Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|King of the Road}}}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|Japanese continuity does not include the final season of ''Prime''.}}

=====Japanese ''Prime'' bios=====
Breakdown was a member of the [[Stunticon (Prime)|Stunticons]] alongside [[Wildrider (Prime)|Wildrider]]. {{storylink|Wildrider (Prime)#Prime|Stunt Wildrider}} After a confrontation with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], the comparatively smaller Breakdown took on a larger frame to match, with accompanying combat skills to boot. His hammer weapon was in actuality the [[Arms Micron]], [[Zamu]], unbeknownst to him. {{Storylink|#Prime|War Breakdown}}

=====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''=====
[[File:BreakdownNewBody-GrandGalvatronChapter.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.7|...wait, never mind.]]
Breakdown managed to survive his repeated deaths and wandered Earth as a malicious zombie. The undead Decepticon's sheer malice attracted the attention of [[Unicron]], {{storylink|#Unite Warriors 2|''Unite Warriors'' bio}} who would summon Breakdown, among others, to his universe to convince [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] to combine with them in lieu of using Unicron for his new "[[Grand Galvatron]]" body. Breakdown was resurrected in a new combiner body as "Zombie War Breakdown", and he could serve as a limb to Grand Galvatron. The assembled combiner team was ordered by Unicron to conquer [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] so that the planet would become Unicron's new body. Galvatron, not much for obeying anybody, ignored the order and set out to conquer in his own name as Grand Galvatron. {{storylink|Grand Galvatron Chapter}} While Breakdown was loyal to his new master, he sought to return to his universe and reunite with his partner. {{storylink|#Unite Warriors 2|''Unite Warriors'' bio}}

[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], the main component of Grand Galvatron, had the group undergo training by exposing them to the lava pools of [[Thrull]], which Breakdown actually found enjoyable. {{storylink|Special Training in the Lava Baths of Planet Thrull!}}

[[File:Epilogue-War-Breakdown-home.jpg|thumb|upright=2]]
Grand Galvatron attacked Cybertron only to be separated into his components by [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]. As the team continued the battle on foot, Breakdown was shocked to run into Knock Out on the battlefield and tearfully embraced him, unaware that his partner was merely a hologram projected by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] as a distraction. After realizing his mistake, he rejoined the others and combined back into Grand Galvatron to fight [[Sky Reign]]. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} When the battle was interrupted by [[Megaempress]], Grand Galvatron's limbs detached and fled out of fear, but Breakdown and Roller were cornered by [[Flowspade]] and forced to transform into giant fist weapons for her to wield. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}} Then Unicron showed up to conquer Cybertron himself, prompting the team to reform Grand Galvatron and participate in the battle with the Chaos-Bringer. After the battle was won, Breakdown was able to return to his home universe through a dimensional rift and was happily reunited with Knock Out. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

Knock Out later showed Breakdown the schematics to the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Hunter Armor]]. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Toy bios===
Breakdown wore the powerful [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Hunter Armor]], which was armed and upgraded with ancient weaponry given by the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]s. {{storylink|Apex Armor (Prime)#Cyberverse|Apex Hunter Armor with Breakdown}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online comic===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-4-Breakdown.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]

Breakdown witnessed [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]'s little temper-tantrum over getting pummeled by a newly powered-up [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]]. He also witnessed Megatron pummeling Knock Out after the latter's attempt to power-up Megatron went humiliatingly wrong. {{Storylink|Wheeljack's Bizarre Invention! Optimus Power Up!?}} Following the embarrassing defeat of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], Breakdown was one of those in charge of the Constructicons' tickle training. {{storylink|A New Menace! The Giant Soldier Devastator Appears!}} He was present during Megatron's (brief) takeover of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], now wearing an eyepatch. {{storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}} Breakdown, again with two optics, was present during Megatron's [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]-helmet-induced rampage, and after it ended, he was horrified to see that Knock Out had learned nothing from the experience and was developing more new helmets for Megatron. {{Storylink|Enter the New Emperor of Destruction!? Stop Galvatron's Rampage!}} He tried to warn [[Starscream (Kre-O)|Starscream]] about [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]'s manipulative ways, to no avail. {{storylink|The Beautiful Flower Has Thorns? Temptation of the Female Soldier, Airachnid!}}

===Precursor World===
A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling Breakdown 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 supreme leader [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] later loaded the Warrior's lingering [[spark]] into his [[Golden Noah]] in an attempt to ferry his soul to the [[G1 World|next world]]. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 1}} Unfortunately, this did not work. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Crispin Freeman]] (English)|[[Thierry Mercier]] (French), [[Antonio Abenójar]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Grzegorz Mikołajczyk]] (Polish)}}

{{bigquote| I'm the fastest thing on 4 wheels.|Breakdown in his vehicle mode}}

[[File:Breakdown-WfC.jpg|thumb|"I always feel like somebody's watching meeeeee!"]]
Breakdown joined [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] in the invasion of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], attacking the [[Stellar Galleries]] behind the [[Autobot]]'s front lines in order to acquire the [[Omega Key]]. When it turned out [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]] had moved it, Megatron lead them on a run-and-gun mission through the city to the [[Vaults]] itself. Breakdown seemed most comfortable during their time in the train tunnels, even challenging Soundwave to a race. However, when Megatron told him in a paternalistic voice to "try not to get crushed by the trains", Breakdown was confused, wondering aloud if his leader had made a joke. After utilizing [[Dark Energon]] bombers to blast their way into the Vaults, the squad came up against Zeta Prime himself. He was utilizing a vast machine that rendered him unassailable, allowed him to control portions of the ceiling so they dropped to crush anyone in the room, and generated an arbitrary number of energon clones bearing his likeness that battled savagely in melee combat. Soundwave's interest in the clones caused Breakdown to deride him as a total nerdlinger, but he didn't have any words of mockery when Soundwave discerned the machine's weakness: a core that rapidly overheated and so had to open up to cool off. Even in defeat, however, Zeta Prime had put one over on the Decepticons, as they took from him not the Omega Key, but the device that activated it. And the Key was cranky about being woken up from its nap.

Though he had shot another soldier for daring to contradict him verbally, Megatron probably realized Breakdown's last-ditch maneuver to avoid crashing into [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] against Megatron's orders had saved all their lives, and so did not summarily execute him. Nor was Breakdown shot for his constant whining during the team's cat-and-mouse chase with Omega Supreme through the upper spires of Iacon towards a platform studded with some anti-air guns, which would hopefully give them a chance to fight back against the robot of unusual size. They managed to crack open Omega's armor with the emplacements, causing him to crash, but the behemoth remained on his feet—literally, as he transformed to robot mode to continue the fight. Breakdown continually expressed amazement and frustration at the seeming unstoppability of Omega Supreme, but Megatron's confidence was proven justified, as they sabotaged the means by which the giant had been repairing himself, apparently bringing him down. Seemingly unable to believe it despite having participated in the fight, Breakdown could only note, "Uh... all hail Megatron!" Yet even then, Omega Supreme was not defeated, badly damaged though he was. At that point, however, he was unable to continue repairing himself and his armor was badly damaged, allowing concentrated fire to finally overwhelm him.

Breakdown remained at Megatron's side as he tamed Omega Supreme, gaining access to Cybertron's core and infecting it with Dark Energon. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' - Decepticons (DS)===
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English)}}
{{Note|Breakdown is an unlockable character for the Nintendo DS version of ''War for Cybertron''. He can be unlocked by beating Dam 6 in Arena Mode.}}

When Megatron and his Decepticons destroyed a dam they had been using, Breakdown confronted them. Breakdown declared if Megatron could prove to be tougher than he was, then he'd join the Decepticons. Breakdown was eventually defeated, and, true to his word, he joined the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{Note|Breakdown does not appear in the campaign of ''Fall of Cybertron'', however he is available in multiplayer.}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark'' (console)===
{{Note|Breakdown appears as an Escalation only character. His default ability is the Hover Slam, and the Scatter Blaster as his default weapon.}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark (console)}}

===''Transformers Online''===
Breakdown found [[War Rotor]] to be creepy. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2012 video game)|Transformers Online}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
Breakdown and the other Decepticons attempted to prevent the Autobots from constructing a [[Pulsar Dish]], which would destroy the [[Energon Drain]] that the Decepticons had built in an asteroid field. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}
===''Transformers Prime: Decepticon Strike''===
Enraged that Optimus Prime had defeated Knock Out in combat, Breakdown faced off against the Autobot leader resolved to destroy him. He alternatively shot laser blasts, unleashed energy waves and charged Optimus Prime throughout their battle. He was defeated however, and sent running off. He later returned when Megatron did battle against Optimus, and aided his leader throughout combat. The Decepticons were defeated once more, and ran off again. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Decepticon Strike|Decepticon Strike}}

==Toys==
===''Prime''===
{{anchor|Voyager}}
[[File:Primetoy-WarBreakdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|At least when you drop a buttload of cash to import it, you get a good toy.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''War Breakdown''' (Voyager, [[2012]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''AM-12'''
:*''Release date'': [[June 30]], 2012
:*''Accessories'': "[[Zamu#Toys|Zamu]]" Arms Micron

: For unknown reasons, Hasbro chose not to develop a full-size toy of Breakdown for the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' toyline. Instead, it fell to [[TakaraTomy]] to produce their own. Released in the fourth wave of TakaraTomy's version of the ''Prime'' line, "War Breakdown" transforms into a massive armored truck of made-up model. He features a single [[C joint]] bar at the rear of the truck. As part of the line-wide [[Arms Micron]] [[gimmick]], Breakdown has an ''incredible'' number of [[5 mm post]]-holes to attach Arms Microns (or other accessories) to. He comes with his packed-in partner [[Zamu#Prime|Zamu]], who transforms into Breakdown's wrist-mounted hammer (though it actually attaches to the truck mode roof bit which flips up over his wrist, but it's a close enough approximation).

: "War Breakdown" was notionally available for [[Hasbro]] to release in their line, but its production cost reportedly fell into a "no man's land",<ref>http://tformers.com/transformers-sdcc-2012-hasbro-has-no/17901/news.html</ref> stymieing Hasbro's ability to release it at one of their normal price points. The mold would eventually be released by Hasbro in 2020 as a Hasbro Pulse-exlcusive item for the U.S. and Canada ([[#10 Year Anniversary|see below]]).

: This mold was differently [[redeco]]ed/[[retool]]ed each time into [[Swerve (Prime)#Toys|Swerve]] and [[Silas#SilasBreakdown|Silas Breakdown]], the latter of which was retooled further into the [[BotCon 2015]] [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Timelines|Megatron]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/AMWarBreakdown/breakdown.htm More information on War Breakdown at TFU.info]''

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1588.html War Breakdown at Alfes's blog]''
{{--}}

====''Cyberverse''====
[[File:Prime-toy BreakdownCyberverse.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|IT'S... hammer time?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Breakdown''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2012)}}</ul>
:*''Series/Number'': '''2 / 006'''
:*''TakaraTomy name'': '''War Breakdown'''
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''EZ-14'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[June 30]], 2012
:*''Accessories'': Blaster
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the second wave of Series-2 Legion-class ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' toys, Breakdown is a tiny, simple toy that turns into an armored car as per usual. He comes with a large triangular-barreled cannon based on his roof-mounted vehicle mode cannon, which has multiple 3mm posts and holes so it can be combined with other weapons and vehicles.

: As he is a Legion class toy of a bulky, broad-shouldered character, he is really, really, really short even compared to other Legions, let alone his rival [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Cyberverse|Commander-class Bulkhead]].

: This toy was released in Japan, without notable changes, in the fourth wave of ''Prime: [[EZ Collection]]'' toys (the same days as his larger toy above, in the fourth wave of that product line).

: This sculpt was also [[redeco]]ed into [[Fallback (Prime)|Fallback]], who features a recolor of the same weapon, and [[Berserker#MtCWalmart2Pack|''The Last Knight'' Berserker]], who has no weapon at all.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/LegBreakdown/breakdown.htm More information on Cyberverse Legion Breakdown at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EZ6pack}}
[[File:TF-Prime-EZ-Collection-Deception-Set-Breakdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Set''' (EZ Collection 6-pack, [[November 24]], 2012)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''EZ-SP2'''
:*''Release date'': [[November 24]], 2012
:*''Accessories'': Blaster

: This version of "War Breakdown") is cast in an ever-so-slightly darker shade of plastic than his Hasbro counterpart. The silver [[paint operation]]s are also a tad darker, the [[tampograph]]ed Decepticon [[insignia]] on his chest is significantly darker, his spare wheel is painted in glossy rather than flat black, and his regular wheels and upper legs are cast in dark gray rather than black plastic.

: He was only available in a TakaraTomy ''[[EZ Collection]]'' six-pack with the [[Vehicon (Prime)#EZ6pack|Vehicon]], [[Knock Out (Prime)#EZ6pack|Knock Out]], [[Starscream (WFC)#EZ6pack|Starscream]], [[Megatron (WFC)/toys#EZ6pack|Megatron]], and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#EZ6pack|Terrorcon Cliffjumper]].

{{-}}{{anchor|CyberverseApexArmor}}
[[File:PrimeBHtoy-Cyberverse-ApexArmor-Breakdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I'm still alive?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Apex Hunter Armor with Breakdown''' (Cyberverse Vehicle, 2013)}}</ul>
:*''Series/Number'': '''3 / 002'''
:*''Accessories'': Large missile-firing blaster, four missiles, small blaster
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime:]] [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Beast Hunters]]'' [[Cyberverse (toyline)#Series 3|Series 3 Cyberverse]] Vehicle playsets, the "[[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Hunter Armor]]" comes with a green redeco of Legion Class Breakdown. He retains the purple blaster accessory.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/CybApexBreakdown/breakdown.htm More information on ''Beast Hunters'' Breakdown at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

====''10 Year Anniversary''====
[[File:TFP-10th-Anniversary-War-Breakdown.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Scalpers receive double the Breakdowns!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''War Breakdown and Vehicon 2-Pack''' (Multi-pack, 2020)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': "Zamu" Arms Micron

: Released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of ''Prime'', this Breakdown is a re-release of the TakaraTomy ''Prime'' figure, sticker sheet and all. He also includes [[Zamu#10 Year Anniversary|Zamu]], his Arms Micron, who still comes as parts on a model kit sprue. There are a number of small differences between the two releases, the most noticeable being the addition of a production number stamp on his right heel, and his sticker sheet uses plastic-matching dark blue rather than dark purple. Other small differences include a lighter shade of dark gray plastic, and a more orange-tinted shade of red paint used for his face.

: War Breakdown is packed with the similarly-previously-TakaraTomy-line-only [[Vehicon (Prime)#10 Year Anniversary|Jet Vehicon]] (oddly just called "Vehicon" despite Breakdown carrying the "War" prefix from the Takara release). This set was exclusive to [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the U.S. and Canada, made available for preorder concurrently with [[Hasbro PulseCon 2020]] on [[September 26]], [[2020]]. This set was also available at general retail in Hasbro's Asian markets such as Hong Kong.

: Amusingly, despite being a Voyager-equivalent figure, War Breakdown was designated as part of the Deluxe Class for this release, and the set was priced accordingly. What a bargain!
{{--}}

===''Construct-Bots''===
[[File:Breakdown Construct-Bots.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Do you wish for Heavy to KILL YOU!? WISH GRANTED!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Breakdown''' (Scout, 2013)}}</ul>
:*''Pieces'': 45
:*''Accessories'': Axe
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}

: Released in the third wave of ''[[Construct-Bots]]'' Scout-class kits, Breakdown comes as a pack of disassembled parts. He is then assembled into a skeleton of sorts, then once his armor is applied, he can transform into a truck and back without disassembly. His various parts are covered in 3mm bars and 5 mm post-holes to attach weapons to. As all of the first-year ''Construct-Bots'' joints are universal, you can swap parts and combine him with other kits to make some ''interesting'' combinations.

: Breakdown is made up almost entirely of recycled parts from other figures. His vehicle hood, chest armor, and leg armor are all from [[Hound (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Hound]]. His shoulder armor is [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Ironhide's]] thigh armor, and his feet, thigh armor, forearm armor, and axe are from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Optimus Prime]]. His head is the only unique part of the toy, and it's just a retooling of Hound's with a snarling face being the only change.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/CBBreakdown/breakdown.htm More information on ''Construct-Bots'' Breakdown at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
{{anchor|UniteWarriors}}
[[File:UW-toy BreakdownZombieWar.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Breakdown (G1)|Aaand we're back where we started.]]]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Grand Galvatron''' (Multi-pack, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''UW-06'''
:*''Release date'': [[April 30]], 2016
:*''Accessories'': Axe, hand/foot/gun

: ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' "Zombie War Breakdown" is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Deluxe Class [[Offroad (CW)#Toys|Decepticon Offroad]], transforming into a 4x4 double-cab pickup truck. He includes a [[5 mm post|5 mm handle]] axe weapon (which can form a side-mounted exhaust pipe for truck mode), and a larger accessory that can form a hand or foot for his limb modes or a gun for robot mode, and can also be mounted on a tab in the vehicle mode's truck bed to form a giant engine block.

: As a Deluxe-sized ''Unite Warriors'' figure, Breakdown can form a limb for any ''Combiner Wars''-style Combiner, or become one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber]]'s legs, although he is nominally part of [[Grand Galvatron#Toys|Grand Galvatron]]. While the front hood/windshields are needed to be folded as kneecaps for his leg mode, the piece also has a tendency to dislodge if he collides with Optimus Prime/Motormaster's and Hot Spot's protruding foot while the legs are being swiveled in his standing position, unless the leg joints are bent down to lessen the problem. Thankfully, he does not have this problem with his normal Combiner team.

: War Breakdown was sold in a [[TakaraTomy Mall]]-[[exclusive]] giftset of Grand Galvatron, along with [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Tactician Cyclonus]], [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Ghost Starscream]], [[Thrust (Armada)#Unite Warriors|Curse Armada Thrust]], and [[Roller (G1)#UW06|Wandering Roller]].
{{CWOffroadMold}}
{{--}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:Legacy-United-Breakdown.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I even have space in my chest for Silas!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Prime Universe Breakdown''' / '''Windsweeper''' (Multi-pack, [[2024]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Tarp cover/shield, hammer, blaster, mace
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[March 7]], 2024's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pkz6oTI7W4 Hasbro Pulse | Transformers 40th Anniversary Fanstream | March 7, 2024] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Evan Brooks]] and [[Mark Maher]].</ref>

: ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' "Prime Universe Breakdown" is a new-head [[retool]]ing of his rival, ''Legacy'' [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Legacy|Prime Universe Bulkhead]], transforming into a squished version of a Rába H18 military truck. His vehicle mode has a tarp covering his back bed, which unfolds into a riot shield for robot mode. The tarp does not need to be removed for transformation, but doing so provides additional clearance.

: He comes with the full complement of weapons from the [[Bulkhead (Prime)#WreckNRule|Wreck N' Rule Collection Bulkhead]], with the most Breakdown-appropriate being the hammer that was new to that version of the toy. His mace accessory opens up to wrap around his fist, and his (non-rotating) gatling gun can be mounted on either shoulder via 3mm peg, making this the first Breakdown toy to meaningfully include his shoulder cannon. Most of these weapons can stow under the tarp in vehicle mode; the hammer and gatling gun can be stored together, or the mace and gatling gun, but not all three. The mold is loaded with [[5 mm post]]-holes so whatever isn't stored can go elsewhere.

: He was only available in a multi-pack with [[Windsweeper#Legacy|Windsweeper]], [[Cleansweep]] and [[Ozone]], as part of the Mayhem Attack Squad-themed "Doom 'n Destruction Collection". These sets were an [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]] exclusive in the US, with a small number sold through [[Hasbro Pulse]]. This set was revealed and set up for preorder on [[February 29]], [[2024]].

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/C44EUIZOHWP/ Designer commentary on the Doom 'n Destruction Collection from Mark Maher on Instagram]''

==Merchandise==
===McDonald's===
[[File:TransformersPrime Breakdown happymeal toy.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Breakdown''' (Happy Meal, 2012)
**''McNumber'': '''6'''
:Happy Meal Breakdown is a non-transforming SUV. Rotating the rear-mounted spare tire rotates the roof to reveal a cannon resembling the one he possessed on the show.

{{-}}{{anchor|McDonalds2}}
[[File:Breakdown_Prime_McD_Toy.jpg|thumb|Breakdown is now an unofficial SPEEN enthusiast!]]
*'''Breakdown''' (Happy Meal, 2013)
**''McNumber'': '''6'''
:This Happy Meal Breakdown is a non-transforming robot. Equipped with a hammer for each hand, squeezing his legs will cause the upper torso and arms to spin.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderBreakdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Hammer this [[Superman]]!]]
*He seems to have been initialy planned as a [[Barricade (WFC)|Barricade]] redeco in the ''War for Cybertron'' game, as seen in one concept art <ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/05/05/war-for-cybertron-tfw2005-visits-high-moon-studios-gameplay-impressions-169615] TFW2005 visits High Moon Studios</ref>, ultimatly he got to have his own distinct model (although his transformation animation echoes that of Barricade with his feet as the front of the car, thrusters on his back).
*Breakdown's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Racer-type chassis for [[Scout (WFC)|Scout]]-class characters. His parts are also available in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Saboteur-type components for the [[Infiltrator (FOC)|Infiltrator]] class (although his wheels can also be used by [[Destroyer (FOC)|Destroyers]]).
*While Breakdown's bulky design is largely dissimilar from [[Breakdown (G1)|his G1 counterpart]], his red face and yellow eyes are directly lifted from his G1 toy, which had similarly colored features.
*Promotional blurbs for the episode "[[Deus ex Machina]]" mentioned that [[Lugnut (WFC)|Lugnut]] would be in the episode. Given that Breakdown acts as a rival for Bulkhead in the finished episode—which [[Lugnut (Animated)|''Animated'' Lugnut]] was played up as for [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] in the original ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Cartoon Network]] promotional material—the fandom concluded that Breakdown was meant to be Lugnut at some point in the episode's production. The Hub's [[Mike Vogel]] challenged this notion at [[BotCon 2011]], claiming that Lugnut had been Knock Out's original name, which had been changed because "Lugnut" wasn't "sexy" enough for the character. The ''Prime'' Season 1 Blu-ray commentary, however, corroborated the original theory: Breakdown's place in the show was originally intended to belong to Lugnut, since a loyal Decepticon bruiser was desired, but the show creators wanted a land-based Decepticon instead.
*Breakdown's [[license plate]] in "[[Deus ex Machina]]" is DGOT 441.
*Breakdown's body parts were available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Breakdown parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop. While all the characters in the game are hue-shifted from their normal coloration, Breakdown ended up noticeably less-different than his peers, essentially just having a different face color.
*The bio for the Japanese "War Breakdown" release explicitly ties together his ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' appearances, explaining that he had his physical form upgraded in order to better face Bulkhead.
* Breakdown's appearance in the Kre-O online manga is, like most non-toy robot Kreons, made from preexisting Kre-O parts. He uses Megatron's helmet, the generic wheels on his legs, clip-on smokestacks on his arms, and some sort of apparatus to bulk up his torso.
*According to Adam Baldwin, Breakdown was killed off in ''Transformers: Prime'' due to "budget cuts".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjXXDDpvN6k]</ref>

===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Breakdown has named powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

*'''War Mode''' (ウォーモード ''Wō Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': Jida, Noji, Zamu
: Breakdown's box-back Arms Up mode is just him using the [[Big Scissor]] weapon. Yep! Despite all his other link-points, it's just him using a hand-held weapon. ''Imaginative''.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''War Breakdown''' (ウォーブレイクダウン ''Wō Bureikudaun'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Dǎjī''' (China, 打击, "Strike")

==See also==
{{OtherVersions
|charname=Breakdown
|disambig=Breakdown (disambiguation)
|body=
*[[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]], the bulky [[Velocitron]]ian and [[Conjunx Endura]] to [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Blue Order]]
[[Category:Construct-Bots Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 combiners]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Prime Decepticons]]
[[Category:Stunticons]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers Online Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game Decepticons]]

Drift (AOE)

2024-10-09T23:48:10Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{factions|decepticon|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Drift}}
:''Drift is an [[Autobot]] and former [[Decepticon]] from the [[live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:AoEDrift CG.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|250px|The samurai to Crosshairs' [[John DiMaggio|Scotsman]].]]
'''Drift''' is a commando of few words and many ancient blades. While he is not trying to hide his past as a [[Decepticon]], he would much rather just let his swords do the talking. His strength lies in both his mastery over his collection of swords and his composure in battle. Despite the dark times upon the Autobots, Drift remains calm, dignified, and thoughtful,<ref>''Age of Extinction: Generations'' Deluxe Class Autobot Drift packaging bio</ref> often taking time to practice his swordsmanship and spout haikus about whatever's going on.

Leaving the Decepticons didn't automatically fix everything for Drift, as he is still prone to manic bouts of aggression if he's startled or otherwise spooked. This makes him quick to try to stab whatever's the problem to death. Luckily, he’s taken up meditation to complement his swordsmanship and hopefully curb this lingering rage. After all, he considers his Decepticon self to be as dead as [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]].

Teaming up with the rowdiest Autobots around may not be the best start, but luckily Drift gets to serve directly under [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who he refers to as his ''sensei''. Knowing there is hope whenever the Autobot leader is around, Drift will follow Optimus to the bitter end. He doesn't think much of [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s attempts to be Autobot leader, though, due to his youth and lack of warrior discipline. He is sometimes partnered with the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] [[Slug (AOE)|Slug]].

{{quote
|"No fear... no hate... no anger... ''GET OFF'', you maggot!"
|Drift's still working on the first part|''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''
|noquote=true
|center=true
}}

==Fiction==
===Movies===
{{note|The five movies are the primary component of the live-action movie continuity family. Their events should be taken as canon for all other pieces of fiction listed below, unless otherwise specified.}}
====''Age of Extinction'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Ken Watanabe]] (English), [[Kiyomitsu Mizūchi]] (Japanese)|[[Zhang Yaohan]] (Chinese), [[Jorge Badillo]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Luis Grau]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Andrea Lavagnino]] (Italian), [[Hercules Fernando]] (Portuguese), [[Guillaume Orsat]] (European French), [[Éric Gaudry]] (Canadian French), [[Yu Fang]] (German), [[Sefa Zengin]] (Turkish)}}
[[File:AOE-DriftHelicopterMode.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Good luck figuring out what kind of helicopter he is.]]
Drift was among the Autobots who had gone into hiding on Earth after humanity turned against the Autobots. To his disgruntlement, Bumblebee took de facto command of the Autobots in the absence of Optimus Prime. Drift was overjoyed at the return of his ''sensei'', declaring there was hope after all. Though [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] cursed the humans as a "bunch of backstabbing weasels", Drift took pity on the humans, sadly reciting a haiku regarding the humans' betrayal. The haiku didn't sit right with Hound, and the two nearly came to blows before their attention was turned to the arrival of [[Cade Yeager]] and his family. Later that night, Drift sadly reported that they were the last five Autobots, and informed Optimus of Bumblebee's stint as leader during his absence. He couldn't resist expressing his distaste of Bumblebee's leadership and immaturity aloud, claiming that the younger Autobot brought shame upon the group. The two bots quickly came to blows with Drift gaining the upper hand over the "smartass". Holding Bumblebee at sword-point, Drift claimed to see right through Bumblebee's "puppy dog eyes" act, mocking him when such an act was beneath him. The mood soon was dampened further when Cade had Drift (in his Bugatti vehicle mode) project footage of [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]'s demises.

[[File:AOE-HoundFightingDrift.jpg|350px|right|thumb|"Drift, you keep up those damn fortune cookie sayings, you'll be ''drifting'' into unconsciousness pretty quick after I get my paws on ya!"]]
Drift took part in Cade's mission to infiltrate [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]], providing some valuable intel to the human prior to the operation. Drift joined in the subsequent assault on the facility when the news came of Ratchet's brutal demise and dismemberment. Drift used his helicopter mode to lift Bumblebee through the upper levels of the building to rescue Cade from [[Harold Attinger]]. The Autobots soon fled once again, and Drift was unable to intervene in the battle between Optimus and [[Megatron (Movie)|Galvatron]] when the drone's missile fire separated the Autobots from their leader. When [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] captured Optimus and [[Tessa Yeager]], Drift infiltrated the bounty hunter's ship in Chicago with the rest of the group. Now behind enemy lines, Drift advocated stealth and a lack of violence, but immediately hacked an alien captive of Lockdown's to death when it startled him. Drift reported that Lockdown's dark matter drives were firing up, signaling they had about ten minutes before the ship departed Earth (nine minutes, worse case scenario). Drift went to free his ''sensei'' with Hound and [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]], and remained aboard the commandeered ship of Lockdown's with him and Hound.

[[File:AOE-CrosshairsAndDriftLetThemFight.jpg|310px|left|thumb|You've been waiting for months for the DVD to be released just to write a "Let them fight" caption for this scene. Admit it.]]
When the Autobots regrouped following the escape from Lockdown's ship, Optimus announced they would be leaving Earth and abandoning humanity to their fate. Drift voiced no opposition to his leader's orders, but intercepted a transmission from [[Joshua Joyce]], informing the team that Joyce was moving KSI's drones to their facilities in China. After Cade warned Joyce of the danger Galvatron presented, Drift assured Cade that their vessel could quickly race them across the globe. It was a spaceship, after all. Optimus edited his orders: while the Autobots would stay to retrieve the [[Seed]] and stop Galvatron, they would leave Earth forever immediately afterwards.

[[File:AOEDriftVsSentries.jpg|250px|right|thumb|"Why don't you just throw the swor-*dies*"]]
Drift later remained with Optimus and Crosshairs when their ship was shot down by the rogue Galvatron's Decepticons over Hong Kong. Crashing in a nearby valley, Optimus revealed his trump card: the ancient [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]]. While Optimus beat some authority into [[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]], Drift followed Crosshairs' lead and evacuated to the sidelines to stay out of the crossfire. Though he was baffled by Grimlock's saurian alternate mode, having expected "a giant car", Drift was impressed to see his ''sensei'' take dominance over the Dinobots. Though Crosshairs grumbled about Optimus' dynamic leadership, Drift simply smiled and knew it was innate in their leader. Following Optimus's lead, Drift quickly mounted [[Slug (AOE)|Slug]] and together they fought off many of Galvatron's army in Hong Kong, losing one of his swords in the process while fighting two [[KSI Sentry|KSI Sentries]]. Drift later helped escort the Yeager family and Joyce away from the city, but Lockdown intervened and nearly captured them all. Optimus, Bumblebee, and the Yeagers soon defeated Lockdown, and Drift was assigned by his ''sensei'' to watch over the Yeager family while he left Earth. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction}}
{{--}}

====''The Last Knight'' film====
{{voiceactor|[[Ken Watanabe]] (English), [[Kiyomitsu Mizūchi]] (Japanese)|[[Zhang Yaohan]] (Chinese), [[Jorge Badillo]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Luis Grau]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Guillaume Orsat]] (European French), [[Éric Gaudry]] (Canadian French), [[Yu Fang]] (German), [[Andrea Lavagnino]] (Italian), [[Hercules Fernando]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:TLK-history-Drift.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.33]]
Drift was active on Earth as early as the 1860s,<ref>The left {{w|File:Verbeck picture.jpg|black and white group photo}} that was used and heavily modified was taken in 1867. The right one was taken around this time too by English-Italian photographer {{w|Felice Beato}}. Since no official in-universe date was given with the photographs in the film itself, the real-world dates are all we have to go on.</ref> working alongside [[Samurai Transformer|another Samurai 'bot]] and a group of samurai in [[Japan]].

[[File:TLKDriftNoFear.jpg|upright=1.33|thumb|Three years have passed... and yet, I do not age.]]
In the years since Optimus left Earth, Drift took refuge at Cade's [[Junkyard (TLK)|scrap yard]] with the other Autobots. He had also taken on a new vehicle mode and updated his color scheme. Despite the stagnant situation, his spare time was spent practicing with his sword and doing meditative balancing feats, which were occasionally upset by the [[Mini Dinobot|Mini-Dinobots]], especially [[Pterry]]. He showed an equal amount of disdain as his comrades when the unscrupulous [[Daytrader]] showed up, even agreeing with Hound's suggestion to frag him. He was then left quite uncomfortable by Daytrader's description of what he intended to do with some hot oil.

Soon, the Decepticons and [[Transformers Reaction Force|TRF]] discovered their refuge and he fled with Bumblebee, Crosshairs, Cade, [[Jimmy (TLK)|Jimmy]], [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]], [[Izabella]], and [[Sqweeks]] to a nearby town where a trap had been set up. Upon their arrival, he discovered the TRF tracking device placed on Bumblebee and masterfully disabled it with his sword. During the battle, he and Crosshairs tag teamed the much larger [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]], with him cutting off their enemy's leg before swiftly decapitating his "fat head". Drift then took on the remainder of the Decepticons with the others, throwing his sword at his former boss [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and helping force him, [[Nitro Zeus]], and [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] into a retreat. Afterwards, he and the other Autobots returned to the scrap yard after Cade and Bumblebee left for [[United Kingdom|England]].

[[File:TLKDriftLastScene.jpg|left|upright=1.33|thumb|Yeah, guys, I'm gonna just sit out this movie I guess.]]
Later, when Cybertron had approached Earth and loomed in the sky, the Autobots saw that Daytrader had finally delivered on his promise of a ship, arriving with the same Knight ship Lockdown had used. Drift was quite happy and declared that he would pilot it. He flew the Autobots to Stonehenge where they joined the humans and [[Guardian Knight]]s as the returned Optimus rallied them to defend Earth. En route to Cybertron, he and the other Autobots were unimpressed with the knights, though Drift commented that they were "mean looking". He then cleared his allies for take off and wished them luck as he remained on board to pilot the knight ship. After the final battle was won, he and the other Autobots took the ship and returned home to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}
{{--}}

===''How to Ride your Dinobot'' cartoon===
[[File:Htryd-chapter-3-drift-random-buttons.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|"Now my cornered friend, let me practice my Dinobot attacks on you"...]]
Drift and [[Slug (AOE)|Slug]] had cornered [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] inside a barn, but alas, Drift had to learn how to attack with his Dinobot steed. Due to a lack of accurate instructions, Drift activated pretty much every button on Slug, activating everything but the weaponry. Some time later, Drift finally struck gold and activated the heavy weaponry... only to be immediately fried, much to his and Slug's disappointment. {{storylink|How to Ride Your Dinobot Chapter 3: How to Fight|How to Fight}}
{{-}}

===Titan movie comics===
[[File:Knucklehead is knuckledead.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"This guy has been brutally killed but I don't ''think'' it was us this time."]]
Five years before the battle of [[Chicago]],<ref>''Dark of the Moon'' has no explicit date but as Sam has graduated, it's set in 2012 at the earliest</ref> Drift led a three-Con team on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] with his friend [[Knucklehead]] and so-not-a-friend [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] as his subordinates. His task was to capture an Autobot stronghold, which—to Knucklehead's glee—he planned to do by storming it, in attempt to minimise bloodshed. Lockdown sneered at him for being soft and advocated bombing the place flat, which Drift pointed out was ''why'' [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] put them in charge: so they'd have something left to rule. The three sneaked up the wall, surprised the Autobot guards, and with martial arts skill they disabled every one without a shot being fired. However, Lockdown tried to execute prisoners and when Drift stopped him, Lockdown gleefully took the opportunity to label Drift a traitor and try to whack him. Knucklehead backed up his friend and the two of them sent Lockdown falling into the fort's molten moat, swearing revenge on them both; Drift knew that he could never take revenge as long as Megatron was in charge. He then let the prisoners retreat with their wounded and was told that he'd make a fine Autobot.

By the time of Chicago, Drift had indeed switched sides and he was annoyed to be cleaning up ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' debris on the Moon instead of tracking down remaining Decepticons. Optimus was bemused that Drift was so eager to fight his former allies. While grousing that the ''Ark'' was their last memories of Cybertron laid waste, the samurai was horrified to find Knucklehead's corpse: recently killed by Lockdown without Megatron to stop him. Drift made a grave for his friend and Prime told him that they'd stand against Lockdown together. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 5.1|Adrift in Space and Time}}

===''How to Ride a Dinobot!'' comic===
When Optimus Prime insisted the Autobots learn how to ride Dinobots, Drift and Crosshairs quickly managed to get atop of their steeds. Warning them not to get cocky, Optimus suggested a combat drill between the two of them. Drift charged [[Slug (AOE)|Slug]] towards Crosshairs and [[Scorn]] with full force...only for the Dinobots to halt at the last moment and launch their riders into each other. But when Grimlock detected Decepticons nearby, Slug allowed Drift to ride him once again as they headed out into battle. {{Storylink|How to Ride a Dinobot!}}

===Toy bios===
Drift’s mastery of combat tactics lets him adapt his alternate form to land or air-based battles. They also enable him maintain total control over his circuits even while under heavy enemy fire. Whereas other Autobots are pushed toward overload, Drift soldiers on with steely tactical precision.<ref>''Age of Extinction: Generations'' Voyager Class Autobot Drift packaging bio</ref>

===''Kre-O'' cartoon===
Drift participated in a giant battle against the Decepticons... until Optimus began recapping the [[live-action film series]] to the audience. Drift had to interject a couple of times during Optimus's monologue to correct a few errors on Optimus's part, and punctuated the overview of the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' film]] by blowing up a pyramid prop. {{Storylink|Take Us to the Movies}} {{Storylink|Take Us Through the Movies}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Sky Lynx (Energon Wars)|Sky Lynx]] menaced [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] and Drift in [[Tyran 614.19 Kappa]]. He could be difficult to best if [[you]] hadn't yet unlocked their Epic-level ranged weapons. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/12}}

A Kreon Drift was one of several members of the [[Silver Knight (Kre-O)|Silver Knights]], a collection of renaissance festival enthusiasts. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/27}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' mobile game===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (mobile game)|Age of Extinction}}}}

===''Energon Rally''===
Drift ran across an Autobot construction site on Cybertron, collecting as much Energon as he could before his shields gave out from bumping into obstacles. {{storylink|Energon Rally}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{voiceactor|[[Chris Jai Alex]] (English)}}
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark}}}}

====3DS====
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (3DS)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}}}

===''Transformers Ultimate Allstars''===
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Lost Age Limited Event}} {{storylink|Lost Age Limited Event II}}}}

===''Transformers'' (Hasbro Arcade)===
[[File:HasbroArcade Transformers.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|BEEF BEEF BEEF BEEF BEEF]]
Drift chased a Decepticon ship while trying to avoid getting hit by obstacles. {{storylink|Transformers (Hasbro Arcade)|Transformers}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Drift-Forged to Fight.jpg|thumb|300px|That's not a Bugatti...]]
Drift was one of the Autobots pulled from [[Tyran|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!
As a Warrior, He Focuses when building a combo meter, enhancing his Precision, Critical Damage, and Bleeds from his sword attacks.
{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight|A Question of Loyalty - Once a Decepticon...}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight|A Question of Loyalty - AWOL}}
When Drift heard that Hot Rod had arrived on New Quintessa, he sought out vengeance for forsaking him in a time of need. He considered him a traitor. ''G1'' Optimus Prime and the Commander defeated him and brought him back to base.
{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight|A Question of Loyalty - Autobot Traitors}}
{{charstubgames|Story}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Age of Extinction''===
====''Robots in Disguise''====
{{anchor|OneStepChanger}}
[[File:AOERIDtoy-OneStepDrift.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|(''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
[[File:Takara-lost-age-series-one-step-drift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|(''TakaraTomy version pictured'')]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (One Step Changers, 2014)
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''LA06'''
**''TakaraTomy Release Date'': [[2014]]-[[July 19|07-19]]
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]] Robots in Disguise'' One Step Changers toys, "Autobot Drift" is a simplified toy that transforms into a blue 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. He transforms by being folded inside-out/outside-in, very much like a switchblade. His sword blades are molded onto his arms, and his hands are compatible with [[5 mm post]]s.

:He's quite addictive to transform.

:Initial prototype photos shown in the ''Age of Extinction'' Guide Book shows that Drift features an alternate dark grey plastic colors instead of blue as shown in the final product.

:The Japanese release of Drift, released as part of the ''Lost Age Series'' subline, features additional paint details in robot mode, including blue paint on his fake hood, lower arms and shoulder armour, silver on his crotch, and gold on his face and crest.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/OSCDrift/drift.htm More information on One Step Changers Drift at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|OneStepCollection}}
[[File:AOE-One-Step-Collection.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Transformers: Age of Extinction Collection''' (One-Step Changer six-pack, 2014)

:The "Transformers: Age of Extinction Collection" set includes an unchanged One-Step Changer Drift, packed with an equally unchanged Grimlock, Lockdown, Bumblebee, Slug, and the included One-Step Silver Knight Optimus Prime toy.

{{-}}{{anchor|Flip & Change}}
[[File:AoE flip and change Drift.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Remember, remember, the 30th of September, And the ''AoE'' Blu-ray release...]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Flip & Change, 2014)

:Part of the second wave of Flip & Change assortment, this Drift toy is a simplified version of his (spoiler-less screen-accurate) 2013 Bugatti Veyron that can auto-transform from vehicle to robot by pulling out the arms first, and then flip the figure over itself. He features articulation on his arms, and features 5mm compatible hands.

:Drift shares a transformation scheme similar to his fellow Flip & Changers, Bumblebee and Lockdown.

{{-}}{{anchor|Power Battlers}}
[[File:AOE PowerBattlers Drift.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Now I see. You deny your weapon its purpose! It yearns to bathe in the blood of your enemies... but you hold it back!]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Power Battlers, 2014)

:Part of the second wave of Power Battlers, Strafe features a simple transformation from a blue 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse into a robot. In robot mode, squeezing Drift's legs together causes him to rotate at the waist for a "Sword Slash!" attack.

{{-}}{{anchor|OneStepChangerHeli}}
[[File:AoE 1-step Helicopter Drift.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (One Step Changers, 2014)
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the third wave of ''Age of Extinction: Robots in Disguise'' One Step Changers toys, Helicopter Drift is a simplified toy that transforms into an (again, screen-inaccurate) attack helicopter in one step.

*'''Final Battle 4-Figure Set''' (Multi-pack, 2014-[[October 18|10-18]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''LA-SP'''
:The Japanese release of the toy, with no notable changes, is bundled with 1-Step Sliver Knight Optimus, Galvatron, and Slug.

{{-}}{{anchor|Dino Sparkers}}
[[File:AoE dino sparker Drift and Slug.jpg|thumb|right||300px|"How do you start a ''Triceratops''?"]]
*'''Autobot Drift & Dinobot Slug''' (Dino Sparkers, 2014)
{{toydesigner|[[Emiliano Santalucia]] (concept artist)}}

:Dino Sparkers Drift is a static, non-transforming, non-articulated minifigure wielding a sword and riding a gradient painted [[Slug (AOE)#Dino Sparkers|Slu]]g that you can pull back and go. This toy features a [[sparking gimmick]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/DSDrift/drift.htm More information on Dino Sparker Drift at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

====''Generations''====
{{anchor|Deluxe Class toys}}
[[File:AOEGenerationstoy-DeluxeDrift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"You remind me of someone... a man I met in a half-remembered dream. He was possessed of some radical notions." ''(Hasbro version pictured)'']]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Deluxe, 2014)
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''AD23'''
**''TakaraTomy release date:'' 2014-[[July 19|07-19]]
**''Accessories:'' Two daggers, two swords
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Hironori Kobayashi]] (deco, TakaraTomy)}}

:Part of the second wave of ''Age of Extinction: [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Deluxe Class toys, this figure of Drift features a more complex transformation and a much more [[Articulation|articulated]] and proportionate robot mode. He comes with two daggers and two swords, all of which he can wield via 5mm post. All four of his weapons can store on his roof/back in various ways in robot mode, while in vehicle mode his daggers store beneath the roof and his swords store on the underside of the car.

:A variant of Drift that apparently ships with [[wave]] 2.5 (which also includes [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Generations|Lockdown]]) adds black [[paint operation]]s to the front vents. The two versions can be distinguished by the manufacturing date codes stamped into their packaging cardbacks.<ref name="delvariant">[http://www.allspark.com/content/2014/09/age-of-extinction-drift-variant/ Age of Extinction Drift Variant] at The Allspark.</ref>

[[File:Takara-movie-advanced-drift.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''(TakaraTomy Version Pictured)'']]
:The Takara ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)#Movie_Advanced_Series|Movie Advanced Series]]'' gives a more accurate appearance, with the same painted vents as the later Hasbro variant, a darker chest and extra paint details.

:The Hasbro version of this toy has also been [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Drift (G1)|Generation 1 Drift]] in the [[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|IDW ''Angry Birds Transformers'' comic series]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/Drift/drift.htm More information on Deluxe Drift at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|AutobotsUnited}}
[[File:AutobotsUnitedPlatinumDrift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Not so screen-accurate as you'd expect.]]
*'''Autobots United 5 Pack''' (Platinum Edition, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Two daggers, two swords

: ''Platinum Edition'' Drift is an extensively repainted version of the Deluxe class figure above, featuring screen-accurate details...although they did not replace the vehicle shell's blue parts. The swords and daggers are now molded in grey plastic.

:Drift was released as a BBTS shared exclusive "Autobots United" set along with screen-accurate redecos of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#AutobotsUnited|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#AutobotsUnited|Bumblebee]], [[Crosshairs (AOE)#AutobotsUnited|Crosshairs]], and [[Hound (Movie)#AutobotsUnited|Hound]].

{{-}}{{anchor|Voyager Class toys}}
[[File:AoE_voyager_Drift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|To impress a chick, ''helicopter Drift'' (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
[[File:TakaraMovieAdvancedHelicopterDrift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Friendship ain't about trust. Friendship is about nunchuks. (''TakaraTomy version pictured'')]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Voyager, 2014)
**''TakaraTomy name'': '''Sky Drift'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''AD30'''
**''TakaraTomy Release Date'': [[2017]]-[[September 10|09-10]]
**''Accessories:'' Two missile pods, two swords
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)|[[Hironori Kobayashi]] (deco, TakaraTomy)}}

:Part of the second wave of ''Age of Extinction: Generations'' Voyager Class toys, this Drift is a retool of Voyager [[Skyhammer (DOTM)|Skyhammer]], transforming into a made-up (but screen-inaccurate) assault helicopter that resembles a cross between a {{w|Eurocopter Tiger}} and a {{w|Mil Mi-24}}. He features a new head and includes Skyhammer's original missile pods as well as two new swords that can combine with each other to form a larger sword. The pods can attach to [[5 mm post|5mm peg-holes]] on his hands, one on each of his forearms, a pair under each of his wings, a port on the backs/insides of each of his shoulder cockpit halves, and a port underneath his cockpit. He features a very minor retool in which the "cones" on his engine intakes in vehicle mode have been enlarged.

:The original version of this mold was also used to make [[BotCon 2013]] [[Sandstorm (MW)|Sandstorm]].

:The TakaraTomy release of the toy, called "Sky Drift", is part of the ''Movie Advanced Series'' lineup and features slightly changed paint applications: his gold feet are painted black.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/VoyagerDrift/drift.htm More information on Voyager Drift at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
{{anchor|DinobotCharge}}
[[File:KreO-Toy AoE Kreon Drift.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Let them build!]]
*'''Dinobot Charge''' (2014)
**''Set number'': '''A6949'''
**''Pieces'': '''66'''
**''Kreons'': Drift, [[Vehicon (Kre-O)|Vehicon]].
**''Accessories'': 2 katana

: [[Kreon]] Drift comes with a buildable [[Slug (AOE)#Kre-O|Slug]], who he can ride to run down poor Vehicons. He features a new samurai helmet that also smartly doubles as a robo-triceratops head.

:Although stock photos of Drift showed him having a gold waist, hands and leg tampographs, the actual product has much more film-accurate blue instead.

{{-}}{{anchor|Custom}}
[[File:Kre-O-Custom-Kreon-AOE-Drift.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|If I can't turn into a helicopter, I can at least have a helicopter back pack!]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Custom Kreon, 2014)
**''Set Number'': '''A7839'''
**''Accessories'': Rack, 2 katana, 2 shuriken, 2 sai, torso-armor/rotor-blade

: Part of the first assortment of ''Age of Extinction'' [[Custom Kreon]]s, this version of Drift is cast in metal-flake plastics, and replaces the blues with gold. He comes with a buildable parts rack on which to hang/store his many many extra pieces. His "normal" helmet and shuriken are [[chrome]]d, plus he comes with an extra clear-plastic helmet, torso and legs. He also has a pair of extra arms (originally from the ''Kre-O Battleship'' aliens), a single pare hand, and a helicopter-rotor backpack. The helicopter blades cannot spin freely while Drift wears his helmet, as they ''just'' brush up against the back of the helmet.

:Please note that in some samples, the chromed shuriken cannot be pegged onto the hard plastic posts due to small nub marks left in the center of the hole.

{{-}}{{anchor|SilverKnight}}
[[File:Kre-o-silver-knight-autobots-drift.jpg|100px|thumb|More like silver Samurai, am I right?]]
*'''Silver Knight Autobots''' (2014)
**''Set number'': '''A8602'''
**''Kreons'': Drift, Optimus Prime, Hound, Crosshairs, Bumblebee.
**''Accessories'': 2 katana

: Silver Knight Drift is cast in metallic silver and pewter, with a slightly-brighter blue. Where all the other Kreons in the set got new melee weapons, Drift sticks with his trusty katana.

: This five-pack of Kreons was not released in the US or Canada, only seeing release in various Asian markets.

{{-}}{{anchor|KreonTripleChanger}}
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Kreon Triple Changer, <s>2015</s>)
**''Accessories'': 2 swords, Slipstream & Jetstorm Kreons

:Kreon Triple Changer Autobot Drift mooshes all the incarnations of Drift into one form! This built-up Kreon transforms from robot to sportscar to helicopter, ''without'' needing to be disassmebled. His general appearance is based on [[Drift (G1)|Generation 1 Drift]], his altmodes come from ''Age of Extinction'' Drift, and of course his micro-Kreon Mini-Con partners [[Slipstream (RID)#Kre-O|Slipstream]] and [[Jetstorm (RID)#Kre-O|Jetstorm]] hail from [[Drift (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Drift]].

:Drift (along with [[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#KreonTripleChanger|Blitzwing]]) was shown at [[Toy Fair 2015]], but no accounts of it seeing release in any market have ever surfaced.
{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Beach}}
[[File:KreO-toy Drift Beach.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Weird Al Yankodrift]]
*'''"Beach Drift"''' (<s>2015</s>)
**''Set number'': '''B4024'''
**''Accessories'': Beach towel

:This unnamed polybag kit features Drift in a gloriously gaudy Hawaiian shirt and shorts, shark-tooth necklace, and killer shades. He also comes with a beach towel to chill out on. He uses the 2015 style revamped Kreon body, which is pretty much incompatible with older-style Kreons below the neck.

:How and where this kit was to be released is unknown. A few bagged samples have appeared on eBay.

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Knight}}
*'''Knight Drift''' (Kreon Warrior, <s>2015</s>)
**''Collection'': '''4'''
**''Accessories'': 2 swords, display stand

: Part of the canceled fourth assortment of Kreon Warriors, Knight Drift is a Kreon in medieval knight armor, with a deco of ornate scale-mail. He's still armed with two swords, but this time they're broadswords.

: The Collection 4 Kreon Warriors were never released anywhere, but a complete (presumably unbagged) set eventually was found in China in 2023.

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Samurai}}
*'''Samurai Drift''' (Kreon Warrior, <s>2015</s>)
**''Collection'': '''4'''
**''Accessories'': Bladed nunchaku, display stand

: Part of the canceled fourth assortment of Kreon Warriors, Samurai Drift is... well, kinda redundant, really. Now in much more elaborate armor deco, he carries a nuncahku that ends in scythe-blades rather than his normal swords.

: The Collection 4 Kreon Warriors were never released anywhere, but a complete (presumably unbagged) set eventually was found in China in 2023.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Construct-Bots''===
[[File:ConstructBots AoE dino-rider Drift.jpg|thumb|300px|How the tiny have fallen.]]
* '''Drift''' (Dinobot Rider, 2014)
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}

: Drift is part of the first wave of the Dinobot Riders and as such is designed to ride any of the Dinobot figures of the same line. He transforms into a small car that could resemble a Bugatti Veyron if you've got macular degeneration. He includes a small sword. His nominal Dinobot partner is [[Slug (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Slug]].

: Most of his parts were used to make [[Stinger (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Stinger]]. Like most Construct Bots figures, Drift's rubber ball joints can harden over time, which prevents smooth posing.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/CBDRDrift/drift.htm More information on Dinobot Rider Drift at TFU.ibnfo]''

{{-}}
{{anchor|Construct-BotsWarrior}}
[[File:TF-AOE-Construct-Bots-Drift.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Drift with Roughneck''' (Dinobot Warrior, 2014)
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}

: Part of the first wave of Dinobot Warriors, Drift is inspired by the ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' character, and transforms from robot to car-like thing. Drift includes a large sword as well as his ankylosaurian buddy, [[Roughneck]] who transforms into body armor and a crossbow and arrow pack. The stock photos show his legs missing the armor.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/CBDWDrift/drift.htm More information on Dinobot Warrior Drift at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Hero Mashers''===
[[File:HM-toy Drift.jpg|thumb|300px|right|True Samurai need no proportions.]]
* '''Drift''' (Action Figure, 2014)
**''Pieces:'' '''10'''
**''Accessories'': Longsword, shortsword

: Part of the first wave of ''Transformers [[Hero Mashers]]'' basic Action Figures, Drift is a non-transforming action figure with ratchet-joints, about six inches tall. He has multiple peg-holes all over that can be used to mount any ''Hero Mashers'' accessory. Curiously, his hands are in a sorta-[[Spider-Man]] pose. As a first-wave figure, he has extra ankle articulation that is not present in later waves (a cut that was made to all ''Hero Mashers'' lines, not just the ''Transformers''-branded ones).

: He is designed with a removable head, forearms, thighs, and lower legs, all of which use the same clip-peg/hole joint. This means his pieces can be swapped around in any order, as well as swapped with any other ''Hero Mashers'' figure... which includes figures from [[Marvel Comics]], ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'', and ''[[Jurassic Park|Jurassic World]]'', meaning you can make some pretty freaky combinations.

: Interestingly, some of Drift's torso detailing appears to be based directly on the [[Bludgeon (G1)|Generation 1 Bludgeon]] design first seen in ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]''. A [[:File:Hero Mashers Drift Bludgeon.jpg|preliminary image of the toy]] (with some different molding) was shown with Bludgeon's colors.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/HMDrift/drift.htm More information on ''Hero Mashers'' Drift at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''The Last Knight''===
====''Tiny Turbo Changers''====
[[File:TLK-toy TTC Drift.jpg|thumb|300px|right|]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Tiny Turbo Changer, 2017)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Bag Code'': '''N'''

:Released in the second series of ''The Last Knight'' Tiny Turbo Changers, Drift is made of soft plastic and changes from a tiny robot mode to a small unlicensed approximation of his Mercedes-AMG GT R mode from the 5th live-action film, though he's cast in all red plastic so his car mode is red and not black like in the movie. His wheels are molded in place and cannot roll and hands can accommodate 3mm post weapons.
{{-}}

====''Turbo Changers''====
[[File:TF-TLK-Turbo-Changer-Drift.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (One-Step Turbo Changer, 2017)
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TLK-27'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': 2017-[[September 16|09-16]]

:Released as part of the third wave of Turbo Changers, this Drift is an all-new mold, whose transformation scheme consists of flipping the center of the rear of the vehicle to convert into robot mode. He is also a shellformer due to his transformation scheme.
{{-}}

====''Allspark Tech''====
[[File:TF-TLK-Allspark-Tech-Drift.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Allspark Tech, 2017)

:''Allspark Tech'' Drift transforms from a ''Rescue Bots''-styled robot into a car that somewhat resembles a Mercedes-AMG GT R and back. His chest also features a cavity for the electronic Allspark Cube, which gives him different sound effects for his robot and vehicle modes.
{{-}}

====Legion Class====
[[File:TF-TLK-Legion-Class-Drift.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Chicken Legs.]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Legion Class, 2017)

:Originally a solicited-but-cancelled toy leaked in 2014, Drift ''finally'' gets his own Legion Class figure. He transforms from a pocket-sized robot into a small unlicensed approximation of a 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT R. He also features 3mm compatible holes on his pair of hands and his vehicle roof (although loose).

:Due to loose connections on the tab, his front vehicle bumper tab is easily undone with a press of a finger. Otherwise, his pair of legs is fairly well articulated, although it was used for transformation. However, he has some slight issues on standing up if his legs are not properly adjusted or straightened.
{{-}}

====''Premier Edition''====
{{anchor|TLKDeluxe}}
[[File:TF-TLK-Deluxe-Drift.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Char Aznable's Drift Commander Type: Three Times Faster than the original Drift.]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Deluxe, 2017)
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TLK-10'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': 2017-[[July 15|07-15]]
**''Accessories:'' Two daggers, two swords
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]] Premier Edition'' Drift is a redeco and ''heavy'' retool of the first Deluxe Class toy with new external car panels and the torso/head with some parts reused from the original Deluxe Class toy, and he transforms from robot into a 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT R. The figure itself is turned upside down within the vehicle shell, as the front of the car now forms the feet/legs, while the back end now forms his robot chest. This also comes at the cost of him having a ''faux'' chest.

:In Asia, Drift and the rest of the Wave 2 Deluxes (though limited in numbers) were later sold at Popular Book stores in Malaysia, at a discounted price of RM89.90 ($21), though the price was later cut down to RM69.90 ($16) as part of the "Must Buy!" offers. TakaraTomy's stock photo of the robot mode figure was later used as a cutout "battle figure" included with ''[[TV Magazine]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#TVMagazineEZ|Burning Megatron]].
{{-}}

====''Turbo Change Series''====
*'''Autobot Drift'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TC-11'''
**''TakaraTomy Release Date'': [[2018]]-[[July 21|7-21]]

:The first ''Turbo Change Series'' Drift is a rerelease of the [[Drift (AOE)#Robots in Disguise|first ''Age of Extinction'' One-Step Changer toy]].
{{-}}

{{anchor|TC13}}
[[File:TF-TLK-Turbo-Change-Series-TC-13-Drift.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Battle Command Optimus Prime - Strongest Directive Set''' (2018)
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TC-13'''
**''TakaraTomy Release Date'': [[2018]]-[[October 27|10-27]]

:Released as part of the re-issued Optimus Prime set, this ''Turbo Change Series'' Drift is a redeco of the [[Drift (AOE)#One Step Changer Heli|second ''Age of Extinction'' One-Step Changer toy]] inspired by his appearance in ''The Last Knight''.
{{-}}

===''Movie Edition''===
[[File:TTC-toy Movie-Edition-Drift.jpg|thumb|300px|right|]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Tiny Turbo Changers, 2018)
**''Series:'' '''3'''
**''Bag code:'' '''N'''
:[[Tiny Turbo Changers]] Series 3 Drift is a redeco of the series 2 Drift figure in blue, to represent the colors he had in ''Age of Extinction''.
{{--}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:Studio-Series-MV5-Deluxe-Drift.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Autobot Drift & Dinobot 'Tops, Dinobot Pterry, Dinobot Sharp T''' (Multi-pack, [[2019]])
**''Movie'': '''''The Last Knight'''''
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''36'''
**''TakaraTomy name'': '''Autobot Drift with Mini Dinobots'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-EX'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': March 2019
**''Accessories'': 2 daggers, 2 swords, large sword, "[[Junkyard (TLK)|Junkyard]] Meditation" backdrop

:''[[Studio Series]]'' Drift is an extensive redeco and a new head retool of his previous ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight Premier Edition]] '' Deluxe class figure in more [[show-accuracy|screen-accurate]] colors to his portrayal in ''The Last Knight''. In addition to his swords and daggers from previous releases of the mold, he comes with a new, larger sword and small figures of the [[Mini Dinobot|Baby Dinobot]]s. Unfortunately, there is no place to store the new sword in either mode. As with all ''Studio Series'' figures, he includes a cardboard backdrop, this one depicting the [[Junkyard (TLK)|junkyard]] from ''The Last Knight'', particularly the spot where Drift performs his meditative feats. Unlike the digital render, the final toy omits the silver paint applications on his arms.

:The set was originally available through [[Entertainment Earth]], but was subsequently also offered by other online retailers. In Japan, the set was released as a [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive. When ordered at Entertainment Earth, Drift came with 2 enamel pins: one of his robot mode and the other of the ''Studio Series'' logo.

{{-}}{{anchor|SS45}}
[[File:Studio Series Helicopter Drift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
* '''Autobot Drift''' (Deluxe Class, 2019)
**''Movie'': '''''Age of Extinction'''''
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''45'''
**''TakaraTomy name'': '''Sky Drift'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-38'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 31]], 2019
**''Accessories'': 2 swords, tail rotor, 2 missile pods, "Autobot Reunion" backdrop

:The general retail ''Studio Series'' Deluxe Class Drift figure is an ''extensive'' [[retool]] of the [[Dropkick (Movie)#Studio Series|helicopter Dropkick figure]], sharing half of the lower legs, feet, and wing pylons, with everything else being completely new components. Drift transforms into his briefly-seen helicopter mode from ''Age of Extinction''. The helicopter's detachable tail rotor can mount onto his forearms or back in robot mode. He comes with 2 missile pods that can attach via 5 mm posts under the helicopter's wings or to the sides of the robot legs.

:He also comes with two swords, which attach to his main propeller rotor assembly to form helicopter blades in vehicle mode, and can store on either hip in robot mode. The main rotor assembly folds up to resemble his (unremovable) back-mounted daggers in robot mode. Lastly, he also comes with a cardboard backdrop display depicting the Autobot meetup in ''Age of Extinction''.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====RPMs - ''Robot Powered Machines''====
[[File:RPMDoubleSidersDrift.jpg|thumb|200px]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (2010)
**''Series'': '''Double Siders'''
**''Number'': ?

:''[[Robot Powered Machines]]'' Mini-Vehicle Autobot Drift is a small, non-transforming, [[die-cast]] car based on [[Drift (G1)|his mainstream counterpart]]'s vehicle mode. His robot mode is sculpted underneath the vehicle, and his wheels use through-axle construction that lets the toy zip around at high speeds on smooth surfaces. Thanks to his oversized tires, he can slide along rightside-up or upside-down.

:The intended ''RPM'' release of "Double Siders" Drift never came out. Though it was going to be recycled into ''Speed Stars'', the ''RPM'' version had more paint operations, including having his name printed on his hood and bumper. The only image of the toy comes from a downloadable poster that was on the official ''Transformers'' website of Turkey.

: This mold was also used to make ''Speed Stars'' [[Brakedown (ROTF)|Breakdown]].

{{canceledrpmspeedstar}}

{{-}}

{{anchor|RPMAllspark}}
[[File:RPMSpeedStarDriftUnknown.jpg|thumb|200px]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (2010)
**''Series'': '''Allspark'''
**''Number'': '''04'''

:"Allspark" Drift was presumably a redeco of "Double Siders" Drift. Though listed on the back of the Asian market release of ''RPM'' "Allspark" [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], it has never officially been depicted. However, an otherwise unknown redeco of the Drift mold with blue detailing was displayed at [[Toy Fair 2010]], amongst a mix of cancelled ''RPM'' and planned ''Speed Stars'' vehicles. It is possible that this mystery redeco was the aborted "Allspark" Drift.

{{canceledrpmspeedstar}}

{{-}}

===''Speed Stars''===
[[File:SpeedStars_DoubleSiders_Drift.jpg|thumb|200px|...And then Michael Bay was like "Screw it, let's make him a main character"]]
*'''Drift''' (Mini-Vehicle, 2011?)
**''Series:'' '''Double Siders'''
**''Number:'' ?

: A redeco of the unreleased ''RPM'' "Double Siders" Drift, ''[[Speed Stars]]'' Drift is a small non-transforming [[die-cast]] car. He features notably fewer paint operations than the ''RPM'' version.

:Like its ''RPM'' predecessor, ''Speed Stars'' Drift was never released.

{{canceledrpmspeedstar}}

===''Age of Extinction''===
[[File:AoE merch - Optimus Prime and Drift swords.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
* '''Autobot Functional Weapon Drift Sword''' (2014)
:A replica of one of Drift's katana, this item was released alongside a [[roleplay toys|roleplay]] version of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#Age of Extinction|Optimus Prime's]] [[Sword of Judgment]]. Both swords feature lights and sounds. These appear to only have been released in the [[China|Chinese]] market.
{{-}}

====Funrise Toys====
{{anchor|Plush sword}}
[[File:Drift plush sword.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
* '''Transformers Plush - Drift Katana Sword''' (2014)
: Released by [[Funrise Toys]], this plush version of Drift's katana features electonic sound effect noises.
{{-}}

====''Titan Heroes''====
{{anchor|Titan Heroes}}
[[File:TitanHeroesDrift.jpg|thumb|200px|Yes, we all want to ignore its existence.]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Titan Heroes, 2014)
:Autobot Drift is a non-transforming, screen-accurate (robot-mode wise) yet terribly molded and painted Titan Heroes figure. Like all Titan Heroes figures, It features very little articulation. Due to him having painted human eyes instead of the usual blue robot optics, he is ''creepy as hell''.

{{-}}

===''Pop!''===
[[File:AOE Funko Pop Drift.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Practices balance with the tip of his head.]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (2014)
**''ID number:'' '''103'''

:Released as part of the ''Pop! Movies'' segment, [[Funko Pop!|Funko]]'s ''Pop!'' Drift is a super deformed vinyl figure based on his appearance in ''Age of Extinction''.

{{-}}

===Prime 1 Studio===
[[File:Prime 1 Studio Museum Masterline AOE Drift.jpg|upright=1.11|thumb]]
*'''Drift''' (2015)
**''Movie:'' '''''Age of Extinction'''''
**''ID number:'' '''MMTFM-06'''
**''Accessories'': Base, 2 sword-holding hands

:Limited to 750 pieces, [[Prime 1 Studio]]'s ''Museum Masterline'' Drift is a huge non-transforming sculpture based on his ''Age of Extinction'' appearance. The statue is made of polystone along with other materials and features light-up LED eyes.

:He comes with a pair of alternate hands holding his swords.

{{-}}{{anchor|P1STLK}}
[[File:Prime 1 Studio Museum Masterline TLK Drift.jpg|upright=1.11|thumb]]
*'''Drift''' (2019)
**''Movie:'' '''''The Last Knight'''''
**''ID number:'' '''MMTFM-22'''
**''Accessories'': Base, 2 sword-holding hands

:Limited to 300 pieces, this version of ''Museum Masterline'' Drift is based on his ''The Last Knight'' appearance and also features light-up LED eyes.

:He also comes with a pair of alternate hands holding his swords.

{{-}}

===''The Last Knight''===
====Simba Smoby====
[[File:TF-TLK-1-64-Simba-Smoby-Drift-Robot.jpg|upright=1.11|thumb|Now with lack of creepy-looking eyes.]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Die-cast Figurine, 2017)

:This Drift is a 1/64 non-transforming robot mode figurine, and like the [[MetaColle]] figures, he was made partially out of Die-cast metal.

{{-}}
[[File:TF-TLK-1-64-Simba-Smoby-Drift-car.jpg|upright=1.44|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Drift''' (Die-cast cars, 2017)

:This Drift is a 1/64 non-transforming but screen-accurate vehicle mode based on his alternate mode seen in the film. He features through-axle construction, allowing for super-speedy racing on smooth surfaces, and his car mode is compatible with many tracks and playsets from ''[[Hot Wheels]]'' and ''Matchbox''.

{{--}}

===''Hot Wheels''===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bugatti Veyron''' (Transformers, 2024)}}</ul>
:*''Transformers ID number:'' '''4/5'''
:Made in collaboration with [[Mattel]], this redeco of the ''[[Hot Wheels]]'' Bugatti Veyron casting is made to resemble the color scheme of Drift in ''Age of Extinction''. The packaging makes use of stock images of evergreen Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

{{--}}

==Notes==
* Not counting [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]]'s battle mode, Drift is the first [[Triple Changer]] seen on-screen in the live action films, transforming from a helicopter to a sports car at will. Sadly, the complexity the movie aesthetic gives him means that none of his toys have three modes. Drift is only seen transforming into his new Mercedes alternate mode in ''The Last Knight'', leaving it unknown if he still possesses a third mode.
* While the original [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] and other incarnations of the character have had Japanese motifs, this Drift's appearance is heavily based upon that of a samurai.
*In ''Rise of the Dark Spark'', Drift's alternate mode appears to be comically large – the sports car is of comparable size to ''tanks'' found in the environment!
* Drift also holds the distinction of being the only new character in ''Age of Extinction'' besides the Dinobots to not be called by name, though briefly during the scene where Galvatron chases the Autobots, he is identified on KSI's satellite feed. ''The Last Knight'' later properly identified him on-screen.
[[File:TFGenerations2014 Rejected Black Drift.jpg|thumb|I AM THE STORM THAT IS APPROACHING!]]
*A mock-up of a black redeco of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Original line (2010–2011)|Generations]]'' [[Drift (G1)#Generations|"G1" Drift]] in colours based on ''Age of Extinction'' Drift appeared in ''[[Transformers Generations 2014 Volume 1]]'' as one of ten potential exclusives for Vol. 2. This "Autobot Drift Black Ver." (placeholder name) didn't win the [[Fan polls#Generations Magazine Exclusive Character Popularity Vote|poll]] to determine which of the ten would be produced, however, ending up in fourth place with 12.7% of the votes.<ref>[http://millionhero.sblo.jp/article/101898683.html Poll results at Hero-X]</ref>
* Drift, along with Hound, sports one of the most drastic changes to an ''Age of Extinction'' Autobot, switching the Bugatti Veyron for a Mercedes AMG GT R in ''The Last Knight''.
* His Mercedes alt-mode reflects his original planned color for ''Age of Extinction''.
** Before ''The Last Knight'' was released, people noticed that Drift's mostly black vehicle mode somehow turned into a predominantly red robot mode, to the point where black vehicle parts became red kibble. This seems to have been addressed in the film proper, but the toys kept this oddity.
* Drift was the only new ''Age of Extinction'' Autobot to have an on-screen transformation in his debut film, though he only appeared in helicopter mode whenever he does.
*In a surprising attention to detail and continuity, after throwing one of his swords at a drone in the fourth film, Drift is still missing the blade at the conclusion of ''Age of Extinction'' and ''The Last Knight''.
* [[Eric Bauza]], voice actor of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Drift (RID)|Drift]], recorded the scratch track for Drift in ''Age of Extinction'', with some of his screams and efforts remaining in the final film.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/bauzilla/status/1588944377266999298|name=Eric Bauza|site=Twitter|month=11|day=5|year=2022|quote=Did you knowwww that I recorded all of Drift’s scratch dialog for the film!?!?! 🎞 Im fact… some of my screams & efforts are still in the film!!}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Drift''' (ドリフト ''Dorifuto'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Shuǎiwěi''' (Taiwan, 甩尾, "Drift"), '''Piāoyí''' (China, 漂移, "Drift")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Age of Extinction Autobots]]
[[Category:Age of Extinction Decepticons]]
[[Category:Construct-Bots Autobots]]
[[Category:Hero Mashers Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Platinum Edition]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:RPMs]]
[[Category:Studio Series Autobots]]
[[Category:Speed Stars]]
[[Category:The Last Knight Autobots]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us Japan exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]

Transformers: Collision Course

2024-10-09T23:47:18Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{disambig2|the cancelled mini-series|the ''Power of the Primes'' episode|Collision Course}}
[[File:TransformersCollisionCourse-multiverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Graggle Simpson of IDW.]]

'''''Transformers: Collision Course''''' is an unpublished miniseries from [[IDW Publishing]] that would've brought together characters from across the ''Transformers'' [[multiverse]].

==Overview==
Little is known about the plot of ''Collision Course'': as the miniseries would've seen release in 2022, the final year of IDW's tenure on the ''Transformers'' license, it would've presumably acted as a capstone to seventeen years of IDW's ''Transformers'' storytelling, crossing over characters from IDW's [[2005 IDW continuity|first]] and [[2019 IDW continuity|second]] main continuities as well as ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' and much more. An unproduced cover by [[Alex Milne]] depicts characters from these comics, alongside various familiar faces from the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Transformers'' cartoon]], ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'', the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity]], the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]], [[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers|its anime spinoffs]], and [[Transformers: Beast Wars|IDW's 2021 comic reboot]], plus a few oddball miniseries like ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'', ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'', ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'', and even ''[[Transformers: Last Bot Standing|Last Bot Standing]]''. Another proposed cover by [[Guido Guidi]] features characters explicitly identified as "''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]" and "''Regeneration One'' [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity#Regeneration One|Starscream]],"<ref>''[[Transformers: Best of the Rarities]]''</ref> an unfinished cover by [[Andrew Wildman]] depicts [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]] battling [[Grimlock (G1)|"Generation 1" Grimlock]],<ref>Andrew Wildman panel at TFcon 2022</ref> and a cover by [[Joana Lafuente]] of ''Regeneration One'' Starscream reaching for a [[Cybertronian remembrance flower|Cybertronian flower]],<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Here it is, my last cover for the Transformers while in IDW Publishing's hands. This was one the covers for the unpublished series "Transformers: Collision Course" and I promptly jumped at the opportunity to finally do a Starscream cover (Regen One version). [alt] Transformer's Starscream reaching for a cybertronian/necrobot blue flower while the Universe collapses behind him.|link=https://twitter.com/JoanaLafuente/status/1599924114768031744|name=Joana Lafuente|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=12|day=05|(defunct=)}}</ref> though it's unclear what, if any, role these characters might've played in the overall story. Prominent IDW authors [[Nick Roche]], [[James Roberts]], [[Brian Ruckley]], [[Simon Furman]], [[Tom Scioli]], and others would've collaborated on the overarcing plot, and brainstormed ideas on a video conference call.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2n-FbzFolE Panel at TFNation 2022]</ref> Preliminary art by Scioli includes a scene where [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] enters an "[[Energon]] Universe",<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The Energon Universe from The Unfinished #Transformers Crossover https://t.co/zOjOmZKFIN|link=https://twitter.com/tomscioli/status/1582761511688495107|name=Tom Scioli|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=10|day=19|(defunct=)}}</ref> and another that depicts the return of [[Megatron (G1)#Transformers vs. G.I. Joe|''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' Megatron]] from [[Equestria|Dream Valley]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Megatron Design from the Unfinished Transformers Crossover https://t.co/TtjDRDWg1I|link=https://twitter.com/tomscioli/status/1582761303755882496|name=Tom Scioli|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=10|day=19|(defunct=)}}</ref> One possible plot point would have followed up on the duplicate ''[[Lost Light]]'' from the [[How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2|final issue]] of ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]''.<ref>James Roberts at TFcon 2023</ref>

''Collision Course'' was cut ''very'' late in production, enough so that artists had already completed several covers. As late as January 2022, an article reporting on IDW's impending loss of the ''Transformers'' license noted that the company had two "event" miniseries set for release after the end of their [[Transformers (2019 comic)|ongoing ''Transformers'' comic]]<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/idw-losing-g-i-joe-transformers-license-1235078466/ IDW to Lose ‘G.I. Joe,’ ‘Transformers’ License at End of 2022 (Exclusive) — The Hollywood Reporter]</ref>—it's unclear whether this refers to ''Last Bot Standing'', ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass II]]'', or possibly ''Collision Course'', although ''Last Bot Standing'' is a largely self-contained story ostensibly divorced from any other part of the ''Transformers'' multiverse. That same month, a letters page in ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars|Beast Wars]]'' [[Maximals Strike Back, Part 3|#12]] teased the possibility of a "crossover event" when asked about a potential crossover between the cast of ''Beast Wars'' and IDW's 2019 ''Transformers'' reboot.<ref> "You never know... we may be seeing the Maximals and Predacons in a crossover event in the near future..."</ref> Solicits for 2022's ''[[Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron]]'', advertised as the grand finale for IDW's aforementioned ''Transformers'' reboot, hinted at a potential next installment that never materialized—it's possible that ''Collision Course'' would've continued the story in some capacity.<ref>[https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/APR221599 "The War for Cybertron may end here, but the Autobots and Decepticons aren't done yet!"]</ref>

The reasons behind ''Collision Course's'' cancellation remain unclear—with only months left on the ''Transformers'' license, it may have come down to time concerns, or simply a desire to have both ''Transformers'' and ''Beast Wars'' end on an organic note instead of forcing them into a contrived crossover scenario. Alternately, it's possible that IDW chose to market ''Last Bot Standing'', written with the intent of acting as the "final ''Transformers'' story", as a more subdued response to the end of IDW's ''Transformers'' mythos.

==Notes==
* When IDW first obtained the ''Transformers'' license in [[2005]], [[Simon Furman]] originally proposed a multiverse crossover story that would've brought together the casts of both ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' and [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]], although IDW turned down his pitch.<ref>''Transformers, a New Direction'', Simon Furman's Transformers proposal printed in [[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman|The Best of Simon Furman]]</ref> It's only fitting that what would've been the ''last'' IDW book met the same fate...

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]
[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

Transformers Universe (Jagex)

2024-10-09T23:45:47Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{disambig3|Transformers: Universe}}
[[File:JagexPresentsTransformersUniverse-Logo.png|center|600px]]

'''''Transformers Universe''''' is a cancelled free to play browser based massively{{sic}} online tactical action game, or MOTA, developed by [[Jagex]].<ref>[http://www.transformersuniverse.com/en/news/2014/2/state-of-the-factions-050214]</ref> First unveiled at Botcon 2011,<ref>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/jagex-reveals-transformers-universe-gears-up-for-botcon/</ref> closed beta testing began a year later in 2012<ref>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-15-robots-smash-it-in-first-transformers-universe-gameplay-video</ref>, with Jagex announcing they had indefinitely paused development of their MMORPG ''Stellar Dawn'' to focus on ''Transformers Universe''.<ref>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-02-jagex-suspends-sci-fi-stellar-dawn-mmo</ref> Closed beta then ended sometime in 2013. In 2014 Jagex announced the change to from MMO to MOTA<ref>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-02-28-this-is-what-the-transformers-mota-looks-like</ref> and closed beta registrations began again. The game entered open beta testing on [[July 4]], 2014.<ref>[http://services.transformersuniverse.com/m=forum_tu/l=0/forums.ws?1,2,41,7390 Open Beta - 4th July - Announcements - Transformers Universe Forum:]: We are proud to announce Transformers Universe will be throwing open its doors to the world when we go in to Open BETA this Friday, July 4th from 6am EDT and 11am GMT.
*[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/transformers-universe-beta-launch-press-release-180613/ Transformers Universe Beta Launch Press Release]</ref> It was to be set in an ''alternate'' version of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' portion of the [[Aligned continuity family]]. Gamers could choose to be an [[Autobot]] or a [[Decepticon]], obtain different warriors, and pit them against one another in various challenges and battles to gather [[Relic]]s and [[Energon]].

The gameplay was somewhat similar to other multiplayer battle arena games such as ''{{w|Dota 2}}'' or ''{{w|League of Legends}}''; however, there were no lanes or creeps, and the game was played from a third person perspective. Players picked from a roster of warriors and went head to head in battles to capture points or to annihilate the other team. Although the game featured several ''Prime'' characters in minor roles, new introductions to the ''Prime'' mythos such as [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]] and [[Switchblade (Prime)|Switchblade]] took center stage.

It was announced on [[December 16]], 2014 that the game would begin a phased closure immediately, fully closing on [[January 31]], 2015, without ever having left beta testing.<ref name="closure">[https://www.transformersuniverse.com/en/news/2014/12/important-tu-announcement-161214 The Future of Transformers Universe Announcement]: Today Jagex and Hasbro can confirm that Transformers Universe will close. This decision comes at an important time for both companies as they both realign their plans and focuses for 2015.... We’re hugely disappointed, but the game will be closing over the coming weeks before its full closure at 10am GMT on 31st January 2015.... As mentioned, on 31st Jan 2015 @ 10am GMT we will be shutting down all servers and forums and will freeze all Transformers Universe related accounts. These accounts will then be live for another 60 days (approx.) for any final queries before deletion on 31st March 2015.</ref>

==Synopsis==
[[File:Base maps Transformers Universe.JPG|thumb]]
According to creative director [[Alex DeRakoff]], the main story involves [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] going missing, with the other [[Autobot]]s trying to keep his location a secret from [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], who is travelling across the galaxy with his associates to track down Prime.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KA2QqiwVHo "Under the Hood: Episode 2"]</ref>

In the Autobot and Decepticon trailers as well as the new tutorials introduced, an additional segment of the plot was revealed: The [[Decepticon]]s have intercepted and shot down the Autobot spaceship ''[[Arclight (ship)|Arclight]]'' (which was on its way to Earth to refuel due to the Autobots having stocked up vast amounts of energon on Earth during the war on Cybertron), causing the surviving Autobots crash-land on [[Earth]] (mostly the [[United States of America|United States]]) aboard escape pods. The debris from the ''Arclight'' rained across the North America continent, while the Decepticons' ship, the ''[[Leviathan (starship)|Leviathan]]'' invaded [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]] and the Decepticons began attacking to the humans in order to draw out the Autobots and Optimus Prime. This incident prompted the president to order "a national state of emergency and the total evacuation of eleven major cities." Optimus Prime contacted [[General Freeman]], who provided these Autobot refugees with a [[High Grand|base of operations]]. In return, the Autobots vowed to protect [[human]] civilization from the Decepticon threat.

In a leaked video called "Episode 1 War Room"<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znAq4FqkKuI</ref>, Megatron greets his 'generals' ([[Tomb]], [[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]], [[Switchblade (Prime)|Switchblade]], [[Flamewar (Prime)|Flamewar]] and an unnamed Decepticon) onboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' in space. Switchblade reveals to Megatron that he has helped [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] secure a position among the Autobots, however Prime's location remains unknown. When Switchblade expresses his opinion about Prime's intentions, Megatron quickly silences him by threatening him with his fusion cannon. Swindle, upon questioned about the production of Megatron's armada, informs Megatron that the they are behind schedule due to the expansion of operations but before he can continue, is fired upon by Megatron. Megatron orders his generals to fetch him when it's time for war, and quickly departs the room. In an updated version of the video, <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJaEB8BAgPM</ref> featuring voice acting from [[Frank Welker]] as Megatron and [[Steve Blum]] as [[Switchblade (Prime)|Switchblade]], the unnamed Decepticon and Tomb are replaced by two of the game's original characters, [[Mismatch]] and [[Contagion]].

In another leaked video<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9lYaulMDa8</ref> called "Episode 2 Digging For Trouble", General Freeman warns the Autobots (Optimus Prime, [[Meltdown (Prime)|Meltdown]] and [[Showdown (Prime)|Showdown]]) that their attempts to find [[technetium]] are attracting too much attention, furthermore he states there is nothing of value to the Autobots in the desert.

In a leaked screenshot of one of the short story videos, Swindle attempts to access a vault.<ref>http://i.tformers.com/g/generated/26086/tfu-mc-2__scaled_600.jpg</ref>

==Gameplay==

===Game modes===

There were six playable game modes:

* '''[[Elimination]]''' pits Autobots against Decepticons. The first faction to reach 20 kills wins the match.
* '''[[Meteor Storm]]''' (also known as '''King of the hill''') has both sides try to capture Energon meteor landing sites. The first team that gains 1000 points wins.
* '''[[Crisis (Prime)|Crisis]]''' is a player-vs-environment mode where teams fight hordes of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]]s and gather Energon before fighting a final boss.
* '''[[Dispatch]]''' (also known as '''Incursion''' or '''Free Roam''') is another player-vs-environment where players can partake small missions or mine for energon in the outer base area.
* '''VR Training Simulator''' (also known as '''Battle Simulation''' or '''Training Program''') is an unreleased mode which allows Autobots or Decepticons to train with comrades against holomatter enemies.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6hv5b7T5NU</ref> (This mode was to be included as one of the hangar entrances had been replaced with an entrance to this game mode however due to the game's early closure, it never made into the game itself.)
*'''Recon''' (also known as '''Capture The Flag''' or '''Capture The Intel''') is another unreleased game mode in which Autobots and Decepticons must capture their enemies' "flag" and carry it to their "base". (This mode was also to be included as the keybinding showed keys for dropping the flag and picking it up.)

An additional "Challenge" mode was added were players could prearrange an Elimination match. However no rewards are given (not even experience points) and skill score remains unaffected. The "backfilling" game mechanic is disabled in this mode, and player statistics are not recorded.

===Classes===

There were a variety of classes to chose from. Although many of them could be grouped together (e.g. Mechanist and Medic, Demolisher and Suppressor).
====Known classes====
*Demolisher (previously known as Assassin in closed beta) - Demolishers employ offensive equipment to deal devastating amounts of damage, at the expense of their defenses or utilities.
*Medic - Medics have traded their offensive capabilities in favor of defense and utility, allowing them to fulfill the role of primary healer, and keep themselves alive at the same time.
*Soldier - Soldiers are all-rounders, possessing an even spread of offensive and defensive weapons and equipment.
*Hybrid - Hybrids carry a balance of offensive and defensive systems, and a limited repairing capability. They are most effective when supporting allies.
*Mechanist - Mechanists surrender their offense in favor of strong defenses, their function being to keep themselves alive as they draw enemy fire. A bonus is that they can also repair their allies
*Interceptor (previously known as Demolisher in closed beta) - Interceptors are highly-destructive bots whose weapons and equipment are optimized for offense, making them effective at hit-and-run strategies.
*Suppressor - Suppressors are attack-orientated bots whose S-Techs favor offensive abilities.
*Controller - Controllers specialize in utilities. Their skill with buffs and debuffs is unmatched, using them for a wide variety of positive and negative effects.
*Guardian - Guardians trade in their offense & utilities in order to absorb enemy damage away from their allies.

====Unknown classes====
In the store there are a couple of classes shown in the filter search for warriors. It's unknown what each of the classes did as there were no descriptions in-game.
*Hotfixer (also known as Sentinel)
*Physician

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Anomaly]] ([[Akie Kotabe]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]]
* [[Autotrooper (Prime)|Autotroopers]]
* [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Catapult]]
* [[Chromia (Prime)|Chromia]]
* [[Doubletake]] ([[Glenn Wrage]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Front-Line]]
* [[Hound (Prime)|Hound]]
* [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]] ([[Allan Corduner]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Macro]]
* [[Meltdown (Prime)|Meltdown]]

{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}

* [[Monsoon]] ([[Adam Longworth]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
* [[Outsider (Prime)|Outsider]]
* [[Overclock (Prime)|Overclock]] ([[Adam Longworth]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]] ([[Alex Skuby]])<ref name="castlist">[https://secure.transformersuniverse.com/m=forum_tu/sl=0/forums.ws?2,3,927,11519,goto,1#3 Cast list on the Universe forums] ([http://i.imgur.com/XdljDTe.png Mirror])</ref>
* [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]
* [[Ripraw]] ([[Tom Clarke Hill]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Showdown (Prime)|Showdown]]
* [[Sparkscape]]
* [[Swagger]]
* [[Triage (Prime)|Triage]] ([[Glenn Wrage]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Astraea]] ([[Monet Mazur]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]] ([[Stefan Ashton Frank]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Conduit (Prime)|Conduit]]
* [[Deadheat]] ([[Tom Clarke Hill]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Derail]] ([[Kerry Shale]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Diabla (Prime)|Diabla]]
* [[Drive-By]] ([[Toby Longworth]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Duststorm (Prime)|Duststorm]]
* [[Firebreaker]]
* [[Flatline (Prime)|Flatline]]
* [[Flamewar (Prime)|Flamewar]]

{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}

* [[Hotwire (Prime)|Hotwire]] ([[Glenn Wrage]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]
* [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] ([[Frank Welker]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Mismatch]]
* [[Pandemic]]
* [[Rampart]] ([[Stanley Townsend]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Shellshock]]
* [[Snow Cat (Prime)|Snow Cat]]
* [[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]]
* [[Switchblade (Prime)|Switchblade]] ([[Steve Blum]])<ref name="castlist" />
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]]
{{!}}}
|c4=
* [[General Freeman]]
* [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]]
|nonumbering=true}}

===Unused characters===
[[File:TFUniverseJagex-Pitstop.png|upright=1|thumb|Pitstop]]
A number of characters were either only used in the closed beta or revealed but not made available in the game before it was shut down.
{| style="margin-left:1em;"
|width="25%" valign="top"|'''Autobots'''
* [[Bombast]]
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]
* [[Cameo]]
* [[Clear-Cut]]
|
|width="25%" valign="top"| 
* [[Pitstop]]
* [[Mayday (Prime)|Mayday]]
* [[Stiletto (Prime)|Stiletto]]
|
|width="25%" valign="top"|'''Decepticons'''
* [[Backlash (Prime)|Backlash]]
* [[Barricade (WFC)|Barricade]]
* [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]
* [[Breakneck (Prime)|Breakneck]]
|
|width="25%" valign="top"| 
* [[Contagion]]
* [[Flood]]
* [[Rollcage]]
* [[Tomb]]
|}

===Vague characters===
There are some characters that were believed to be in development, but little information about their existence is available.
*[[Onslaught (WFC)|Onslaught]] (Model artwork found on Artstation and portrait found in the game files)
*[[Boo-Ya]] (found in the game files)
*[[Adhoc]] (concept art found on Artstation, a small icon of his face appears on the official website, leaked video shows his transformation animation<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjt7c5_W_7I</ref> and leaked gameplay showing his helicopter mode<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN1IQesvy6E</ref>)
*[[Lockbox]] (mentioned briefly in the dev insider to Anomaly video and featured in the 2012 beta)
*[[Tyrant]] (mentioned briefly at Manchester Comic Con 2014)
*[[Crackshot]] (mentioned briefly at Manchester Comic Con 2014)
*[[Vigilant]] (mentioned briefly at Manchester Comic Con 2014)
*[[Nightstalker (Prime)|Nightstalker]] (mentioned briefly at Manchester Comic Con 2014)
*[[Rend]] (mentioned briefly at Manchester Comic Con 2014 and mentioned in the game files)
*[[Vindicator]] (mentioned briefly at Manchester Comic Con 2014)
*[[Hemlock]] (mentioned briefly at Insomnia52)
*[[Hawksight]] (mentioned briefly at Insomnia52)
*[[Riot]] (included in the 2012 beta)
*[[Roadblock (Prime)|Roadblock]] (included in the 2012 beta)
*Decepticon Brawler (Seen in [[:File:Transformers_Universe_concept_art_enviroment_10.jpeg|concept art]] and labelled as a Tier 2 Brawler at New York Comic Con<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY3TOkDTypI</ref>)
*[[Scattershot (WFC)|Scattershot]] (Concept art found on [https://theostylianides.carbonmade.com/projects/5418640 Theo Stylianides'] [https://cmmedia.global.ssl.fastly.net/0000f5c5e4caadc052e4/26055127/960x2185/resample(lanczos).jpeg carbon made page])
*[[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] (Concept art found on [https://theostylianides.carbonmade.com/projects/5418640 Theo Stylianides'] [https://cmmedia.global.ssl.fastly.net/0000f5c5e4caadc052e4/26055127/960x2185/resample(lanczos).jpeg carbon made page])
*[[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]] (Concept art found on [https://theostylianides.carbonmade.com/projects/5418640 Theo Stylianides'] [https://cmmedia.global.ssl.fastly.net/ddb859190263d7789b80/26906612/960x3251/resample(lanczos).jpeg carbon made page])
*A049 (Concept art found on [https://theostylianides.carbonmade.com/projects/5418640 Theo Stylianides'] [https://cmmedia.global.ssl.fastly.net/60296188471180506076/26054514/960x1040/resample(lanczos).jpeg carbon made page])

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Transformers Universe Website Background 2013.png
File:Sam-beattie-adhoc-render Transformers Universe.jpg
File:Transformers Universe concept art enviroment 10.jpeg
File:Transformers Universe concept art enviroment 9.jpeg
File:Transformers Universe concept art enviroment 7.jpeg
File:Autobot halloween wallpaper 1440x900 pt.jpg
File:Transformers Universe Flatline with Duststorm and Astraea.JPG
File:Transformers Universe Megatron wallpaper.jpg
File:Transformers Universe Riot 2012.JPG
File:Transformers Universe Roadblock 2012.JPG
File:Transformers-Universe-Character-designs-by-Sam-Hogg.Jpeg
File:TFUniverse wheeljack and knock out concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse bulkhead and swagger concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse A049 concept.jpg
File:Tom-stockwell-arcee-small.jpg
File:TFUniverse chromia concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse grimlock concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse warpath concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse scattershot concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse Perceptor concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse breakdown concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse brawl concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse demolicher concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse demolisher altform concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse megatron altform concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse onslaught altform concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse Flamewar concept.jpg
File:TFUniverse Prowl concept.jpg
</gallery>

== Notes ==
* Two known builds of Transformers Universe were developed. The "2012" version (which never left closed beta) and the "2014" version which went into Open Beta. The 2012 build used an upgraded version of RuneTek 6<ref>http://www.zybez.net/news/1841/what_we_know_about_transformers_universe/</ref> as their game engine while the 2014 build used Unity as its game engine. Further differences included the 2012 version having a 8v8 mode called "Capture the flag"<ref>http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14wue0_toasty_videogames</ref> as well as 8v8 Team Death Match.<ref>http://www.dailymotion.com/dm_521dd4cc5c991</ref> Furthermore characters such as Lockbox, Riot, Roadblock and more were never included in the 2014 build. Starter bots for the Autobots in 2012 were Catapult, Meltdown and Frontline (who is now known as Macro) while in the 2014 build starter bots for the Autobots were Overclock, Monsoon and Triage. Many other details about the 2012 build are lost due to the NDA never being dropped.
*[[BotCon 2012]] attendees were able to reserve their in-game name at the convention.
* The game went through a couple of genre shifts. It was initially slated to be released as an MMORPG with multiple classes and conventional character creation, but the [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|difficulty of customizing robots]] was cited as part of the reasoning in changing it to the quickly expanding MOBA genre. Right.<ref>
[http://www.edge-online.com/features/jagexs-transformers-universe-is-a-massively-multiplayer-action-rpg-that-puts-the-toy-box-robots-onto-the-battlefield/]</ref> It was then declared to be a massively online, tactical action game by Mark Gerhard, CEO/CTO of Jagex.
* The November 2012 issue of Edge revealed both an early version of [[Firebreaker]] and [[Macro]] with the descriptors "Oppressor" and "Guardian".<ref>[http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/e248-transformers-universe-rolls-out-to-retool-the-action-rpg/]</ref>
* On April 25th, 2014, Founders Packs were revealed, along with founder exclusive bonuses and new characters.<ref>[https://www.transformersuniverse.com/founders-pack Founders Pack - Transformers Universe - Become a Founder]</ref> Each increasingly expensive pack, from Bronze to "[[Cybernite]]", was to grant a three day head start to play the game and various in game bonuses, in addition to season passes of various lengths of time and exclusive warriors. The most expensive at $449.99, the Cybernite pack also offered a limited edition ten inch diorama figurine showcasing Showdown and Shellshock in combat. Yeesh.
* Someone named [[Vectorium]] is quoted on Anomaly's page on the Transformers Universe website, referring to the green toxic youngster's capabilities in shock. Considering the pattern of the other Transformers Universe bios, all of whom quote pre-existing characters of the same faction, Vectorium is likely another Autobot. Meanwhile, Decepticon Diabla's page quotes a previously unknown Aligned continuity version of [[Snow Cat (Prime)|Snow Cat]].
*Between June 6-7th, 2014, five unreleased playable characters (Firebreaker, [[Contagion]], [[Outsider (Prime)|Outsider]], [[Cameo]] and Swagger) were leaked by some TFW2005/TFU forum users who toyed around with the generic link for model images of playable Autobots and Decepticons alike.
*On July 4th, 2014, Transformers Universe reached the Open Beta stage and the NDA was lifted. Additionally, more Bots, such as [[Rollcage]],<ref>[https://cdn.transformersuniverse.com/img/main/bot-pages/unity-fallback/bots/rollcage.png]</ref><ref>[https://cdn.transformersuniverse.com/img/main/bot-pages/unity-fallback/vehicles/rollcage.png]</ref> and others (without names) were leaked.<ref>[https://cdn.transformersuniverse.com/img/main/profile/warriors/large/807403543.png]</ref><ref>[https://cdn.transformersuniverse.com/img/main/profile/warriors/large/807403526.png]</ref>
*A veritable cornucopia of information came out on September 5th. Officially announced on that date were a new challenger system and playable characters Outsider and Pandemic due that month along with updated maps. Flamewar and Chromia were revealed to be coming out in October with a new game mode, Recon.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/jagex-transformers-universe-game-update-new-modes-and-characters-181101/</ref> In addition, a vast number of character models were found by a dataminer, including early versions of released characters, unrevealed new characters, models with pre-existing character names as placeholders and character models for cast members of Transformers: Prime. New characters included [[Bombast]], [[Clear-Cut]], [[Backlash (Prime)|Backlash]], [[Flood]], [[Stiletto (Prime)|Stiletto]], [[Pitstop]], [[Pandemic]], [[Breakneck (Prime)|Breakneck]], and [[Mayday (Prime)|Mayday]]. Prime cast members [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] got models, and the in-engine appearance of [[Barricade (WFC)|Barricade]] was confirmed, turning into an SUV. <ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/jagex-transformers-universe-new-characters-including-prime-knock-out-181099/</ref>
*Recon was set to be released with the addition of Flamewar and Chromia on October 2014,<ref>https://www.transformersuniverse.com/en/news/2014/9/evolution-transformers-universe-050914</ref> however in a later developer update, the Transformers Univese team stated "We need to spend more time looking at the balance of the characters and the game mode, as well as continue to polish the relevant features.".<ref>https://www.transformersuniverse.com/en/news/2014/10/developer-update-whats-next-121014</ref> Chromia, Flamewar, Recon and defense (an unannounced gamemode) can still be found in the game files.
*Defense (a gamemode) can be found in the game files which involves the use of a photon cannon.
*On December 16th with the announcement that the game would close at the end of January 2015, still in beta,<ref name="closure"/> Jagex announced that all Founders Pack, relic bundles and starter packs would be refunded. No specific reason has been given as to the reason for the closure.
*Various artists for Transformers Universe have uploaded concept arts as well as models of Transformers Universe characters on Artstation including artworks of Arcee, Onslaught, Perceptor, Adhoc, Bombast, Clearcut, Flamewar, Chromia, Warpath, Bumblebee, and many others.
*Although the set date for the closure was Saturday 31st January at 10AM (GMT), the game servers and the website were still online even after this date and time. However on the 1st of February at 4:30PM (GMT) attempts to access the official website was redirected to the [http://www.hasbro.com/en_GB/brands/transformers/| Transformers section on the official Hasbro website], but the [https://secure.transformersuniverse.com/m=forum_tu/sl=0/forums.ws forums from the TFU website] could still be accessed showing the official site was still online, as well as the [http://cybertron-frankfurt.transformersuniverse.com/webplayerdirect.html|game servers]. The game servers went offline on the 28th of February along with the forums.
*[http://www.wearemi.com/ Makers and Innovators] created several 'comic-like' episodes to promote the game. After Transformers Universe was shut down, they posted 2 of these episodes on their website, but they were shortly taken down. According to MI, they made 10 of these episodes in total<ref>http://tformers.com/transformers-unreleased-promotional-motion-comics-for/26086/news.html</ref>.
*Intel (US chip manufacturer) listed Transformers Universe among the popular playable games that can run on Intel HD 4000<ref>http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-034979.htm</ref>
*Transformers Universe's multiplayer was made possible by muchdifferent's unitypark suite. In fact muchdifferent had Transformers Universe listed on their gameshow case as being in closed beta well into 2015, after it had already both entered open beta and been closed down.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150428060215/http://www.muchdifferent.com/game-technology Archived version of muchdifferent game technology page]</ref>
*Throughout Transformer Universe's lifetime several tournaments and competitions were held to promote the game. In early 2014 beta (during February and March) players who gained the most amount of kills or assists or healing points or most damage taken in one life, were awarded with any free playable warrior of their choice at the time. To celebrate Open Beta a skill score competition was held with double XP and $75,000 prizes.<ref>http://www.pcgamer.com/transformers-universe-free-to-play-moba-goes-into-open-beta-on-july-4/</ref>. At Manchester Comic Con a tournament was held where anyone could sign up a team and compete for the top prize of £5000. At EGX London another Tournament was held where yet again anyone could compete for prizes and founder pack giveaways.<ref>http://games.mxdwn.com/news/egx-london-2014-transformers-universe-showcases-pandemic-and-outsider-released-today/</ref>
*[[Adhoc]], an unreleased character, is the only Transformer with a known working flight-capable alternative mode in the game.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN1IQesvy6E</ref>.

==See also==
*''[[Transformers Online (2012 video game)|Transformers Online]]'', the game's ''even more'' short-lived counterpart for Asian markets.
*''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'', a store-bought game with online multiplayer gameplay.
*''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'', the above's sequel.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://transformersuniverse.com/ Official website]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyc0fuDuPcc&feature=player_embedded Video interview]

{{Gamestub}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Universe}}
[[Category:Online games]]
[[Category:Prime media]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game| ]]

Transformers Operation Omega

2024-10-09T23:44:50Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{videogame
|title=''Transformers Operation Omega''
|japanese=トランスフォーマー OPERATION OMEGA
|image=TF_Operation_Omega_promo.jpg
|caption=
|prev=Transformers Ultimate Allstars
|next=
|developer=[[HEROZ]]
|publisher=[[T-Entamedia]]
|date=[[December 14]], [[2015]]
|platform=Android, iOS, iPad
}}

'''''Transformers Operation Omega''''' was a Japanese-exclusive game published by [[T-Entamedia]] and a sequel to ''[[Transformers Ultimate Allstars]]''. Like its predecessor, it was a "line battle" strategy game with focus on acquiring better and rarer units for your team. Initially set for release when ''Ultimate Allstars'' went down in March 2016, it instead entered open beta on [[October 30]], 2015 and was released soon thereafter in the following December.

The game proved short-lived: on [[February 1]], 2016, it was announced that the game would be shut down alongside ''Ultimate Allstars'' on [[March 31]] of that year, though events kept going until the end and the in-game "[[cybercoin]]" currency remained on sale until [[February 29]].

==Gameplay==
{{gamestub}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)]]
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee (Adventure)]]
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
*[[Drift (RID)|Drift]]
*[[Grimlock (G1)]]
*[[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock (Adventure)]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]

{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}

*[[Jazz (G1)]]
*[[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz (Adventure)]]
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]]
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime (Adventure)]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Sea Spray]]
*[[Sideswipe (G1)]]

{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}

*[[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe (Adventure)]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
*[[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]]
*[[Steeljaw (G1)]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]
*[[Ginrai (robot)|Victory Leo]]
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]

{{!}}}

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
*[[Filch]]
*[[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]

{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}

*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
*[[Springload (RID)|Springload]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
*[[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw (Adventure)]]
*[[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]]
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]
*[[Underbite]]

{{!}}}

|h4=Others|c4=
*Falcon units
*Repair units
*Shooter units
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Events==
# Adventure ([[January 12]], 2016)
# Adventure 2 ([[January 26]], 2016)

==Notes==
*''Operation Omega'' has its own mascot in a girl named [[Stella (Operation Omega)|Stella]], who provided tips and tutorials in-game, ran the game's now-defunct Twitter account, and narrated the how-to-play section of the website.
*The game's [[generic]]s are based on existing toys: Repair and Shooter units are recolors of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Skids (G1)#Generations|Skids]], while Falcon units are based on ''Generations'' [[Fireflight (FOC)#Generations|Air Raid]].
*[[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] and [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] were included in promotional images for the game, as seen at the top of this article, but ultimately never appeared in-game. Before the game went down, the official Twitter also revealed concept art of a [[Dinobot II]] unit that was never added.

==External links==
*[http://pr.tf-app.com/index.html Official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Operation Omega}}
[[Category:Aligned video games]]
[[Category:Generation 1 video games]]
[[Category:Mobile games]]

Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)

2024-10-09T23:44:09Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{disambig3.5|the real-world franchise|the historical event within the fiction|Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars}}
{{Nav-bw}}

'''''Beast Wars: Transformers''''' is a [[franchises|franchise]] that began in [[1996]], following the end of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''. It was a massive reinvention of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]], featuring robots that changed into realistic, organically styled animals instead of the traditional vehicles and mechanical beasts. The accompanying cartoon was another visual break, being the first fully-[[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] ''Transformers'' series. It also did the seemingly unthinkable and replaced the original factions of [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s with complete new ones called [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. Though originally [[Ruined FOREVER|decried by fans]], ''Beast Wars'' dramatically reinvigorated the brand after flagging sales in the ''Generation 2'' franchise.

"Beast Wars" is also frequently used as a catchall term for the overall [[Beast Era]] in which [[Beast Wars continuity|''Beast Wars'' and other series]] occur.

The ''Beast Wars'' franchise features the following primary components:
*[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|A toyline]] — ([[1996]]–[[2001]])
*[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|A cartoon series]] — (1996–[[1999]]) called ''Beasties'' in many Canadian markets to appear less violent (''Ha!'').
*[[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|A video game]] for PC and [[PlayStation]] based on the first season of the cartoon.
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|A video game]] for the [[Nintendo 64]] based on the [[Transmetal]] and [[Fuzor]] versions of the characters from the cartoon's second season (and some from the toyline).
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)|A video game]] for the PlayStation, with the same name and general concept as the N64 game, but significant differences.
*Several [[List of Beast Wars comics|comic series]] that were produced both during and after the franchise's original run.

==Overview==
[[File:OptimusPrimalVsMegatron BeastWarsWave1DeluxeCommercial.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|''Beast Wars'' marked a revolutionary point in ''Transformers'' history, with all new factions, radical new toy developments, and (at the time) cutting edge computer animation.]]
From [[1992]] to [[1995]], [[Hasbro]]'s attempt to revive the ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' brand with ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' proved to be not as successful as originally hoped. Facing the reality of cancelation, Hasbro was left with the decision of either ending ''Transformers'' for good or trying something ''dramatically'' different to breathe new life into the brand; ultimately, they chose the latter. The major change in direction followed organizational changes within Hasbro. The company had previously acquired rival toy manufacturer [[Kenner]] as part of their [[1991]] [[Tonka]] acquisition.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20081102035722/http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ci_history_hasbro The History of Hasbro] (archive copy)</ref> In 1995, they transferred their boys' toy lines from the Hasbro headquarters in [[Rhode Island]] to Kenner's offices in Cincinnati, [[Ohio]]. Kenner was tasked with revitalizing the brand with new ideas and, in [[1996]], ''Beast Wars'' was the result.

Lead designer [[Chris Gross]] inadvertently kicked off the ''Beast Wars'' concept when he proposed a stylistic change from hard-edged, blocky robots to {{w|Bio Booster Armor Guyver|Guyver}}-inspired "organic" machines.<ref name="vinnie">[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html BotCon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref> The "[[mutant head]]s" on the first few Beast Wars toy designs were conceived of as a way of easing the transition from traditional ''Transformers'' into ''Beast Wars'' by showing that there was a robot within the beast, not just an animal that transforms into some kind of monster.<ref name="vinnie"/> The ''Beast Wars'' line title was inspired by a past toyline of Kenner's, namely the ''Future War'' line of ''{{w|Terminator (franchise)|Terminator}}'' toys, which was chosen based on the idea that it portrayed a "visceral conflict".<ref name="vinnie"/> The show would not have been made unless a drastically new concept from the original ''Transformers'' was created, as Generation 1 was considered a stale property at the time.<ref name="vinnie"/>

To promote the new toyline, an animated TV series was created by [[Canada|Canadian]] production company [[Mainframe Entertainment]], who had pioneered in [[computer-generated imagery]] with the success of their first animated series ''{{w|ReBoot}}''. Television writers [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] were brought in to serve as the series' story editors. Having never worked on ''Transformers'' beforehand, the two brought a fresh perspective to the series, and created a whole new world and lore from the ground up. Voice talent for the show was based in Vancouver, [[British Columbia]], with such actors as [[Garry Chalk]], [[David Kaye]], [[Scott McNeil]], [[Richard Newman]], [[Venus Terzo]], and more, first joining the ''Transformers'' voice acting legacy through ''Beast Wars''. Many would even return to ''Transformers'' to lend their voices to the casts of later animated series, such as those belonging to the [[Unicron Trilogy]] of the mid-2000s.

By mid-[[1999]], ''Beast Wars'' had spanned three-and-a-half years of new toys and three seasons of the TV series, with new developments and new innovations constantly brought to the table year after year. While the cartoon ended that year, the toyline crept along past its formal lifespan with a few final releases just making it out to retail stores and fan conventions in both [[2000]] and [[2001]].

==Japanese release==
{{nav-bwj}}
In Japan, the first season of the North American cartoon was aired in [[1997]] with what was basically a gag dub, striking a markedly lighter tone full of adlibs and pop culture references added to the dialogue, meant to up the humor and appeal to a much younger audience than the English version. This dub was accompanied by releases of the concurrent toys, but only about half of the ones released in the West (mostly just those of the in-show characters). Because the second and third seasons of the show were only 13 episodes each (half the length of the show's first 26-episode season), the second season was deemed too short to span a year's worth of Japanese television, and thus its Japanese release was held off until production of the third season was completed.

In the meantime, two Japanese-original cel-animated series were created to fill in the void, with each receiving their own accompanying toys and [[manga]] series. These were [[1998]]'s ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' and 1999's ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]'', respectively. While both of these series used cel animation, the toys' box art was rendered in a CG style similar to the original Mainframe cartoon (whereas the Western releases of the toys were the opposite, featuring hand drawn box art). Once both of these had finished their original broadcast run, the remaining two CG-animated seasons of the Mainframe series, along with their accompanying toys, were finally released in late 1999 under the name of ''Beast Wars Metals''. Like the first season, the ''Metals'' dub was just as light-hearted and littered with adlibs.

==Reception==
''Beast Wars'' was the first complete reinvention of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]], discarding the previous setting, characters, and factions to create a brand new story. [[Transformer]]s in the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon were much smaller (often [[human]]-sized) and initially transformed into "fleshy" or "scaly" non-robotic animals, before the second season introduced new concepts like the [[Transmetal]]s. Initially met with [[Trukk not munky|outrage]] by many fans (for a variety of reasons), ''Beast Wars'' would eventually win over most of its detractors and become highly regarded, largely due to the exceptional quality of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon series]]. It is now not unusual for even longtime fans of the 1980s [[The Transformers (franchise)|''Transformers'']] to consider ''Beast Wars'' to be their favorite of all ''Transformers'' franchises. This is perhaps best shown by the fact that, about fifteen years later, the first two fan-voted characters to enter the [[Transformers Hall of Fame]] were ''Beast Wars'' fan-favorites [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], and again in [[2017]] when [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Power of the Primes|won]] the ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Fan polls#Power of the Primes Fan Vote|fan poll]].

==Sequel==
{{main|Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)}}
A direct sequel series followed ''Beast Wars'' in the form of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]''. In contrast to its predecessor, while it kept the heroic Maximal faction, ''Beast Machines'' brought back vehicular altmodes for the enemy faction, replacing the Predacons with the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]. It also utilized a more futuristic "alien" aesthetic, with the Maximals turning into "[[technorganic]]" beasts (a molecular fusion of the organic and the technological), while the Vehicons turned into "living" vehicles with robotic heads in place of the driver's seats and cockpits. ''Beast Machines'' also received a [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon series]] that continued the lives of the ''Beast Wars'' cast on their home planet of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], but took a much more cerebral approach to its story that yielded a far more polarizing reception from the fandom.

==Anniversaries==
===10th Anniversary===
[[2006]] marked the tenth anniversary of ''Beast Wars'' and many parties sought to celebrate the occasion in different ways. From Hasbro came ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'', a small line consisting primarily of reissues of eight toys from the original 1996 toyline, [[redeco]]ed in more [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] color schemes. Six of these reissues were Deluxe class toys that included both a [[pack-in material|packed-in]] DVD containing a single episode from the cartoon (each episode being one themed around the character with whose toy they were packaged) and an all-new [[Build a Figure|build-a-figure]] component of [[Transmutate (BW)|Trans-Mutate]], a show-original [[Transmutate (episode)|single-episode]] character who had never received a toy beforehand. Additionally, two brand new Deluxe class molds of [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Megatron]] were released as part of the line, and had built-in compatibility with the [[Cyber Key]] gimmick of the then-contemporary ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toyline.

For [[BotCon 2006]], [[Fun Publications]] created what was, arguably, their most famous and well-received set of [[BotCon]] [[exclusive]]s: "Dawn of Future's Past", a set of mostly ''Cybertron'' toy molds redecoed/[[retool]]ed into most of the main cast of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon's first season, in forms representing the Cybertronian bodies the characters had before coming to Earth and scanning their [[beast mode]]s. An accompanying [[Dawn of Future's Past|comic story of the same title]] served as an immediate prequel to the cartoon, telling the story of what all happened right before the [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|first episode]]. The following year, an additional prequel to ''that'' prequel was released at [[BotCon 2007]], in the form of an animated short titled "[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]" (which even had [[David Kaye]] reprise his role of [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]!).

[[TakaraTomy]] also celebrated the anniversary with two new developments of their own. First was ''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]'', a special two-pack release of the original Ultra class [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Reborn|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Reborn|Megatron]] toys in new show-accurate colors and tooling (Hasbro would also release these two as part of their ''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'' line). A four-part ''Beast Wars Reborn'' prose story written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] (set after the events of the Japanese dub of ''Beast Machines'') was published in issues #97–100 of ''[[Figure Ō]]'' magazine from [[March]] to [[June]] of 2006. In [[2007]]—the tenth anniversary of the [[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers|Japanese release of ''Beast Wars'']]—TakaraTomy released ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]'', a proper line of ''Beast Wars'' reissues very similar to Hasbro's ''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'' line, complete with pack-in DVDs and show-accurate redecos (even ''more'' accurate than those of the Hasbro line).

===20th Anniversary===
[[File:BW20.png|190px|right|]]
After the attention ''Beast Wars'' had received from Hasbro for the tenth anniversary in 2006, as well the ''bombastic'' celebration for the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'']] brand's 30th anniversary—the "''[[Thrilling 30]]''"—which Hasbro threw in [[2014]]... The [[fandom]] waited with bated breath to see how Hasbro had in store for the 20th anniversary of ''Beast Wars'' in [[2016]]. Alas, there was very little fanfare from Hasbro proper, who opted to instead focus their attention more on the 30th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. The ''sole'' nod to the ''Beast Wars'' anniversary from Hasbro was the ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' release of the [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Platinum Edition|Year of the Monkey Optimus Primal]], which did sport a celebratory [[logo]] (pictured right), but said release was more of a Hasbro ''Asia'' initiative than Hasbro proper.

[[File:Beast Wars Chilling 20th Logo.jpg|left|125px|]]
For [[BotCon 2016]], Fun Publications paid more heed. Much like 2006, the convention was themed around another ''Beast Wars'' prequel, with a majority of the exclusive toys representing ''Beast Wars'' characters in pre-beast bodies they had on Cybertron before the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. The convention comic, "[[Dawn of the Predacus]]", was made by [[IDW Publishing]], with its story tied to both IDW's 2006–2008 ''Beast Wars'' comics and Fun Publications' "Dawn of Future's Past" comic from 2006. Throughout 2016, Fun Publications also produced several prose stories for ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'', a completely different, dystopian-themed ''Beast Wars'' series that was largely unconnected to the TV series. One of these prose stories, "[[Intersectionality]]", even included its own "''Chilling 20''" anniversary logo (pictured left) as a joke.

TakaraTomy also released a bit of ''Beast Wars''-themed product in 2016. Exclusive toys of [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#LGEX|Rattrap]], [[Rhinox (BW)#Legends|Rhinox]], and [[Waspinator (BW)/toys#Legends|Waspinator]] were released at Transformers Fes2016, as part of the ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' toyline; these three were show-accurate redecos of [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Generations|their]] [[Rhinox (BW)#Generations|''Generations'']] [[Waspinator (BW)/toys#Generations|toys]] originally released during the aforementioned ''Thrilling 30'' range. TakaraTomy also released a ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' version of [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Masterpiece|Optimus Primal]] for [[October]] 2016, which led to several more ''Beast Wars'' characters receiving ''Masterpiece'' toys in the years to come. [[E-HOBBY]] also released ''Legends'' [[Convobat#Legends|Convobat]] in [[December]] 2016, a redeco of the ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Mindwipe (G1)#Titans Return|Mindwipe]] and [[Titan Master]] [[Infinitus#Titans Return|Infinitus]] toys as a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]-based update of the original [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|bat Optimus Primal]] toy from 1996.

===25th Anniversary===
[[File:Beast Wars 25th Anniversary Logo.png|200px|right|]]
The twenty-fifth anniversary in [[2021]] was met with significantly more fanfare from Hasbro with the debut of ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'', the ''Beast Wars''-themed third chapter of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' toyline and [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|cartoon]]. The success of the ''Kingdom'' toyline led to releases of more ''Beast Wars'' characters continuing into the subsequent ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' line of [[2022]]. 2021 also saw the release of the ''[[Vintage#Vintage Beast Wars|Vintage Beast Wars]]'' line of reissues (this time ''not'' redecoed show-accurately and even including some non-show characters from the original toyline), and a brand new [[Transformers: Beast Wars|ongoing ''Beast Wars'' comic]] from IDW, which served as a complete reimagining of the 1996 cartoon's premise, setting, and characters. The comic's issues sported a legit 25th anniversary logo (pictured right).

The then-upcoming sixth live-action feature film ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'' was also announced in 2021, as it featured new live-action interpretations of select characters from ''Beast Wars''. Both the film and its [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (toyline)|heavily beast-themed toyline]] were originally scheduled for release the following year in 2022, but delays pushed back both to be released on [[June 9]] of [[2023]] instead. In anticipation of the film's Japanese release later that year, TakaraTomy also created ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Again|Beast Wars Again]]'', a small line of ''Kingdom'' and ''Legacy'' molds given new show-accurate decos, which were sold as VS two-packs in the style of those released back in the original [[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)|Takara ''Beast Wars'' toyline]]. This line was even accompanied by a special rebroadcast of select episodes from the cartoon's Japanese dub (albeit, with each episode split in half to air in 15-minute timeslots), rebranded with the new ''Beast Wars Again'' logo. Though, due to the belated release of ''Rise of the Beasts'', both it and ''Beast Wars Again'' coming in 2023 ended up being less of a 25th anniversary celebration and more of a "27th anniversary".

==Notes==
*On April 4, 2019, [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] listed a live-action adaptation of ''Beast Wars'' as a potential future entry to the [[live-action film series]].<ref>[https://www.slashfilm.com/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-pet-sematary-interview/3/ 'Pet Sematary' Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura On Making Big Changes To Stephen King's Book And The Current Status Of 'Snake Eyes,' 'McClane,' And 'Transformers' [Interview]]</ref> This would eventually manifest as ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Beast Era]]
[[Category:Beast Wars| ]]
[[Category:Franchises]]

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2024-10-09T23:43:12Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{nav-rotb}} 
{{movie|
|seriess=[[Live-action film series]]
|prev=Bumblebee (film)
|next=
|title=''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''
|image=Transformers Rise of the Beasts Theatrical Poster.jpeg
|caption=So for now, let the battle be here, on this strange, primitive world. And let it be called... Beast Wars!
|production companies=[[Skydance Media]] [[Entertainment One]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] [[New Republic Pictures]] [[Michael Bay|Bay Films]]
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Brian Goldner]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[Bradley J. Fischer]] [[Valerii An]] [[David Ellison]] [[Dana Goldberg]] [[Don Granger]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Duncan Henderson]]
|story by=[[Joby Harold]]
|screenplay by=[[Joby Harold]] [[Darnell Metayer]] [[Josh Peters]] [[Erich Hoeber]] [[Jon Hoeber]]
|directed by=[[Steven Caple Jr.]]
|cinematography by=[[Enrique Chediak]]
|edited by=[[Stuart Levy]] [[Brett M. Reed]]
|music by=[[Jongnic Bontemps]]
|release date=[[June 9]], [[2023]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|runtime=127 minutes <ref>https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C0D78E2B005A16FE</ref>
|budget=$200 million
|box office=$438.9 million<ref>https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5090568/</ref>
}}

'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' is the seventh film in the [[live-action film series]], serving both as a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' and a tribute to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. The film is directed by [[Steven Caple Jr.]] and written by [[Joby Harold]], [[Darnell Metayer]], [[Josh Peters]], [[Erich Hoeber]], and [[Jon Hoeber]]. Originally expected to be released on [[June 28]], [[2019]],<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref> the film was delayed multiple times until finally being released on [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release"/>

When [[Noah Díaz]], a struggling young man trying to provide for his family, is roped into a conflict between the marooned [[Autobot]]s and the recently arrived [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcons]], he must learn to work with weary Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] so they, with the help of the wise [[Maximal]]s and the unadventurous researcher [[Elena Wallace]], can stop the arrival of the planet-eater [[Unicron]].

{{bigquote|Maximals...!}}
{{bigquote|Autobots...!}}
{{bigquote|Roll out!|[[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:ROTBcap-Unicronringedplanet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|This is one unusual planet... whatever it is.]]

Somewhere in time and space, the dark god [[Unicron]] and his minions invade a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle world]] populated by [[Maximal]]s. Unicron, seeking a way to cross galaxies, sends his [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]] herald [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] to retrieve the [[Transwarp Key]], an advanced device that can open portals in space-time. Although the Maximals attempt to fight back, their leader [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] entrusts [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and a small group of Maximals—[[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]], [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]], and [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]]—with the Transwarp Key and orders them to keep the artifact from Unicron. As Primal and his followers use the key to escape their doomed planet and flee to prehistoric [[Earth]], Scourge kills Apelinq after a brief fight and takes his [[insignia]] as a trophy.

Thousands of years later, in June [[1994]], ex-military electronics expert [[Noah Díaz]] attempts to find a job to support his sick brother [[Kris Díaz|Kris]]. However, after another failed interview, his friend [[Reek]] convinces him to steal an expensive car from a nearby hotel. However, the "car" turns out to be the Autobot [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] in disguise, who takes the terrified Noah on a joyride through the streets of [[New York City]]. At the same time, a museum on Ellis Island comes into possession of an unusual stone falcon with a Maximal insignia. After closing hours, museum intern [[Elena Wallace]] investigates the statue and accidentally breaks it open to reveal half of the Transwarp Key. The artifact releases an energy pulse that attracts the attention of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, who have been stranded on Earth since their evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] [[Bumblebee (film)|seven years prior]]. Prime summons the nearest Autobots—[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and Mirage, who arrives at the meeting spot with Noah in tow. Although Optimus distrusts humans, he believes that they can use the Transwarp Key to return home and liberate their homeworld; eventually, Mirage hatches a scheme to sneak into the museum and have Noah steal the key for them.

[[File:Scourge about to blast bee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|A treacherous, underhanded sneak attack! I like you, pussycat, yes.]]

Unbeknownst to the Autobots, the accidental activation of the Transwarp Key summons the Terrorcons to Earth. Noah meets Elena inside the museum, but cannot convince her to turn over the relic before the Terrorcons attack; despite Prime's best efforts, Scourge successfully overpowers the Autobot leader, steals the Transwarp Key, and mortally injures Bumblebee before Airazor arrives to help drive the villains away. Airazor explains that the Maximals have been on Earth for millennia, and deliberately split the Transwarp Key in half to prevent Unicron or his followers from using it. The loss of Bumblebee only further galvanizes Optimus's resolve that they must reassemble the key and return home; Noah, fearful of Unicron's arrival, tells Elena that they must destroy the key to protect their own homeworld.

[[File:ROTB-Maximalstandoff.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Moderate your conflict circuits, Maximals.]]

Elena deduces that the other half of the key is located in a hidden temple in [[Peru]], and Prime recruits the airborne Autobot [[Stratosphere]] to take them there. Near the city of [[Cusco]], the Autobot [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] guides them to the temple, located beneath a [[Convent of Santo Domingo|local monastery]]. A festival prevents the Autobots from moving through the city inconspicuously; as a result, Noah and Elena must make the journey on foot. The pair discover a hidden mechanism that leads to a hidden temple with a stone sarcophogus but find that the other half of the key is no longer inside it. The Terrorcons attack again, and although the Autobots are able to evade the villains, the conflict ends with Scourge infecting Airazor with a portion of Unicron's dark energy. On the other side of the temple, Noah and Elena encounter Optimus Primal and the other two Maximals, who, after a brief standoff that was defused by Airazor, agree to join forces with the Autobots. Optimus Primal explains that they entrusted the Transwarp Key to a tribe of humans who live near the [[energon]]-rich valley that Primal and his followers inhabit—while Optimus Prime distrusts humanity, Primal has lived among them for millennia, and has come to view them as friends and even allies.

The next morning, however, Scourge's corruption finally overtakes Airazor; in the ensuing battle, Primal is forced to crush her spark to save Elena, while Noah makes an attempt to destroy their half of the Transwarp Key until Optimus convinces him to stand down. However, Scourge and the Terrorcons take advantage of the chaos to steal the other half of the key and relocate to a nearby volcano, which they reshape into a massive portal that will summon Unicron to Earth.

[[File:RotB-Optimusvsscourge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Across the galaxy, it has come to this, Optimus Primal. Face to face, tooth to claw, yes... have you anything to say?]]

Having found some common ground between their two races, Optimus Prime and Noah agree to work together; while the Autobot-Maximal alliance battle Unicron's minions, Noah and Elena attempt to sneak into the Terrorcon base and deactivate the [[Unspace|transwarp]] device with a manual shutdown code based on Elena's studies of the Maximal language. Mirage attempts to distract Scourge so that the humans can complete their mission, but the Terrorcon leader gravely injures him; with the last of his strength, Mirage reshapes his body into an [[exosuit]] for Noah. As Unicron begins pushing his way through the portal to Earth and sending down reinforcements in the form of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]s, the energy pulses released by the key ignite the nearby energon deposits and restore Bumblebee to life. As Bumblebee joins the fight, Optimus Prime gains the upper hand and finally kills Scourge, but not before the Terrorcon damages the console and leaves the heroes unable to close the portal. With no other options, Prime destroys the key and triggers a devastating implosion, but Noah and Primal successfully rescue the Autobot leader from falling into the collapsing vortex.

In the aftermath, the surviving Maximals remain in Peru, while the Autobots return to America. Elena is recognized for her archeological discovery, while Noah applies for another security job—but discovers that the job opportunity is actually a front for a clandestine government organization codenamed "[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]," who promise to cover his brother's treatment going forward.

Some time later, Noah has used spare Porsche parts to cobble together a new body for Mirage, and reveals his existence to a bewildered Reek.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot]]s / [[Maximal]]s|c1=
;Autobots
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
* [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Pete Davidson]])
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Liza Koshy]])
* [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] ([[Cristo Fernández]])
* [[Stratosphere]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

;Maximals
* [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Ron Perlman]])
* [[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]] ([[Michelle Yeoh]])
* [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]] ([[Tongayi Chirisa]])
* [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]] ([[David Sobolov]])
* [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] (David Sobolov)

|h2=[[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s / [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
;Terrorcons
* [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] ([[Peter Dinklage]])
* [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] ([[Michaela Jaé Rodriguez]])
* [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]] (David Sobolov)
* [[Sweep (ROTB)|Sweep]]s
** [[Freezer]]
** [[Novakane]]

;Predacons
* [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]s

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
* [[Noah Díaz]] ([[Anthony Ramos]])
* [[Elena Wallace]] ([[Dominique Fishback]])
* [[Breanna Díaz]] ([[Luna Lauren Velez]])
* [[Kris Díaz]] ([[Dean Scott Vasquez]])
* [[Reek]] ([[Tobe Nwigwe]])
* [[Jillian Robinson]] ([[Sarah Stiles]])
* [[Bishop (ROTB)|Bishop]] ([[Aidan Devine]])
* [[D. Greene]] ([[Leni Parker]])
* [[Amaru]] ([[Lucas Huarancca]])
;[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]
* [[Agent Burke]] ([[Michael Kelly (actor)|Michael Kelly]])

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Unicron]] ([[Colman Domingo]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"There’s a legend that precedes the dawn of our civilization: a vile god so large, so powerful, that it consumed entire planets as fuel. Few believed such a thing could be true, until the day we saw Unicron with our own eyes…"
:—'''Optimus Primal's''' opening narration.

"I'll hold him off, buy you some time." 
"Then I'm staying with you." 
"This is my fight. Listen, if Unicron were to get the key, he could open a portal through [[Transwarp Drive|time and space]], with no end to the worlds he could destroy. It is now your time to lead the [[Maximal]]s... Optimus Primal."
:—'''Apelinq''' passing the torch to '''Optimus Primal'''.

"So you're this planet's... ''great'' warrior. You have such a beautiful world, filled with an abundance of life. Savory."
:—'''Scourge''' waxes poetic to Apelinq.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes." 
''[Noah glares at Kris]'' 
''(sigh)'' "Don't be a problem. Don't go looking for a problem—" 
"Or else we're gonna have a problem."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"But what about for friendship?" 
''[Noah stares at Mirage incredulously]'' 
"Uh, uh—or or ''or'', what about for cash?"
:—'''Noah''' wants out. '''Mirage''' wants him in.

''"You can't handle the truth!"'' 
"I do not want you going to that drive-in theater anymore."
:— '''Bumblebee's''' references grate on '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Stop following me!" 
"I'm not following you, I'm just escaping in the same direction!"
:—'''Elena''' and '''Noah''' run from the pursuing Sweeps.

"And you call yourself a Prime...Primus would be ''ashamed.''"
:—'''Scourge''' isn't too impressed with Optimus Prime.

"I'm going to take back Scourge's key, and then...''take off his head.''"
:—The origins of '''Optimus Prime's''' "GIVE ME YOUR FACE" phase.

"I love your fire, Prime, but you're going to die on this speck of dust." 
"I can think of no better place to bury you!"
:—'''Scourge''' has gotten on '''Optimus Prime's''' last nerve

"He is not ''the'' Optimus Prime I imagined." 
"Well, he has lost so much." 
"Many more will perish if the key falls into the wrong hands." 
"If you had another chance to save our home, would you act any differently?"
:—'''Optimus Primal''' and '''Airazor'''

"I am sorry, Noah." 
"You were looking out for your own. I can't even be angry at you for that." 
"On my homeworld, we believe that the battle with darkness will continue [['Til all are one|'til all are one]]. I lost sight of that. You fought for yours as I fought for mine, when we should've been fighting the darkness together." 
"Well, I ain't done fighting yet."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Noah''' have a moment as Unicron approaches.

"''I have come here to kick ass!''"
:—'''Bumblebee''' announces his return with a clear message.

"Time to show you the real power of a Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lays the smackdown on Scourge. An ass kicker cometh.

"Don't, Prime. I can give you everything you want." 
"Then DIE!"
:—'''Unicron's''' temptation falls flat in '''Optimus Prime's''' face.

"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. We have lost the Transwarp Key, and with it, our ability to go home. But we have gained an ally in our battle against the forces of evil. Forces too powerful for any of us to defeat on our own, but together, we might just have a chance."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration. We missed them.

"I am Noah Díaz. What is there to know about me? I was raised out in Brooklyn. I got a little bro who calls me Sonic, and if I gotta help save the universe in order to help save the people I love, well then that's what I'm gonna do."
:—'''Noah''' does his own closing narration.

==Continuity notes==
''Rise of the Beasts'' is a direct sequel to 2018's ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' film, taking place seven years after its events, in 1994. The plot of the film has little impact on this one, beyond it being established that the Autobots have been stranded on Earth since arriving at its end. While waiting for Noah to infiltrate the museum, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have a conversation that alludes to Bee's time with [[Charlie Watson]].

More notably, ''Rise of the Beasts'' serves to continue the heated debate among fans over whether or not the ''Transformers'' live-action film series has been rebooted, after reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' that served to distance it from the earlier films directed by [[Michael Bay]] introduced some significant discontinuities with Bay's films (2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' in particular). Though fans were quick to jump on the idea that this meant the film was a total, hard reboot of the movie universe, Paramount has not committed to that idea; ''Rise of the Beasts'' was not promoted as a reboot any more than ''Bumblebee'' was, and many reviews of and articles about the film have casually referred to it as a prequel. Some web outlets would even run articles commenting on Paramount's hazy stance on the movie's (and ''Bumblebee'''s) place in continuity.<ref>[https://www.cbr.com/transformers-7-bumblebee-reboot-mistake "Rise of the Beasts Is Repeating Bumblebee's Worst Mistake" on CBR.com]</ref><ref>[https://movieweb.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-is-a-reboot/ "Why Does Paramount Keep Pretending Rise of the Beasts Is Not a Reboot?" on MovieWeb.com]</ref>

In-keeping with this, in the run-up to the film's release, like [[Travis Knight]] before him, director Steven Caple Jr. was reluctant to declare the film a full and total continuity reboot; notably, in one particular interview, he called the film "a reboot for sure," only to walk the statement back ten seconds later, instead saying that one "could call it a reboot" in terms of starting point, reframing it instead as a "refresher" and a "new direction," that nonetheless preserved many elements of the earlier films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's a reboot for sure. The Bayverse... you can still watch the Bayverse and be on your own verse, so to speak. With us, we're definitely like, we want this to work, you know? We want people to... it's a refresher, so we can call reboot in terms of like, where we were starting. But yeah so definitely a new direction for sure. There's some things you could probably connect to it, clearly Bee is like a huge connection to all the movies, you know what I mean? In terms of his car, his design, a Camaro, and things like that, but... it's a very small one, in terms of the big ideas that we have. And so you guys will see definitely where we're going at the end of this film, which is crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MfMFxvT_-Q&t=2452s|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=The Alfonso Nation|title="BAYVERSE vs REBOOT" & Wheeljacks Design | ROTB DIRECTOR STEVEN CAPLE JR Interview!|year=2023|month=05|day=27}}</ref> Longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has taken a more explicit stance, repeatedly denying that the film is a reboot and stating that it is a prequel that shows how Optimus Prime grows to become the character seen in the Bay films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Hey you know if you look at it from a timeline point of view, it follows ''Bumblebee''... but it is a prequel, in that it's before all the previous movies. So it sort of exists in its own way. What I don't think it is, is a reboot, because it's still our characters. One of the things that Steven brought to the table right from the beginning, which was so great, was the idea that when we meet Optimus Prime, he's different than what we think of him, and we're watching him grow up—if you would—as a leader. And for me that was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, and what was interesting was watching it with audiences, and at first they were uncomfortable a little bit, like, "wait, that's not exactly the Optimus... he should like humans!" You know? So I think it gives the movie a really interesting point of view, and that therefore it stands alone in that way.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11sKGYcq9k&t=871s|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=a panel at the premiere of ''Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=05|day=26}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=But what's interesting is, and you will appreciate this as a fan, at the end of ''Bumblebee'', Optimus comes to Earth. What he's experienced is failure, probably for the first time in his life, right? He's had to retreat, he's leaving the planet Cybertron. What's happened to him from that experience? When we meet him in 2007, he's a particular person, if you would. In 1994, he's not the same person. He still has growth to do between ‘94 and 2007. So the character arc for Optimus in this, and the fun for the audience is, when you first meet Optimus – and we've had this experience because we've watched it with audiences and we've heard them talk about it – they're like, “It's definitely Optimus, but there's something a little different…” At first, they're like, “Wait, what, who… what Optimus is this?” And by the end of the movie, Optimus has become the guy that you've recognized from the Bay movies. Emotional.|link=https://collider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-michael-bay-movies-producer-comments/|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=Collider|title='Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Producer on How It Differs From Michael Bay's Movies|year=2023|month=05|day=24}}</ref> At the same time, di Bonaventura has also conceded that they were "kicking the can down the road" when it came to continuity concerns, preferring to worry about it in the future, and that the films "maybe have" contradicted Bay's movies despite efforts not to.<ref>[https://www.fandom.com/articles/transformers-rise-beast-wars-optimus-prime Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Shows a Different Side of Optimus Prime" on Fandom.com]</ref> These particular claims line up with statements made by Caple after the film's release, in which he stated he is "not worried" about continuity, and is just focused on making the best choices for each individual movie's story. He cites 2007's ''Transformers'' and ''Dark of the Moon'' as "his classics," and says he would "love to stay within that line," but does not feel compelled to adhere much to ''Age of Extinction'' and ''The Last Knight,'' since he views their stories as the result of creators "freestyling," and doubts that "anyone knew exactly where they were going with [them]."<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/rise-of-the-beasts-director-confirms-that-continuity-is-not-a-concern-within-the-transformers-film-franchise/47813/ Extract from an interview with Caple Jr. on the ''Empire Spoiler Specials'' podcast, via Seibertron.com]</ref> And that's... probably about as good an answer as we're going to get right now.

Whichever approach you subscribe to, it's pretty clear the decision to set the film in 1994 was one primarily made to avoid having to directly deal with the timeframe of the Bay movies in any capacity, and tell a new story free of their immediate baggage — the "can-kicking" Lorenzo spoke of. For what it's worth, the film takes some steps to preserve the broad continuity of at least the first Bay film; the Transwarp Key's energy is explicitly stated to operate on a frequency that humans cannot perceive, meaning that they literally cannot ''see'' the huge sky-beam, while massive storm clouds appear to hide the appearance of Unicron from public view. As such, the film ends with the general population of Earth (beyond secret forces within the US government) still entirely unaware of the Transformers' existence, as was the case when the 2007 film began. As the time-gap between these "prequels" and the first movie narrows, though, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine them fitting together without a lot of hand-waving away of specific details, unless future movies actually start making active attempts to address this.

In terms of active contradictions to established continuity, ''Rise of the Beasts'' appears to take the same approach as ''Bumblebee'' and ignores the events of ''The Last Knight'' by depicting Unicron as a separate planet, rather than the Earth itself, as he appeared in that film. However, it's probably important to note that the film lightly implies that the Maximals are time-travellers from the future (see "Transformers references" for more details), which would mean that the Unicron who appears in this film is also from the future. Thus it ''could'' be argued that his appearance here doesn't technically contradict ''The Last Knight''—but of course, that would mean he was trying to eat his own past self.

==Transformers references==
* The Maximals are broadly depicted the same as they were in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon: as a "highly-advanced race" of beast-mode Transformers who use transwarp technology to travel to other planets and interact with their native species, whose travels bring them to ancient Earth. Steven Caple Jr. has noted that earlier drafts of the screenplay explicitly depicted the Maximals as time-travellers from the future, as they were in the cartoon, and while the concept is so toned down for the finished movie that it probably won't even occur to general audiences, several references to the idea are still made on-screen. Transwarp technology is stated to open portals in time as well as space; Airazor states that the Maximals are "from both [the Autobots'] past and future"; and Optimus Primal says that he is named after the "legendary" Optimus Prime, which all combine to suggest that the Maximals originate from the future.
* The idea of the Maximals hailing from a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle planet]] originates in [[IDW Publishing]]'s comic books, which depicted many ''Beast Wars'' characters as the residents of the planet Eukaris. The planet is implied to be one of many colonised by Transformers in ages past using space bridges generated by the Transwarp Key, before the planets became separated and the key "lost." This concept of a great era of Cybertronian expansion that led to the foundation of lost colonies on other planets where Cybertronian life evolved in new and different directions dates back to 2005's [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], and became a recurring element in ''Transformers'' series in the 2010s and beyond after it was incorporated into the lore of the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]].
* Unicron's armies being named the "Terrorcons" hearkens back to both 2004's ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and 2010's ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'', which both featured the power of Unicron being used to create armies of warriors known as Terrorcons. In particular, the corrupted Airazor's rusted appearance resembles the ''Prime'' Terrorcons, which were also rusted, dilapidated, shambling bots controlled by the will of another.
* Though not identified by name onscreen, Unicron's army includes multiple duplicates of a robotic scorpion identified by the movie's toyline as "Predacon Scorponok." The idea of "Scorponok" being a mass-produced "species" of robots has recently been seen in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron'' cartoon]], where both [[Scorponok (G1)|Generation 1 Scorponok]] ''and'' [[Scorponok (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Scorponok]] were treated this way.
* The Maximals vow to keep the Transwarp Key hidden and safeguard life "no matter the cost," evoking Optimus Prime's iconic line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'': "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."
* Optimus Prime's design features alterations from his earlier ''Bumblebee'' appearance that are influenced by his appearance in the first three Bay films; he has silver hands, feet, sun visors, angled chest windows, retractable orange [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon swords]], a handheld orange [[Energon-axe]] (which transforms out of his arm, coincidentally similar to the [[Optimus Prime (ES)|''Earthspark'' version]]), and a mask-less face sporting similar details.
* Arcee transforms into a {{w|Ducati}} motorcycle, like her ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' incarnation, and the design of her arms and deployable cannons seem to be directly inspired by her [[Arcee (WFC)|''Prime'' counterpart]].
* Scourge combines aspects of his [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1]], [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'']] and [[Scourge (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'']] namesakes; he's a herald of Unicron and has an army of [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] like G1 Scourge, transforms into a black Optimus Prime-like truck like ''RID'' Scourge and hails from a colony world like ''Cybertron'' Scourge. The various insignias he wears as trophies include the symbols of the [[Decepticon]]s, [[Autobot]]s, [[Maximal]]s, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s, [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and [[Wreckers]]. His designer Eddie Del Rio also admitted on his Instagram to pulling inspiration from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] for his robot mode (and stealing insignias like trophies is well in character for the old bounty hunter as well).
* More obscure characters appear such as Apelinq, who originates from a [[Apelinq (BM)#Beast Machines|BotCon 2000 toy]] and tie-in [[3H Productions]] comics, and Stratosphere, returning from the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline and last seen in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]], albeit with a new, original design and characterization.
* When [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] lands at the Museum following the carnage, she makes some [[Starscream (Movie)|very familiar warbling noises]] when she moves.
* The two music tracks used in Unicron's scenes feature segments taken from [[Vince DiCola]]'s "Unicron's Theme" in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Scourge stands and talks to Unicron's face from inside his body, similar to a scene with their characters from the Generation 1 episode, "[[Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine]]".
* The symbols Elena studies are Maximal [[Cybertronix]], from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. The access code Elena assembles doesn't translate to anything, and simply reads "XQB," but the text on the side of the Transwarp Key (written in a combination of mirrored and upside-down symbols) reads: "He Who Opens The Door."
* The authors of the paper Elena reads about Peru's unexplained glyphs are Asahi Takara and Daniel H. Tomy, a reference to [[TakaraTomy]], Hasbro's longtime business partner in Transformers toys.
* After meeting Optimus Prime for the first time, Noah incorrectly calls him "Optimal". "Optimal Optimus" is the name of the original [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#OptimalOptimus|Optimus Primal's Transmetal 2 body]].
* When proposing different alternate modes to Noah, Mirage briefly turns into a F1 car, a reference to [[Mirage (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]]'s alternate mode. He also turns into a Lamborghini Countach, which wasn't just a really cool car, but also famous in ''Transformers'' lore for being the alternate mode of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], as well as [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], in the same colors no less. He then turns into a Ferrari off-screen, the alternate mode of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Dino]], whose name in media outside of that movie was "Mirage". Doing so off-screen could be a poke at the difficulty Ferrari caused in getting their car on screen for ''Dark Of The Moon''.
* Mirage is incredulous over the news that musician [[Mark Wahlberg]] is leaving his band, the Funky Bunch, and going into acting—a good-natured jab at the actor's [[Cade Yeager|leading role]] in the earlier ''Transformers'' movies, ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''The Last Knight''.
* Scourge name-drops [[Primus]] as he taunts Optimus Prime, the first reference to the Transformers' creator god in any of the live-action movies.
* Scourge injures Prime's left flank in the museum battle, which mirrors the injuries [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] gave to the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie.'' Prime even grasps the wound in the same way his predecessor did.
* Airazor explains that Unicron imbues his heralds with a "dark energy," which increases their power, but also has a corrupting effect—almost certainly a reference to [[Dark Energon]], the life-energy of Unicron introduced in the Aligned continuity. This was confirmed on the special features for the blu-ray of the movie.
* Unicron psychically tortures Scourge from afar in the same way he did [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* When Optimus Primal talks to Optimus Prime about how the Maximals trust the humans, he says there's "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more to them than meets the eye]]".
* Optimus states the Cybertronian belief that "the battle with darkness" will continue: "[['Til all are one]]." This phrase, and the idea of a day prophesied in Cybertron legend when it will come to pass, originates with ''The Transformers: The Movie,'' and is here used to thematically connect with the shared struggle of the Autobots, Maximals, and humans.
* When the heroes are lining up for the final battle, brown fins briefly pop out of the sides of Wheeljack's head, evoking his [[Wheeljack (G1)|Generation 1 design]].
* As the heroes charge towards the Terrorcon army, Optimus Primal commands Rhinox and Cheetor to "Maximize!", which was the Maximal [[activation code]] from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.
* Optimus Primal briefly fights with his double bladed scimitar from his [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|original toy]].
* In the final battle, when Unicron sends an army of Sweeps to reinforce his minions on Earth, they make their descent in the form of yellow-and-black orbs, which appears to be a nod to Unicron's [[Mini-Con]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the yellow-and-black sphere, [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]].
* The armored suit Mirage forms over Noah is conceptually an homage to the Generation 1 [[exosuit]]s, while its overall design hews closer to [[Kicker Jones]]' battlesuit from ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''.
* In a glorious homage to [[Transformers (film)|the 2007 movie]], the musical highlight of [[Steve Jablonsky]]'s "Arrival to Earth" plays as Optimus, Noah, and Primal escape the collapsing transwarp portal's suction.
* Optimus Prime's final speech is set to a remixed version of the track "No Sacrifice, No Victory" from the 2007 movie's score, which was also reprised for the endings of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''.
* [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and Transformers have frequently crossed over in comics and the occasional toyline over the years, though this marks the first time the two have co-existed in a feature film. Notably, the G.I. Joe insignia on Burke's business card is the version introduced in the film ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra''.

==Real-life references==
* When Noah is getting a cable box working, he tunes in to the 1992 film ''{{w|Juice (1992 film)|Juice}}''.
* A TV screen briefly shows news coverage of the {{w|Murder trial of O. J. Simpson#Bronco chase|O. J. Simpson white Ford Bronco car chase}}, which places the events of the film near [[June 17]], 1994.
* Throughout the film, Noah and Kris use the codenames "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]" and "{{w|Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails}}" (and in one instance, Mirage is referred to as "{{w|Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles}}"), a nod to the characters from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' videogame series.
* Kris wears a shirt of the ''Mighty Morphin' [[Power Rangers]]'', another property owned by Hasbro. A poster of said series also appears on his wall.
* Kris is heard playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his [[Game Boy]]. However, see "Anachronisms".
* Noah gives their address as 974 Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn. While the avenue in question exists in reality, the street numbers only reach the 600s.
* Kris attempts to comfort Noah after his unsuccessful interview by relating his struggle to [[Superman]]'s difficulty finding a job before being hired by the {{w|Daily Planet}}.
* When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Anachronisms".
* Also in the aftermath of the chase, he refers to the 1988 movie ''{{w|Big (film)|Big}}'' during his impression of Optimus Prime.
* Noah calls Mirage {{w|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.}} for obvious reasons. He also makes a reference to [[Indiana Jones]] when discovering the hidden temple in Peru.
* Bumblebee drops various voice lines from famous real-life films throughout the whole movie, including ''{{w|Die Hard}}'', ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w|They Live}}'', ''{{w|A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w|Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
* While fleeing in the museum, Elena sings Zhané's song "{{w|Groove Thang}}" to try to calm herself down.
* As they rendezvous with the other Autobots for the trip to Peru, Mirage announces that "[[Wu-Tang Clan|Wu-Tang]] is in the building."
* Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Anachronisms".
* The {{w|Inti Raymi}} festival taking place when the Autobots arrive in Peru is a real festival that takes place on [[June 24]], further tying the film's events to that month.
* During the mountain road car chase at Peru, the shot of Scourge's insignia-covered grille reflected in Prime's rearview mirror homages a famous shot from [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1971 film ''{{w|Duel (1971 film)|Duel}}.''
* When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}} and the archeological site at {{w|Tikal}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. [[Order of the Witwiccans|In this case]], however, Primal takes no credit for human ingenuity.
* Mirage calls Optimus Primal "{{w|Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong}}".
* At the end of the film, Elena appears on the [[CBS]] news program ''[[60 Minutes]]''; host [[Lesley Stahl]] makes a cameo appearance as herself during the segment.
* The award on the wall that serves as the hidden switch to access the G.I. Joe base reads "Real Hero Award" with the image of an American flag, referencing the subtitle of the 1980s ''G.I. Joe'' franchise: "A Real American Hero".

==Errors==
===Filming, animation, and technical errors===
* When Scourge kills Apelinq, he welds his Maximal insignia to his right shoulder, but throughout the rest of the film, Apelinq's insignia is gone. In the same scene, Scourge says "They never learn...", but his mouth is not moving.
* A recurring error sees the CGI models for Freezer and Novakane, which were supposed to have unique head injuries for each character, being switched around at random at various points in the movie. A very noticeable example of this happens when Scourge deploys a single Sweep in Peru whose model has an intact head with just a pair of scars on its forehead, but is moments later replaced by the model with a much bigger wound and a missing left antenna. Several other Sweeps of varying sizes also reuse these models during the final battle, completely taking away the intended uniqueness of each head design.
* When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match his lips.
* When Optimus Prime is about to throw his axe at Scourge, there is some distance between the two. However, in the next shot they are within just meters of each other.
* When Scourge says "Now, to add a Prime to my collection", his claw is both folded in on his arm and deployed at the same time.
* When Mirage attempts to eavesdrop on Noah and Kris' conversation, he is barely tall enough peer into the balcony while standing on a car. However, a minute later when Kris promises him to keep Noah safe he is somehow tall enough to comfortably look into the balcony without anything to stand on.
* The doors that go onto Wheeljack's back are unmarked brown in the scene of him transforming from van mode, but feature text on them in the very next cut where he is in robot mode.
* When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
* When Mirage and Optimus Prime turn into a street in Cusco, there is another Optimus Prime truck in the background. This can only be seen if you pause at the right moment.
* As Optimus decks Scourge during the Peru chase, Scourge seems to suffer a wardrobe malfunction as a rogue wheel not located anywhere on his torso springs out of his right armpit.
* Additionally, there are times when vehicles just disappear during the Switchback chase;
** Scourge's truck conveniently takes a lot of time to round a corner Optimus has just turned, despite being only feet behind him
** Mirage is no longer visible next to Nightbird when Battletrap pulls his 180 turn stunt.
* When Wheeljack is recovering from being attacked by Rhinox, his mouth is not moving as he says "Ay-ay-ay."
* As the heroes are walking through the jungle, the scene cuts to Elena while she is saying "So, what are you?", which does not match her lips.
* During the final battle, the line where Primal declares "We'll clear the way!" accidentally uses the scratch track recorded by David Sobolov rather than Ron Perlman's final VO. This led to some confusion among fans, who thought the line might have been spoken by Rhinox (who, despite Sobolov being credited for the role, is silent in the finished film), but Sobolov himself clarified the mix-up at a later convention panel.
* As Optimus Prime looks up at Unicron arriving at the mouth of the portal, Arcee can be seen scuttling about blasting Sweeps; except her blasters produce no laser effects.
* From the time Bumblebee acquires his offroad Camaro, his wheels are inconsistent between his robot and vehicle modes, with some shots showing his normal Camaro's wheels instead of the offroad ones. It is most visible for the wheels on his shoulders.
* Scourge's mouth is not moving as he proclaims "Unicron will prevail!" before shooting the transwarp control panel.
* Elena audibly whimpering in Bumblebee as he drives through hoards of Sweeps does not match her lips.

===Continuity errors===
* The fight between Optimus and Scourge outside the museum has some very inconsistent physics:
** Scourge slams Optimus against a nearby obelisk, the impact somehow doesn't make the structure collapse although the Autobot leader is made of materials much harder than stone or bricks and having much more physical mass. Scourge then punches Prime in the face, again, against the obelisk which might suggest the structure is durable enough to hold a full blow thrown by a highly-advanced mechanical being.
** Yet Scourge breaks it with his bare hands with little effort shortly after in order to hit Optimus again.
** ''Yet'' the obelisk is still heavy and hard enough to beat Prime to the ground.
** '''''Yet''''' the impact doesn't leave any visible damage to Optimus while the object itself crumbles like being made of LEGO bricks.
** [[B.O.T. (episode)|Argh.]]
* After Scourge incapacitates Bumblebee, he plucks his Autobot badge off with a normal left hand. In the following shot, however, his left hand is transformed into his giant claw and he is no longer holding the badge.
* During the chase out of Cusco, when Optimus Prime reaches the bend, the Terrorcons are very close behind him. However, when he transforms into robot mode, they are suddenly much further back.
* When Stratosphere transforms in Peru, it starts with him facing away from Optimus Prime. However, in the next shot he's now facing towards him.
* When Scourge walks away with the second half of the key, his left arm switches from the claw to the cannon between shots.

===Geographic discontinuities===
* There ''is'' a museum on Ellis Island... however, it's a [https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/national-immigration-museum/ museum that documents the turn-of-the-century immigrant experience], and not the generalized natural history museum shown in the film. Notably, the actual museum is composited out of the movie's establishing shots so that the made-up museum setpiece can replace it.
* Elena states that she has never left New York. Ellis Island, her place of work, is almost completely owned by the state of New Jersey, discounting a small portion that was the island's original size that is still a part of New York. Even discounting that, the waters surrounding the island are wholly owned by the Garden State.
* When the Autobots arrive at Cusco, they land at the citadel of [[Sacsayhuamán]], an Inca fortress on the northern outskirts of the city, and the site is deserted. Even on a normal day, it should be crawling with tourists, but the Autobots are specifically said to arrive during the [[Inti Raymi]] festival... whose central activity is a recreation of an Inca ceremony ''at'' Sacsayhuamán.
* The fight with the corrupted Airazor takes place at Machu Picchu, which nobody is witness to, as again it is completely deserted. It should be crawling with tourists, the staff that works at the site, the guests and staff of the lodge located right next to the complex, or the population of the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain.

===Anachronisms===
* Though the "you died!" music and mention of Bowser imply Kris is playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his Game Boy, that game wouldn't see a release on the system until 1999's ''[https://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_Bros._Deluxe Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]'' on the Game Boy Color (which was incompatible with the original monochrome model anyway). The only ''Mario'' platformers released for Game Boy by 1994 were the ''Super Mario Land'' games, which featured different antagonists and music.
* The F1 car which Mirage briefly turns into is based on a design chassis that would be introduced at the very end of the 90s (at least [[1998]]/[[1999]]).
* Elena sings "Waterfalls" by TLC to calm herself down. Assuming the film takes place in June, it would still be a few months until the November 1994 release of the album ''CrazySexyCool'', which the song first appeared on.
* Similarly, Mirage quotes a line from ''Dumb and Dumber'', a film that would not release until December 1994.
* A green car that was smashed and thrown in the Museum scene was a B5.5 Volkswagen Passat which would not be released until 2001.
* The promo for ''60 Minutes'' uses the program's contemporary imaging, including the use of the current CBS News logotype above that of the show.

==Music==
During the runup to the movie's theatrical release, star [[Tobe Nwigwe]], who portrays [[Reek]] in the film, collaborated with hip-hop mainstay Nas and Nigerian R&B artist Jacob Banks on the single "[[On My Soul]]", and released on [[May 19]], 2023. A remix of the song is featured during the climactic battle, though this particular mix has (sadly) not been released officially. Paramount also released a [[Transformers Rise of the Beats|Spotify-exclusive playlist]] featuring most of the 90s rap needle drops, including [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[The Notorious B.I.G.]], and once again Nas, to name a few.

A score album, ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', was released to music streaming services on June 9, the same day as the film. An expanded vinyl edition of the score was later released on [[December 15]], featuring five bonus cues. Then, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of ''Rise of the Beasts'', a collection of pre-production music suites was compiled onto an album entitled ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music That Inspired the Score)]]'', which was released on June 9th, [[2024]].

==Home video releases==
{{main|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)/home video}}
Just a month after its theatrical release, Paramount released ''Rise of the Beasts'' to digital storefronts on [[July 11]], with the DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray releases following a few months later on [[October 10]]. Bonus features include cast and crew featurettes and deleted/extended scenes.

==Reception==
{{quote|Thanks to some genuine human drama between the set pieces and palpable affection for the title characters, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is one of the franchise's more enjoyable outings.|Critics Consensus|[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_rise_of_the_beasts Rotten Tomatoes]}}

Coming off the back of the generally well-received ''Bumblebee'', ''Rise of the Beasts'' received mixed reviews. While critics largely praised the old-school adventure film sequences and the performances of the human leads, most criticism was directed at the film's protracted final battle scene and its overuse of computer-generated imagery—in particular, some critics juxtaposed the film's tamer action scenes against the madcap, sometimes over-the-top practical effect-based destruction employed by [[Michael Bay]] during his time in the director's chair. As of writing, the film holds a 51% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although the audience score sits at a much higher 91%.

In the US and Canada, ''Rise of the Beasts'' opened to a strong $60.5 million start—higher than both ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee'' <ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-spider-man-spiderverse-1235412771/ "'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Conquers 'Spider-Verse' With $60M+ Opening, But Animated Pic's Second Weekend Hold Strong -- Box Office"]</ref>—but suffered a brutal 66.1 percent drop in its second weekend, where it lost out to other June releases; ''{{w|The Flash (film)|The Flash}}'', ''{{w|Elemental (2023 film)|Elemental}}'', and ''{{w|Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse|Across the Spider-Verse}}''.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-box-office-disappoint-pixar-elemental-flop-1235647927/ "'The Flash' Disappoints With $55 Million Debut, Pixar's 'Elemental' Flops With $29.5 Million in Battle of Box Office Lightweights"]</ref><ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W24/?ref_=bo_we_nav Domestic 2023 Weekend 24]</ref> A week later, the film took in a comparatively dismal $11 million.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-the-flash-no-hard-feelings-jennifer-lawrence-1235422274/ 'Spider-Verse' Swinging Ahead Of 'Elemental' After Game Of Chicken; 'Flash' Edging Out 'No Hard Feelings' -- Saturday PM Box Office]</ref> The film's domestic theatrical run came to a close in August 2023 with approximately a $439 million worldwide gross, marking the lowest-grossing instalment in the franchise.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-franchise-box-office-low/]</ref>

Despite the lower-than-expected box office performance, Hasbro seems to regard the film as an overall success and noted it as one of the top box office performers of the year in a subsequent investor presentation.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/08/03/tfw2005-coverage-of-hasbro-2023-q2-earnings-conference-call-492111 TFW2005 Coverage Of Hasbro 2023 Q2 Earnings Conference Call</ref> This optimism might come down to the fact that the summer 2023 movie slate was ''particularly'' packed; this, combined with a post-COVID shift in media demographics, means that pretty much every summer movie that wasn't ''{{w|Barbie (film)|Barbie}}'' or ''{{w|Oppenheimer (film)|Oppenheimer}}'' underperformed to some degree. Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins described the film's performance as "not great, but good" and blamed its financial woes on an increasingly fractured global box office less receptive to American movies—especially in China, the franchise's biggest overseas market, where ''Rise of the Beasts''' gross of $90 million was only half of what Paramount had projected it to earn.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/features/brian-robbins-paramount-pictures-tmnt-mutant-mayhem-tom-cruise-1235679142/ After a Decade in Limbo, Brian Robbins Is Giving Paramount a Makeover With ‘Ninja Turtles,’ Tom Cruise and ‘Gladiator 2’]</ref> It should be noted that ''Rise of the Beasts'' was a huge hit in [[Peru]], where the film's third act is set; it surpassed ''{{w|Avengers: Endgame}}'' as the highest-grossing movie ever in the country,<ref>[https://larepublica.pe/cine-series/2023/08/02/transformers-el-despertar-de-las-bestias-es-la-pelicula-mas-taquillera-de-la-historia-en-peru-transformers-7-machu-picchu-103204 'Transformers: el despertar de las bestias' es la película más taquillera de la historia en Perú]</ref> and Peru ranks as the fourth highest-grossing territory for the film, behind only the United States, China and Mexico.<ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr2443334149/ Rise of the Beasts International Numbers]</ref>

In 2024, ''Rise of the Beasts'' received no nominations for a {{w|Golden Raspberry Awards|Golden Raspberry Award}}. None whatsoever, including a {{w|Razzie Redeemer Award}}.<ref>[https://variety.com/2024/film/news/razzie-nominations-2024-chris-evans-jennifer-lopez-1235879949/]</ref> Although {{w|Jimmy Kimmel}} wasn't too fond of the movie as he even poked fun at its questionable state during the opening monologue at the {{w|96th Academy Awards}}.<ref>[https://lamag.com/awards-watch/jimmy-kimmel-oscars-monologue-best-and-worst-jokes]</ref>

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|250px|This guy's got bearings of chrome steel.]]

* March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
* October 3, 2015 — During his keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference, [[Allspark (company)|Allspark]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] notes that the writing team has come up with film concepts for Transformers 5, 6, 7, and 8.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_P2fw_DlS4&t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
* February 12, 2016 — At [[Toy Fair 2016]], Hasbro reveals the projected release date of Transformers 7, along with the dates for the two preceding films.<ref name="toyfairreveal" />
* September 23, 2017 — At Licensing Europe 2017, Hasbro announces Transformers 7 will have an "entirely new, exciting storyline".<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/09/23/2019-transformers-movie-feature-entirely-new-storyline-349463 2019 Transformers Movie To Feature An Entirely New Storyline] on TFW2005</ref>
* February 16, 2018 — Hasbro clarifies at [[Toy Fair 2018]] that the film will be a reset of the franchise and has been delayed indefinitely until a new creative team is in place.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/02/16/transformers-cinematic-universe-current-movie-series-rebooted-358641 Transformers Cinematic Universe Is Over: Current Movie Series To Be Rebooted] on TFW2005</ref>
* May 24, 2018 — Paramount drops the film from their release schedule.<ref>[http://collider.com/transformers-7-cancelled/amp/ Paramount Officially Pulls the Next 'Transformers' Sequel from Their Release Date Schedule] on Collider</ref>
* March 15, 2019 — di Bonaventura states a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' is in development.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/two-sequels-in-transformers-live-action-franchise-confirmed-in-development/43083/ Two Sequels in Transformers Live Action Franchise Confirmed in Development] on Seibertron</ref>
* March 18, 2019 — di Bonaventura claims that the next main ''Transformers'' film will be a reboot closely tied to the ''Bumblebee'' sequel, rather than a direct sequel to ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''. Either way, Paramount will pick the best script for ''Transformers 7'' and release that first.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bumblebee-producer-says-next-transformers-movie-wi/1100-6465652/ Bumblebee Producer Says Next Transformers Movie Will Be A Reboot] on GameSpot</ref>
[[File:Stevencaplejr autobot cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Hey, you think ''that's'' speed? You ain't seen the Golden Rocket.]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Then we will create ''alternate forms'', based on the most powerful local creatures!]]
* January 27, 2020 — Variety reports two ''Transformers'' films are being penned, to be produced simultaneously: one written by [[James Vanderbilt]], another to be written by [[Joby Harold]].<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/film/news/transformers-franchise-revamp-bumblebee-james-vanderbilt-joby-harold-1203482496/ ‘Transformers’ Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works] on Variety</ref> Deadline reports that Vanderbilt's script is for a spin-off film based on ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', while Harold's script continues the story from the ''Bumblebee'' film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/01/transformers-movies-paramount-1202843234/ Dual ‘Transformers’ Movies In The Works At Paramount] on Deadline</ref>
* May 2, 2020 — [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms that a new Transformers live-action movie is slated for release on [[June 24]], 2022. However, only one between Harold's ''Bumblebee'' sequel and Vanderbilt's ''Beast Wars'' film will make it to production first.
* August 21, 2020 — New Republic Pictures is announced as a new co-financier for Paramount in a ten-picture deal in the wake of the success of 2019's ''Rocketman''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/08/paramount-pictures-new-republic-pictures-10-picture-cofinancing-deal-top-gun-maverick-1203018250/ New Republic Pictures Signs 10-Pic Co-Fi Deal With Paramount Pictures; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Among Films] on Deadline</ref>
* November 16, 2020 — [[Steven Caple Jr.]] is announced as the director.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/11/transformers-director-steven-caple-jr-1234613830/ Transformers’: ‘Creed 2’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Tapped To Direct Next Installment In Paramount And Hasbro Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* April 1, 2021 — [[Anthony Ramos]] is in talks for a starring role.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-7-cast-anthony-ramos/ Exclusive: Anthony Ramos in Talks to Star in New 'Transformers' Movie] at Collider</ref>
* April 29, 2021 — [[Dominique Fishback]] is in final negotiations to star in the film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2021/04/transformers-dominique-fishback-anthony-ramos-paramount-eone-and-hasbro-franchise-1234746855/ 'Transformers': Dominique Fishback Lands Lead Role Opposite Anthony Ramos In Next Installment For The Paramount Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* June 13, 2021 — A casting call sheet for filming in Montreal reveals that the film is set in [[1992]].<ref>[https://www.transformersfr.com/t5190p250-parlons-des-films-transformers-a-venir#190206 Rumeur ― le "7ème Film Transformers en prise de vue réelle" se déroulerait en 1992] on transformersfr.com</ref>
* June 22, 2021 — A Paramount virtual event is held in which the movie's title, premise, and few of the characters and cast are unveiled (revealing it to be both the ''Bumblebee'' and ''Beast Wars'' films in one).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Currently attending a Paramount virtual event about the next #Transformers film. Report to follow!|link=https://twitter.com/search?q=(from%3ABWTF_Ben)%20until%3A2021-06-23%20since%3A2021-06-22|name=Ben Yee|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://bwtf.com/news/rise-of-the-beasts-character-descriptions|name=Ben Yee|site=BWTF|title=Movie News: "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" Character Descriptions|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref> The film's logo and official premise are also unveiled on official Transformers social media accounts.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The battle on Earth is no longer just between Autobots and Decepticons… Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in theatres June 24, 2022.|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1407422768602181632|name=@transformers|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref>
* June 28, 2021 — [[Ron Perlman]] is announced to be reprising his role as Optimus Primal from ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]''. [[Darnell Metayer]] and [[Josh Peters]] are confirmed as writers, inspired by Joby Harold's earlier draft.<ref>{{citesocial|quote='''Ron Perlman''' has been tapped to voice Optimus Primal in '''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''', Collider has exclusively learned. [...] ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be led by rising stars '''Anthony Ramos''' (''In the Heights'') and '''Dominique Fishback''' (''Judas and the Black Messiah''), and '''Steven Caple Jr.''' (''Creed II'') is directing from a script by '''Darnell Metayer''' and '''Josh Peters''', who worked off an earlier draft by '''Joby Harold'''.|link=https://collider.com/ron-perlman-optimus-primal-voice-transformers-7-rise-of-the-beasts/|name=Jeff Sneider|site=Collider|title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Adds Ron Perlman as Voice of Optimus Primal|year=2021|month=06|day=28}}</ref>
* July 11, 2021 — Rapper [[Tobe Nwigwe]] announces on Instagram that he's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-s-tobe-nwigwe-earns-emmy-nom-16317174 Houston’s Tobe Nwigwe earns Emmy nom, 'Transformers' role] from the Houston Chronicle</ref>
* October 6, 2021 — Caple Jr. reveals the vehicle modes for the Autobot and Terrorcon cast through his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The squad is out…|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsm_wyLory/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* October 20, 2021 — Filming is completed.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=That’s a wrap 🎬|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOw5z2r9TP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 21, 2021 — Cuscopolita reports on the vehicles with the film's Peru crew, confirming the unidentified vehicles as [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] and [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.facebook.com/cuscopolitamagazine/videos/1941112319403899|name=Cuscopolita|site=Facebook|title=Exclusiva con los Transformers|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 22, 2021 — Ramos makes a guest appearance on [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2021]], confirming Cheetor, his favorite ''Beast Wars'' character, will be in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I am a ''Transformers'' fan, ''Beast Wars'' fan, Cheetor is my #1 favorite of all time, so it's dope to have Cheetor, to be in this movie with Cheetor, it's gonna be crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjtxJqrv-bI&t=6051s|name=Anthony Ramos|site=YouTube|title=Hasbro PulseCon 2021 - DAY ONE|year=2021|month=10|day=22}}</ref>
* November 10, 2021 — Paramount announces the film has been delayed to [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release">{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has moved back a year and will now bow June 9, 2023. It previously was slated for June 24, 2022.|link=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-transformers-movie-release-date-1235045937/|name=Aaron Couch|site=The Hollywood Reporter|title=‘Star Trek,’ ‘Transformers’ Movies Pushed Back at Paramount|year=2021|month=11|day=10}}</ref>
* February 15, 2022 — Paramount confirms that ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be the first entry in a trilogy of films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will be released theatrically in 2023 and is the first of three new installments. A new animated series from @Nickelodeon arrives this fall. And in 2024, the franchise expands further with a CG animated Transformers theatrical film. #ParamountPlus|link=https://twitter.com/paramountplus/status/1493706271207292928|name=Paramount+|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=02|day=15}}</ref>
* October 11, 2022 — Caple Jr. reveals through Instagram that [[Pete Davidson]] is the voice of Mirage, and [[Michelle Yeoh]] is the voice of Airazor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sneak peek of Pete voicing Mirage & @michelleyeoh_official blessing us as the voice of Air Razor|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjlx3PPPC_J/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=11}}</ref>
* October 21, 2022 — [[Tobe Nwigwe]] states on an Instagram post that they are doing some re-shoots for ''Rise of the Beasts'', including featuring his character in additional scenes.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The head people from ''Transformers'' said I did so good in my part they wanna add me to some more scenes. So I gotta go shoot some more stuff for ''Transformers''.|link=https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj9PnevsVb1/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=21}}</ref>
[[File:ROTBTeaserPoster.jpg|thumb|250px|right|I'd say that's PRIME! Let's do it!]]
* December 1, 2022 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWDskI46Js official teaser trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with São Paulo's CCXP convention, giving audiences a first glimpse of the film and its various characters, including Mirage, Arcee, Scourge and the Maximals. Multiple voice cast members are also announced.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/12/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-peter-dinklage-liza-koshy-john-dimaggio-cast-1235186104/]</ref>
* December 2, 2022 — [[Jongnic Bontemps]] is announced as the film's score composer.<ref>[http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/12/02/jongnic-bontemps-to-compose-music-for-steven-caple-jr-s-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts/]</ref>
* December 16, 2022 — Caple Jr. shares a clip of Peter Cullen performing on his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=🐐|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPM80yPcsP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=12|day=16}}</ref>
* December 26, 2022 — Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal make a "guest" appearance on the 2022 [[Nickelodeon]] Nickmas NFL game, showcasing both modes and their transformations.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5X0F_AvY8Q YouTube upload] of a recording for Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal on the 2022 Nickmas NFL game</ref>
* January 31, 2023 — [[Sam Smith]] reveals toy concept art for a new character from the film, [[Freezer]].<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFlXXNOly1/</ref>
* February 12, 2023 — Paramount airs a 30-second TV spot detailing Mirage's Porsche 911 vehicle mode for Super Bowl LVII in collaboration with Porsche.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/02/2023-super-bowl-movie-trailers-the-flash-fast-x-transformers-ant-man-expected-1235247160/ Super Bowl Movie Trailer Spots Will Include ‘The Flash’, ‘Fast X’, ‘Transformers’ & ‘Ant-Man’ — Deadline]</ref>
* April 2, 2023 — During the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Final Four on CBS, Paramount aired a first-of-its-kind mixed reality TV spot that showed off Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal appearing on a 90s basketball court that transformed from the court the actual basketball match was being played on. A few brief clips from the first trailer were also shown.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeIfpbUAHg]</ref>
* April 6, 2023 — Actor [[Tongayi Chirisa]] announces on Instagram that he is the voice of Cheetor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So there is a story to this!!! Per the usual standard .. I had to sign an NDA, so I had NO IDEA what I was reading for.. it was only when I was in the booth to do my voice over that it dawned on me that I was reading for TRANSFORMERS Like what!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯 I totally geeked out in the moment.. Man, to say this is mad exciting is an understatement... So thankful. So honored, so blessed!!!! Massive shout out and THANK YOU to @stevencaplejr for putting your boi on! Appreciate you, fam!!! @transformersmovie..🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 IT WAS ALL A DREAM!!!! Welcome, y'all. I am your transformer #CHEETOR!!!! Let's goooo!!!!!! #NdezvaMwari #Yeshua #smallbeginnings #ontherise|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqs_PQ1J_s6/|name=Tongayi Chirisa|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=04|day=06}}</ref>
* April 14, 2023 — To promote the film, Optimus Prime introduces Tobe Nwigwe's performance of "[[On My Soul]]" at {{w|Coachella}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Calling all Autobots. @TobeNwigwe and #OptimusPrime have rolled out to #Coachella. #Transformers #RiseOfTheBeasts|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1647069845731803136|name=Transformers|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=04|day=14}}</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itnqEauWQZM official trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures, revealing more of the movie and Unicron's role in the plot, as well as delivering a first, brief look at the Predacons.
* May 6, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxore0Gxwpc first clip] is showcased at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, showing the Autobots' first interaction with the Maximals.
* May 12, 2023 — The website Puliwood reveals the film's Hungarian dub cast...including the voice of [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]], a character that had not yet been announced to be appearing in the film.<ref>[https://www.puliwood.hu/ismertetok/exkluziv-ilyen-szinkronhangokkal-jon-a-transformers-a-fenevadak-kora-325900.html EXKLUZÍV: ilyen szinkronhangokkal jön a Transformers: A fenevadak kora]</ref>
* May 27, 2023 — The film's world premiere is held at Marina Bay Sands in [[Singapore]].
* June 5, 2023 — David Sobolov confirms on Instagram that he is also voicing Apelinq in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIhCcwu4Ld/|quote=#transformers #riseofthebeasts fans… I just saw our epic premiere in Brooklyn! Tonight, I’m excited to reveal that I am the voice… of Apelinq!|name=David Sobolov|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=06|day=05}}</ref>
{{--}}

===Changes before, during, and after production===
[[File:ROTB-concept-Rampage.jpg|thumb|250px|I prefer to beat my enemies the old-fashioned way: brutally!]]
* An early cut of the film opened with a different prologue, in which a Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]], dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to hunt down Optimus Prime, battles and is killed by Optimus, who dumps his body in the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. The scene was dropped due to test audiences finding it too dark, but [[John DiMaggio]] remains credited as the voice of Transit even in the finished film. Most of the visual effects for the scene were completed, and it was included (sans the river-dumping part) as a bonus feature with the movie's home media release.
** The scene was replaced for the finished film with Unicron's attack on the Maximal homeworld, which in the earlier cut was recounted by Airazor with hologram visual-aids during the scene when she meets the Autobots mid-movie.
* Cheetor and Rhinox were initially intended to be introduced slightly earlier, encountering Elena and Noah in the underground cavern. In scenes interspersed with the Autobots' and Terrorcons' running battle on the hilltop road, Cheetor was to be the one who took down Freezer as he menaced the two humans, after which Noah's gauntlet would accidentally fire a shot at the Maximal, causing him and Rhinox to chase them through the cave. Cut in favor of making the Autobot/Terrorcon battle one unbroken scene, the alternate version was included as a bonus on the home media release.
*According to concept artists [[Eddie Del Rio]] and [[Shane Baxley]] more [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] other than Scorponok were considered to have a role in the movie; known characters include: [[Waspinator (ROTB)|Waspinator]], [[:File:ROTBRamhorn.jpg|Ramhorn]], [[:File:ROTBSpittor.jpg|Spittor]] and [[:File:Rampage-face.jpg|Rampage]].
** However while development on the first three of them only got as far as rough sketches, it appears Rampage went pretty far into production before being scrapped, to the point where he was originally supposed to appear as [[:File:ROTB-Rampage-concept.jpg|a deceased corpse]] during the underground cavern sequence of the movie and [https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu44E6aoECC/ a full 360° CGI model] was even animated for the character.
* Multiple changes were made to the film's ending, which originally had a much darker tone like the scrapped opening. Originally, Mirage wasn't planned to survive the final battle, and Optimus would have been sucked into the portal after destroying the Transwarp Key and wind up floating in space before Unicron in the post-credits scene. Reactions by the audience in test screenings convinced Caple to change the ending to something a bit more hopeful, wanting to let the good guys get a solid win.<ref name=AltEnding>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-ending-1235512382/ ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Talks That Ending, Hailee Steinfeld and Test Screening Changes — The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> The scene of Prime and Unicron was included as an extra with the home media release.
* Two versions of the final scene were filmed: one in which Agent Burke's business card reveals him to be part of [[Sector Seven]], and the version used in the film, in which he's part of G.I. Joe. According to Caple, the Sector Seven version was filmed only as misdirection, and the G.I. Joe version was always the one he intended to use.<ref name=Joe/>
* Other deleted/extended scenes included on the home media release include: Elena's moment of panicked disbelief (prominently showcased in the movie's trailer) shortly after the museum battle; Noah speaking with his mother when he returns home after the museum battle; a wholesomely cute moment between Elena and Airazor before Mirage and Noah join the group to depart for Peru, in which Airazor explains the Maximal insignia; and a short scene of Optimus Primal about to hand the Transwarp Key over to Optimus Prime, before they are interrupted by Airazor's rampage.
* Additional cuts not represented in the extras from throughout the film included: a scene of Bumblebee showing a polaroid of himself and [[Charlie Watson]] to Optimus Prime as they wait outside the museum, to emphasise that some humans are trustworthy; innuendos between Arcee and Wheeljack that hint at a romantic attraction between the two; some dialogue from Scourge emphasising that (not unlike Galvatron in the original animated movie) he is an unwilling servant of Unicron; a scene of Wheeljack lending his glasses to Optimus Prime to use like a telescope; and an alternate plan to destroy the Transwarp Key in the final act that involves using the deceased Airazor's spark as a bomb, only for the bomb to be lost, leaving Elena to figure out the codes.
* During production, the Scorponok drones initially had a troll-like robot mode, and dozens of them would have merged into a massive Scorponok [[combiner]] that towered over the Autobots and Maximals in the final battle. Although their [https://www.eddiedelrio.com 3D models] were made, they were ultimately cut out.
* Concept art was created for a fourth Terrorcon who ultimately never made it to the final film. This character was referred to with the working name “[[:File:Bloodhound.jpeg|'''Bloodhound''']]” <ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CuheJkfxGeW/|quote=Early ideas for #bloodhound. He was my first task so I mostly carried over the process used on #bumblebee back in 2017. Swipe and you can see the rough sculpts I did in VR to capture attitude/proportion/etc. Then I would paint in details with photoshop. By the end of the show I was blocking in VR then jumped straight to zbrush/maya as it took roughly the same amount of time to sculpt everything.|name=Shane Baxley|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=07|day=10}}</ref> and would have transformed into a demonic-looking Oldsmobile 442. <ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CuPeUkzROiu/|quote=BLOODHOUND! This was the first #terracon Haworth had me do using an #oldsmobile442 which I think @stevencaplejr has in his garage? Unfortunately the scenes with this guy got cut - but he still got #imdb credit 🤣🤙🏻 #transformers #riseofthebeasts|name=Shane Baxley|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=07|day=03}}</ref>
{{--}}

==Notes==
* In a first for the franchise, the lead human actors, multiple writers, the composer, and the director are all people of color.
* This is the first movie in the series not to be worked on by [[Industrial Light & Magic]]; this time around the CG effects were done by [[Moving Picture Company]] and [[WetaFX]].
* Steven Caple Jr. was initially sceptical of working on a ''Transformers'' movie, which at that point in development was being called ''Bumblebee 2'', because he was uncertain about jumping right into another sequel after directing ''{{w|Creed II}}''—however, the incorporation of elements inspired by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', which Caple Jr. had been a fan of, helped sway him. Upon joining the project, he pitched several revisions, drawing from his enthusiasm for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by adding [[Unicron]] (and the [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s) and Noah's exosuit, along with a prologue on the [[Maximal]]s' homeworld and a new arc for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] centred around his initial misanthropy.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The first time that- I did ''Creed 2'', and the first time the studio ever knocked on my door, it was for ''Bumblebee 2''. And I was like, "I don't want to do- I just came out from ''Creed 2'', I don't want to do a sequel..." you know? And so a year had gone by—or maybe two, right before COVID—and they said, "we found out the story we want to tackle: we want to bring in ''Beast Wars''." I was like, "I know all about ''Beast Wars'', I'm down for ''Beast Wars''." And so they developed a script on their own, they passed it to me—2020, October 5th, I remember the date—and I jumped right in and I kind of did my own version of the pitch, I said: "I love where you guys are going, you guys want to do New York, you guys want to do the 90s, you want to do Peru, but here's what I'll do, with the characters..." So I changed up Optimus Prime, I gave him a whole pitch on how I would start him with like, not loving humans at first, and not besiding Noah right off the rip, they're gonna have friction between the two... Gave 'em a pitch for Optimus Primal, where they start off in the top of the movie, and I gave them a new Unicron- I mean a new villain, which was Unicron and the Terrorcon squad. I just felt like, as a fan, we've been tiptoeing around Unicron, and all the other films kind of like hinted towards him towards the end, and I just really want to expand the universe and I felt like he was that perfect source to do so, because he tells us there's another world out there, there's more Transformers out there, it's not just Autobots and Decepticons. And then of course the [[exosuit]], that was my idea, it was homage to the 80s cartoon, so... It was a bit of that, pitched it to 'em and they loved the heart, they love where I was going with the direction of the characters, and yeah, they kind of gave me the key to play!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUukVwKLCc|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Collider|title=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Interview: Director Reveals Big Change to Film|year=2023|month=06|day=06}}</ref>
* [[Tobe Nwigwe]]'s character of [[Reek]] was based Steven Caple Jr.'s friend Tarik Jackson, who passed away before shooting began in 2021.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The way I got the ''Transformers'' role was insane. [...] One of [Steven Caple Jr.'s] best friends was a fan of the music, and his best friend, right, like, as they was getting ready to start shooting the movie... passed. Passed, yeah. And he had Paramount Studios reach out to me to try to play a specific- the best friend role in ''Transformers''. They kind of emulated who his best friend was in real life. He told Paramount [...] "reach out to Tobe and if he send anything back that's even ''halfway'' decent... I want to use him." But because I had never done no acting ever in my life, I just had this script right here, and just read it like I was acting, and just recorded myself on the iPhone and I was like, "yo there's no way in hell..." [...] I did that, sent that in, and they liked it!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfAoWTKh3R8&t=2638s|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Sway's Universe|year=2023|month=01|day=23}}</ref>
* The fourth-wall-breaking [[Mark Wahlberg]] namedrop was ad-libbed by [[Pete Davidson]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We wanted to break the fourth wall. In all fairness, Pete Davidson made that up in the booth, and we laughed so hard, we're like in tears, and we're like there's no way we could not use this. We had ad-libbed a whole bunch of stuff. One was on, "Beanie Babies was weird", and he was like, what about Marky Mark leaving the Funky Bunch? And we were just in tears. And then we showed the studio and everybody loved it and was like, "let's just break the fourth wall. Do it."|link=https://gizmodo.com/breaking-the-fourth-wall-in-transformers-rise-of-the-b-1850514340|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=io9|title=Breaking the Fourth Wall in ''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=06|day=09}}</ref>
* During the production of the film, Ramos had to acquire a driver's license at Caple Jr.'s behest.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DDi5f1SL4oESslcZLjhhG|name=Anthony Ramos|site=the Spout Podcast|year=2021}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=I had a two-week window to get an appointment at the DMV, and the DMV was initially uncooperative. Finally, after much haggling, I was able to secure an appointment. I took the test in my mother's car after a few months of practice with an instructor. Fortunately, I was able to pass.|link=https://theplaylist.net/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-anthony-ramos-talks-representation-in-franchises-getting-his-drivers-license-for-the-film-interview-20230607/|name=Anthony Ramos|site=The Playlist|title='Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts': Anthony Ramos Talks Representation In Franchises & Getting His Driver's License For The Film [Interview]|year=2023|month=06|day=07}}</ref>
* During an interview with a fan, voice actor David Sobolov revealed that Caple Jr. would create storyboards using Transformers toys. Awesome!<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsfclO5etE&t=1106 "ROTB UNICRON IS THRILLING!" | Interview with DAVID SOBOLOV (Rhinox + Battletrap)! - YouTube]</ref>
* According to Caple Jr., Optimus's unmasked face was modeled after Peter Cullen's.
* As a result of Transit's removal, this is the first live-action film to not feature the Decepticons in any capacity.
* To keep the secret of the ''G.I. Joe'' tease at the end of the movie, most copies of the script and the version of the scene shot for test screenings all used [[Sector Seven]] instead. Michael Kelly also didn't know the big twist with his character until he arrived on set. Caple Jr. even had only a single ''G.I. Joe'' business card printed, on the day of filming, and took it from the set himself afterwards for safekeeping!<ref name=Joe>{{citesocial|quote=There was one version of the script that mentioned the G.I. Joe reveal. All other copies, including the one in the studio's possession, described the military organization as Sector 7. "That way no one could leak the script," Caple notes. [...] Caple says they shot two versions of Kelly's scene, one where Burke's business card reads Sector 7 and one where the card reads G.I. Joe, so audiences in test screenings wouldn't know the true reveal. There was only one copy of the G.I. Joe business card, and Caple took that himself from set for safe keeping. "I was like, 'I'm taking this. I don't want this to be found on the floor,'" he says. "I actually didn't have them printed out until that day [on set]. We were very cautious of it, man. We were really trying to be as secretive as possible."|link=https://ew.com/movies/transformers-g-i-joe-crossover-plans/|name=Nick Romano|site=Entertainment Weekly|title=Inside the top-secret plans for Transformers and G.I. Joe|year=2023|month=06|day=12}}</ref>
* This is the first live-action Transformers movie where the Japanese dub wasn't sound directed by [[Keiichirō Miyoshi]]. Instead it is directed by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]], who had been responsible for the dub of the original ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Beast Kakusei''''' (トランスフォーマー/ビースト覚醒 ''Toransufōmā Bīsuto Kakusei'', "Transformers: Beast Awakening")
* ''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin3jing4 Gam1gong1: Kwong4sau3 Gwat6hei2''''' (變形金剛：狂獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Réveil des Bêtes''''' (Canada, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''German:'' '''''Transformers: Aufstieg der Bestien''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers: A fenevadak kora''''' ("Transformers: The Age of the Beasts")
* ''Italian: '' '''''Transformers: Il Risveglio''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening")
* ''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Wàn Shòu Juéqǐ''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛：萬獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Chāonéng Yǒngshì Juéqǐ''''' (China, 变形金刚：超能勇士崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beast Wars")
* ''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Despertar das Feras''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Despertar de las Bestias''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Voskhozhdeniye Zverobotov''''' (Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов, "Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''Transformery: Chas Zvirobotiv''''' (Трансформери: Час Звіроботів, "Transformers: Time of the Beastbots")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts| ]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts media]]

Diaclone

2024-10-09T23:42:35Z

Tribimat: grammar fix

{{disambig3|Diaclone}}
[[File:Diaclone GRB logo.png|upright=1.66|thumb|Di...a...cloooooooone!!!]]

'''''Diaclone''''' (ダイアクロン ''Daiakuron'') was one of two [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] toy lines (the other being ''[[Micro Change]]'') from which the earliest [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] ''Transformers'' toys came. The line began as a thinly sketched space-age ''{{w|Starship Troopers}}'' riff as the heroic human pilots of the "[[Diaclone (faction)|Diaclone]]" force and the invading forces of the insectoid "[[Waruder]]" menace did battle in old-fashioned 60s-style {{w|super robot|super robots}} over the mysterious energy source known as "Freezon". The toyline made a hard pivot to real-world vehicles with some mumbling about the war entering a covert phase on Earth when robots that doubled as toy cars proved a hit with kids, and the rest is history. ''Diaclone'' has proven perhaps the most enduring of the various [[pre-Transformer|pre-''Transformers'']] brands, subject to a variety of remixes and revivals both within the ''Transformers'' brand and without.

{{TOC|limit=3}}

==Overview==
===Original toyline===
[[File:Diaclone Car Robots Illustration.jpg|upright=1.7|thumb|You thought [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|the cartoon]] made up the flying thing, didn't you.]]
The ''Diaclone'' toyline was first introduced in [[1980]] with a focus on various piloted robots that could transform into various abstract sci-fi vehicles, bases, and creatures. However, in March [[1982]] toys with [[alternate mode|alt mode]]s based on realistic, present-day vehicles that many Transformers are known for today began to appear as part of the "''Car Robots''" sub-line. The first one was the ''Diaclone'' predecessor of [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]], whom [[Hasbro]] now considers the first fully-fledged transforming car-to-robot toy ever designed.<ref name="hof2010">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/movie-news/TRANSFORMERS-HALL-OF-FAME-INAUGURAL-MEMBERS.cfm Hasbro press release for the 2010 Transformers Hall of Fame inductees]</ref> Its vehicle form was based on an older Takara toy, the "Cosmo Countach" from the ''[[Microman]]'' "Micro Command" sub-line released in 1978, which transformed into a half-robot, half-car hybrid.<ref name="command">[http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~mikuro/sub1-6.htm "Micro Command" toys, including the Cosmo Countach]</ref>

Before the [[Transformers brand]] was introduced, Takara directly exported some ''Diaclone'' toys to North America under the brand names ''[[Diakron]]'' and ''[[Kronoform]]'', but those lines met with very little success. French toy company [[Joustra]] also released various Diaclone figures in Europe under the original Japanese name (sporting unique box art), a few exclusive Revell model kits and even an accompanying mini-comic series, but these also faded into obscurity.

In [[1983]], [[Hasbro]] representatives discovered ''Diaclone'' and ''Micro Change'' toys at the [[Tokyo Toy Show]], and soon struck a deal to create the ''Transformers'' brand.

The [[1984]] and [[1985]] [[Autobot Cars]], 1984 [[Decepticon Planes]], 1985 [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, 1985 [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, "standard" [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], [[Trainbot]]s, [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]]s, [[Powerdasher]]s, [[Jumpstarter]]s, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], 1984 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Optimus Prime]], and [[1986]] [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Ultra Magnus]] toys all originated from ''Diaclone''. The reason why many of these toys feature opening cockpits, hatches, or seats is that ''Diaclone'' had presented them as lifeless mecha for small driver figures, which were no longer included in their ''Transformers'' incarnation.

When ''Transformers'' proved an unqualified success, plans for a 1985 ''Diaclone'' line were scrapped, and ''Transformers'' was imported to Japan in its place. These aborted toys, which would have been part of a sub-line called ''[[Diaclone#Jizai Gattai|Jizai Gattai]]'' (自在合体, "Limitless Combination") were then incorporated into the ''Transformers'' toyline in 1986 as the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], and [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].

===''Diaclone'' in ''Transformers''===
====In Japan====
[[File:WFC-Kingdom Deluxe Road Rage.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|Everyone say "Thank you, Diaclone."]]
In 2002, TakaraTomy's [[The Transformers: Collector's Edition|Collector's Edition]] line branched out from straight-laced Generation 1 re-issues to something that would become a longstanding tradition of the ''Transformers'' brand: the plumbing of unused ''Diaclone'' decoes of ''Transformers'' molds to create new characters. Beginning with a two-pack of [[Crosscut (G1)#Toys|Crosscut]] and [[Road Rage (G1)#Toys|Road Rage]], this first generation of ''Diaclone'' refugees were roundabout one-to-one recreations of the original ''Diaclone'' toys exclusive to TakaraTomy's boutique retailer [[e-HOBBY]], using the already queued up Generation 1 molds. Each character received a whimsical bio from ascended superfan and all-around franchise renaissance man [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] casting them as "missing" Generation 1 characters in the style of franchise architect [[Bob Budiansky]]'s original character profiles.

This practice made the jump to the big leagues in 2013, when the big-budget ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line built up enough ''Car Robots'' molds to begin fishing for [[redeco]]es, beginning with former mail-away exclusive ''Diaclone'' derivative [[Tigertrack]]. Things really kicked into gear two years later with the release of a [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#MP18B|blue ''Diaclone'' version of Bluestreak]], whose bio established a longstanding mystery plot as story elements from the ''Diaclone'' toyline's scant fiction began leaking into the world of the Transformers. This storyline (again by Ichikawa)<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Not all, but yes. I wrote most of Diaclone/Micro Change repaints bios, except MP Tigertrack/Clamp Down/Bluestreak/Enemy & other cassettes (though I did original e-Hobby and Encore).|link=https://twitter.com/Hirovmi/status/1604695336206815233|site=Twitter|name=Hirofumi Ichikawa|year=2022|month=12|day=18}}</ref> reached a fever pitch with the release of ''Masterpiece'' [[Spin-Out (G1)|Spin-Out]] in 2020, whose bio ''textually'' identified him as a Diaclone mecha brought to life as a Cybertronian by mysterious alien technology!
{{--}}

====In the United States====
[[File:C-81ripsBeet-ChitfromZaptrap-CMW.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|Insert your own Alien reference.]]
The return of ''Diaclone'' to Hasbro markets began with Hasbro's equivalent to e-HOBBY, [[Fun Publications]], finding their own use for ''Diaclone'' decoes as characters in their topsy turvy'' [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' franchise where the heroic Decepticons battled the evil forces of the Autobots, beginning in 2009 with ''Shattered Glass'' [[Ironhide (SG)|Ironhide]]. As Fun Publications' stories ballooned in scope in the years to come, it was revealed that the "[[Transcendent Technomorph]]s," impassive observers at the heart of the ''Transformers'' multiverse, had charted out a distant [[universal stream|cluster of universes]] that they named "[[Cymond]]," wherein the settings of the various pre-''Transformers'' toylines, Diaclone included, were theoretically imported wholesale into Fun Publications' metafictional in-universe constellation of ''Transformers'' franchises.

Fun Publications put their money where their mouth was with "[[Cybertron's Most Wanted]]" the 2015 theme of [[BotCon]], Hasbro's official ''Transformers'' convention. This year's convention exclusive comic chronicled the incursion of ''Diaclone''{{'}}s [[Waruder]] antagonists straight into the TransTech homeworld of [[Axiom Nexus]] and the subsequent collaboration between ''Diaclone''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s heroic Dianaut pilots and the inhabitants of Axiom Nexus to repel the Waruder invaders. Accordingly, BotCon 2015's grab bag of exclusive figures included redecoes of existing ''Transformers'' toys into the first toys of the original Waruder and [[Diaclone (faction)|Diaclone]] factions in nearly thirty years! Fun Publications continued to produce the odd bit of ''Diaclone'' fiction here and there right up until the very last day of their stewardship of the ''Transformers'' license in 2016, with the [[King Waruder]] included in their final batch of character profiles.
{{--}}

====Going worldwide====
[[File:TF-Shattered-Glass-Collection-Ultra-Magnus.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|The Mother, the Maiden, and the Skeletor.]]
Following the realization of Hasbro and TakaraTomy's initiative to standardize the global presence of the ''Transformers'' brand in 2018, ''[[Generations Selects (franchise)|Generations Selects]]'', the exclusive-oriented arm of the the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' super-brand, picked up where e-HOBBY and Fun Publications left off. Since its inception, ''Generations Selects'' has placed a noticeable focus on updates of pre-existing ''Diaclone''-inspired characters, as well as fresh ''Diaclone'' remixes of their own, albeit with [[DK-2 Guard|somewhat less elaborate characterizations]]. Perhaps the most fantastical ''Diaclone''-related feat thus far in this new era has sprung from the adjacent ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' subline, with the announcement of a 2022 Leader class figure triple billed as a ''[[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Shattered Glass]]'', a [[Delta Magnus|Masterpiece]], ''and'' an [[Magna Convoy|e-HOBBY]] character, all three of which were inspired by a single ''Diaclone'' toy!
{{--}}

===The return===
[[File:Diaclone Reboot Illustration.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|We're Back! A Diaclone Story]]
The ''Diaclone'' brand proper was revived by TakaraTomy in 2016 as a boutique property aimed at adult collectors with a strong focus on re-imaginings of toys from the original line. Proceeding more or less chronologically through ''Diaclone'' history, the first overlap with the ''Transformers'' brand came in 2019 with a wave centered around the Dashers, the ancestors of ''Transformers''<nowiki>'</nowiki> Powerdasher trio. In 2021, a new version of Battle Convoy, the toy that became Optimus Prime, was released. This was followed in short order with a new iteration of Powered Convoy, the ancestor of Ultra Magnus, in 2022. 2024 saw the beginning of a new age of collaboration between ''Transformers'' and the revived ''Diaclone'' as the two brands became co-leads of TakaraTomy's "[[T-SPARK]]" collector imprint along with fellow 1980s veteran ''[[Zoids]]''. This led in short order to the very first cross-branded ''Diaclone'' / ''Transformers'' toy, "[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#ShieldD|Shield-D Prime]]," slated for release in 2025. Between T-SPARK and Ichikawa's ''Diaclone'' plotline chugging right along into the ''Masterpiece'' toyline's successor ''[[The Transformers: MPG|MPG]]'' on the ''Transformers'' side of things, it feels safe to say ''Diaclone'' will not be fading back into memory any time soon.
{{--}}

==Toy range (incomplete)==
The following list covers all ''Diaclone'' releases that were later rereleased as ''Transformers'' toys or otherwise inspired ''Transformers'' concepts. ''Diaclone'' molds with no ''Transformers'' relation are generally not listed as they fall outside the purview of this site.
===Early ''Diaclone''===
A handful of the more fantastical toys from ''Diaclone's'' early years that were passed over for the ''Transformers'' toyline have inspired fiction-only characters, mostly in the form of background easter eggs.

;1980
[[File:G One to Dimicron Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.9|right|"I've connected the two dots." "You didn't connect scrap." "I've connected them." ([[Statue of The One]] pictured left, Robot Base and [[Dimicron Prime]] pictured right. Click through for more info.)]]
*'''Dia-Battles''' — Used as inspiration for [[Stormbringer]].
*[[Dianaut|'''Diaclone Pilots'''/"Dianauts"]] — the heroic human pilot minifigures packaged with various Diaclone mecha were used as inspiration for the subtly named toy characters [[Dia Cinders|Dia]], [[Cline]], and [[Diac]], as well as the fiction-only character [[Chifumi Takahashi]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kazutaka Miyatake]] ([[Studio Nue]])}}<ref>''Diaclone World Guide'' by [[Kōji Igarashi]], p107</ref>
*'''Robot Base''' — The ''Diaclone'' franchise mascot and guy in the logo, this famous (in Japan) toy better known as "''Great'' Robot Base" was used as inspiration for [[Dimicron Prime]], the [[Town Commander]] representing ''TakaraTomy themselves'' in the [[Cybertron Satellite]] promotion.
**In perhaps the most esoteric pull in ''Diaclone'' history, the [[Microman#GiantRobo|earliest known prototype]]<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The large robot's transformation mechanism was based on the prototype for the unreleased Microman toy, Giant Robo G-1. This robot would later evolve into Diaclone Robot Base.|link=https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1631449712376315904|site= Twitter|name=Koji Igarashi in p.104 of ''Diaclone World Guide'', translated by Necronomitron|year=2023|month=03|day=03}}</ref> of Great Robot Base was separately used as inspiration for [[Statue of The One|an effigy]] of the mysterious deity known only as [[The One]].
{{toydesigner|[[Tsutomu Inoue]] and [[Ken Ichikawa]] (TakaraTomy),<ref>''Takara SF Land'' by [[Kōji Igarashi]], p49,117.</ref> [[Kazutaka Miyatake]] and [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])<ref>''Diaclone World Guide'' by [[Kōji Igarashi]], p88.</ref>}}
*'''Power Base''' — modular bases inspired the [[flight stand]] in [[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]] named [[TF Power Base]].
{{-}}
;1981
[[File:Exarchon vs Dia Attacker.jpg|thumb|250px|right]]
*'''Big Powered''' — Loosely inspired the [[Big Powered|combined mode of the same name]] in late Generation 1 subline ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Zone|Transformers: Zone]]''.<ref>"当初はソニックボンバーとダイアトラスの2体だけの予定でしたが、開発途中で「もう1体を追加、3体を合体させて巨大ジェットにす「る」という方針変更がありました。この大型ジェットの名前は「ビッグパワード」で巨大なパワードマスターという意味と、ダイアクロンのアイテム名のダブルミーニングでした。" - [[TakaraTomy]] designer [[Motoki Takaya]] in an interview on ''Transformers: Zone'' in ''Takara SF Land Evolution'', p 90</ref>
*'''Dia-Attacker''' — Used as inspiration for the original form of [[Exarchon]], arch-villain of the [[2019 IDW continuity|2019-2022 IDW comics]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kazutaka Miyatake]] and [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])<ref name = "Legend">"Legend of Diaclone" feature by [[Kōji Igarashi]] and [[Kōji Shimada]] in issue 231 of ''[[Figure Ō]]'' (November 2015)</ref>}}
*'''Warudaros''' — Used as inspiration for the [[Storm Rider]] toy, which was itself then [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[King Waruder]], a riff on the ''Diaclone'' character "''Emperor'' Waruder." We've come full circle or something.
*'''Waruder Pilots''' — The insectoid opposite number of the heroic Diaclone pilots packed with the Insector Robo, Warudaros, and others, these minifigures were used as inspiration for the [[Beet-Chit]], [[Ripper (Diaclone)|Ripper]], [[Thrasher (Diaclone)|Thrasher]], [[Crusher (Diaclone)|Crusher]], and [[Buzzer (Diaclone)|Buzzer]] toys, as well as their leader, a Thrasher repurpose named [[King Waruder|Daros]].
;1982
*'''Fortress Robot X''' — Used as inspiration for, ah, [[Fortress X]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kazutaka Miyatake]] and [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])<ref name = "Legend"/>}}
{{-}}

===1981===
====Dashers====
[[File:Diaclone Powerdashers.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb]]
The eldest ''Diaclone'' molds in ''Transformers'' that rather noticeably predate the "in disguise" part, the Dashers were released with minor changes as the [[Powerdasher]]s. Each was released solely as "Powerdasher" and the toys did not receive individual ''Transformers'' names until decades later. Said names were sourced directly from their releases in ''Diaclone''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Joustra#Joustra Diaclone|idiosyncratic European branch]] headed by French licensee [[Joustra]].

*'''Sky Dasher''' — Blue torso was changed to black. Also released under the name "Sky Robot" as a Revell model kit in Europe. ([[Cromar#Toys|Cromar]])
*'''Drill Dasher''' — Released virtually unchanged. Also released under the name "Drill Robot" as a Revell model kit in Europe. ([[Zetar (G1)#Toys|Zetar]])
*'''F-1 Dasher''' — Blue legs were changed to black. Also released under the name "F-1 Robot" as a Revell model kit in Europe. ([[Aragon#Toys|Aragon]])
{{--}}

====Gats Blocker====
[[File:Gats Blocker with keshi.jpg|250px|thumb|Gats Blocker's "keshi" is the white carded thing.]]
'''Gats Blocker''', better known by its localized names "'''Multi-Force'''" or "'''Multiforce 14'''", is probably the most well known ''Diaclone'' toy in the western world ''not'' in the primary ''The Transformers'' assortment due to its omnipresence in ''Diaclone''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Diakron|American]] and [[Joustra#Joustra Diaclone|European]] incarnations. Its path to becoming relevant to the world of ''Transformers'' was a real elaborate one:

For context, the items on this page are nowhere near the sum total of the products in the ''Diaclone'' franchise. In addition to its main line, ''Diaclone'' produced a bevvy of cheaper merchandise of many of its designs, including a series of [[decoy]]-adjacent simplified rubber figures known as "{{w|keshi}}." One such rubber figure of Gats Blocker was knocked off and turned into a clock(???) to produce the prolific bootleg "19-in-1 Robot Clock."<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Takara made Diaclone’s Gats Blocker into keshi. It may have been sold individually, but I’ve only seen the set (which had rubber pilots).
It was used to make the KO “19 in 1 Robot Clock”. I don’t know the AVI France version, but I’ve never seen the clock in a legitimate release.|link=https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1568661940632944647|site=Twitter|name=Necronomitron|year=2022|month=09|day=22}}</ref> Somehow, some way, this bootleg then wormed its way into the 1985 ''Transformers'' slate as the enigmatic French exclusive [[Horloge Robot]], produced in association with the Generation 1 cartoon's French broadcaster [[Canal (company)|Canal]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/tfwiki/status/1672553793995657216?s=20 Photographs of 14 Pieces] at the official TFWiki Twitter</ref> The original toy separately inspired an [[Gats Blocker Autobot|unnamed background comic character]].
{{--}}

===1982 - ''Car Robots''===
====''Car Robots''====
Both ''Diaclone'''s only proper [[subline imprint]] and the most significant assortment to ''Transformers'' history by a wide margin, ''Car Robots'' is the source of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] himself as well as the entirety of the 1984-1985 [[Autobot Cars]]. More abstractly, it eventually served as the inspiration for the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2000 ''Transformers'' franchise]] of the same name. While most of ''Diaclone''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s themed subgroups were designed by a single team, the sheer size of ''Car Robots'' necessitated more variety. Thus, figures are credited individually in this section:

;Individual figures
[[File:Diaclone Car Robots.jpg|upright=3|thumb|Hey that truck guy looks familiar.]]

*'''No. 1 Countach LP500S''' — The ''Diaclone'' red deco was changed to yellow for release as [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]]. The red deco was used as inspiration for [[Spin-Out (G1)|Spin-Out]] and the red [[Sunstreaker clone]]s.
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No. 2 Onebox Cherry Vanette''' — The ''Diaclone'' black deco was changed to red for release as [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Toys|Ironhide]]. The original deco was later released as "[[Ironhide (G1)/toys#black|Ironhide Protect Black]]" and was used as inspiration for ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Ironhide (SG)|Ironhide]] and the [[DK-2 Guard]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No. 3 Countach Patrol Car Type''' — Not released as a Transformer but later used as inspiration for [[Cordon (G1)|Cordon]] and the white [[Sunstreaker clone]]s.
*'''No. 4 Onebox Ambulance Type''' — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Toys|Ratchet]].
*'''No. 5 4WD Hilux''' — The ''Diaclone'' black deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Trailbreaker]]. The ''Diaclone'' version was also available in blue and yellow decoes; the blue deco was used as inspiration for [[Breaker (G1)|DK-3 Breaker]] and ''Shattered Glass'' [[Trailbreaker (SG)|Trailbreaker]] while the yellow deco was used as inspiration for [[Riggorus]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No. 6 Honda City R''' — The ''Diaclone'' silver deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Crosscut (G1)#Toys|Crosscut]]. The ''Diaclone'' version was also available in red, which was used as inspiration for [[Reboost]].
{{toydesigner|[[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])}}
*'''No. 7 Fairlady Z''' — The ''Diaclone'' blue deco was changed to silver for release as [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Toys|Bluestreak]]. The original deco was later used as inspiration for [[Silverstreak#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Silverstreak]], ''Shattered Glass'' [[Bluestreak (SG)|Bluestreak]], and a gazillion variant decoes of regular Bluestreak toys. The ''Diaclone'' version was also available in a silver deco with a black hood that inspired Bluestreak's [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] [[character model]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No. 8 4WD Wrecker Type''' — The ''Diaclone'' red deco was changed to green for release as [[Hoist (G1)/toys#Toys|Hoist]]. The red deco was used as inspiration for [[Lift-Ticket (Diaclone)|Lift-Ticket]] and ''Shattered Glass'' [[Hoist (SG)|Hoist]]. The ''Diaclone'' version was also available in blue as part of the "Double Set" (see below).
*'''No. 9 Honda City Turbo''' — The ''Diaclone'' blue deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Skids (G1)#Toys|Skids]]. The ''Diaclone'' version was also available in black and red decos, the former of which was used as inspiration for [[Burn Out (Diaclone)|Burn Out]] and ''Shattered Glass'' [[Skids (SG)|Skids]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy), [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])}}
*'''No.10 Fire Engine Ladder Car for High-Rise Buildings'''/"Fire Truck Long Ladder Type"<ref group="A" name="fire">Car Robo No. 10 is named "Fire Engine Ladder Car for High-Rise Buildings" (消防自動車高層ビル用ハシゴ車) in combined kanji/katakana on its packaging, but "Fire Truck Long Ladder Type" in English.</ref> — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Toys|Inferno]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy), [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])}}
*'''No.11 Fairlady Z Racing'''/"Fairlady Z Racing Type 280 ZX Turbo"<ref group="A" name="racing">Car Robo No. 11 is simply named "Fairlady Z Racing" (フェアレディＺレーシング) in katakana on its packaging, but "Fairlady Z Racing Type 280 ZX Turbo" in English.</ref> — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Toys|Smokescreen]].
*'''No.12 J59 Jeep''' — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Hound (G1)/toys#Toys|Hound]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No.13 Police Car Fairlady Z''' — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Toys|Prowl]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No.14 Porsche 935 Turbo''' — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|Jazz]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No.15 New Countach LP500S''' — The ''Diaclone'' red deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]]. The ''Diaclone'' version was also available in a yellow deco, which later became the basis for the ''Transformers'' figure [[Tigertrack#Toys|Tigertrack]]. At least one recorded specimen exists of a third, super-rare black [[variant]] unlikely to have ever seen full production.<ref>[https://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf_frame.php?art=blackswipe Discovery and authentication of "Black Sideswipe"] at Transformers One</ref>
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No.16 F-1 Ligier JS11''' — The ''Diaclone'' blue deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Toys|Mirage]]. A red version of the ''Diaclone'' figure was exclusively available with the Powered Convoy DX Set (see below).
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy), [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])}}
*'''No.17 Battle Convoy''' — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|Optimus Prime]].
{{toydesigner|[[Hiroyuki Obara]] (TakaraTomy), [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])}}
*'''No.18 Lancia Stratos Turbo''' — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Toys|Wheeljack]]. The ''Diaclone'' version was also available in a different deco and head, which was used as inspiration for [[Exhaust]].
{{toydesigner|[[Hiroyuki Obara]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''No.19 New Countach LP500S Police Car Type'''/"New Countach Police Car LP500S"<ref group="A" name="policecountach">Car Robo No. 19 is named "New Countach LP500S Police Car Type" (ニューカウンタックLP500S ポリスカータイプ) in katakana on its packaging, but "New Countach Police Car LP500S" in English.</ref> — The ''Diaclone'' police deco was changed to a fire chief deco for release as [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Toys|Red Alert]]. The original deco was later released as [[Clampdown (G1)#Toys|Clampdown]].
*'''No.20 Crane Car'''/"Truck Crane"<ref group="A" name="truckcrane">Car Robo No. 20 is named "Crane Car" (クレーン車) in combined katakana/kanji on its packaging, but "Truck Crane" in English.</ref> — The ''Diaclone'' deco was virtually unchanged for release as [[Grapple (G1)#Toys|Grapple]].
*'''No.21 Corvette Stingray''' — The ''Diaclone'' red deco was changed to blue for release as [[Tracks (G1)/toys#Toys|Tracks]]. The ''Diaclone'' red deco was released as Tracks in Europe and later as [[Road Rage (G1)#Toys|Road Rage]], and also inspired [[Tracks (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Tracks]]. The ''Diaclone'' version also received a Finnish exclusive black deco, which was used as inspiration for [[Loudpedal#Masterpiece|Loudpedal]] and the [[Black Tracks|Tracks clone]].
{{toydesigner|[[Hiroyuki Obara]] (TakaraTomy)}}
[[File:Diaclone Powered Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|All the more rare due to being subjected to rain, steam, and – yes – fireworks in Diaclone commercials.]]

*'''Powered Convoy''' — The ''Diaclone'' deco was (more or less) reversed for release as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]. The original deco was later released as "[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#MoviePreview|Ultra Magnus Yokokuhen Version]]". The more common ''Diaclone'' version was available with flat grey plastic parts for his trailer, but a rarer variant changed those to [[vacuum metallizing|chromed]] parts. latter version was also available as part of the "Powered Convoy DX Set" (see below). The "Powered Buggy" (パワードバギー) accessory was excised from all ''Transformers'' releases, though it did inspire the fiction-only character [[Delta Magnus#Notes|Powerdrive]]. The original ''Diaclone'' deco was used as inspiration for [[Delta Magnus]], [[Magna Convoy]], and ''Shattered Glass'' [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]].
{{toydesigner|[[Hiroyuki Obara]] (TakaraTomy), [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])}}

;Giftsets
*'''Double Set''' — blue version of No. 8 4WD Wrecker Type and silver version of No. 6 Honda City R, called "Honda City S" for this set.
*'''Powered Convoy DX Set''' — the rarer variant of Powered Convoy with chromed parts for his trailer, along with a red version of No.16 F-1 Ligier JS11 that was exclusive to this set, and an equally exclusive variation of the rare black version of No.15 New Countach LP500S, but now with some parts in blue instead of black plastic in robot mode and additional Lamborghini badge stickers on his doors that weren't present on ''any'' previous version of the figure. This second black version of the New Countach later became the basis for the ''Transformers'' figure [[Deep Cover#Toys|Deep Cover]].

;Notes
<references group="A" />
{{-}}

===1983 - Trains, Planes, and Insecticons===
====Baku-Ten Attack Robo====
[[File:Diaclone Jumpstarters.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
The final sci-fi vehicles in the original ''Diaclone'' range (give or take a dinosaur), the Baku-Ten Attack Robo (爆転アタックロボ, roughly "Explosive Flip Attack Robo") were released in the ''Transformers'' line as the [[Jumpstarter]]s. As the name suggests, in its original context the Attack Robo's spring-loaded gimmick was intended as less of an [[autotransformation]] and more of a [[Bot Shots (toyline)|''Bot Shots'']]-esque "pullback attack" feature for harassing Waruders, pets, siblings etc. The Jumpstarters are particularly notable as the only ''Diaclone'' molds in ''Transformers'' not released in Takara's own market. Perhaps they were spooked by Hasbro's [[Jumpstarter#Notes|legal troubles]].

* '''Drill Tank Type''' — Available in two decoes. Dark blue limbs with grey chest or dark blue limbs with red chest. ''Transformers'' releases [[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]]/[[Salt-Man Z]]/[[Robot-Man Z]] all utilized completely new decoes. The red deco was used as inspiration for (sigh) [[Twin Twist (G1)#Legacy|"Diaclone Universe Twin Twist."]]
* '''Jet Type''' — Available in two decoes. Dark blue chest with red limbs or dark blue chest with grey limbs. ''Transformers'' releases [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]/[[Salt-Man X]]/[[Robot-Man X]] all utilized completely new decoes.
{{toydesigner|[[Takashi Matsuda]] (TakaraTomy)}}
{{--}}

====Jet Plane F-15 Robo====
[[File:Diaclone Seekers.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
First released in the short-lived ''Real & Robo'' rebrand of ''Car Robots'' to encompass other real-world vehicles, the F-15 Robo mold was the source for the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. The black and purple deco used for [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Toys|Skywarp]] was created for the ''Transformers'' line. The decoes and remolded wings for the [[Conehead]]s were also original to ''The Transformers''.

* '''Ultrafast fighter type''' ([[Starscream (G1)/toys#Toys|Starscream]])
* '''Acrobat type''' ([[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Toys|Thundercracker]])
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
{{--}}

====Insecter Robo====
[[File:Diaclone Insecticons.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb]]
The only "bad guy" mechs from ''Diaclone'' to make their way into ''Transformers'', the Waruder-piloted Insector Robo were released as the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] with new purple, black, and yellow decoes. Much later, the ''Diaclone'' decos were used for the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive [[Insecticon clone|Insecticon Clones]].

;Individual figures
*'''Kabutron'''/"Beetle-Type" ([[Bombshell (G1)#Toys|Bombshell]]/[[Salvo (G1)#Toys|Salvo]])
*'''Battas'''/"Grasshopper-Type" ([[Kickback (G1)#Toys|Kickback]]/[[Shothole#Toys|Shothole]])
*'''[[Kuwagatrer]]'''/"Lammelicorns-Type" ([[Shrapnel (G1)#Toys|Shrapnel]]/[[Zaptrap#Toys|Zaptrap]])
{{toydesigner|[[Takashi Matsuda]] (TakaraTomy)}}

;Giftsets
*'''Insector Robo 3 Figure Set''', contains "Beetle-Type" Kabutron, "Grasshopper-Type" Battas and "Lammelicorns-Type" Kuwagatrer
{{--}}

====Train Robo====
[[File:Diaclone Trainbots.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb]]
The year's showstopper was another ''Real & Robo'' entry: the Train Robo series. The first-ever combiner as we think of them today, the Train Robo were made up of six individual train engines that could combine into a single massive robot or into, you know, a train. Modular plastic train track accessories were included with each figure to facilitate that second one that were dropped for their eventual ''Transformers'' releases. The Train Robo molds were passed up for the 1984 and 1985 assortments (likely due to the relative unpopularity of their alternate modes outside of train-tastic Japan) and did not become Transformers until the debut of the Takara-exclusive ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' sub-franchise in 1987.

There were two color variations released for the ''Diaclone'' line, making 12 individual trains total: Numbers 1-6 were standard retail decoes released both individually and as a gift set. It was this deco that was rereleased virtually unchanged for release as [[Raiden]] and his components the [[Trainbot]]s. Numbers 7-12 are much rarer and were never released as a giftset. These decoes were used as inspiration for [[G Liner]] and the "prototype Trainbots." The profoundly off-model ''Diaclone'' catalog artwork seen right separately inspired Raiden's "[[:File:MPG Raiden Shiden.jpg|Special Formation Shiden]]" produced via the scrambling of the two teams.

;Individual figures
*'''No. 1 {{w|Tōkaidō Shinkansen|Tōkaidō}} {{w|0 Series Shinkansen|Shinkansen}}''' ("Machliner", [[Shouki#Toys|Shouki]])
*'''No. 2 {{w|JNR Class EF65|Class EF65}} {{w|Blue Train (Japan)|Blue Train}}''' ("Nightliner", [[Getsuei#Toys|Getsuei]])
*'''No. 3 {{w|Tōhoku Shinkansen|Tōhoku}}-{{w|Jōetsu Shinkansen|Jōetsu}} {{w|200 Series Shinkansen|Shinkansen}}''' ("Snowliner", [[Yukikaze (G1)#Toys|Yukikaze]])
*'''No. 4 {{w|Tōkaidō Main Line|Tokai Type}} {{w|153 series|153 Series}} Express Train''' ("Stormliner", [[Suiken#Toys|Suiken]])
*'''No. 5 L-{{w|Limited express|Limited Express}} {{w|485 series|485 Series}} Limited Express Train''' ("Plainliner", [[Seizan#Toys|Seizan]])
*'''No. 6 {{w|JNR Class DE10|Class DE10}} Diesel Locomotive''' ("Powerliner", [[Kaen#Toys|Kaen]])
*'''No. 7 Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Metallic Type''' ("Silverliner", [[Ginou]])
*'''No. 8 {{w|JNR Class ED76|ED76}}, Blue Train-Towing Train''' ("Battleliner", "[[Battle]]")
*'''No. 9 {{w|Doctor Yellow|Dr. Yellow}} Shinkansen, Comprehensive Rail Inspection''' ("Yellowliner", [[Yamabuki]])
*'''No. 10 KuHa {{w|113 series|111 Type}} Express Train''' ("Miracleliner", "[[Miracle (G1)|Miracle]]")
*'''No. 11 L-Limited Express {{w|583 series|583 Series}} Sleeper Train''' ("Thunderliner", "[[Thunder (G1)|Thunder]]")
*'''No. 12 DE10, Diesel Locomotive, Crystal Type''' ("Crystalliner", "[[Crystal (G1)|Crystal]]")
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

;Giftsets
*'''Train Robo 6 Figure Formation DX Set''', collects No. 1 Tōkaidō 0 Series Shinkansen, No. 2 EF65-1000 Blue Train, No. 3 Tōhoku Jōetsu 200 Series Shinkansen, No. 4 Tōkaidō Main Line 153 Express Train, No. 5 L-Limited express 485 and No. 6 DE10 Diesel Locomotive.
{{-}}

===1984 - DINOSAUR ATTACK===
====Construction Vehicle Robo====
[[File:Diaclone Constructicons.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Not quite ready to devastate.]]

The original ''Diaclone'' decos featured predominantly blue [[combiner]] parts. All six received new, uniform green and purple color schemes for release in the ''Transformers'' line as the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s. The figures were also available as part of the [[The Transformers (European toyline)|European release]] of the ''Transformers'' toyline in yellow instead of green, and were later also re-released in yellow as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline in the United States and Canada, plus rarer orange [[variant]]s that were only available in the United States.

;Individual figures
*'''No. 1 Bulldozer''' — orange. ([[Bonecrusher (G1)/toys#Toys|Bonecrusher]])
*'''No. 2 Power Shovel''' — orange. ([[Scavenger (G1)/toys#Toys|Scavenger]])
*'''No. 3 Shovel-Dozer'''/"Tractor Shovel"<ref group="B" name="shovel">The individually released Construction Vehicle Robo No. 3 is named "Shovel-Dozer" (ショベルドーザー) in katakana, but "Tractor Shovel" in English. The "Build Combination 6 Figure Set" giftset still calls the figure "Shovel-Dozer" in katakana, but now has reversed the order of the two parts of the English name to "Shovel Tractor".</ref> — orange. ([[Scrapper (G1)/toys#Toys|Scrapper]])
*'''No. 4 Truck Crane''' — red. ([[Hook (G1)/toys#Toys|Hook]])
*'''No. 5 Dump Truck''' — red. ([[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Toys|Long Haul]])
*'''No. 6 Mixer Truck'''/"Concrete Mixer"<ref group="B" name="mixer">Construction Vehicle Robo No. 6 is named "Mixer Truck" (ミキサー車) in combined katakana/kanji, but "Concrete Mixer" in English. This is repeated with the "Build Combination 6 Figure Set" giftset.</ref>— red. ([[Mixmaster (G1)/toys#Toys|Mixmaster]])
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

;Giftsets
*'''Build Combination 6 Figure Set''', contains No. 1 Bulldozer, No. 2 Power Shovel, No. 3 Shovel-Dozer/"Shovel Tractor",<ref group="B" name="shovel"/> No. 4 Truck Crane, No. 5 Dump Truck and No. 6 Mixer Truck/"Concrete Mixer".<ref group="B" name="mixer"/> A later running change variant of the [[giftset]] changed the main color of both Truck Crane and Concrete Mixer from red to blue, while the combiner parts were changed from blue to red. These versions were only available as part of the giftset.

;Notes
<references group="B" />
{{--}}

====Dinosaur Robo====
[[File:Diaclone Dinobots.jpg|thumb|upright=2|And not a [[Shockwave_(G1)/Marvel_Comics_continuity#Marvel_The_Transformers_comics|cyclops]] nor a [[Savage_Land#Marvel_The_Transformers_comics|tar pit]] in sight.]]

The Dinosaur Robo molds became the [[Dinobot (G1)#Toys|Dinobots]] in ''Transformers''. Duh. The Dinosaur Robo were the heroes of a pretty elaborate swerve in that year's storyline where the Waruder started dropping organic dinosaurs on Tokyo with time portals. Yes, really. All of the TF releases had softer plastic in certain places. There were also several differences in decoes between the ''Diaclone'' and ''Transformers'' versions, mostly the replacement of blue paint with red.

*'''Tyrannosaurus''' ([[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Toys|Grimlock]])
*'''Triceratops''' ([[Slag (G1)/toys#Toys|Slag]])
*'''Brontosaurus''' ([[Sludge (G1)#Toys|Sludge]])
*'''Stegosaurus''' ([[Snarl (G1)#Toys|Snarl]])
*'''Pteranodon''' ([[Swoop (G1)/toys#Toys|Swoop]], ''Diaclone'' deco inspired Swoop's animation model)
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy), [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])<ref>Only Grimlock and Sludge are confirmed for Kawamori.</ref>}}
{{--}}

====Double Changers====
[[File:Diaclone Omnibots.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb]]
Notably peculiar as some of the only cars released outside of the ''Car Robots'' subline, the Double Changers were released as the [[Omnibot (G1)#Generation 1|Omnibots]].

*'''No.1 Savanna RX-7''' ([[Camshaft (G1)#Toys|Camshaft]])
*'''No.2 Ferrari BB''' ([[Overdrive#Toys|Overdrive]])
*'''No.3 Celica XX''' ([[Downshift (G1)#Toys|Downshift]])
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
{{-}}

====Triplechangers====
[[File:Diaclone Overcharge and Rotorbolt.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb]]
Only the Jet Fighter Type [[Triple Changer]] was ever released in the ''Transformers'' line, but the Helicopter Type later inspired three fiction-only characters. [[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Toys|Astrotrain]] and [[Octane#Toys|Octane]] may have been in development when the change to the ''Transformers'' brand occurred. See below for more.

*'''No. 1 Jet Fighter Type''' — The ''Diaclone'' dark green and white deco was changed to purple and beige for release as [[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Toys|Blitzwing]]. The original deco was later released as [[Overcharge (G1)#Toys|Overcharge]].
*'''No. 2 Helicopter Type''' — Not released as a Transformer, but used as inspiration for the fiction-only characters [[Rotorbolt (Timelines)|Rotorbolt]], [[Skyklik]], and [[Fumes]].
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
{{-}}

===1986 - Posthumous ''Diaclone''===
The original ''Diaclone'' range<nowiki>'</nowiki>s final contribution to the ''Transformers'' brand came in the form of the bevvy of product halfway through the pipeline when the line was shelved in favor of ''Transformers'' in 1985. This is widely postulated to be the source of the bulk of the new-mold Takara vehicle Transformers for the years of 1984 through 1986. While there is no hard delineation where Takara "stopped making ''Diaclone''" and "started making ''Transformers''", June 1985 can be seen as something of a "final deadline" as the month where Takara debuted ''The Transformers'' at the [[Tokyo Toy Show]] trade show and Hasbro began shipping design bibles full of data on the 1986 toy assortments to [[Marvel Productions|Marvel]] and [[Sunbow Productions]].

====Triplechangers Reloaded====
*A ''Diaclone'' patent of a locomotive/space shuttle robot presumably slated for a second wave of [[Triple Changer]]s filed in December 1984 is pretty unmistakably a near-finalized [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]].
*This one's pushing it, but a very early concept draft of a tanker truck/jet robot<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=134963706680747&set=a.129078730602578 ''Diaclone'' concept art of Octane at the Space Bridge Transformers Archive]</ref> with a transformation scheme that can be pegged to the earliest known prototype<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=134963740014077&set=a.129078730602578 ''Diaclone''(ish) Octane prototype at the Space Bridge Transformers Archive]</ref> of [[Octane]] can be dated to March 2, 1985.

{{anchor|Jizai Gattai}}

====The Scramble Saga====
[[File:Takara SF Land Pre-Menasor.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|''Diaclone'' Menasor's transparent thigh high boots were deemed too saucy by Hasbro S&P.]]
"Jizai Gattai" (自在合体, roughly "Limitless Combination"), later "Diaclone Scramble Combination" (ダイアクロン・スクランブル合体 ''Daiakuron Scramble Gattai''),<ref name = "TTMU">[https://twitter.com/syncson/status/1195937750957969409?s=21 "Diaclone Scramble Combination" trade show display] taken from a December 1984 trade journal presented in ''The Toys That Made Us''.</ref> was to be the primary theme for ''Diaclone''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 1985 assortment, a modular play pattern consisting of smaller robots that could form arms or legs for larger torsos, all centered around one of ''Diaclone''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s trademark baseformers. This concept was refitted for Transformers and became the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#2010|''Scramble City'']] subline of the Japanese ''Transformers'' toyline, also known as the "[[Special Teams]]" in the European toyline or "all those 1986 combiner guys" in the United States. The central base became [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].

"Jizai Gattai" prototypes known to have been developed into specific Transformers include:
*'''New Robot Base''' — developed into [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].<ref name = "SFLand">''Takara SF Land'' p. 113</ref> Pre-production ''Diaclone'' deco later recycled into [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]].<ref>"Hasbro designed the colors for Metroflex, and at the time I thought it was bland. Thinking about it now, the white and gray feel sophisticated. Actually, when I worked on Metrotitan, I got to pick the colors myself. The finished version is close to what I originally imagined, that's why I used colors so reminiscent of Diaclone. I tend to use a lot of metallic blue (laughs)."—Interview with [[Kōjin Ōno]] on the development of Generation 1 Metroplex in ''[[Transformers Generations 2013]]'' by [[Kōji Shimada]], p.95. [https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1691165857303724033?s=20 Translated by Necronomitron on Twitter, 2023/08/14]</ref>
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''Jizai Gattai Trailer Robo''' — developed into [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] / [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]].<ref name="SFLand"/>
*'''Concorde torso robot''' — [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] / [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]<ref name = "TTMU"/>
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}
*'''Fire truck torso robot''' — [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] / [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]<ref name = "TTMU"/>
*'''Tank torso robot''' — [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] / [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]<ref name = "TTMU"/><ref>May 1985 ''Diaclone'' tank torso robot patent.</ref>

Known limb robot prototypes included five jets, four cars, two helicopters, two motorcycles, one ambulance, one racecar, and a police car,<ref name = "TTMU"/> though anything further would be speculative at best, particularly given specific "teams" of components did not yet exist as we know them today.

This line likely inspired the in-fiction "[[Free-Combination]]" (自由合体 ''Jiyū Gattai'') ability of the original Special Teams' later ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#OC|Operation Combination]]'' redecoes.
{{--}}

===2016===
The very first release in ''Diaclone''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s nascent 2016 revival nigh immediately popped up in ''Transformers'' fiction. Go figure.
*'''DA-01 Dia Battles V2''' (2016) — itself inspired by the original Dia-Battles, this toy was used as inspiration for the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' incarnation of [[Magmatron#Beast Wars: Uprising|Magmatron]].
{{toydesigner|[[Motoki Takaya]] (TakaraTomy)}}

===2025 - ''Synergenex'' ===
The flagship release in TakaraTomy's [[Transformers Collaborative|''Collaborative'']]-adjacent licensed crossover line ''[[T-SPARK#Synergenex|Synergenex]]'' featured the first ever honest to goodness crossover toy between ''Transformers'' and an alive and healthy ''Diaclone'' brand, plus third wheel ''[[Zoids]]''.

[[File:T-SPARK Synergenex promo Shield-D-Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Shield-D-Prime''' (シールドディープライム, 2025)}}</ul>
:*''Release date:'' [[2025]]
:*''Accessories:'' drone, bike

:The exotic variant of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] known as "[[Optimus Prime (G1)#ShieldD|Shield-D Prime]]" turns into a 1/60 scale iteration of ''Zoids'' mascot [[Shield Liger]], and includes a working cockpit for the included dianaut. Accessories include a removable flying drone type thing formed from Optimus's back and tail an adorable teeny tiny motorcycle for the dianaut.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Contemporary international ''Diaclone'' releases==
*Like ''Transformers'' itself, ''Diaclone'' was also released in other countries, in some cases licensed to other companies:
===United States===
[[File:Kronoform logo.gif|right|upright=1.6|thumb]]
Takara themselves had a short run in the U.S. market under the name ''[[Diakron]]'', featuring three toys that were later released as ''Transformers'' in different colors. This was followed by ''[[Kronoform]]'', which featured a fairly hefty swathe of ''Diaclone'' toys that were ''not'' released as ''Transformers'' by Hasbro.
{{Main|Diakron}}
{{Main|Kronoform}}
{{--}}
===Finland===
Takara themselves released toys in Finland under the name ''Diaclone'', sharing elements of the packaging design with GiG's ''Trasformer'' line. This release is notable for a unique black version of the Corvette Stingray (pre-[[Loudpedal]]).
===Italy===
[[File:Trasformer_logo.png|right|upright=1.6|thumb]]
Italian company [[GiG]] initially released toys under the name ''Diaclone'', but soon changed it to ''[[Trasformer]]'' {{sic}}. Whether GiG was copying Hasbro or the other way round is unclear; however, ''Trasformer'' did feature a blend of ''Diaclone'' toys and elements original to Hasbro's ''Transformers'' line, possibly due to production reasons.
{{Main|Trasformer}}
{{--}}
===France, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands===
[[File:Joustra Diaclone Logo.png|right|upright=1.6|thumb]]
French company [[Joustra]] released the toys under the name ''Diaclone'' in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, featuring a blend of ''[[Micro Change]]'' and ''Diaclone'' toys with unique packaging designs and origin stories, but eventually sporting factory-applied [[Autobot]] or [[Decepticon]] [[insignia|stickers]], also due to production reasons.
{{Main|Joustra}}
{{-}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Wyatt Toys]] advertised ''Diaclone'' and ''[[Microman]]'' toys for sale in the [[Detroit Powell Press]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}

===''Diaclone'' continuity===
====''Transtech''====
{{stub|{{storylink|Transformers I.Q. issue 6}} {{storylink|Transformers I.Q. issue 12}} {{storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} {{storylink|Axiom Nexus News}} {{storylink|King Waruder#Timelines|King Waruder profile}}}}
====''Masterpiece'' toy bios====
{{stub|{{storylink|Spin-Out (G1)#Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' Spin-out bio}} {{storylink|Bluestreak (G1)/toys#MP18B|''Masterpiece'' Bluestreak bio}} {{storylink|Burn Out (Diaclone)#Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' Burn Out bio}}}}

====''Legacy VS500 Collection Special Comic''====
{{stub|{{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 1}} {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}} {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 3}}}}

===''Transformers × Dialect Girl''===
[[File:MyToys-Diaclone.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|There are some editors on this wiki that actually see this image when they close their eyes at night.]]
In a last ditch attempt to find a point of commonality with ''Transformers'' fan [[Kahori Hanamura]], her building's super told her about a ''Transformers'' toy he was handed down from his older brother as a child, describing it as a robot that turned into a base, with a rear elevator for tiny dolls to enter it. Kahori corrected him that this was not a Transformer, but actually the Robot Base toy from ''Diaclone'', which thoroughly impressed her. {{storylink|My Toys Part 3}}

==Notes==
*''Diaclone'' is a portmanteau of "diamond" and "cyclone": "unbreakable as a diamond, powerful as a cyclone".<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Teammates united by a bond as unbreakable as diamond, they fight with the unyielding force of a cyclone to protect our world... The Diaclone Corps, Earth's defense force!|link=https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1629204072502013952|site= Twitter|name=1980 ''Diaclone'' catalog, translated by Necronomitron|year=2023|month=02|day=24}}</ref>
**"[[Cymond]]," the name for ''Diaclone''{{'}}s location in the in-fiction [[multiverse]], was devised by longtime ''Transformers'' contributor [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] as an inversion of the original portmanteau (''cy''clone + dia''mond'').<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20191012014152/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/116666-rook-andromeda-on-facebook/page-40 Post on the Allspark Forums] by [[Jim Sorenson]] (archived)</ref>
*Designs from ''Diaclone'' were plagiarized for the Korean animated movie ''Diatron 5'' (다이아트론5), which for a time haunted [[Walmart]] dollar bins as ''[http://www.amazon.com/SPACE-TRANSFORMERS/dp/B000FHDNZW Space Transformers]''.
*General Motors stopped using the "Stingray" name after the 1976 model year through 2013. Though the Corvette mold is obviously a 1980 to 1982 model year, Takara incorrectly called it a Stingray.

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

==External links==
* ''{{w|lang=ja|ダイアクロン|Diaclone}}'' at Japanese Wikipedia
* [http://www.diaclone.net Diaclone.Net] fansite
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180430074512/http://1501bc.com/pretf/pretf.html ''Diaclone''] at the Pre-Transformers Page
* [https://www.transformerland.com/wiki/diaclone/ Diaclone® Action Figure Collectors' Guide] At TransFormerLand
* [https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/diaclone/ ''Diaclone''{{'}}s modern incarnation] at the TakaraTomy website

[[Category:Diaclone| ]]
[[Category:Japanese franchises]]
[[Category:Non-Transformers toylines]]
[[Category:Other TakaraTomy properties]]

Warrior School!

2024-09-22T16:04:15Z

Tribimat: missing word supplied

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #7
|prev=The Worse of Two Evils!
|next=Repeat Performance!
|title="Warrior School!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #26
|prev2=The Worse of Two Evils!
|next2=Repeat Performance!
|image=MarvelUS-07.jpg
|caption=Ratchet's such a drama queen.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[April 23]], [[1985]] ("on sale" [[May 14]], 1985)
|coverdate=August 1985
|script=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|pencils=[[William Johnson]]
|inks=[[Kyle Baker]]
|color=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letters=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Christopher J. Priest]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Ratchet discovers the fate of the other Autobots, and must fight Megatron on his own.'''

==Synopsis==
Walking through the [[Mount Hood National Forest|woods]] in search of a road to drive [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] home, [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] and Buster meet up with a group of campers. As Ratchet demonstrates [[Laser scalpel|a new way to cook]] [[hot dog (food)|hot dog]]s, Buster experiences a severe head pain as an after-effect of his experience with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Buster is taken home by the campers, leaving Ratchet free to deal with bigger problems.

[[File:Laserbeakwarriorschool.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] use their innocuous alternate forms to infiltrate and take over another [[Blackrock Enterprises]] installation, this time [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One|an aerospace plant]] that builds jet fighters. [[G.B. Blackrock|Blackrock]] breaks the news to a hospitalized [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]], who apparently designed this aerospace plant as well. Blackrock swears that the giant robots will be stopped, but Josie is already making plans of her own.

Ratchet returns to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] alone to verify Buster's findings, and soon finds the inert [[Autobot]]s. He despairs upon finding the head of Optimus Prime, but Prime counsels him to fight as a warrior to defeat [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. Uncertain of what this might mean, Ratchet agrees.

[[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]] and [["O"]] attempt to cheer up Buster, who is wondering how to handle [[Sparkplug Witwicky|his father's]] [[S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service|flagging car repair business]] while he's recovering in the hospital. Buster explodes at the pair when they suggest that he can learn to repair cars just as easily as his hard-working father. After they leave, Buster is gripped by another head-splitting pain—and recovers to realize that several metal objects nearby were apparently floating in the air.

Ratchet soon finds Megatron, who easily overpowers him. But when Shockwave contacts Megatron with orders to prepare Optimus Prime for transport, Ratchet realizes that Megatron has lost command of the Decepticons, a potential weakness. He manages to strike a deal, sealed with the sacred [[Rite of Oneness]]: Ratchet will destroy [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], in exchange for the return of the Ark and the [[Autobot]]s inside. If he fails, Megatron will destroy him; if he succeeds, Megatron resumes his leadership of the [[Decepticon]]s and wins regardless.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]] (11)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (12)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] or [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (13)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (14)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] (15)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (22)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (23)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (24)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (7)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (8)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (18)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (20)
*Decepticon jet (21)
|c3=
*[[Melanie]] and friends (1)
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (3)
*[[Ferdy and Gabe]] (5)
*[[G.B. Blackrock]] (9)
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]] (10)
*[[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]] (16)
*[["O"]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Forgive me, humans! My intrusion upon your ceremonies was purely unintentional. The terrain of your planet is often uneven, quite unlike that of my home planet '''Cybertron'''. I lost my footing and accidentally nudged this brown pipe out of its mooring. Permit me to correct my error."
:—'''Ratchet''' tries to put a tree back in place

"Hmm... intriguing... heat tempered protein cylinders!"
:—'''Ratchet''' discovers hot dogs

"As you trained on our native Cybertron to be a doctor... so shall you train on Earth to be a warrior! Experience shall be your instructor. Your own survival shall be your ultimate test."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"So, Ratchet, go! Destroy Shockwave and restore my command of the Decepticons, or return here in defeat and join your comrades in their doom! Either way... I win!! HA HA HA HA!"
:—Even though '''Megatron''' is in a comic book, you can totally hear his evil villain music playing

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:Warrior School! Cybertron.jpg|upright=0.6|thumb]]
*Footnotes remind the reading audience of the events of [[The Worse of Two Evils!|last issue]], including the shock Optimus Prime gave Buster; Shockwave's attack on Blackrock's oil rig and the injuries Josie Beller suffering during it; Buster's discovery of the Autobots deactivated bodies; and Megatron's battle with Shockwave and Ratchet witnessing its aftermath.
*Sparkplug continues to recover from the mild heart attack he suffered, which a footnote reminds us happened in [[The Last Stand|issue #4]].
*Though Jessie will return in future issues, "O" takes Buster's instruction on page 16 to "leave him alone" rather literally; he will never appear in the comic again after this issue.
*Megatron gives us new info about events from [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]], recapping why Shockwave stayed behind during the attack on the Ark (he planned the attack and stayed behind as backup) and his subsequent battle with the Dinobots as shown in issue #4. During his flashback (page 21, panel 1, pictured), we see a Cybertronian building with a "honeycomb"-style window-dome; a similar building appeared in issue #1 (page 1, panel 4).
*You'd never suspect it to read this issue in isolation, but the interaction between Megatron and Ratchet in this story is the first in a series of confrontations that will occur across the whole length of the Marvel series. They will actually have more dramatic face-offs in Marvel US continuity than Megatron and Optimus Prime!

===Real-life references===
*Ratchet and Buster encounter the campers in Oregon's real-life [[Mount Hood National Forest]]. Since he just left the Ark on foot and hasn't found a road, Mount St. Hilary must be ''very'' close to Mount Hood.
* Buster's home is in [[Portland]].
*Ratchet states he is "a doctor, not a warrior," imitating the famous catchphrase of ''[[Star Trek]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Leonard McCoy|Doctor McCoy]].
*Buster mentions President and CEO of the Chrysler Corporation, [[Lee Iacocca]], while despairing over repairing the cars at his dad's garage.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*At the end of last issue, Buster was wearing his trademark pink t-shirt, but this issue, he has changed into a white t-shirt and jacket. He hasn't been home yet to change (since that's where he and Ratchet are headed when they meet the campers) so his new wardrobe goes unexplained. It's compounded somewhat by the fact artist William Johnson remembers to draw Buster in his pink tee in the flashback to the events of the previous issue.
*Buster is described as having been "blasted with a coruscating beam of energy" by Optimus Prime last issue, when in fact, Prime "electrocuted" him via two wires pressed to either side of Buster's head.
*Megatron was defeated by Shockwave while still recovering from his damage. He seems to be fully repaired now, making it a little unclear why he should need Ratchet's help.

===Artwork and technical errors===
*On the issue's cover art, Megatron is missing the gun barrel on his back.
*Ratchet's fluctuating prototypical red-white-and-blue color scheme which he has had in the series up to this point final settles down this issue into his finalized Marvel color scheme—all white with a red helmet and fists. The multiple thin red stripes that run around his forearms in this story, however, will be steadily phased out over the course of the series.
*On the flipside, Soundwave spends the duration of this issue colored ''blue''; it matches his [[character model|animation model]], toy, and the UK comic, but within the context of the US Marvel comic, it's actually an error, since he's always purple in its pages.
*G.B. Blackrock spends this issue without his mustache, and error that will repeat a few times in these early appearances of the character.
*During Buster's flashback, Optimus Prime's cheek and nose are colored yellow. In this scene, "coruscating" is misspelled as "corruscating" in the US issue.
*As previously seen in issues [[Prisoner of War!|#3]] and #4, Megatron's Decepticon insignia is once again off-center, shifted over to the right of his chest, as result of the artist misinterpreting the geometry of his character model.
*Page 5, panel 7: The coloring makes it look like the beam from Ratchet's laser scalpel stops at his wrist and doesn't actually hit the hot dogs.
*Page 7, panel 3: Ferdy states that he likes "to punch in ''one'' time" to work, rather than ''on'' time.
*Page 14, panel 2: After being shown as little more than a torso in [[The New Order|issue #5]], Ironhide is now mostly intact again.
*Pages 14–15: Johnson draws Optimus Prime's head as missing its "antenna ears," when they were attached to it in the previous two issues.
*Page 18: Megatron's fusion cannon has its own little Decepticon symbol! Cute, but definitely not part of his standard design!
*Page 20, panel 5: Ratchet says he will help Megatron "defend Shockwave" when he clearly means "defeat Shockwave".
*Page 22, panel 4: The speech bubble that begins "This much I knew or Shockwave told me..." is attributed to Ratchet, but the dialogue belongs to Megatron. This error does not appear in the UK issue.

===UK printing===
*'''Published:''' [[September 7|7th September]], 1985
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_26/Robo-Capers Robo-Capers]'', ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_26/The_Chromobots The Chromobots]'' and ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_26/Matt_and_the_Cat Matt and the Cat]''. ''The Chromobots'' concludes this issue.
*This issue was the first and only instance of a full issue of the US comic being reprinted in one UK issue, instead of split into multiple parts. This was because this was the final issue of the UK series to be printed in a mixture of colour and black-and-white; the series went full-colour from the next issue onward as part of a design revamp. With both back-up strips (''Machine Man'' and ''Planet Terry'') having reached the end of their current stories last issue, rather than start any ''new'' back-ups one month before the whole look and format of the comic was changed, this issue just reprinted a full US issue to fill out the pages.

===Other trivia===
[[File:Larry hama transmissions.jpeg|upright=0.8|thumb|[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]: Not for wimps, apparently]]
*Strangely, an [https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=863534 overlay] exists for the cover, indicating that [[Herb Trimpe]] redrew Megatron for the final cover. While the reason for this is unconfirmed, it would appear that Bright accidentally drew the earlier Megatron character model with a trigger on his fusion cannon on the original cover, judging by the positioning of Megatron's right hand.
*This issue's [[Letters page|Transmissions]] page notes that [[Larry Hama]] kept a ''prototype'' of [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] on his desk in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] offices. Wonder if he's still got it?
*At some point, CardsOne, a company that deals in vintage comics, trading cards, and collectibles, acquired a large stock of unsold copies of IDW Publishing's ''[[The Transformers: Generations (comic)|The Transformers: Generations]]'' reprint of this issue (cover variant "A"). These copies were bagged with a second random comic book and a random trading card, then sold via Dollar Tree stores around Easter of 2012.
*IDW's ''[[Classic Transformers]]'' reprint of this issue censored an editor's note on page 22 that identified the [[Savage Land]]. The note was restored for future reprints.

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: Ratchet active; 16 inactive plus Optimus Prime held captive; 5 Dinobots missing in action.
*Decepticons: 11 active.

===Courtesy of my...===
*Ratchet busts out his [[laser scalpel]] to cook some hot dogs; later he uses it alongside his [[cryogenic sprayer]] to fight Megatron.

===Covers (2)===
*'''US issue #7:''' Ratchet faces down Megatron, by [[Mark Bright]], with Megatron done by [[Herb Trimpe]] (see "Other trivia" above).
*'''UK issue #26:''' reuse of art from US cover.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-07.jpg|'''US issue #7''' -
File:MarvelUK-026.jpg|'''UK issue #26''' - Ratchet isn't allowed to speak in the UK!
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Transformers Digest 04-cover.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine issue 4|''The Transformers Comics Magazine'' #4]]''' (Marvel US, 1987)
File:Titan-NewOrderSC.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: New Order]]'' paperback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:Titan-NewOrderHC.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: New Order]]'' hardback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:IDW Generations 1 Cover A.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Warrior School!"|The Transformers: Generations #1]]'' cover A''' by [[Ashley Wood]] (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:IDW Generations 1 Cover B.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Warrior School!"|The Transformers: Generations #1]]'' cover B''' by [[Nick Roche]] (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:IDW Generations 1 Cover RI.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Warrior School!"|The Transformers: Generations #1]]'' retailer incentive cover''' (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:IDW Generations 1 Cover ND.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Warrior School!"|The Transformers: Generations #1]]'' New Dimension Comics exclusive cover''' by [[Nick Roche]] (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:Generations TPB.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Generations (comic)|The Transformers: Generations]]'' trade paperback''' (IDW Publishing, 2007)
File:Classic Transformers Vol1.jpg|'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 1|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2008)
File:TFClassicsVol1.JPG|'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 1|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 1]]'''
File:ClassicComicCollection1.jpg|'''''Transformers: Classic Comic Collection, Vol. 1''''' (Chrirpy Bird, 2015)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v2.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Vol. 2: New Order''''' (Hachette Partworks Ltd, 2018)
File:HXClassicsVol2.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers Classics#Japanese reprints|The Transformers Classics]], Vol. 2''''' ([[Mediaboy Mook]], 2018)
</gallery>

====IDW ''Transformers Classics'' edits====
For ''[[The Transformers Classics]]'' series of trade paperbacks, IDW Publishing "remastered" the coloring of the series with varying degrees of success. These changes were sometimes to fix errors, but often to alter characters' color schemes to make them resemble their toy and/or cartoon selves, and were rarely applied with consistency. IDW's recolored version was also used for Hachette's ''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|Definitive G1 Collection]]''.
*Page 7, panel 6: Gabe's forearms are incorrectly recolored to become the same golden-yellow as his lunchbox.
*Page 8, panel 3: As he transforms, Soundwave's torso is also incorrectly recolored that same golden-yellow color.
*Page 23, panel 6: Text recreation incorrectly changes Megatron's use of the word "command" to the misspelled "cummand," misinterpreting a half-faded "o" in the original printing and re-drawing it as a u.

===Advertisements===
*Clear-Ups acne cream (inner front cover)
*Oreo "Oreo Tumbler" <s>scam</s> Promotion - between pages 4 & 5
*DP Orbatron Barbells and Weight Benches - between pages 5 & 6
*Twizzlers - between pages 7 & 8
*[[Nestlé]] Quick - between pages 8 & 9
*Bonkers! - between pages 16 & 17
*Dorman's Cheese "Secret Wars Sticker Album" Promotion - between pages 17 & 18
*Comic Related Ads - between pages 19 & 20
*Bullpen Bulletins and an ad for ''Elfquest'' - between pages 20 & 21
*[[Letters page|Transmissions]]
*''Secret Wars II'' issue #3 (Circuit Breaker appears in this issue - inner rear cover)
*The Nutty Pay-Day Game (back cover)

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

Raiders of the Last Ark

2024-09-19T22:22:28Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{comicstory|
|prev=The Enemy Within!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #18–21
|next=The New Order
|image=MarvelUK-018.jpg
|caption=Tanis development proceeding. Acquire headpiece, Staff of Ra, Abner Ravenwood, US.
|title="Raiders of the Last Ark"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=Part 1: [[May 18|18th May]] Part 2: [[June 1|1st June]] Part 3: [[June 15|15th June]] Part 4: [[June 29|29th June]], [[1985]]
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Mike Collins]] & [[Jeff Anderson]]
|colours=[[Gina Hart]]
|letters=[[Richard Starkings]] (Parts 1, 3-4); [[John Aldrich]] (Part 2)
|editor=[[Sheila Cranna]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''A Decepticon attack on the Ark prompts the Autobots to activate the shipboard computer Auntie...which promptly threatens to destroy both sides.'''

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
The [[Decepticon]]s launch an attack on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] are first to penetrate the craft, the latter tearing the hull open to allow them access, but [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] blasts Laserbeak and rallies the Autobots for action. The two forces clash in battle: [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] finds his flamethrower is no match for [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]; [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] finds that [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]]'s electromagnetic shield negates his magnetic powers; and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] finds his earthquake-making powers are no match for [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'s piledriver arms.

===Part 2: "Judge, Jury... and Executioner?"===
Though the Autobots fight valiantly, Optimus Prime fears defeat is only a matter of time, unless the ship's defences can be activated. To that end, Prime leaves the battle and ventures deeper into the ship to bring its controlling AI, [[Aunty|Auntie]], online. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] follows and tries to stop Prime by blasting the computer's control panel, but he is too late: Auntie awakens, and brings the battle to a halt by magnetizing the ship's walls, leaving Autobot and Decepticon alike helpless. The damaged computer can no longer distinguish between friend and foe, and instructs Prime and Megatron to plead their individual cases before her so she can decide which of the two factions it will destroy.

===Part 3: "Unholy Alliances!"===
[[File:Windcharger ravage guardian raiders of the last ark.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Every day is leg day! And every other body part day too!]]
Ravage and Windcharger's unique magnetism-related abilities allow them to counter Auntie's magnetic field, and the pair reluctantly team up to get past the Ark's defenses and reach the computer core. When they are confronted by a laser grid, Ravage's speed and maneuverability allowing him to make it through and shut the mechanism down, but no sooner has he done that than the floor of the corridor becomes electrified, zapping the pair and knocking them out.

Optimus Prime tells Auntie the story of the Ark's arrival on Earth, but Megatron claims it is all lies. Prime begs Auntie to consult her own databanks to see the truth, but the computer is unwilling, refusing to accept that she is damaged and refuses. Prime makes Megatron realize that Auntie is likely going to kill ''both'' sides, prompting the Decepticon leader to unleash a secret ability that he thinks will be able to stop her: he begins charging his body with [[antimatter]], drawn cross-dimensionally from a [[black hole]].

Ravage recovers from the electric shock, having managed to shut down his systems before they too badly damaged. Knowing he will need the help, he begrudingly reactivates Windcharger, and the two resume their mission, dodging more defenses through teamwork. Arriving at the door to the computer core, they are confronted with the final obstacle: the Autobot battle droid [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]]!

===Part 4: "The Final Battle!"===
Windcharger tackles Guardian through the doors, keeping the mechanoid busy while Ravage darts forward and rips the computer core to pieces, deactivating Auntie. Optimus Prime and Megatron are freed from her magnetic grip, and Megatron—deciding it would be such a ''shame'' to see all the power he has built up go to waste—prepares to turn his antimatter on Optimus. Before he can, however, Windcharger uses his magnetic abilities at maximum power to blast Megatron out of the Ark and into the stratosphere. The Decepticons retreat after their leader's exit, but Optimus Prime cannot call the outcome a victory: Windcharger has overloaded his systems and fallen unconscious, several other Autobots are also badly damaged, Auntie is lost... and as a message burned into the Ark's walls by the fleeing Decepticons warns, their enemies will soon return...
{{--}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (10)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (12)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (13)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (14)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (16)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (17)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (18)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (20)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (22)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (23)
|c2=
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (1)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (7)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (8)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (9)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (11)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (15)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (19)
|h3=Others|c3=
*[[Aunty|Auntie]] (21)
*[[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]] (24)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Ravage:''' "I'll claw you to bits, Autobot!" 
'''Windcharger:''' "Loathsome creature, you repulse me...or should that be the other way around?"
:— '''Windcharger''' magnetically repels '''Ravage''' and had been waiting all day to use that joke

"'''Silence!''' There is nothing wrong with me! '''Nothing!''' I have heard both your stories and will now consider my verdict. Those that I judge innocent will be allowed to go free. Those that I judge guilty...will be '''destroyed!'''"
:— '''Auntie''' has '''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' at her mercy

==Notes==
===Production notes===
*"Raiders of the Last Ark" is the third UK-original story, produced following the conclusion of the [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|original US mini-series]] to fill for time until more US issues were available to reprint. It was written to span two standard 11-page issues, but after production was finished, each part was split up into two smaller chunks to make it span four issues total. As with its predecessors, "[[Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron]]" and "[[The Enemy Within!]]", [[character model]]s remained unavailable to the artists, and so the Transformers are drawn using only the toys as reference. "Raiders" would be the last UK story to feature such toy-based designs; by the time of the next UK story, "[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!]]," [[John Ridgway]] and [[Mark Farmer]] had visited America, met [[Bob Budiansky]], and obtained a copy of the production bible from him.<ref>[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]</ref>
*This story was originally published in a mixture of full-colour and black-and-white artwork, as was the standard for the comic at the time. For a long time, it was the "forgotten" UK story; unlike its predecessors, it was never reprinted in either ''[[Transformers Collected Comics|Collected Comics]]'' or any later issues of the UK or US series. [[IDW Publishing]] eventually reprinted it for the very first time in 2011 in its original mixture of colour and black-and-white, but when [[Hachette Partworks Ltd]] reprinted it again in 2017, it was fully-colourised for the first time by [[John-Paul Bove]].

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Auntie.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1]]
*"Raiders of the Last Ark" follows on directly from "The Enemy Within!". Like both that story and "[[Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron]]" before it, it was published after the original US mini-series, but is set in some vague time ''during'' its events, even alluding to the looming events of its [[The Last Stand|fourth issue]] on the final page. The "[[Robot War]]" text features which would later run in issues [[The New Order|#22]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]] and [[Second Generation!|#63]] would clumsily suggest that "Raiders" took place somewhere "between panels" at the end of [[Prisoner of War!|US issue #3]], after [[Spider-Man]] rescued [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] from the Decepticons, but before Sparkplug was returned to the Ark. This really doesn't work, not least of all because Gears appears active in the story, when he was offlined and would not be reactivated until Sparkplug's return.
*"Raiders" builds its story around Auntie, the Ark's computer, the sole other reference to which was seen in [[The Transformers (issue)|US issue #1]].

===Real-life references===
*The story, of course, takes its name from the [[Indiana Jones]] movie, ''{{w|Raiders of the Lost Ark}}''.
*Windcharger freeing himself and Ravage by "reversing the polarity of their own magnetic fields" is a nod to the recurring line "reverse the polarity of the neutron flow" in the long running British TV series ''[[Doctor Who]]''.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*An opening recap of the [[Transformer]]s' arrival on [[Earth]] shows Auntie computing that a suicide course into Earth is the only logical choice. In the original telling of that story, in US issue #1, Optimus Prime reached that decision on his own—a decision that would be reiterated in [[Cold Comfort and Joy!|issue #198]], marking "Raiders" as an error, rather than a deliberate [[retcon]].
*Jazz uses his flamethrower against Soundwave, but, repeating an error from [[The Last Stand|US issue #4]], the art shows him wielding a hand-held weapon, instead of the shoulder-mounted weapon it's supposed to be.

===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:Megatrong1marvelblackhole.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]]
*As in "The Enemy Within!", Optimus Prime has a solid-blue [[mouthplate]], and Megatron appears throughout the story with a golden chest—an overly literal artistic interpretation of the way his [[package art]] represented his toy's chromed chest (pictured at right).
*Part 1, page 1, panel 1: The text in the caption that begins the story has been erase or obscured, turning "Created by the Autobots, the Ark..." into "reated by the Autobots, he Ark..."
*Part 1, page 1, panel 2: An all-red Decepticon jet appears in the flashback to the Decepticons' attack on the Ark. [[Generic]], or pre-emptive use of [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]'s colour scheme by artists who didn't know better?
*Part 1, page 2: Hound shouts "we're under seige!", misspelling "siege".

===Other trivia===
*This story marks the first use in media of Megatron's ability to link up to a black hole and channel antimatter (right)—but writer Simon Furman misinterpreted exactly how this power was supposed to work. Per Megatron's full-length bio (written by Bob Budiansky and later published in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]''), "Megatron can use his internal circuitry to connect (his [[fusion cannon]]) interdimensionally with a black hole, where it can draw on anti-matter as its power source." However, the cut-down language of version of this profile used for Megatron's [[Tech Spec]]s unintentionally obfuscates the fact that the cannon is involved, merely saying that Megatron can "link up interdimensionally to a black hole and draw antimatter from it for use as a weapon." Evidently, Furman only had the cut-down version to work from, and chose to interpret it by having Megatron channel the antimatter through his own body (as a swirl of blackness and stars), wielding it with his bare hands. In an interview for [[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1]], Furman said the reason he did this was the tech spec said Megatron could do it and felt if that was the case, the comic should show it happening.<ref>[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1]] page 74</ref>
*To facilitate its referential title, the story refers to the Ark as "the last of the great arks", implying a series of such vessels. The comic itself would never corroborate this, but the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]] did feature multiple ships of the same design, and decades later, IDW Publishing would explicitly establish the Arks as a series of numbered vessels.

===Back-up material===
[[File:Laserbeak-calendar.jpg|thumb]]
'''Issue #18:'''
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_18/Robo-Capers Robo-Capers]'', ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_18/The_Chromobots The Chromobots]'', ''Machine Man'' ([https://tfuk.app/wiki/Alone_Against_Alpha_Flight! "Alone Against Alpha Flight!"] part 1), ''Planet Terry'' ([https://tfuk.app/wiki/Some_Answers "Part III: Some Answers"]), and ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_18/Matt_and_the_Cat Matt and the Cat]''
*'''[[Fact File]]:''' [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]
*'''June calendar:''' [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (pictured)
*'''Other features:''' "Robot Round-Up"

'''Issue #19:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_19/Robo-Capers Robo-Capers]'', ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_19/The_Chromobots The Chromobots]'', ''Machine Man'' ("Alone Against Alpha Flight!" part 2), ''Planet Terry'' ([https://tfuk.app/wiki/Malt_Shop_Menace "Part IV: Malt Shop Menace"]), ''From the Transformers Fact Files'' ([https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Battle_of_Hastings_%E2%80%93_The_True_Story. "The Battle of Hastings – The True Story."]), and ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_19/Matt_and_the_Cat Matt and the Cat]''
*'''Fact File:''' [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
*'''Other features:''' "Warrior Word Search"

'''Issue #20:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_20/Robo-Capers Robo-Capers]'', ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_20/The_Chromobots The Chromobots]'', ''Machine Man'' ("Alone Against Alpha Flight!" part 3), ''Planet Terry'' ([https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Saga_of_Princess_Ugly "The Saga of Princess Ugly"]), and ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_20/Matt_and_the_Cat Matt and the Cat]''
*'''Other features:''' "Twenty Transformers Questions" quiz; "Your Transformers Toy Checklist," Part 1; "Robot Round-Up"; mail-in competition to win a Bontempi BN8 keyboard

'''Issue #21:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_21/Robo-Capers Robo-Capers]'', ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_21/The_Chromobots The Chromobots]'', ''Planet Terry'' ([https://tfuk.app/wiki/Too_Close_(Enough)_for_Comfort "Part 2: Too Close (Enough) for Comfort"]), ''From the Fact Files'' ([https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Saga_of_Erik_the_Red "The Saga of Erik the Red"]), and ''[https://tfuk.app/wiki/The_Transformers_issue_21/Matt_and_the_Cat Matt and the Cat]''. ''Machine Man'' was skipped for this issue.
*'''July calendar:''' [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*'''Other features:''' Mail-in competition to win a Magnetic Ludo board game; "Transformers Alphabet," a poem sent in by reader Andre Knowles gets its own segment; and "Your Transformers Toy Checklist," Part 2. The checklist refers to [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] only by his ''[[Micro Change]]'' name "Cassette Man", which he would later "explain" in [[The Worse of Two Evils!|issue #24]]'s [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] as a nickname he allows select [[Stubbie|humans]] to call him.

===Covers (4)===
*'''Issue #18:''' Autobot/Decepticon battle, by [[Mike Collins]], [[Jeff Anderson]], and [[Gina Hart]]; art reused from page 4 of the story
*'''Issue #19:''' Optimus Prime and Megatron encounter Auntie, by Mike Collins, Jeff Anderson, and Gina Hart; art reused from page 5 of the story
*'''Issue #20:''' Windcharger and Ravage caught in the electric field, by Mike Collins, Jeff Anderson, and Gina Hart; art reused from page 3 of the story
*'''Issue #21:''' Megatron activates his anti-matter power, by Mike Collins, Jeff Anderson, and Gina Hart; art reused from page 1 of the story

<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-018.jpg|'''Issue #18''' - WAZ! SPLO!
File:MarvelUK-019.jpg|'''Issue #19'''
File:MarvelUK-020.jpg|'''Issue #20'''
File:MarvelUK-021.jpg|'''Issue #21'''
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Classicuk1.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2011)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v1.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Vol. 1: Power Play''''' (Hachette Partworks Ltd, 2017)
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Talk:The Transformers (cartoon)

2024-09-06T19:21:04Z

Tribimat:

==Move back to "Generation 1 (cartoon)"==
I can sort of see the reasoning behind [[User:Singularity|Singularity]]'s move of this page from "Generation 1" to "Transformers", but I think "Generation 1 (cartoon)" is really the best name for it, regardless of what the name of the show itself was. After all, we don't include the word "Transformers" in all the other toyline and cartoon series article names. It is redundant information that doesn't belong there in a TF-focused wiki.

Thus, I propose moving this article back to "Generation 1".

--[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 22:31, 18 March 2006 (UTC)

==TF:TM link?==
It really, really seems like there should be a link to The Transformers: The Movie (1986) in here somewhere. I just can't seem to find an appropriate place. --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] 02:47, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

== Ep intro blurb? ==

So I'm looking at some of the various 'story' pages on the wiki... and most of them lack the 'sense of place' thing you get at the top of the G1 episodes. (Where is says Generation 1 => Season 1, etc.)

I'd like to propose a template based on the version used here. So [[Divide and Conquer]] would open with...
{| style="background:#f9f9f9;border:solid 1px #aaaaaa;padding:.5em;"
| colspan=2 |'''[[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation One]] > [[Generation 1 (cartoon)#Season 1|Season 1]] > [[Divide and Conquer|Episode 6]]'''
|-
|'''[[Roll for It|Previous Episode]]''' || style="text-align:right'"| '''[[Fire in the Sky|Next Episode]]'''
|}

which'd be called with a template like...

<nowiki>{{EpWhere|Generation 1|Season 1|Episode 6|prev=Roll for It|next=Fire in the Sky}}</nowiki>

Most of those terms would be optional, you just put 'em in if/when they apply.

(There's obviously ore going on here because 'Generation 1' actually links to [[Generation 1 (cartoon)]], but with Wikimedia's new parser functions, I think it'd be possible to create a really '''friendly''', low-effort way of putting these together.)

Any thoughts? If I went forward with this I'd probably consult with Steve on the proper series prefixes and such to keep everything consistent. Mostly, I just feel strongly that every story entry in a ongoing series should have a previous/next link. And we might as well make them pretty. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 19:16, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

:I think we definitely need something along these lines, yeah. --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 19:45, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
::Sounds like a good idea to me. --[[User:Omnisvalidus|Omnisvalidus]] 20:21, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

:::Any ideas what to call the template? -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 20:32, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

== The movie ==

Shouldn't the movie be in here? It's mentioned in the second paragraph, but shouldn't it be where it takes place, between seasons two and three? I'd change it, but I'm not sure if I'm missing something... [[User:Caswin|Caswin]] 18:18, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

:Good point. We need like an 'intermezzo' section between season 2 and season 3 with Scramble City and the movie in it. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 19:08, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

== Peter Cullen? ==

Did he do the voice for Prime in the series?
[[User:Spartan 012|Spartan 012]] 00:08, 11 July 2007 (UTC)
: .... that's a joke, right? [[User:Detour|Detour]] 00:30, 11 July 2007 (UTC)
:Yes, he did. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 01:22, 11 July 2007 (UTC)

== What about the Japanese shows of the late 80's? ==

Shouldn't there be something about them here? They did continue the G1 series right? They just left out the stupid Rebirth story arc of season four.
:I agree. There should be a mention of this split-up of continuities at this point, as well as links for the entries of the three Japanese sequel shows. [[User:Takeshi357|Takeshi357]] 15:07, 1 January 2008 (UTC)
::This is the article for the American cartoon series running from 1984-1988ish, which was titled "The Transformers," but at some point somebody decided that we should just call the page "Generation 1 (cartoon)." Of course, this moniker does suddenly include the Japanese cartoons, which means it's not that great of an article name. The Japanese cartoons all have their own pretty extensive pages, since while America didn't break up their cartoon seasons into various titles, Japan did. "2010," "Masterforce," "Victory," etc, are all considered different cartoon series from each other, since they have different titles, same as "Armada," "Energon," and "Cybertron" over here. I do agree that the article needs to mention that this "continuity" continued on in Japan after Hasbro wrapped up in the States.
::And Rebirth is awesome. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 17:51, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

== order of episode ==

It is stated that the episode are not listed in the chronological order of the series (inside continuity). I don't know for you, but I consider it would make more sens to order them in the chronological order (and only keep the production order when it doesn't contradict the chronology). this Wiki is also for the one who don't know much about transformers and it would make thing clearer for them.

Should be fairly easy to put them in order, question is who has time to do it?
:Shouldn't [[War of the Dinobots]] take place right after [[S.O.S. Dinobots]]? After all, the former begins with Megatron agonizing himself by watching footage of his defeat in the latter. [[User:Takeshi357|Takeshi357]] 22:13, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

::It's possible to put a few scattered episodes into a relative order with a few other scattered episodes, sure. Like, ''probably'' "Fire on the Mountain" should be right after "Fire in the Sky". But really, we don't know. I would ''hope'' that it comes right after, but to my recollection there's not really anything in the story to indicate that. But we'd still have to largely rely on either the production or airing order and just assume that it is "mostly" chronological except for the ones we feel like moving around for some reason. That seems sort of iffy to me. I would be totally all for having a section or an article which discusses possible "correct" chronological orders for the series, but I think that the main list should stick to an order that we ''know'' and don't have to make up. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 04:44, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

== ANIMATED CONTINUITY?? ==

Given that an actual continuity called ANIMATED is coming out should we not change the sections of Many pages that refer to the G1 toon as "Animated continuity"? Maybe a job for one of the Bot accounts?

:"Oh Derik you silly goose, the phrase 'Sunbow Continuity' offends our eyes! We shall call it the 'Animated Continuity', or 'Generation 1 Cartoon'."
:"But what if there's one day a Transformers series called 'The Animated Series?' Wouldn't hat make 'animated continuity' a really bad label? I mean- using 'animated' as an adjective descriptor instead of a proper one is already bad, there's been like 10 ''different'' 'animated' series."
:"Then we shall call it the Generation 1 cartoon!"
:"But what if there's a cartoon called 'Transformers: Generation 1?' Robots in Disguise shows Hasbro has a fondness for using basic terms as line-wide lebels. Or cartoon set in G1? With, like Arcee and the Dinobots based ont heir original cartoon models even? We've had 4 or 5 'Generation 1' comics, surely another cartoon, also 'Generation 1' just like Dreamwavs comics vs. Marvel Comics, is possible. Wouldn't the 'Sunbow' label, or maybe '1984 Cartoon' eliminate the ambi-"
:"''''Sunbow Continuity' is ugly, matter settled!''' Now I shall go smoke my space-marijuana, which is grown on the internet and is rich in denial."
:-[[User:Derik|Derik]] 11:33, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
::We also use "animated continuity" on UT character pages, too, you know. If we change the G1 pages to "Sunbow continuity," what do you propose we make the UT ones say given that no one, anywhere, ever refers to the UT cartoon universe using a production company name. Should Beast Wars/Beast Machines pages say "Mainframe continuity"?
::We should either leave the headers as "animated continuity" or change them to "cartoon continuity." --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 12:58, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

:::You raise a good question. We have at least 3 'versions' of Beast Wars in the form of the 3H, Dreamwave and Fun Pub. And unlike most the G1 variforms- these are almost branches, they overlap completely around the cartoon by have different before them, during them offscreen, and (probably) after.
:::We've gotten by so far because there's been virtually no overlap-- but we're abotu to get a BW guidebook that establishes stuff about ''everyone'' in IDW's continuity. There's gonna be conflicts.
:::I recommend waiting until the IDW BW Guide at least begins publication before starting a discussion about the categorization of BW so we can get some idea of the scope of the problem. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 13:06, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
::::I don't understand what any of that has to do with the subject at hand: the viability of continued use of the phrase "animated continuity" given the soon-to-be existence of a franchise with Animated in it's name. --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 13:09, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

:::::It ''really'' has to do with 'animated' being used as an adjective. The phrase 'animated continuity' is essentially meaningless. The Sunbow cartoon? RiD? UT? They are all continuities which are animated. Even the long version 'Generation 1 Animated Continuity' is meaningless- there are two (US and Japanese,) and that's assuming we ''don't'' eventually conclude the new cartoon is part of the Generation 1 continuity family. 'Animated continuity' is a ''description-by-criteria'' for which there are ''multiple'' results- but it's being used to refer only thee 1984 Sunbow cartoon.
:::::Generation 1 cartoon is marginally better- the American version was all 1 series, the post-branch Japanese stuff all has distinct names- but still on a technical level it's a ''description'', and Victory ''is'' a cartoon and it ''is'' Generation 1. And '''most fundamentally''', there is nothing to prevent any new cartoon series from 'being' Generation 1, just like IDW launched a new Generation 1 comic in 2005.
:::::1984 cartoon is unambigious. Sunbow cartoon is unliekly to be contradicted int he future (Sunbow no longer exists.) Find a less ambiguious phrase. I'd be fine with 'Original cartoon.' There's no mistaking what that means, and we're unlikely to get a future Transformers line called Transformers: Original. I give us 50/50 odds at a line called 'Transformers: Generation 1' in the next 10 years. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 13:27, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
:::::::''The phrase 'animated continuity' is essentially meaningless. The Sunbow cartoon? RiD? UT? They are all continuities which are animated.''
:::::::The phrase "animated continuity" appears as a header on pages that state right at the very top of the article which franchise it is talking about.
:::::::And again, let me go back my question about the UT cartoons. If we were to change the headers on G1 pages from "animated continuity" to "Sunbow continuity" wouldn't this mean we also have to change the "animated continuity" headers on UT pages to some production/animation company name? And which one would be used? Actas? Aeon? We've? Gonzo? I think this would only serve to potentially confuse people in a way that "animated continuity" or the alternative "cartoon continuity" would not. --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 14:26, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

::::::::Ignoring for the moment all these digressions I think you clance on the best solution here. We should change the "Animated continuities" headings to "Cartoon continuity". It doesn't meess around with production companies, it doesn't confuse things with the Animated franchise, and it gets the point across just as clearly. All up for changing the "Animated continuity" headers to say "Cartoon continuity"?

::::::::I vote aye. {{unsigned|71.235.142.128}}

Derik seems to be missing that the "animated continuity" header is always a sub-header under a franchise designation of some sort. Still, I agree that something needs to change because that isn't always clear enough. Switching to "cartoon" instead of "animated" is fine with me, for basically the same reasons I advocated changing our disambiguation tags from animated to cartoon, plus it will remove the Animated vs animated problem. I think that simply adding an extra descriptor to the headings would do wonders. Instead of simply "Cartoon coninuity" sitting somewhere under a G1 header, "G1 cartoon continuity" for example. In most cases this wouldn't make much practical difference, but for characters that have appeared in cartoons from more than one continuity, like all the G1 guys that had cameos in BW, it helps keep things sorted. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 18:15, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

:Derik grasps that distinction, Derik just doesn't think it's absolutely unfathomable that we get another cartoon set in the Generation 1 cartoon family.
:But yes, changing the headers to 'Cartoon continuity' or 'G1 Cartoon continuity' (Advisable IMO, Jazz showed up in Cybertron ''and'' Armada in cameo...) would address the immediate problem.
:But if we ever ''do'' get another cartoon in the G1 continuity family, I'm gonna be ''such'' an ass with the "I told you so..." -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 23:45, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

== The big mess of DVD versions ==

This is mainly to find out what transfers the non-Rhino DVD releases use. For a reference on the changes done for the Rhino sets, use [http://kenshiroh.tripod.com/ this page] (quick ref, on Rhino. Please help fill in the gaps. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 20:24, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

===List of DVD versions===

'''Rhino DVDs'''
{| border="5" style=width:50% text-align:center"
|'''Season''' || '''Video''' || '''Mono Audio''' || '''Stereo Audio''' || '''5.1 Audio'''
|-
| 1 || full of errors || N/A || mix or original and added SFX || added SFX
|-
| 2 || broadcast || N/A || mix or original and added SFX || added SFX
|-
| 3/4 || broadcast || original || added SFX || added SFX
|}

'''Other releases'''

{| border="5" style=width:50% text-align:center"
|-
|'''Company''' || '''S1 Video''' || '''S1 Audio''' || '''S2 Audio''' || '''S3/4 Audio'''
|-
|Mavrick (UK) || broadcast || Rhino 5.1 only || N/A || N/A
|-
|Metrodome (UK) || Rhino || Rhino 5.1, added SFX in every 2.0 track || Pt 1 - Rhino 5.1 and 2.0 Pt 2 - Rhino 5.1, only ''[[Kremzeek!]]'' has added SFX in 2.0 || Rhino 5.1, 2.0 has no added SFX
|-
| Madman (AU) || broadcast || Rhino 5.1 only || ? || ?
|-
|Chinese bootleg || Rhino || Rhino (all) || ? || ?
|}

== Completion ==

Hey guys. Why you had to start completing the older series first and then move on? IG start working on Generation one and then start on the newer series like Beast series. Try Youtube to watch the cartoons.([[User:Soldier 79|Soldier 79]] 01:37, 20 October 2007 (UTC))
:Actually, quite a few of us have complete or near-complete DVD sets. I myself own most of G1 and all of BW/BM.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]] 02:56, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

== Final ''Nine'' Episodes? ==

''The very long second season greatly expanded the cartoon's scope and cast. It breaks down very roughly into three segments: the first dozen episodes features the Season 1 cast; a second batch of episodes brings in the remainder of the 1985 toys; and the final nine episodes introduce the four combiner teams that formed the early entries in the 1986 line.''

I note that the "final nine episodes" of season 2 includes "The Key To Vector Sigma, Part 2", but doesn't include "The Key To Vector Sigma, Part 1". Is this intentional, or should it be changed to "final ten" or "final eight"? [[User:JW|JW]] 21:51, 20 November 2007 (UTC)

:Oh, should be final ''ten'', then. Basically KtVS and everything after it. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 23:06, 20 November 2007 (UTC)

==Japanese Clipshows==
The "Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers" series (ie, Japan's combined season 1 and 2) had '''9''' original clipshow episodes. I have no idea what the contents of them were, as every Japanese webpage I've come across merely addresses the fact that they ''exist'', providing just the titles and episode numbers. I am not entirely sure of proper translations for the titles, but I'll put them up in Japanese here (in Japanese airing order) until we figure out how to address them. (Note: Since a few of these titles are essentially synonymous with one another, my off-the-cuff attempts here to add variety to the translation may result in severe variation from my original translations. Pick a reading you prefer.)

14. トランスフォーマー誕生！

55. 果てしなき戦い

56. ダイノボット島の死闘

57. 巨人兵デバスター

58. おわりなき死闘

69. 地球最大の危機

70. セイバートニウムを求めて

71. スタントロンＶＳエアーボット

72. コンバットロンの反逆

--[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 08:41, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

:I recall covering these in the episode guide I put together in 1994(!) for the ''Ten-Year Retrospective'' book David Kolodny-Nagy was compiling. While some of the titles make the general content obvious, darned if I can recall exactly which episodes each one used, but if you have that book (and knowing you, Monzo, I'm sure you do), you can use it to find out. (My copy is in some forgotten stratum of storage right now.) I can at least provide the episode titles:
:14. Birth of the Transformers! 
:55. War without End 
:56. Desperate Battle on Dinobot Island 
:57. Devastar, the Giant Warrior 
:58. Never-ending Struggle 
:69. Earth's Greatest Crisis 
:70. Seek the Seibertonium 
:71. Stuntrons vs. Airbots 
:72. Revolt of the Combatrons 
:--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 08:56, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
:::Ah... unfortunately, Doug, I don't know what book it is you're talking about, so that's a dead end on that route. However, I believe Spengler owns both the Fight! and 2010 box sets, so perhaps he would be willing to check the episodes to see what clips they use.
:::(Also, what's with tacking that paragraph on to my original query?) --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 11:49, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
::::You're kidding—you mean for all the esoteric stuff you've got, you never acquired a copy of the "Ten-Year Retrospective" book that came out at the first BotCon? I'm genuinely surprised.
::::As for "tacking that paragraph on," do you mean inserting my reply closer to your original post for the sake of context, as I did here? Is this considered bad form? I still indented properly to set it apart from early conversation branches...--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 18:58, 27 January 2008 (UTC)
:::::Admittedly, I wasn't as into esoteric books until... maybe the past five-six years or so, and between that and not attending a BotCon until 1996, I can see how DKN's book would've escaped my notice. I think the earliest fan-produced book I have is either Fumihiko's TFs In Japanese Missions or Raksha's BotCon 95-themed issue of ConQuest.
:::::As to the paragraph thing, I was mostly curious as to why you added ''(Note: Since a few of these titles are essentially synonymous with one another, my off-the-cuff attempts here to add variety to the translation may result in severe variation from my original translations. Pick a reading you prefer.)'' to my original inquiry. Where it's placed now, it looks like I wrote it. --21:32, 27 January 2008 (UTC)
::I'd been thinking about these a little bit myself recently. 2010 had two, too, as I recall... "Daniel's Adventures" and "Good's Desperate Fight," I believe. What makes them hard to list is the fact that both series were re-ordered from how they went in their original format... hey! What about a secondary Nav box, the way we've got two for US and UK Marvel issues? Then we can link the episodes up in Japanese order, and slip the clip shows in, as well as go from RoOP to the start of HM... - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 11:16, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

::A quick whatzitsname on the kerjigger, and I've made these:

Or we could just call them "Fight! Super Robot Lifeform" and "2010," if we want to omit the "Transformers," as we often do. If there's no outcry against the notion, I might spend the evening putting these into articles. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 19:02, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
:Hm. I'd drop the "Transformers" from F!SRLF to conserve space, but leave it for 2010, just because "2010" by itself is a bit supershort. I think the idea works very well, though, and IS the kind of information that the wiki ought to have. I might also suggest compressing the space between the boxes... as I've done on the example here. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 19:06, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
::Yyeah, I was thinking the whole FSLRFT was a bit long, but dropping the TF off the end makes it seem like... I don't know, an incomplete sentence? In as much as it's any kind of sentence at all. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 19:22, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
:::Would abbreviating it to "Fight! Super Robot Lifeform TF" be out of the question?--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 18:58, 27 January 2008 (UTC)

== On the episodes not aired in Japan ==

Is there any info on why those two Season 2 episodes ended up not airing in Japan or when the decision was made. Was the dubbing done at the same time as the other episodes and they ender up not getting aired, or were the dubs for those two and Rebirth done just for the Laser disc release?

Also, does anybody know the Laser disc episode order and if they contain the clip shows?

Finally, we probably need to have a episode list for the Japanese dubs given the different titles and completely changed broadcast order.--[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 21:12, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
:It's the only one of these questions that I can answer, but If I understand things correctly, the two episodes were indeed dubbed only for their LD release, since there were quite a few different voice actors in them. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 23:12, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
::Is this the case with Rebirth as well? --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 00:54, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
:::Yep. In fact, if I remember right, I think the Japanese dub of Rebirth even uses the American names for the characters. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 01:16, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
:I sort of assume that part of the reasoning had to do with Skyfire's relative prominence in the episodes in question - but only because it's one of the only things I can think of that the two episodes have in common (the other being "evil Autobots/evil machinery"). The Skyfire thing doesn't quite hold water, as they DID show other episodes with him in Japan, so... I dunno. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 23:26, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
::I doubt it has anything to do with Skyfire given that they showed ''Fire In the Sky'' and ''Fire On the Mountain'' which he's a main character in as well as the episodes featuring Omega Supreme. And unlike Omega, Skyfire doesn't look like the toy. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 00:54, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
:::It occurs to me how ''late'' in the series these were shown, though. I'm not sure what that means, though, but... hmn... hey... heck, I think... I think ''every'' episode with Skyfire is shown really late in the Japanese run! "Fire in the Sky"... 62... "Fire on the Mountain"... 63... "A Plague of Insecticons"... 64... and then "The Ultimate Doom," 67 through 69! And... let me just... yeah! Along with "Day of the Machines" and "Attack of the Autobots," I do believe that's *every* episode featuring Skyfire! I never realized that before! I thought "The Ultimate Doom" was just held back to be a good three-part series finale, but obviously Skyfire's presence played in a role in the order the episodes were aired in Japan! Perhaps they held them back for that reason, and then... just ran out of room in the schedule, or something? - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 01:16, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

==Distributed by?==
The first sentence in the Production section states that: "Writing and distribution for this series were handled as a joint effort by [[Marvel Productions]] and [[Sunbow Productions]]." However, this isn't making much sense to me. [[Claster Television|Claster]], and in effect Hasbro, handled the TV syndication distribution for the series. So it can't be referring to that distribution, at least not correctly. Is that line referring to a different type of distribution, or is it flat out wrong?

Regardless, I think we need to mention Claster on this page somewhere. I'd have already done it, but I wanted to get some clarification on the above before proceeding.--[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 02:49, 1 August 2009 (EDT)

==Referring to the series in other articles==
The last time I remember seeing a discussion about this, I thought the conclusion was that while this article is named "The Transformers" because that's the proper title of the series, when we wrote about it, we would call it "the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]]". I can't find the conversation, though (it highly probably was lost in the crash), and TX55 and I are having an edit-war over on [[Template:G1cap]] about the issue, so I thought I'd bring it up here. I think writing "the ''The Transformers'' cartoon" is doofy and unnecessarily pedantic. What do other people think? - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 09:28, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
:I vote for "Generation 1"... seeing as how every TF cartoon series is, well, technically a "The Transformers" cartoon series on some level, I doubt the casual reader is really going to look at the latter reference and instantly think of the Sunbow cartoon. It's just too vague/ambiguous for those not aware of the details. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 09:40, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
::Either form is acceptable, and I think having ''both'' descriptors in the template would be best, for clarity's sake. (By the by, should be written "the Generation 1 cartoon" -- no italics -- since it's not a title.) "''The Transformers''" is the formal title and should definitely be included, regardless of what confusion that may spawn (seems like I've been beating back these "people will be confused by something called "The Transformers"!" arguments since forever...) -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 11:03, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
:::Full agreement with Rob on both the use of both descriptors and the lack of italics on "Generation 1". --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 12:54, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
::::So both are acceptable, meaning when referring to the cartoon in other articles, either way can be chosen? - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 12:59, 18 August 2009 (EDT)

::::We italicize franchises, and ''Generation 1'' is an officially-recognized franchise name. The phrase "''Generation 1'' cartoon" means "the cartoon from the ''Generation 1'' franchise," so I see no reason to de-italicize it there.
::::In fact.... that helps me sort it out in a way that I think makes perfect sense: If you refer to the series as "the ________ cartoon," it should be "''Generation 1''" because the blank is a modifier to the concept of "cartoon," not its proper title. For example:
::::*Screencap from the ''Generation 1'' cartoon.
::::However, if you drop the "the" and "cartoon", THEN you're referring to the series by its actual title, so the following becomes correct:
::::*Screencap from ''The Transformers''.
::::'''Edit:''' And, if a situation calls for Rob's suggestion of using both for maximum clarity, it should be written:
::::*Screencap from the ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' cartoon, ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''.
::::Make sense?
::::- [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 14:01, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
:::::I think specifically:
:::::*Screencap from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] cartoon, ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''.
:::::I.E. with no italics on the "Generation 1" part because it's not a title as such. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 17:28, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
::::::As I said above, it's the name of the franchise, and we italicize franchises. There's no reason for G1 to be an exception. - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 17:37, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
:::::::I thought the argument was that that wasn't what the franchise was called at the time? The original franchise was just called "The Transformers" and didn't start being referred to as "Generation 1" until, ISTR, sometime afterward. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 17:58, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
::::::::Regardless, it's still an official name for the franchise validated by several sources. Arguably, from Hasbro's perspective it is now THE official name for the franchise (such as on the back of the ''Universe'' packaging where they have the little franchise-timeline). It's like ''A New Hope'' (or, for that matter, ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe: Featuring the Wreckers]]'', which was not the original name of that comic series but is nonetheless our preferred usage, italics and all). For more on all that, see [[Talk:The Transformers (franchise)#Move|Talk:Generation 1 (franchise)]]. Upshot: I don't see why our italicization practices should be influenced by whether a name came first or superseded another. - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 18:26, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
:::::::::It wasn't the name of the franchise at the time. consider if the phrase in question is lengthened out:
:::::::::*Screencap from the ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' franchise cartoon, ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''.
:::::::::That is just incorrect. The name of the movie released in 1977 is ''[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/ Star Wars]'' and the cartoon series that was debuted in 1984 is ''The Transformers'' the franchise that was launched in 1984 is ''The Transformers'' and Han shot first. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 18:49, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
::::::::::That example reads as absolutely correct to me, since I have zero problem with applying newer official terms to older concepts. At any rate, the issue at hand is getting muddy. The status quo is currently that "''Generation 1''" is an acceptable term for the franchise - we use it that way ALL over the place, and if you disagree on that policy, that's best taken up over at [[Talk:The Transformers (franchise)|Talk:Generation 1 (franchise)]]. Assuming that the status quo is maintained, are there any objections to my suggestion above? - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 20:05, 18 August 2009 (EDT)

== DVD regions ==

Would it be worth listing which regions each set of DVD releases are encoded for? Or are all sets encoded just for the region they are released in? [[User:Timrollpickering|Timrollpickering]] 06:12, 26 September 2009 (EDT)

== Plans for the future ==

Some things I intend to do (or would like to see) as I work on the episode pages:
# (Continue to) list complete ''Star Wars'' sound effects under Real World References
# (Continue to) list the character's unique and odd weapons and tools under TF references*
# Track recurring themes under TF References, a la [[Enter the Nightbird|Brawn vs. Soundwave]]
# Complete list of Rhino-induced errors, either italicized alongside the original errors, or in their own section. Near as I can tell, the easiest way to do this is to completely note up the Rhino versions (which I've been watching via YouTube) then at some point dig out original copies and watch them with the notes in hand to catch the Rhino errors.
# List Sci Fi channel edits. Not sure how we're gonna do this. (Somebody wanna go beg Zob to contribute? He knows these things.)
# Group common recurring errors together, such as Autobots appearing/disappearing from large groups, missing Seeker insignia & miscolored nosecones, flying Autobots, the ways that Optimus's trailer disappears, etc.
# More images for the errors section as each one is completed.
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Actually, I'd really like to see "TF References" renamed entirely for G1. I mean... in the first animated show, what is there to ''reference''? A reference is an homage, a sly winking nod to something distant and past and perhaps forgotten. Any "reference" within ''The Transformers'' is simply continuity (or a break therein). The title "References" just encourages people to put in retarded shit like "WELL THIS ONE TIME MOVIE IRONHIDE DID A FLIP, JUST LIKE BUMBLEBEE DID IN THAT CHANGE GEARS EPIZODE". -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 23:51, 1 October 2009 (EDT)
:"Continuity notes"? --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 13:04, 2 October 2009 (EDT)
::I like this notion. I'm gonna roll with it.
::Other things to note: start figuring out which eps were done by the same studio. ("Autobot Spike", "Day of the Machines", and "The Immobilizer", for example, share a very distinct visual style.) -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 11:05, 24 October 2009 (EDT)

== Season 5 airdates ==

Do we know what the airdates are for Season 5? And if so, is there a reason they're not listed anywhere? They would seem to be just as noteworthy as any other airdates. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] 20:43, 8 January 2010 (EST)

== Hub Airings ==

Should it be added that the Generation One series will be airing on the Hub, at 9:00 PST weekdays, or should that info be kept to the Hub page? --{{unsigned|TheMZone}} 14:18, 10 October 2010 (EDT)
:I'd say that such information belongs only on the Hub page (if even there). If the Hub broadcasts introduce some changes (like what happened with the SciFi channel broadcasts), that fact should be mentioned here and detailed on the individual episode pages. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 18:52, 24 November 2010 (EST)

==Season 5 interview==
Well, this should probably go somewhere. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 10:20, 19 December 2011 (EST)

[http://digestmybrain.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/my-conversation-with-tim-speidel/ http://digestmybrain.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/my-conversation-with-tim-speidel/]

== Foreign Localization placement ==

As a list, rather than sentence-formated text, it should really go at the very bottom. -- ''after'' the Trivia section. It's odd and disjointed to go from sentences, to list, then back to sentences again. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 00:19, 17 June 2013 (EDT)

== Episode order ==

I think it would be useful for reference purposes to have a subpage listing the different episode orders as we do for galleries: production order, broadcast order, Rhino DVDs, Shout DVDs, and Japanese TV broadcast could all be listed. --[[User:Flicky1991|flicky]][[User talk:Flicky1991|1991]] 08:45, 30 June 2013 (EDT)

== Naming Convention ==

Could someone explain the rationale for the article names used here and for Generation 2? This one is named "The Transformers", but while the toyline had "The Transformers", the show, to my knowledge and based on the research I've done, only showed "Transformers" at the end of the title sequence (but the home video releases use "The Transformers). In contrast, Generation 2 seems to be consistently parsed as "The Transformers: Generation 2" in both the title sequences AND on the home video releases.

I'm not strictly arguing for a rename; hell, if it makes sense to do it this way then fine. I'm just a bit perplexed by the perceived inconsistency. [[User:Magaroja|Magaroja]] ([[User talk:Magaroja|talk]]) 12:40, 30 September 2014 (EDT)
:"'''The''' Transformers will return after these messages..." "We now return to '''The''' Transformers." "On the next exciting episode '''The''' Transformers." Victor Caroli seemed pretty certain of the show's name in his narrations. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 14:16, 30 September 2014 (EDT)
::[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdz1oWtYU-0] [[User:Mimi|Mimi]] ([[User talk:Mimi|talk]]) 14:17, 30 September 2014 (EDT)
:::Since I was confused by this as well, I added a note pointing out the inconsistency.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] ([[User talk:Nevermore|talk]]) 09:04, 14 June 2015 (EDT)

== "Main Cast" list ==

I propose that we add a character list on here like we do with all the other cartoon continuities.

But for simplicities sake I suggest using main/reoccurring characters, much like the RID 2015 page. This would include characters such as Raoul, Chip, Carly, Marissa Faireborn, Slizardo, Abdul Fakkadi, Dr. Doctor Arkeville, etc.

Otherwise my other thought is to add a character list of the new characters per season segment or all the main/reoccurring characters that appeared in their respective seasons. This would include the occassional obscure one-off Cybertronians such as Hauler, Autoscout, Eltia-1, Dion, etc.

I know this show has far too many characters to note all of them but I believe that it would help for outside viewers of the wiki to find the main characters if they are listed on this page, because as it is the only way you can find characters from this page is if you search the individual epsiode pages or go into the toyline pages. It just all seems too complicated to me for people to have to find characters that way.

If we do go with the second option, I believe that the movie characters shouldn't be listed on this page, we'll keep that for the movie's actual page.

If anyone agrees with me, I'd be more than happy to get it started. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 21:12, 23 July 2020 (EDT)
:This seems like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. This show didn't really have a "main cast" and trying to cut down the list of characters the way you are proposing will just lead to arguments and arbitrary decisions as to who does or doesn't fit. Your "complicated" way of finding characters seems much easier and more sensible to me. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 21:55, 23 July 2020 (EDT)
::The same could be said with RID 2015. The last time I checked there were only a small handful of Decepticon cast members listed on the main page, but wouldn't every character be worthy of mention on the main page in their own right? It was obviously cut down because very little of those characters had much to do with the show other than appear in one or two episodes. So my argument is when suggesting a main cast list for G1 I am thinking along the lines of the original Ark and Nemesis crews, Dinobots, Insecticons and combiner teams and the other extra toy cast members that followed in '85, '86 and '87. This would exclude the likes of the Rainmakers or the past Matrix-Bearers as they didn't have that much screen-time and were used for one-shot plot devices. Going back over what I had said before, Dion, the Fembots, Alpha Trion, Autoscout etc. probably would be left under that catergory too. For the humans, we could list the closest Autobot human allies such as the Witwicky family (Sparkplug, Spike, Daniel and Carly) and the likes of Chip Chase and Marissa Faireborn. They were predominantly shown to be the closest allies and appeared to help the Autobots on more than one occasion. We could leave out the evil humans like Dr. Arkevillle and Abdul Fakkadi as their roles were very miniscule at best and even then they were mainly used as simple pawns or plot-devices by the Decepticons to gain energy resources much like the previously mentioned Transformers. The show was originally made to sell some Japanese toys in the worldwide market. In my eyes, the show's main cast were the ones they wanted to sell the toys of. So in short, list the characters that they tried to sell toys of and list the main human allies. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 23:38, 23 July 2020 (EDT)
:Somewhere, buried deep in one (or more) of the discussion pages of this Wiki, there is a reason given for why we don't have a Main Cast table for the G1 cartoon. I don't remember what that reason was, but the point is that this discussion has already been had in the past and was decided that there would be no Main Cast table for the G1 cartoon. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 23:48, 23 July 2020 (EDT)
::Interesting. It did strike me as weird that all the other shows have one but this one didn't. Thanks for the insight. If anyone does care to change that decision then algood, if not, then that's fine too.[[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 00:08, 24 July 2020 (EDT)
We probably need to start a larger discussion about these sections of cartoon series pages. The section is variously titled as "Cast", "Main Cast", "Characters", or "Featured Characters". On the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)]] page, for example, the section is called "Main Cast" but is then broken down by Main Cast, Main Antagonists, Major Recurring, Other Recurring, etc. That seems rather contradictory. What does the community want these sections to be? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 10:20, 24 July 2020 (EDT)
::I agree with Khajidha, I think a larger discussion may need to be had about this. Even on the Beast Wars Neo page, [[Great Convoy]] is mentioned, but that character had about as much screen-time as the likes of [[Gōmya]] who doesn't get a mention on the series page. Now one may argue that Gōmya isn't a Cybertronian and Great Convoy is, but wouldn't that mean that there should be an extra list that branches off for other lifeforms like the humans section for most shows? Shouldn't [[Strada]] be mentioned like Great Convoy is since he's also a Cybertronian who had about as much screen-time? Even the other guest characters on the Neo page that had toys made of them didn't even play that big of a roll in the show. [[Hydra (BW)|Hydra]] got a spotlight in two episodes of the show and he probably had a small cameo in the finale too (I can't remember, it's been a while since I last watched the show). That means he has appeared three times! Which is more than anyone else that guest starred in the show ever did. I think we should have one big pow wow over whether we are listing just the main characters for each show or whether we are listing toy characters on cartoon pages because that seems to be the biggest contradiction here. And then we also need to figure out if minor Cybertronian characters should be listed there too. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 19:46, 24 July 2020 (EDT)
{{--}}

I know this discussion has already been made multiple times over the years, but I thought I would try a different approache. I decided to play around with the possibility of making it an entirely seperate page dedicated to just the main cast for viewers of the wiki if they wanted it, rather than trying to squeeze it into the cartoon page which is chocker-full with info already. The link to the sandbox can be found here: [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27/sandbox/G1 Cast List]].

I had thought that maybe a note at the top of each season's topic on the main page could link to each season of the main cast page, much like how I've linked the main page's season topics to my main cast page. So the same but reversed, if that makes sense.

I just thought I would throw the idea out there, the sandbox is still in need of some work before it could even be up to standard as an actual page, but if anyone would be interested in looking into this idea let me know. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 00:06, 18 November 2020 (EST)

==Airdate issues==

Returning to something I started about 15 years ago, I've been doing some digging on newspaper databases, and it's become clear from looking at the TV listings for various newspapers across the US that MTMTE episodes 1-3, at the very least, were broadcast before September 17 (as early as September 4 in Arizona), and that there was no single 'first airdate' for these. I'm assuming this information is of interest, but how should it be presented, both as evidence (since I imagine other editors will want to see that) and on the episode pages? [[User:Tribimat|Tribimat]] ([[User talk:Tribimat|talk]]) 15:56, 5 September 2024 (EDT)
:I think they should be adjusted to the earliest verifiable date (with ref notes explaining the discrepancy). 17:10, 5 September 2024 (EDT)
::That seems fair. I'll get stuck in once I've got as much info as I can. There does seem to be a cluster of networks first airing the show around 16/17 September, so that might be worth noting as well to account for the traditional dating. Interestingly, there's a definite clustering around 6/7 October, so the dates for Transport to Oblivion onwards look as though they're correct - it's just the miniseries that's out. [[User:Tribimat|Tribimat]] ([[User talk:Tribimat|talk]]) 15:21, 6 September 2024 (EDT)

Talk:The Transformers (cartoon)

2024-09-05T19:56:46Z

Tribimat: How to go about supplementing / correcting airdate details based on new info?

Al Capone

2024-08-29T16:20:02Z

Tribimat: First caption since 2010, I believe

[[File:Joey Slick Al Capone.jpg|thumb|300px|"That reminds me - I need to sort out my tax returns."]]

'''Al Capone''' was presumably a famous gangster.

==Fiction==
===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
When [[Joey Slick]], who made it big after robbing a bank, came across [[Clyde]] and his football-playing friends, he asked how "tomorrow's [[N.F.L.]] all-pros" were doing. The children responded that there was more money in robbing banks and that they had adjusted their aspirations as such. They pestered Joey about his exploits and Joey thought that the kids were all of a sudden treating him like Al Capone. {{storylink|Shooting Star!}}

==External links==
*{{w|Al Capone}} at Wikipedia

{{DEFAULTSORT:Capone, Al}}
[[Category:Gangsters]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Real people]]

Vekktral

2024-08-28T02:12:06Z

Tribimat: typofix

:''Vekktral is a [[Dire Wraith]] from the [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:ShiningArmor2-Vekktral.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Unsatisfied with simply relying on the ancient [[magic]]s of the [[Dire Wraith]]s, '''Vekktral''' is something of a maverick who dares to buck the trends of his race. Indeed, he sees himself as something of a scientist—endlessly pushing the evolutionary boundaries of his own species in the search to ensure a victory over the hated [[Solstar Order]]. Science and magic make for an uneasy combination, however, and Vekktral exemplifies this: untrustworthy, capricious, cruel, and endlessly willing to sacrifice the lives of his allies to further the outcomes of his twisted "experiments," his unique brand of madness manages to repulse even the most hardened of [[Decepticon]]s.

{{quote|Sacrifices must ever be made in the pursuit of knowledge... and power.|Vekktral|[[Shining Armor issue 2|''Shining Armor'' #2]]}}

==Fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
Following the destruction of their homeworld at the hands of the [[Space Knight]]s, pockets of Dire Wraith survivors spread to remote, lightly populated worlds to regroup and rebuild their forces. Vekktral was one such Wraith, who, some two hundred years ago, wound up on the backwater planet of [[Mato Grosso (planet)|Mato Grosso]]. He and several other Wraiths attacked a group of Solstar students on their graduation field trip and found that one of their number was an [[Stardrive|an unusual creature]] that his instincts told him was both a machine and a child. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} Intrigued, he attempted to merge with it, {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} but was shot by [[Nikomi]] and fled. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

Five years later, Vekktral had deduced that the creature was [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] in origin. He and a group of Dire Wraiths travelled to the [[Huni System]], which had recently fallen to [[Decepticon]]s, to met with [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] and propose a mutual alliance. The [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] was initially unimpressed by the aliens, but changed his tune when Vekktral revealed the existence of Stardrive; realizing that the order had concocted a [[Energon synthesizer|means]] to keep their orphaned Transformer nourished, Starscream agreed to the alliance. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}}

The Wraiths and Decepticons caught up with and destroyed a [[Galactic Council]] envoy due to meet with the Solstar Order at the space station ''[[Orchid Crossing]];'' subsequently, the Wraiths disguised themselves as the Council dignitaries and used [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] as a Trojan horse to gain access to the station by disguising him as a Council shuttle. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}}

Arriving at the space station, Vekktral (in the guise of the Council representative) exchanged in some false pleasantries with the Solstar ambassador before dropping his disguise and slaying him, giving the order for the rest of the Decepticons to storm the facility. To Stardrive's horror, she recognized Vekktral as the Wraith who had almost killed her on Mato Grosso. Vekktral then pointed out the promised Cybertronian to Starscream (who could tell for himself which one was Cybertronian). {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

When a trio of [[Autobot]]s arrived on the station to stop the Decepticons, they ignored the Wraiths entirely in favour of the Decepticons and Space Knights. Vekktral took advantage of the Autobots' unfamiliarity with his species and ordered one of his minions to assimilate [[Sky Blast (G1)|Sky Blast]]; no Wraith had ever merged with a Cybertronian before, and as a result the subsequent fusion quickly mutated out of control to become an uncontrollable monster that tore [[Doomwings (G1)|Doomwings]] in half. The Wraith leader gleefully watched as his creation ran amok, ignoring Starscream's orders to try and rein in the rampaging beast. Hoping to kill the abomination, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] sabotaged the ravaged space station to send it tumbling into the atmosphere; the Wraiths fled aboard Astrotrain, but not before Vekktral complimented Starscream's aim as the Seeker sniped the Autobot shuttle. As the Decepticons entered the atmosphere of [[Xetaxxis]], he noticed that the hybrid had survived reentry and that they would have to deal with him first. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}}

[[File:Shining Armor 4 - Ultra Vekktral vs Starscream.jpg|left|thumb]]
The Decepticons tracked Sky Blast to a nearby [[Xetaxxan|Xetaxxian]] village, where the dying creature rampaged through the settlement before its energies reached critical mass and caused it to burn away to nothing. Eager to recreate the experiment, Vekktral was put out when he learned that the natives were organic and that Starscream was unwilling to sacrifice the lives of his troops to further the cause. Instead, Vekktral was partnered with Astrotrain to spring a trap for the ground-bound Autobots, preying on [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]'s sympathy for the natives. When the Autobots and [[Sata]] stumbled into said trap, Vekktral rode atop Astrotrain as he ordered his troops to seize the Transformers—and bested Sata in a brief fight—before Ultra Magnus fired a salvo of missiles at him. As Bumblebee and Sata made a break for the wreckage, Vekktral and his forces stayed behind to take down Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}} The stalwart Autobot slaughtered his way through a hundred Dire Wraiths before he was overwhelmed; using the knowledge he had gleaned from the demise of Sky Blast, Vekktral was able to fuse with Ultra Magnus to create a powerful yet stable form for himself. He and his Wraiths regrouped with the Decepticons at the wreckage of ''Orchid Crossing''... and immediately backstabbed his one-time allies, hoping to advance the evolution of his kind by conquering and enslaving the Cybertronians. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 4|Shining Armor #4}}

Using his new Cybertronian strength and power, the Wraith-Magnus was easily able to hold off Space Knights, Autobots, and Decepticons alike, shrugging off the struggles of Ultra Magnus inside their shared mind... but in his arrogance, Vekktral had overlooked one crucial detail: Ultra Magnus was ''not'' an ordinary Cybertronian, but a tiny [[Point One Percenter|"loadbearing" Autobot]] named [[Convoy (G1)|Convoy]] inside a suit of [[Magnus Armor|armor]]. Convoy was able to force open his body's chest compartment, giving [[Rom]] the opening needed to fire his [[Neutralizer]] at a weak spot and kill Magnus. Meanwhile, Starscream had opted to sabotage the energon synthesizer and escape; Vekktral, down but not out, grabbed on to Stardrive and made one last-ditch effort to ensure that she died with the Wraiths as the synthesizer overloaded and incinerated half the planet. Stardrive was ultimately able to scrape him off her wing as she escaped the planet, and Vekktral was consumed in the subsequent explosion. However, unbeknownst to Stardrive, a small part of him continued to live on as a lingering Wraith infection that tainted her [[living metal]].

Vekktral's demise was later observed and analyzed by a hive of Wraiths, who reached the conclusion that the Dire Wraiths should continue to eschew technology in all forms and continue to rely on their magic. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Dire Wraiths]]
[[Category:Magic users]]

The Science Alliance

2024-08-28T02:11:53Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the title character group|Science Alliance}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: BotBots (cartoon)|Transformers: BotBots]]'' ep 8b
|image=BotBots ep8b Science - DroppinTheBeat.jpg
|caption=They rhymin' beats with science!
|prev=Scanned Out
|next=Agent Smartlit (episode)
|title="The Science Alliance"
|airdate=[[March 25]], [[2022]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]]
|writers=[[Alan Denton]] & [[Greg Hahn]]
|animation studio=[[Boulder Media Studio]]
|directors=[[Paul O'Flanagan]]
|video=https://www.netflix.com/watch/81455910
|videosite=Netflix
}}

'''The heat is on, it's on the beach. Inside your mall, on every beat.'''

==Synopsis==
The BotBots are throwing yet another rockin' beach party, once again having disinvited the [[Lost Bots]]. Said disinvited bots look from outside the fence, mulling both their outsider status ''and'' the mall's rising temperatures. As the party ends, the Lost Bots rush in hoping to at least play in the sand a little, but the [[Toilet Troop|Custodial Crew]] are already sweeping it into the vents. Dejected, they begin the walk back to the [[Lost and Found (BotBots)|Lost and Found]], but are interrupted by ''a message from the future!!!'' A grizzled, post-apocalyptic version of [[Burgertron]] appears, warning them that the ever-increasing heat in the mall will lead to "dire consequences", and that they need to find the [[Science Alliance]]. Before the present-day bots can get more information, the transmission fades... then starts up again, bad connection, Wi-Fi is probably very unreliable in the post-apocalyptic mall. Future-Burgertron gives them directions to the science education store the Science Alliance call home.

In said science education store, the Science Alliance are dealing with the fallout of a failed experiment when the Lost Bots arrive with a message about the message from the future. Realizing that the message must have come via their (still in beta) [[trans-timestream communicator]], the Alliance explains they already know about the mall's heatwave: the daily beach parties have led to a buildup of sand in the air conditioning unit, more than it can clear out on its own. If the parties continue, the a/c will overload and ''permanently'' overheat! However, they've been unable to work up the social skills to communicate this dire message. Burgertron is absolutely confident that verifiable scientific facts are all they need, and that the other BotBots will see the light.

[[File:BotBots ep8b Science - HitTheBricks.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|left|"Am I to understand correctly that, after all of the information you've received today, the decision you're making is to 'sit tight and assess'?"]]

He is, of course, dead wrong.

Being told to stop partying goes over ''poorly''. The Science Alliance's dry presentation is greeted with a hail of cherry tomatoes, and the BotBots vowing to party ''even harder'', even deliberately kicking sand into the vents to prove some kind of point. Ejected from the party, both teams are then contacted by future-Burgertron, who looks even ''worse'' now... uh... then... wait, he ''will look'' worse... nevermind. It's bad. Future-Burgertron insists they must "use your strengths" to save the future before his image fades. The Lost Bots are unsure what "strengths" he meant, but the Alliance reveal that they've all been practicing music. [[Kikmee]] is very enthusiastic about a rock-rap presentation, but modern-Burgertron is insistent that future-him meant ''his'' strengths, namely, persuasiveness. Though this basically boils down to him shrieking apocalyptic warnings outside the party while wearing a sandwich board and calling the other bots "sheeple", which is the exact ''opposite'' of "persuasive". Realizing their time is running out, [[Starscope]] calls to start "Operation Night Sky"!

Dimlit literally pulls the plug on the party... and the Science Alliance start their own, with Starscope spitting mad rhymes warning of the impending doom that will stop the BotBots from partying ''ever again''! This time around, the bots are very into it, and agree to recycle their sand rather than just dump it into the vents every night. The Science Alliance sign autographs after the show, and future-Burgertron re-appears, this time in a snazzy suit, congratulating the Science Alliance on saving the future... and assuring his younger self that someday he'll rein in that rampaging ego. A little bit, at least. He then signs off to continue his duties as president. With the future secure, the Lost Bots see nothing but good coming from teaming up with the Science Alliance! Except the Alliance's improved social standing means now they can't really be seen hanging out with the outcasts, and thus with probably some measure of reluctance give their goodbyes before heading off to a sweet afterparty with the [[Greaser Gang|Hunger Hubs]].

Snubbed once again and getting used to it by this point, the Lost Bots return to the Lost and Found, musing about the future.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=BotBots|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Lady Macaron]] (1)
* [[Batsby]] (2)
* [[Spud Muffin]] (3)
* [[Fottle Barts]] (4)
* [[Brock O'Lonely]] (5)
* [[Caution]] (6)
* [[Lolly Licks]] (7)
* [[Anty Farmwell]] (8)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Lady Loofah]] (9)
* [[Dinger]] (10)
* [[Sprinkleberry D'uhnut]] (11)
* [[Unhandy]] (12)
* [[Ulf the Orange]] (13)
* [[Kikmee]] (14)
* [[Dimlit]] (15)
* [[Burgertron]] (16)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Clogstopper]] (17)
* [[Bonz-Eye]] (18)
* [[Sergeant Scrubforce]] (19)
* [[Starscope]] (20)
* [[Dr. Flaskenstein]] (21)
* [[Face Ace]] (22)
* [[Eye-Goon]] (23)
* [[Sweet Cheat]] (24)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"I can't believe we've been shut out of eighteen parties in a row!" 
"It's an impressive streak, really. And terribly, terribly sad."
:—'''Kikmee''' and '''Clogstopper'''

"Good luck! ''Ouch!'' And may the Radioactive Frog King always bless your path!"
:—'''Burgertron''' from the future lays down some environmental storytelling

"Gaaah! Ooh! My eyes! It burns! ''Hahahahaha'' just kidding! I'm ''literally'' a pair of safety goggles! Heh." 
"Your hypothesis that the frequent use of that joke causes amusement has been disproven."
:—'''Face Ace'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s referential humor does not amuse '''Dr. Flaskenstein'''

"Science! ''pfbfbfbfbt.'' Since when does science know more than we do?" 
"Yeah! Our feelings are just as, if not ''more'', valid than facts!"
:—'''Spud Muffin''' and '''Dinger'''

'''Dr. Flaskenstein''': Well, I ''have'' been studying tonal shifts and octave differentials. 
'''Eye-Goon''': And ''I've'' beeen examineeng how steady ''streeems'' of percussive sounds induce ''rhythmic'' conseequences, ''mmmaaasterrrr!'' 
'''Dr. Flaskenstein''': ''Seriously, stop calling me that! 
'''Face Ace''': And I'm always ready for any excuse to break out my sick keytar skills! Woo-hoo! 
'''Dr. Flaskenstein''': What we're saying is, perhaps a musical presentation will appeal to the masses! 
'''Starscope''': With a rapid lyrical interstitial about the internal machinations of the mall's cooling unit!
:—The '''Science Alliance''' drop some science

"This song just showed me that environmental awareness ''slaps''!"
:—'''Spud Muffin''' has a change of heart

==Notes==
===Real-world references===
* We don't ''really'' need to point out the real-world parallels to the mall's rising temperatures, do we?
* Face Ace's "it burns" joke is almost certainly a reference to the "my eyes! the goggles do nothing!" joke from the ''{{w|The Simpsons}}'' episode "{{w|Radioactive Man (The Simpsons episode)|Radioactive Man}}", while Dr. Flaskenstein's lack of amusement plays into that bit having become ''incredibly'' over-used as an internet meme. Both scenes even involve green goo.

===BotBots cypher translations===
* The ice cream shop sign is not any cypher, just a scribble meant to look kinda like "ice cream".
* The signboard over the candle store, which Clogstopper calls "Candle Cradle", simply reads "Candle Store".
* A bar graph in the Science Alliance's initial presentation uses the "handwriting" font that has not yet been deciphered.

===Animation and technical errors===
* TBD

===Trivia===
[[File:BotBots ep8b Science - FutureBurger.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|The Phantom Fork]]
* Future-Burgertron accidentally pokes himself in the eye with his fork-arm, or where his eye would be without the eyepatch. When he re-appears in the worse future with ''two'' fork-arms, ''both'' of his eyes are covered in patches. What we're saying is the eyepatches might not be the apocalypse's fault here.
* Face Ace's keytar bears a ''striking'' resemblance to keytar BotBot [[Pink Key Pop]], what with being a pink keytar with a yellow lightning bolt on it. When show runner [[Chris Wyatt]] was asked if it was Pink Key Pop, he confirmed it was intended to be him.<ref>{{cite social|quote=i just NOW noticed this and wanted to know; is Face Ace holding Pink Key Pop here? |link=https://twitter.com/candychameleons/status/1615823638548316160|name=Candy Chameleon|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=01|day=18}} {{cite social|quote=Yep|link=https://twitter.com/otherland71/status/1615889399811801088|name=Chris Wyatt|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=01|day=18}}</ref>
* The music playing over the credits is an instrumental version of the Science Alliance's rap.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''L'alliance'''" ("The alliance")

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Liga da Ciência'''" ("Science League")

'''European Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Aliança Científica'''" ("The Scientific Alliance")

'''Arabic'''
:*''Title:'' "'''تحالف العلماء'''" ("The Scientists Alliance")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Science Alliance}}
[[Category:BotBots episodes]]

Bumblebee (G1)

2024-08-28T02:11:36Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|ascenticon|decepticon|primusvanguard|hofsilver}}
{{Disambigm|Bumblebee (disambiguation)|Goldbug (disambiguation)}}
{{suite}}
:''Bumblebee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:BumblebeeRIC.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|Ahoy-hoy!]]
'''Bumblebee''' is one of the smallest and physically weakest Autobots. While his stature allows him to do his job better than most Autobots could manage, he is self-conscious about his size. Maybe this is why he makes fast friends among the humans. He looks up (so to speak) to the other Autobots, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but what he doesn't realize is that ''they'' look up to ''him''. He may be small, but he's brave, and he's one of the most well-liked Autobots around. Bumblebee already has the respect he craves.

As '''Goldbug''' (or '''Goldfire''')—his [[Renaming|rebuilt]] and "matured" form—Bumblebee retains most of his earlier strengths and weaknesses, but without his crippling need for approval. (This is true of some "matured" versions of Bumblebee without new names or bodies, as well, but is quite markedly associated with the change to Goldbug).

{{bigquote|Some of my best friends are humans.|Bumblebee on his kid-friendly nature|"[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|This iteration's not too fond of freelance peacekeeping agents.]]
{{Main|Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
Bumblebee was one of the several [[Autobot]]s who were carving a path through space for their planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] when the [[Decepticon]]s attacked their spacecraft, the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], forcing them to crash-land on [[Earth]] 4 million years ago. When Bumblebee and the others were awoken in 1984, Bumblebee quickly befriended the [[human]] teenager [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]].

A few years later, Bumblebee was destroyed either by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] or [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] and rebuilt into a more formidable form, Goldbug. In this form he joined [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and the [[Throttlebot]]s and exiled the Autobots while they were under the rule of [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. After being destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and the [[Underbase]], Goldbug was rebuilt by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] into a [[Pretender]] form and was restored as Bumblebee. He participated in the [[Matrix Quest]] and survived their race's united battle against the Chaos Bringer, [[Unicron]].

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:PlagueOfInsecticons Bumblebee and Spike hide.jpg|left|thumb|I wonder if he wanted a job as a mechanic?]]
{{main|Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

Bumblebee was one of the several [[Autobot]]s who were searching for energy when the [[Decepticon]]s attacked their [[Ark (G1)|spacecraft]], forcing them to crash-land on [[Earth]] 4 million years ago. When Bumblebee and the others were awoken in 1984, Bumblebee quickly befriended the [[human]] teenager [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]].

Bumblebee and Spike would remain friends up through Spike's adulthood, and were stationed on one of Cybertron's moons in 2005 after the Decepticons conquered Cybertron. Bumblebee survived [[Unicron]]'s attack on Cybertron, and remained in action during the leadership of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]].

When Bumblebee was damaged badly during the [[Hate Plague]] outbreak in 2006, he had to be rebuilt into a new form, Goldbug. Goldbug would live to see the next Cybertronian Golden Age.

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books===
Bumblebee spied on Megatron and Soundwave in [[Mato Grosso (state)|Mato Grosso]], [[Brazil]]. He overheard the two Decepticons talking about their latest scheme; they were planning to use an enormous diamond-lens attached to a satellite to melt the [[Rocky Mountains|Rockies]] and use the oil that would gush forth to destroy the Autobots and conquer the galaxy. With this information, he reported back to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Satellite of Doom}}

Bumblebee was sent out to stop the Decepticons' deforestation operation in Mato Grosso. When Skyfire managed to pinpoint Megatron's location, Bumblebee accompanied him and Optimus in forcing the Decepticons into retreating once again. {{storylink|Storms of Destruction}}

Bumblebee was sent out on a patrol mission in the southwest pacific. During the mission, he was captured by the Insecticons, and made into a mindless slave. He was presumably rescued after Optimus, Prowl and the Dinobots defeated the Insecticons controlling the island of [[Buru]]. {{storylink|Slaves of the Insecticons}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
While continuing their ongoing repairs on the Autobots' ship, Bumblebee commented how odd it was that the Decepticons had not attack for an extended period of time. Taking advantage of the situation, Optimus left on a trip. After his leader had left, Bumblebee and Gears discovered to their horror that the Autobots’ entire fuel supply had been stolen.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}}

After Optimus had been knocked unconscious during a Decepticon attack, Bumblebee stood by his bedise in the Autobots’ medi-bay. He was relieved to see his commander reawaken after the Autobots repaired him. {{storylink|Return to Cybertron}}

===Deadly Paradise===
[[File:Novasuspensionbridge.jpg|thumb]]
Sideswipe was convicted of destroying the [[Nova Suspension Bridge]] and deactivated, despite his pleas of innoncence, in order to ease the strain on human/Autobot relations. Prowl became suspicious of the Decepticons being somehow involved, and sent Bumblebee to investigate the crime scene. There, Bumblebee found a suspicious piece of jagged metal and return to base with it. After being scanned, the piece of metal was found to be made out of a very rare ore, only found on one island on the planet. Bumblebee accompanied Prowl, Windcharger, Brawn, Hound and Ratchet and headed to [[Carob Island]]. Upon landfall, Prowl discovered a cave from where suspicious sounds were coming from. Leaving Bumblebee and Hound behind to guard the entrance, Prowl, Windcharger, Brawn and Ratchet went inside. While they were standing guard, Bumblebee and Hound were somehow captured and deactivated by Madame [[Cee]] and her army of pig-robots. They were eventually reactivated inside Madame Cee's workshop, where they learned that the Decepticons were forcing her to help build Autobot duplicates. After learning of the location of Megatron's temporary base on the island, Bumblebee and the rest of the group entered it, finding themselves wandering in a vast, underground labyrinth. They finally came upon an open area, only to be captured in force cages by the Decepticons. Prowl managed to free the rest of the group, and Bumblebee helped them defeat Starscream and Skywarp while Prowl dealt with Megatron. The Autobots managed to escape Megatron's megamaze when it turned out that Ratchet's lubricant container had earlier been damaged, and left them a trail to find their way out of the maze. The Autobots returned to their headquarters where they were able to clear Sideswipes name, and presumably reactivated him. {{storylink|Deadly Paradise}}

===Marvel storybooks continuity===
[[File:Autobothuddle-ASW.jpeg|thumb|left]]
Bumblebee was one of the thirty-five active Autobots on Earth. When Megatron put into motion his latest plot to take over the planet, Bumblebee joined in on the battles that ensued. Once the Autobots had emerged victorious, he drove back to Autobot base alongside Optimus and the other Autobots. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

Bumblebee 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. Though the Autobots sent out a rescue party, it failed to liberate their comrade. Bumblebee and the other Autobots became frightened as the situation appeared hopeless, but thanks to an inspirational speech courtesy of [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], they regained their courage. Bumblebee then helped the Autobots build a statue of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to act as a [[w:Trojan Horse|Trojan Horse]] of sorts. The statue was wheeled up before the Decepticons' base, and the Autobots burst forth from it at the exact right moment to take the Decepticons by surprise. The Autobots emerged victorious from the battle that ensued. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}

===Marvel coloring books===
[[File:SearchForTreasure Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|I've heard of toy-accuracy, but this is overdoing it a bit.]]
Bumblebee overheard the Decepticons plotting to raid sunken ships and warned the Autobots. The Autobots headed out in a ship built by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and Bumblebee was sent on an underwater scouting mission. Unfortunately he ran into [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who took him prisoner. The Autobots prevailed anyway. {{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}} On another occasion, Bumblebee was the only Autobot to escape being captured and put in a [[special Autobot prison]]. With [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s help, he created a diversion for the Decepticons in the form of a [[giant fake Autobot]] so he could rescue the others. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] sent Bumblebee and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] out scouting, and they spotted [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] mistaking a factory for an Autobot production plant. {{storylink|Decepticon Patrol}} After rescuing Sparkplug and [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Decepticons, Bumblebee and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] were sent scouting and spotted the Decepticons attacking [[Hoover Dam]]. The pair went and alerted the other Autobots, and the dam was eventually saved. {{storylink|The Deadly Fuel Shortage}} When the Decepticons started draining gasoline using their [[molecular transfer device]], Bumblebee was one of the Autobots who broke into the Decepticon stronghold. He turned the weapon on the Decepticons, disabling them. {{storylink|Summertime Coloring Book}}

Bumblebee was left guarding the base one day when he had to respond to a call from a rescue mission soon to arrive on Earth, leaving the base unguarded. He discovered too late that it was a diversion so the Decepticons could conquer the Ark and had to get the other Autobots to help him retake the base. {{storylink|A Message From Outer Space}} Bumblebee and the other Autobots were on vacation in the forest when they stumbled on the Decepticons wrecking the place. After a short battle, including Bumblebee causing [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to plunge off a cliff, the Decepticons retreated and the Autobots started cleaning up the forest. {{storylink|Forest Rescue Mission}}

Upset at being dismissed by the other Autobots, Bumblebee drove into the nearby mountains. There, he spotted some incoming Decepticons who were using jet engine silencers, and rushed back to warn the others. Though [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] ignored his worries, Optimus Prime paid attention and the Decepticon attack was routed. {{storylink|Bumblebee's Dangerous Mission}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}} {{storylink|The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp}}}}

Some Autobots, including Bumblebee and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], were out driving when they stopped for a break and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] told a story about a lost shipment of [[energon cube]]s. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

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

===Big Looker storybooks===
[[File:Battle For Cybertron SCALE.jpg|thumb|left|I'm definitely the right size for humans, why do you ask?]]
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] called for volunteers to help save their endangered world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Bumblebee was the first to speak up. Their ship was attacked by [[Decepticon]]s and crashed on [[Earth]], where the [[Transformer]]s lay dormant for four million years. When they were finally repaired by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], Bumblebee ventured outside and ran into [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and persuaded them to help repair the rest of the [[Autobot]]s. When the Autobots subsequently had to go into battle, the two humans were left in Bumblebee's care. The trio were able to warn the other Autobots when the Decepticons tried to flank them. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

When the Autobots entered the [[Big Car Rally]], Bumblebee and Optimus waited at the finish line. Bumblebee spotted the fact that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] was interfering with [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], enabling the Autobot leader to lend a hand. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}} Bumblebee was one of the Autobots who responded when the Decepticons tried to hi-jack a truck, and drove the confused drivers back to the city. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

Bumblebee saw some Decepticons driving through a mountain pass, but waited until the next day when he, Optimus and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] were sitting under a tree to mention it. When [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] was captured by the Decepticons, Bumnblebee was among the Autobots who attacked the Decepticon base. Afterwards he joked that the Decepticons must have worse headaches than Grapple. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}} Bumblebee and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] took part in building work on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] stumbled on a Decepticon plan, Bumblebee and the other Autobots entered a car show and turned the tables on their foe. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:AutobotsFightBack Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|[[Thrust (Armada)|How would he like to called flathead?]]]]
Assigned a scouting mission by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]], Bumblebee sneaked into the Decepticon mountain stronghold and spied on them discussing plans to test their ion drive. Though he was spotted, he eluded [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] by blinding the cat in his headlights and returned to base to report to Prime. Bumblebee's subsequent scouting mission revealed that the Decepticons had already relocated to a testing site. {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}}

After a Decepticon attack on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], Bumblebee and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] tailed [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] as he carried away his wounded comrades. While spying on the Decepticons, Bumblebee had to evade [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] by hiding in his Volkswagen form. While hiding, he was so deep in thought that he was almost picked up by a magnet, but Spike managed to save him and he reported back to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

===Listen 'n Fun audiobooks continuity===
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ordered Bumblebee and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] to plant false information indicating that the Autobots had located a new source of energy in order to mislead the Decepticons. Unfortunately the Autobots were still left with the problem that they actually needed to locate a new source of energy. {{storylink|Sun Raid (Listen 'n Fun)}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
When the Autobots discovered that the Decepticons were kidnapping humans, Bumblebee volunteered to be the one to scout the enemy base. After sneaking inside thanks to the carelessness of [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], he spotted the missing humans being used for slave labor, and also managed to steal the [[global crystal]] from the Decepticons' computer. He managed to escape the Decepticon base and hid at the bottom of a lake while the Decepticons searched fruitlessly. Bumblebee's report and the stolen global crystal allowed [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to force the Decepticons to free their prisoners. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (G1)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}}

Bumblebee, along with [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] maintained a 24-hour watch on the Decepticon base in shifts. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}} He didn't like the very idea of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] defecting to the Autobots. Bumblebee spied on the Decepticon base until he saw Megatron's forces leaving on the wild goose chase which Optimus and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] had tricked Starscream into sending them on. The Autobots were then able to destroy the Decepticon base. {{storylink|Espionage!!!!!}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Dinobots Strike Back====
[[File:DinobotsStrikeBackBumbleandSkidsinSub.jpg|thumb|left|"What's the plan?" "Track him. Find him. Kill him."]]
In a path where Mirage used a hologram of Optimus Prime to lure the four [[cerebro-shell]]-controlled [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] over the edge of [[Bandit's Bluff]] and into the ocean, Bumblebee was one of the Autobots crewing [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]'s that helped haul the unconscious quartet aboard for safe transport back to the Ark.

In an alternate path, Optimus Prime assigned [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and Bumblebee to investigate suspicious activity in [[Dolphin's Bay]] using [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[star mini-submarine|new mini-sub]]. [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], considering himself the best water-fighter, also wanted in on the mission, but Optimus could tell that Bumblebee and Skids didn't want him along.

If Optimus sent the pair without Sludge, they faced the option of detouring down a suspicious trail through the woods. If they did, a trap landed them in a cell in a supermodern lab, where [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] and [[Gravedigger]] disassembled them and used their remains as the first components of the [[Autobot Memorial Power Plant]].

If they continued to Dolphin's Bay and the sub, they traced electromagnetic waves back to some [[black coral]]. Bumblebee exited the hatch to break a piece off, triggering an explosion which trapped him in a canyon beneath broken columns of crimson coral. Without underwater gear, Skids's only options were to use the computer to translate some nearby [[dolphin]]s' language and ask them for help, or go back to the channel where he could radio Seaspray. If he went back for help, Seaspray used his laser to free Bumblebee, but then [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] blew all three of them up with a cluster bomb. If Skids tried translating the dolphins' language, he succeeded in five minutes, talking the three largest dolphins into moving the broken coral. Bumblebee brought the black coral and his report back to Optimus Prime, ensuring an Autobot victory.

If Prime ''did'' include Sludge on Bumblebee and Skids's mission, Bumblebee used an underwater cave to infiltrate [[Mount Lomas]], where he heard [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] making a speech about Operation Black Coral vanquishing the Autobots in less than a day. He radioed the info to Skids, but [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] intercepted the transmission. Bumblebee dove back into the water, only to be paralyzed by the sonic attack of [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]. From that point, there are four possible endings, all of which include an Autobot victory and Bumblebee's rescue. {{storylink|Dinobots Strike Back}}

====Battle Drive====
[[File:BattledriveBumblebeevsBlitzwingStarscream.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee was on a scouting mission, looking for signs of Decepticon activity. Just before Bumblebee decided to head back to base, several vehicles sped past him, being chased by the Decepticon planes Blitzwing and Starscream. As the two flying Decepticons wreaked havoc on the farmland, Bumblebee had to decide whether he would fight them or hide.
If Bumblebee decided to take on the Decepticons by himself, he managed to sucker-punch Blitzwing, causing him to fall out of the sky and crash. Bumblebee then managed to overpower Starscream, but not before Starscream called for reinforcements. With Bombshell arriving on-scene to backup Starscream, Bumblebee was forced to flee. If Bumblebee decided to make a dash through a nearby cornfield, he was stunned by Starscream's null rays and is left to the Decepticon's mercy. If he decided to double back to a nearby town and hide in a used-car parking lot instead, he managed to evade the Decepticons' fire long enough to successfully conceal himself. With Bumblebee hiding in plain sight, he overheard Starscream talking to Megatron over the radio; the Decepticons planned to destroy the humans' food supply by destroying their farmlands. As soon as the coast was clear, Bumblebee decided to return to Autobot headquarters, only to run into Prowl, Hound and Swoop. The Autobots debated whether it would be smarter to return to Autobot headquarters and inform Optimus of the situation, or to take on the Decepticons immediately before they caused more damage.

If they decided to report back to Optimus, they became stranded in the middle of nowhere due to a sudden storm, unable to deliver their message. Because of this, humans were doomed to either slavery or starvation at the Decepticons' hands.

If the small troop of Autobots instead decided to take on the Decepticons on their own, they are spied upon by Soundwave, who warns Megatron of their approach. Before they encountered any Decepticons, however, Bumblebee and company ran into Buster Witwicky. Buster informed them that the Decepticons were after his father, who had discovered of a fatal flaw in Decepticon circuitry. With this new information presented to them, Bumblebee and the Autobots had to make yet another decision; stick to their original plan, or rescue Sparkplug immediately.

If Bumblebee decided that the Decepticons destroying farmland was a more important matter to attend to, they are ambushed by the Decepticons almost immediately, and are subsequently destroyed.

If Bumblebee and company went after Sparkplug instead, they soon found him hiding in the hills, trapped in a cave surrounded by Decepticons. In one sequence of events, Bumblebee's team manages to rescue Sparkplug mainly due to Swoop's heroic actions. In another version of the events that followed, Swoop led as many Decepticons as he could away from the cave, leaving Bumblebee, Prowl and Hound to defend the humans in the cave from the remaining evil robots.

If the remaining team decided to stick together, they had to fend off over a dozen Decepticons, including Megatron, on their own. The ensuing battle lasted for two days before Sparkplug noticed a light coming from the rear of the cave. If the Autobots decided to attempt to escape the cave by driving towards this light however, they doomed themselves by tumbling down a pit concealed by the cave's darkness. If Bumblebee and company held out a little longer instead, their reinforcements finally arrived, and drove away the Decepticons. Unfortunately, Sparkplug's blueprints were destroyed in battle, leading to Bumblebee to bemoan that the whole ordeal they suffered through was for nothing. If Bumblebee had earlier decided to send out Prowl with Sparkplug to reach the rest of the Autobots, the whole adventure turned out to be nothing but a dream...

If Bumblebee's initially had decided to pretend to be a damaged car on the side of the road instead of fighting Blitzwing and Starscream, the two Decepticons transform to overlook their handiwork, and discuss between each-other their plan to starve the humans by burning their farmland, within earshot of Bumblebee. With this newly acquired knowledge, Bumblebee returned to Autobot headquarters and reported back to Optimus. Although Optimus initially wished to leave Bumblebee behind as he redeployed Autobots to stop the Decepticons, Bumblebee's insistence on coming along convinced the Autobot leader to allow Bumblebee to join them. Unfortunately, Blitzwing and Starscream's discussion turned out to be a ruse; the Decepticons' true ploy was to goad the Autobots into open farmland, where they would be easy targets for the airborne Decepticons. Any attempt [[you]] made in helping the Autobots only yielded their doom, and so Bumblebee and the Autobots had to take on the Decepticons by themselves if they were to have a chance at success. Left to their own devices, the Autobots soon found themselves in a vulnerable position as the Decepticon jets approached them. If Optimus decided to keep his forces together, Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots made a break for a nearby bridge, only for them to be blasted before they reached it. If however, Optimus decided to split his forces, Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots managed to live to fight another day. {{storylink|Battle Drive}}

====Attack of the Insecticons====
Bumblebee was present while [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] was testing a new device of Sparkplug's invention, the Sun-Pak. When the Decepticons subsequently ambushed the Autubots' underground testing facility to steal the Sun-Pak, Bumble found a tunnel and possible escape route for the Autobots to use. He informed Optimus Prime of this passage, and awaited his leader's decision on whether to use the escape route, or continue to fight the Decepticons, despite the Autobots' waning power levels.

If the Optimus decides to not only fight the Decepticons, but have all the Autobots concentrate their fire upon Starscream, refusing the Decepticon's surrender even once the odds have turned against the leader of the Decepticons' raiding party, the Decepticons manage to kidnap Sparkplug. Bumblebee, alongside Blaster and Buster, are sent on a rescue mission while the rest of the Autobots return to base to recharge. Tracking Starscream's location to a museum in the suburbs, Bumblebee is forced to wait outside, in the museum's parking lot, while Buster and a disguised Blaster investigate. If Blaster and Buster later return to Bumblebee for assistance, informing the little yellow Autobot that Starscream and Bombshell are alone in the museum with their captive, and intend to use a Cerebro-Shell to mind-control Sparkplug, Bumblebee formulates a plan. Using Bumblebee's speed and Blaster's Electro-Scramblers, the Autobots spoil Bombshell's aim and have him hit Starscream with his Cerebro-Shell in-lieu of Sparkplug. The easily manipulated Seeker is then tricked by the Autobots to release Sparkplug and forestall Bombshell, as Bumblebee, Blaster, Buster and Sparkplug make their way to Autobot base, laughing all the way at the Decepticons' misfortune.

If Optimus decides to have his Autobots follow Bumblebee into the tunnel the little yellow Autobot discovered at any point during their initial encounter with the Decepticon forces, Bumblebee encounters a fork in the tunnel that he admits was not there when he first discovered the tunnel. Not knowing which leads to the surface, the Autobots are once again forced to make a choice. And though one tunnel does indeed lead to the surface, the other leads to the Insecticons' nest!

In the event that the Autobots choose the tunnel leading to the surface, the Autobots lose possession of the Sun-Pak to the Insecticons nonetheless. If Optimus decides to have the Autobots return to base to refuel in light of these events, Bumblebee is the one to discover the booby-trapped Sun-Pak in Decepticon territory once the Autobots have ventured there in an attempt to diplomatically retrieve the device from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightDrunkenDecepticons.jpg|thumb|left]]
Bumblebee was part of a group of the Autobots’ best scouts, led by Optimus on a fuel-finding mission. When the convoy heard a large explosion in the distance, 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, they soon reached an area free of the anti-gravity beam's influence, though not before Bumblebee took the time to goof off a bit in the gravity-deprived environment. 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. In actuality, Bumblebee 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.

In the event that Buddy instead entered a space-time anomaly created throughout the course of the battle, the Autobots would lose their fight against the Decepticons, and Bumblebee wound up either injured or dead.

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 [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s 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}}

====Decepticon Poison====
[[File:Decepticon Poison Laserbeak.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee was amongst the Autobots about to be topped up with their latest batch of fuel when Red Alert burst into Autobot headquarters, warning everyone about Ramjet being spotted nearby. Red Alert's warning came in just in time, as the Autobots’ fuel had been poisoned, and Bumblebee would have been left unable to transform had he ingested any of it.

In one possible scenario that ensued, Bumblebee was part of the Autobots’ back-up squadron, as they attempted to defend the Autobot base against the Decepticons. In one version of the ensuing events, the Autobots were able to beat back the Decepticons, though not without receiving some grievous injuries themselves.

In another possible scenario, where Optimus followed a plan courtesy of Prowl, the Autobot leader instructed his troops to transform into vehicle mode and play dead. The Decepticons, believing the Autobots’ ruse, disarmed themselves in order to carry out the Autobots’ "carcasses." Now with the element of surprise against 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 cure each poisoned Autobot. The Autobots who received the antidote soon found themselves falling apart, leaving Bumblebee and the rest outmatched against the greater number of Decepticons.

In yet another possible scenario, Optimus opted to use the tainted fuel as a weapon against an encroaching Decepticon squadron. Bumblebee was impressed by Grapple powerful crane, as the later lifted the vat of liquid and carried it outside Autobot headquarters. The plan was carried out successfully, and the Autobots celebrated another victory over the Decepticons.

In a completely different scenario, Optimus agreed to Prowl's plan to go on the offensive and try and discover the full extent of the Decepticons’ plans. Optimus nominated Prowl, Bumblebee and Mirage to go along with him on the mission. The group refuelled with the gas that Sparkplug brought back from the Autobots’ secret storage area, and took off on their mission. The group soon happened upon the Decepticons’ lab in the middle of a barren, polluted wasteland.

If all four Autobots ventured together into the Decepticons’ lab, they first encountered Laserbeak, only to quickly dispatch him. Venturing further into the lab, the group soon spotted the antidote they were after, and sent Mirage to fetch it. Mirage returned with the beaker and news; he had heard Ramjet and Starscream talking about using a new poison to turn humans into mindless slaves. Bumblebee suggested that the Autobots return to base and cure the allies in order to combat the Decepticons’ newest ploy.

If Optimus ordered his squad to instead return to Autobot headquarters immediately, his squad returned to find their comrades nearly dead from the poison. But with Ratchet's help, the antidote was quickly distributed, and the Autobots sprung back to life.

If Optimus led his troops back to the Decepticons’ poison lab, Bumblebee was amongst the Autobot convoy that drove into action. Happening upon the Decepticons hauling barrels of poison out of their base, the Autobots devised a couple of possible plans to take them out.

One such plan had Windcharger, Prowl, Jazz and Warpath work together to ignite the poison over the Decepticons, forcing them to retreat back within their base before destroying the lab. Bumblebee was giddy watching his fellow Autobots perform their tasks. The Autobots then drove back to base victoriously.

If however Optimus ordered his troops to deal with the Decepticons before returning to base with the antidote, the Autobots were faced with another decision; deal with Starscream and Ramjet first, or to attempt to destroy the containers of poison first, as per Prowl's suggestion.

If the Autobots went along with Prowl's strategy, the resulting heat from the explosion caused the Autobots’ circuits to overheat, rendering them unconscious. Upon reawakening, the Autobots found themselves captives of Megatron, who informed them that their fellow Autobots would soon perish, and that the humans would be conquered by the Decepticons shortly after.

If Optimus instead decided to deal with Ramjet and Starscream first, his troop easily overpowered the pair, Bumblebee stuffing a rock in Starscream's mouth in order to keep him quiet. After having destroyed the lab, the Autobots returned to their headquarters with the antidote.

If instead of going into the Decepticons’ poison lab together, the Autobots sent Bumblebee to go in alone, the little Autobot snuck by Laserbeak, sleeping at his post, before finding the antidote to the poison coursing through the Autobots’ fuel lines. Though he attempted to escape the laboratory without incident, Laserbeak awoke before he could leave, and the cruel Decepticon ordered Bumblebee to surrender.

If Bumblebee made a break for it, he narrowly escaped the Decepticons’ lab and rejoined Optimus and the others. Together, the Autobots escaped from the [[Decepticon Poison Lab|Valley of Poison]] and returned to Autobot headquarters. Once the other Autobots were cured, they all drank a toast to Bumblebee, to celebrate his part in the mission.

If Bumblebee heeded Laserbeak's commands, the cruel Decepticon retrieved the antidote before beginning his torture of the little Autobot, in order to make him talk. Bumblebee refused to break, thinking only of his hero, Optimus Prime, as Laserbeak presumably did unspeakable things to the little Autobot. {{storylink|Decepticon Poison}}

====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertBumblebeedisguise.jpg|left|thumb]]
While out on patrol, Bumblebee spotted Astrotrain hovering about in a valley near Autobot headquarters. Assuming it was nothing more than Astrotrain acting as a transport for his fellow Decepticons, he paid the sighting no heed.

The next day, Bumblebee was watching a game of baseball on television when the broadcast was highjacked by the Decepticons. He informed the Autobots’ commander, Ultra Magnus of this development immediately. Though the Autobots learned that in addition to the crisis in Earth orbit, the Decepticons had also attacked a nearby research base, Bumblebee still considered the attack on Earth's satellites to be a more urgent matter.

If Ultra Magnus decided to prioritize the Decepticons satellite hijacking plot, Bumblebee caught sight of Hot Rod in a nearby corner, sulking over not being picked for the mission. As Bumblebee had not been picked for the mission either, he informed Hot Rod on what he had seen the previous night, and suggested the two of them go on their own clandestine mission to investigate Astrotrain's activities. Hot Rod gladly obliged. They brought along a supply of "laser-ignited explosives" and went on their way. Soon happening upon the Decepticons’ control centre, the pair set out to sabotage the Decepticons’ operation. While Bumblebee wanted to sabotage the Decepticons’ communication centre on Earth, Hot Rod was in favour of sneaking aboard Astrotrain before he launched, and sabotage the Decepticons out in space.

If Hot Rod convinced Bumblebee to go along with his plan, the pair snuck aboard Astrotrain by concealing themselves within a trailer filled with bombs. As Astrotrain launched, Hot Rod drew Bumblebee's attention to a room filled with Decepticon space gear. The two Autobots donned the suits in order to disguise themselves. The disguises proved effective as Thrust and Starscream walked past the pair, none the wiser. Bumblebee was nonetheless unwilling to push their luck too much, and suggested that they find a hiding spot and use the weapons they brought along as soon as possible. Just then, Hot Rod spotted the Autobots’ shuttle heading into a Decepticon trap through one of Astrotrain's windows.

If Hot Rod decided to try and commandeer Astrotrain's military control station, Bumblebee nervously followed him, advising the young Autobot to act like he knows what he's doing in order to fool the guards. The pair bypassed the guards easily, but were not able to fool Scourge, who happened upon them soon after. Bumblebee alerted Hot Rod of Scourge's approach, and urged him to fire Astrotrain's weapons as soon as possible. Hot Rod succeeded in firing Astrotrain's weapons at Cyclonus, warning the Autobot shuttle of the Decepticons, but both he and Bumblebee were quickly overpowered by Scourge. They were then flung out into the blackness of space by Scourge, stranded in zero-gravity, waiting for a rescue that might never come.

If instead Hot Rod and Bumblebee decided to find themselves a hiding spot, the pair snuck into a room labelled "Dirty Tricks Department" in order to dodge the incoming Laserbeak. After Hot Rod successfully shot down Cyclonus from their hiding spot, Hot Rod and Bumblebee hid out for the rest of the mission inside the Dirty Tricks department room, finding a way to escape later when it docked.

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

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

If Hot Rod went ahead and pressed the button, he and Bumblebee soon discovered that it was a Decepticon trap, as sirens began blaring across the Decepticon base and iron bars prevented them from escaping. Galvatron's image appeared on a nearby monitor, explaining that both Hot Rod and Bumblebee would be used as hostages in order to secure a Decepticon victory.

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

If Ultra Magnus decided to assume that the Decepticons had already decrypted the message, he ordered his forces to split up to more efficiently address the situation. Bumblebee was part of the main group of Autobots led to the coast by Ultra Magnus. Ultra Magnus's troops were informed by Powerglide (who had flown ahead of the land-bound group) that he had discovered the location of the sunken ship containing the cybertite sphere. Simultaneously, Blurr caught up with the group to inform them that the Decepticons were quickly approaching. The Autobots then needed to decide whether they would raise the ship themselves, or try and ambush the Decepticons after they had done so.

In one of the possible plans concocted by Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee was to work with Grapple and Hot Rod to retrieve the sphere. Bumblebee rode down the boom at the end of Grapple's crane, and fastened it to the sunken ship. He then signalled Grapple to un-submerge the ship, only to find himself and the ship remain immobile. Grapple's crane had suffered a mechanical breakdown, and though the Autobots managed to fix it, valuable time was lost. The Autobots were unable to retrieve the sphere before the Decepticons arrived, and Bumblebee and his friends found themselves being pummelled by superior Decepticon fire raining down upon them. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

====Project Brain Drain====
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainBumblebeeChargesGalvatron.jpg|thumb]]
In one possible scenario, Bumblebee ran into Sparkplug on the way to Metroplex city. Sparkplug informed Bumblebee that he had learned of a Decepticon plot to use a [[Brain Drain device]] to rob a crowd of concertgoers of their intelligence, and the two of them rushed to inform Ultra Magnus of this development.

If Ultra Magnus decided to head for the rock concert and deal with the Decepticons there, Bumblebee brought Sparkplug along to the concert location. Once there, he was ordered to blend in with the various cars parked around the concert, and lie in wait for the Decepticons to show themselves.

Once the Decepticons appeared, Ultra Magnus ordered his troops to transform in unison and open fire on their enemies. But Galvatron had planned to light afire the parking lot in which the Autobots were standing in order to trap the humans. Being drenched from above by Decepticon jets dumping gasoline upon them, Ultra Magnus needed to decide whether the Autobots needed to retreat, or to keep on fighting and hope that they could defeat the Decepticons before the fire consumed them.

If Ultra Magnus decided on a retreat, Bumblebee rushed out of the blazing inferno and moved in closer to the humans in order to protect them. As the other Autobots battled the Decepticon jets swooping down towards them, Bumblebee noticed Galvatron beyond the wall of flame preparing to activate the Brain Drain device. Despite the fire between them, Bumblebee transformed into vehicle mode and darted towards Galvatron in order to stop him. Knowing that none of the weapons on him would harm Galvatron, Bumblebee devised two possible plans of attack, even as the fire around him began to break him down. He could either ram into Galvatron, hoping to make him drop the Brain Drain device, shattering the delicate instrument, or he could transform at the last moment and throw a flaming car towards the device to destroy it while in Galvatron's grasp.

If Bumblebee decided to crash directly into Galvatron, his initial assault fails, with Galvatron managing to regain his balance before he drops the device. However, having been reduced to a burning heap by the inferno, Bumblebee exploded after his gas tank catches fire, destroying the device in the process. Bumblebee sacrificed himself, but the Decepticons’ plot has been stopped.

If Bumblebee decided to launch a truck at Galvatron instead, the oil tanker he grabbed hold of exploded before Bumblebee had a chance to launch it, reducing the little Autobot to nothing more than a smouldering windshield whipper.

In another possible scenario wherein the Autobots remained in the parking lot to battle the Decepticons at close-quarters, both Bumblebee and Hot Rod saw Soundwave pass the Brain Drain device to Galvatron after the latter had flung Ultra Magnus away.

If Bumblebee attempted to stop Galvatron, the Decepticon leader laughed at Bumblebee's efforts, and effortlessly crushed him underfoot before he had a chance to stop them.

If Hot Rod attempted to stop Galvatron, the Autobots were eventually successfully in destroying the device, and Bumblebee and the other Autobots received a standing ovation as the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Bumblebee trailbreaker war within.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
At the death of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Bumblebee was part of an Autobot unit defending [[Altihex]] from the Decepticons, but it was ultimately declared a lost cause. [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] had to pull him aboard the shuttle once they realized there was nothing left to do. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] ordered him, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and others to the ruins of [[Praxus]], where Grimlock declared that if the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] was unable to lead successfully, they would take control of the war's leadership... and take out the Prime. Bumblebee was among the group that was present for the Matrix transfer ceremony, where Optronix became [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. When a Decepticon assassination squad arrived and Optimus kicked some exhaust port, Bumblebee declared that he was "awesome". However, Prime then ordered the Autobots to prepare an evacuation of Cybertron. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} When Prime went underground looking for Megatron, Bumblebee was surprised he'd gone alone, but the Autobots suddenly had bigger problems, as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] with a host of Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} During the attack, Bumblebee manned a turret in the [[Decagon]]. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} Eventually, Prowl ordered the Autobots to take them on individually, and Bumblebee went out carrying a cannon that was as [[Scale|big]] as him. At this time, Optimus also beheld a vision of a possible future, in which Bumblebee helped defend a hydro-electric dam on Earth against the forces of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Back in reality, Bumblebee survived the destruction of Iacon, and escaped to its outskirts. Prime then met with his troops, and reversed his order of evacuation. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}} During the Dark Ages and the disappearance of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee remained with Prowl's faction of Autobots, huddled in the ruins of Iacon. He was present in the [[Autobase]] when [[The Fallen]] broke in to abduct [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], then being held within one of the Autobots' cells. Though Bumblebee attempted to contain the villain with a forcefield, The Fallen proved to be more than the base's systems could handle. Feedback shot back through its computers struck Bumblebee as The Fallen made his escape with his prize in-hand. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}} Though left relatively unharmed, Bumblebee did not head back into the field afterwards, when The Fallen's base of operations was uncovered and a cross-faction army rushed it. Instead, he stayed behind at the Autobase to coordinate the troops. At Jetfire's prompting, Bumblebee erected a forcefield around The Fallen once more, this time trapping him atop of the [[Seal of Primus]]. Primus's essence was then able to reach out and smite The Fallen, putting an end to his scheme. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

Bumblebee would later aid [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] in his struggle to re-unite Cybertron under the Autobot banner. The unification of their race nearly succeeded... only for Megatron to return. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}}

[[File:DWPrimeDirective2 Bumblebee destruction.jpg|left|thumb|Someone has to pay for the little things.]]
Bumblebee was one of the Ark crew that crashed on Earth and awoke in 1984. During that time, he met Spike Witwicky, becoming close friends with the human. In 1999, the Autobots and humans allied and managed to capture the Decepticons, taking them in the ''[[Ark II]]'' back to Cybertron, along with [[Magnificent Seven|seven humans]], including [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], Spike's father. However, the ''Ark II'' was sabotaged by rogue elements of the United States military (apparently as part of a plan by Shockwave). {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} The humans were all killed, but a number of Transformers, including Bumblebee, survived, but in [[stasis lock]]. Bumblebee's body was recovered by [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] and [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]], but Rook stole Bumblebee and a number of other Transformers, intent on selling them to various terrorists to feed his greed. As part of a demonstration to prospective buyers, Rook had Bumblebee join an assault against the Smitco Oil Refinery alongside half a dozen Transformers. Soon after this exercise in carnage, Megatron wrestled his mind free from Lazarus's control, and brought ruin onto the human's organization. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} Once they had been freed from Lazarus's control as well, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], to satisfy their sadism, disassembled and played with Bumblebee's various components. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}}

[[File:PrimeDirective5-neverfear.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

Optimus Prime's team later rescued Bumblebee and the remaining Autobots. Bumblebee was reassembled while the bulk of the Autobot forces travelled to [[San Francisco]] to stop a large-scale Decepticon assault on the city. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} All Autobots left behind at Lazarus's base were put to work in combating Megatron's latest doomsday weapon, a techno-virus rapidly enveloping the globe. Using devices designed by Wheeljack, Bumblebee and the others began pushing back the virus, at the expense of their own energy supplies. Unfortunately, the [[Canada|Canadian]] military, skittish over the recent Transformer violence, attacked the Autobots as they worked. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} Despite this, Bumblebee tried to save as many of the soldiers as he could before the virus could kill them. The virus was ultimately neutralized, though Wheeljack had to put himself in a deep state of stasis lock to accomplish the task. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

''In the following weeks, the Autobots tried their best to re-establish good relations with the people of Earth, but had little luck. After Optimus Prime, Megatron, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] vanished from the streets of Tokyo with roughly 200 human civilians, the public was understandably critical of the Transformers and their war. Bumblebee didn't help any when [[Chris Killah]], a reporter for MNT, interviewed him on the scene while he and Prowl were looking for clues to the disappearance. Bumblebee's knowledge of Earth idioms and slang normally worked to the Autobots' benefit, but he got "stage fright" in front of the TV cameras and referred to the massive property damage and loss of human life as a "bummer". Duuuuude...no. ''

''With both sides effectively leaderless at first, Bumblebee and Prowl did their best to contain the fallout of Megatron and Prime's disappearance. Acting on a tip, they tracked [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] to an airport in [[Mesa Verde]], [[Mexico]], where he was running guns with some human terrorists. The battle was memorable, but brief, thanks largely to the arrival of the renegade Autobot known as Grimlock. Having heard the Starscream had taken over the human city of [[Las Vegas]], Grimlock had commissioned a human black ops army and invited Bumblebee and Prowl to join him in assaulting the Decepticon position. Already frustrated at the [[United Nations]]' orders to stay out of Vegas, for fear of civilian casualties, Bumblebee and Prowl accepted the offer. After fighting their way through [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and the other [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] on the outskirts of town, the Autobots managed to make it to the center of the Strip to confront Soundwave. Fortunately, the Autobots had long since developed internal jammers to prevent Soundwave from reading their thoughts during a battle, but that didn't make things easy. Fighting their way around the casinos, Bumblebee finally collapsed a massive neon sign on top of Soundwave, temporarily ending the fight. Bumblebee and Prowl's luck turned sour, though, with the arrival of Starscream and the mighty Devastator. The sudden appearance of a spatial gateway depositing Optimus and the other lost Transformers, along with their captors the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]], was just one set of complications on top of another. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}''

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

Sometime later, as they were entrenched against the Decepticons on the Alsakan shore, the Autobots received visitors from Cybertron. Representing a united Cybertronian government of both Autobots and Decepticons, they claimed the Transformers on Earth were a throwback to darker days, and wanted to take them into custody to prevent their "anachronistic" feud from upsetting Cybertron's populace. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], leader of the united Cybertronians, unleashed his triple-changing troops to take in both Optimus and Megatron's followers by force, and though the Decepticons were taken in, the Autobots escaped. {{storylink|New World Order}} The Autobots under Optimus Prime split into two groups, with Bumblebee and several others joining their leader in surrendering to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (another member of the United Cybertron force), while Jazz led a small group away from the Ark to continue monitoring activities on Earth. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Once they arrived on Cybertron, it became clear that there was a rotten core to the new government, namely Shockwave. Thankfully, there were dissidents in Shockwave's government, and Bumblebee, Optimus, Prowl, and Gears were freed from their holding cell by Sandstorm and Broadside. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} The liberated Autobots were then ferried away to meet with the leaders of Cybertron's underground resistance. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} They then helped overthrow Shockwave's reign, reinstating Autobot rule over Cybertron. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

[[File:Bumblebeebattlemask.jpg|left|thumb|25 years before someone realized his toy has no face.]]
After Cybertron settled down, Bumblebee commanded the Autobot Shuttle ''[[Orion]]'' and a small crew, traveling back to Earth with supplies for Jazz's team at the Ark. Starscream and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] were in the midst of an attack on the Ark when the ''Orion'' arrived. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} The little ship managed to damage [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] significantly before the super-powerful zealot [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] shorted out its engines and it crashed. Bumblebee and his crew walked away from their rough landing unharmed however, and Sunstorm flew off in pursuit of Starscream. Bumblebee set about returning his ship to operational status, and a few hours later, the ''Orion'' was once more in working order. Bumblebee was ready to lie back and recharge... only for Starscream to return to the scene, now accompanied by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} The Autobots were forced into an uneasy alliance with Starscream to combat Sunstorm's greater threat. Pooling their knowledge with Jetfire's, the Autobots were able to concoct a plan that had a chance of disabling their powerful foe. But all throughout their preparations, Bumblebee had to put up with his crew's doubts towards his capabilities. Bumblebee retorted that though he was "no Prime," none of them were, and that they'd have to pull through nonetheless. Deciding that he would once and for all prove to the others that he "had what it took," Bumblebee led the assault against Sunstorm when he inevitably returned. His shuttle was downed again by Sunstorm's radiation, but thanks to Jetfire distracting the clone at a pivotal moment, Bumblebee was able to attach an energy-siphon onto the super-clone, forcing him to flee as his power began to drain. But Jetfire warned Bumblebee that so long as Sunstorm was on the loose, he was a potential source of trouble. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}} Bumblebee and the others returned to the ''Orion'', finding all of its remaining crew disabled by Starscream, who had himself fled. While the Autobots were tending to the injured, they 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 Supreme did not emerge victorious from this confrontation. Bumblebee and the others found him unconscious, with the energy-siphon they had attached to Sunstorm nearby, broken and disabled. Omega Supreme rebooted, and began recovering, but Bumblebee still felt guilty about not leading the Autobots towards more favorable results. He accompanied Jetfire in tracking down Sunstorm, and Bumblebee admitted he had begun to feel disillusioned in his role as the two flew off. They then came upon Starscream opening an ancient Cybertronian bunker, and swooped down to stop whatever machinations he was partaking in. Despite Sunstorm's interference, the two Autobots managed to follow Starscream underground. Jetfire managed to subdue Starscream once more, but Bumblebee received a disabling dose of radiation from Sunstorm. Before he briefly slipped into unconsciousness, Bumblebee witnessed Starscream defeat both his clone and Jetfire. {{storylink|Original Sin}}

Opening his optics, Bumblebee found himself staring down Starscream's gun-barrel. Starscream mocked the young Autobot, telling him how utterly clueless he was about the events unfolding around him. In the midst of his rant, Sunstorm re-emerged, the energies within him now erupting more violently than ever. Tired of his "brother's" constant betrayals, Sunstorm denounced Starscream, and instead claimed that ''Bumblebee'' had divine purpose to him. As Sunstorm readied to strike Bumblebee for apparently having usurped his divine mission, an explosion tore through the clone's arm.. from within! Jetfire recovered, and both he and Bumblebee tried to pin down Sunstorm to no avail. Jetfire was forced to grab Sunstorm and push him up into orbit to prevent his inevitable melt-down from causing further harm to the Earth. Starscream, out of begrudging gratitude towards his former friend, returned Bumblebee to the surface. Bumblebee then begged Starscream to take him up so they could both help Jetfire escape as Sunstorm went critical. But Starscream refused, stating that he wasn't looking to help anyone beyond himself. Bumblebee was forced to watch helplessly as Jetfire was blown to oblivion. Thoroughly distraught over what had transpired, Bumblebee deserted the Autobot army. {{storylink|Atonement}} He headed to Spike's house, but Spike, resentful of the death of Sparkplug, lashed out at him. {{storylink|Extermination}} Afterward, Spike finally realized he was being harsh on his old friend, and the two went for a night on the town, where they stopped a mugging. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

Some time in the future, he was [[:File:DWPretenderBumblebee.jpg|augmented]] with the Pretender technology. Jazz wrote in Bumblebee's profile that even though Bumblebee had become stronger, the latter would eventually realise that there is always someone tougher out there, and that the important thing is that Bumblebee always had heart regardless of his physical strength. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #7|Pretender Bumblebee's ''More Than Meets The Eye'' profile}} Bumblebee was [[:File:DWGoldbug.jpg|upgraded]] once again, becoming the Throttlebot Goldbug. While still fun-loving and supportive, he finally matured and stopped trying to prove his worth to others. His hero worship of the other Autobots also turned into serious respect for them. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #2|Goldbug's ''More Than Meets The Eye'' profile}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Bumblebee GIJoevsTFs2.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee was aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crashed on Earth millions of years in the past, leaving its passengers deactivated. Along with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], he was sealed off from the rest of the crew in the crash, and therefore avoided capture when [[Cobra]] broke into the ship and stole the dormant Transformers therein. Bumblebee and Wheeljack were eventually revived by [[Teletraan I|Teletran-One]], only to find their friends missing. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}}

Attempting to find the missing Transformers, Bumblebee disguised himself as a Volkswagen Beetle, an altmode that really got on his nerves after months of fruitless searching. Eventually, Wheeljack came up with some leads on Cobra's next target, while Bumblebee just grumbled that Wheeljack got all the good [[Hologram|holographic]] drivers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} When Cobra attacked the [[SPS Research Facility]], the Autobots were waiting for them, and Bumblebee punched out a brainwashed [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] before helping [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'s [[Laser Squad]] get out of some rubble. Unfortunately, the humans didn't quite trust the giant robots, and [[Cover Girl]] fired a missile at 'Bee, who ''grabbed the projectile in mid-air'' and threw it at Rumble instead. He and Wheeljack eventually convinced G.I. Joe they were good guys, and the humans provided them with the information needed to undo Cobra's reprogramming of the other Transformers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

[[File:Bumblebee GIJoevsTFs6.jpg|thumb|left]]
As G.I. Joe prepared to attack [[Cobra Island]], Bumblebee and Wheeljack came with them. However, the United States government preferred to [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] the island and dissect the two aliens at [[Area 51]], and Bumblebee was struck with a magnetic pulse and incapacitated. Luckily, Wheeljack convinced [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] that a nuclear strike on Cobra's [[energon]] stockpile would lead to worldwide devastation, so G.I. Joe broke orders and took the Autobots with them to attack Cobra Island anyway. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} Upon arrival, Bumblebee watched as the [[SPS Satellite]]'s energy beam struck an energy-gathering dish on the island, then helped G.I. Joe take down [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] after the giant Decepticon killed [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

It soon transpired that the United States government were sending the nukes regardless of G.I. Joe's presence on the island, so the Autobots and humans made their way to the SPS Satellite's controls, where Bumblebee found a cowering [[Doctor Mindbender]]. While Mindbender was forced to calibrate the satellite's beams to shoot down the approaching nuclear warheads, the facility came under attack by [[Storm Shadow]], [[Firefly]] and various Cobra troopers. During the battle, Bumblebee defeated Storm Shadow and his heavily damaged [[S.N.A.K.E.]] suit. He then cheered as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] defeated Megatron and shot down the SPS Satellite, and he later returned to Cybertron aboard a new ''Ark''. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

Two years later, Bumblebee was sent back through time to [[1970]]'s [[San Francisco]] by a malfunctioning [[Teletran 3]], and was left dormant in the form of a Ford Pinto. He was found and reactivated by several G.I. Joes and Cobra members sent to get him back to the future, but both Bumblebee and [[Zartan]] were disappointed with his altmode compared to the much fancier car his fellow time-lost Autobot [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] turned into. After hunting down [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the same era, the team returned to their own time. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on present-day Cybertron, Bumblebee and the others had no choice but to wait inside [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s force field until the three other teams returned with more lost Transformers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}} When the whole affair was over, Bumblebee curiously inspected Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

[[File:GIJoevsTFArtofwar3 BumblebeeDeath.jpg|right|thumb|Crossovers are not kind to Bumblebee.]]

An agreement was made between the Autobots and G.I. Joe to decommission any Cybertronian technology left on Earth, and Bumblebee was sent back to Earth along with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], the last of whom he was very flirty with. When [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]] came under attack from Cobra, Bumblebee noticed that [[Cobra Commander]] was using the attack as a diversion to infiltrate the facility's lower levels. He pursued the Commander, but was rendered unconscious when Zartan planted an electromagnetic scrambler on him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Just when Cobra Commander was about to smash the robot's face in with a lead pipe, the other Autobots and G.I. Joes arrived and saved him. While Arcee was worried about his low energy levels, Bumblebee assured her that seeing her was all the recharge he needed. However, it was soon revealed what Cobra Commander had come for: [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], a biotechnological weapon created from Megatron's remains. He was also just as power-hungry as Megatron, and took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joe's battle suits]] and pitted them against the four Autobots to distract them while he warped to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

Along with a group of Joes, the Autobots followed Serpent O.R. to their home planet, and ended up getting attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s in a junkyard. As they retreated to avoid human casualties, Bumblebee tried to extort a kiss from Arcee if he could outrace her, but she upped the bet by offering to rotate his tires if he could pull it off. Bumblebee accelerated in anticipation... and drove straight into [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], who stomped him unconscious. Serpent O.R., who had recruited Predaking alongside various other Decepticons, complimented the little Autobot's courage and resilience, noting that he could probably survive with the proper medical attention. Then he crushed Bumblebee to death with his tentacles. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} Following the defeat of Serpent O.R., a funeral was held for Bumblebee and a statue was built in his honor. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

Bumblebee's death had a large impact on Optimus Prime, who blamed himself for his friend's death. Unwilling to send anyone else to their death, he went on a dangerous mission on Earth all by himself. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2|Black Horizon, Part 1}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:Scarlett Bumblebee-Wolves.jpg|thumb|left]]
After laying dormant among the [[Fera Islands]] for three million years, Bumblebee and his friends were reactivated in [[1939]] when [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] attacked [[Cobra]]'s headquarters in the archipelago. He was reformatted into a [[World War II]]-era motorcycle, complete with sidecar, and thought Optimus Prime was a bit pessimistic when he worried that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] might no longer exist. {{storylink|Transformed}} The Autobots subsequently joined G.I. Joe on their mission to eliminate Cobra and their Decepticon allies. Bumblebee overheard [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] and [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] discussing that [[Snake-Eyes]] had vanished, and tried to reassure [[Scarlett]] that the missing Joe would show up eventually. Before long, the group came under attack from Cobra paratroopers, but the bullets merely bounced off Bumblebee, who happily suggested that the Autobots should try out their new bodies in action. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}}

Upon entering combat, the Autobots were faced with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who was easily taking out the larger tank Autobots with his earthquakes. While Bumblebee was busy explaining who Rumble was, Scarlett commandeered him (noting how "sweet" it was that he had never been driven before) and drove into action, jumping above the Decepticon and destroying him with a grenade. Bumblebee felt that he and Scarlett made a nice team, and sheepishly told her that she could drive him anytime. How cheeky! {{storylink|Wolves}} When they reached Cobra's fortress, the [[Terrordrome]], the Autobots were attacked by a raging [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], whom Bumblebee noted that he had never seen before. In the end, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had to be destroyed in order to stop Bruticus, which killed Bumblebee and all the other Transformers in the process. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}
{{--}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Bumblebee participated in a savage battle against the Decepticons. He watched on in horror as [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]] rampaged across the battlefield, killing Autobots and Decepticons alike. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

Bumblebee later rode in Optimus Prime's trailer as the Autobots attempted to outrun The Beast. Thankfully, Jetfire showed up just in time to rescue Prime's passengers, save Skids, who was crushed moments before Jetfire's arrival. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}

===''Universe'' comic===
{{voiceactor|[[Dan Gilvezan]] (English)}}
During the [[Universe War]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] built a device to counteract [[Unicron]]'s attempts to abduct Transformers from across the multiverse. Two such attempts were only partially successful, sending the would-be abductees to a barren, icy planetoid and necessitating the deployment of a rescue team. As a side effect, the device also sucked in the Autobot stellar freighter ''[[OTFCC (ship)|OTFCC]]'', carrying Bumblebee, [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] from the past. The past Autobots worked together with the present-day rescue team and the victims to fight off Unicron's Decepticons, and the past Autobots were returned to their own time. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
In a reality where the Dinobots consisted of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], and [[Paddles (G1)|Paddles]], Bumblebee gained the latter's friendship and trust. {{storylink|Paddles (story)|Paddles}}

Bumblebee dropped Spike off at school and waited around in the carpark, where he was stolen by two car thieves, [[Jack (thief)|Jack]] and [[Rick (thief)|Rick]]. The Autobot let them have some fun for a while before taking control and giving them the ride of their lives. After letting them out, Bumblebee went back to pick up Spike, who wondered why the seat was wet. {{storylink|Joyride (story)|Joyride}}

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

===Descent into Evil===
[[File:Timelines-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|You know you want me, baby.]]
Having been on the trail of the Decepticon agent [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] for a long, long time, now-[[espionage director]] Bumblebee made his move, interrupting a supposedly-secure secret communication between Flamewar and the [[Tripredacus Council]]. He revealed that his agent, [[Ricochet (Timelines)|Ricochet]] had installed a degenerating virus into [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s [[Virulent Clone|clone army]]. Oh, and that since the Autobots now ''knew'' Flamewar's whereabouts and who she was working for, the Tripredacus Council would certainly consider her a liability. Which they did. So they blew [[Flamewar's ship|her ship]] up. {{storylink|Descent into Evil}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{note|For information pertaining to Goldbug, a separate individual in the IDW continuity, see [[Goldbug (IDW)]].}}
{{main|Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
[[File:BeforeTheDawn-BumblebeeKRONCH.jpg|thumb|left]]
Having been part of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]'s team during the latter days of the Decepticon uprising and [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s reign, millions of years later, Bumblebee was a member of [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s tactical response unit, stationed on Earth, and aided [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] in tracking down the original Decepticon [[infiltration protocol|infiltration bunker]], while noting that the doctor's human friends were ultimately "acceptable losses" if it came to it.

After the Decepticon [[Surge (event)|Surge]] and their subsequent retreat from Earth, Optimus Prime gave himself up to [[Skywatch]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] took a splinter group with the aim of getting off the planet by any means necessary, Bumblebee was elected leader by the remaining Autobots. What followed was a leadership in a constant state of crisis, as few respected his authority, with many continuing to defer to the returned Optimus Prime. After the Chaos War, Bumblebee found himself in nominal charge of the reborn Cybertron as Optimus Prime once again departed, this time in the face of a hostile [[NAIL|civilian population]], and the renamed "Rodimus" again took a splinter group of Autobots elsewhere, this time on a quixotic quest for the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. Played by all, an uprising led by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] proved the final straw for the civilian "NAILs" with both factions, and with [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] renouncing his faction and grasping the opportunity, both Bumblebee's Autobots and the Decepticons were exiled to the Cybertronian wilderness.

Shortly afterward, in the "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" crisis, Bumblebee was killed by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]. Oddly enough, the Transformer most bothered by this was Megatron. However Bumblebee ''did'' survive, in a sense, his consciousness ending up in [[Infraspace]], where he would bug Starscream as a ghost, before eventually restored after briefly joining with [[Pyra Magna]]. In the aftermath of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s apocalyptic attack, Prowl turned Megatron over to the [[Galactic Council]] for a trial, the act allowing the Cybertronians a chance to finally join the organization, Bumblebee acting as their representative, accompanied by the ghost of Starscream.
{{--}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:Beeawakens-HOS1.jpg|thumb|The upstairs neighbors are at it again...]]
In an alternate universe, the Transformers landed on Earth before the Ice Age, taking on the forms of dinosaurs and giant insects; Bumblebee took on the form of a ''{{w|Gastonia (dinosaur)|Gastonia}}''-like dinosaur. When the climate became too cold for [[Ice Age Wars|the war]] to continue, Bumblebee and the other Autobots entered into [[stasis lock]] to prevent further damage. Thousands of years later, Bumblebee awoke to the age of humans from the noise of John Henry's hammering. Bumblebee was impressed by the humans' industriousness, and disguised himself as a small steam locomotive with no control cab, and a built in steam-hammer for driving spikes. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} Initially, 'Bee directly competed with steel-driving legend [[John Henry]]. After Bumblebee revealed himself in robot form to Henry, Henry set aside his mistrust of automation after realizing that Bumblebee was a living being (not just a machine) who wanted to put in a fair day's work. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

[[File:BeeandJohnHenry-HOS2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left]]
Bumblebee woke several of his fellow Autobots, who soon discovered that the Decepticons were also active in this era. After taking on locomotive alt modes themselves, {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}} Bumblebee, the Autobots, and their new human friends worked together to prevent the Decepticons' mighty [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] from reaching [[New York City]]. With the Decepticons defeated, Bumblebee and the Autobots returned to their slumber. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

Years later when the Autobots learned of the rise of an [[Elder God]], they realized they needed the power of Optimus Prime, but didn't have enough energy to awaken him from stasis lock. Disguising himself in a new streetcar mode, Bumblebee made contact with [[Tobias Muldoon]], an inventor he had befriended during his earlier adventure, and requested his help in gathering electricity. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}}

The Autobots continued to stand guard over humanity until the modern day, when Ratchet was captured by the human organization [[Skylogic Systems]], prompting Bumblebee and Optimus Prime to investigate. Their search led them to the [[Lone Gunmen]], three humans who revealed that they were out to stop Skylogic from producing a virus made partially from Ratchet's DNA. Joining forces, the Autobots and Gunmen captured and interrogated Skylogic scientist [[David Simmons]], learning the location of where Ratchet was being held. Being the smaller of the Autobots, Bumblebee took the form of a military vehicle (to his chagrin) and infiltrated the facility with the Gunmen, hitting it off particularly well with his "ninja buddy" [[Richard Langly]]. While freeing Ratchet he was paralyzed by a Skylogic weapon, and though he urged the others to run, Langly turned back and destroyed the weapon, allowing him to escape. The Autobots then said goodbye to their new allies and took off elsewhere in an attempt to lure away Skylogic pursuers. {{storylink|The X-Files: Conspiracy: The Transformers}}

{{note|Events identical to those of ''Hearts of Steel'' and ''Infestation 2'' occurred in the [[2005 IDW continuity]]; however, they happened to [[Maximal]] explorers brainwashed by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] into believing they were the Autobots and Decepticons of the Great War. Bumblebee's identity was taken by the Maximal named [[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]].}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
On a shopping trip, Bumblebee became frustrated over the fact that he was never able to find the toys he wanted on store shelves.

Later, a vending machine caught his eye, and he wound up spending all his money on "her." Bumblebee asked Ultra Magnus to borrow him some money, only for Magnus to claim the vending machine was just using him. Bumblebee denied this, claiming that what they had was true love.

Later still, some jerk in a [[Spider-Man]] outfit led a legion of [[Clone trooper]]s to smash Bumblebee and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'s [[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] [[Transformers: Crossovers]] toys. Bumblebee's pleas for him to stop were left unheeded. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''TransTech''===
{{voiceactor|[[Dan Gilvezan]] (English)}}
A Bumblebee with a Cybertronian alternate-mode was among the many off-worlders being processed when [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], and [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] arrived in Axiom Nexus. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}}

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

[[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] reported that a Bumblebee on the last stellar cycle's Starlogged was a [[Pretender]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 1}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 4}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 6}}}}

===Titan Magazines===
After a hard day of fighting the most despiscable enemies the universe has to offer, [[Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise#Transformers (2007)|Slumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#Transformers (2007)|Softimus Prime]]
like nothing more than to hit the couch and hug their favorite humans. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Slumber Party}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
[[File:Henkei bumblebee pack in.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.5]]

When [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Megatron]] and the Decepticons attacked Earth in the 21st century, Bumblebee and the Autobots were there to stop them. During a battle in Tokyo, Bumblebee got the drop on [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Starscream]], dousing him with a fire engine's hose and leaving him open for a thrashing from [[Grimlock (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 1}}

Later, Bumblebee helped shield human bystanders from injury when [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Astrotrain]] went on a rampage, {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} and cheered when they were joined in their fight by [[Hot Rod (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Rodimus]]. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}}

Bumblebee was last seen helping to once more protect humans when the Decepticons attacked a power plant with their newest member, the reluctant [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Skyfire]]. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bun Bun manga===
[[File:Henkei chpt 01 first meeting.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75]]

Bumblebee was part of a small Autobot team led by Optimus Prime who left Cybertron to pursue the [[Energon cube#Henkei! Henkei! Comic Bun Bun pack-in manga|Energon Cube]] through space. When the giant energy source crashed on Earth, in the Japanese town of [[Hoshinochō]], it shattered into fragments that were scattered far and wide. Bumblebee and the other Autobots set up a subterranean base below the Cube's impact crater, and began their search for the shards, taking the forms of local vehicles to hide their activities. Despite their attempts at remaining unseen, glimpses of the Autobots only magnified the reputation the crash of the Cube (believed by humans to be a meteor) had given Hoshinochō: that of a hotbed of rumored alien and UFO activity, Japan's answer to [[United States of America|America]]'s [[Roswell]].

[[File:Henkei bumblebee and wataru.jpg|left|thumb|20 years later, Wataru still has this hanging on his wall.|upright=0.75]]

Eleven years later, the driverless [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] Bumblebee was spotted by a schoolchild in the vicinity of the [[Star Dome]], a building since constructed over the Cube crater. Hearing the story from this witness, fame-seeking schoolboy [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]] ditched school to investigate the Star Dome, only for coincidence to lead him to step right in front of the speeding Bumblebee! Bumblebee was forced to transform and vault over the boy to prevent injuring him, but was able to make his escape before Wataru got a good look at him. Bumblebee hastily continued on his way to the Star Dome, and arrived to find it under attack by [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Starscream]] and [[Ramjet (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Ramjet]]. Wataru, too, had made it to the Dome, and Bumblebee saved him from Starscream before realizing with surprise that he was the same boy from earlier. {{storylink|Enter! The Transformers}} The other Autobots soon arrived to join the fight, and Bumblebee tried to protect Wataru from injury by scooping him up and tossing him to the relative safety of the stands. For his trouble, the small Autobot was pinned by Starscream, but Wataru returned the favor by blinding the Decepticon with a fire extinguisher. The battle was then joined by the Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Megatron]], who attempted to make an example of Bumblebee and Wataru by blasting them with his fusion cannon, but at the last second, Optimus Prime was apparently able to deflect Megatron's shot with one of his own. Megatron covered the Decepticons' subsequent retreat by collapsing a part of the Star Dome, but Bumblebee protected Wataru from the rubble by shielding him with his own body. The pair then properly introduced themselves to one another, and Wataru was invited into the Autobots' base for an explanation. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Appears!}}

Bumblebee and Prime showed Wataru through their base on their way to the medical bay, where Bumblebee was to be treated for repairs. Bumblebee did not relish Optimus's medical ministrations, and the two Autobots were so busy trying to get through the process that they did not notice Wataru touching the large shard of the Energon Cube that they had recovered in their time on Earth. A bizarre energy discharge resulted that not only showed the Autobots images of [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|another time and place]], but also healed all of Bumblebee's wounds. Prime pulled Wataru away from the shard and things returned to normal, leaving Bumblebee and the boy to marvel over what had occurred, and Prime to ponder what it might mean. Bumblebee then took Wataru back to school, but when he nearly blabbed everything that had happened to him to the assembled teachers, students and police, Bumblebee was forced to bump into him from behind shut him up. Unfortunately for 'Bee, he then had to beat a hast retreat as the police came chasing after him for his "hit and run" offense! {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

[[File:Henkei bumblebee medical treatment.jpg|thumb|Who knew alien-robots could be {{w|Trypanophobia|trypanophobic}}?]]

Bumblebee was next called into action when Starscream attacked a hydro-electric power plant with the help of his brainwashed comrade, [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]]. {{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} Once again, Bumblebee tried to save Wataru from the Decepticons and was blasted as a result. This time, however, the pair were both saved by Skyfire, who was struggling against the mind-controlling influence of the helmet Starscream had placed on his head. All the combatants were shocked when a surge of familiar surge of energy erupted from Wataru's body; again, Bumblebee's wounds were healed, and Skyfire was empowered to overcome the helmet. Skyfire helped fend the Decepticons off and joined the Autobots, returning with them to their base where Prime explained to Bumblebee what he had come to understand about Wataru: he was a being known as a "[[Booster]]", born with the ability to control the energies of the Energon Cube. Both Bumblebee and Wataru were very excited at the idea that Wataru would now be able to help the Autobots in their fight. {{storylink|Wataru's Power}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Optimus Prime's Secret}} {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}} {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}} {{storylink|Revenge (Henkei)|Revenge}} {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}}}

===''Universe'' cartoon===
[[File:FfE Bumblebee.JPG|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Is he Schwarzebee... or Bumblenegger?]]
Bumblebee was one of the many oppressed Cybertronians who sought freedom when their planet's halls of power grew dark with corruption, greed and malice. He was one of the first Autobots to travel to Earth, and took on an alternate form to disguise himself amongst its populace. {{storylink|Action Blast 1}}

Bumblebee and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] were out for a drive when they discovered [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] mining fuel near an abandoned [[Rock-It Fuel|gas station]]. Bumblebee wanted to rush in but Optimus Prime suggested they create a diversion. They caused an explosion which distracted Cyclonus. Bumblebee attacked and kept him busy while Optimus Prime snuck up and hit him over the head with his [[energon-axe]]. Megatron chose to blow up the mining operation and retreat with Cyclonus. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee drove off leaving the flaming wreckage of the mining operation behind. {{storylink|Fight for Energon}}

===Robot Heroes===
Bumblebee was one of Optimus Prime's many Autobot friends who joined him on a journey to Earth. After hiding their ship, the Autobots helped defend the planet from the Decepticons; Bumblebee took on Blitzwing. The evil robots were defeated, but the Autobots knew they would come back one day, and swore to continue their vigil over the Earth. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
Millions of years ago, Megatron thought Optimus Prime to be forever vanquished. He was proven wrong when the Autobot leader rushed into battle alongside Bumblebee and his other compatriots against him in a surprise attack. {{storylink|A New Battle!}}

Bumblebee was amongst the victims of a deadly nano-virus. Thankfully, a team of Autobots were successfully in retrieving a cure for the disease from the planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]]. Fully recovered, Bumblebee attended the ceremony that commended the Autobots responsible for saving his life. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}

===''Unit:E'' comic===
Upon approaching the planet [[Earth]], the artificial intelligence [[Synergy]] presented footage of the Autobots to her crew-mate, the young [[Microman|Acroyear]], so that he could learn about his potential allies and enemies on the alien world. Bumblebee could be seen being ordered forward by Optimus Prime on one of Synergy's view-screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''BeCool'' shorts===
{{voiceactor|[[Yuka Hoshi]] (Japanese)}}
'''Yellow Sports Car''' (黄色のスポーツカー ''Kiiro no Supōtsu Kā'') was a confident racer who liked adventure. {{storylink|The Self-Introduction Chapter}} Among others, he was caught in a traffic jam, but [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Trailer]] made them all transform into robot modes so that they could walk past the jam. {{storylink|The Story of the Surprising and Big Traffic Jam!}} Yellow Sports Car was again stuck with others because of a hole in the road. When Trailer used his body to fill the hole, Yellow Sports Car became starry-eyed, and wanted to try out being nice. However, Trailer sped off, leaving Yellow Sports Car in the hole. {{storylink|The Story of Mister Trailer's Big Success!}}

While exploring a forest, Yellow Sports Car became lost. He found [[Powerglide (G1)|Red Jet]], who was also lost, and the two agreed to find a means to escape the forest together. {{storylink|The Story of the Lost Plane!}} Yellow Sports Car was later part of the ''Quiz! BeCool'' show, where he was on a team with [[Jazz (G1)|Green Sports Car]]. Despite answering the first question correctly, their team ended up losing. {{storylink|The Story of Quiz! BeCool}} Interacting with [[you]], Yellow Sports Car explained his ''BeCool'' marks, which he thought were cool. He soon spotted Trailer sleeping, with the appropriate "Zzz..." mark showing. {{storylink|The Story of What Do I Know About the BeCool Mark?}}

Yellow Sports Car was driving through the city when he inadvertently slipped on a [[banana]] peel left by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Garbage Truck]]. Spinning out of control, he passed a red light, leading [[Prowl (G1)|Patrol Car]] and [[Barricade (Movie)|American Patrol Car]] to admonish him for not following traffic laws. {{storylink|The Story of Protecting the Signal!}} Yellow Sports Car later played part in a movie being directed by [[Megatron (G1)|Tank Lorry]]. However, his cries for "help" atop a fake burning building were misinterpreted by the local fire brigade and he was "rescued". {{storylink|The Story of the Fire Brigade Dispatch!}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Another Episode, Part 1}} {{storylink|Another Episode, Part 2}} {{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}}}}

===''Construct-Bots'' cartoon===
[[File:Construct-Bots short Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Bumblebee told [[you]] about Construct-bots, and took showed off his jet mode. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] tried to shoot him down, but [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] came to his rescue! {{storylink|Toys & App TV Commercial}}

Optimus and Bumblebee snuck into the [[Decepticon]]s' base, and found their enemies upgrading themselves with [[Autobot]] parts. The pair took offense to this, and Bumblebee set about sabotaging the process. Thanks to his mucking about with the Decepticons' computer, Megatron wound up getting a gumball machine strapped to his chest. Enraged, he tossed the candy dispenser to the ground, and wound up tripping on the gumballs that spilled all over the floor. Megatron wound up tripping on the gumballs and had his parts come off his chassis when he fell to the ground. Optimus and Bumblebee congratulated each other on a prank well done! {{storylink|Intro!}}

Bumblebee was out and about with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] when they came upon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] preening in front of a full-length mirror. The narcissistic Decepticon was then attacked by [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], who scattered his pieces. As Starscream put himself back together, Bumblebee swapped out his wings for some wheels. When Starscream tried to take off, he predictably enough fell to a nasty drop. Bumblebee then attached the wings to himself and took off skywards. {{storylink|Take Flight!}}

Bumblebee tussled with Megatron. Throughout the fight, both 'bots' parts got rearranged in bizarre ways. At the end of the struggle, Bumblebee stood properly assembled, while Megatron found his chassis stripped of its parts! Humiliated, Megatron took off. {{storylink|Switcheroo!}}

Optimus later helped Bumblebee put his parts back on his bare chassis. During the dress-up, Bumblebee managed to accidentally swallow his Autobot badge. Choking, he coughed up a bird and a bike horn before the badge came back out. With his airway now clear, he sang a little bit. When he noted that Optimus didn't think much of the tune, he asked if the other Autobot wanted "piece of him". {{storylink|Bumblebee Speaks!}}

On another occasion, Optimus got a little carried away with strapping new parts onto Bumblebee. Bumblebee tried to protest Optimus attaching a rocket to his shoulder, but the booster activated and sent Bumblebee wheeling through the air. Bumblebee eventually came crashing back down, and gave a "thumbs up" to show he was okay. {{storylink|Strength!}}

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

Starscream pursued Bumblebee through space, determined to use him to lure [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] out of hiding. During the chase, Bumblebee's [[Autobot Resistance Karrier|A.R.K.]] took severe damage, forcing him to set it down on planet [[Earth]]. He landed near a [[Cobra]] base under assault by the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]s. Entering the site, Bumblebee hid among a collection of cars by adopting a similar form. When [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] came about and engaged Starscream in combat, Bumblebee broke cover to help the ninja escape. Starscream then managed to grab a hold of Bumblebee and pulled him up into the air. The following battle between the Joes and Cobra resulted in a huge explosion of [[G.I.Rocket|Creeper]] vines, which tore into Bumblebee's body. Starscream grabbed hold of Bumblebee's head, leaving the Autobot's body in the Joes' possession.

Starscream then brought Bumblebee's head to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] as a gift. {{storylink|The Golden Boys}} Megatron attached it to a chain and wore it around his neck as a trophy. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Back on Earth, Bumblebee's body was rebuilt into a transforming "Bumblecycle", which [[General Flagg]] used to defend the [[USS Flagg|U.S.S. ''Flagg'']] from a "Decepticobra" attack. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}} After being allowed use of the Bumblecycle in his arcane experiments, [[Doctor Venom]] turned it into a robot suit through which he was able to [[binary bonding|binary-bond]] with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s body. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:PaxMegatronus-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Optimus Prime was furious to hear of Bumblebee's death, and traveled to Earth to confront G.I. Joe and retrieve his friend's remains. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} Doctor Venom attacked him with his Bumblebee/Soundwave patchwork robot, but Prime tore its head off and returned with the Bumblebee suit to Cybertron. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}} Meanwhile, Bumblebee's head was placed within [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where [[Doctor B]] claimed it was a robotics project based on a cartoon as part of the city's [[Springfield (G.I. Joe)|Springfield]] facade. After [[Scarlett]] was able to take control of Scorponok, she returned Bumblebee's head to Optimus Prime who finally reunited it with its body. {{storylink|Headmasters (issue)|Headmasters}} Bumblebee became whole once more, and gained the ability to fly! But celebrations were to be short-lived; Optimus met Megatron in a duel, which ended with the Decepticons dog-pilling both Optimus and Bumblebee. Though Bumblebee managed to break free of the Decepticon holding him down, he was too late to save Optimus from getting a hole blown through his chest. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}}

When the Jotobot alliance prepared to march on Trypticon, Bumblebee took part in rousing Metroplex's fighting spirit. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} The following battle saw [[Primus]] wrap Earth's star in a dyson sphere as he feasted on its energy, before [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] heralded the return of Optimus Prime. After some weird and trippy events, a game of "hot potato" began for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bumblebee claiming it from some Cobra mooks before delivering it back to Optimus. Unfortunately, not even the words of the Prime could tame Primus' hunger, the deity having to be stopped by [[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]], the robot mode of Earth. As peace settled among both humans and Cybertronians, Bumblebee joined the crew of the [[Ark II|''Ark 2'']], confirming their heading towards [[Quadrant X]] on their hunt for the [[Quintesson|Makers]]. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

===''Transformers × Evangelion''===
Bumblebee was among the Autobots who traveled to Earth to investigate strange energy readings and found a [[Tokyo-3]] under attack by [[Angel]]s. {{storylink|Mode "Eva" chapter 1}} They bore witness to the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] possessing one of the Angels, becoming "Angel"-scream. {{storylink|Mode "Eva" chapter 2}} During the battle with the monster, Bumblebee used his size to his advantage and drove circles around "Angel"-scream, who stumbled in his attempts to catch the little Autobot. {{storylink|Mode "Eva" chapter 4}}

===''Angry Birds'' comic===
[[File:ABTF 1 BumblebeegetsAllSpark.jpg|thumb|left]]
When Decepticons attacked the Autobot shuttle carrying the [[AllSpark]], Bumblebee was charged by Optimus Prime with taking the relic and running away. He was chased down and cornered by Starscream, but the Decepticon's attack missed and shattered a window, causing the AllSpark to be sucked into space and a [[Unspace|quantum tunnel]]. Bumblebee wasn't discouraged, though, promising they'd keep looking for it as he captured Starscream. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}} Turns out they didn't have to, as the AllSpark later came crashing back through another window while the Autobots were discussing where to look next. {{storylink|Hard Boiled}}
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
On Earth in the 1980s, Bumblebee led a team of Minibots against the Decepticons when they attacked the [[British Museum]] shielding [[Noah Acton|Noah]] and [[Leah Acton]] from falling debris. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

[[Eject (G1)|Eject]] lamented that all the great and famous Cybertronians, including Bumblebee, were long gone by the time that Cybertron was controlled by the [[Builder Assembly]]. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:Of Masters and Mayhem flashback.jpeg|thumb|right|250px]]
In one universe, Bumblebee fought alongside his fellow Autobots against Megatron's Decepticons until the Cybertronian civil war led to the creation of the monstrous combiner, [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Thunder Mayhem turned on his masters, ultimately leading to him rampaging across Cybertron. Bumblebee presumably perished during the reckoning of his homeworld. {{storylink|History}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
[[File:AwYeah1-earthquake.jpg|thumb|left]]
Along with Arcee and Optimus Prime, Bumblebee was fighting the Decepticons on Earth before seismic activity forced everyone away. As the Autobots rolled out, Optimus was teleported away by [[Baron Karza]]. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}} Optimus returned soon enough, rallying a force of Autobots that counted Bumblebee among them. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 3|Aw Yeah Revolution! #3}}

===When Worlds Collide===
When trying to retrieve the stolen [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bumblebee and the Autobots joined forces with a variety of humans and other beings in their fight against Megatron and Cobra Commander's forces. Though the combined forces of good were ready for their ultimate battle, the showdown was delayed when the two kids imagining the scenario were called away to dinner. {{storylink|When Worlds Collide}}
{{--}}

===''Bumblebee'' graphic novels===
[[File:GoForTheGold-BumblebeeTransforms.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Bumblebee joined Optimus Prime as he and his Autobot team battled [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] for control of a recently landed [[cybertonium]] meteorite. As the other Autobots swung into action, however, Bumblebee found himself unable to meaningfully contribute to the skirmish between the Autobots and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, and as [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] reported that that the volatile cocktail of exotic materials in the meteorite made it liable to erupt in a devastating explosion, Prime sent Bumblebee to rescue some human scientists who had come under attack from [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]—the Autobot leader counted on Bumblebee's ability to make new friends to help the humans out of the situation safely.

Even though Bumblebee quickly got the humans to safety, their comments about his nonthreatening appearance got under his skin and led him to drop off the humans at a safe distance before racing back to the crash site. As the meteor went critical, Starscream prepared to abscond with a fragment of the cybertonium... until Bumblebee vaulted himself off a nearby ramp to tackle the flying Decepticon head-on. As the pair struggled in mid-air, the fragment exploded; although Starscream and the Constructicons retreated empty-handed, the stunt left Bumblebee badly injured. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}

[[File:WinIfYouDare-Bumblebeealtmode.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

After [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] helped to rebuild the little Autobot, Optimus put Bumblebee on standby until he had completed his road tests. While mulling over his perceived uselessness while driving through [[Yosemite National Park]], Bumblebee intervened in a dangerous street race and wound up rescuing the human [[Mateo Cruz]] after his aggressive competitor ran him off the road. Bumblebee towed Mateo's Jeep back to his country home and the pair became friends along the way, with the human explaining the nature of his prosthetic limbs to the Autobot. Mateo offered to repair Bumblebee, and the next morning the two headed into town to confront the owner of the mystery Jeep racer and began their search at the garage where [[Nicole]] worked. In spite of Mateo's romantic awkwardness around the flirty mechanic, 'Bee tried to get his friend to confess his feelings and invite her to the school dance that night, but to no avail.

Nicole's information then sent the pair then headed to [[Herman's Military Surplus and Museum|a run-down airfield]] on the outskirts of town; when Mateo went poking inside the building, however, he stumbled upon a scheme to steal the top-secret [[B-2 stealth bomber]] that [[Angela Cruz|Mateo's mother]] had been working on—a plan headed by the mystery street racer... the Decepticon [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]! The pair chased Swindle as he made a break for it, but were unable to stop him from swerving behind a passing train and making good his escape. With no way to capture Swindle, and Mateo's prosthetic leg destroyed in the chase, Bumblebee persuaded his friend to spend his night at the school dance, using the upgraded mechanical limb he and his mother had built. After a quick pep-talk from Bumblebee, the Autobot revealed that he had wired Mateo's legs with a two-way signal, allowing him to remotely control Mateo's limbs from afar—and using that connection to help Mateo wow Nicole on the dance floor. This elation was short lived, however; when 'Bee spied a helicopter buzzing overhead, he quickly realized it to be the Combaticon [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]], who jammed his communications and moved in for the kill.

[[File:WinIfYouDare-WeCanFly.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

With an angry Vortex on his tail, Bumblebee headed to the local [[Sierra Station|military base]] to get whatever reinforcements he could find while Mateo and Nicole pursued Bumblebee in her own car. Mateo's mother,having escaped from Combaticon custody by commandeering an abandoned plane, confirmed that the local military was woefully underprepared to take on the Decepticons... especially after they combined into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. Though he briefly lost his composure in the face of the rampaging combiner, Mateo pulled up just in time to spur him into action by using Bumblebee's own advice: by showing them who he ''really'' was, and relying on ''his'' strengths, he could win by doing what he did best—and for Bumblebee, that strength was the power of teamwork. While Bumblebee distracted Bruticus long enough for the human soldiers to hammer Bruticus with artillery fire until he split up, he and his three new friends headed to a nearby hangar, where Angela and Mateo piloted the stealth bomber right over the disoriented Combaticons, with Bumblebee delivering the final coup de grâce by paralyzing them with an EMP bomb.

The next morning, Optimus and the other Autobots arrive to take the Combaticons into custody, while Optimus apologized to Bumblebee for underestimating him in the field. Before Bumblebee returned home, however, he had time for one more race with his new friends, and promptly drove off into the sunrise. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|Win If You Dare}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:Star Trek Windblade.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Four million years ago, Bumblebee was among the Autobots who left Cybertron aboard the ''Ark'' to clear a path through an [[asteroid belt]]. Though they succeeded in this task, Megatron's Decepticons attacked, boarded the ''Ark'', and sent the ship crashing towards Earth. In the year [[1984]], a volcanic eruption reawoke the ship's complement and a secret war began for the Earth's energon supply. During the conflict, Bumblebee developed a reputation for getting along well with humans, but when humanity found itself embroiled in the vicious [[Eugenics Wars]] and the later [[World War III]], the Autobots felt that they could no longer trust humans and fled the planet aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. After decades in space, the Autobots picked up an energon signal on the planet [[Cygnus Seven]] only to be attacked by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], whose attack once again sent the Autobot ship hurtling down towards a primitive planet and locking all aboard in emergency stasis. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

In the 23rd century, the [[Federation]] established a mining outpost on Cygnus Seven, and while excavating a mineshaft a team of Federation miners stumbled onto the buried ship and accidentally tripped Maximus's autonomous repair systems. As it had on Earth, these emergency protocols reactivated the Decepticons first, then Optimus Prime, who promptly rushed out to defend the mine while the rest of the Autobots came online. The group promptly came face to face with [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]]'s away team from the from the [[USS Enterprise|USS ''Enterprise'']], with Jazz demanding to know what they'd done with Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}}

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

Believing that the humans had killed Optimus Prime, the two factions briefly clashed; Bumblebee subdued [[M'Ress]] before Captain [[James T. Kirk]] convinced the Autobots of their good intentions. Once cooler heads began to prevail, Jazz had Bumblebee recount how the Autobots had wound up on Cygnus Seven before a Decepticon attack collapsed the mineshaft, sealing the group underground. Undaunted, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] said that they'd have to reactivate Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} After the doctor had set up a [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] between the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] and the human captain, the former extracted the blueprints of the USS ''Enterprise'' to reformat and heal himself, leading the Autobots out onto the surface, only for the ground force to be caught in Trypticon's [[fire-breath]]. When Maximus transformed to robot mode, Bumblebee noted that, unlike M'Ress, he did such things every day. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}

[[File:PrimesDirectivePart4-beamingover.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

As the two Titans duelled, Bumblebee stood up for Kirk's ability to rein in Maximus's desire for revenge before he and Jazz engaged Megatron as he turned on his [[Klingon]] allies. Soon enough however, Starscream doublecrossed Megatron, prompting the tyrant to withdraw his forces so that he could pursue his traitorous second. As the Autobot/[[Starfleet]] alliance prepared to pursue, they first travelled to the original, and disabled, ''Enterprise'' where Bumblebee, along with his fellow Autobots, was beamed aboard the human ship so that Cybertronian knowledge could accelerate its repairs. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}}

The two ships set out for [[Kronos]], capital of the [[Klingon Empire]], constructing [[Crewbot]]s so that the organics could fight on a Cybertronian footing. Though the Autobots and Starfleet, joined by the Klingons, held the numerical advantage, Soundwave incapacitated everyone with his audio disruptor waves. Fortunately, the Klingons were deaf to the frequency that the communication chief used allowing them to summon a [[Warbird (Star Trek)|warbird]] fleet that defeated the invaders. In the aftermath, the Autobots were allowed to go free. Though Kirk asked them if they would return to Earth, Optimus politely refused the offer, instead choosing to lead the Autobots elsewhere in the universe. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part One|''Transformers'' issue #1]]}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPartTwo-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"Wow, Bumblebee, when I get older, can I run over Soundwave too?"]]

Bumblebee was forged during the reign of [[Nominus Prime]], and emerged from the [[Forge Pyramid]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] with great fanfare. Within the first few minutes of his life, he had already befriended [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], and been introduced to his mentor, [[Shutter]], who helped him get accustomed to life on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}} In time, Bumblebee would choose an alternate mode for himself and join [[Security Operations]] alongside Windblade, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} where he worked as a recon scout. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One}} Bumblebee soon became a very popular bot, making friends far and wide, and his fame was such that the [[Probat (species)|inhabitants]] of the Cybertronian colony world [[Probat (planet)|Probat]] would come to worship him as their savior after he helped set up an energon refinery on their homeworld. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 1}} However, this period in his life would end disastrously; under unrevealed circumstances, Bumblebee would be expelled from Security Operations. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}} Eventually, Bumblebee joined Cybertron's search and rescue division; {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} ''how'' exactly this came about is unknown, but Bumblebee would later note that he was in "debt" to Senator [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]]. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}}

With Cybertron's ability to forge new [[protoform]]s limited by the terms of the [[Nominus Edict]], Bumblebee was overjoyed when he learned that he had been selected to mentor one such new Transformer, and introduce them to every facet of life on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} Bumblebee first met his new charge, a little 'bot named [[Rubble]], at the customary forging ceremony that marked Rubble's proper introduction to the world. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|Swindle's II}} Under Bumblebee's tutelage, Rubble learned more and more about life on Cybertron and the many potential careers available to him; however, this era of Cybertronian society was also a volatile one, with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] rallies inflaming an already fraught political situation. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} Bumblebee remained disinterested in politics, however, and chose not to affiliate with the Autobots, Ascenticons, or any of the minor political parties represented in the Cybertronian Senate. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}}

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

One evening, on Rubble's forty-first cycle of existence, Bumblebee took his young ward to the badlands that lay beyond Iacon so as to introduce him to [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], who worked at a nearby [[energon transmission station]]. After meeting a [[Voin]] scavenger and Windblade, the three made it to the station... only to learn that Brainstorm had been murdered, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} in a way that seemingly incriminated the violent Ascenticon splinter group known as "[[The Rise]]." Wanting to shield Rubble from this unpleasant business, and uninterested in dealing with [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'s [[Security Operations]] taskforce, Bumblebee instead shuttled Rubble to the next leg of their journey, the massive space elevator known as the [[Tether]], which connected Cybertron to the [[Winged Moon]]. Bumblebee introduced Rubble to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and left him for the day so that Rubble could experience life as part of Wheeljack's engineering corps... but not before warning him to keep quiet regarding Brainstorm's death. That evening, Bumblebee returned to pick up Rubble, and the pair watched as the Winged Moon began its nightly harvest while Bumblebee filled in his protégé on Cybertron's political situation. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}}

Later, Bumblebee tried teaching Rubble about [[alternate mode]]s, even using the passing shape of [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] as an object lesson, though Rubble was more interested in the moon. Bumblebee promised that they would visit the Winged Moon one day; however, he was called away by the [[Senate]] before he could finish the lesson. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} Bumblebee spoke with Orion Pax, worried that a botched attack at Megatron's latest Ascenticon rally had been suspiciously incompetent, requested that Bumblebee join the recently founded [[Ascenticon Guard]] in order to keep an eye on Megatron's operations. Though initially hesitant, Bumblebee's debt to Orion compelled him to agree; {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}} over the coming days, Bumblebee attended a forging celebration with Rubble, and intervened in a scuffle between an Autobot and an Ascenticon sympathizer, before leaving Rubble again to attend Brainstorm's funeral. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPartFive-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bumblebee would never trust dating sites again.]]

Some time afterwards, Bumblebee would finally contact the Ascenticons and request permission to join the Guard, leaving Rubble to walk home by himself after another shift on the Tether. While he expected to deal with his friend [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]], he instead found himself confronted by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], who planted an [[Electromagnetic suppressor spear|electromagnetic suppressor]] to ensure that their conversation wold not be monitored. Revealing that he had once been expelled from Security Operations, Bumblebee confessed that he found the Ascenticons and their message of stability resonated with him... and that, more than anything, he wanted to ensure that Rubble would enjoy a safe future. Tragically, the electromagnetic damper meant that Bumblebee was unaware that Rubble was calling him for help—his young friend had encountered the unstable Ascenticon [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], and was swiftly beaten to death by the Ascenticon berserker. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}}

Learning of Rubble's fate, but not his killer, Bumblebee fell into a deep, guilt-ridden depression, despite the best efforts of both Windblade and Orion. Finally galvanized to avenge Rubble by ensuring that nobody else would have to experience what he experienced, Bumblebee met with Elita-1 at [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Ascenticon Headquarters]] and announced his intentions to join the Guard. Despite the mockery of fellow recruits [[Flywheels|Skytread]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]], Bumblebee was able to best them both in physical combat before Elita separated them. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One}} Bumblebee's attitude impressed Elita, who wished that her fellow Guard members possessed his professionalism. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two}} Another ex-security 'bot, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]], quickly joined the Guard, far more easily than 'Bee had, which caused the yellow Autobot to suspect something was amiss. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three}}

[[File:TheChangeInYourNaturePt1 BumblebeeBeatsSkytread.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How Krillin wins most of his fights too.]]

Shortly before [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s return to Cybertron, Bumblebee and Elita were assigned to guard Megatron himself as he made his way to the Senate, and stood guard outside. However, an anti-Ascenticon protest quickly became a mob, and the pair were pushed into using physical force to get them to disperse. In the aftermath, Bumblebee and Elita both wondered if their actions felt right. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}} Bumblebee later spoke with Pax, who offered to let him leave the Guard in light of Rubble's demise, only for Bumblebee to double down on the mission. When the Ascenticons prepared for an attack that evening, Bumblebee followed the shifty looking Barricade, coming to blows with [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and his cell of [[The Rise|Risers]] only to be electrocuted by Skytread. That night, Bumblebee was part of the group shot as Megatron rebranded the Ascenticons. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}}

After receiving the new insignia, Bumblebee went to confront Skytread, contemptuously decking the [[Duocon]], before Elita pulled him away for a scolding. Far from being intimidated, Bumblebee pointed out the suspicious nature of Barricade's abduction and later tried to hack into Soundwave's files to discover the truth. When Elita found out, she decided to humor him, finding that both Barricade and Quake's profiles had been deleted, the latter on the same cycle that Rubble had died, by Soundwave himself. The communications chief then arrived and told them both to come with him to the [[Cybertronian Mountains]]. Elita warned Bumblebee that they'd gotten extremely lucky this time. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part One}}

When the trio arrived, Soundwave waved [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] aside and went off to negotiate with the Risers holed up within the immersant [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. As Elita questioned Soundwave's choice of words, Bumblebee jumped in after the Senator overhearing some of the negotiation. When Soundwave made to leave, Bumblebee scampered back to the surface, noting to Elita that an electromagnetic suppressor had been left behind, before Soundwave arrived with a falsified account of events. Off to the side, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] questioned his spy, [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] on when Bumblebee had joined the Guard before the Titan's corpse exploded. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}}

[[File:AllFallDown-getfragged.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Shortly afterwards, Bumblebee made his way to Orion and Chromia and reported his findings to them. After the two confirmed his information, Orion revealed the mounting evidence that Quake had killed Rubble. Though initially angry at this deception, Bumblebee soon accepted Pax's reasoning for concealing this information. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Three}} In one of their discussions, Starscream revealed to Megatron some information of Bumblebee's expulsion from Security Operations and planted the seeds of doubt in the former gladiator's mind regarding the yellow 'bot, enough that he consulted Elita-1, who had nothing but good things to say about her friend. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Four}}

After the Tether fell, Megatron decided that both Elita and Bumblebee had served their purposes, arranging for [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] and [[Catgut]] to assassinate the ex-Security Operative. Delegated by Skytread, now the head of the Guard, to search for survivors in the wreckage, Bumblebee, suspecting a trap, called Chromia for backup. After finding a mangled corpse, Bumblebee was assaulted by Catgut but managed to quickly shake him off only to be pounced on by Treadshot. Though managing to hold both off, Bumblebee was left near death before Chromia arrived and scared the two off. After Chromia confirmed that the Guard had abandoned him, she relieved Bumblebee of his mission and praised him for a job well done. Despondently, Bumblebee disagreed noting that he hadn't changed anything and that Rubble was still dead. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

His cover now exposed, Bumblebee was put under witness protection by Security and hidden in a safe house. Guarded by [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]], he chafed at being inactive while those he held responsible for Rubble's murder still ran free. Windblade paid him a welcome visit, but they were interrupted by a massive hologram of Megatron that appeared over Iacon to decry the Autobots. Windblade departed after that, leaving Bumblebee to continuing stewing in his perceived helplessness. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}}

[[File:Prisoners BumblebeeQuake.jpg|thumb|left|250px|He wants to get at Barricade as well... looks like Bee's been taking notes from [[Bumblebee (Movie)|his Movie self]].]]

After Quake was finally apprehended, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] made a spectacle of his capture, having the murderer paraded through the streets. Bumblebee watched the procession from his safe house with Stakeout, worryingly noting how many Ascenticon supporters were in the crowds, When a riot erupted and the bound Quake managed to make a break for it, Bumblebee immediately left the house, determined to prevent the killer's escape. He caught up with Quake in an alley, with the vicious Ascenticon having just fended off an attack by the Voin, who were also seeking retribution upon him. Freed of his bonds and gravely wounded, Quake slowly began to shift into his tank mode for a getaway. Fearing Quake would escape justice again, Bumblebee seized one of the Voin's fallen swords and leaped onto Quake's back while he was transforming. He stabbed Quake straight through the back of the neck, then wrenched the brute's entire [[spark]] chamber and head clean out of his body, killing him. Stakeout and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] caught up to the scene to find Bumblebee kneeling next to Quake's corpse and had no choice but to place him under arrest. Smokescreen tried to tell the Bumblebee that it was over, but the spy grimly noted that Barricade was still out there, unpunished. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|Prisoners}}

Imprisoned, Bumblebee was paid a visit by Starscream, who told him that things were going to drastically change on Cybertron ''very'' shortly and proposed an alliance. Starscream promised his protection when the spy's recent covert actions were brought to light, but Bumblebee remained silent and unmoved by the offer. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|We Have Deceived You}} Bumblebee was then broken free from prison by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and reluctantly joined his group, though Bumblebee only cared about getting revenge on Barricade. After arriving at Swindle's hidden bunker beneath [[Swindle's|his casino]], Bumblebee was surprised to see numerous [[Simultronic|multiworld simulation]] couches and the long-missing [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] sealed in one. {{storylink|War World: Hunt|Hunt}}

[[File:SwindlesII-ChargerBumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

During his time working for Swindle, his boss passed on an anonymous tip that Elita-1 was set to be moved to a Decepticon prison facility that night. Realizing that he had a debt to pay, Bumblebee joined forces with Swindle's hitmen [[Charger]] and [[Fire Beast]] to interrupt the transfer and ran into Barricade by accident. Bumblebee was initially prepared to kill Barricade for his role in Rubble's murder, but changed his mind upon remembering his time with Orion Pax before Rubble's forging ceremony and decided to be a better 'bot. Upon returning to Swindle's, and learning that his boss had somehow obtained information relating to the lost [[Enigma of Combination]], Bumblebee suggested getting in contact with the Autobots to pass this information on. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|Swindle's II}}

When a small team of Autobots infiltrated Iacon to rescue [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] from Decepticon captivity, the Decepticons retaliated by launching an attack on Swindle's bar. Bumblebee and Elita-1 joined the battle on the side of the Autobots and joined them when they used a hidden network of subterranean tunnels to retreat back to [[Crystal City]]. On the way back, Bumblebee gladly reunited with his friend Windblade. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three}}

[[File:ADustOfCrystals-BumblebeeWindblade.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

The group returned to Crystal City in time to fend off the Decepticon assault, but Bumblebee first met with the newly minted Optimus Prime, who'd become the leader of the Autobots after he inherited the Matrix from his predecessor. Although Prime apologized for having led his friend down this dark path, Bumblebee told Prime that he'd already forgiven him and would be joining the other Autobots in battle. Soon, however, the Decepticon advance forced the Autobots into a retreat until the Titan [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] arrived to shift the tide. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}} Although the arrival of reinforcements and the threat of a resurgent [[Exarchon]] prompted Optimus and Megatron to agree on a temporary truce, the battle left Crystal City in ruins and prompted the Autobots as they set out for [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. While on the way, however, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his soldiers took advantage of a swarm of onrushing [[rust worm]]s to box in the Autobots with an artillery barrage and leave them easy prey for the monsteres. {{storylink|Radical Time}} As the Autobots struggled to keep the worms at bay, Prime's ally [[Termagax]] successfully reprogrammed the [[Insecticon clone|Insecticlone]]s, who promptly began devouring the worms. As the Autobots trekked through the liquid rust that the worms left behind, they came under attack from an [[imploder]]-wielding [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and the other Decepticons. {{storylink|End of Time}}

Thanks to some Autobot intervention, Prime and the others successfully made it to Darkmount to begin the final phase of their evacuation. As the Decepticons laid siege to the city to prevent them from leaving the planet, Optimus entreated Bumblebee not to lose himself to anger and become someone Rubble wouldn't recognize, and Bumblebee promised he wouldn't. When [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] made a last stand to cover the Autobots' escape, Bumblebee helped usher a hesitant Optimus away, and they boarded the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' to leave the planet. [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]], Sky Lynx, and the ''Ark'' headed toward the ruins of the Winged Moon, and as Optimus Prime gave a speech to the assembled Autobots on approach, a somber Bumblebee was reminded of Rubble's amazement at seeing the Moon for the first time. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

{{--}}

====Alternate future====
[[File:TestFlightII-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

In an alternate future where Exarchon had conquered Cybertron, Bumblebee led a small group of Cybertronian rebels—[[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]], [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]—against the Threefold Spark, and had been forced to subsist on [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]] for so long that they'd lost the ability to transform. The group rescued a time-tossed [[Jumpstream]] from Thraal mercenaries and tried to get to safety before [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] and [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] ambushed and slaughtered his team. With time running out, Bumblebee donated his last reserves of nucleon to Jumpstream so that she could recharge her teleport harness and return home, moments before Bumblebee made his final stand against the next wave of Exarchon's warriors. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|Test Flight II}}
{{--}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
[[File:MazingerVsTransformers-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Bumblebee joined Optimus and the other Autobots as they battled the Decepticons near a [[space bridge]], until a bizarre space-time warp pulled them into the Japan of an alternate universe. On arriving, Prime and his men encountered the recently defeated [[Baron Ashura]]; the evil cyborg misled the heroes into supporting the nefarious [[Doctor Hell]] and his [[Iron Mask Army]] in their campaign against [[Kōji Kabuto]]'s [[Mazinger Z]]. Not realizing the nature of the deception, Prime and the other Autobots obligingly supported their new ally when Ashura and the [[Mechanical Beast]]s made a second run on the [[Photonic Power Laboratory]], but found themselves outmatched by the human-built super robots. Amidst the mayhem, Mazinger Z grabbed Bumblebee; Optimus's concern for the smallest Autobot prompted him to call off the attack so that they could free their comrade, and Optimus's concern for his soldier spurred a realization from Kōji: these new robots talked, unlike the Mechanical Beasts he fought. Realizing that they'd been on the wrong side all along, the Autobots teamed up with Mazinger Z and [[Boss Borot]], drove the villains off, then formally introduced themselves to each other.

As the Autobots got to know their new friends, Bumblebee, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] faced off against Kōji in a game of [[Mecha-soccer|soccer]] until a combined Mechanical Beast-Decepticon alliance launched another attack on the Photonic Power Laboratory. Bumblebee joined Grimlock and Boss Borot as they faced off against the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s; the arrival of the [[Jet Scrander]] turned the tide in favor of the Autobots until Starscream arrived, now sporting a gigantic Mazinger body! Autobots, Decepticons, Mazinger, and Mechanical Beasts alike teamed up to try and bring down the out-of-control "Mazinscream", but the dramatic battle ended with the photonic power fatally overloading his body, creating a rift that sucked the other Cybertronians back to their own dimension to continue their war. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}

===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
[[File:GhostsOfCybertronPart1-autobots.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
Bumblebee 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, Bumblebee dragging Ectronymous to inform Optimus Prime of these findings while reminding the scientist of the importance of addressing people by their proper titles that they'd worked so hard to attain. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPart2-stopit.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Before the war, Bumblebee was a member of Cybertron's search and rescue division, but later became a scout for the Autobots. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}} When the eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]] reactivated the Cybertronians aboard the ''Ark'', Megatron killed Optimus Prime and went on to conquer the Earth. Though Bumblebee survived their first attack on the starship, he died at some point before the creation of [[Skynet]], and by the year [[2029]] his corpse was part of a mass Cybertronian grave in the ruins of downtown [[Los Angeles]]. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}} {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

In an attempt to negate this timeline, a lone [[T-800]] travelled back in time to when the ''Ark'' was reactivated in 1984. The unit's unwilling companion, a waitress named [[Sarah Connor]] managed to direct the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s repair beam on Bumblebee, his reactivation proving incentive enough for the Decepticons to fall back for the time being. As Bumblebee helped Prime up, the T-800 attacked again before Sarah called for calm. Though thoroughly unmoved by the robot's origin story, Bumblebee agreed to work with it after Optimus proposed an alliance. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPart3-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

After [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] had been healed, Bumblebee bonded with Sarah before being assigned to take her home. After a stopover at [[Stockton]] so Sarah could make a change of clothes, the two found the Decepticons attacking a [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility. After calling for backup, Bumblebee was found by Skywarp. Though failing to have Skywarp crash into Megatron, Bumblebee was saved by the arrival of the other Autobots. Shielding Sarah from the blasts, he instructed her to flee and contact the ''Ark'' for reinforcements. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

Though Arcee had managed to slay [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], the Autobots were still outnumbered and boxed in. A chance came when Starscream turned on the Decepticons and shot Soundwave in the back. Taking advantage of the distraction, Arcee downed the other two Seekers while Bumblebee and Velocity maneuvered the other two Insecticons into disabling each other. Sarah then called out to Bumblebee, informing him that the ''Ark'' hadn't answered, and requesting his help in assisting the now bisected T-800. Bumblebee tossed the android to Velocity who tossed him to Arcee who lobbed him into Megatron's open wound, killing the warlord. In the aftermath, Bumblebee comforted Sarah but she turned down his offer to come with him. Arriving back to the ''Ark'', the Autobots and Decepticons found it destroyed by the duplicitous T-800 before Optimus Prime proposed a truce, one that was quickly agreed to. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}

===Precursor World===
A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling a blue Bumblebee 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]]. {{Storylink|Super Megatron comic 2}}

In short order the battle went sideways when the traitorous [[Straxus (G1)#Precursor World|Straxus twins]] unleashed a rage virus to destroy the corps from within, and the Warrior was slain in the ensuing free-for-all. Vanguard supreme leader [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] later loaded his lingering [[spark]] into his [[Golden Noah]] in an attempt to ferry his soul to the [[G1 World|next world]]. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 1}} Unfortunately, this did not work. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}

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

Bumblebee's function was keeper of the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]], and he [[trans-scan]]ed into an Earth car. The Alpha Trion Protocols and his [[Stinger (weapon)|sting blaster]] were his powers and weapons, and his core traits were his candid attitude, steadfastness, and passion. Bumblebee's message from the future was that not all orders should be followed. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

After obtaining the Allspark, Bumblebee escaped through a [[space bridge]] to protect it from the Decepticons. Arriving in an alternate universe, he faced new beast threats including [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] and [[Brisko]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], and [[Nemesis Primal]]. {{storylink|Source:Buzzworthy Bumblebee Worlds Collide|Worlds Collide}}

In a possible destiny recorded on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|''Voyager'' Golden Disk]], Bumblebee bore witness to Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] leading Cybertron to a new golden age. {{storylink|Source:Golden Disk destinies|''Kingdom'' Golden Disk cards}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Joe Zieja]] (English), [[Ryōhei Kimura]] (Japanese)|[[Daniele Raffaeli]] (Italian), [[Gil Mesquita]] (Portuguese), [[Guillaume Bourboulon]] (French), [[Boris Tessmann]] (German), [[Fernando Cabrera]] (Castilian Spanish), [[José Antonio Macías]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Mohak Ninad]] (Hindi)}}

[[File:SiegeEp1-BumblebeeWheeljack.jpg|thumb|left|300px|It's like Sunbow, but with more sandblasting.]]

Bumblebee used to go racing on [[Velocitron]], traveling via Cybertronian [[space bridge]]s, until they were destroyed by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Siege episode 1}} Much later into the civil war, Bumblebee remained a neutral energon scavenger who wanted no part in the raging Autobot-Decepticon conflict, and frequently traded with the unaligned mercenary [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}} At one point, the Autobots hired him for an energon procurement mission along with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. The pair discovered a disused space bridge along with a cache of energon, but despite Wheeljack's enthusiasm Bumblebee bluntly reminded him that he had no interest in helping the Autobots beyond what they paid him for—but the subsequent arrival of both Optimus ''and'' Megatron forced Bumblebee's hand, and the yellow 'bot made the decision to retreat with the Autobots back to their base aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Though Bumblebee accepted medical aid from [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], he again refused to assist the Autobots in their mission and left. {{storylink|Siege episode 1}} Later, Bumblebee stole a cache of Energon that had been deliberately planted by the Decepticons as bait for the Autobot forces. {{storylink|Siege episode 2}}

[[File:WFC-Siege-Ep4-Bee-with-Alpha-Trion-Protocols.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Bumblebee tried to return to his old life, but while accepting payment for the stolen shipment he suddenly found himself overwhelmed by a surge of energy—one that contained the ancient [[Alpha Trion Protocols]] that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] had carried and was activated due to his recent death. Realizing that he had been pulled into something greater against his will, Bumblebee tried to return to the ''Ark'' to seek out Prime's assistance but instead found himself pulled into his own mind where he confronted a simulacrum of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] himself; Bumblebee learned that he had been chosen to carry this information to support Optimus Prime in his efforts to escape, information that included a map to the [[AllSpark]] itself. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}}

While Prime led a team to secure the AllSpark in anticipation of their final evacuation effort, Bumblebee, Arcee, and [[Cog (G1)|Cog]] traveled to Soundblaster's fortress to try and gain control of the mercenary's large supply of energon, but found themselves outmatched and outgunned by the mercenary and his guards. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}} Before the guards could finish them off, however, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s computer virus attacked the base, which caused a power outage and knocked Bumblebee unconscious; by the time he awoke in the ''Ark''{{'}}s medical bay, he discovered that the virus had attacked his mind and erased the Alpha Trion Protocols from his systems. Undaunted, Bumblebee nevertheless took up arms and help repel the Decepticon invasion force. Bumblebee then took part in the final battle on the site of the reactivated spacebridge and bought time for Optimus to throw the AllSpark through the portal and put it beyond Megatron's grasp, with the assistance of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Bumblebee then joined the Autobots as they boarded the ''Ark'' and lifted off. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

[[File:EarthriseEpisode2-DeseeusArmyDrones.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

The trip through the space bridge knocked everyone aboard the ''Ark'' offline. Bumblebee was the first to recover; upon encountering his doppelganger [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] and discovered that a crew of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] led by [[Doubledealer]] had boarded their ship and were in the process of towing it to the planet [[Chaar]] to meet with their employer [[Deseeus]]. The insane [[Quintesson]] planned to kill the Cybertronian captives, but despite Bumblebee's desire to strike first the Mercenaries turned on the Quintessons and gave the Autobots a chance to escape amidst the confusion. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

At some point afterwards, Bumblebee decided to officially join the Autobots and marked the occasion by painting their insignia on his chest. While discussing his change of heart with Optimus, the Autobot leader admitted he'd been wrong to jettison the AllSpark and that they needed to find the artifact before their planet died. Upon arriving at the nearby [[Nebulos]] system to use a spacebridge, the Autobots found the bridge blocked by the derelict [[Nebulon Station]]. Optimus and Bumblebee travelled into the station to plant explosive charges, and found the other side of the bridge led to a lush world of ruined cities. After arming their bombs, the pair received a distress signal from Wheeljack and arrived to find their teammates under attack from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Despite momentarily seeing off Scorpoonk, Megatron's group of Decepticons finally caught up with the Autobots. Bumblebee took part in the ensuing battle against Starscream and Soundwave until a wounded Megatron and Optimus arrived. When Scorponok returned, Bumblebee deduced that Scorponok's head was his weak point and ordered everyone to aim for the head. While the Decepticons were distracted, Bumblebee and the others escaped. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 4}}

[[File:KingdomEp1-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

After a trip through the [[Dead Universe]], {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} both the ''Ark'' and the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' materialized over prehistoric [[Earth]], where they came under attack from Deseeus, who'd hijacked both the Mercenaries and their starship. In the chaotic three-way battle, the Autobots and Decepticons first teamed up to take the Quintesson out of the fight before the Decepticons boarded the ''Ark''. As Megatron overpowered Prime and stole the Matrix from his chest, Bumblebee managed to intervene just in time and caused the Decepticon leader to retreat with his prize. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

Following the crash, Bumblebee observed some native creatures behaving oddly using the ship's sensors. When these creatures attacked, they were revealed to be the [[Maximal]]s, time-travelling Cybertronians from a dystopian future in which the AllSpark never returned to Cybertron. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} After agreeing to help the Maximals recover the AllSpark, Bumblebee stayed behind aboard the ''Ark'' with Wheeljack, Ratchet, and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] to help get their ship spaceworthy again. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} When it seemed that Prime might not survive the battle, the Autobot leader contacted Bumblebee and told him that if he didn't make it back then Bumblebee would lead the Autobots in his place. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 3}}

[[File:KingdomEp5-GoldenDisk.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"Hey, this thing plays Chuck Berry!"]]

By the time that Optimus had recovered the AllSpark and the Matrix, Wheeljack and his team had repaired the ''Ark'', but weren't able to achieve liftoff. As the Autobots and Maximals boarded the ''Ark'' ahead of a full-scale Decepticon-[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] invasion, Bumblebee received a panicked transmission from Starscream, who had used the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] to divine the future, and had come to the disturbing conclusion that the entire war had been orchestrated by some malevolent architect. Admitting that he didn't have the strength to do what was needed, he passed the Disk to Bumblebee, who promptly shattered it before advising Starscream to confront the future with courage. As the ''Nemesis'' hammered the Autobot starship with firepower, Optimus ordered a full-scale evacuation... only for the ''Ark'' itself to assume a towering robot mode and take out the Decepticon starship once and for all. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}}

Once they'd taken the remaining Decepticons and Predacons captive, the Autobots jumped home to Cybertron using the space bridge network, but after crash-landing on the planet discovered that Cybertron was now a dead, frozen world without the AllSpark. Optimus Prime commanded Bumblebee to salvage what was left of Iacon with the others, though he instead ran off to follow Optimus. As Bumblebee did his best to console Optimus upon discovering the frozen corpse of Elita-1, the time-travelling [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked. While Prime held off his evil doppelganger, Bumblebee was able to make his escape and brought the AllSpark to the [[Temple of the Allspark]] nearby. After being recognized as the keeper of the Alpha Trion Protocols, Bumblebee was able to return the artifact to its rightful place, which brought countless Cybertronian spirits back to the material world to mark the rebirth of their homeworld. With the planet restored, Bumblebee and the other Autobots and Maximals came together with the Decepticons and Predacons to mark a tentative end to the Great War. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}}

{{--}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:Finale-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

While battling for control of a malfunctioning [[Space bridge|spacebridge]], Bumblebee was among the many Cybertronians [[magic]]ally transported to [[Equestria]] by [[Queen Chrysalis]]. As he and Optimus fell victim to the planet's gravity field, they were saved by [[Twilight Sparkle]]. After being informed that the ponies had never seen Cybertronians, Bumblebee displayed his vehicle mode as an idea of blending in only to be informed that the ponies weren't a judgmental species and would likely accept their robot modes. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}}

Bumblebee, Optimus, and Twilight traveled across Equestria gathering allies in anticipation of a final showdown against Megatron's forces, arrived at the [[Crystal Empire]] just in time to prevent the Decepticon-changeling alliance from conquering the city. Bumblebee complimented [[Princess Cadance]]'s taste in decorations, then stood by as several [[unicorn]]s blasted [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] with their combined magic power. Once the villains had been vanquished and the Decepticons banished back to Cybertron, he and the other Autobots took part in their goodbye party before traveling back to Cybertron and severing the link between their two worlds. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

During [[King Sombra]]'s invasion of Cybertron, Bumblebee took part in the final battle against Sombra and his minions. He struggled against a brainwashed [[Pinkie Pie]] and [[Fluttershy]] before [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] attacked, and later came under attack from [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] before [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] helped him return his friends to normal. After the day was saved, he saw the ponies off at the spacebridge. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===

[[File:BTTFTF1-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

In the year [[1985]], Bumblebee was scouting [[Hill Valley]] where he found [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] in the [[Lyon Estates]] neighborhood, clashing with them as he updated Optimus Prime. When the humans [[Doc Brown]] and [[Marty McFly]] stumbled on the battle, everyone reverted to alternate mode, Bumblebee taking the chance to kill Ravage by crushing him under his tire. After Rumble had fled, Bumblebee bore witness to Brown using a modified Delorean to [[time travel]] before he set out for the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 1|Transformers/Back to the Future #1}}

In an altered timeline where [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] had reactivated [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] early and allowed for a complete Decepticon takeover of Earth, Bumblebee and [[Gigawatt]] had joined [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]'s Autobot resistance by the year [[2015]]. After Gigawatt had brought [[Marty McFly]] and [[Skilz]] to join the resistance, {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}} the group received a distress signal from Hill Valley. Discovering that Marty's parents and Doc Brown were to be executed, the Autobots were forced to run in after Marty, with Bumblebee facing off against [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. Once the Decepticons had been defeated, however, the Hill Valley courthouse revealed itself as the Decepticon [[Watchtower]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 3|Transformers/Back to the Future #3}} Pitted against the enormous Decepticon Bumblebee, Rodimus, and Skilz did what they could to buy time for Marty and Gigawatt to make their escape back to the past, but Bumblebee soon fell to the giant's heavy artillery.

When Marty and Gigawatt travelled back to 1984, they awoke the Autobots ahead of schedule and prevented Rumble from reactivating Megatron and the other Decepticons. With the help of [[Biff Tannen]], the Autobots became secret protectors of Earth and maintained their position for thirty years until 2015, when a time-travelling Marty caught up with them to return the original DeLorean time machine to its owner. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4|Transformers/Back to the Future #4}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
[[File:GoGo1-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

The impulsive Bumblebee served as Optimus Prime's top scout, although his excitability sometimes got the best of him. {{storylink|We Are Transformers!}} [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] once stole Bumblebee's [[energon cube]], but Optimus Prime recovered it after punching Megatron into the sky. {{storylink|Where Is the Energon?}} While on patrol with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee veered off to scout a different area while Optimus helped some humans cross a washed-out bridge. {{storylink|How to Use a Big Body}}

While touring [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s lab on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Bumblebee stood by as Wheeljack unveiled his new jetpack invention, and chased after Optimus when the demonstration spiralled out of control. {{storylink|Big Invention, Big Trouble?}} Bumblebee was on patrol with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] when the older Autobot decided to set up an impromptu concert, until Optimus angrily ordered them both to get back to work. {{storylink|Justice, Peace, and Rock 'n' Roll}} After [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s explosive burps accidentally blew a hole in the Autobot base, Bumblebee watched him clean up and provided some encouragement. {{storylink|Mission: Snacks, All to Myself!}}

[[File:TheEvilLeadersBigMiscalculation-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

While fighting [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and Megatron alone, Bumblebee missed his shot, which knocked a sign off a [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|nearby building]], causing Starscream to accidentally lob a bomb into Megatron's gun turret. The subsequent explosion sent the two villains flying, while Bumblebee celebrated his completely accidental victory. {{storylink|The Evil Leader's Big Miscalculation}} Bumblebee was part of a team of Autobots who travelled to a [[Planet of Games]] in search of energon. However, they discovered that the Decepticons had arrived on the planet for the same reason, and the Autobots rolled out to stop them. {{storylink|Great Adventure on the Planet of Games!}} Bumblebee and Optimus Prime were driving through the forest when they failed to trip one of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s booby traps. While Starscream sky-wrote a rude message to Megatron, the pair were enjoying a day in the sun with some fruit juice. {{storylink|Careless Scream}}

In the fall, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee encountered Megatron and [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] on their day off. Optimus and Megatron decided to hold a fishing contest, with Bumblebee acting as the referee, but when the competition came to an end Bumblebee admitted that they hadn't laid down any actual rules before they started. {{storylink|Warriors' Day Off}} During a skirmish against the Decepticons, Bumblebee sustained an injury and had to be repaired by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. However, Ratchet decided to fix ''Starscream'', as well, ignoring his comrade's pleas for him to stop. {{storylink|The Iron Man of Repair}}

[[File:Unpredictable-minicassettes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

On Optimus Prime's birthday, Bumblebee considered several potential gifts for his leader before deciding to bake him an enormous cake shaped like the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Commander's Birthday}} Bumblebee and Optimus Prime faced off against [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], but when the Decepticon unleashed his [[Mini-Cassette]]s, the Autobots thought that they were cute and quickly befriended [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. {{storylink|Unpredictable}}

One day, Bumblebee went fishing with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and Bumblebee watched in awe as Hot Rod fought, landed, and eventually cooked a giant robotic shark. {{storylink|Marvelous! Fire Shark Fishing!!}} Bumblebee and Optimus Prime attended a strategy meeting with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], until Bumblebee pointed out that Hot Rod hadn't arrived yet. {{storylink|Don't Oversleep and Forget Things!!}}

Bumblebee helped organize a rap battle between Soundwave and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] when the two rivals crossed paths. The pair admitted a grudging fondness for each other, but quickly collapsed back into fighting, much to Bumblebee's exasperation {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 13|Go! Go! #13}} At one point, Bumblebee had trouble keeping up with Wheeljack's homework assignments. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 14|Go! Go! #14}} Bumblebee and the other Autobots battled Megatron and the Decepticons over the perfect place to hold a barbeque. {{storylink|I Want to Protect This Place}} Bumblebee despaired when Starscream stole his energon, until [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]] helped him and Optimus build their muscles and become the "[[Muscle Autobots]]", who intimidated Starscream into fleeing. {{storylink|Muscle Revolution! Ya!}} When [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s overzealous idea of "security" sound up injuring Optimus Prime, Bumblebee helped Ratchet bandage up their wounded leader. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 17|Go! Go! #17}}

[[File:GoGo18-snowmachine.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|"Jane, stop this crazy thing!"]]

One winter's day, the Autobots were having a snowball fight when Wheeljack unveiled his latest invention, a gigantic snowball-throwing robot. However, the machine malfunctioned, and Bumblebee had to turn it off while the other Autobots provided covering fire. That night, the Autobots all relaxed in an igloo they created from the excess snow. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 18|Go! Go! #18}} On [[Christmas]] Eve, the Autobots filled in for [[Santa Claus]] and helped deliver presents to children around the world. {{storylink|The Big Operation to Help Santa!}} On New Year's Day, the Autobots were enjoying a quiet day when the Decepticons attacked, but the Autobots sent them packing and resumed their cleaning. {{storylink|The Transformers' Explosive New Years' Battle!}} Optimus Prime and Bumblebee attempted to wish their readers a happy New Year's and introduce the year's zodiac animal, but [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] burst in to advertise [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|his new movie]]. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 19|Go! Go! #19}}

While walking down the street one day, Bumblebee and Optimus were excited to learn that their adventures had been compliled into a [[Transformers Go! Go!|manga]], and helped spread the word. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 26|Go! Go! #26}} When Optimus Prime's [[Morphobot]] grew too big, Bumblebee suggested that Prime teleport it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Sprout Up}}

[[File:GoGo29-templeescape.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Bumblebee denied it at first, but eventually he had to accept that he had a monkey on his back.]]

While on an adventure with Optimus Primal, Bumblebee watched as Optimus Prime powered up with a new color scheme to defeat the two Megatrons. {{storylink|Go! Go! Fan Book 2023 special|Fan Book 2023}} While Bumblebee took a break from patrol, Starscream swooped in and stole his [[energon goodie|energon snack]]s again. This time, Bumblebee enlisted [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] to help him nab the thief. {{storylink|Autobot Police Dispatched!}}

Bumblebee and Arcee were driving through the jungle when they encountered Optimus Primal and Cheetor, who were in search of a legendary treasure. The four allies agreed to work together in the ensuing jungle trek, but their attempt to ford a rickety rope bridge ended with them crashing through the bridge and careening off a waterfall. Fortunately, they washed up directly in front of the ancient temple they'd been seeking. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 28|Go! Go! #28}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 29|Go! Go! #29}} The group worked together to navigate the temple's various tricks and traps; Bumblebee's agility came in handy when the time came to secure the treasure chest from a deposit of [[energon crystal]]s. However, Bumblebee wasn't as agile as he'd hoped, and his clumsiness accidentally instigated a chain reaction that caused the entire energon horde to explode. After escaping the collapsing temple, the friends opened the treasure chest... only to discover that it contained a payload of [[energon bomb]]s that sent them blasting sky-high. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 29|Go! Go! #29}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Protect Freedom! Optimus!}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 30|Go! Go! #30}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 31|Go! Go! #31}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 32|Go! Go! #32}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 33|Go! Go! #33}}}}

After a tough day of fighting Decepticons, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] took an exhausted Bumblebee on vacation. However, Arcee's high-impact approach to vacationing left Bumblebee even more tired than before. {{storylink|The Trick to a Healthy Autobot Warrior}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Running Wild with Hologram Ninjutsu!}} {{storylink|The Big Micro-Adventure}} {{storylink|Transformers Go! Go! Extra Volume|Extra Volume}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 39|Go! Go! #39}} {{storylink|The Transformers Go! Go! Search Quiz is Here!|Search Quiz}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 40|Go! Go! #40}} {{storylink|Go! Go! Fan Book 2024 special|Fan Book 2024}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 41|Go! Go! #41}}}}

{{--}}

===''Visitors from Cybertron''===
[[File:VisitorsFromCybertron-PrimeLook.jpg|thumb|left|"Prime! Look! The person reading this wiki page needs to go outside!"]]

Bumblebee and Optimus Prime were battling Megatron on Cybertron when a sudden space-time portal pulled them to the [[Land of Dawn]] before Megatron could finish off the yellow Autobot. After arriving, the villainous cyborg [[X.BORG]] deceived Bumblebee into attacking the heroic [[Johnson (MLBB)|Johnson]] before Optimus convinced his friend to stand down. When a second mysterious flash illuminated the sky, the three rolled off to investigate. {{storylink|Visitors from Cybertron}}

===Calm Sleep Stories===
Bumblebee was the youngest member of Optimus Prime's Autobot team, a stealthy scout with a love of Earth culture. One night, he and the other Autobots visited a drive-in theater in [[Idaho]]. {{storylink|History of the Transformers}} After a long day of assisting with bridge repair, Bumblebee and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] got into an argument about where they should rest for the night, with Bumblebee insisting that they stay at a truck stop or rest area so they could more quickly get back on the road if need be. Thankfully, the argument was defused when [[you]] called to offer the Autobots a place to stay, much to Bumblebee's delight. {{storylink|Building Bridges with Optimus Prime}}
{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 1 Starscream blasts Bumblebee.jpeg|thumb|right|upright=0.75|Times certainly have changed since the [[Mike Costa]] days.]]
During a battle on Cybertron, Bumblebee was shot down. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}} Bumblebee was one of the [[Autobot]]s aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crashed on Earth, nearby as [[Skywarp (G1)#Energon Universe|Skywarp]] tossed [[Beachcomber (G1)#Energon Universe|Beachcomber]] overboard during the battle. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 10|Transformers #10}} When [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] reactivated [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], the [[Decepticon]]'s first instinct was to kill the nearest Autobot and blasted Bumblebee's head before he could be revived. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] would briefly mourn Bumblebee's death during his own fight with Starscream. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}} In the aftermath, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] expressed condolences for Optimus's loss, with Optimus regarding Bumblebee as family. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:PunchClonescommercial-Goldbug.jpg|left|thumb|They finally remembered to draw his model sheet's latissimus dorsi trapezoid!]]
[[File:Micromasterbasescommercial.jpg|right|thumb|"Also I've brought in this little blue microcassette recorder, Prime!"]]
*Goldbug looked on as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] handed their agent [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] an important device to carry. Punch assured the Autobots that they could trust him, and he sped off... to meet with the Decepticons! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Punch and Clones|Punch/Counterpunch and Clones commercial}}
*Bumblebee was reunited with Optimus, emerging from his shell alongside Jazz and running up to help him fight Starscream in a darkened city. Prime gave them both a hug. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Classic Pretenders|Classic Pretenders commercial}}
*Bumblebee and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] managed to capture two of the Decepticons' Micromaster vehicles, and hauled them within an Autobot base to show [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]]. The Autobots were sent scrambling when a team of Decepticon Micromasters sprung up, and transformed the vehicles into mini-bases, using them to attack Bumblebee and company! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster micro bases|Micromaster micro bases commercial}}
*"Bot Shots" Bumblebee burst through a display of the Bot Shots toyline, and exclaimed "BOT SHOTS!" before lunging forwards with his fist. {{storylink|Commercial#Bot Shots|Bot Shots toy commercial}}
*"Hero Mashers" Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Grimlock took on Megatron in the middle of a busy city. After Optimus started swapping pieces with everyone, Bumblebee and Grimlock took a break from the fight to arm wrestle. They were interrupted by Optimus crashing between them, and the Autobots scrambled their pieces into one another to take down Megatron for good. The trio then returned to their normal configurations (though it took them more than one try to do so!) {{storylink|Commercial#Hero Mashers|Hero Mashers commercial}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
Bumblebee was amongst the Autobots abducted and held captive by the Decepticons, prompting Optimus Prime to enter the Decepticons' maze-like base in a rescue operation. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===The Transformers (1985)===
Bumblebee was among the few remaining Autobots in the wake of the Decepticon creation of ROBO-CLONING technology. With his energy-starved comrades, he desperately sought pieces of the Autobot Energon Cube before the Decepticons could get their hands on them. {{storylink|The Transformers (Commodore 64)|The Transformers}}

===The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth===
[[File:C64Bumblebee.gif|thumb]]

Along with his fellow Autobots, Bumblebee 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}}

===Transformers: Mystery of Convoy===
Bumblebee could come to Ultra Magnus's (or Rodimus Prime's) aid under special circumstances at certain points during the mission to uncover Optimus Prime's whereabouts. Upon destroying a red, white and orange seeker, Ultra Magnus/Rodimus Prime would be escorted by Bumblebee to another location, allowing to bypass entire areas that the Autobot would have to otherwise battled their way through. The first possible instance of this occurring is in the [[Temple Ruins]], with Bumblebee leading the Autobot warrior to the [[Subspace Zone]]. Bumblebee could come to the Autobot's aid once more in the [[Glacier Zone]], leading them directly to the [[Underground Machine City]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}

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

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Merluzzi]]}}

Bumblebee was one of the Autobots present on [[Zel Samine]] during the Decepticon attacks. He joined up with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s party after they secured the wind power plant from the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

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

===''Sector Seven'' game===
Footage of "NBE A684" was captured within a parking garage by a security camera, where it transformed out of its Volkswagen Beetle mode and stomped on another nearby vehicle. This footage was later leaked onto the internet. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers G1: Awakening''===
[[File:Gluawakening bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
Bumblebee was among the Autobots who left Cybertron in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and spent four million years in stasis after the ship crashed on Earth thanks to a Decepticon attack. When he woke up, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] gave him the news that most of the other Autobots were damaged and needed [[energon]] to wake them up. Bumblebee was soon put to work gathering energy from nearby power plants. He was soon overjoyed when Optimus Prime was recovered enough to lead them again. After discovering the Decepticon [[space bridge]], the Autobots used it to return to Cybertron, only to find that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had conquered it. Stripped of their weapons, they were imprisoned, but Bumblebee and Ratchet soon escaped and freed their fellows, leading to an escape back to Earth.

Following more adventures on Earth, including helping [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and repelling an assault on the Ark, Bumblebee and the other Autobots returned to Cybertron, intending to free their enslaved fellows there. Bumblebee scouted the fortress, allowing them to take out the defenses by taking out the power generators. After fighting their way through more Decepticons, Optimus and Bumblebee found themselves confronting Shockwave himself. Though Prime ordered Bumblebee to go free as many Autobots as possible, Bumblebee staunchly stood by his leader, and they soon defeated Shockwave with Grimlock's help. {{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{--}}

===''Bot Shots Battle Game!''===
[[File:BotShots Bumblebee.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee 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===
In the early days of the war, Bumblebee and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] battled [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], who were under orders to breach Iacon's defences. The Autobots emerged victorious when [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] awakened and joined the fray. {{storylink|Assault on Iacon}} On their way back to Iacon after an energon scavenging mission, Bumblebee and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] were forced to evade a Decepticon team headed by [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (Legends)|More than Meets the Eye}}

Bumblebee, having received impressive new upgrades making him capable of "incredible feats of bravery and heroism", recruited Gears, Huffer, and Beachcomber to form the [[Bee Team (G1)|Bee Team]], a secret strike force. The Deluxe [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], led by [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], managed to stop them attacking Decepticon bases. {{storylink|The Bee Team}} Bumblebee took part in the defense of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] during a Decepticon assault, but was unable to prevent their advance. {{storylink|One Shall Fall...}} Bumblebee led a team including [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to hunt down the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] before they could do too much damage to the Autobot forces. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives (Legends)|Call of the Primitives}} Bumblebee and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] spent a night out testing [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s new sound system, only to return to base and find that the other Autobots had been turned evil thanks to Megatron's sabotage of the [[recharging chamber]]. While Sparkplug worked on an antidote, Bumblebee and Jazz went to halt the Autobot attack on [[Rutter U.S. Military Base|Rutter Military Base]]. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (Legends)|Attack of the Autobots}}

When [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his minions set their sights on the secrets of [[Gravitronic Energy]], Bumblebee and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] had to save the human scientists and their research. {{storylink|Box Trap}}

Bumblebee was among the Transformers who attempted to make contact with the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]], and subsequently had to battle it. {{storylink|Revelation (Legends)|Revalation}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Chuck (AB)#As Bumblebee}}
Bumblebee appears as the second unlockable character. He is portrayed by Chuck. He also appears as [[Chuck (AB)#As Energon Bumblebee|Energon]], [[Chuck (AB)#As High-Octane Bumblebee|High-Octane]] and [[Chuck (AB)#As Classic Bumblebee|Classic]] versions. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
Bumblebee participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in four different bodies:
*''Bumblebee'' — This Common character could be recruited by collecting 12 units of cybermetal.
*''Bumblebee (Gen)'' — This Uncommon character could be recruited by collecting 45 units of cybermetal and 20 units of transmetal.
*''Goldfire'' — This Uncommon character could be recruited by collecting 135 units of cybermetal and 64 units of transmetal.
*''Bumblebee (G2)'' — This Super Rare character first appeared in the "Generation 2 Episode 1 " event, and could be recruited by collecting 250 units of cybermetal, 75 units of transmetal, 35 event cores, and 10 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.2]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Goldfire.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.2]]
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Bumblebee-(Gen).jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.2]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Bumblebee-(G2).jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.2]]
{{!}}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
[[file:Bumblebee_TransformersDevastation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]

{{voiceactor|[[Dan Gilvezan]]}}
Bumblebee joined a team of Autobots to prevent the [[cyberforming]] of [[New York City]]. Despite being the overall weakest and most fragile of the bunch, he used his small size and agility to great effect against the Decepticons, dodging or even sliding between the legs of larger opponents to score back-shots against them. When things got tough, he would deploy a barrage of grenades to clear out opponents. Bumblebee had some other tricks up his sleeve, being the only Autobot to perform a "Saddle Slam", and his heavy rush attack being a "Tornado Kick" instead of the "Dropkick". While exploring the ''[[Proudstar]]'', Bumblebee was told his future by [[Teletraan Alpha]], who revealed he would one day be known as "The World's Bridge", "Goldbug", "Race-Welder", and "Goldfire".

{{Note|A Goldfire costume for Bumblebee appears as downloadable content.}} {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}
{{charstubgame}}

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

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===

[[file:BumblebeeEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75| HEY!!!! No touchy! Nooo touchy! No touch!]]

Bumblebee is among the most open and receptive of all the Autobots in terms of befriending other species.
His wide-eyed wonder at his surroundings and his irrepressible enthusiasm, combined with a genuinely affable personality, make him perfect for first contact with an alien species.
But don't let that fool you, he may be small but Bumblebee packs a punch in any battle, and he's unflinchingly loyal to the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bumblebee Bio}}

Bumblebee arrived on Earth in time for the fight for the Codex Key. The Autobots retrieve it with Bumblebee's help. {{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars|Transformers: Earth Wars - The Codex Showdown Campaign}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' Bumblebee uses a Stun Gun to stun defenses, but it doesn't deal much damage. And he can also somersault to dodge Auto Cannon and Mortar shots.
*'''Ability: EMP Bomb''' - Throw an EMP Bomb that explodes stunning nearby targets for several seconds and deals 33% attack damage every second.
**'''Cost''': 2 ability points +2 for reuses.

[[File:Goldfire_Earth_Wars.jpg|thumb|left|''All things bright and glittery, and of course I look fantastiiiiiic'']]

As Rodimus Unicronus started to collect the Prime cores forcibly, Bumblebee tried to defend the Vector Prime core from Rodimus Unicronus, but in a last ditch attempt to keep the core out of Rodimus' hands, Bumblebee shot the Prime core, blasting him and the core into the past!

Later, he woke up to find himself in 1987, with Harmony Keen keeping watch over him. He learns that Harmony is Melody's mom, and finds out Ramjet is heading into the facility! Bumblebee asked for Harmony to use the developmenta tech to transfer his spark over into their new "Goldfire" prototype body. When he was beaten down into submission, "Goldfire" told Harmony to activate the tech again, transferring his spark back into his old body. He zapped Ramjet into submission, but once Harmony was threatened, Bumblebee reluctantly gave up the Vector Prime Core. Once she was out of the picture though, Bumblebee knocked Ramjet out.
He gave Harmony a hailing frequency telling her to call it, and used the Vector Prime Core to teleport himself and Ramjet back into the present.

Returning to the present in his new body, He noted to Cliffjumper and Mirage that he was the same bot, before telling Melody to pick up her phone once it rang, wishing her a Merry Christmas, before heading out. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating''': 2 stars
*'''Weapons''': Goldfire uses his specially modified blasters to shoot down targets. Once he does, he walks up and smashes them with his hands.
*'''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 (+3 for reuses.)

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:Bumblebee Bumblebee on Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
 
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:Goldfire Goldfire on Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
[[File:Bumblebee TFO.jpg|thumb]]
{{bigquote|Best take caution and anticipate anything.}}

Before the [[AllSpark]] went into hibernation, Bumblebee was one of the last Transformers created. By natural selection, he was appointed to be Optimus Prime's scout. In his limited capacity, Bumblebee would look up to model authority such as Optimus Prime. He desired to be recognized, which forced him to try to seize the opportunity to display his courage. Thus, Bumblebee would perform some seemingly foolhardy and risky tasks in an attempt to impress his teammates. In secrecy, though, he is a competent scout like no other.

In battle, Bumblebee wielded the "[[Laser Blade]]" and the "[[Skullbuster]]" shotgun. His active skill was "Lightning Laceration":
*'''Lightning Laceration''' — Bumblebee vanishes into thin air, enabling him to dish out 300 points of damage to his opponent 5 times in succession. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero2.shtml Bumblebee on the Transformers Online website]</ref>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:ForgedToFight-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|"Tiny but Mighty!"]]
{{charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOBumblebee.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[File:BBOStealthBumblebee.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee took part in a series of attacks against multiple Decepticon bases, destroying them and defeating all enemies in the process. Sometimes, he would change from his regular form to a stronger one known as Stealth Bumblebee. 300 Armor, 300 Blaster Strength, Score x1, Coins x1, Blaster Speed: Very Fast (stats for Normal Bumblebee)
Stealth Bumblebee took part in a series of multiple attacks against Decepticon bases, destroying them and defeating all enemies in the process. 1300 Armor, 1300 Blaster Strength, Score x12, Coins x4, Blaster Speed: Fast
{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{--}}

===''World of Warships: Transformers''===
{{voiceactor|[[Daman Mills]] (English)}}
[[Image:WoW Bumblebee camo 1.jpg|thumb|right]]
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|World of Warships: Transformers}}}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Heavy Metal''===
[[File:TFHeavyMetal Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right]]
When the Decepticons invaded Earth in search of Energon, Bumblebee and Hound set up the [[Guardian Program]], teaming humans up with Autobots to combat the invaders. While inducting [[You|one human]] into the program, Bumblebee successfully fought off Starscream. Aiming to defeat Starscream once again, Bumblebee did his best to track down the different types of Decepticon and master fighting him. [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]] had a particular dislike for him which he wasn't sure about the root cause of. {{storylink|Transformers: Heavy Metal}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Bumblebee's good-natured optimism allowed him to make friends with a wide range of species, including [[human]]s. He was wholeheartedly devoted to Optimus Prime and viewed the Autobot commander as a kind of father figure; in turn, he served as a mentor to [[Rubble]]. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

While in southern [[France]], Bumblebee, [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] and [[Minerva (G1 robot)|Minerva]] attempted to ambush [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and the [[Baroness]], only for all five [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s to launch a counter-ambush. In the battle, [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] shattered Bumblebee's body and left him critically wounded; Minerva successfully stabilized him, and the three Autobots spent days attempting to escape their pursuers until they finally reached a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] camp in [[La Grande Dune du Pilat]]. After making contact with team leader [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], the heroes of G.I. Joe agreed to bring in a group of specialists to repair Bumblebee, using spare parts from a nearby [[A.W.E. Striker]].

With the assistance of [[Doc (Carla Greer)|Doc]], [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]], and [[Cover Girl]], the Autobots successfully rebuilt Bumblebee into a heavily-armed chassis and rolled out to capture Swindle and his new associate. After a brief chase through the streets of [[Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges]], the team successfully captured Swindle, but realized that "Baroness" was actually her body double, [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]]. All was not lost, however, as the intel Chameleon provided led them to a [[The Joint|secret cybernetics lab]] in the [[Pyrenees]], where they discovered that the villains had pooled their resources to construct [[Fusion (RPG)|Fusion]], an awesomely powerful hybrid of Cobra and Cybertronian technology. {{storylink|Cobra/Con Fusion}}

Bumblebee was transported to the [[Apex (RPG)|Apex]] when the evil [[Lord MindWaveZ]] merged many realities together into one chaotic realm. Along with [[Dana Mitchell]] and [[Lady Jaye]], the three assisted a group of heroes as they battled Lord MindWaveZ and attempted to restore their worlds to normal. {{storylink|Worlds Collide: Battle for the Multiverse}}

===''Mob Control''===
[[File:MobControlBumblebee.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Despite warning the [[Great Normie]] not to touch the modified Energon, he touched it anyway, triggering a hyper sound signal. Lamenting that he didn't take better care of this Energon, Bumblebee went off to contact [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Mob Control|Optimus Prime]] about the signal.
{{storylink|Mob Control|Echoes from Cybertron}}

{{-}}

===''Overwatch 2''===
[[File:OW2 Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|Should've been Shockwave? Shockwave couldn't handle all this whimsy.]]
After catching wind of Megatron's pact to share his power with the revolutionary Omnic [[Ramattra]], Optimus Prime gathered Bumblebee and Arcee together to even the playing field by sharing their power with some of Earth's heroes. {{storylink|Transmission}} Bumblebee later chose to share his power with the nature-loving Omnic [[wikia:overwatch:Bastion|Bastion]], altering his armor to resemble the Autobot and augmenting the battle bot's mobile tank form with Bumblebee's vehicular speed. Perhaps due to Bastion's pre-existing ability to transform, he became the only one augmented by Cybertronian power to be able to assume a proper vehicle mode, his old tank mode now an approximation of Bumblebee's car form. Even Bastion's bird [[wikia:overwatch:Ganymede|Ganymede]] got a Cybertronian make-over! {{storylink|Overwatch 2}}

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

==Merchandise==
{{main|Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Bumblebee character models.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|Minicar Bumblebee, Throttlebot Goldbug, Pretender Bumblebee and Action Master Bumblebee in toy, cartoon and comic form. Also blue Bumblebee and yellow Cliffjumper for the sake of reference.]]
*The original Bumblebee toy was taken from the Japanese ''[[Micro Change]]'' line, where it was available in yellow, red, and blue versions.
* Early reference material gives his nicknames as '''Bee''' (which has seen occasional use in fiction) and '''Beeper''' (mercifully unused).<ref>According to [[Jim Sorenson]], Bumblebee had Bee and Beeper listed as his nicknames in [[Bob Budiansky]]'s personal Transformers comic bible. Nicknames for other characters could be found in early ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]''-style profiles published in [[The Transformers Comics Magazine]]. In the Marvel Comics, Blackrock referred to him as Bum.</ref>
*A 1986 [[Panini]] stickerbook sold in Belgium and the Netherlands gave Bumblebee the alternate French language name "Bonnebille". Whether this name was used in any other media made for French-speaking regions is unknown. No such thing in Quebec for sure.
*Bumblebee's (and Goldbug's) character designs throughout the 1980s featured plenty of odd quirks:
:*When the original Bumblebee toy was adapted by [[Marvel Comics]] to create the character model, he lost the wheels on his arms (two of them instead ended up on the sides of his feet in robot mode), and his [[mouthplate]] was replaced with a friendly face. (Later reissues replaced the toy's original head with a new, cartoon-inspired sculpt, beginning with [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s 2004 ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' reissue.)
:*For his early appearances in the Marvel Comics (namely issues [[The Transformers (issue)|#1]] and [[Power Play!|#2]] of the US title, and the multi-part stories "[[The Enemy Within!]]", "[[Raiders of the Last Ark]]" and "[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!]]" of the UK title), the final character models for at least some of the characters weren't available to the artists yet. As a result, Bumblebee was drawn in a variety of vaguely toy-based designs in those stories.
:*Although the final Marvel model for Bumblebee was essentially the same design used for the cartoon, the two differed in terms of color schemes. Aside from the artistic choice of using different colors to represent the toy's black arms and legs (gray for the cartoon, blue for the comics), the exact color distribution was surprisingly different, with the cartoon giving him yellow forearms and a gray waist, while the comic gave him yellow shoulders and shins. On top of that, the cartoon gave Bumblebee a white face, whereas the comics consistently colored his face yellow, like his helmet.
:*While the cartoon consistently depicted Bumblebee's alternate mode with toy-based proportions (which were in turn inspired by the Takara toyline ''[[Choro-Q]]''), the comic often depicted his alternate mode as an authentic [[Volkswagen]] Beetle with realistic proportions instead.
:*The 1987 [[Throttlebot]] Goldbug toy gave Bumblebee a head that was clearly based on the original Bumblebee toy's head, only now in blue. (There was the aforementioned blue [[variant]] of the ''Micro Change'' figure, though Hasbro decided not to release the figure in blue; however, a blue variant of Bumblebee ''was'' released by [[IGA]] in Mexico) Additionally, the toy's alternate mode was a slightly less deformed rendition of a Volkswagen Beetle.
:*Unlike Bumblebee, Goldbug's character model ''did'' actually keep a (somewhat) toy-inspired head, including a mouthplate. The toy's proportions were severely tweaked for the character model, though (arguably for the better), while the alternate mode was again based on the toy.
:*Goldbug's character model used for the cartoon featured a (mostly) toy-accurate color scheme, although the blue color used for the helmet was considerably darker than the toy's saturated blue. (In "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]", which was animated by [[AKOM]] rather than [[Toei Animation|Toei]], he was consistently depicted with a golden mouthplate, though.)
:*The Marvel Comics, meanwhile, used the same character model for Goldbug as the cartoon, but decided to give him the same color scheme as Bumblebee. (This actually causes a discrepancy in [[Crater Critters|issue #29]] of the US title, when [[G.B. Blackrock]] points out that his color in vehicle mode is supposedly different than Bumblebee's, even though it's depicted as the same shade of yellow.) Like with Bumblebee before, the alternate mode was frequently drawn as a realistic Volkswagen Beetle. ''Also'' like with Bumblebee before, his final character model was apparently not available for his first appearances in the main US title: In [[Mechanical Difficulties!|issues #28]] and #29, he was drawn with his original Bumblebee body, with only the head replaced by Goldbug's. Halfway through issue #29, [[Don Perlin]] finally began drawing him with his correct Goldbug body, though occasionally still with Bumblebee's feet, and the windows on his chest would come and go depending on the panel. Additionally, on the cover of issue #28, as well as for the interior of issues [[Used Autobots|#32]] and [[Toy Soldiers!|#37]], he was instead given his toy colors, only to revert to his standard i.e. toy-inaccurate) Marvel color scheme with [[Pretender to the Throne!|issue #40]]. The UK comics mostly kept his Marvel (i.e. Bumblebee's) color scheme, except for the [[Transformers Annual 1987|1987 Annual]] story "[[Vicious Circle!]]", which also depicted him in his toy colors. Reprints by [[Titan Books]] and [[IDW Publishing]] have occasionally attempted to "fix" his colors to his default Marvel comic scheme, though never getting the color scheme quite right.
:*For reasons unknown, Bumblebee's [[Classic Pretender]] toy features a head that's based neither on his original toy head nor on the cartoon design, but on [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]!
:*Despite this, a new character model was designed for the Pretender version of Bumblebee that featured a head based on his cartoon design. Said character model appeared in the animated segments of various toy commercials, but was ignored by the Marvel comics, which instead decided to depict him in his original character design again after he was rebuilt as a Pretender.
:*Lastly, Bumblebee's [[Action Master]] toy used the cartoon's character model as a reference, but made some unique design choices, such as splitting the driver and co-driver's side windows on the sides of his chest in two, and adding [[Kibble#"Faux-parts"|faux-parts]] wheels to his shoulders.
*According to [[Battle for Cybertron]], Bumblebee is a code-name.
*Bumblebee/Goldbug was clearly a "top-tier" character in the first decade of ''Transformers'': he was the only 1984 Autobot still shipping in 1986; he received more toys during Generation 1 than any other character; he had a toy shipping during seven of Generation 1's eight-year run. However, [[Hasbro]] lost the right to use "Bumblebee" as a toy [[trademark]] during the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' years, when Generation 1 names were in disuse. That's right, the name "Bumblebee" was lost during the years everyone turned into animals. Hence why [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Unicron Trilogy Hot Shot]] could not be named Bumblebee despite the obvious yellow kid-appeal tradition.
*The ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]] [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] is pretty clearly an [[homage]] to Bumblebee, from the coloration, placement of car-parts in [[robot mode]], segmented-pipe biceps and even the head design.
*A robot using Bumblebee's character model is shown in a still-shot flashback in the ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Transformers: Energon]]'' episode "[[Rodimus Friend or Foe?]]" as a member of the [[Team Rodimus (Energon)|Autobot group]] led by [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]].
*Goldbug was actually a preliminary name for Bumblebee during early treatments for the Marvel Comics!<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2010-bob-budiansky-panel-coverage-170041/ Bob Budiansky BotCon Panel Coverage]</ref>
*A vehicle resembling Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] appears at the end of ''[[Transformers: The Ride – 3D]]''.

===Foreign names===
====Bumblebee====
*''Japanese:'' '''Bumble''' (バンブル ''Banburu''), '''Bumblebee''' (バンブルビー ''Banburubī'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Daai Wong Fung''' (大黃蜂, "Hornet")
*''Czech:'' '''Čmelák''' ("Bumblebee")
*''French:'' '''Bourdon''' (Canada, "Bumblebee"), '''Coccinelle''' (Canada, "Ladybug" or "Beetle"),<ref>The Volkswagen Beetle was called "Coccinelle" in French areas, which is the French word for ladybug.</ref> '''Balbee''' (European French cartoon dub)
*''Hebrew:'' '''Dabúr''' (דבור, "Hornet")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Űrdongó''' ("Space-bumblebee"), '''Dongó''' (''The Movie'', "Bumblebee")
*''Italian:'' '''Maggiolino''' ("Beetle"), '''Saetta''' ("Set Commandos" four-pack), '''Defensor''' (Action Master)
*''Korean:'' '''Bumblebee''' (범블비 ''Beombeulbi'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Dàhuángfēng''' (大黄蜂, "Bumblebee" or "Hornet")
*''Polish:'' '''Trzmiel''' ("Bumblebee")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Moscardo''' (Portugal comics, "Hornet"), '''Furão''' (Brazil comics, "Ferret"), '''Volks''' (Brazil toys)
*''Russian:'' '''Shershen'''' (dub, Шершень, "Hornet")
*''Spanish:'' '''Volks'''
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Dzhmil'''' (ICTV, Джміль, "Bumblebee")

====Goldbug====
*''Japanese:'' '''Goldback''' (ゴールドバック ''Gōrudobakku''), '''Goldbug''' (ゴールドバグ ''Gōrudobagu''), '''Goldfire''' (ゴールドファイア ''Gōrudofaia'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Aranybogár''' ("Goldbug")
*''Italian:'' '''Wagenbot'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jīn Jiǎchóng''' (Taiwan, 金甲蟲, "Golden Beetle")

==See also==
{{OtherVersions
|charname=Bumblebee
|disambig=Bumblebee (disambiguation)
|body=
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], the voiceless yellow one-man franchise from the [[live-action film series]].
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], the hothead yellow kid-appeal character from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]].''
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], the yellow kid-appeal character turned leader from the [[Aligned continuity family]].
*[[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]], the amnesiac yellow kid-appeal character from ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Transformers: Cyberverse]].''}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/mini_frame.php?art=whitemexbee White Mexican Bumblebee gallery at TF-1.com]

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Fortress Maximus (G1)

2024-08-28T02:11:22Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|Starfleet}}
{{featured}}
{{disambig3|Fortress Maximus}}
:''Fortress Maximus is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and occasional [[Titan (group)|Titan]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:FortMax1.jpg|upright=2|thumb|[[Nobuyuki Hiyama|Link]] called. He wants the [[Master Sword]] back.]]

Despite his great power, size, and rank, '''Fortress Maximus''' is a weary and reluctant warrior. The endless conflict on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has worn him down to the point where he's willing to walk away from the war entirely to preserve his ideals. Although an intensely moral being, Fortress Maximus's pacifism has its limits: more than one Decepticon has learned that he'll readily put his vast onboard arsenal to good use when it comes to defending the innocent beings imperiled by the Decepticons and their ruthless campaigns of conquest.

Fortress Maximus is big. ''How'' big generally depends on the universe, but in many realities Fortress Maximus is a unique three-part [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]—Fortress Maximus is [[binary bonding|binary-bonded]] to a smaller robot named [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], who forms his head; Cerebros's own head is formed by either a binary-bonded organic or the [[Titan Master]] [[Emissary (TR)|Emissary]]. In other universes, these three stages are simply expressions of the same being, '''Fortress''', who becomes Fortress Maximus in his largest form. He also has a smaller component robot known as [[Cog (G1)|Cog]].

{{bigquote|We must be brave enough to wage '''peace'''.|Fortress Maximus|"[[Ring of Hate!]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}

[[File:Ringofhate-evilstain.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

Fortress Maximus was originally an architect who designed and constructed many notable [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] monuments. As the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] swept across the planet, Maximus eagerly joined the fight; however, as the conflict intensified, he grew increasingly weary of battle. {{storylink|The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|Transformers Universe profile}} By the time that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], and their respective troops left the planet, Maximus established a headquarters in the [[Manganese Mountains]] where he and his unit continued fighting against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}} ''At some point, Maximus sent [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to search to the cosmos for other habitable worlds. The pair eventually returned to Cybertron with [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], who joined Fortress Maximus's detachment.'' {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}

[[File:Fortmaxgiveshead.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|GIVE ME YOUR FACE-I MEAN HEAD!]]

When Scorponok's men destroyed another Autobot city, Fortress Maximus and his men ambushed and easily overwhelmed the Decepticon commandos as they marched their prisoners toward the [[smelting pool]]s. Though the Autobots emerged triumphant, an embittered Maximus stunned the jubilant Autobots when he told the that he would abandon the war for good and travel to the bucolic planet [[Nebulos]]. Although initially stunned by this decision, the Autobots agreed to follow him; together, they constructed the starship ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'', and set off for Nebulos.

After parking the ''Steelhaven'' in orbit and establishing a temporary base camp, Fortress Maximus sent [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to make contact to the [[Nebulan]] natives; unfortunately, however, an accident led made it appear that the Autobots came with hostile intent. When Maximus sent Blurr as an emissary to meet with the [[Council of Peers]] in [[Koraja]], reactionary elements among the Nebulan leadership sabotaged Blurr's goodwill message and incited their fellow Nebulans to arms. Despite complaints from the likes of Kup, Maximus ordered them not to fight back as they retreated into the woods. Faced with a newly hostile enemy, Fortress Maximus resolved to wage peace, not war. Gathering ten of his followers, he marched up to the Nebulan capital of [[Koraja]], begged to be heard out, and had his group discard their weapons. When that didn't work, he did the next logical thing and pulled his head off. Four other Autobots also resorted to this grotesque stunt before [[Galen]], head of the Nebulan [[World Watcher]]s, was convinced they weren't a threat. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[File:Brokenglass-autobotstorage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|My honey my baby, don't put my head upon no shelf.]]

The severed heads and decapitated bodies were stored in an old munitions warehouse outside the planetary capital. There, Galen occasionally consulted with Fortress Maximus's still-functional head, and kept him up to date on outside events as anti-robot protests rocked the city. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}} {{storylink|Doomsday for Nebulos}} Soon after, however, [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]]'s sabotage brought Scorponok and his Decepticons to Nebulos. As the Decepticons massed outside the city gates, Maximus advised Galen that turning the Autobots over to Scorponok would not prevent him from attacking; under the Autobot-Nebulan peace agreement, Galen could not simply restore the Autobots to their bodies. Together with [[Arcana]], the pair came up with another plan—five volunteer Nebulans were bio-engineered so that they could interface with transforming armor and act as new heads for the five Cybertronian bodies. After undergoing this new "[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]" upgrade, Galen became Fortress Maximus's [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]] partner, and together they and the rest of the Autobots soundly defeated the villains. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}} ''When Stylor related his own memories of that day, he recalled that Fortress Maximus still seemed noble and dignified, "even though the rest of his body was standing on the opposite side of the room."'' {{storylink|Stylor's Story}}

[[File:Loveandsteel-runfortmaxrun.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|I'm just a-runnin' down the road, trying to loosen my load, got a world of troubles on my mind.]]

Fortress Maximus remained inert while Galen performed his various duties. The pair next teamed up to lead the other Headmasters to the [[Grax Communications Facility]], where a number of Nebulan leaders were apparently being held hostage by the Decepticons. It turned out to be a trap, however, as the Decepticons had also become Headmasters, with Galen's rival [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] now bonded to Scorponok himself. Using several Nebulans as a distraction, Scorponok's troops overpowered Fortress Maximus and the others and took them hostage. {{storylink|Love and Steel!}} Maximus remained out of commission until Zarak, briefly overcoming Scorponok's influence on his mind, freed Galen and the other Autobot-allied Nebulans. Maximus briefly led his troops against the Decepticon [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]s, but opted to retreat rather than fight it out. To spare Koraja the carnage of a full-scale fight to the finish, he covered their retreat by smashing his enemies with Koraja's metal sculpture of the planet Nebulos. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

''As the Autobots made technological leaps, only for the Decepticons to copy and match them, Fortress Maximus began to despair that the conflict they had brought to Nebulos would never end. His Nebulan partner told him that his people now working under Scorponok would have found an excuse to wage war one way or another, but this did little to alleviate Fortress's guilt. When Chromedome announced that he had located the planet [[Earth]], Kord and Maximus rejoined in order to debate whether leaving Nebulos behind was the best course of action. Lost in thought, the pair wandered outside, where they were approached by Slugslinger, Misfire, and Triggerhappy. But rather than open fire, the three Decepticons delivered a message: Scorponok was coming with a proposal that could bring the war to an immediate end. The proposal was thus: the two leaders would battle to the death, and the loser's faction would surrender unconditionally to the winner's team. Fortress accepted Scorponok's challenge, and the battle began underway immediately.''

''Kord/Maximus found themselves on the losing end until the Nebulan transformed out of his head mode and blinded Scorponok with his pistol. Unfortunately, this constituted as cheating according to the rules Scorponok had established beforehand, and the other Decepticons opened fire. It turned out not to matter, as the duel was really a distraction: the Decepticons had bugged the Autobot base and learned of [[Earth]], but needed Brainstorm's [[fuel converter]] invention to travel there. Realizing that the war was already moving to Earth in spite of whatever decision he made next, Maximus had his troops follow their enemies off-world.'' {{storylink|The Final Conflict}}

{{note|The events in this UK story differ in significant ways to the [[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]] mini-series.}}

[[File:Trialbyfire-fortmax-disassemble.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

After returning to their bivouac, Maximus and Galen announced they'd follow a recent Autobot distress call to Earth. Although this meant that Galen and the other Nebulans who'd allied themselves with the Transformers would have to abandon their homeworld, possibly for good, Galen and his Autobot partner understood that Scorponok's Decepticons would pursue them off-world and leave their embattled planet alone. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

During their voyage to Earth, Fortress Maximus underwent a complete rebuild that greatly increased both his size and firepower. Now twice the height of an average Transformer, Galen now combined with [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], who served as a secondary link between Galen and Maximus. After arriving on Earth, Fortress Maximus led his fellow Headmasters to [[Mount St. Hilary]], source of the Autobot distress call that had drawn them to Earth. After recovering the damaged [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], the group encountered [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], who'd come in search of his missing younger brother [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Spike asked for the Autobots' help in finding his brother, but Fortress Maximus was more interested in their primary mission of locating the Autobots of Earth, and he led his troops off to follow the fuel trail of the missing [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Scorponok's crew soon followed Maximus to Earth, however, and to the same cave. When Spike replayed Goldbug's distress message, Fortress Maximus and company returned to the cave and apologized to Spike for failing to consider the danger he'd brought to Earth's natives by leading the Decepticons there.

[[File:Fortressmaximus-trialbyfire-rollout.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|The usage of "[[roll out]]" gets stranger and stranger.]]

In the ensuing battle, Spike retreated further into the volcano's caves to seek shelter. Scorponok followed, seeking a hostage, and Fortress Maximus pursued him. As the caves narrowed down, Maximus was forced to send Cerebros onward, and eventually Galen himself had to leave Cerebros to cross a fragile rock bridge—a decision that would prove fatal when Scorponok used the distraction to cause a cave-in and crush Galen. As the Decepticon leader left laughing, a dying Galen passed on his control helmet to Spike, who assumed control of Fortress Maximus and drove the Decepticons off. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

Spike soon underwent the full binary bonding process and became the leader of the ''Steelhaven''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew of Autobots. With his new partner, Fortress Maximus led the Autobot [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] in an effort to locate Buster, first visiting his father [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] at a shady motel, then heading to a spot in the tropics where the Decepticons had set up an [[Club Con|island base]]. With Kup worried about the inexperience of Fortress Maximus's new partner, Maximus held back while the Targetmasters landed on the island. However, the artificial island transformed into a rocket and launched with Buster still aboard.

Maximus, determined to take matters into his own hands, leapt onto the vessel as it breached Earth's atmosphere, only for the ship's defense systems to impale Maximus through the chest. When Spike launched Cerebros to continue the fight, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] easily incapacitated the smaller robot; although he couldn't rescue his brother in time, Spike nevertheless used Maximus's guns to send Shockwave falling to his apparent demise. Maximus and his partners were subsequently rescued by the Targetmasters, and for his gusto, Spike was welcomed as the group's new leader. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

As Fortress Maximus underwent repairs, his crew caught wind of a [[floppy disk]] in possession of one [[Ethan Zachary]], which contained the memories and personality of Optimus Prime. With the aid of a computer-generated version of Prime, Fortress Maximus gathered data from Scorponok's [[Pretender]] experiments and gave that ability to some of his own crew. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} With the disk in their possession, Fortress Maximus oversaw efforts to build a new body for Optimus Prime's mind. However, the ''Steelhaven''{{'}}s resources were depleted after creating the Pretenders, causing the effort to fail explosively. Thus when [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] located the Ark nearby, Fortress Maximus was eager to forge an alliance.

[[File:Fortressmaximus-totalled-worthlesshuman.jpg|thumb|right||It begs the question of why Grimlock didn't just step on him.]]

Unfortunately, acting Autobot leader [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] took an immediate dislike to Fortress Maximus—partially because he was a possible threat to Grimlock's leadership, partially because he was part human, and partially because he was harboring the fugitive Goldbug—and challenged "Fruitloop Multipuck" to a duel for leadership on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. Faced with the prospect of a divided Autobot force, Fortress Maximus agreed, though his unhealed injuries made victory an unlikely prospect. Luckily for Maximus, the imprisoned [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] agreed to fill in for him. During the duel, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] led a Decepticon assault on the Autobots and caught them completely off-guard. During the battle, Fortress Maximus ordered Goldbug, [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]], [[Getaway]], and [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] to take the disk to Nebulos to restore Optimus Prime; although the Autobots drove off the Decepticons, Maximus announced that he had found all other Autobots lacking in the leadership department and eagerly awaited Optimus Prime's return. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:Fortmaxboat.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Contrary to what's advertised here, the toy will sink if you put it in the bathtub.]]

With Optimus Prime restored, Maximus accepted a subordinate role in the Autobot ranks. Upon seeing an advertisement on television, where the Decepticons presented their island base as a tropical resort for human vacationers, Fortress Maximus made clear his concern for "his" brother, Buster Witwicky. Though Buster was touted as "king" of the island in the commercial, Maximus knew the boy was really a living shield shown off to dissuade an Autobot attack. {{storylink|Club Con!}} After Blaster's rescue and recon mission went south, Fortress Maximus acted as a floating search platform for Optimus and Blaster as they combed the ocean for the Decepticon base. Spike expressed frustration that they still had not located his brother, though Optimus vowed to keep searching. {{storylink|Cold War!}}

''Fortress Maximus was among those Autobots present as Optimus Prime briefed the troops about the threat of the time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. When Optimus and five other Autobots spontaneously and explosively vanished into thin air, only to be replaced by six Transformers claiming to be Autobots from the future, Fortress Maximus immediately assumed command, freaked out, and ordered his troops to destroy the "imposters". Maximus sparred with Rodimus Prime until the words of Goldbug, as well as a Matrix-linked Optimus Prime, convinced him that Rodimus was telling the truth when he claimed to be a future Autobot leader. Maximus participated in the subsequent battle against Megatron and Galvatron; he attacked Megatron alongside Grimlock and Swoop, but was quickly put down by the battle-crazed Decepticon.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Fortress Maximus was among the many Autobots who responded to an Autobot emergency signal in the Arctic... which turned out to be sent by none other than Buster Witwicky, who was dying of hypothermia. Maximus took his human sibling into a special thermal compartment, which restored his body temperature to normal. When the Decepticons attacked soon after, Maximus came under assault from the [[Horrorcon (G1)|Horrorcons]], followed by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who clung to him tenaciously and eventually caused Buster to spill out of the warming compartment. This turned out to be a lucky break, as Buster reminded Ratbat that the battle was nothing but a ruse engineered by Starscream, and both Ratbat and Maximus called for all the combatants to lay down their arms. The Autobot-Decepticon alliance took Ratbat's ship to meet Starscream out in space, where the treacherous Seeker had planned to absorb the energies of the legendary [[Underbase]]. Fortress Maximus and his allies were only partially successful in stopping him, and the morsel of power Starscream had taken in was enough to render him nigh-unstoppable. As the cosmically powered Decepticon destroyed the island starship, Fortress Maximus once more saved Buster's life by taking him inside one of his body's compartment.

[[File:Fortressmaximus-maninthemachine1.jpg|thumb|right||Cast in the name of God, Ye not guilty]]

On Optimus's insistence, Fortress Maximus and Soundwave led a team to [[Buenos Aires]] to try and stop Starscream's rampage. As their troops fell en masse, Maximus attacked Starscream, only to receive a debilitating energy blast in return that he just barely survived. Before Starscream could crush him beneath a fallen monument, however, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] Omega Supreme intervened. Starscream disposed of Omega, and was on the verge of finishing off Maximus, when a radio signal from Buster aboard the Ark lured the villain away. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

With Buster rescued and the threat of Starscream removed, Spike—feeling that he'd done all he could for the aliens—told Optimus that it was time for him to move on with his life and leave the Autobots, although Prime warned that the [[binary bonding|binary bond]] had changed the young human in more ways than one. Indeed, Spike was plagued by strange nightmares, even after he eventually pitched his control helmet into a junkyard against Prime's warnings. Nor would the Decepticons relent; while on a skiing expedition, he found himself hunted by Carnivac and Snarler. Turning inwards, he found his link to Fortress Maximus remained even without the control helmet and that he could summon the giant warrior from afar. Despite Carnivac's dirty fighting, Fortress Maximus easily disposed of the two attackers and their Pretender shells, once he and Spike physically recombined. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}}
''A [[solid light simulation]] of Fortress Maximus was used in a training mission for the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. According to [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], killing him was a more impressive feat than killing Optimus Prime!'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}}

Despite their temporary reconciliation, Spike remained on Earth while Fortress Maximus spent months out of commission. His headless body was still stored aboard the Ark after the Dinobots returned from [[Hydrus Four]], just before the great battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} After Unicron's defeat, the Ark plummeted to Earth and crashed in the northern tundra of Canada. When [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] emerged from the wreckage to wreak havoc, Fortress Maximus called out to a reluctant Spike and convinced him to reunite with his old partner once more. Anxious and desperate after months of inactivity, Maximus immediately suppressed his hesitating partner and took full control of their body, but while acting alone the giant Autobot couldn't withstand the ruthless conqueror. Realizing the power of their combined strength, Spike and Fortress Maximus managed to unite in thought and deed—declaring themselves the last Earthbound Autobot and the planet's self-appointed guardian, Fortress Maximus triumphed as he hurled his foe into a frozen lake. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}
{{--}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Fortressmaximus-allornothing2.jpg||thumb|left|Let ''me'' demonstrate just how much ''you'' don't have a toy on the shelves anymore.]]
It was ultimately [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] who would prove to be the undoing of this giant warrior. The reborn and reconditioned Decepticon leader stole the Ark from its crash site in [[Canada]], and used it as his personal flagship. {{storylink|Realignments}} While establishing control over the ship, Megatron found and disabled Fortress Maximus's dormant form. Spike sneaked aboard the ship and rejoined with Maximus, but the damage inflicted by Megatron meant they had virtually no chance to win.

Brutally beaten in combat with an upgraded and super-charged Megatron, the pair dragged themselves to the heart of the ship and threw themselves into the anti-matter containment unit at the core of its power supply, killing them both and causing the Ark to explode. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}

Though it kept the Ark out of Megatron's hands, and nearly derailed his plans entirely, their effort was ultimately not successful: Megatron escaped aboard a shuttle and lived to fight again, and even had time to take the convalescent Starscream with him. {{storylink|New Dawn}} {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}} Fortress Maximus's legacy and inspiration went on to do further good however. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was consumed by the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], a wayward mass seeking purpose, his memories of Maximus's nobility and bravery helped convert the entity into a force of creation, rather than destruction. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{--}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Invasion-FortMax.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right]]

In the year [[2012]], Fortress Maximus was stationed in [[South America]]. Due to the actions of an evil [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] from [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|another dimension]], a rift in space-time opened over Earth and caused catastrophes worldwide. Cerebros, merged with Spike, gathered civilians inside Fortress Maximus for safety. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}
{{--}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noteRG1}}

[[File:Fort max the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|...''Hulk''head]]

After the crash of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] in [[Canada]], Fortress Maximus kept out unwanted visitors for at least two years. At some point, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] left to live a "normal life" and, in his absence, intruders were able to board the crashed ship. During their intrusion, they re-awakened [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} Despite Megatron's resurrection, and his army of [[Zombie|lobotomized soldiers]], Spike was not willing to bond with Fortress Maximus again, despite his brother [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]]'s pleas. It took the death of Buster and his wife [[Jesse (G1)|Jesse]] to finally spur Spike into action and recombine with Maximus. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} Circa [[1994]], Fortress Maximus battled Megatron and died, which crippled Spike's voluntary nervous system in the process. Spike was recovered by [[G.B. Blackrock]], who rebuilt his body using tech from [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|a former employee]] and returned him to life as "Circuit Smasher". {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

[[File:Spike fort max optimus the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|To be completely honest? This scene exists for no other reason than to piss off the [[GEEWUN|loyalists]].]]

After Scorponok's rebirth and subsequent demise, Fortress Maximus was the only Autobot Headmaster who hadn't been reactivated and reeducated by Scorponok to serve in his army, and the newly freed Nebulans, with the help of the Autobots, began constructing a new body for him at the [[Technodrome]]. However, unknown to anyone, a portion of [[Dark Matrix]] energy found Maximus's head being kept in stasis, and entered, making Maximus its new host. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} Unaware of the hitchhiker in Max's head, the Nebulans proceeded to reattach Max's head to his finished body. However, upon reconnection, Max began screaming in pain, not unlike the other Headmasters had during the Nebulans' first failed attempts, causing alarm among everyone watching. Maximus suddenly fell silent, the only sign of life in him a faint glimmer of darkness in his eye. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 2}}

Having fallen completely under the control of the Matrix, Maximus broke out of the laboratory and took a space bridge to Earth, where he gunned down Optimus Prime. Recapturing his old partner Spike, he returned through the space bridge, but not before declaring that "One will become all". {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} With Spike, he traveled to [[Zero Space]] for an audience with the Dark Matrix Entity. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}} Maximus arrived on Nebulos in time to watch [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] dispatch [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], and started to attack him. As he prepared to execute Magnus, he was ambushed by the [[Wreckers]] and [[Linda Chang]]'s forces. Together, the Autobots and humans were forced to kill Fortress Maximus, releasing him from the Dark Matrix's control and giving him the peace he'd always longed for. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{--}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Stephen Keener]] (English), [[Kunihiko Yasui]] (Japanese)}}

[[File:Fortressmaximusg1rebirth.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
When a battle for possession of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber]] led a group of Autobots and Decepticons to be stranded on the planet [[Nebulos]], partnership between the Transformers and the native Nebulans led to the development of Headmaster and Targetmaster technology. The planet's evil ruling council, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], took the technology to its most powerful extreme when its leader [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] created the massive city-sized Scorponok to serve as his Headmaster partner and used his power to steal back the chamber key. The Decepticons departed for Cybertron, and the Autobots were poised to give chase when Spike Witwicky announced that he and the pacifistic Cerebros would be staying behind. While the other Autobots left in pursuit, Spike had Cerebros lead him to the ruins of the Hive's original city, which they had lived in before moving underground. Taking control of the various abandoned machines there, Spike rebuilt the city, Cerebros and even himself into a Headmaster robot that could stand up to Scorponok's power: Fortress Maximus!

[[File:Rebirth3 fortmax battlestation.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb]]
The completed Fortress Maximus quickly flew to Cybertron and made a dramatic entrance, setting down in city mode and then transforming to battle station mode to bombard Scorponok and the Decepticons with a hail of weaponsfire. When Zarak transformed Scorponok to [[robot mode]], Spike did likewise with Fortress Maximus, and the two titans battled, with Maximus on the losing end until Zarak threatened the life of Spike's son, Daniel. With a burst of strength, Fortress Maximus took Scorponok down, causing him to collapse with such force that he transformed back to city mode. Spike and Cerebros then disconnected from Maximus and headed inside Scorponok to recover the captive Daniel and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], leaving Maximus to keep the other Decepticons at bay with his many weapons. The Decepticons were able to get through Maximus's firestorm and got Scorponok airborne, but not before Spike succeeded in his rescue.

Subsequently, with the Plasma Energy Chamber back under Autobot control, Fortress Maximus flew the Autobot Headmasters and Targetmasters back to Nebulos. There, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] announced that after they had eradicated the Hive's evil from the planet, Cerebros would live on the planet as its guardian, presumably meaning that Fortress Maximus would be staying there too. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

{{note|It is unclear if Fortress Maximus had any sentience of his own; he did speak once in his own voice, but for the most part, even Cerebros's will seemed to be pushed aside so Spike could run the whole thing himself.}}
{{--}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}

During Cybertron's second [[Golden Age]], Fortress Maximus served on the [[Autobot High Council]]. While some of his comrades disliked the idea of transitioning to energy-efficient [[beast mode]]s, the forward-thinking Maximus, anticipating the rise of a [[Predacon (BW)|resurgent Predacon faction]], led [[Maximal|a group of Autobots]] who embraced his pragmatic philosophy. {{storylink|The Transformers Menagerie issue 5|Menagerie #5}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Ikuya Sawaki]] (Japanese)|[[Simon Broad]] (English), [[Liu Xirui]] (Chinese)}}

[[File:Hm7 fortress small bot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Drang nach Master!]]

Fortress was originally a [[Cyberdroid]] who had not yet mastered the art of transformation, and was a friend of [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]'s. Four million years ago, he was among the many Transformers that fled Cybertron in an attempt to escape the corrosion of war without end, and led a group of his fellow small Cybertronians in search of a new peaceful world they could call home. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Alas, engine trouble caused their ship to crash on the inhospitable planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], whose hazardous environmental conditions began threatening the lives of Fortress and his men almost as soon as they departed the wreckage of their ship and began trekking through a desert of shifting sands. The need for survival fostered many technological and mental advancements, however, and Fortress and his people endured.

[[File:Hm1 battleship maximus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Definitely just a battleship that doesn't turn into anything.]]

Fortress was responsible for many of these technological quantum leaps, the most significant of which was the invention of "[[transtector]]s": larger, lifeless Transformer bodies to which the small Cybertronians could connect as heads. After a rigorous physical and mental training program that allowed them to finally master transformation and even instilled powerful telepathic and telekinetic powers in them, Fortress and nine other warriors bonded with these transtectors to become "Headmasters". {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Fortress even took the process one step further, and with the aid of other Master scientists like [[Jack (G1)|Jack]], created a ''huge'' transtector that could transform into the battleship, Maximus. Fortress's own transtector was engineered to also transform into a head, which could control the many functions of the Maximus from a special docking bay on the battleship's bridge, {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} and which could form the head for the battleship's own colossal robot mode, known as "Fortress Maximus". Fortress also created the powerful [[Master Sword]] for himself, and tied the Maximus's transformation into it; in order to convert the battleship to robot mode, Fortress had to draw a small version of the blade from a sheath beneath his command console, but this feat could only be accomplished when his physical and mental energies were in perfect synchronization. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}}

Unfortunately, half of the Headmasters eventually rebelled against Fortress's leadership, siding with a traitor named Scorponok against him. The traitors were defeated by Fortress and his comrades and exiled from Master, but eventually, they came to ally themselves with the Decepticons under the command of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

[[File:Hm2 kup and fortress.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Reunited and it feels so goo-ood!"]]

In the year 2011, when Galvatron launched his latest attack on Cybertron with the added power of his new Decepticon Headmasters, Fortress Maximus brought the Autobot Headmasters back to their homeworld aboard the Maximus. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Even the mightiest of the Decepticons' [[combiner]]s could not stand against Battleship Maximus's firepower, and the evil robots were forced into retreat. This task complete, Fortress set the Maximus down at the Autobots' secondary headquarters on the planet [[Athenia]], where he introduced himself and his comrades and explained their origins, and was reunited with Kup. After being filled in by the Autobots on the current crisis—[[Vector Sigma]] had become destabilized, putting the planet at risk—Fortress deduced that the [[Matrix of Leadership]] was necessary to bring the computer back under control. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Unfortunately, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] had already ventured into the depths of Cybertron without the Matrix, willing to sacrifice his own life to stabilize Vector Sigma, so Fortress headed into the planet's catacombs after him while the other Headmasters helped [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] search for the Matrix, hidden somewhere on [[Earth]]. Though Fortress was not able to catch up to Prime before he reached Vector Sigma's chamber, he was able to use his telepathic powers to contact Prime's companion, the spirit of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], helping to guide him safely through the maze of tunnels. It turned out that [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] had made it to the chamber ahead of Prime, however, and Fortress raced through the remainder of the tunnels to aid Prime against the two Decepticons. Hot Rod soon arrived with the Matrix, which he used to become Rodimus Prime again, but before he could use it to bring Vector Sigma back under control, Optimus Prime merged with the computer to stabilize it, giving up his life in the process. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Prime was not the only casualty of the crisis: [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] also lost his life in the search for the Matrix. Luckily, Fortress was able to use the advanced technology of Master to rebuild and resurrect him, as Twincast. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

[[File:Hm5 fortmax headmode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|A big giant head, but not THE {{w|Big Giant Head}}.]]

While patrolling space for Decepticon activity aboard the Maximus, the Autobot Headmasters discovered [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] stowed away on board. After explaining the function of his Head Mode to the shocked youngsters, Fortress agreed to let the pair join them on the patrol. Soon after, the Autobots came upon two stranded [[Beastformer (species)|Beastformer]]s from the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], and learned that the Decepticons had invaded their planet; the infuriated Fortress made for the planet with all due speed, after sending a report to Rodimus Prime on Athenia. The Autobot Headmasters helped the native Beastformers liberate their planet from Decepticon control, but Fortress was concerned with a blueprint recovered from an underground factory that indicated the Decepticons were building something. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}}

When the Decepticons launched a [[Metamorphose|metal-warping meteor]] at Athenia, Fortress and his battleship were powerless to do anything, for fear of being destroyed by the meteor's gravity sensors. It fell to Daniel Witwicky to destroy the meteor, so Fortress transported him as close to it as he was able. Daniel lost his nerve at the last minute, so Fortress calmed him down by making some silly faces. Dignified! {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}} Later, a phoney distress call lured Fortress and the Autobot Headmasters into a trap on the planet [[Praum]] set by their old foe, Scorponok. Despite being trapped in a subterranean chamber with the endless desert sands pouring in on top of him, Fortress kept his head and reminded his young allies of the similar hardships they had suffered on Master and the training they had undergone to overcome them. With the skills they had learned back then, they were able to escape. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}

[[File:Hm10 fortress appointed commander.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Take my job, New Toy! I don't want it!"]]

When Galvatron launched an attack on Cybertron in an attempt to steal a new alloy developed by Vector Sigma named [[cybertonuron]], Fortress advised Rodimus Prime against striking back in full force, preferring to find another way to stop the Decepticons than putting all their warriors in danger. Rodimus refused, and Fortress quietly acquiesced to his commander's wishes, ferrying him to Cybertron on Battleship Maximus. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} The battle ended catastrophically, however, when treachery on the part of Scorponok led to the detonation of a collection of bombs in Vector Sigma's chamber, devastating Cybertron and rendering it uninhabitable, and apparently killing Galvatron in the process. Realizing with deep regret that Fortress's caution had been warranted, Rodimus Prime decided that the era of his generation of Transformers was over, and vowed to search the universe for a new planet the Transformers could call home. He passed the title of [[Supreme Commander]] of the Autobots (though not the Matrix of Leadership) to Fortress, who was visibly uncomfortable with the appointment, but accepted it graciously, telling himself not to contest it because it was his destiny. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

[[File:G1FortressMaximus HMstockfootage.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"...But it's the pelvic thruuuuuust / that really drives you in-sa-a-a-ane..."]]

Fortress's tenure as leader got off to a strong start with the successful completion of the [[Sol 1]] satellite, a joint venture between the Autobots and humanity to gather solar energy. Unfortunately, the satellite was stolen by the Decepticons, forcing the Autobot Headmasters to destroy it to keep it out of their hands. Before being destroyed, however, the satellite's energy was beamed by the villains to the planet [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]]. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Fortress attempted to study Zarak from afar in hopes of deducing what the Decepticons were up to, but the planet's gaseous shroud prevented remote observation of its surface, and the Decepticons began staging concentrated attacks on Earth to keep the Autobots' attentions divided. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} One such attack saw the Decepticons unleash a carnivorous, ambulatory plant upon [[San Francisco]], which Fortress identified as a [[buridanka]] from the planet [[Darhos]]. When the Autobot Headmasters responded, Battleship Maximus was caught in the plant-monster's vines, and Fortress's lack of focus left him unable to draw the Master Sword and transform. Galvanized by the cries of the other Headmasters, however, his energies soon came into alignment, and for what was apparently the first time (given everyone else's surprise when it happened) Fortress transformed the Maximus and combined with it to form Fortress Maximus. With the power of the Master Sword, he easily dispatched the giant plant. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

[[File:Hm14 fortress draws mastersword.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|You've got [[The Touch|the touch!]] You've got the pow-werrrrr!]]

Weakened by the great energy demands of his transformation, Fortress sent the Autobot Headmasters to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] without him when news of Decepticon movement on the planet reached the Autobots. When the Headmasters discovered that the Decepticons were planning to blow up Mars, however, Fortress went into action, only to be struck with a [[plasma energy]] bomb by the Decepticons Headmasters just as he was in the middle of transforming into Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} Although Fortress survived the blast, his energies were severely drained, and the powerless Maximus was unable to depart Mars as the countdown to the Decepticons' planet-destroying explosion continued. Even worse, into the middle of this crisis stepped Scorponok, now outfitted with a gigantic transtector of his own: the result of the mysterious construction operations on planets Beast and Zarak. Scorponok pummelled the paralyzed Maximus, then pulled out just before the chain of explosion began. Fortress told the Headmasters to leave him and the Maximus to their fate, but luckily, at the last minute, the battleship began absorbing the energy released by the early stages of the explosion. Fortress was able to use this energy to transform into Fortress Maximus, and escaped the destruction of Mars, slashing Scorponok with the Master Sword as he came bursting from the conflagration. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

While Fortress and the Headmasters were patrolling the edges of Decepticon space to keep an eye on their enemies' activities, Scorponok attacked the Maximus, only for the fight to be broken up by a strange UFO. Back on Athenia, Fortress met with the Autobots' deep cover spy, [[Punch (G1)|Punch]], and learned that Scorponok was holding a coronation ceremony for himself on Earth's [[moon (moon)|moon]]. The Autobots attacked the ceremony, during which Fortress again pitted his battleship against Scorponok, but the fighting was brought to an end when the UFO returned, and was revealed to belong to Galvatron, who had survived Cybertron's destruction. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} Fortress fought Scorponok again soon after, when the Autobots tried to provide energy relief to the other-dimensional planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]]. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

[[File:Hm23 fortmax sword slash.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Arr, me heart(y)!"]]

When the Decepticons embarked on an interplanetary energy quest, the Autobots determined to follow them aboard Fortress's battleship; Fortress had to be convinced to allow Daniel to come with them. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}} Their first port of call was the planet [[Hive (planet)|Hive]], but before the Maximus could set down, they were attacked by the planet's force. Fortress was intent on a show of non-resistance and would not fire back, while [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] went down to the planet's surface and proved the Autobots' good intentions to Hive's [[Queen Bee]]. The Autobots joined forces with the natives to fend off the Decepticons; Fortress disconnected the Maximus's "Master Shot" cannon so the Headmasters could wield it, then transformed into Fortress Maximus to send Scorponok packing with the Master Sword. {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}} Fortress then used the Maximus to fly the Autobots to [[Twin Star]], where he dealt with Scorponok by hauling him into the air and dropping him, {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} and [[Daros]], where he used the Maximus's internal defense systems to stop [[Curl|a gang of prisoners]] from taking control of the battleship. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} The battleship needed some repairs before it could take the Autobots to [[Paradise]], which Fortress had Chromedome and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] perform. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} Fortress again transformed to Fortress Maximus on the final planet of their journey, [[Pirate Planet]], taking Scorponok out with a Master Sword-slash to the chest. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}}

[[File:Hm25 fortress cradles magnus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|{{w|Saving Private Ryan|"Earn this!"}}]]

After returning to Athenia, Fortress and the Headmasters received news of a Decepticon attack on Earth and headed there with all due haste, but they were not in time to stop [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] from mortally wounding [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. Fortress held Magnus as he died, then carried his body aboard the Maximus for burial along an Earth coastline. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} Soon after, with Decepticon attacks intensifying, Fortress had to talk [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] out of risking his own life in the pursuit of revenge against Sixshot. When word came through from Punch that Galvatron intended to use the gathered energy to fuse himself with the Earth itself, Fortress and the Headmasters immediately departed to confront the Decepticon leader in [[Alaska]]. The Headmasters were able to use Punch's information to finally end the threat of Galvatron with their [[Head Formation]], burying him in the Arctic ice. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

Galvatron's demise left a power vacuum that Scorponok immediately filled, and once appointed leader again, he immediately put into motion a plan to destroy the Earth by simultaneously erupting every volcano on the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]]. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] deduced his plan, but a Decepticon attack on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] left Spike fatally wounded, with a chunk of shrapnel embedded in one of his arteries. Medical science could do nothing for Spike, so Fortress used his telekinetic powers to dissolve the shrapnel, saving Spike, but draining all of Fortress's energy. Even in his weakened state, unable to transform, Fortress still attempted to stop Scorponok from initiating his plan on the Kamchatka Peninsula, but Scorponok simply hurled the Maximus into a volcano. As it turned out, this allowed Fortress to absorb the geothermal energy of the volcano's magma, restoring his power and ability to transform. Following information decoded by Chromedome, Fortress Maximus was able to puncture Scorponok's weak spot, the Decepticon symbol on his chest, forcing the villain and his followers to flee the planet. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

[[File:Hm28 fortress examines targetmaster.jpg|right|thumb|[[Cog (G1)#The Transformers|Colors and shapes]] may vary from those pictured.]]

With Earth finally free of the Decepticons, the Autobots set about removing every trace of their evil from the planet. Fortress co-ordinated the effort, but just as he was meeting with three new Autobot arrivals—[[Pointblank]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]—a report came through from Chromedome that one of the plasma energy bombs he had been tasked with gathering up had become active. Fortress quickly picked up the bombs in Battleship Maximus, intending to transport them into space so they could detonate harmlessly, but as the ship departed the atmosphere, it crossed paths with another vessel containing refugees from Master. While the Autobots held off the Decepticons pursuing the Master vessel, Fortress and Twincast welcomed the refugees on board, and learned from them that Scorponok's Decepticons had attacked Master. The refugees then helped get the plasma bombs off Battleship Maximus, but they proceeded to detonate before everyone could get clear, and the explosion fused the refugees to the arms of the Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}} Fortress used his scientific know-how to remove the refugees from the Autobots' arms, but a strange link remained between the warriors. With these "[[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]]" added to their ranks, Fortress piloted Battleship Maximus to Master to stop Scorponok's evildoings there. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}}

Seeking to forge a weapon to counter Fortress's Master Sword, Scorponok arranged for the kidnap of Wheelie so that he could be ransom for information on the sword. Fortress agonized over what to do, but the decision was made for him when Chromedome and Daniel snuck away to rescue Wheelie themselves. Learning of their insubordination, Fortress played along, keeping the Decepticons' attentions on his battleship and preparing a data disk to "hand over". Unfortunately, when the Decepticons learned that Wheelie had been rescued, a fight broke out over the disk and it was snatched from Fortress's grasp. {{storylink|The Master Sword Is in Danger!!}} The Decepticons retreated underground, but Fortress was able to track them down by equipping the Master Sword with sensors that would allow the Maximus to track any surges of the energy needed to create it, which Scorponok was sure to require to forge his own weapon. Unfortunately, [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] was able to sneak aboard the Maximus, and although Fortress repelled him, he had secretly planted bombs on the battleship that covered the Decepticons' escape when they went off. {{storylink|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide}}

[[File:Hm31 fortmax defeated.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|[[The Transformers: The Movie|An impetuous young soldier ruining everything]]? Inconceivable!]]
As Battleship Maximus was repaired, Fortress debated strategy with the Autobots, eventually agreeing with the Targetmasters' plan to lure the Decepticons into space to avoid collateral damage to Master. Unfortunately, the hot-headed Chromedome disagreed, and staged his own attack on the Decepticons with the aid of the young warriors of Master. Chromedome's strategy went sour, forcing Fortress Maximus to go into action, but when the Master Sword clashed with Scorponok's newly forged "[[Zarak Shield]]", it was the Zarak Shield that emerged triumphant! Defeated, Fortress Maximus could only watch as Scorponok departed for Earth, intending to destroy it once and for all. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

The Autobots gave chase in the Maximus, but during the space battle that resulted, Daniel was set adrift when the Maximus's Laser Block unit was damaged and jettisoned. Fortress was forced to divert to rescue the boy, allowing the Decepticons a substantial lead in the race back to Earth. {{storylink|My Friend Sixshot!}} Their lead was lost when they were forced to set down on the asteroid [[Pallas]] for repairs, and the Maximus set down on [[Ceres]] in order to attack. During the fight, Sixshot challenged Chromedome to a one-on-one duel, and Fortress's pleas that he not accept the challenge fell on deaf ears. Even as Scorponok took off for Earth again, Fortress concluded that he and the other Autobots would have to leave Chromedome to his duel and carry on the chase. As it happened, the duel was interrupted by an explosion courtesy of bombs Scorponok had planted on the battlefield, so Chromedome was able to rejoin Maximus not long after. {{storylink|Duel on the Asteroid}}

[[File:Hm35 master sword zappped.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|By the power of Grayskull!]]
As the Maximus entered the final stretch back to Earth, reports began coming in from the Autobots down on the planet of Decepticon attacks, accompanied by the emergence of strange towers at specific points around the globe. Once back on Earth, Fortress met with Punch, who unfortunately had to report that Scorponok had disappeared into the Mediterranean Ocean. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} The Autobots soon realized that the "Death Towers" were composed of energy-amplifying [[crysmagnetal]], and were creating a field of energy that was surrounding the Earth. Following Punch's lead, Fortress led the Autobots to Egypt, where Scorponok was outfitting a Death Tower with an induction booster to magnify the amount of energy it was projecting. The Master Sword played the unfortunate role of lightning rod in the presence of the Death Tower, attracting bolts of the tower's energy and stunning Fortress, preventing him from stopping Scorponok. As Scorponok fled, he told Fortress to meet him at the North Pole, where even he would have a role to play in his scheme.

[[File:Hm35 final battle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|[[Head Formation|ULTIMATE SHINING FRIENDSHIP!]]]]
With no other choices, Fortress followed his enemy's instructions, and the entire Autobot and Decepticon armies clashed in battle in the frozen north. There, Scorponok lured Fortress Maximus onto a crysmagnetal dais, at which point, an orbiting Decepticon satellite that had been gathering the energies projected by the Death Towers activated, beaming the collected energy down to the dais. Scorponok disconnected from his transtector, and left the paralyzed Fortress Maximus trapped in the satellite's beam, part of a deadly circuit of energy that threatened to tear the Earth apart. The four Headmasters joined in Head Formation and tried to channel their energy into Fortress Maximus in hopes of giving him the strength to break free, but their own power was not enough. At Daniel's suggestion, all the other Autobots linked up as part of the chain, and together combined in "Final Formation", they infused Maximus with enough energy to deflect the satellite's beam with the Master Sword, destroying it. With one mighty slash, Fortress Maximus bisected Scorponok's transtector, finally ending the Decepticon threat.

The Decepticons subsequently fled Earth, and the Autobots gathered to pursue them. Fortress told the tearful Daniel that it was necessary in order to continue defend peace throughout the universe, but promised the boy that they would meet again. Together, the Autobots all boarded Fortress's battleship, and took off into the setting sun. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
{{--}}

====''Kiss Players''====
[[File:KPBraveMax.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]

Slumped miserably on the barren surface of Master in their smallest robot forms, Fortress, Chromedome, and Highbrow's attention was caught when a [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|time-travelling spaceship]] materialized over their heads and crashed nearby. By studying and reverse-engineering the technology found in this spaceship, Fortress and the scientists of Master invented transtectors and the Headmaster process. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 48|Kiss Players #48}} {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 3}}

In [[2011]], during the conflict between Fortress Maximus and Megazarak on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], an unseen [[Atari Hitotonari]] (travelling from the past year of [[2007]]) kissed Fortress Maximus to get the piece of "[[Angolmois Energy|the Allspark]]" that had laid within the Autobot leader without his knowledge. {{Storylink|Kiss Players episode 42|Kiss Players #42}} {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 1}}

====''Super-God Masterforce Master File''====
Following the expulsion of the Decepticons from Earth after the battle at the North Pole, the Transformers' war shifted into a series of space-based exchanges between Athenia and Chaar known as the [[Master Wars]]. With the space bridge destroyed, interstellar transportation was severely limited, and it fell to Fortress and the Maximus to patrol space for the Decepticons. While on one such patrol, Fortress received a transmission from Sixshot alerting him to the existence of a [[Devil Z|new shadowy puppet master]] who had taken control of the Decepticons. This news came at the same time as a report from the Trainbots which indicated that Scorponok had constructed a new transtector for himself, and so Fortress had no choice but to focus on dealing with this mystery. With access to the ever-important Earth now greatly reduced and his attentions now focused elsewhere, Fortress left guardianship of the planet in the hands of [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] and his [[Pretender]]s. {{storylink|The Headmasters Now!!}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
Fortress dispatched a team of [[Pretender]]s led by [[Marduk]] to retrieve the [[Ultra Matrix]] from [[Beast (planet)|Beast]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/30}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
Archive footage of Fortress Maximus destroying the MegaZarak transtector was used to educate the future [[Headmaster Junior]]s about the [[Master Wars]]. {{storylink|Birth! Headmaster Jrs}}

Fortress's younger brother, [[Grand Maximus|Grand]], travelled to Earth to aid the Autobots there against the approaching threat of [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]]. Grand was physically identical to his big bro, save for his coloration, and even piloted a smaller Maximus-style battleship of his own. {{storylink|Life? Death? The Desperate Lightfoot}}

====''Legends'' comic====
[[File:Legends37-FortressMaximus.jpg|thumb|left]]

The battle between Fortress and Scorponok began on Master when Fortress discovered and put an end to his kidnapping and experimenting on citizens. {{storylink|Mutant Targetmaster Birth Chapter}} Years later, [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] told a visiting [[Legends World|Legends]] [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] the story about how he and other diminutive Autobots, including Fortress, left Cybertron and settled on Master. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 9|Bonus Edition Vol. 9}} Fortress later showed up when [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] was complaining about Brainstorm's recent upgrade and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] was getting angry at Rattrap for not caring about ''The Headmasters'', and commented that everyone was getting worked up as usual. {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Brainstorm Chapter|Brainstorm Chapter}}

[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] harbored regrets over the fact that [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] had parted ways with him and moved onto spending her time with Fortress. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}}

During development of [[Master-Brace|technology]] that would let [[Headmaster Junior]]s wield [[Masterforce (technology)|Masterforce]], Fortress created a Headmaster [[exosuit]] for human use and let [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] test pilot it on his own transtector. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 54|Bonus Edition Vol. 54}}

By 2021, Scorponok had returned and Fortress continued to fight him in space, culminating in a battle to stop the Decepticon from detonating a black hole. The Autobots failed and were infected with [[Black ball|miniature black holes]] that shrunk their bodies, threatening to eventually make them disappear entirely. After having all non-Headmasters on his crew converted into Headmasters to save their lives, Fortress told his forces they could find new transtectors in the Legends World, then set a course there before the battleship Maximus itself could disappear. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} On arrival, Fortress requested help from the local [[Axalon Trading Company]], but was told by [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] that they didn't work for free. In lieu of money, Fortress offered them access to Headmaster technology and negotiated a partnership between the Autobots and Axalon, leading to him and his soldiers becoming office workers. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 21|Bonus Edition Vol. 21}}

[[File:BonusEdition31-FortMax.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Fortress was later called up by Grand, who asked him to open a portal and receive some humans he was sending to the Legends World. He was resistant to taking them in, being busy with managerial duties, but backed down when an angry Grand told him people's lives were at stake and accused him of getting too cozy in the peaceful dimension. {{storylink|LG24 Shockwave & Cancer Prologue}} When the Autobot Axalon Trading Company finished building a new battleship Maximus, Chromedome urged Fortress to use it to crush the Decepticons, only for Fortress to collapse while trying to argue for a peaceful solution. In sickbed, he let Chromedome in on a big secret: the process of controlling Maximus had been eating away at his life force all along, weakening him every time he combined. He then broke into tears, despairing that he was nothing but a coward who avoided having to use the transtector for his own safety, but Chromedome reassured him that he was a great commander who had only kept this secret from his troops to keep morale up. Despite his condition, Fortress didn't hesitate to become Fortress Maximus once more to defend his friends from [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who was being mind-controlled by [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] into attacking the Maximus. After defeating Tarantulas by piercing his control device with the Master Sword, he told his comrades he was happy as long as he could keep defending the world. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 31|Bonus Edition Vol. 31}}

Highbrow began researching a cure to Fortress's condition and eventually found that it could be reversed by feeding him [[Zodiac]] energy, which was related to the Headmasters' telepathic energy. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 33|Bonus Edition Vol. 33}} When the Decepticon Headmasters stole Metroplex's [[transformation cog]] to rebuild [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Megatron contacted Fortress as he was the only other Transformer large enough to stop Trypticon. {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}} However, Trypticon's new ability to fly caught Fortress by surprise before he could transform the Maximus, and the battleship was damaged and crashed. Fortress removed its transformation cog and had it delivered to Metroplex, then ended up among the victims devoured by Trypticon before he could be defeated. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} The Maximus base was subsequently integrated into the city when it was rebuilt. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Goldbug]] and Spike later arrived at Axalon and informed Fortress that the Spike acting as a chairman of the [[Universal Peace Alliance]] was an impostor. Noting that Spike had kept the exosuit, Fortress lent him his transtector so he could fight off the fake, then promised he would lend a hand when the time came to defeat him for good. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 54|Bonus Edition Vol. 54}} The Maximus was drowned when [[Tigerburn]] flooded the city {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 64|Bonus Edition Vol. 64}} and damaged when [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] attacked, but got repaired by [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] using the Zodiac. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 66|Bonus Edition Vol. 66}} When Grand came to the Legends World to battle [[Devil Z]] and BlackZarak using his own gigantic transtector, Fortress tried to stop him as didn't have the training required to control it, but Grand insisted on showing his worth and defeated Devil Z before collapsing. Fortress rushed to his fallen brother, who praised him for his ability to control such a huge body and joked that they would both be needing the Zodiac treatment now. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two}} {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 1}} {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 3}} {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 4: LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part One|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 4}} {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 5: LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part Two|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 5}}}}

====''Generations Selects Special Comic''====
In [[2050]], Fortress Maximus was associated with a larger complex for the [[Cybertron Alliance]] known as [[Neo Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

===''TV Magazine'' comic continuity===
====''The Great Transformer War''====
[[File:Hmmanga battered headmasters.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]
In the year 2010, while significant Transformer battles were being waged throughout space and on Earth, Fortress was active on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]. After the younger Headmaster warriors under his command were defeated in battle by [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and the Decepticon Headmasters, Fortress quickly roused his fallen comrades and ordered them to board his battleship, the Maximus, so that they could pursue the villains. Their destination: Cybertron! {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====
[[File:Manga fort max.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Soon after Optimus Prime died stabilizing Vector Sigma, the Decepticons staged an attack on Athenia, and Fortress and the Autobot Headmasters quickly took off in Battleship Maximus to intercept them as they approached the planet. Daniel opined that the Decepticons were "a lot like parasites", to which Fortress murmured an agreement. At that point, the Decepticons appeared in front of them, and the Autobots realized that they had played into the villains' hands: they intended to destroy Fortress's battleship with a bomb. Luckily, Chromedome moved quickly enough to snatch the bomb away and save the Maximus. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 1|The Headmasters #1}}

Responding to an SOS from their Beastformer comrades, Fortress escorted the Autobot Headmasters to planet Beast to investigate. No sooner had the young warriors left Battleship Maximus to search, Rodimus Prime radioed Fortress for an update. Fortress didn't have anything to tell him, but assured Rodimus that the Headmasters would get to the bottom of the mystery. {{storylink|The Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}} Later, once they were back on Earth, Fortress sent the Headmasters on their next mission, to respond to a Decepticon attack on an Alaskan energy plant. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 2|The Headmasters #2}}

When a fire tore through [[Shinjuku]], Chromedome, [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]], and [[Artfire]] responded, but their rescue effort was impeded by the Decepticon Targetmasters. Luckily, Fortress soon arrived to extinguish the fire by dumping a massive amount of water on it from above using Battleship Maximus, freeing up the others to deal with the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters #7}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
[[File:Mfmanga fortress meets ginrai.jpg|left|thumb]]
When a new and powerful Autobot warrior named [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] rose to prominence on Earth, he distinguished himself to the point that Fortress decided to step down as Supreme Commander and appoint Ginrai in his place. The Trainbots brought Ginrai and his [[Headmaster Junior]] allies to Athenia, where Fortress formally handed over leadership, then departed to take care of some business on Master. In his absence, the united forces of the Earth- and space-based Decepticons attacked Athenia, but Ginrai was able to repel them. Fortress arrived back just as the Decepticons were pulling out, and announced that the Autobots must pool their resources as their enemies had, uniting their forces on Earth and space to commence the [[Godbomber|Bomber Project]]. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The Earth-Space Alliance Army}}

Later talking to [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]], Fortress would check on the progress of the project after Chromedome arrived at Earth to assist with it. {{storylink|Headmasters VS Masterforce}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
Fortress Maximus served as transport when Ultra Magnus lead a mission to a small asteroid in search of a new source of [[Energon]]. The Autobots discovered a [[little informant|small alien]], and [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] utilized Maximus's laboratory to determine that the creature turned its food into Energon. A later fracas with the Decepticons resulted in Fortress Maximus getting involved, leading to a fight with Scorponok. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

===''PDTF Comic''===
[[File:Pdtype fortmax manga.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
While casually minding his own business one day, Fortress Maximus was suddenly shocked to see a wave of Decepticons led by Galvatron bearing down on him. He immediately transformed into robot mode... but he had completely forgotten that he had been in city mode, leaving all the poor Autobots who had been inside him squished and thinking there had been an earthquake. {{storylink|PDTF Comic##12 "Bigger than Life! Fortress Maximus!"|Bigger Than Life! Fortress Maximus!}}

Fortress Maximus later met Scorponok in battle, vowing to never surrender. All the other Transformers would probably have preferred that he ''did'' surrender, though, since the battle put them ''all'' in danger when the two towering titans toppled over, threatening to accidentally crush them all! {{storylink|PDTF Comic##14 "Watch Out! Mega Zarak!"|Watch Out! MegaZarak!}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WarWithin5-FortMax.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

A normal-sized Fortress Maximus was a co-leader of the Autobot forces on Cybertron, along with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. As Cybertron's resources ran low, they struggled to hold the Autobot army together; several of the newly created Micromasters grew increasingly dissatisfied with their lot in life within the Autobot army, and came to question if their larger counterparts were leading them in the right direction. {{storylink|Destined for Nothing}} The war continued despite their best efforts, and after a fruitless and disastrous skirmish with the Micromaster [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] and the Decepticons, Fortress Maximus gave up on the war. He left the Autobot army in order to seek a new path. {{Storylink|Victims of the Revolution}}

In a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced vision of things to come, Optimus Prime and Megatron glimpsed a gargantuan Fortress Maximus striding into battle on a war-torn [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Ironclaw artofwar.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb]]
While imbued with the wisdom of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], General [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] had a vision of Fortress Maximus and [[Sgt. Savage]] fighting against [[Iron Klaw]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

====''TransTech''====
Binary bonded to [[Emissary (RID)|Brave]] and Sgt. Savage as [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s, Fortress Maximus was part of the alliance between the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] [[Screaming Eagles]] against the Decepticons and [[S.K.A.R.]] A clash between Maximus and Trypticon nearly destroyed Earth's magnetosphere, but ultimately, the Autobots and their human allies won the day. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/05/01}}
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|''[[Spotlight: Blaster]]''}}

[[File:SpotlightBlaster FortMaxFirstAppearance.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Fortress Maximus came online in the midst of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] between the Autobots and Decepticons, a rare "warborn" Cybertronian who was [[Reproduction|forged]] at some point after the beginning of open hostilities between the two factions. {{storylink|Interiors}} Fortress Maximus possessed an abnormal green [[spark]] that marked him as a [[Point One Percenter]]—while he wasn't ''quite'' as strong as other famous heavyweights like [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] or [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], his imposing size and frightful array of heavy-duty armaments—including a set of guns in his legs—made him more than a match for the average Decepticon. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Maximus participated in the infamous [[Simanzi Massacre]]; over the course of this campaign, he won renown for killing at least ten thousand Decepticons. {{storylink|Animals}}

In the year [[1408]], a century before the fall of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Fortress Maximus had become the hard-edged warden in charge of [[Garrus-9]], an Autobot-run penitentiary where both Autobot and Decepticon prisoners were reduced down to their [[spark]] and [[laser core]] alone, held inanimate in a storage center known as "The Rig" until such a time as Fortress Maximus deemed to rebuild and release them, if ever. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} At some point, Maximus was among the many Autobots across the galaxy who watched a news report heralding [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s miraculous return. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

[[File:SpotlightArcee FortressMaximus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

After Optimus Prime encountered the [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] [[combiner|gestalt]] on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s asteroid bunker, he sent the "[[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]]" to Garrus-9 with [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] in the hopes that they could help them recover from [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s inhumane experimentation. Fortress Maximus was dubious of the possible results, but allowed Jetfire and his team to run their tests. However, once word of the gestalt technology got out, agents of the [[Decepticon Secret Service]] came to claim the remarkable new tech for themselves. Faced with an incredible amount of orbital bombardment and ground warfare, Fortress Maximus and his defensive crew were at serious risk of being overrun. In desperation, he reactivated [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]], the most dangerous Autobot in the penitentiary. Fortress hoped that Arcee—as another one of Jhiaxus's discarded experiments—would do anything to prevent the Decepticons from laying claim to the "[[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]], but also fitted her spark with synchronized G-forces that would fatally crush her spark if she stepped out of line. Despite Arcee's help, the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] made off with the six gestalt robots; against his better judgement, Jetfire convinced Maximus that Arcee was their best available option to retrieve them. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

When Optimus Prime and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] met with Fortress Maximus and Jetfire on Garrus-9 to discuss the recent breakout, they also mentioned that a surviving Decepticon—unbeknownst to the pair, one of Arcee's victims—had been tortured, leaving Maximus and Jetfire to exchange guilty glances. Despite this, Prime left Maximus in charge while Jetfire boarded the ''[[Ark-32]]''. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} Prime returned to Garrus-9 during the [[Expansion]] crisis, when the corrupted [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] entered the living universe after the death of [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]. Fortress Maximus and the other Autobots hunkered down in The Last Resort, the prison's best-defended, highest-security section, but Nemesis effortlessly forced his way in, killed [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]] and [[Drench (G2)|Drench]] and shrugged off all Autobot weapons fire. Maximus called in reinforcements until Optimus convinced him that conventional tactics would not work with the undead Prime and went to deal with Nemesis Prime himself. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} To help the Autobots fight back against Nemesis and his followers, Fortress temporarily assisted the Autobots on Earth, where he battled [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] and [[Grindcore (G1)|Grindcore]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:Overlord-Fort-Max-Interiors.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Maximus had returned to Garrus-9 by the time that [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] launched the devastating [[Surge (event)|Surge]] against the Autobots, and an annoyed Maximus led the defense of the prison against the [[Predator (subgroup)|Predator]] forces. However, when the sociopathic [[Phase Sixer]] [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] took control of the Decepticon forces, the villains overran the complex while Overlord trounced the mighty Autobot. To keep the liberated prisoners on his side, Overlord tossed them their former warden to torture as they saw fit so long as they kept him alive. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} Overlord needed Maximus alive for one reason—''[[Epistemus|something]]'' had been hidden beneath the prison's [[Aequitas]] supercomputer, and only Maximus knew how to access the locked room that housed the machine. With the Autobots in disarray and unable to mount a rescue mission, Fortress Maximus spent three years, two months, and ten days in captivity, enduring one painful torture session after another; although Overlord's brutal torture sessions left his body increasingly mangled, Maximus refused to give in to his tormentor and developed a burning hatred for Prowl, whom he viewed as the 'bot responsible for leaving him and his men to die. {{storylink|Interiors}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers3-Fort Max.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

By the time that the Autobots sent the [[Wreckers]] to liberate the benighted prison complex, Fortress Maximus had been reduced to a comatose wreck, forcibly hardwired to the door that protected the Aequitas chamber while his brain inputted code after code in an attempt to brute-force the lock. While accessing the Aequitas chamber, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] removed Maximus from the system, while [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]] pulled his body from the door. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} As the Decepticons broke into the Aequitas chamber, [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]] carried Fortress Maximus to safety; eventually, after the remaining Wreckers defeated Overlord, Maximus was placed on life support alongside [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]]. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

Fortress Maximus was transferred to [[Delphi]], and spent the final days of the war in an "eternal coma". When [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]], and [[Ambulon]] were cornered by [[Genericon]]s, a desperate [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] turned to a dangerous, untested procedure and used his own spark's energy to revitalize Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} Maximus promptly annihilated his foes, and when Pharma revealed himself to be in league with the Decepticons, Maximus pursued him until he disappeared into a bolthole too small for Maximus to follow. Once Ratchet dealt with Pharma and his bioengineered [[Red Rust]] plague, Fortress Maximus joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' on their mission to find the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}} Captain [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] was pleased to see Maximus, giving him a hug and telling him "[['Til all are one]]". {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Not long afterwards, he attended a medal ceremony held by Rodimus to honor the heroes of a recent hull breach emergency. {{storylink|The Reluctant Specialist}}

[[File:FortressMaximus Interiors dutyofcare.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Out of concern for his precipitous mental health, Ratchet referred Fortress Maximus to [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] for psychiatric treatment. The sessions went poorly, as Maximus actively lied about what he remembered about his time in Decepticon captivity; after one such session, Maximus headed to [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]'s [[Swerve's|bar]], where he suffered a mental break and shot five Autobots—[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], [[Boss (G1)|Boss]], [[Turbine]], [[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]], and [[Doubletap]]—because their colors reminded him of Overlord. Fortress Maximus then locked himself within Rung's office, tied the psychoanalyst to his own chair, and impaled Rung's current patient [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] with a pipe. At Rung's suggestion, Maximus contacted 'Hot Rod' to demand to be taken back to Cybertron so he could get an explanation from Prowl regarding why he was left on Garrus-9 for so long. After crushing the communicator underfoot, he noticed that the microphone in Rung's right thumb was broadcasting to the ship and promptly ripped it off. An acerbic Whirl continued to taunt him, and at Maximus's prompting, told his life story. This turned out to be a delaying tactic, and once Maximus realized the ship hadn't changed course, he prepared to kill his hostages. He was distracted by images of his own torture at Overlord's hands, projected as a distraction by Rewind while Swerve lined up a shot, but accidentally blew Rung's head apart. As an anguished Maximus realised what he'd done Whirl successfully impaled him through the chest. {{storylink|Interiors}} After recovering, Maximus was summarily imprisoned in the ship's brig. {{storylink|Signal to Noise}}

[[File:IDWMtMtE15-FortMaxOverlordThwok.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

Weeks later, a recovered Rung paid him a visit in the brig and accepted an unabashedly sincere apology from Maximus. When Overlord broke free from the [[slow cell]] hidden in the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s basement, Fortress Maximus was released from confinement to combat the rampaging Phase Sixer after he was temporarily incapacitated by [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]]'s use of [[Trepan's Trigger]]. He pummeled Overlord mercilessly and forced him back into the slow cell, which was then jettisoned from the ''Lost Light'' into space and destroyed by Chromedome. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} When Rodimus led a band of Autobots to the lost satellite [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], he left Fortress Maximus in command of the ''Lost Light'' {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} After the infiltration of the ship by [[Legislator]]s, Fortress Maximus used his leg guns to fend off the attackers {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}}, but was soon subdued. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} As a forged Autobot, Maximus was not affected when [[Chief Justice]] [[Solomus|Tyrest]] activated the [[universal killswitch]], but could only watch as it almost extinguished the sparks of Blaster and [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}}

[[File:SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreAutobots FortMax.jpg|thumb|left]]
Once the Legislators were defeated, Fortress Maximus helped clean up Swerve's wrecked bar. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} Rodimus commended Maximus for his defense of the ship and offered him [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s previous title of Duly Appointed Enforcer of the [[Tyrest Accord]]. As this position that would have him leave the ''Lost Light'', Maximus feared he might have another breakdown if left unchecked and asked for advice from Rung, who reassured him of his mental health and convinced him to accept. Maximus subsequently departed the ''Lost Light'', and moved into Tyrest's abandoned base on Luna 1 alongside [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and the [[Circle of Light]] to guard a captive Tyrest, {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} unaware that the Chief Justice had really built his citadel inside a dead Titan. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}} In between his duties as the new Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord, he continued his therapy with Rung remotely and eventually reached some semblance of peace. {{storylink|Animals}}

Unlike Ultra Magnus, Maximus believed that his duties sometimes called for "pre-emptive action" instead of only seeking out offenders ''after'' they'd broken a law. One such offender, an ex-Decepticon named [[Demus]], came to his attention for kidnapping [[beast mode]] Cybertronians and marketing them to organic races as "[[Roboid]]s". Maximus warned Demus of his impending arrest, but the Decepticon ignored his warnings. {{storylink|Animals}} Eventually, Maximus tracked Demus to [[Tebris VII]] and briefly pursued him before executing him in front of Demus's prospective employees, the self-proclaimed "[[Scavengers (G1)|Scavengers]]". {{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}} Mistaking the ragtag Decepticons for active collaborators, Maximus gave chase; when [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] brought up Grimlock, who'd also been imprisoned in Garrus-9, Maximus changed tack and tracked Grimlock to the ''[[Weak Anthropic Principle]]'', where he briefly grappled with the brain-damaged [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] until the Scavengers caught up with him. Crankcase and [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] successfully bluffed Maximus into backing down and leaving their ship by lying that they'd rigged a bomb in Demus's Roboid warehouse; when Maximus doubled back to check, he instead discovered that [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] had left him instructions on how to reverse the Roboids' brain damage. After bringing the Roboids back onto his ship, he related his most recent adventure to Rung, who suggested that he rethink his approach to peacekeeping in a postwar galaxy. {{storylink|Animals}}

[[File:FortMaxCuddles.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right]]
Following his return to Luna 1, Fortress Maximus and Red Alert watched a broadcast of the last words of several crew members of the ''Lost Light'' who were about to be executed. Alarmed, Fortress tried contacting the ship, on every frequency he knew, only to get no response. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

Over the next few cycles, their ally [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] worked to repair the Roboids one by one; once their powers of speech, higher reasoning, and transformation were repaired, each one opted to return to Cybertron, much to Fortress's dismay. As he was planning to head off to [[Immatura]] to deal with a Decepticon smuggling [[spark harvester]]s, Cerebros suggested a new form of [[mnemosurgery]] to speed up the healing process; before they could finish their conversation, however, Prowl suddenly arrived through a [[Space bridge|spacebridge]]. Though Fortress was initially intent on finally getting even with the 'bot who'd left him to die—despite the fact that Prowl had completely forgotten about the entire incident—the amoral strategist warned them that [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] had returned from the grave and set a course for Luna 1. As the three followed the Roboid [[Beak]] to the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] graveyard aboard [[Mobile Autobot Repair Bay|MARBs]], Fortress admitted that his therapy sessions with Rung had helped him work through some of his wartime trauma. The group discovered that Sentinel had already hijacked one of the dead Titans; when they caught up with the rogue Prime, Sentinel initially mistook Fortress for [[Pious Maximus]] and refused to recognize his authority. Before Fortress could take any action to stop the ancient 'bot from waking up every Titan he could, Sentinel revealed that he'd brainwashed Red Alert and used his sleeper agent to shoot Prowl in the back. {{storylink|Ten to Midnight}}

[[File:LastLight-TitanFight.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
Fortress grappled with his partner but held back for fear of killing the brainwashed Red Alert; frustrated by Red's lack of success, Sentinel prepared to kill them both, only for Cerebros to buy enough time for the group to escape by puppeteering Prowl's body. The group fled back to Tyrest's base, where Fortress hit upon the idea of transforming their own Titan to go after Sentinel, who'd used his [[Titan Master]] powers to raise an entire army of [[zombie]] titans and open a spacebridge portal to Cybertron. After Prowl dislodged the Titan's jammed [[transformation cog]], Fortress Maximus took control of the Titan's motor functions and used the giant Cybertronian to keep as many zombies as he could away from the portal—faced with an army, however, he couldn't hold them back for long and was overwhelmed before Red Alert dealt with Sentinel and closed the portal. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}}
While Prowl took [[G.B. Blackrock|Sovereign]] back to [[Earth]], the Luna 1 Autobots eventually traveled to [[Necroworld]] to rescue their friends (though Maximus allowed Outrigger to tag along, he forbade live-streaming) only to find the Decepticon members of the [[Disappeared]] had conquered the planet. After saving the vlogger from [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]], the group found [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] buried within an [[isolation chamber]]. Hooking Beak up to the system to peek into the chamber, they found evidence suggesting the minibot had succumbed to spontaneous spark combustion and Maximus called Rodimus to inform him of the grim news. {{storylink|Sardines}}

[[File:LostLight25 FortMaxAndScavengersMakePeace.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Three days later, after Cerebros had used his implant to repair all of the remaining Roboids at once, Prowl announced that he would stay with the trio for a while to clear his head. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}}
Maximus soon received a bizarre message from Rodimus, giving him instructions to use the [[Warren]] to travel slightly back in time to the [[Benzene Cluster]] and slam Luna 1 into the [[neural cluster]] of a giant [[Primus]] robot before then giving the past Rodimus the instructions he had just received. Though skeptical, Maximus complied, having Luna 1 enter the Warren and being amazed to see the giant planetary avatar upon exiting. He ordered Red Alert to bounce Luna 1 off the back of Primus' neck, forcibly reverting it to planet mode. Maximus later watched from above as Rodimus' group opened twelve [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrices]] on the surface of Functionist Cybertron, defeating the [[Functionist Council]] and re-igniting Luna 1's dormant [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]. They reunited with their fellows in the aftermath and Maximus had to give Rodimus the instructions he had originally been given to complete his role in the time loop. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

Fortress Maximus later attended a farewell party for the decommissioned ''Lost Light'' in Swerve's bar, where he apologized to the Scavengers for attempting to kill them. [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] couldn't help but admire his leg guns. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
When the [[Autobot]]s fell down with a [[nano-virus]], Fortress Maximus was in city mode as part of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}

===''Transformers GT: Mission GT-R''===
[[File:GT-R Maximus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|What's worse? This pose? Or the fact that it's called the "master '''Jack''' Sword"?]]
In a world where the Transformers' war settled into a series of friendly competitive races known as the [[Transformers GT (race)|Transformers GT]], Fortress Maximus took on a race car form and became the [[GT Transformer]] known as '''GT-R Maximus'''. He was a fair and sportsmanlike racer who boasted the highest strength of all GT Transformers, and though normally averse to combat, he was willing to punish cheaters with his [[Master Jack Sword]]. Like other contestants, GT-R Maximus put a limit on his own strength by separating his Matrix into a [[GT Sister]], creating his partner [[Hiiro]].

====Comic====
GT-R Maximus was racing against [[Optimus Prime (G1)|GT-R Prime]] and [[Star Saber (G1)|GT-R Saber]], cheered on by Hiiro on the sidelines, when the race was interrupted by the arrival of [[Megatron (G1)|GT-R Megatron]]. The intruder announced his intent to crush all racers inferior to him, causing a scuffle, but GT-R Prime talked him down and convinced him to join the race instead. {{storylink|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (comic)|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R}}

====Story pages====
Like other racers, GT-R Maximus attended photo shoots alongside Hiiro in order to promote coexistence between humans and Transformers. {{storylink|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (story page)|The Work of the GT Sister Race Queens?}} When a reincarnated [[Unicron]] attacked the Transformers GT finals and absorbed the huge [[energon]] pool saved up for the final prize, Maximus threw aside his usual dislike for battle and attacked the villain with his mighty sword. {{storylink|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (story page)|Bringing Down the Sword}} But Maximus alone wasn't enough to defeat Unicron, so he used the "Matrix In" process to recombine with Hiiro and restore his true strength. Together with the other powered up racers and their GT Sisters, he fought and defeated Unicron, saving Earth. {{storylink|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (story page)|The True TFGT}}

====''Story of Transformers GT''====
GT-R Maximus raced in the 19th Transformers GT in his usual pacifistic manner, refusing Hiiro's requests to prepare the Master Jack Sword and instead relying on his fists when he was forced into combat. His resolve was tested when he heard that GT-R Megatron was using unnecessarily violent methods to get ahead, however, and he ultimately relented and had Hiiro transfer the sword to him so he could teach the brute a lesson. {{storylink|A Biggest Sword! –The Last Resort–}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
The Ft. Max Forum, located on Earth, was the third venue for the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]] on their 2014 "Till All Are One" tour. {{storylink|Knights of Unicron}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:EverybodyHatesMetroplex-FortMax.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Fortress Maximus was an ancient rival of Scorponok. In the past, their battles had spanned entire worlds and destroyed countless civilizations. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'s corruption of his brain reduced Fortress Maximus to a mindless, energy-starved zombie who wandered Cybertron in a daze. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} When [[U.S.7]] and the [[Oktober Guard]] passed by on a ship, Maximus grabbed it out of the sky and swallowed the occupants whole. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} A group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] and Autobots infiltrated the giant on a mission to save U.S.7, leading to their discovery and defeat of Blackarachnia and the restoration of Maximus's mind. He subsequently joined the battle against the Decepticons and [[Cobra]], going up against [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] who bit his head off only to for the head to transform into Cerebros in his mouth. In spite of the surprise attack this allowed for, the Autobots were defeated and the decapitated body of Fortress Maximus was left where it lay. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

Through circumstances unknown, [[Snake-Eyes]] bonded with Fortress Maximus through the [[Master Sword]], replacing his original head partner, [[Galen]]. He teamed up with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], in turn controlled by Snake-Eyes's compatriot [[Scarlett]], and together they coerced [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to fight again before marching on the Decepticon position as part of a joint Autobot-Joe army. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} During the battle, even Maximus and Scorponok were dwarfed by Megatron's "Mega-Megatron" form, but fortunately they didn't have to fight the giant long before he was broken apart by [[Shipwreck]]. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{--}}

===''Kre-O'' online comic===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-10-Fortress.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
Fortress was at the newly constructed Autobot base, [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:HeadGames-ResistanceScaleFortMaxFace.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Cerebros and Spike Witwicky were turned into Fortress Maximus when the war spread to Nebulos to counter the rise of [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]]. However, the destructive power of the city-bot brought only more devastation to the planet, and the existence of Maximus and weapons like him was a major reason why the [[Human Confederacy]] confined the Transformers and their war to a [[Allowed Zone|quarantined region of space]]. {{storylink|Head Games}} When Galvatron threatened the planet [[Master (planet)|Rebirth]], Fortress Maximus—now bonded to Daniel Witwicky—returned to duty after the Decepticons deployed the newest incarnation of MegaZarak. When the two clashed for the second time, it was Fortress Maximus who fell. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} After the end of the war, an energy-starved Fortress Maximus could no longer move and ground to a halt in robot mode in [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]], where his frozen, towering form was repurposed as a prison by the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]]. Cerebros himself died at some point, but his consciousness remained active within Maximus through three [[Cyberdroid]]s, [[Grand Maximus|Gran]], [[Galen|Kord]], and [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]].

When Cerebros learned of the Terran singularity, bringing back all humans who ever lived and died, he petitioned the Terrans to bring back his Witwicky partners as well. They refused, but instead gave Cerebros the [[Energon Matrix]] technology to create a new proto-race of Cybertronians. One of the earliest protoformers birthed was [[Maxima]], known as the first daughter of Fortress Maximus and ''She Who Sang''. Her principles led to the development of a proto-race faction called the Maximals, derived from Autobot teachings and named in part for Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Head Games}} {{storylink|The Predacon Manifesto}}

[[Lio Convoy#Beast Wars: Uprising|Lio Convoy]]'s [[Resistance]] against the Builders sought to infiltrate Fortress Maximus and free the prisoners within, but their initial attempts were foiled by Cerebros's ability to get into the heads of the intruders and turn them against each other. The third strike team was able to turn the tide by willingly sacrificing [[Buzzclaw (BW)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Buzzclaw]] to Cerebros's control and using the mental link to paralyze him, allowing them to kill Kord and Plasma and kidnap Gran, effectively shutting down Maximus. {{storylink|Head Games}}
{{--}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Primax 1086.0 Kappa]], Fortress Maximus and Scorponok were killed by the Nebulans during the Transformers' battle on Nebulos, and their remains were fused together by [[Zarak (G1)|Mortilus Zarak]] into a giant robot body. After he binary bonded with the body, however, the faint traces of Maximus's and Scorponok's sparks began affecting his mind and eventually drove him mad, turning him into "[[Zarak Maximus]]". {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/11}}

In some other realities, Fortress Maximus survived the Great War and went on to found the [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/08}}

===2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity===
Fortress Maximus was one of the many casualties of the Great War before the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
[[File:HasbroPulse FortressMaximus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|This is highly unusual.]]

One of the last [[Titan (group)|Titans]] in the universe, {{storylink|#Generations|''Titans Return'' Fortress Maximus online bio}} the legendary Fortress Maximus had slumbered underneath [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], until the battle for the [[Titan Master]]s roused him from his slumber. He awoke just in time to witness [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s attack on Cybertron, frightening the Decepticon communications officer something fierce. {{storylink|Titans Return: The Power of the Titan Masters}} With a city alt-mode, Fortress Maximus served as the ultimate Autobot weapon and base. {{storylink|#Generations|''Titans Return'' Fortress Maximus online bio}}

When Fortress Maximus returned to full size and unleashed his power on the universe, the scientists [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Arcana|Teslor]] and Cityspeaker [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] fought against the rogue Autobot [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], who sought to use a loyal Titan Master to bend the Titan to his will as part of his own misguided agenda.<ref>''Titans Return'' ''[[Titans Return (toyline)#Summer convention exclusives|Titan Force]] 3-pack'' bio material/instructions.</ref>
{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Michael Dorn]] (English), [[Nolan North]] (English, screams and grunts)}}

[[File:OverlordAndEmissary-FortMax.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Not quite the shpadoinkle day he had prior.]]

Fortress Maximus was a [[Titan (group)|Titan]] constructed during the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], and was aided by his Titan Master, [[Emissary (TR)|Emissary]]. Once the conflict ceased, he was decommissioned and left dormant. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} After the conclusion of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] experienced a vision of Fortress Maximus, indicating that the Titans had indeed returned. {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}

When Trypticon was reawakened, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] proposed seeking out Fortress Maximus to combat the rogue Titan. At Perceptor's suggestion, the [[Mistress of Flame]] sent [[Computron (G1)|Computron]], [[Victorion]], [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] to locate and awaken Maximus. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} The inert Titan was eventually located in a frozen wasteland by the four combiners, and Menasor accidentally fired a missile from one of Maximus's cannons that launched Emissary towards [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|The Fight Begins}}
Computron determined that Fortress Maximus's [[transformation cog]] was damaged, rendering him unable to directly join the battle. However, Victorion saw fit to target Maximus' functioning missiles at the saurian giant–with Metroplex expected to be killed in the process as an acceptable casualty of friendly fire–thereby fulfilling her own [[Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Victorion|personal vision of the Combiners saving the galaxy]]. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}}

The barrage ultimately failed, {{storylink|At the Last Second}} and the Combiners were distracted by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s arrival, leading to a confrontation that was eventually halted by [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and Emissary. After the others had departed, Emissary attempted to link to Fortress Maximus's mind, but was unable to access it. Instead, he initiated a procedure to link Windblade and Maximus via her [[Cityspeaker]] abilities. However, the process proved volatile and soon spiraled out of control. {{storylink|Desperate Actions}}

[[File:InGoodHands-FortMax.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|"I was woken up at 3 in the morning, told I had to put on make-up and come to this town. What the hell is going on?"]]

Windblade communed with Fortress Maximus, begging for his help, though he at first rejected her, having sworn a life of peace. She ultimately managed to convince Maximus, however, and he transformed himself back to robot mode, following Windblade back towards Metroplex City. {{storylink|Run for Our Lives}} Witnessing Trypticon's fight with Victorion from afar, Fortress Maximus admitted he was unsure he could win, but swore to try anyway for Cybertron's sake. He arrived in Metroplex City just in time to catch [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] before he could fall into some sharp rubble. {{storylink|In Good Hands}} He engaged in battle with Trypticon, refusing help from Emissary, and managed to get the upper hand until Trypticon swallowed Victorion and the [[Enigma of Combination]], powering himself up. Between attacks from the powered-up Trypticon and the now mind-controlled [[Combiner]]s, Maximus found himself at a disadvantage. When Trypticon swallowed [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership]], even he was knocked away by the sudden surge of power it triggered. {{storylink|Consumed}}

Ultimately, however, the Matrix's power couldn't be controlled by Trypticon, and he released all those he had swallowed, along with Starscream's ghost. Catching Trypticon's deactivated body, Maximus lamented the loss of another Titan, but was interrupted by the return of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]. He and Optimus attempted a sneak attack, but Megatronus effortlessly caught Maximus's Master Sword and tossed him away before killing Optimus. No longer able to bring himself to try attacking again, Maximus could only watch as Megatronus escaped with the Enigma and Matrix in hand. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}} He was later severely weakened by the spark-draining power of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'s doomsday weapon. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Thankfully, he survived and began working under Windblade, who became the Magistrate of [[Cityspeaker]]s and aided those who communicated with the Titans. {{storylink|Saga's End}}
{{--}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:StarTrekVsTF2-fortressmaximus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|"So long, Earth suckers! Enjoy the melting ice caps! I hope the combustion engine was worth it!"]]

As [[World War III]] swept Earth, the Autobots abandoned [[Earth]] aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] Fortress Maximus, using his starship configuration to roam the cosmos in search of [[energon]]. Decades passed, and as Maximus passed by [[Cygnus Seven]] the Autobots were ambushed by the Decepticons aboard their own Titan, Trypticon; in the ensuing battle, the badly damaged Fortress Maximus crash-landed on the planet's surface, sending everyone aboard—Autobot and Decepticon alike—into stasis. Centuries later, the [[Federation]] set up a [[dilithium]] mine on the planet, and while surveying a potential mineshaft Federation miners accidentally stumbled on the Titan's inert form, and inadvertently reactivated Fortress Maximus's repair systems in the process.

[[File:STvsTF3-FortressTiberious.jpg|thumb|So do Gasket and Grommet turn into ''Enterprise'' shuttles now, or...?]]

Unable to distinguish between Autobot and Decepticon, Maximus's autonomous subsystems first brought the Decepticons back online, who proceeded to attack the mining colony before the ship could reawaken Prime and the other Autobots. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} When [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] and the crew of the ''[[USS Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' investigated the distress signal, they discovered Fortress Maximus's resting spot, only to be ambushed by the rest of the Autobots {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}} before Kirk could convince them of his good intentions. The Decepticons soon got the upper hand by sealing the Autobots in the mine with their new allies, and so [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] hatched a risky plan to bring Fortress Maximus back online. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

To bring the Titan back online, Ratchet rigged up a device that would access Kirk's memories through Fortress Maximus; using scans of the ''Enterprise''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s schematics, plucked from Kirk's brain, Ratchet was able to bring their living ship back to full functionality by rebuilding Fortress Maximus into a copy of the ''Enterprise''. Shortly after coming back online, Fortress Maximus burst from the ground to take on the Decepticons and their new [[Klingon]] allies; now fully under Kirk's mental control, the [[Starfleet]] captain was able to blast Trypticon with the ship's inbuilt [[Phaser (weapon)|phasers]] before beaming [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Kuri]]'s Federation prisoners to safety. To take on the gigantic Decepticon, Kirk was able to transform the Titan into his new robot mode, their shared mind declaring themselves "Fortress Tiberius." {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}

[[File:PrimesDirective4-CygnusVIIBattle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml4wAnvfM4M Dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-DAAAAAAAH-dah-dah-dah]...]]

As the two Titans battled it out, Kirk was forced to keep Fortress Maximus's own desire for vengeance under control, using his powerful suite of onboard weapons to great effect against his foe. Despite the temptation, however, Kirk was able to keep himself under control, and by reining in his partner's bloodlust Kirk was able to momentarily down Trypticon with a powerful punch. When the Decepticons abruptly announced a retreat, however, Kirk used Tiberius's onboard sensors to realize that the treacherous Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] had already absconded with a load of [[dilithium]], and sought to conquer the [[Klingon Empire]]. Optimus and the other Autobots boarded Fortress Tiberius and reunited with the real ''Enterprise'' over Cygnus Seven to help repair the damaged vessel. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}}

When the ''Enterprise'' was once more spaceworthy, the two vessels pursued Starscream to the Klingon homeworld of [[Kronos]], using their onboard [[replicator]]s to construct [[Crewbot|a series of armored battlesuits]] so that the other members of the ''Enterprise'' could take on their foes. Kirk and the others had arrived too late, however: Starscream had already arrived and been summarily defeated by Megatron and the other Decepticons, with the Decepticon leader seeking to seize the planet as the capital of his Decepticon empire. Fortress Tiberius and Trypticon battled it out once more as the Autobots, Klingons, and Starfleet members joined the fight, though the Titan and his human partner weren't able to overcome Trypticon before they were incapacitated by a paralyzing sonic blast from Soundwave. The Klingons, however, weren't affected by this frequency, and thanks to Kirk forewarning their leader [[Kuri]] about Cybertronian vulnerabilities, they were able to unleash an armada of [[Warbird (Star Trek)|warbird]]s on the Decepticons and defeat them. In the aftermath, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots chose to go their own way aboard Fortress Tiberius once more. As they bade farewell to Kirk and the other members of Starfleet, they pledged to remain on call if the Federation ever needed their assistance again. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Fortress Maximus grappled with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] on [[Nebulos|Nebulon]] while other [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] scuffled at their feet. With a show of prodigious strength, Fortress Maximus picked up Scorponok by his tail and tossed his opponent about like a ragdoll. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmaster comic book|Headmaster comic book commercial}}
*When the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] threatened to attack Fortress Maximus, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] sprung up to oppose them. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Technobots and Terrorcons|Technobots and Terrorcons commercial}}
*The Terrorcons attacked Fortress Maximus once more; this time, the massive Autobot warded off their attack on his own by blasting them with his battle station mode. The Terrorcons regrouped and combined into [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] to tare away at Fortress Maximus's armament. Little did they know that Fortress Maximus could still transform into a robot that dwarfed even the mighty combiner! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Fortress Maximus|Fortress Maximus commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
When the Decepticons struck out at four planets, including Cybertron and Earth, Fortress Maximus was joined by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and the Autobot Headmasters to save the final planet from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
{{Note|Although Fortress Maximus was not included in a storyline for the ''Transformers Legends'' game, he was featured as a playable character.}} {{storylink|Signature Series featuring Marcelo Matere|Signature Series}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{Charstubgames|{{Storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1FortressMaximus toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|If I hear somebody ask "how's the weather up there" one more time, Primus help them...]]
*'''Fortress Maximus''' (Headmaster Base, [[1987]])
**''Takara ID number'': '''C-114'''
**''Accessories (Hasbro release)'': "[[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Toys|Spike]]" Headmaster unit, "[[Cerebros (G1)#Toys|Cerebros]]" large Headmaster unit, [[Cog (G1)|"Gasket" and "Grommet" ("Cog")]], "[[Photon rifle|Photon Rifle]]", "Dual Laser Blaster", Cerebros's "Mini Laser Rifle", Cog's "Laser rifle", "Radar Scope"
**''Accessories (Takara release)'': "Cerebros" Headmaster unit, "Fortress" large Headmaster unit, "Gasket" and "Gromme" ("Cog"), "Photon Rifle", "Dual Laser Blaster", Fortress's "Laser Rifle", Cog's Laser rifle, "Radar Scope", "Master Sword", Fortress's "Master Sword".
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Fortress Maximus is, by far, the largest ''Transformers'' toy produced in the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original Generation 1 toyline]], and for over 25 years was the largest ''Transformers'' toy produced at all. In [[robot mode]], he stands 22" (or 56 cm) tall, nearly 8" (20 cm) taller than his rival [[Scorponok (G1)#Toys|Scorponok]]. The original retail price was nearly $100 USD. Even decades later, his size is surpassed only by the 24" tall ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#T30|Thrilling 30]]'' [[Metroplex (G1)#Generations|Metroplex]] and its [[retool]] as [[#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Fortress Maximus]], and the 27" [[Unicron/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|''War for Cybertron'' Unicron]].

:The toy has two [[alternate mode]] configurations, transforming into a relatively compact "city" mode and a "battle station" mode as described in the U.S. instructions. The Japanese instructions rebrand the latter as a "starship" mode and it is the default mode for Fortress Maximus in the ''Headmasters'' animated series. As originally patented,<ref>[https://patents.google.com/patent/USD305786 Fortress Maximus' worldwide patent application] on Google Patents</ref> Fortress Maximus' battle station mode instead had the legs splayed outwards in opposite directions, and it was this mode that appeared in the Hasbro 1987 catalogue, labelled as an "impenetrable fortress".<ref>[https://botchthecrab.com/archive/catalogs Catalogue archive at BotchTheCrab.com]</ref>

:Fortress Maximus's head is formed by "Cerebros" ("Fortress" in Japan), while Cerebros's head is formed by "Spike" ("Cerebros" in Japan). When Fortress Maximus is transformed into robot mode, Spike doesn't have to be attached to Cerebros to connect the head. The "Gasket" and "Grommet" ("Gromme" in Japan) vehicles can combine together to form "Cog". Furthermore, Gasket and Grommet can each be ridden by any Headmaster [[Nebulan]] figure.

:In all modes, Fortress Maximus has a wide array of (non-firing) guns and gimmicks. The right half of his "tower" has a cockpit that can carry a single headmaster figure, in this case Spike. A prison cell is concealed in the left leg, as well a dual cannon/helipad. The right leg has a stepped storage compartment. His torso has a gear-activated spinner for the detachable radar array, a "control socket" for Cerebros's "communications room" mode, and a working elevator that can lift small figures up to be fired down the central ramp by another switch activated launcher. The crank for this elevator ends up in a very unfortunate position in robot mode. The back of either arm carries a long ramp with a sliding launcher.

:The Japanese release of Fortress Maximus came with a pair of [[Master Sword]]s; one for Fortress (Cerebros), and a ''large'' one for Fortress Maximus himself. It is unknown if the swords were originally planned for the [[Hasbro]] version but dropped for price or [[For safety reasons|safety concerns]] or if they were a [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]-initiated addition to their release of the toy, although the lack of alternate mode integration of such a large accessory (unlike the also very large handguns) points to the latter.

:[[Megatron (BW)/toys#MegaheadMegatron|''Beast Wars Returns'' Megahead Megatron]]'s spider-head mode (sans spider legs) can fit into Fortress Maximus's head socket; though surely a coincidence, it was noted on the card [[bio]].

:This mold was used to make ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Masterforce|Super-God Masterforce]]'' [[Grand Maximus#Toys|Grand Maximus]], ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' [[Fortress Maximus (RID)#Car Robots|Brave Maximus]], and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' "[[Fortress Maximus (RID)#Robotmasters|Cybertron Base]]".
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/FortressMaximus/fortressmaximus.htm More information on Fortress Maximus at TFU.info]
{{--}}

====''Transform Jr''====
[[File:G1 FortressMaximus Jnr toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|We represent the Lollybot guild]]
*'''Fortress Maximus''' (1987)
**''ID number:'' '''C-114'''
**''Accessories:'' "Fortress" Headmaster unit, "Photon Rifle"

:''[[Transform Jr]]'' Fortress Maximus is a smaller rendering of the character, scaled down to regular Transformer size, and with only one head. Fortress Maximus could only transform from his starship mode to his robot mode, as his legs lack the joints to fold into city mode. Much of his detail and accessories have been simplified into stickers, such as his shin cannons. He comes with only one weapon, his large blue photon rifle.

:This toy was also available in a leaders three-pack with [[Chromedome (G1)#Transform Jr|Chromedome]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Convoy]].

::*''[http://www.cliffbee.com/reviews/fortmaxjr.php More information of Transform Jr Fortress Maximus at Cliffbee.com]''
{{--}}

===''Encore''===
*'''Fortress Maximus''' (Reissue, [[March]] [[2013]])
**''ID number:'' '''#23'''
**''Accessories'': "Cerebros" Headmaster unit, "Fortress" large Headmaster unit, "Gasket" and "Gromme" ("Cog"), "Photon Rifle", "Dual Laser Blaster", Fortress's "Laser Rifle", Cog's Laser rifle, "Radar Scope", "Master Sword", Fortress's "Master Sword".

:The G1 Fortress Maximus set was [[reissue]]d in the ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' line. This release features paint apps for Fortress Maximus' eyes, although the original eye stickers are also included. Due to an unknown QC issue, initial product was opened, manually checked, and retaped. Other changes include packaging addition of the ''Encore'' logo, and omission of Hasbro on copyright stamp.

:This release also included a Fortress Maximus [[collector coin]].

:Fortress's Headmaster unit from this run of the mold was [[retool]]ed into [[BotCon 2014]] [[Olin Zarak#Timelines|Olin Zarak]].
{{--}}

===''GT''===
[[File:GT Maximus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*'''GT-R Maximus''' ([[September 28]], [[2013]])
**''ID number:'' '''GT-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Master Jack Sword, [[Hiiro]] race queen figure

:''[[Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (franchise)|Transformers GT]]'' GT-R Maximus is a heavy retool of the ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Alternity|Convoy]] toy, transforming into a 1:32 replica of the D'station Advan GT-R race car used by the [http://www.matchy.co.jp/ KONDO Racing] team in the {{w|Super GT}} racing championship series. He features die-cast metal parts, an opening hood, trunk and doors, as well as an interior, complete with his feet and thighs being sculpted to form the back seats. His armaments include flip-out non-firing blasters on his arms and the "Master Jack Sword", a sword based on the [[Master Sword]] but with hinges that allow it to double as a car jack. Like all ''GT'' toys, Maximus also comes with a [[GT Sister]], a poseable human figure themed after a {{w|race queen}}, namely a lady named Hiiro.

:GT-R Maximus was originally slated to be released as GT-03, but was pushed back to GT-04 with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#GT|GT-R Megatron]] becoming GT-03. This may have had to do with the fact his original promotional art featured the same head as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#GT|GT-R Prime]] rather than the newly tooled head the figure comes with.

:This mold was also used, with different heads and accessories, to make the other ''Transformers GT'' toys: GT-R Prime, GT-R Megatron, and [[Star Saber (G1)#GT|GT-R Saber]].
{{AlternityConvoyMold}}
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
{{anchor|Generations}}
[[File:TitansReturntoy-FortressMaximus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|I HEARD SOMEONE SAY METROPLEX WAS BIGGEST... WHO'S BIGGEST NOW? Oh... [[Unicron/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Him]]...]]
*'''Emissary & Cerebros & Fortress Maximus''' (Titan Class, [[2016]]/[[2024]])
**''Accessories:'' [[Cerebros (G1)#Titans Return|Cerebros]], [[Emissary (TR)#Titans Return|Emissary]], 2 leg guns, gun turret
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Fortress Maximus is an elaborate retool of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations: Thrilling 30]]'' [[Metroplex (G1)#Generations|Metroplex]], in many places relocating and repurposing its reused parts. In robot mode, he retains Metroplex's extensive [[articulation]], and his head is formed by the [[Titan Master]] [[Cerebros (G1)#Titans Return|Cerebros]], whose own head is in turn formed by the smaller Titan Master [[Emissary (TR)#Titans Return|Emissary]]. Cerebros incorporates electronic light and sound effects: in Cerebros and "tower" modes, he'll play two different laser blast sounds and say "Cerebros", while in head mode he'll say "Fortress Maximus", "Autobot", and "Decepticon" and also plays powering up and powering down sounds in addition to Cerebros's laser sounds. Flipping the visor as part of the transformation between Cerebros and head mode plays a transforming sound. Measuring from foot to the tops of their respective heads, Fortress Maximus has a slight height advantage on Metroplex, and therefore regained his title as tallest Transformers toy ever produced... until ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Unicron/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Unicron]] rolled around five years later. In terms of size comparison, a Leader class figure in robot mode comes up to just below his knee.

:Fortress Maximus sports his traditional leg guns, which can hinge up and down, and also be removed and attached to his shoulders or hands. The "command center" gun on the side of his left leg can also rotate, and the clear "control center" in his chest opens to reveal a turret which seats a Titan Master. Fortress Maximus retains the opening compartment in his right forearm from Metroplex, but the gun emplacement is no longer present, seemingly meant to represent the holding cell from his original toy given its red coloration. Similarly redundant shared features include his lower legs folding open and his arm being set on a hinge (his right arm as opposed to Metroplex's left).

[[File:Titans-Return-Cybertron-City.jpg|left|300px|thumb|All your base are belong to him.]]
:Fortress Maximus can transform into either a battle station or a city, in which most of the aforementioned play features are still accessible. The city mode incorporates ramps on both arms and his left shoulder, which can be attached to the base modes of ''Titans Return'' Leader Class figures to form a larger "[[Cybertron City (TR)|Cybertron City]]", specifically [[Blaster (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Autobot Blaster]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Titans Return|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]. Due to their placement, some Leader Class figures may need to be altered from their official base mode configurations to connect properly. Additional connectors are on the inside of each leg.

:Like Metroplex, Fortress Maximus is packaged with his right arm detached in order to fit in his packaging. Please take note that if you transform Fortress Maximus into his vehicle or base mode, you need to push the leg flaps down ''hard'' until they click. It is also possible to press the flap down from inside the bottom of the foot, which is open. Due to the clip snapping into the gap between the two halves of the leg, some samples have a tendency for the feet to come loose. Pressing the two halves together firmly tends to reduce this issue.

:As with Metroplex, Fortress Maximus includes a sticker sheet to complete his deco. The sticker placement instructions do not show that there are additional direction indicators under his left leg gun and the frame that holds it, which makes it look like there are more stickers for them than necessary. The ones on his right leg are also covered by his foot in robot mode.

:Also similar to Metroplex, Fortress Maximus doesn't come with his vehicular drone Cog (comprising Gasket and Grommet), though Cog was [[Cog (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|released 2 years later]] for the [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toyline]]. "[[The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 4: LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part One]]" of the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Legends]]'' comic includes a configuration with ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[#Legends|Fortress Maximus]] below (and of course, any of his redecos), which turns Cog into four pieces of weaponry to attach to the Titan.

:Fortress Maximus was meant to be reissued in [[December]] 2023, but was delayed to [[February]] 2024, and was later delayed again to [[August]] 2024. This mold was also used to make ''Legends'' [[Grand Maximus#Legends|Grand Maximus]] and served as the model for the non-toy [[Neo Brave Maximus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/TRFortressMaximus/fortressmaximus.htm More information on Titan Class Fortress Maximus at TFU.info]''
{{GenerationsMetroplex}}

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2016}}{{anchor|SDCC2016FortMax}}
[[File:SDCC-2016-Fortress-Maximus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Can't make it to SDCC? Well, hope you weren't a fan of the Master Sword and my new smaller head!]]
*'''Fortress Maximus Convention Edition''' (San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, 2016)
**''Accessories'': [[Cerebros (G1)#SDCC2016|Cerebros]], [[Emissary (TR)#SDCC2016|Emissary]], 2 leg guns, gun turret, [[Master Sword#Generations|Master Sword]] (three pieces)

:Debuting as an exclusive for [[San Diego Comic-Con#2016|San Diego Comic-Con 2016]], "Fortress Maximus Convention Edition" is a slight redeco and retool of the Titan Class figure above, and he comes with a new Master Sword accessory. Additional changes for the figure is Emissary's new head piece based on Fortress's Headmaster mode in ''The Headmasters'' cartoon, and an Easter egg: a short guitar cover of the theme song. Due to being one of the very few titans with a Window front box, he was packaged with both arms pre-attached, and a slight variation to his sticker sheet.

:Following SDCC, Fortress Maximus was also made available via the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] website as per usual. Other markets got their own shot at the figure: In the United Kingdom, he was officially made available through A1 Toys, first at their booth at London Film & Comic Con 2016 and then also via the A1 Toys online store; in China, he was available at [[Cybertron Con 2016]]; in Hong Kong he was available at Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong 2016 and subsequently also via online retailers; and in Canada, he was available at the HasbroStore booth at Fan Expo 2016. During these subsequent releases some did not retain the window front box but they did still have the arms both pre-attached.
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG31-Fortress-Maximus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Morally-questionable [[Resistance]] cell not included.]]
*'''Fortress Maximus''' ([[September 24]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG31'''
**''Accessories'': Fortress Headmaster unit, Fortress's Transtector, 2 leg guns, gun turret, Master Sword (three pieces)
:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Fortress Maximus is a redeco of the San Diego Comic-Con 2016 toy above, which is based on his appearance in ''The Headmasters'' cartoon. ''Legends'' Fortress Maximus has the newly retooled small Headmaster unit and the Master Sword accessory previously used for the SDCC version. Other than this, all of Fortress Maximus's sound gimmicks were replaced by [[Ikuya Sawaki]]-recorded phrases like "Transform!", "I'm called Fortress","I am Cybertron (Autobot) Supreme Commander","Let's Go!","Big Mode....Transform!", "Master Sword!","Head On!", and a snippet of the [[The Headmasters (song)|theme song from ''The Headmasters'']].

:For some indiscernible reason, the seams in his legs that would generally allow them to split apart, a feature left over from Metroplex, are ''glued shut'' out of the factory. This may have to do with reports of loose connections in vehicle and base modes due to the panels opening, resulting in feet that will not stay connected.

:If one chooses, the [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Legends|Spike Witwicky Headmaster from the "Bumble & Excelsuit Spike"]] toy can replace Fortress' Headmaster unit if one intends to create a ''Legends''-styled Cerebros.

:The Transtector and Headmaster were later retooled into ''Transformers & Downtown No Gaki No Tsukai Ya Arahende! Crossover'' [[Donarimasu]] and [[Guchirimasu]].

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2683.html Legends Fortress Maximus at Alfes's Blog Part 1]'' ''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2686.html Part 2]'' ''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2694.html Part 3]'' ''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2695.html Part 4]''
{{GenerationsMetroplex}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Gum''===
[[File:Tfgum fortmax.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Fortress Maximus''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' Head, Photon Rifle, Dual Laser Blaster
:Released in the seventh wave of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Gum]]'' line of snap-together "[[candy toy]]" model kits, this version of Fortress stands at about four inches tall and is cast in grey, white and blue plastic. Unlike the Headmaster figures from the previous ''Transformers Gum'' wave, this version of Fortress Maximus does away with his Headmaster gimmick, and by sheer necessity of size, also lacks the guns in his forearms and fists and the prison cell in his left leg. He does include both of his hand-held weapons and swing-out waist cannons, however, and he can still transform into both starship and city modes. As a ''Transformers Gum'' kit, he featured no paint applications, but came with stickers for detail, and a piece of terrible gum.

::*''[http://bowbowdaijin.blog96.fc2.com/blog-entry-27.html More information on Transformer Gum Fortress Maximus at a Japanese fansite]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|GumDX}}
[[File:Kabaya_DX_Fort_Max_Launcher_Base.JPG|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Launcher Base + Fortress''' (2012)
:Part of the first wave of the ''[[Transformers Gum#DX kits|Transformers Gum DX]]'' series, the Launcher Base is a snap-together model kit of a battle station with an elevated runway – in reality, Fortress Maximus’s left arm and leg pegged together creatively. Also included is a small but transforming figure of Fortress, accurate to his original toy, though due to his size, no smaller Headmaster stage is included. The kit must be assembled from unpainted blue, gray, red, and white sprues, with customer-applied stickers providing all of the non-molded details. It also comes with something that could charitably be called chewing gum.
:The Launcher Base has its own action feature: an axle inside the tower can be turned to fully rotate the runway. Fortress’ feet are designed to fit into grooves in the tower’s turret, but doing so will not give the runway clearance to fully turn.
{{-}}
{{anchor|Gumbined}}
[[File:Kabaya_DX_Fortress_Maximus.JPG|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Command Base + Charger''' (2012)
*'''Sky Base + Powerglide''' (2012)
**''Accessories:'' Photon Rifle, Dual Laser Blaster, Master Sword
:The Launcher Base can be combined with the concurrently-released [[Windcharger (G1)#Transformers Gum|Command Base]] and [[Powerglide (G1)/toys#Merchandise|Sky Base]] to create a full Fortress Maximus, capable of transforming between city and starship modes. Many of the original Fort Max’s gimmicks are recreated in small scale, including the storage compartments in the right leg and left pectoral, the jail in the left leg (though without the grating), the poseable cannons in the shins and either side of his torso, and the “control socket” for Fortress to integrate in city mode. Unique to this version of Fortress Maximus are the gimmicks carried over from the Command Base and Sky Base: the central tower features a lever-activated ramp to deploy Windcharger, and one runway (behind Maximus’s right shoulder) features a spring-loaded launcher to deploy Powerglide.
:In robot mode, Fortress Maximus stands 7” (18 cm) tall and features the same points of articulation as his original toy. He comes equipped with his Photon Rifle, Dual Laser Blaster, and the [[Master Sword#Merchandise|Master Sword]]. Fortress forms the head.

{{-}}{{anchor|FortMaxGumMetallic}}
*'''Fortress Maximus Metallic Edition''' (2016)
:This version of the ''Transformers Gum'' Fortress Maximus primarily changes the flat grey to a slightly metallic grey, and uses foil stickers. Unusually for a ''Transformers Gum'' toy, Fortress Maximus features paint applications, with one on the right side of the main tower, another on the chest door, a third paint application on the master sword, and one on the face.

===''Parody Deformed''===
[[File:Pdtype fortmax.jpg|thumb|Fortress Minimus]]
*'''Fortress Maximus''' (1990)
**''Accessories:'' Master Sword

:A small, blue and white non-transforming [[super deformed]] model kit of Fortress Maximus was available as part of Kabaya's "[[Parody Deformed]]" line of candy toys. The twelfth figure in the series, he came with a "Transformers PD Type" comic about himself, "Bigger Than Life! Fortress Maximus!", and more of that alleged "gum".
{{--}}

===''Super Collection Figure''===
[[File:SCF FortressMaximus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Bumble''' (2001)
*'''Chromedome''' (2001)
*'''Ironhide''' (2001)
*'''Raiden''' (2001)
*'''Sixshot''' (2001)
*'''Soundwave''' (2001)
**''Act'': '''3'''

: Fortress Maximus was the collectible "build-a-figure" from the third ''Headmasters''-centric "Act" of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s line of ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' PVC figurines. He was divided into six parts, each one packaged with one of the other six figurines in the line: His head and sword came with [[Raiden#Super Collection Figure|Raiden]], his torso with [[Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise#Super Collection Figure|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Super Collection Figure|Spike]], his left arm with [[Chromedome (G1)#Super Collection Figure|Chromedome]], his right arm with [[Soundwave (G1)/merchandise#Super Collection Figure|Soundwave]], his left leg with [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Super Collection Figure|Ironhide]] and his right leg with [[Sixshot (G1)#Super Collection Figure|Sixshot]].

:As the first collectible figure from the line, Fortress Maximus was much rarer than those that would come later, with his parts only coming in two out of every ten cases. Like all the other figures in the wave, his parts were available in two color schemes; of the two cases he was available in, one contained a full-color figure, while the other contained a colorless translucent version.

:This mold would be lightly [[retool]]ed to make ''Super Collection Figure'' [[Grand Maximus#Super Collection Figure|Grand Maximus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Cybertron/SCFFortressMaximus/fortressmaximus.htm More information on ''Super Collection Figure'' Fortress Maximus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SCFFortress}}
[[File:SCF Fortress.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Fortress''' (2002)
**''Act'': '''8'''
**''Accessories'': Stand

:A standard 3" PVC figurine of Fortress was available in the eighth and final wave of ''SCF''. Like all the figures in the wave, it was available as both a standard full color figure and a metallic silver "pewter" version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures.

:The pewter version of the figure has a potential problem with connector peg breakage, due to said pegs often getting a layer of pewter paint before being forced into a socket, leading to sticking and tearing. Care should be used when moving or removing the arms; shaving down the socket interior with a thin hobby knife is usually sufficient to fix the issue.

: Additionally, the pewter version of Fortress came packaged with head and torso of the wave's collectible [[Scorponok (G1)#Super Collection Figure|Scorponok]] figure. These parts could be in either full-color or pewter, at a rate of six color parts per four pewters.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Cybertron/Fortress/fortress.htm More information on ''Super Collection Figure'' Fortress at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Cybertron/PewterFortress/fortress.htm More information on ''Super Collection Figure'' pewter Fortress at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Heroes of Cybertron''===
[[File:HOC Fortress Maximus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Considerably easier to obtain than the ''SCF'' versions, even when these were new.]]
*'''Autobot Espionage Team''' (2003)
*'''Dirge''' (2003)
*'''Powermaster Gigatron''' (2003)
*'''Autobot Jazz''' (2003)
*'''Perceptor''' (2003)
*'''Wheeljack''' (2003)

: The Fortress Maximus PVC was later revisited by [[Hasbro]] for their domestic release of the ''Super Collection Figure'' series, ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]''. Like all the ''Heroes of Cybertron'' figures, this version of Fortress Maximus was cast entirely in clear-blue plastic and then painted over, save a small spot on his head to give him a "light-pipe" glowing-eyes effect, rather than the red-painted eyes of the ''SCF'' version. He has a number of other paint differences from the ''SCF'' version: his blue is lighter, his head has a light-gray helmet with medium-gray face rather than the SCF's inverse arrangement, his Autobot symbol is on his midriff rather than on his chest, his midriff cannon-ports are orange instead of red, his tower halves have blue "interiors" instead of red, and the "garage" on the back of his right shoulder is white instead of blue.

: He remained available only as a collectible pack-in, one part in each of the six releases in the line's fourth wave. His head and sword came with [[Perceptor (G1)#Heroes of Cybertron|Perceptor]], his torso with [[Dirge (G1)/toys#Heroes of Cybertron|Dirge]], his left arm with [[Gigatron (G1)#Heroes of Cybertron|Powermaster Gigatron]], his right arm with [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Heroes of Cybertron|Wheeljack]], his left leg with [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Heroes of Cybertron|Autobot Jazz]] and his right leg with the "Autobot Espionage Team" ([[Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise#Heroes of Cybertron|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Heroes of Cybertron|Spike]]).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCFortressMaximus/fortressmaximus.htm More information on ''Heroes of Cybertron'' Fortress Maximus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Fortmaxsize1.jpg|thumb|upright=1|DAAAAAAAAAAAANG, that boy must eat his veggies.]]
*"Fortress Maximus" was an early name for the characters that eventually became [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].
**The storyboard for the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] refers to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] as "Fortress Maximus" in its fully weaponized state. This also carried over to the [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic adaptation]] of the movie in a caption.
*Fortress Maximus was the first toy to be released with a bona-fide Earthling figure. All of the other Headmasters' companions were from Nebulos. (Although Maximus's on-package [[bio]] refers to "the Nebulan leader, Spike", the general consensus is that it was supposed to be the popular figure from TV and other media, who is almost certainly an Earthling.)
*Fortress Maximus appeared in [[:File:FortMaxReds.jpg|an unusual red-accented color scheme]] on the cover of Marvel's [[Ring of Hate!|''Headmasters'' #1]]. This color scheme was repeated in the corner box for [[Love and Steel!|''Headmasters'' #3]] and on the cover of [[The Man in the Machine!|''The Transformers'' #51]]. Its origin is unknown, though it may be related to the [http://www.allspark.com/images/Transformers_Generations/2011/Vol2/07.jpg tan with red accents hard copy Takara possessed].
*When Spike transforms to join Fortress Maximus for the last time in the ''Generation 2'' book, Cerebros is not shown, and Spike transforms directly into Fortress Maximus's head. Maximus is shown to be no larger than Megatron. In real-life terms, it's an obvious series of art errors; in the context of the story, one might wonder if Maximus was reduced back to his original, smaller, size. It seems improbable, considering that Spike had been retired for years by that point.
*Both Scorponok and Fortress Maximus suffer from the writers struggling to reconcile the characters' high rank with their size. In their comic appearances, they are portrayed as commanders in some capacity but are shrunk down to interact with other Transformers, and their city modes pretty much don't exist. Conversely, the cartoons have opted to portray them as giant city Transformers, though they seem to be merely extensions of the smaller beings that bond with them, with no real life or will of their own.
*According to the 1997 issue of ''The Super Robots Chronicles'', Fortress Maximus is three kilometers tall.
*The Battleship ''Maximus'' bears a slight resemblance to the {{w|White Base}}, a battleship from the ''{{w|Gundam}}'' franchise.
*Fortress Maximus was a candidate in [[TakaraTomy]]'s [[Fan polls#Masterpiece Fan's Choice|''Masterpiece'' Fan's Choice]] poll, which asked fans to determine which Autobot/Maximal leader from the franchise's then-30 year history should receive a new toy in the prestigious ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line. Max placed dead last, with only 0.3% of the vote. Ouch.
*Like most comic-only Kreons, Fortress is made up of existing Kre-O parts, namely the [[Hound (Kre-O)|Hound]] helmet and the sword first used by [[Headstrong (G1)|Torox]] and [[Tantrum (G1)|Headlock]] (in reference to the [[Master Sword]] used by the original Fortress).
*An [http://news.tfw2005.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2011/09/Fortress-Maximus-Prototypes-1_1315944004.jpg early prototype] for Fortress Maximus's toy featured, among other things, waist-guns that pushed straight out on levers instead of swinging out on an axis. This appears to have formed the basis for his character model's waist-guns, which feature red circles rather than hinges.
*Fortress Maximus' status as a warborn Forged Cybertronian in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' has raised questions in the years since it was first proposed. Only one other Cybertronian, [[Fulcrum]], has been classified as a warborn Forged, also under the pen of [[James Roberts]]. The [[Ghost Stories|2017 ''Transformers'' annual]], by a different author, identified [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] as a ''pre-war'' Forged spark from the ''last'' generation before the hot spots stopped. Forged sparks from ''during'' the war therefore are implied to be all-but impossible. Roberts later suggested the existence of minor random hot spots as the source of "warborn" Cybertronians.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/james-roberts-ama-mtmte-ll-questions-answered-transcript.1164603/ Transcription of 30 November 2018 James Roberts Q&A on Instagram]</ref>
*In IDW's ''More than Meets the Eye'', Fortress Maximus was originally intended to perish battling Overlord aboard the ''Lost Light'', and the ship would be renamed the ''Maximus'' in his honor. This plotline was scrapped.<ref>{{Citesocial|name=James Roberts|site=''MTMTE Notebooks''}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cerebros''' (セレブロス ''Sereburosu''),<ref>While the smallest Headmaster stage is referred to as "Cerebros" in the toyline, this name is not used in fiction.</ref> '''Fortress''' (フォートレス ''Fōtoresu''), '''Fortress Maximus''' (フォートレスマキシマス ''Fōtoresu Makishimasu'')
*''English:'' '''Spaceship Bruce''' (spaceship mode, [[Omni Productions]] dub), '''Cerebros''' (Fortress, [[Shout! Factory]] sub)
*''French:'' '''Forteresse Maximus''' (Canada)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Fútè Jùrén''' (Taiwan, 福特巨人, "Fort Giant"), '''Jùwúbà Fútè''' (China, 巨无霸福特, "Extremely Gigantic Fort"), '''Furmon''' (Taiwan, 福蒙 ''Fú Móng''), '''Fortry''' (Taiwan [[Omni Productions]] dub, 福崔 ''Fú Tsuēi'')
*''Russian:'' '''Krepysh Maximus''' (Крепыш Максимус ''Krepysh Maksimus'', "Sturdy Fellow Maximus")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Fortetsya Maxima''' (Фортеця Максима, "Fortress Maxima")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobot bases]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Autobot starships]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:City Transformers]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Encore]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobot starships]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:GT characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Titans]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity

2024-08-28T02:11:04Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|autobot}}
{{suite}}
[[File:SpotlightUltraMagnus-HisWayOrTheHardWay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Aww, betcha say that to all the treaty-breaking weapons dealers."]]
Even in war, there are laws. '''Ultra Magnus''', Duly Appointed Enforcer of the [[Tyrest Accord]], is the burly blue line that enforces those laws. Whether Autobot or Decepticon, break them and you can do things his way... or the hard way.

He's so popular that people just love to cosplay as him!

{{quote|But is it enough to make me "bend"? In my book, one compromise leads to another... and '''''another'''''... and pretty soon... you've '''''crossed''''' the line you're supposed to be holding.|Ultra Magnus|''[[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus]]''}}

{{first|[[Escalation issue 1|''Escalation'' #1]] (Minimus Ambus, as Ultra Magnus)}}
::[[Parasites|''Autocracy'' #2]] (the original Ultra Magnus)
::[[The Gloaming|''More than Meets the Eye'' #16]] (Datum, as Ultra Magnus)
::[[Shining Armor issue 1|''Shining Armor'' #1]] (Convoy, as Ultra Magnus)

==Fiction==
===The original Magnus===
[[File:Parasites-OrionPaxUltraMagnusSparring.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Foreshadowing!]]
The legend of Ultra Magnus began with the first 'bot to bear the name: a stern, no-nonsense Autobot who, during the early years of the war, fought alongside [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and the legendary [[Delta Magnus]] to contain the Decepticons. {{storylink|Parasites}} {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} When Orion sided with [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] to overthrow [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s corrupt government, Magnus and his security forces stood with them, {{storylink|Overthrown}} but when Zeta was deposed, Megatron betrayed Orion and took over the planet, sending Magnus, [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] into hiding. They were captured when their safehouse was raided by the Decepticons, {{storylink|Transformation (issue)|Transformation}} but were soon liberated by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] and met back up with Orion, who had been transformed into [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and awoken the dormant [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Rise}} Alongside the entire Autobot army, Ultra Magnus then marched on the [[Citadel (building)|Citadel]] to fight Megatron for the control of Cybertron. {{storylink|Broadcast}} After the Decepticons had been chased out of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Magnus aided Optimus Prime in inspecting the remains of Zeta Prime's cache of outlawed weaponry. {{storylink|Endgame}}

Shortly after Optimus Prime's rise to leadership, Ultra Magnus was part of a unit sent to defend the [[Toraxxis mega-refinery]] from [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons. {{storylink|Rage (IDW)|Rage}} During the Autobots' attempts at stopping a rampaging [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Magnus was responsible for bringing out the strongest weapons in the Autobot arsenal {{storylink|The Illusion of Control}} and subsequently fought at Prime's side during the battle with the beast in [[Harmonex]]. {{storylink|Annihilation}} Following the defeat of Trypticon at the hands of Megatron and [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]], Ultra Magnus saw the calm as a chance to arrest Megatron, but was discouraged from doing so when the rest of the Decepticon army arrived. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (issue)|Belly of the Beast}} He went on to oversee the process of cleansing Grimlock's systems of Trypticon's corrupted energon, {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} and witness the epic battle between Trypticon and Metroplex. {{storylink|Primacy issue 3|Primacy #3}} Once Trypticon's attack turned out to be the first phase of a Decepticon invasion, Ultra Magnus stood with the other Autobots in defense of Iacon. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}}

===The immortal lawman===
[[File:MTMTE19 magnus armor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"I've never seen anything so awesome in the entire galaxy...Alright, give me the bomb."]]
But all beings have a fixed lifespan, and Ultra Magnus was no different. When he passed away (under unrevealed circumstances), the legend he left in his wake inspired Chief Justice [[Solomus|Tyrest]] to ensure that he lived on. Circulating a rumor that Magnus had merely faked his death, Tyrest fashioned a suit of [[Magnus Armor|armor]] cast in Magnus's image and bestowed it upon a succession of other 'bots—the first being '''[[Suture (G1)|Suture]]''', with later successors including '''[[Datum]]''', '''[[Ramp]]''' and '''[[Blockus]]'''—who took on Magnus's name and reputation, and served Tyrest as a Duly Appointed Enforcer of the [[Tyrest Accord]], upholding the [[Code of Interplanetary Conflict]], a treaty between Autobots, Decepticons and other alien races. Each wearer was a "loadbearer", a kind of [[Point One Percenter]] possessing a [[spark]] with an animating force strong enough to integrate the Magnus armor. Upon the passing of each wearer, a trigger in the armor would return it to Tyrest wherever he was in the galaxy, so that it could be passed on to his next chosen enforcer. The Cybertronian public only ever believed that there was a solitary Ultra Magnus who flouted death at every turn; {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} the "freak recoveries" he made only enhanced Magnus's reputation, and he would later be cited by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] as an example of a larger sized bot whose Spark could recover from the kind of damage suffered by [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]. {{storylink|Before & After}}

[[File:MTMTE16 magnus on simanzi.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|You know Magnus, you don't need this much firepower just to fix a leak in your basement.]]
As such, it becomes hard to know exactly which Magnus was involved in which of his recorded appearances, such as his battle against [[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]] as part of the [[113th Battalion]]. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} One bearer of the Magnus Armor perished on [[Simanzi]], 1st Cycle 3718, when he was caught offguard by a [[Cybernought|Cybernaught]] while heading toward the [[Crucible]] with [[Rotorstorm (G1)|Rotorstorm]]. Later, during the 2nd Cycle, another Magnus fell when he took a direct hit from the [[K-Class]] Decepticon [[Torque (G1)|Torque]] while giving orders during a battle on [[Clemency]] over the [[Nightmare Engine]]. In the 3rd Cycle, the statistician Datum was wearing the Magnus Armor and took part in the [[Battle for Hell's Point]], during which he blocked the exhaust vent of [[Hell's Point|the ship in question]] with his body, trusting that the [[Warriors Elite]] wouldn't risk destroying it by blasting him off without Megatron's permission. Unfortunately, he hadn't realized Megatron was right there, hiding in plain sight in his new gun alternate mode, which [[Heretech]] used to blast him. {{storylink|The Gloaming}} Legend held that the smirk Magnus had given the warriors when he thought he had them beaten was the only time he ever smiled in his life. {{Storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} One Magnus would fall victim to the Spark affliction known as a [[zero point]], {{storylink|Zero Point}} and another to the [[Fast-Folding Sun]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

One of the Ultra Magnuses had Wheelie work under him, who supplied him with reserve ammunition. Unfortunately, due to Wheelie's small size, Magnus had a tendency to overlook the little bot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

Only a few Autobots ever knew the truth of Magnus's identity; by the time of the 19th century, they included Optimus Prime, [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]], {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}} [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], the latter only aware because people tended to tell him their secrets. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}} However, the secret did leak in the form of a conspiracy theory claiming that Ultra Magnus was "just a little guy in armor", though it wasn't widely believed. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}}

[[File:MTMTE18 minimus ambus.jpg|thumb|And then Takara saw this and were all like, "Oh, hmmm. We need to do a [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Legends|redeco]], don't we?"]]
After burning through several other load bearers, '''[[Minimus Ambus]]''', spark brother to the noted Autobot philanthropist [[Dominus Ambus]], took up the mantle of Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} Minimus found his overachieving brother difficult to get along with, but loved him all the same; he was off-planet when Dominus mysteriously disappeared, but the connection the brothers shared led Minimus to believe his brother had died. His physical resemblance to Dominus (including the shared "facial insignia" moustache of the [[House of Ambus]]) pained Minimus, so when Tyrest chose him to be the next Ultra Magnus—to become a different person—Minimus was happy to take on the role. He aspired to be the kind of no-nonsense lawman the original had been. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}}

Renowned for his stalwart personality and his commitment to the job, Minimus became the longest serving wearer of the Magnus Armor. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} As Magnus, Minimus had many adventures in his duties as enforcer of the Tyrest Accord, including the arrests of both a Decepticon peddling miniaturization technology who infected him with [[Nanocon]]s, {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} and wannabe [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] [[Blip]]. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}} When [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s renegade "patient" [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] cut a swathe of destruction across the galaxy, Magnus hunted her down, using a combination of holographic trickery and shock grenades to subdue her so she could be sent to the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

In his leisure time, Minimus began writing ''[[Terms of Peace]]'', a book that detailed every law for every conceivable scenario and would ensure everlasting peace and prosperity if followed. He ran into trouble, however, when he failed to find a politically correct way of phrasing "punishable by death" as the penalty for breaking many of the rules. {{storylink|Sardines}}

===Xetaxxis and back===
[[File:ShiningArmor2-spacewalk.jpg|thumb||left|upright=1.4]]

Some three hundred years ago, Minimus Ambus was gravely wounded and opted to take a sabbatical from his duties. In his place, Tyrest appointed '''[[Convoy (G1)|Convoy]]''' as the next Point One Percenter to don the armor. Convoy brought his own unique spin on Ultra Magnus to the table: eschewing his predecessor's stern, measured approach, Convoy was hotheaded, triggerhappy, and prejudiced against organics. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

In the mid-19th century, Ultra Magnus and his crew of [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Sky Blast (G1)|Sky Blast]] were patrolling the [[Zugzwang Cluster]] when they came across a pair of Decepticons assaulting a [[Galactic Council]] shuttle. They quickly overwhelmed their foes and, at Magnus' urging, investigated the wreckage to ensure that nobody had survived. The two found that the Decepticons had been trying to destroy the Council ship to cover up their tracks; smelling a conspiracy, Magnus hacked into the shuttle's security and discovered the Council had been bound for the backwater planet of [[Xetaxxis]]. The Autobots followed, and eventually caught up with them over the [[Solstar Order]] space station ''[[Orchid Crossing]]''; leaving Sky Blast to watch the ship, {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} the pair made a dramatic entrance by blasting their way in through a wall. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

[[File:ShiningArmor2-wereintrouble.jpg|thumb||right|upright=1.4]]

The two Autobots were immediately attacked by four [[Space Knight]]s; misreading the situation, Magnus mistook the Cybertronian orphan [[Stardrive]] for a Decepticon operative and opened fire on Starscream and the Knights as the chaotic battle began tearing the space station apart. Sky Blast joined the fight, but was jumped by one of the Decepticon's [[Dire Wraith]] allies and subsequently mutated into an out-of-control monster.

Deciding the battle was lost, Magnus hacked into the space station's systems and disabled everything, sending ''Orchid Crossing'' plummeting into Xetaxxis in the hopes that atmospheric reentry would burn the hybrid up with them. Stardrive - hoping to rescue the Cybertronians - used her starfighter configuration to rescue them, and all three Transformers plummeted onto the icy surface of the planet. Quickly recovering form his ordeal, Magnus placed her under arrest for violating the [[Tyrest Accord]]s; Stardrive agreed to go with Magnus under the condition that they find her Space Knight comrades. Irked at the idea of helping organics, Magnus didn't get far into his argument before Rom, [[Livia]], and [[Sata]] arrived and shot him. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}}

[[File:ShiningArmor4-MagnusVsWraiths.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Recovering from the blast, the two Autobots engaged the Space Knights in a brief shootout as he shielded Stardrive from [[Neutralizer]] fire. Stardrive managed to break up the fighting and properly introduced herself to the two feuding factions. Rom was left confused by talk of the Decepticons, prompting Ultra Magnus to explain the nature of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and the factionalized state of the Cybertronian species. When Stardrive revealed the existence of her energon synthesizer, the Autobots and Knights agreed to a temporary teamup and rolled out to find the synthesizer before the Decepticons could. The ground-bound Autobots and Sata were delayed when Bumblebee stopped to help the native [[Xetaxxan|Xetaxxians]] cope with the extreme cold, a violation of the Tyrest Accord which earned the ire of Ultra Magnus. It didn't take long before the "Xetaxxians" revealed themselves as Dire Wraith imposters as [[Astrotrain (G1)/toys|Astrotrain]] and [[Vekktral]] attacked. Magnus ordered his two comrades to join the others while he stayed behind to hold off the horde. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}}

[[File:ShiningArmor4-UltraMonster.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|[https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Guzzlord_(Pok%C3%A9mon) Guzzlord], is that you?]]
Using the superheated rock as an improvised weapon, Magnus fought wave after wave of Wraiths, shrugging off their blows before he began to tire. After dispatching a hundred of the aliens, an exhausted Magnus was slowly worn down by their onslaught and pinned to the ground as Vekktral approached, boasting that he now understood how to properly control Cybertronian biology. Possessed by Vekktral, the Wraith-Magnus regrouped with the Decepticons and, using his new knowledge, immediately turned on Starscream and the other Decepticons. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 4|Shining Armor #4}}

Decepticons, Autobots, and Space Knights formed a strange alliance against Vekktral and his body-snatching forces, Vekktral losing an arm from their combined attack. Within his mind, Magnus continued to struggle against Vekktral before Convoy realized that the Wraith had made a crucial oversight; unaware of the nature of the [[Magnus Armor]], Vekktral had failed to account for the inner robot. Convoy was thus able to stop Vekktral by forcing Ultra Magnus's chest open, giving Rom opening he needed to end the threat by allowing Rom to shoot him.

Following the sterilization of Xetaxxis, Bumblebee used the armor's recall switch to return to the Autobot fleet and inform Optimus Prime about Convoy's passing. Optimus Prime briefly eulogizied Convoy as he laid the fallen Autobot to rest; after a century of recuperation, Minimus Ambus returned to active duty and donned the repaired armor to become Ultra Magnus once more. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

===The hunt for Scorponok===
[[File:SpotlightUltraMagnus shoots Scorpie.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb]]
Tracking down Decepticon wheeler-dealer [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] on the planet [[Zull]], Magnus was convinced to let the criminal go in exchange for information on the current whereabouts of an even greater offender: [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]], against whom Magnus bore a personal grudge. Magnus followed Swindle's lead to the planet [[Nebulos]], and although he disrupted Scorponok's operations, the Decepticon was able to escape. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ultra Magnus}} The cycle repeated years later when Magnus caught up to Swindle again, arresting him for yet another violation, only to wind up once again letting him go in return for a fresh lead on Scorponok's new location. {{storylink|Escalation issue 1|Escalation #1}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

While en route to help deal with the fallout of a [[Spotlight: Arcee|break-in at Garrus-9]], Magnus changed course in response to a distress call from [[Hound (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hound]]'s crew, who were under attack by [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]]. After Magnus drove Cyclonus off, he teamed with Hound's crew to track him to [[Corata-Vaz]] and stage an ambush, only to be beaten back when he unleashed [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] on them. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} After obtaining further intel on the plot being orchestrated by Cyclonus and his fellow [[Dead Universe]] Transformers, {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} Magnus co-ordinated a simultaneous strike against their various [[Nega-Core]] installations. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:MaxDinos5 Grimlock Magnus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|It's now my job to jail all the interesting guys.]]
Sometime after the foiling of the Dead Universe [[Expansion]], Ultra Magnus received a signal from a battered Hot Rod, requesting some backup for [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]], who was in the process of confronting Scorponok on Earth. Determined to put an end to his old quarry once and for all, Magnus headed for Earth. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 1|Maximum Dinobots #1}} {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}} Scorponok had already been defeated by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] by the time Magnus arrived, though he made it in time to stop them from killing him, intent on seeing Scorponok punished by the law. After stripping Scorponok's [[Machination]] facility of Cybertronian tech and providing Optimus Prime with a report on the events, Magnus departed for Garrus-9 with Scorponok, [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] and Grimlock, who had surrendered to Magnus in exchange for his rescinding the warrants on the other Dynobots. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

===Taking charge===
[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-trysomethinghilarious.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Ultra Magnus uses sarcasm quotes to remind you he doesn't find ''anything'' hilarious.]]
Magnus was soon to discover that he had picked up a stowaway when he left Earth: human runaway [[Verity Carlo]]. Surprisingly, Magnus warmed to Verity in his own way and allowed her to stay with him; she, in return, affectionately dubbed him "Uncle Magnus". After about four years of adventuring together, Magnus and Verity were called upon by Prowl to transport the Autobot commando squad known as the [[Wreckers]] to Garrus-9, which had been overrun by Decepticons during a [[Surge (G1)|galaxy-wide uprising]] a few years before. En route, the group picked up former Wreckers leader and Garrus-9 escapee [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], {{Storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} who Magnus encouraged the recalcitrant [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] to take on the mission with them. Magnus proceeded to brief the Wreckers and sent them on their way, but refrained from participating in the mission himself, both to turn a blind eye to the Wreckers' often-brutal methods, and because Prowl had requested his presence back on Earth to investigate the murder of Ironhide. {{Storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}} The mission was a disaster at best, with many Wreckers dying at the hands of [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]]; Magnus would go on to carry great guilt over his non-participation. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} Further, on the return trip, Magnus discovered that Verity had also left him, having stolen away with the Wreckers on their mission; {{storylink|In Word and Deed}} despite appearances, he would dearly miss her. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}}

[[File:SeasonsInFlight-RodimusMagnus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]
Arriving on Earth, {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} Magnus discovered the Autobots in disarray, Ironhide's death having caused Optimus Prime to surrender to human agency [[Skywatch]], leaving Bumblebee in charge. Magnus called for the Autobots' full cooperation, but after performing an autopsy of Ironhide's body and learning that the 'bot who had led the mission on which he died, Hot Rod, had broken away from Bumblebee's group, he elected to search Hot Rod out for questioning. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}} Discovering that Hot Rod—now calling himself "Rodimus Prime"—had begun to construct a rocket to leave Earth, and had allied himself with Decepticons in order to do so, including Magnus's old stoolie Swindle, Magnus attempted to arrest Rodimus under charges of treason. Prowl stood up for Rodimus, and, unable to arrest ''everyone'', the furious Magnus returned to Bumblebee's cave. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}} In short order, he forcibly recruited a team of Autobots to arrest Rodimus and his followers, but when they returned to Rodimus's launch site, they were confronted by Swindle's secret weapon: the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] [[combiner]] [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], who was ordered to kill Magnus first. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"|Enemies of the System}} Magnus fared poorly in the battle, but was saved from death at Menasor's hands by Optimus Prime, who had brokered an alliance with Skywatch. Repaired after the battle, Magnus was furious to find Swindle had slipped through his fingers again, and took out his frustrations on Rodimus. When Bumblebee tried to defuse the situation, Magnus attempted to cite his greater authority of his legal jurisdiction, but was put in his place when the younger Autobot pointed out that on Earth, ''he'' was in charge. However, as this was going on, Rodimus took off in Ultra Magnus' shuttle, leaving him stuck on Earth with the other Autobots. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}}

Temporarily provided with a ship by Skywatch, {{storylink|International Incident Part 1: "The Land Ironclads"|The Land Ironclads}} Magnus recovered the surviving Wreckers from Garrus-9, and delivered the fruit of their mission to Prowl: a [[data slug]] containing complete records of Autobot war crimes from the [[Aequitas]] computer. Knowing that it would be disastrous if the data got out, Magnus maintained his plausible deniability and left it in Prowl's hands. {{Storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

[[File:IDW16 magnus under fire.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.95|Eastbound and Down.]]
Some time later, when Bumblebee was the victim of an attempted assassination, Magnus lost patience with [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s raging and threatened to have him restrained. He was interrupted by the news that the plane carrying Optimus Prime's team back from [[North Korea]] had been blown out of the sky, but before he and [[Kyle Pennington|Pennington]] could get any real information about the attack, the Decepticons launched an attack on the base. Ultra Magnus was incapacitated by [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'s sonic powers, allowing the Decepticons to free their captive comrades and escape. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man|The Demolished Man}} In the aftermath of the attack, Magnus took command and relocated everyone to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s location, but not before leaving Brawn with a mission to find and recruit the aid of the disenfranchised Decepticon [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} On the way to Omega, the Autobots were attacked by humans who didn't want them on their planet, and Pennington had to talk Ultra Magnus out of retaliating. Unfortunately, things got worse when Megatron himself showed up and easily dispatched Ultra Magnus and his troops. Assuming that he was out to destroy the Autobots as usual, Magnus tried to distract Megatron from killing the Skywatch soldiers, but the Decepticon made it clear that the humans were just as important targets for his revenge. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|Woken Furies}} The injured Magnus was held hostage by Megatron and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] and used as leverage to get Optimus Prime to meet with them. This meeting ended with Megatron retreating with a [[stasis lock]]ed Soundwave, and Ultra Magnus was brought to safety. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|Burning Chrome}} As he awaited repairs, Magnus told Prime that he had managed to place a tracking chip on Soundwave, allowing the Autobots to find Megatron's hideout. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}}

Six weeks later, Ultra Magnus watched as Rodimus returned to Earth with the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and several lost Autobots in tow. He brought news that Galvatron had built an army and taken control of Cybertron, prompting Optimus Prime to lead his Autobots back to their home planet. On Bumblebee's orders, Ultra Magnus remained on Earth with him, Prowl and a few others to investigate charges brought against [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]] for the supposed murder of [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}} He still participated in talks of what would be done with Megatron, who had surrendered himself and been taken into space with Prime's Autobots. When [[Xaaron]] explained that they needed a neutral third party to judge the Decepticon leader for his crimes, Magnus suggested [[Solomus|Chief Justice Tyrest]], and opined that they should aim for a death sentence. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory #1}}

[[File:IDW29 magnus arrests swindle.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.95|"Don't worry, Swindle. I kept your room the way you left it."]]
Magnus chewed out Prowl and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] after the latter had broken protocol and transformed into [[robot mode]] during a mission to spy on Witwicky. Prowl brought up his suspicions of anti-Transformer pundit [[Ben Simpson]] and of a deeper Decepticon conspiracy, but Magnus ordered him to stick to the case at hand. {{storylink|Police Action: Part 1|Police Action #1}} The Autobots then brought in [[Sandra (G1)|Sandra]], a former Skywatch agent who abandoned Spike's unit once it started breaking too many rules. Ultra Magnus commended her for sticking to military protocol before questioning her on Spike's past. {{storylink|Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|Only Forward}} Around this time, Ultra Magnus was on hand to witness Bumblebee bring all five Stunticons into custody to everyone's surprise. {{storylink|The Question}} Then, after learning the whereabouts of Ben Simpson from Sandra, Bumblebee and Magnus agreed to circumvent the slow human legal system and rolled out with Skywatch to confront Simpson, discovering him to be a [[facsimile construct]] controlled by none other than Swindle. The Decepticon tried to escape again, but Ultra Magnus dismembered him and dragged him back to base, where he admitted under interrogation that he had been supplying Spike Witwicky and Skywatch with Cybertronian technology from the start. This revelation caused the Autobots to sever their ties with Skywatch. {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|A Second Chance at Eden}}

===The problem with peace===
[[File:LiarsAtoD1-MagnusVision.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Risk of criminal activity: None. Practically perfect in every way.]]
The Autobots on Earth returned to Cybertron once Optimus Prime's team had defeated Galvatron, the [[D-Void]], and the Decepticons. Feeling that the Autobots were no longer wanted on post-war Cybertron, Ultra Magnus decided to accompany Rodimus and [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] on their quest to find the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} He joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' as Rodimus's second-in-command, but soon started to become increasingly petty about minor infractions and had many, ''many'' reservations about those who had signed up for the quest. Magnus's troubles on the ''Lost Light'' started when an accident at launch caused the ship to [[Quantum generator|quantum jump]] to a random point in space. {{Storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} A ruptured hull led to a portion of the crew being sucked out into space, so Rodimus and Ultra Magnus set the ''Lost Light'' down on a nearby planet and went out searching for them. {{Storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} The ship was soon repaired and took off again, only for a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] to be discovered on board, reminding Ultra Magnus of Blip. Magnus heavily disapproved of Rodimus using [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] as bait to lure the creature in to be killed, and told Rodimus that he had to call him out on that because nobody else would, but Rodimus brushed off the lecture, stating that ''he'' was in charge now. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

As time went on, Magnus became increasingly anal about ''everything'', especially minor, pointless things like dirt {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}}, Autobrands at angles, lighting problems, and so on—an inability to cope with peacetime had led to a full-blown nervous breakdown for Magnus that saw him try to append as much weight to the everyday rules of life as he had to the rules of war. {{storylink|Parasites}} {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} He made life hell for just about everyone of the ship with his obsessive-compulsive tendencies and relentless attempts to enforce petty, pointless standards of conduct that the entire crew did their best to defy, Rodimus most of all, who simply started ignoring his many, many memos. He started to question why he'd joined the quest and tried to leave several times, but Rodimus would keep talking him into staying. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}}

[[File:IDW MtMtE5 MagnusTailgateAttentionDirt.jpg|Cleanitallitmustbecleaned...|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
Discovering that the naive [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], who had been offline for the duration of the war, wanted to be a Decepticon Magnus reported him to Rodimus. A history lesson courtesy of Rewind quickly disabused Tailgate of this notion, and he decided to be an Autobot instead {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} so Magnus began educating him in the [[Autobot Code]]—a long tortuous process that saw Magnus pore over the unabridged version and go over it in [[Semicolon|excruciating detail]]. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}}

After attending a ceremony honoring [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] and [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]], Ultra Magnus was among the crew members temporarily frozen in place by one of Brainstorm's backfiring weapons. {{storylink|The Reluctant Specialist}} Learning of the [[Swerve's|bar]] that [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] had set up, he promptly arrested the big-mouthed 'bot, and sent him to join Rewind replacing rivets on the ship's hull. When Fortress Maximus took Rung and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] hostage, Magnus listened in on his threats. {{storylink|Interiors}}

[[File:MtMtEAnn2012-Magnus smile.jpg|If looks could kill.|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
The infestation of Nanocons, long thought eradicated, became active within Ultra Magnus, so a team of hardy Autobots were miniaturized and implanted inside him to try to fight the creatures. The Nanocons eventually ended up at Magnus's mouth pistons, and he was forced to destroy them by smiling—not without great effort, as those mechanisms had become rusted with disuse. Though he was greatly embarrassed by it and the crew consequently mocked him for it, Rodimus assured him that it meant they were beginning to accept him. When the ''Lost Light'' encountered the [[Galactic Council]] ship ''[[The Benign Intervention]]'', Magnus was able to use his bureaucratic skills to talk [[K'gard|Captain K'gard]] into allowing a delegation of Autobots to visit Crystal City. He himself was beamed aboard the Council ship, where K'gard told him that he was trusted by the Council and tried unsuccessfully to talk him into joining them—he even smiled at the idea the other Autobots might influence him to be less strict in his outlook. When the Council ship came under apparent attack from the surface, Magnus was beamed back aboard the ''Lost Light'' before K'gard began the process of destroying the Autobot ship with an incineration shell. Fortunately the ship had a last-minute save, courtesy of a freed [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

[[File:MTMTE12 magnus in action.jpg|right|Okay, Rewind. Together, we're gonna punch these guys so hard, words describing the impact are gonna spontaneously materialize out of thin air.|thumb]]
Following a reconnaissance mission to [[Temptoria]], {{storylink|Before & After}} Magnus returned to the ''Lost Light'' to find Cyclonus had been blamed for an attack on [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], and was forced to restrain Cyclonus after Drift's attempted interrogation turned violent. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} When it turned out Red Alert's decapitation was self-inflicted, Magnus suggested putting him into cold storage, something Rodimus reluctantly agreed with. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} This matter dealt with, the Autobots were able to follow up on Magnus's information from Temptoria, which pointed to the missing [[Circle of Light]] possibly being held there by Decepticons. Magnus joined a task force of Autobots in an attack on the Decepticon base on the planet, his prowess in the subsequent battle particularly impressing Tailgate. Though they liberated Temptoria's capital, they failed to find the Circle of Light. {{storylink|Before & After}}

[[File:MtMtE13-VerityMagnus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|Fire exits. Important stuff.]]
Having been ordered by Rodimus to go on shore leave to Hedonia, Magnus joined Swerve's social group and debuted his holomatter avatar: a copy of Verity. Slipped a [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]] mickey by Whirl, Magnus fell unconscious, awakening just long enough to break down in front of Swerve, admitting that he hated the quest, was upset that nobody liked him, and believed everything had gone wrong when he'd accepted Tyrest's offer. Passing out once more, his unconscious body was hauled out into the street by Swerve and friends, where they jumped up and down on him until he reflexively transformed, allowing them to drive him back to the shuttle. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}} Afterwards, he tried to socialise with Rung and even tried jokes, to toe-curlingly embarrassing failure. Despite that, they got on quite well. {{storylink|Signal to Noise}}

Magnus was among those interviewed for Rewind's documentary about life on the ship, "Little Victories". He used his authority to censor the parts that made him look silly. Magnus later joined Rodimus and Drift in welcoming [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] to the ''Lost Light''. Rodimus tried to use Ultra Magnus to impress Thunderclash, pointing out how the Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord was his first officer. Thunderclash ignored Rodimus' petty oneupsmanship and instead complimented Ultra Magnus on an article he had written about military typography, eagerly wanting to discuss its finer points. Thunderclash quickly apologized for coming on too strong, but Magnus responded to the praise by giving Thunderclash a spontaneous hug. {{storylink|Little Victories}}
{{--}}

===Identity revealed===
[[File:MTMTE15 overlord stabs magnus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left]]
Unbeknownst to Magnus, the captive Overlord was being held in a secret cell on the ''Lost Light''. When he was accidentally allowed to escape, Magnus was the first one to charge against the loose Decepticon, still carrying the guilt after the Garrus-9 fiasco. He managed to briefly beat Overlord into submission until the Decepticon stabbed him through the spark with Drift's [[Great Sword]]. While the rest of the crew dealt with dispatching Overlord, [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] tended to Magnus's injuries, only to discover that he would be unable to prevent the collapse of his spark. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} The comatose Magnus was given only ten days to live, but before his end could come, within the Magnus Armor, Ambus reflexively tripped the recall switch. Under its own power, the armor levitated from the med-slab, carrying Ambus within it, appropriating a shuttle that would take him to Tyrest, who currently dwelt on Cybertron's lost moon, [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]. {{storylink|The Gloaming}} The switch normally functioned as a teleporter, but Ambus deliberately chose to activate the manual recall, which he knew would allow the ''Lost Light'' to follow him, in hopes that Tyrest would properly discipline Rodimus for the reckless leadership that Magnus had been unable to curb. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}}

[[File:Ambus Unveiled.jpg|thumb||right|Do not remove from packaging!]]
Upon arrival, Magnus's body was recovered by Tyrest and taken to [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]], who was able to use Tyrest's collection of bleeding-edge tech to save his life. While the doctor worked, however, Tyrest reviewed Magnus's journals, and was appalled to see how he had become reduced to an officious, bureaucratic ''joke''. He angrily deactivated the Magnus Armor, stripping Minimus Ambus of the role he had played for years and made his very life. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} Presently, when Rodimus and a contingent of ''Lost Light''ers arrived on Luna 1 as Magnus had expected, they were promptly captured by Tyrest's forces. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Learning from Tyrest that they were to be put to death for harboring a criminal—amnesiac crewmember [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]—Ambus requested that he be placed in a cell alongside them. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} He pretended to be an energon trader in order to get them to tell him about their recent escapades, hoping to prove to Tyrest that they, like he, had no knowledge of Skids's criminal past. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}} {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} That went wrong when Rung was able to recognize the personal tics of Magnus in Ambus, and he forced Ambus to come clean about his identity and explain his life story to Rodimus and the others. Rodimus's story also had its share of surprises for Ambus, as he learned that Tyrest was working with the Decepticon [[Titan Hunter]]s and had amassed a graveyard of [[Titan (group)|Titan]] remains. Determined to find out what was going on, and why the ''Lost Light''ers were being charged with "crimes against creation", he confronted Tyrest for answers. The revelations were shocking: Tyrest believed that all Transformers "constructed cold" were abominations and he intended to exterminate them all with a [[universal killswitch]]. Ambus refused to allow him to go through with his plans, so Tyrest initiated the newest amendment to his accord—pre-emptive execution—and had one of his [[Legislator]] robots crush Ambus's head. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

[[File:Minimus ambus rodimus this calamitous life.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|left|You're nothing but a dirty carbuncle, festering in the corner!]]
Soon after, Rodimus and the others escaped their cell burst into Tyrest's control room. Tyrest warned them against interfering, gesturing at Ambus's fallen body as an example of what happened to those who opposed him. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}} Fortunately, the Magnus Armor was not the only load that Ambus was capable of carrying: the head that was crushed by the Legislator belonged to ''another'' layer of augmentation around his irreducible core. After Tyrest activated the killswitch, Minimus awoke and punched his way clear of his intermediate body's remains and, grabbing one of the Legislators' guns, shot Tyrest in the back. Along with [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]], he devised a way to use Rodimus's half of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to reverse the effects of Tyrest's killswitch, though at great risk to Rodimus's own life. Before it was put into operation Rodimus and Ambus took the opportunity to clear the air between them, with Minimus revealing that he didn't consider Rodimus a fit captain and Rodimus revealing that he had done far worse, but promising to make amends. Though their plan was successful and Rodimus survived, they were quickly overrun with Legislators and Ambus had to take up his gun once again to fight them off before [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] managed to use everything Magnus had taught him about the Autobot Code to re-write Tyrest's laws and shut them all down. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}}

In the aftermath of the battle, Ambus retrieved his outer shell and reintegrated with it. Later in the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s medbay, [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] helped him put the Magnus Armor back on, revealing that he had known about it all along, right back to the original Ultra Magnus, but since he had known Minimus the longest he considered him to be the ''true'' Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} With his armor reattached, Magnus met with Rodimus to take stock of recent events, then, upon learning that Cyclonus and had saved Tailgate's life, formally welcomed the ancient Transformer on board. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}}

===Seeing justice done===
[[File:RID23 captain magnus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.85]]
After the ''Lost Light'' rescued Orion Pax from the destruction of the planet [[Gorlam Prime]], Magnus accompanied him and Rodimus on a tour of the ship, {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} and later joined them for a drink in Swerve's to discuss the current state of affairs. Having learned that a portal to the Dead Universe had appeared on Cybertron, Rodimus and Pax ventured through the portal that had consumed Gorlam Prime to investigate the mystery from the other side, while Magnus was left in charge of the ''Lost Light'' and given orders to track down Jhiaxus, who Prime suspected was responsible. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}} Before long, however, the ''Lost Light'' found itself pushed off-course by Metroplex's thumb, which they had previously recovered. After conferring with the crew, Magnus made the decision to follow the thumb's pull and go in search of Metroplex. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}}

Locking on to the thumb's signal and quantum-jumping to the ocean world of [[Hydrophena]], the ship was attacked by [[Ammonite]]s. Magnus's group took to the sea in the [[Rodpod]] and soon found Metroplex, {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} only to discover that the giant's brain module was missing. {{storylink|No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|No Exit}} While searching Metroplex's interior, they learned that Shockwave was the architect of their recent misfortunes, and encountered the [[Caminus (planet)|Camiens]] [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Their companion [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] was able to fill the group in on Metroplex's status, and Magnus had the idea to jumpstart Metroplex with the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> quantum engines. This successfully allowed Metroplex to quantum jump back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}} From Metroplex, Ultra Magnus and the others had a front row seat as the giant defeated the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]] that had been battering [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}}

[[File:MTMTE27 magnus vs prowl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
In the aftermath, Ultra Magnus tried to learn more from Metroplex about the Knights of Cybertron, but could glean nothing. Receiving word of a fight between Chromedome and Prowl, he left to break the scuffle up; Prowl took offense at his intrusion, prompting Magnus to offer some choice words for the police 'bot regarding his underhanded tactics and how they harmed people. A fight seemed like it might break out between the two, until the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who had become fond of Prowl, stepped in, and Magnus left Prowl with his new "friends". {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} As an army of seventy billion Ammonites descended upon Cybertron, Magnus joined a team led by Bumblebee to confront Shockwave in his [[Crystal City]] headquarters, though Magnus became sidetracked fighting [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] with Skids and Brainstorm while the others went on. Bludgeon was about to stab him through the chest when Optimus Prime's team suddenly emerged through a wormhole inside Brainstorm and saved him. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Prime, Magnus and Megatron confronted Shockwave, but Magnus was blasted by Shockwave and taken out of the fight early. He was fortunately intact enough to escape after Shockwave's time drive collapsed into a black hole. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

As a direct outcome of Shockwave's defeat, Megatron decided to lay down his arms and become an Autobot. When the public of Cybertron demanded that the ex-Decepticon be placed on trial, Optimus appointed Ultra Magnus as the defense, a position he accepted, albeit not without a brief hesitation. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

[[File:MTMTE30 magnus hammer.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.1|[[Diedrich Bader|HAMMER OF JUSTICE!!!]]]]

Following testimony from Starscream—which Magnus had to interrupt to object to the former air commander's granstanding—Megatron asked Magnus to change his plea to not guilty. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}} After Magnus resignedly read Megatron's statement to the crowd, however, a group of Decepticons attacked the proceedings, and Magnus grabbed a giant hammer from one of the arena's statues to beat them back. Subsequently, during a recess, Megatron explained that this change of plea was a ploy to evoke an ancient legal loophole that permitted him to be tried not by his peers, but by the Knights of Cybertron. To that end, Optimus Prime assigned him co-captaincy of the ''Lost Light'' alongside Rodimus, and Ultra Magnus rejoined the ship's crew as it left Cybertron to resume its quest. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}}

===A change in perspective===
[[File:MTMTE29 magnus objects.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Some time into the journey, the ''Lost Light'' encountered an object in space which turned out to be a coffin. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} Magnus objected to Megatron's decision to bring it on board, but was relieved that he was at least willing to follow proper quarantine protocols. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}} Following the discovery that the coffin contained a dead second Rodimus and that the ''Lost Light'' was disappearing piece by piece, the crew were forced to abandon ship, with Magnus and Rodimus escaping in the ''[[Leading Light]]''. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} As crew members began disappearing as well, Magnus used his holomatter avatar to communicate with Megatron on the Rodpod, only to disappear mid-conversation. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} The remaining crew discovered that these disappearances were the result of their coming into proximity with a quantum duplicate of the ''Lost Light'', created in the original quantum jump launch accident, which was "overwriting" theirs. Investigating the wreckage of the duplicate, the small group of survivors discovered that the entire duplicate crew, including Ultra Magnus, had been slaughtered by the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} Fortunately, they were soon able to shut down the duplicate ship's quantum engines, causing it to disappear and the other ship and crew to reappear. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}}

[[File:MTMTE35 disaggregator gun.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8|[[Bob Budiansky#Budianskyisms|Have some armor removal, courtesy of my disaggregator gun!]]]]
As everyone gathered in Swerve's to celebrate their survival, Brainstorm—revealed to be an undercover Decepticon—made his move, triggering a poison he had laced the bar's drinks with that incapacitated the whole crew. Only Magnus, as a teetotaler, remained to confront him, but Brainstorm had prepared for that eventuality and blasted Magnus with a [[disaggregator gun]], which ripped the armor off Minimus. By the time he pulled himself together, Brainstorm had escaped via his [[Time case|time-machine briefcase]]; Megatron found the whole situation so ridiculous that he lost his temper, but Magnus reassured him that having a mental breakdown on the ''Lost Light'' was perfectly normal. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}} Believing that Brainstorm intended to alter history by killing Orion Pax, Rodimus took a team back in time after him; Magnus remained in the present, though he questioned Rodimus's wisdom in taking Whirl along on the mission. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}} Things did not go well; when Megatron vanished from Magnus's internal database, they realized that they had made a mistake, and that it was the Decepticon leader himself, not Orion Pax, who was Brainstorm's target. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|Stet}} Megatron took this as well as could be expected, forcing Magnus to physically restrain him as he tried to force Perceptor to send him back in time to save himself. After Megatron was calmed down, Magnus tried to lighten the mood by comparing [[Rodimus Star]]s; he won his for "Neatest Handwriting". Ultimately, the time-travellers were able to keep history from being altered, and when they returned to their present, Magnus joined the rest of the crew in Swerve's for celebrations. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

[[File:MTMTE40 minimus and ten.jpg|thumb|upright=1.65|left]]
The [[Lost Light Internal Legal Affairs Committee]] was subsequently convened to decide upon Brainstorm's fate, overseen by Rodimus, Magnus, and [[Xaaron]], where it was decided that since Brainstorm was not actually a Decepticon, but had only been using them for their resources to accomplish what he thought would be to the betterment of history, he would not be kicked off the ship. Following the verdict, Magnus visited Megatron in his quarters, suspecting he had stolen a datapad that had vanished from Magnus's quarters, but found nothing. Called in to see Ratchet for a checkup, Magnus admitted to the medic that his irritation stemmed from the fact he was feeling "enfeebled"; now that everyone on the ship knew he was really Minimus Ambus, he believed they no longer respected him, and he had even found a little figurine of Minimus outside his door that he felt sure had been left there to mock him. Ratchet soon discovered, however, that it was just the opposite: the figurine had been sculpted by Swerve's bouncer [[Ten]], who thought Magnus was the bee's knees and had taken his missing datapad, leaving the figurine as a trade. Discovering the that datapad contained ''poetry'' that Magnus had been trying to write, Ratchet wrote a message for him on it advising him to be more open, and told Ten to deliver it. Encouraged by Ratchet's words, Magnus accepted Ten as a friend, and removed his armor to get a drink with him at Swerve's as Minimus Ambus. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}}

When the ''Lost Light'' crew attended a pre-wake for Thunderclash, Minimus Ambus attended sans armor, and studied the supposed map to [[Cyberutopia]] that Thunderclash had carved into a wall. {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}} Unfortunately, his lack of armor left him defenseless when the crew were attacked by the [[personality tick]]s that had brought Thunderclash to the brink of death, but the combined charisma of Rodimus and Megatron proved enough to "overdose" the psychic monsters. A little later, back in his armor on the ''Lost Light'', Magnus informed [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] that [[Skater]], [[Flex]], and [[Borer]] had solved the mystery of the ticks before him and were much more humble in doing it. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}} Shortly thereafter, the ''Lost Light'' was contacted by Optimus Prime on Cybertron, inviting them to return to their homeworld in order to be present for the historic first contact with the colony world of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]. Unwilling to pause their quest again, they agreed to send an ambassador on their behalf; Magnus tried to tell Prime about recent events, but Rodimus cut him off. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}}

[[File:MTMTE44 a lot of banter.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]]
When Swerve's mind retreated to [[Swearth|holomatter duplicate of Earth]], Magnus (along with the rest of the crew) sent a holomatter avatar to help search for the minibot's mind, in the process recreating ''[[Community]]'' with Chromedome and Rewind. {{storylink|The One Where They Go to Earth}} Later, as Swerve was recuperating, Magnus, having had enough of Rodimus's dirty office, took it upon himself to clean it up, but in the process he discovered that the doodles Rodimus had carved into his desk were a map to Cyberutopia. Another revelation followed hot on the heels of this one; Swerve's condition had been caused by an infection resulting from a message bullet lodged in his shoulder by the Autobot spy [[Dominus Ambus|Agent 113]]. Magnus and Megatron examined the contents of the bullet together, which contained co-ordinate pointing the way to the home base of the supposedly-mythical "[[Mortilus|Necrobot]]". Magnus objected to exploring this tangent rather than following the Cyberutopia map, but was overruled by Megatron. Consequently, Magnus shed his armor and took Rewind aside; the little archivist was a former [[Conjunx Endura]] of his missing spark brother Dominus, and Minimus cautioned him against being too hopeful that they would find evidence that Dominus still lived. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}}

After an altercation involving Cyclonus and Tailgate, which ended with the latter hospitalized, Rodimus had Chromedome use his mnemosurgery abilities to discover just what had happened, revealing Getaway had been conspiring to get Megatron killed or arrested, at the cost of Tailgate's life. So Ultra Magnus went to arrest him, at which point Getaway's co-conspirator Atomizer took offense and tried attacking him, for all the good that did. Shortly thereafter, noted psychiatrist [[Froid]] arrived on board, in a ship containing the infamous murderer Sunder. For some reason this made Ultra Magnus incredibly unwelcoming toward Froid. {{storylink|Speak, Memory: Part 1}} And that was before Sunder got free and started make people tear themselves inside out, Rodimus included. Fortunately, everything turned out fine thanks to Tailgate. In the aftermath, Ultra Magnus helped Megatron make witty comments at his re-covered co-captain. {{storylink|Speak, Memory! (Part 2)}}

[[File:SilentLight MagnusArmorAlive.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|left]]
Around late December of that year, Rodimus took off for three days to go surfing on comets, much to Minimus and Megatron's shared exasperation. By the time he returned, the ship had started moving close to Mauler territory, and in order to protect the crew they had to hide their spark energy signatures in Biometric Envelopment Devices, while Brainstorm's cloaking device hid the ship. Rodimus returned just in time to find Megatron helping Minimus put the last finishing touches on the device.

A short while later, as he crooned merrily to himself, Minimus found Swerve, Nautica and Whirl looking stiff and humorless outside his office, rather than in their B.E.Ds. Before he could finish lecturing them, he got a call from Rewind, who was finding the concept of "one bot to a B.E.D." difficult to grasp. Then, as he entered his office Minimus was set upon by his own armor, which had apparently come to life. Before he could react, Minimus was knocked unconscious by a stray wrench. {{storylink|Silent Light}} Of course, the armor had just been taken over by a swarm of scraplets, and in the aftermath Minimus spent several days fumigating it, just to be sure, distracting him from being concerned about Perceptor's experiments with space-time fissures in ''Swerve's'', though he did join the crew in a toast to surprises. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}
{{--}}

===Lost in time and space===
[[File:HowBrightTheirFrailDeeds-rollout.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Some weeks after Sunder's rampage, Magnus was part of the Autobot force that heroically defended the people of [[Miliarium]], fighting alongside Thunderclash. Later, on board the Lost Light, Minimus was present for Megatron's lecture on the Knights of Cybertron, and what the crew had learnt about them. As Mimimus praised for the discipline and focus he was bringing, Megatron started having spasms. When Mimimus tried approaching him, Megatron lashed out. Later, Velocity noted that if Megatron hadn't been taking Fool's Energon, the blow would've likely killed Minimus.

That night, at thirty-one oh-seven hours, several members of the crew were subject to a psychological assault. Rodimus, ever the beacon of rationality, suggested tracking it to its source, distracting Magnus from his concerns with a grammatical slip. Magnus then joined the expedition, which wound up with the Rodpod inside a planet, which soon turned out to be the Necrobot's. Before the crew could dwell on that one, they were attacked. As they fled toward the Necrobot's compound, the Rodpod was shot down and destroyed, Magnus losing an arm in his effort to shield Swerve from the destruction.

Once inside, the bad news just kept on coming. It turned out the crew had been lured to the planet thanks to Getaway, and his fellow conspirators. As in, the rest of the crew, who had gotten fed up with Megatron being in charge, and Rodimus's leadership. So they arranged for them to be stranded there, with no means of getting off the planet and no means of contacting the Lost Light, their punishment for daring to side with the enemy. And just to round off the bad news, the D.J.D. were there too. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} The Autobots were given until sundown before the enemy would storm them, in a bit of psychological warfare, but Magnus and the others learned that the Necrobot's teleportation chamber was still active and they could escape. Problem was, that would mean abandoning dozens of slumbering organics in stasis pods that the Necrobot had been keeping. Magnus, along with the others, decided to stay and ensure the organics wouldn't be murdered after Megatron gave a rousing speech. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 2: The Sun in Flight|The Sun in Flight}}

[[File:mtmte50 minimus funeral request.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left]]
A surprise appearance by Ratchet and Drift, taking the DJD's [[turbofox]] "Pet" as a hostage, gave them a titchy edge, undone by Megatron being near-killed by [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]] when trying to negotiate. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|Your Fierce Tears}} The crew began to fortify the place while Magnus, in Ambus form, was measured for a new suit of armour by Brainstorm. The ''biggest possible'' suit Brainstorm could fit on his loadbearing self! MiniMagnus was clear they were all going to die and that was the be all end all (and he had a [http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/poets/mccraearticle.htm poem about poppies] to read out for it), and told Nightbeat that to get him to ''stop talking'' about this unimportant hollow bit of the Necroworld; just to keep him quiet, he told Nightbeat he could go investigate as long as it wasn't alone. Mid-measurement, Rewind arranged it so the crew could broadcast into space how they wanted their corpses to be disposed of.
{{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|At Close of Day}} Minimus Ambus, blaming himself for having fun instead of stopping all of this, requested to be buried in his armour at the Luna-1 hot spot. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

[[File:AtCloseOfDay-MaximusAmbus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.8|He's bigger, faster, and stronger too. He's the first member of the ''Lost Light'' crew.]]
While berating Rewind for searching the Necrobot's files, Minimus casually mentioned that his brother Dominus had also been a loadbearer, something Rewind hadn't known. This upset Rewind and he wanted to know what Dominus really looked like... and Minimus showed him Dominus' turbofox form, unaware that the "Pet" they'd captured was ''his brother, lobotimised and "domesticated"'', and left unaware when Rewind killed Dominus to prevent Chromedome's own death while fixing the man. He was still blissfully unaware when he arrived in his new '''MAXIMUS AMBUS''' armour, courtesy of Brainstorm; armour he remarked was "tasty". In the end, after Rodimus thanked everyone for travelling with him, Magnus and his friends charged the Decepticon guns, {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|At Close of Day}} but not before everyone received a power boost from Skids. Ambus was one of the most ferocious opponents to face the Decepticons, knocking the daylights out of [[Helex (G1)|Helex]] during the battle's opening stages. Soon, however, the power boost wore off and the Autobots were surrounded. Megatron joined the battle and covered the crew's retreat back into the fortress. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} After Megatron emerged victorious and the DJD were defeated, Minimus was present with the old command trio of him, Rodimus, and Drift at the Momument to the [[Disappeared]], as Rewind explained how several missing 'bots were rescued by the Necrobot, and Rewind paid a last tribute to his deceased brother. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

The ''Lost Light'' crew were now joined by dozens of disoriented Cybertronians yanked from across time and space, and so Ultra Magnus took it upon himself to bring the new arrivals up to speed with the help of an extremely long slideshow. His audiovisual presentation did little to impress new arrival [[Anode]]. Minimus Ambus subsequently shed his outer armor to travel back to Cybertron with Rodimus and a small crew of other Autobots to pick up a new ship, using a jury-rigged [[Teleport chamber|teleporter]]. They discovered, however, that their entire world had been shunted into an [[Functionist Universe|alternate reality]] thanks to a rogue Galactic Council [[geobomb]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}}

[[File:Anomie-arrested.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.9]]
The entire group was arrested by [[Twelve-of-Twelve]], believing them to be rogue members of the [[Anti-Vocationist League]], and paraded through the streets in a public spectacle; when Rodimus looked to Minimus for consolation, the tiny Autobot only succeeded in making Rodimus feel worse about their predicament. That's when the real AVL showed up to free the captives, but their prowess left something to be desired and resulted in Megatron taking command of the battle. In the aftermath, [[Clicker]] offered to take the group back to [[Kalis|Adaptica]], their base of operations.{{storylink|Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|Anomie}} The group met up with rogue [[Functionist Council]] member [[Nine-of-Twelve]], from whom they learned more about the history of the Functionist Universe. Their history lesson was overshadowed when [[Six-of-Twelve]] announced "Revelation Day" and unveiled Rung's supposed alternate mode: a gigantic mining tank that left Minimus suspicious. Before the Autobots, could coordinate their next move, they were interrupted by the sudden return of [[Moonbase Two|Luna Two]], thought lost after a string of wars against the greater galaxy. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

The moon, as it turned out, had been weaponized into a gigantic [[harvester unit]] and began laying siege to the city, dragging buildings and their occupants into the air to be stripped down and processed. Having learned of a way to return to their own universe, Rodimus and Megatron butted heads as they argued about whether to save this Cybertron or flee back to their home reality, forcing Minimus to step in. Ultimately, Minimus stayed behind in Adaptica with Megatron while Rodimus's crew went off to rescue Rung, helping to coordinate the evacuation as Cybertronians fled the city. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}} {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

With time running out, Minimus relayed an urgent communique from Brainstorm back on the dimensionally-displaced Necroworld, warning the Autobots that they had less than twenty minutes before it would be impossible for them to return home. With Rung laying down his life to fight the moon, the Autobots hatched a new plan where they would teleport the entire moon away from Cybertron, saving the planet and allowing them to return home. Clicker led the group to a [[matter transporter]], which turned out to be a dud, and then to a second device, which worked. Frustrated that Megatron and Terminus had yet to return, Minimus warned Rodimus that they couldn't let the ex-Decepticon "get away"... which provoked Rodimus into leaving the two behind. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}}

[[File:AfterMegatron MagnusBetrayed.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.9|''You forfeit all rights to my heart!'' ''You forfeit the place in our bed!'' ''You sleep in your office instead'' ''With only the memories'' ''Of when you were mine…'']]
In the wake of their adventure, Minimus donned his old, repaired Magnus Armor once again, only to discover that it wasn't working properly. Unbeknownst to the tiny Autobot, this hardware failure was a result of his internal cognitive dissonance after letting Megatron escape, unable to reconcile the murderous Decepticon with the odd friendship he had formed with the ex-Decepticon leader. Realizing that he was uncharacteristically late for an inspection, Minimus Ambus headed off to check up on [[Skip]]'s makeshift starship form. Once more ensconced in his malfunctioning armor, Ultra Magnus sadly mused on Rodimus's leadership versus Megatron's own stint as captain. Rodimus admitted that he had come to accept Megatron's change of heart... which prompted Ultra Magnus to snap at Rodimus, decrying his captain's judgement and denouncing Megatron as an abuser and manipulator. This tirade snapped Ultra Magnus's armor back to normal, and he promptly stomped off to conduct a proper inspection before takeoff. {{storylink|After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|After Megatron}}

Three weeks after the mutiny and the adventure in the Functionist Universe, the funerary broadcast reached Cybertron and Earth. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

At some unspecified point after this, a message reached Ultra Magnus and Whirl via the holographic [[Shimmer]]—Springer, sending out a message to those he trusted, asking them to destroy the legacy of the Wreckers and make a better future. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}}

===Road's End===
[[File:Sardines TermsofPeace.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7]]
Aboard Skip's cramped alternate mode, Magnus attempted to continue his work on ''Terms of Peace'' only to be suddenly magnetized to Anode as part of an increasingly ridiculous prank war between her and Swerve. While [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] managed to pull her conjunx off Magnus, this only led to all the tensions erupting, a situation made even worse by Ratchet succumbing to [[aggressive depigmentation]], despite being alive, and turning intangible, all while the mass-displacement began to wear off. {{storylink|Sardines}}

Salvation came at the hands of an unusually lucid [[Ten]] who told everyone that they needed to get to a [[Mederi]] facility via the [[Warren]]. Though the crew managed to access the cosmic structure, Skip's mass-displacement finally gave out and everyone was forced to "abandon Skip", their bodies being ravaged by the effects of super-compressed space. They'd managed to come within spitting distance of the original Mederi however, now in the year [[2018]], and fell into its gravity well. The moon's systems repaired them and, based off Cyclonus's powerful desire to reach the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]] and reunite with Tailgate, presented itself as the [[Clavis Aurea]]n interpretation of the realm. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}} {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

Magnus awoke on a mortuary slab to a deserted landscape being contacted by Rodimus who asked him to meet him under the giant [[Matrix of Leadership]] and name the planet. Unable to do the latter (given the sheer amount of planets in the galaxy), he met with the group under the artifact. When the more religious among them decided that they were in the next life, the [[ghost]]s of Trailcutter and Pipes arrived to confirm the belief. After Rodimus had a brief mental breakdown, he angrily demanded an audience with Primus before being blasted by divine lighting. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}}

[[File:TheGodWar MagnusQuestions.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right]]
As Magnus examined the scorch mark where Rodimus had once stood, he was approached by [[Dominus Ambus]]'s spectre who declared his pride for his younger brother and apologized for the distance between them. Finally at peace, Magnus began to ascend into the full Afterspark... only to be snatched away by the Guiding Hand to serve as legal counsel in their plea for resurrection. While Magnus quickly established that the Hand ''could'' revive them, doing so would bar them from the second life when they inevitably perished again. Ultimately, it was [[Adaptus]] who decided that, since Rodimus' main objective was his crew's happiness, they had no need to be revived and sent them back limbo. Satisfied, Magnus drove off to speak with Dominus again. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

[[File:YouAreHere MagnusRodimusFastball.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|He's great at combo maneuvers...]]
Rightly suspecting that Rodimus wouldn't leave well enough alone, Magnus turned back and caught up with him as he, Drift, and Ratchet were fighting a group of [[Omega Guardian]]s, though a batch notably weaker than those on [[Ki-Aleta]]. After Magnus performed a [[Fastball Special]] with Rodimus, Ratchet turned his attention to the cylinder of "trapped light", the seeming power source of the afterlife, while Whirl called Magnus to relay his suspicions that everyone else was going to be murdered. Ratchet then shattered the cylinder causing the afterspark to fade away and revealing them Mederi to them. As Magnus told Whirl to inform the others, and to never call him "chunky" ever again, Rodimus deduced that Mederi was [[Cyberutopia]], the Knights having contracted [[atrophosia]] and come here for treatment. With the quest wrapped up, and joined by the Decepticon [[Scavengers (G1)|Scavengers]], the group prepared to leave Mederi and head back to Cybertron before the crew of the ''Lost Light'' arrived, now mutated into [[Sparkeater (creature)|sparkeaters]]. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

[[File:ADanceBeforeDying CrankcaseUsedByMagnus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|-even ''unwilling'' combo maneuvers.]]
After a failed attempt to reason with the infected, the group retreated before [[Wipe-Out's ship]] arrived, dropping Grimlock into battle, who began hacking apart the sparkeaters. Using [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] as a makeshift gun, Magnus reined in Grimlock before [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] caught Rodimus up on [[Getaway]]'s depravity. When the ''Lost Light'' was sighted, Magnus boarded the Q-Ship, Magnus ordered Crankcase to dock in Shuttle Bay Four. No sooner had the ship landed did Getaway blow the ceiling above them, flooding the bay with the contents of the [[oil]] reservoir, including the [[Scraplet]]s. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}}

As Magnus lectured on the biology of the Scraplet [[combiner]], Grimlock cleaved it in twain only for it to quickly reform into a serpentine form before they lunged at Whirl. Rather than devour the Wrecker however, the predators gently brushed up against him. Recognizing that the Luna 1 Scraplets he'd domesticated on [[Christmas]] Eve were part of the swarm, Whirl broke them free of the flooded bay and set off to aid Rodimus. No sooner had the ship been retaken did a massive tear in the Warren open above the moon. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} The ''Lost Light'' was quickly brought down to Mederi's surface, and the crew loaded aboard, but it was soon found that, despite Magnus' monstrously intimidating glare, that the gravity of the rift was too much for the ship's engines, dragging them to the [[Benzene Cluster]]. When they arrived, they were taken captive by the forces of the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]]. When [[Froid]] and [[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]] reunited with the group, they informed them of what little they knew about the Architect and his plans for the [[God Gun]]. As the weapon began drilling into the void between universes, a war fleet emerged from the portal with [[Last Light (ship)|a duplicate]] ''Lost Light'' flying point. Its captain then called Magnus and Rodimus, revealing himself to be Megatron. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}}

[[File:TheReturnOfTheKing MagnusMegatronReunite.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
Though the Autobot duo thought Megatron was invading the universe once more, that theory was soon disproven when the [[Functionist Universe]]'s Cybertron itself appeared, now cast in the likeness of Primus and controlled by the [[Functionist Council]]. After he'd shaken off the [[Functionary]] ships, Megatron flew to the [[Worldsweeper]] and caused a hull breach to free his friends. While the Architect managed to seal the hull breach, Magnus was brought aboard the ''Last Light'' where Megatron brought them up to speed on the Council's plans. When the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] opined that they destroy "Primus", Megatron overruled it on the basis that "Primus" was inhabited. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}}

[[File:LL24 Magnus Explodes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]
Once Rodimus' group had freed themselves, and brought news that ''Rung'' was the ''real'' Primus, everyone met on the ''Lost Light'' to compare notes. It was decided that Rung would manufacture twelve duplicates of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and their energy would be unleashed on every one of Functionist Cybertron's [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spots]] to overload [[Vector Sigma]]. At this, the Omega Guardians, speaking from the [[Higher Realms]] via the Magnificence, flew into an unholy rage and demanded that the false "Primus" be destroyed so that they could return. That problem was quickly handled however by [[Nickel]] crushing the Magnificence. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Magnus was given a Matrix and he and Whirl were sent to the hot spot at [[Mesmerica]], quickly being surrounded by Functionist soldiers. Magnus was unable to open the Matrix and distracted as he was, was hit by a Functionary's missile, knocking him out of both layers of his armor. With Minimus Ambus now unconscious, Whirl managed to open the Matrix and ultimately, the Functionists were defeated. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

[[File:LL25 MagnusToast.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|left]]
As the crew took stock, [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] arrived to inspect "New Cybertron" before declaring that, since the [[Knights of Cybertron]] didn't exist, Megatron would once again have to stand trial, this time with the [[Galactic Council]] presiding. Over Rodimus's protests, Megatron agreed to go quietly but was nonetheless allowed to join the ''Lost Light'' for one last "victory lap" cruise. 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''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s adventures would never truly end. When the time to jump came, the crew simply wound up back on Cybertron.

As they all settled into ''Swerve's'' for a last drink, Magnus recited his favorite poem, Afterlight, which Megatron revealed to have written under a pseudonym. Adding that it was Impactor's favorite too, Megatron lamented that he'd wasted his life. Not wanting to leave it at that, Magnus gave a toast to all the friendships and bonds they'd forged... before construction cranes killed the moment and began disassembling the ship.

[[File:LL25 MagnusMegatronFarewell.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right|Now kiss.]]
When Megatron was tried again, Magnus again acted as his defense orator. As the jury debated between infinite imprisonment and outright execution, Magnus allowed Rodimus and Megatron had one last discussion, with Megatron revealing he'd always held onto his [[Rodimus Star]], before they were called back to the sentencing chamber. On their way, Minimus revealed he was going to follow Megatron's advice and destroy the [[Magnus Armor]].

Following through on his words, Minimus Ambus dedicated his life to helping bring the [[Lunarian]]s, the generation born on Luna 1's hot spot, to term, never quite getting around to finishing ''Terms of Peace''. Years later, when Ratchet had passed, Minimus had overseen the rearing of half the new generation.

And far away, in some distant corner of the multiverse, the duplicate ''Lost Light'' materialized, ready to set sail for an infinity of new adventures. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{--}}

==Prevenge==
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Angel]] (English)}}
Ultra Magnus was lecturing Tailgate on the Autobot Code when he was suddenly transported away from the ''Lost Light'' through a trans-dimensional portal. He found himself in a metal corridor, accompanied by a reverse-polarity [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]]. The recordicon's speech mannerisms soon began to annoy Ultra Magnus, but "thankfully," auto-cannons popped out from the corridor, giving Ultra Magnus something to blast. The two of them made their way through the labyrinth they found themselves in, eventually meeting with six other abductees from different universes: [[Blades (RB)|Blades]], [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]], [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]], and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]]. Despite Sureshock's protests, Ultra Magnus established himself as being in charge, stating that it was his business to be the ranking officer in any given situation.

A menacing voice then made itself heard, saying that it was responsible for bringing everyone together inside its death trap. After rather embarrassingly unleashing a sick and rusted [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] against the group, the voice commanded the lot to fight one another to the death. The group (for the most part) refused, and forced the [[Skuxxoid]] to reveal himself as the architect behind the whole plot. The villain was disposed of in short order, leaving the abductees to devise a way to get themselves back home. Sonar suggested that since the place they were in was governed inherently ridiculous laws, an equally ridiculous solution was called for. Ultra Magnus went along with the idea, despite it going against everything he held dear in life. The group settled on all laughing together, as characters in a cheesy cartoon are prone to do when an episode comes to an end. Surprisingly enough, this worked, and Ultra Magnus found himself on the Lost Light once more. Shaken by his adventure, he made Tailgate promise to never speak of what had just happened, and dismissed him from his lessons for the day. {{storylink|Prevenge}}

==Notes==
*Magnus here is very different to the previous G1 takes. [[Simon Furman]] stated this was out of his 2005-2006 desire to be different and not repeat things; rather than be uncertain of his role as he was in [[Marvel Comics]], this character would be utterly certain and unwavering.<ref>[http://insidepulse.com/2006/08/04/50140/ Comics Nexus: "Caught in the Nexus: Simon Furman"]</ref>
*Furman spent some time teasing an Ultra Magnus/[[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] fight in homage to the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Transformers'' comic]], but had abandoned it by the time he wrote ''Revelation''.<ref>[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/its-qa-time-again/ IT’S Q&A TIME AGAIN! | simon furman] ''
''20. You previously mentioned that we’d see Ultra Magnus vs Galvatron. Is this still going to happen?
SF) This was where my plans for Revelation/Expansion really did change, and not just because of the shift in format. Originally, I really wanted to have an Ultra Magnus/Galvatron smackdown in the tradition of the one from Target: 2006, but once I'd arranged all the players in Revelation I realised it just wasn’t going to work.</ref>
*Ultra Magnus was one of the characters whom both [[James Roberts]] and [[John Barber]] wanted for their respective books.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=309188#309188 James Roberts:] As for the divvying up, we both started off with two or three characters that had been dictated – actually, that’s the wrong word – by IDW editorial, then came up with a core cast wish list. There were only a few clashes. I would have liked Prowl and Wheeljack and I think John would have liked Magnus and Ratchet. We compromised.</ref>
*Optimus Prime's unnamed Senator friend wandered around the "[[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Shadowplay]]" 3-parter in not only a Magnus-style design, but in Ultra Magnus' colours. This was deliberate, making us believe that this was going to be the origin of Ultra Magnus rather than the origin of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]].<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-comics-discussion/716601-transformers-more-than-meets-eye-11-discussion-spoilers-29.html#post8649838 Forum post by Alex Milne]</ref>
[[File:Ultra Magnus alt-Alex Milne-MtMtE.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*James Roberts had carefully seeded some clues of Ultra Magnus's true identities in issues of ''More Than Meets The Eye'':
**In "[[Interiors]]", Skids mentions that Magnus used to do wisecracks.
**In the [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|2012 annual]], he prescriptively describes himself using the third person. Twice.
**Magnus refers to Tyrest giving him everything he wanted in "[[Cybertronian Homesick Blues]]".
**The fatal damage done to Magnus in "[[Under Cold Blue Stars]]", the damage First Aid says can't be fixed? It's exactly the same type of damage First Aid says Magnus survived once before in "[[Before & After]]".
**Flashbacks in "[[The Gloaming]]" showed Ultra Magnus dirty, with a crooked badge, and wise-cracking, all things his present self could never do, and each flashback ended with damage that Magnus would be really lucky to survive.
*Tragically, Ultra Magnus is the best hugger on the ''Lost Light''.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Until I contradict myself: yes.|link=https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/799406382181220353|name=James Roberts|site=Twitter|year=2016|month=11|day=18|(defunct=)}}</ref>
*The idea of the lineage of loadbearers is a reinvention of the original idea of the Magnus armor, used in the G1 toy and Dreamwave, where Magnus was a single normal-size robot who wore armor.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Point One Percenters]]

Golder

2024-08-28T02:10:48Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|autobot}}
:''Golder is a [[Beastformer]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[Image:Goldar-card.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|I'll get those pesky Power Rangers!]]

'''Golder'''<ref>[http://littlerubberguides.com/battle_beasts/item_details.cfm?item=472 Spelling in English on Meiji trading card]</ref> (ゴールダー ''Gōrudā'') is one of [[White Leo]]'s oldest friends, the pair having trained together in their youth. Golder shares Leo's fiery passion for justice, but lacks Leo's restraint. He is willing to push himself to his utmost limits for what he believes in, but he doesn't always think about what he's doing as much as he should. Once he's made up his mind, it takes a ''lot'' to dissuade him from even a bad plan of action.

And he can do quite a lot of damage when he gets on a tear. A melee combat expert, his teeth and jaws alone can rip through huge trees and shred metal. His [[MVP Weapon]], the double-headed Baton-Gol (バトンゴール ''Baton Gōru'') can expand and contract at will, and is strong enough to support incredible weight even when extended.

Following the Great War, he returned to his homeland of [[Kantonia|Gun Marino]] to rule as its Emperor under King [[Yellow Giraffe]]. The two are quite close, the elder Giraffe being one of the few who can calm and rein in Golder's impulses.

==Fiction==
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Ken Yamaguchi]] (Japanese)}}

[[Image:Goldar.jpg|upright=1|thumb|MAKE MY MONSTER GROOOOOOOW!]]

The Golders were a species of Beastformer. A Golder joined in [[Big Serow]]'s attack on the [[Decepticon]] Beastformer stronghold, only to be shot down. He took the injury in stride, saving [[Yellow Giraffe]] from [[Snakebomb (Beastformers)|Snakebomb]]. He was shot down again, and the Beastformer force retreated. At the rebel Beastformer headquarters, the Golder was in better shape than the other injured Beastformers and offered to be an envoy to bring more reinforcements, but [[White Leo]] denied his request, not wanting to risk more soldiers.

Several Golders were in the crowd cheering the [[Autobot]]s' arrival. Soon, inside the headquarters, one Golder polished his weapon.

A Golder joined White Leo's force to rescue the Beastformers that the Decepticons had kidnapped to use as slaves. Their efforts were not necessary, as they were rescued by [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]], and the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s. Nevertheless, White Leo's force joined up with the freed slaves and saw the retreat of the Decepticon Transformers. A Golder, along with the other Autobot Beastformers, saw the Autobot Transformers off. {{Storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====
Golder, among others, was menaced by [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] and the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s, led by [[Alligatron]]. They were able to escape when [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] distracted the giant [[combiner]]. Golder returned with [[White Leo]] and others; together, they were able to defeat the [[Decepticon]] [[Beastformer]]s. {{storylink|The Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}}

====''Legends'' comic====
Golder took part in the final battle between the Beastformers and the [[Laser Beast]]s on Beast in [[2023]]. He was stationed at [[Red Phoenix]]'s base mode. {{Storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 1}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation 1'' comics===
Golder was present when [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] took on the invading [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], fighting off the Decepticon [[Air Warrior]]s. {{storylink|Welcome to the Jungle}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] unleashed [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], boasting that the gestalt's combined animal strength was unparalleled, Golder and his allies stood united to prove him wrong. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

==Toys==
===Transformers: Beastformers===
[[File:BF-toy Golder.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Golder''' (Beastformer, 1987)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''3'''
:*''Pack'': '''A, D'''
:*''Accessories'': Double-club weapon (usually)

: Part of the first series of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Beastformers'' toys, Golder is an anthropomorphic tiger in brown robotic armor. The [[rubsign|Battle Emblem]] on his chest reveals one of three symbols when warmed up; Fire, Water or Wood.

: He ''usually'' comes with a silver double-club weapon marked with the same ID number as on his back. However, ''Beastformers'' is notorious for toys coming with someone else's weapon; it's unclear if this was just originally poor QC, but in the sequel series, this semi-random weaponry was actually turned into a "[[Beastformers Role-Playing Game|gimmick]]".

: The [[Hasbro]] ''Battle Beasts'' release of the figure can vary in the tone of the brown paint used on its armor, with some samples being lighter and more matte, with slightly desaturated pink accents; it's uncertain if the Takara version has similar (minor) paint variation.

: He was re-released in the second series; while the toy proper was not changed, the packaging and packed-in bio card was. The first-series release comes in a generic red-grid "Cybertron Beastformer" box, with a red-grid bio card with a painted character image on the front, though there was a random chance of his card being replaced by the rare "[[Holography Mirror]]" card. In series 2 he came in a green-grid generic "Cybertron Beastformer" box, with the bio card putting the painted image on a jungle backdrop. As he shipped in the "D Pack" case, there was a chance of his bio card being replaced with a rare "[[Bewitching Serpent Seal]]" card featuring [[Cobrander]].
{{-}}

===Beastformers===
{{anchor|White}}
[[File:BF-toy Golder white.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Golder''' (Gahsapon Beastformer, 1988)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''3'''
:*''Accessories'': Weapon

: Many Beastformers were also sold in [[gacha|gashapon]] capsule machines for the same price as their boxed versions (200 yen) during the "RPG" line, Golder included. This version is identical to the regularly-released boxed version, including the randomized rubsign, except the gashapons appear to have randomized weapons (or just ''really'' crummy quality control).

: According to their pack-in paperwork, fifteen rare all-white/cream Beasts were available in these capsules, though only four were shown; Golder is one of only twelve confirmed "rare types" found. These rare versions can vary in how white they actually are, and it's uncertain if that's how they started or if some have simply [[photodegradation|yellowed]] with age. These versions tend to be ''very'' expensive on the secondary market, going for $100+ even when missing their arms.

{{-}}{{anchor|ConfrontationSet}}
[[File:BF-toy GreatestConfrontation box.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Beast Planet's Greatest Confrontation Set''' (Box set, 1988)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': "Baton-Gol" MVP Weapon

: Re-released in the ''Transformers''-less ''Beastformers'' sequel series, Golder was given a straight re-release in the "Beast Planet's Greatest Confrontation Set" (ビースト星最大の対決セット ''Bīsuto-sei Saidai no Taiketsu Setto''), unchanged from his prior releases. He comes with a new, more filled-out bio card featuring comic-styled line-art instead of the painted art of the prior releases. This new card also gave his weapon, now branded an "[[MVP Weapon]]", the name "Baton-Gol".

: This set also came with [[Platinum Tiger#Toys|Platinum Tiger]], [[Yellow Giraffe#Toys|Yellow Giraffe]], and the [[Tiger Hunter#Toys|Tiger Hunter]] (same as their prior releases), and the set-exclusive [[Laser Beast]]s [[Skullgrotes#Toys|Skullgrotes]], [[Kingbuster#Toys|Kingbuster]], [[Salmomancer#Toys|Salmomancer]], and a chromed-gold [[Battle Drill]].

: This set is particularly expensive on the secondary market, given the entire Laser Beast half of the set is not available anywhere else.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Meiji candy toys===
{{anchor|Meiji}}
* '''Ramune Beastformers Battle Card''' (1988)
**''Meiji ID number'': '''22'''

: A gold-foil "Battle Card" of Golder, featuring the painted character art from his ''Transformers: Beastformers'' bio card, was available in randomly-packed sets of cards that came with grape-flavored ramune candy tablets. The back of the card features a severely truncated bio, with data for the game from the Meiji chocoball SD figures' packaging.

: Though this card shows line-art of a super-deformed Golder toy, no actual toy was ever produced.

==Notes==
* His 1988 bio card gives him the nickname "'''Gol'''" (ゴール ''Gōru'').

===Foreign names===
*''English:'' '''Ferocious Tiger'''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beastformers Autobots]]
[[Category:Beastformers emperors]]
[[Category:Legends Beastformers]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]

Whisper (G1)

2024-08-28T02:10:35Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|decepticon|ascenticon}}
{{disambig3|Whisper}}
:''Whisper is a [[Decepticon]] [[Micromaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:G1Whisper MTMTE.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Friend to the librarian.]]
'''Whisper''' (aka '''Visper''') is the leader of the [[Air Strike Patrol]], a position he holds by being braver than [[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]], smarter than [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]], and bolder than [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]]. In fact, if he wasn't completely despicable, he'd probably make a good Autobot. Pity [[Whisper (Zone)|the position's taken]].<ref>''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #7</ref>

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Micromastercoats s.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|"We'll totally blend in on Earth this way!"]]

''Whisper and his patrolmates were the first Decepticon Micromasters to be created after [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s scientists reverse engineered the process from the captive [[Autobot]] [[Battle Patrol]]. When the [[Race Car Patrol]] infiltrated Thunderwing's base to rescue the Battle Patrol, the Air Strike Patrol were sent out to meet them as a field-test. [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] was able to trick them into thinking that a deactivated bomb he was carrying was still live, allowing his team to rush the Decepticons and beat them down. The Autobots afterwards fled with their rescued comrades.'' {{storylink|A Small War!}}

[[File:Nightflightreactorlinkage.jpg|thumb|Ironically, it's Nightflight who's whispering.]]

When Roadhandler became an overnight wrestling sensation on Earth, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] called in help to end the Autobot's growing public adulation, and an unknown Decepticon sent the Air Strike Patrol. Whisper got to threaten physical harm against small children to force Roadhandler to take a dive against [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]], though he and his teammates were ultimately sent packing by the Race Car Patrol. {{storylink|The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!}}

Unknown to Scorponok, the patrol's secret employer was [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who then sent the team on a mission to [[MacDill Air Force Base]] to capture the [[B-204]] refueling plane. Throughout the whole mission, Whisper had to rein in Nightflight and Stormcloud, both of which were intent on usurping his position as leader of their group. When the [[Autobot]]s inevitably arrived, Whisper contacted Scorponok to tell him that they were under attack. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} {{storylink|Skin Deep}} After a brief confrontation with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the arrival of Scorponok's Decepticons, the Air Strike Patrol fled, their mission completed. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}}

''They appear to have gone AWOL from the Decepticons after this, as Whisper was next seen as a private assassin with an open-ended contract to kill key Autobots. This in turn made Whisper a target of the Autobot [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]], who damaged his wings and chased him into an Earthen forest. His patrolmates came to his aid, and the Rescue Patrol were called back by Optimus to stop the forest being destroyed.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}}

Whisper led his team across the southern [[United States of America|United States]], finally attacking an oil refinery. This was the same oil refinery where [[Dynamo|Hector Dialonzo]], a human with extraordinary powers, was working, and he single-handedly destroyed the Air Strike Patrol. Whisper was the last to fall, quickly realising Hector's power and deciding to threaten workers to get him to back off. This just pissed Hector off and made him attack anyway! {{storylink|The Human Factor!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Air strike patrol aspects of evil.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75]]
In an alternate timeline, the Air Strike Patrol took [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s side in a [[Decepticon Civil War]] against factions led by Scorponok and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]. They had a chance to kill a beaten Scorponok in [[1991]] but were stopped by the Autobots, as their battle was destroying a human city. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
As the Decepticons arrived on Earth, Whisper and the Air Strike Patrol were among the first to engage their Autobot enemies. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|New York — A City Sinking in Terror}}

When a dimension bridge opened up connecting several points in time and space, the Autobots and Decepticons fought over control of the bridge. The Air Strike Patrol engaged the Autobot [[Pretender]], [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|The Transformers' Grand Hour: Headmaster of the Dimensions}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:Spotlight Nightbeat Tailspin Whisper Greaser.jpg|thumb]]
Whisper was one of the legions of [[Dead Universe]] Micromasters who pursued [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] on [[Gorlam Prime]]. He survived to confront Hardhead with the [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]-controlled Nightbeat in the planet's subterranean tunnels, but failed to prevent the Autobot from escaping into the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Whisper of the Air Strike Patrol fought for the Builders in the [[Grand Uprising]] until he was captured by the Resistance. In [[Protihex]], he was forced to fight in a new Games until a [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] nano-virus hidden among his fellow troops awakened. Micromasters and protoformers alike were assimilated into new Vehicon drone soldiers, and Whisper and Storm Cloud were brought down by the first wave of [[Aero Drone]]s. {{storylink|Safe Spaces}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material===
During the war for Cybertron, Visper was an [[Cybertronian military insignia|Air Force Infantry Raider]]. {{storylink|#Generations|''Siege'' toy packaging}}

On a flame-wreathed battlefield, Visper and [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] arrived with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to back [[Flywheels|Skytread]] up against [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Cog (G1)|Cog]]. Visper connected with Storm Cloud to form a sword for their leader, but once [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] showed up to clash with Megatron, he hit them so hard they de-combined. {{storylink|Source:Teletraan-1 Data Files#Autobots vs. Decepticons stop motion|Autobots vs. Decepticons stop motion}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:TheCracksBeneathYourFeetPart5 VisperJokes.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Ironically bad at not saying the quiet part loud.]]
{{first|[[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five|''Transformers'' #11]]}}

Visper, along with his comrade [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]], was a member of the terrorist organization [[The Rise]]. He was outed as a member of The Rise thanks to data that [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] managed to collect from an abandoned Rise base. Visper and Storm Cloud joined [[Sixshot (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Sixshot]] in an attempt to evacuate [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] from [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Ascenticon Headquarters]]. [[Bumblebee (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] tried to stop them, getting in a brawl with Visper. However, [[Flywheels|Skytread]] purposely sabotaged Bumblebee, allowing him to be defeated by Sixshot as Visper and Storm Cloud took Barricade away. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}}

Later, Storm Cloud and Visper were commandeered by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] for a mission to Iacon. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}} Their intent was to get more energon out of [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] for the cause. However, they were spotted by [[Security Operations]] and a fight broke out at [[Swindle's|Swindle's casino]], with Visper taking [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] down in the melee. The situation soon became unsalvageable, and Visper fled. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|Swindle's}} He was seen later among the Decepticon forces laying siege to the [[Forge Pyramid]], {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} and took part in the final battle at [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
When Zarak Maximus attempted to stomp Micropolis, Whisper was among innumerable Autobot and Decepticon Micromasters that swarmed and toppled the colossus. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster transports|Micromaster transports commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and the Air Strike Patrol conquered [[Garrus-9]], though their triumph was short-lived as the [[Wreckers]] arrived a bit later and liberated it. {{storylink|The Wreckers}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-Zone-toy Whisper.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Silencio! *shush*]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{bp-d1|'''Air Strike Patrol''' (Micromaster Patrol, [[1988]])}}</ul>

:Whisper transforms into a black Stealth fighter jet loosely based on the apocryphal "F-19" design. He was available only as part of a 4-bot Patrol with his teammates [[Nightflight (G1)#Toys|Nightflight]], [[Storm Cloud (G1)#Toys|Storm Cloud]], and [[Tailwind (G1)#Toys|Tailwind]]. Whisper is [[gang-molding|gang-molded]] with Storm Cloud, sharing plastic colors.

:Together with the [[Off Road Patrol]] and the [[Race Car Patrol]], the Air Strike Patrol was released by Hasbro in late 1988 (basically, a case of "next year product" being released at the end of the old year), in packaging that differed from the "proper" 1989 Micromasters' redesigned packaging (silver cards and boxes featuring an all-new "Transformers" logo) by retaining a variation of the faction-specific color-coded gradient background on the card and featuring a unique "Micro Transformers" title in a variation of the old, pre-1989 "Transformers" logo. This same basic packaging design was also used for Canada (albeit bilingual English/French) and parts of Europe (bilingual French/Dutch, and Italian-only packaging distributed by [[GiG]]). However, a variant of sorts featuring the later 1989 packaging design also exists, and was released (in English-only packaging) in the United Kingdom, where it was sold at Woolworth's stores.

: This toy was sold in Japan without changes as the Autobot [[Whisper (Zone)#Toys|Whisper]] from ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Zone|Zone]]''. It was [[redeco]]ed to make [[Groundshaker (G1)#Toys|Groundshaker]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1989/Decepticon/Whisper/whisper.htm More information on Whisper at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/decepticon/1989/instr_air_strike_patrol.jpg Instructions for the Air Strike Patrol at Botchthecrab.com]''
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron: Siege''===
{{anchor|Generations}}
[[File:WFCS-Micro-Master-Decepticon-Air-Strike-Patrol.jpg|thumb|300px|''Guilty feet have got no rhythm'']]
<ul class="iconlist">{{bp-d1|'''Storm Cloud & Visper''' (Micromaster, [[2019]])}}</ul>
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-S5'''
:*''TakaraTomy name:'' '''Storm Cloud & Visper''' (ストームクラウド&ヴィスパー)
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SG-10'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[2019]] [[March 30]]

:Part of the first wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Micromasters, "Visper" (probably [[trademark]] reasons) transforms from a robot into a kinda-Cybertronian-y version of his original toy's altmode. He can combine with his packmate [[Storm Cloud (G1)#Generations|Storm Cloud]] to form the "Circuitstream Spyblade", reminiscent of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Star Saber (Armada)#AirAssault|Dark Saber]]. As a part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], their weapon mode can be attached to any toy with a [[5 mm post]]-hole. His legs also sport a pair of rectangular tabs to attach "Fire Blast" effect pieces to, specifically the ones included with [[Lionizer (G1)|Lionizer]] and its redecoes. Due to the amount of kibble on his back in robot mode, the figure is relatively unsteady. Note that the picture to the right is mistransformed, with both Micromasters' wings not folded back in robot mode.

:When initially revealed at [[San Diego Comic-Con#2018|SDCC 2018]], this figure was labeled "Whisper", but the final packaging goes with "Visper".

:Though designated for release in the first quarter of 2019, Whisper's wave reached U.S. store shelves in late 2018.

: Visper was redecoed into [[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]] and [[Groundshaker (G1)|Groundshaker]]. This toy was also [[repurposing|repurposed]] as the [[Whisper (Zone)|Autobot Micromaster of the same name]] in the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Legends]]'' comic.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W3RaiderVisper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{bp-d1|'''Raider Visper, Infantry-Patrol Leader''' (2019)}}</ul>
:*'''Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I'''
:*''Rarity: '''''CT'''
:*''Card Number: '''''T40/T48'''
:*''Stars: ''5

:Raider Visper, Infantry-Patrol Leader is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], War for Cybertron: Siege I. In order to represent Visper's size as a [[Micromaster]], Raider Visper, Infantry-Patrol leader is the size of a battle card, about half the size of a normal character card.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Visper toy, with the Alt Mode artwork being reused from the toy's packaging art, and with original Bot Mode artwork (line-art by [[Dan Khanna]] and colors by [[Volta]]).

==Notes==
*Whisper's vehicle mode appears to have been directly "inspired" by a [http://www.revell.com/germany/aircraft/80-4051.html#.VSnK9BFFDIU 1988 Revell model kit] of the proposed {{w|F-19}} Stealth Fighter.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Visper''' (ヴィスパー ''Visupā'')
*''French:'' '''Soupir''' (Canada, "Sigh")
*''Italian:'' '''Ombra''' ("Shadow")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Gorlam Prime]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Decepticons]]

Grimlock (ES)

2024-08-28T02:10:16Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|autobot|ghost|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Grimlock}}
:''Grimlock is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]] [[continuity family]].''
{{picsneeded|robot mode in fiction}}
[[File:ESGrimlock TRexMode HomePart1.jpg|thumb|300px|right|"Me Grimlock have been denied everything! Even me revenge!"]]

A veteran of the [[Transformers]] war, '''Grimlock''' is one of the physically strongest and most imposing Autobots, whether in his robot mode or his fire-breathing ''tyrannosaurus rex'' beast mode. As scary as he may seem, he's a good guy through and through, and happy to nurture and encourage the [[Terran|new generation]] of Cybertronians. He values strength, not just physical, but filling his charges with confidence and the spirit to find themselves. This guidance has brought him close to the gentle [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], who [[scanning|scanned]] a dinosaur alternate mode in emulation of him.

Grimlock's most powerful and dangerous trait, however, is his anger. Able to channel his fury into a "rage mode" that makes him an unstoppable engine of destruction, he becomes a potential threat to even his closest allies when his optics go from blue to red. While he's usually able to control his anger, prolonged time in his dinosaur mode can disrupt his system, and the traumas he's suffered carry triggers, meaning those around him have to be careful not to set him off.

==Fiction==
===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Keith David]] (English), [[Shunsuke Sakuya]] (Japanese)|[[Valentin Merlet]] (French), [[Mau Pérez]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Garcia Júnior]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}
{{ongoing}}
Grimlock was one of the many Autobots to participate in the war against the [[Decepticon]]s. Initially battling on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he would follow [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots to [[Earth]] via the [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 1}}

Sent on a mission to infiltrate an underground fighting ring known as Bot Brawl, Grimlock soon found himself under the control of an anti-Cybertronian scientist known as [[Mandroid]], thanks to a cognitive control badge, and made the "champion" of Bot Brawl. [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] was sent in to find out what happened to the lost Dinobot after months of no contact. The two ended on fighting until Bumblebee, with aide from Malto family members [[Mo Malto|Mo]], [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], and [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], were able to free Grimlock from his control badge. Upon being freed, the surly mechanical T-Rex went on a fire-breathing rampage that destroyed most of the arena and sent its human audiences fleeing. Deciding to let him cool off, Bumblebee and his allies departed. When they returned Grimlock was long gone. {{storylink|Home, Part 1}} {{storylink|Home, Part 2}}

[[File:GrimlockandJawbreaker-AStygiSituation.jpg|right|thumb|350px|''There was a time I thought that no one could relate to the gruesome ways in which I’m damaged'' ''But lettin’ walls down, it can sometimes set you straight! We’re all living in the same scrap sandwich!'']]

Still suffering the after effects of the mind control, Grimlock eventually reached [[Witwicky (town)|Witwicky]] and pursued the Malto kids until they were able to knock him out with [[Twitch]]'s EMP. After he recovered, [[Elita-1 (ES)|Elita-1]] suggested he train the [[Terran]]s, and so he ended up helping Jawbreaker, who was determined to prove his worth in combat. Jawbreaker was oblivious to the fact that his enthusiasm was causing Grimlock to experience flashbacks, until finally Grimlock snapped, reverting to dino mode and going on a rampage in Witwicky. While Elita-1 and [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] did their best to try to rein in the Dinobot, eventually it was Jawbreaker who was able to talk him down peacefully. {{storylink|A Stygi Situation}}

Grimlock joined Optimus and other Autobots in answering Hashtag's distress call, arriving at the Malto farm to battle the [[Ghoid]] soldiers. Though they were victorious, [[Karen Croft|Croft]] activated a Mandroid-supplied device that shut down Grimlock and the other Autobots present. {{storylink|The Battle of Witwicky}} They were still unconscious when Mandroid arrived back from space in a new semi-robotic form. {{storylink|The Last Hope, Part 1}} Mandroid remotely reactivated Grimlock and the others, placing them under his control and sending them to intercept the Maltobots who were heading to thwart his plans. Grimlock, Arcee and Wheeljack attempted to trap the group on a bridge, resulting in Bumblebee and [[Jon Schloder|Schloder]] battling them to allow the others to go ahead. Ultimately Mandroid was able to activate the superweapon he'd created, deactivating Grimlock until Robby and Mo successfully used their cyber-sleeves to revive the Autobots. {{storylink|The Last Hope, Part 2}}

A year after Mandroid's defeat Grimlock was one of the Autobots that presided over the Polyhex Protocol challenge for Twitch and [[Spitfire (ES)|Spitfire]]. For dramatic effect, he lent his fire breath to the obstacle course. He was present when [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] declared Twitch to be the winner. {{storylink|Spitfire (episode)|Spitfire}} Grimlock, with the other Autobots, stormed the Decepticon base to recover the remaining Embershards. During the fight he tussled with [[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]]. He was frozen in place with the other Autobots by the power of the corrupted Emberstone. He was returned to normal when the Emberstone was destroyed. {{storylink|Witwicky, Part 2}}

{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: EarthSpark - Expedition''===
{{voiceactor|[[Barron Bass]] (English)|[[Fred Meijer]] (Dutch), [[Yannick Lassère]] (French), [[Thomas Schmuckert]] (German), [[Mario Zucca]] (Italian), [[Marek Tynda]] (Polish), [[Francesc Belda]] (Spanish)}}
{{charfictionstub|{{storylink|Transformers: EarthSpark - Expedition}}}}

==Toys==
===''EarthSpark''===
[[File:TF-Earthspark-Deluxe-Grimlock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Me Grimlock like being marketable nostalgia!" ''(Hasbro Version Pictured)'']]
[[File:TF-ES-JP-ESD-07-Deluxe-Grimlock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''(TakaraTomy Version Pictured)'']]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Grimlock''' (Deluxe, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID Number'': '''ESD-07'''
:*''Accessories'': Blaster, right Mandroid leg (Hasbro release only)

: Released as part of the third wave of ''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (toyline)|EarthSpark]]'' Deluxe Class toys, Grimlock transforms into a mechanical ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. Grimlock's transformation and engineering are identical to Deluxe Class ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)#Deluxe Class|Grimlock]] and share the thighs, fists, and ankle joint parts of that figure as well.

:Grimlock includes a blaster that he can hold or mount on the back of his dinosaur mode, as well as the right leg of the [[Build a Figure]] [[Mandroid#Toys|Mandroid]].

:While the TakaraTomy release features additional/altered paint details, this Grimlock does not come with a Mandroid BAF piece.

:Images of this figure were revealed on the UK toy site "The Entertainer", prior to any official acknowledgment by Hasbro.

==Notes==
* Grimlock's robot mode was designed by [[Nick Roche]].<ref name = "ES2">{{citesocial|quote=So, as far as I remember... Out of the new ones, I worked on the Bot mode for Breakdown, Bot mode for Grimlock... took passes at Nightshade and Dino Grim, but didn't make it (They're mostly Ciro's?) but Shockwave, Hashtag and Tarantulas started as my 2D designs!|link=https://twitter.com/NickRoche/status/1631974068445388803|site=Twitter|name=Nick Roche|year=2023|month=03|day=4}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grimlock''' (グリムロック ''Gurimurokku'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Mogorva''' ("Grim")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:EarthSpark Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]

Optimus Prime (WFC)

2024-08-28T02:09:56Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|autobot|decepticon|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-Thirteenth.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Thirteenth Prime}}|primusvanguard|hofsilver}}
{{disambigm|Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Orion Pax (disambiguation)|Optimus Primal (disambiguation)}}
{{suite}}
:''Optimus Prime is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[File:Optimus Prime-Prime-stock-render-alternate.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Megatron awakened within him a secret yearning. The slashfic writes itself.]]
'''Optimus Prime''' was the last born of the original [[Thirteen]] Transformers. His spark was the most like their progenitor [[Primus]], its frequency nearly identical. He was the mediator and visionary of the group, passing among them all as a calm, inspiring, thoughtful, unifying and well-liked friend. It was his unique spark and his inspiring reassurance that "All are One" that allowed the Primes to rally and succeed in their battle against the Chaos Bringer [[Unicron]]. When tragedy at last ended the era of the Primes and brought forth the new race of lesser descendant Transformers, he alone chose to be reborn in the [[Well of All Sparks]] as one of them, that he might know them and their needs more completely.

All memory of his past life gone, he took the name '''Orion Pax''' and sought his way like any other robot on the new world. Eventually, he found his place as a simple data clerk, satisfied with his job. He was always anxious of the inequality amongst Cybertronians and thus, after gaining inspiration from an outspoken gladiator named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s call for an upheaval of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s society, took a stand to rid the oppressive [[caste system]] which hindered the freedom of all the sentient beings on Cybertron. Little did he realize that his instructor, the master archivist [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]], was also one of the Thirteen and knew of the secret within the data clerk. Once Pax and Megatron discovered they did not have as much in common as they once believed, the lowly data clerk was promoted by the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] to be the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. With the claiming of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Orion Pax became Optimus Prime once more, regaining his memory and rising to lead his people.

Over the centuries, loss and war have led Optimus to appear stern and serious to most. But scratch the surface, and you'll find an individual who greatly cares for his fellow living beings, with a warmth and kindness his closest friends can rely on. You'll also find regret over the loss of a comrade to darkness, and the faintest glimmer of hope that he can be saved.

When adopting a [[beast mode]], he is sometimes known as '''Optimus Primal'''.

{{quote|We will [[Theme song|wage our battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons]] wherever it may take us. And one day, we will go home.|Optimus Prime|''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
[[File:TheVisionary.jpg|left||thumb|I used to be a god!]]
Optimus Prime was created as the last of the [[Thirteen]], the first generation of Transformers, each created directly by Primus as a band of unique warriors to combat and defeat Unicron. Upon his creation, Optimus united the Thirteen by his greeting: "All are one." While all of the other members of the Thirteen each possessed unique abilities and artifacts, Optimus wielded no special powers or weapons. It was only through his vision and encouraging words that allowed the Thirteen to finally defeat Unicron.

In the era that followed, Optimus served as the mediator and voice of reason among the increasingly argumentative group of Primes. When these conflicts and power plays finally boiled over after the death of [[Solus Prime]], the Primes descended into full-on conflict against one another. Optimus emerged mostly unharmed from the final conflict that split the Thirteen. However, upon the activation of the [[Well of All Sparks]], Optimus chose to enter into the Well and be reborn as a lesser Cybertronian, in order to know them and their needs better. Before doing so, he asked [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] to remove all references to his name from the [[Covenant of Primus]], so that he could not be found unless in the most dire of circumstances.

[[File:COP-OrionPax.jpg|right|upright=0.8|thumb]]
Carrying the damaged body of [[Onyx Prime]] and accompanied by [[Micronus Prime]], Optimus bid farewell to his brothers, and announced that the era of the Primes had ended. The three of them entered and activated the Well, which began producing new mechanical life. Among the many humanoid Cybertronians that emerged from the Well was Orion Pax, a humble bot with no memories of his previous life. Alpha Trion recognized what had once been his fellow Prime, and made a note to keep an eye on him later.

Orion Pax was implied to have originally lived out in the wilds of Cybertron, before eventually moving to the city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Orion found work as an archivist in the newly established [[Hall of Records]], under Alpha Trion's watchful eye. During the [[Age of Wrath]], Orion Pax became Alpha Trion's aide. Orion eventually became friends with [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], a member of the underground resistance movement that had formed against the [[Quintesson]]s. When the Cybertronians finally rebelled against the Quintessons, Orion confided to Alpha Trion that there may be more than one variety of Quintesson. Alpha Trion told him that he needed to keep this knowledge a secret to aid the war effort, and that he needed to pass on these orders to every officer in person. [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] served as his bodyguard. Although the duo faced many hardships along the way, Orion Pax eventually fulfilled his mission.

When the Quintessons were finally routed from the system, Orion was present to witness the activation of the first [[Space bridge|Space Bridge]]s, which heralded the arrival of Cybertron's [[Golden Age]].

After the Golden Age, [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]]'s [[caste system]] became increasingly oppressive and stifling. Orion developed a friendship with a [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]ian gladiator named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. The two sought to revitalize Cybertron's rigid caste system, although they differed in their ideals. They remained friends until a fateful meeting with the High Council, in which Orion was named the next Prime- "Optimus Prime". Consumed by jealousy, Megatron and his "[[Decepticon]]s" declared war on Optimus and his "[[Autobot]]" followers.

Over the course of the war, Optimus eventually discovered the [[Matrix of Leadership]] after Megatron poisoned Cybertron with [[Dark Energon]]. The Matrix cast all doubt from Optimus's mind about his worthiness as a Prime, and once on the surface he asked Alpha Trion to help build a starship- the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' so that the Autobots could evacuate the planet while it recovered. They were pursued by Megatron aboard his own ship, and the two factions traveled through the last working space bridge, scattering them across the galaxy.

Over the course of the journey, Optimus's crew visited several lost Cybertronian colonies and ran afoul of the Quintessons once again. They also encountered a tribe of nomadic Cybertronian mutants named [[Mutacon]]s; their leader [[Mercury (COP)|Mercury]] temporarily aided the Autobots in battle against both the Decepticons and the [[Star Seeker]]s.

Eventually, the ''Ark'' reached an organic planet known as [[Earth]], where Optimus and a small group of Autobots took up residence. The Autobots secretly allied themselves with the [[United States of America|United States]] government and set up a permanent base in [[Nevada]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===

Orion Pax was put to work in the [[Hall of Records]] soon after emerging from the Well of All Sparks. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} At some point in the distant past, the first Quintessons arrived in gigantic silver ships, the first alien life-forms ever to contact Cybertron. Orion Pax was present to see the first Quintessons emerge from these ships and give the gift of [[transformation]] to the assembled Cybertronians by reactivating their dormant [[transformation cog]]s. Throughout the [[Age of Wrath]], Orion Pax continued to work in the Hall of Records, but like many other Cybertronians he chafed under the Quintesson's increasingly oppressive rule and their vicious, circus-like courts that dispensed a twisted brand of justice. The Quintessons were eventually defeated by the incumbent [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]] of the [[Elite Guard]] and an energon miner named D-16, and Orion—who had no part in the revolution—eventually suppressed his traumatic memories of the alien invasion. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

During the era of the [[caste system]], Orion would read and index information in the [[Hall of Records]] from the [[Communication Grid]], but was forbidden to analyze it. That was [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]]'s job, and the two became friends. Orion began monitoring Megatron's transmissions, and began a secret correspondence with him because he agreed with his beliefs. They had intense but friendly debates over the nature of free will and the dangerousness of their ideals, and Megatron suggested Orion learn how to fight for his beliefs. Orion began training with Jazz, learning to fire an [[ion blaster|ion-cannon]] and to fashion his arms into an [[energon-axe|axe]] and a [[Dual Energon Swords|sword]].

Orion made his first trip to Kaon to meet Megatron in person at his base. Megatron was the only gladiator who gave Orion a warm welcome. Terrorists began bombings in Megatron's name, and he made his first public announcement on the Grid, stating he was not responsible for the attacks and would bring the perpetrators to justice. Orion followed him up with a speech of his own. Orion trusted Megatron, believing if he were responsible for the attacks, he would have wanted to be associated with them. Later, when [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] took him to meet Megatron at an arena beneath the [[Observatory of Iacon]], Orion was shocked to see Jazz in attendance, and that Megatron had heard rumors about the bombings but did nothing to prevent them.

[[File:War for Cybertron comic - Orion testimony.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Lookin' awful buff and armored for an insignificant young library clerk. One has to wonder if the [[Guilds of Cybertron|Guilds]] may have dropped the ball on this one.]]
When "Decepticons" kidnapped [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], Orion requested Alpha Trion arrange an audience with [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] for him and Megatron. During their hearing in the [[High Council Tower]], Orion rigorously defended their ideals, even reviving the ancient philosophical phrase "Autobots" to describe the autonomy his brethren sought. It was then Councilor [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]] declared Orion the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]: Optimus Prime. An outraged Megatron accused his brother of treachery, and then murdered Halogen. When Optimus ordered the [[Elite Guard]] to not harm Megatron, Megatron declared Optimus had fallen into the trappings of power the High Council had foisted upon him, and those in attendance dispersed, with the planet forever divided into Autobots and Decepticons.

Optimus forgoed the first engagement of the war, allowing the Decepticons to take [[Fort Scyk]] so he would gain time to recruit more Autobots. Optimus learned from Jazz after the fall of Scyk that he would have to learn to not mourn every soldier. Optimus fought for the first time during the next battle, the siege of the [[Hydrax Plateau]]. The first Cybertronian he ever killed was a former industrial drone named [[Drixco]]. Afterwards, Optimus confided to Alpha Trion that the act of killing alone made him feel he was on the wrong side. Despite the efforts of Optimus and [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] the Decepticons conquered the Hydrax Plateau. It was at the stalemate of [[Praxus]] that Optimus gained the indispensable allies [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]] and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]. The first Autobot victory was at [[Kalis]], a vital area due to its fusion reactor that powered Iacon. Optimus, Jazz and [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] worked together to bring down the monstrous [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus Maximus]], but the battle was mostly won due to the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s' absence. As Energon depleted, the war descended into a mere siege of Iacon lasting millions of cycles, and Optimus opted to eject the [[AllSpark]] itself into space: during this battle, Optimus gained another great friend in [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]].

Following a lull in the war, the Decepticons began using [[Dark Energon]] and routed the Autobots, but Optimus wisely predicted it was an inefficient resource that would run out soon. To his horror, Megatron and Starscream infiltrated [[Teletraan-1 (WFC)|Teletraan-1]] to steal the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], and although Teletraan-1 awakened the legendary [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] to ferry the Chamber to safety, the Dark Energon-powered Decepticons overpowered the Autobots and used the Chamber to corrupt the [[Core]] of Cybertron and infested the planet with Dark Energon. During the battle, Megatron revealed he had killed Sentinel Prime below the High Council Tower to gain access to the Chamber. Afterwards, Prowl picked up a message from Sentinel on the Grid, and Optimus, realizing he had not found Sentinel's body in Iacon, deduced Sentinel was alive. When Optimus, Jazz, and Prowl rescued him from Kaon Prison, they found the city strangely deserted. Optimus believed Dark Energon was having a severe effect on Decepticon morale. When they found Sentinel, he was dying. He regretted his overlong reign as Prime, and that the High Council had made the right decision in appointing Optimus a Prime. He finally told him he had to go to the Core and purge its corruption of Dark Energon.

After Sentinel's funeral in Iacon, where Optimus was officially appointed Prime after holding the de facto position for so long, he journeyed to the Core with Bumblebee and [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] and removed the Plasma Energy Chamber. It was there that a voice from the Core told Optimus he was too late, and the Autobots would have to leave Cybertron as the planet healed itself. But it finally bestowed upon him the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the essence of [[Primus]], explaining that while Sentinel lived, he was still Prime and that he had been unworthy of the Matrix. It told him that when the day came that they would return to Cybertron, the Core and the Matrix would restore the planet and Optimus would lead the Autobots in an "age of unimagined wonders". Afterwards, Optimus launched [[Ark (WFC)|Project Generation One]], to build a ship—that Jazz dubbed the ''Ark''—to take them to the stars, a plan some Autobots objected to.

But before their exodus, Optimus planned to fool Megatron by gathering every spaceworthy vessel and having them rendezvous at what was apparently the last remaining [[space bridge]] in orbit. Megatron ordered [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] fire on the ships, but Optimus ordered a fallback as he, Jetfire, Jazz, Ironhide, Prowl, Sideswipe, and Bumblebee flew the ''[[Eight Track (WFC)|Eight Track]]'' to board the monster and knocked him from orbit by blasting his [[Spark]] containment field. Optimus's team returned to find the ''Ark'' ready at the Well of All Sparks, and bid goodbye to those—including Jetfire, Magnus and Omega—who stayed to fend off Trypticon as he transformed to attack. Optimus also bade farewell to Alpha Trion, who believed [[Vector Sigma]] would protect him when the rest of the planet would be unable to sustain life: it was then Optimus realized Alpha Trion was one of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]].

Yet as the ''Ark'' took off the Decepticons overran Iacon and Megatron and his elite boarded Trypticon, who transformed into a ''Nemesis''-class cruiser and pursued the Autobots. Megatron used his and Orion's old frequency to inform Optimus that he would pursue him across the stars and eventually kill him. The ''Ark'' entered the last space bridge and emerged with the ''Nemesis'' gone. They were near a [[Milky Way|spiral galaxy]] and Prowl detected the AllSpark. Knowing the Matrix within would help them find a way home, Optimus vowed that the Autobots would continue to wage their battle across the stars. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{note|Orion Pax/Optimus Prime's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic "[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]."}}

After passing through the unstable Space Bridge, Optimus Prime and his crew found themselves in the vicinity of the lost Cybertronian colony world of [[Velocitron]], and with the help of a starmap projected by the Matrix, the Autobots entered orbit above the planet. Optimus Prime led a small exploratory team to the planet's surface, where they met [[Blurr (Prime)|Blurr]], [[Override (Prime)|Override]] and [[Ransack (Prime)|Ransack]]. It was a time of great stress between Velocitron's rulers, and the Autobots' arrival from mythical Cybertron only exacerbated the situation. Worse still, active acts of sabotage on the Ark led the Autobots to the conclusion that one of their crew was actually a Decepticon agent. Optimus concluded there was little they could do at the moment other than remain on guard. Later, Optimus traveled with a young Velocitronian named [[Clocker (Prime)|Clocker]] to Velocitron's south pole, where he discovered a fragment of metal that he thought might belong to the mythical [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. His investigations were cut short by an attack of rebel Velocitronians, forcing him to return to the city of [[Delta]], where he discovered what he thought was another fragment. Although the Autobots secured an ally in Override, they left Velocitron on the brink of civil war during their departure, as Ransack's followers had been corrupted by the Decepticon rhetoric of "peace through tyranny" spread by the Ark's traitor.

The next leg of their journey through the Space Bridge brought the Autobots to fabled Junkion, a world composed entirely of space junk. Optimus Prime made contact with the leader of the planet's inhabitants, a scatterbrained robot named [[Wreck-Gar (Prime)|Wreck-Gar]], who was spurred to action by the appearance of the Matrix. The Autobots went to work repairing the Ark, with the relative assistance of the Junkions. Prime discovered another fragment in a forge, and barely managed to rescue it. When Prowl discovered the traitorous [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] was aboard, Optimus and Jazz managed to identify and trap the shifter in a stasis field, ending his threat to the Autobots. However, Optimus Prime's Matrix-induced visions led him on a quest through one of the four Space Bridge nodes surrounding Junkion, and he selected Bumblebee and Silverbolt to accompany him. Through the Bridge, they came across the lonely tomb of Solus Prime, fabled artificer of the Thirteen. Her holographic spirit was called forth by the Matrix and informed the Autobots that the Requiem Blaster, most deadly of her creations, rested on Junkion and must be kept out of Decepticon hands. When the group returned to Junkion with Chaindrive in tow, Optimus assembled his findings, the [[Blades of Time]], and contacted the reclusive [[Vector Prime]].

The Decepticons eventually arrived on Junkion in force, and the two sides warred over a hidden treasure at the planet's core...the Requiem Blaster. A weapon capable of drawing infinite power from nearby stellar sources, the Requiem Blaster had its own gravity field and had literally been the core around which Junkion's "junk" had formed. Optimus and Megatron dueled once more as the planet tore itself apart, but the arrival of the mythical hero [[Nexus Prime]] helped to turn the tide. From him, Optimus received the [[Cyber Caliber]], a powerful sword that he used to fight Megatron to a standstill. The fighting over the Requiem Blaster ripped the planet apart, but both sides eventually called off the melee and abandoned the Blaster after learning the location of the Allspark itself. Optimus Prime and the Autobots boarded the Ark and began the long race to reach their civilization's greatest prize before Megatron could. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Sometime after the battle over Junkion, the Matrix of Leadership began to behave erratically, transmitting strange visions the further the ''Ark'' traveled into deep space and causing Optimus Prime to doubt his own leadership capabilities. The ''Ark'' eventually discovered the world of [[Aquatron]], rich with Energon. Prime ordered an away party to land and investigate the planet's surface. The friendly Aquatronians eventually invited Optimus himself to one of their cities, where he met the [[Inquirata (Prime)|Curator]], who claimed to speak on the behalf of all Aquatronians. Before Optimus could explore any further, he was struck with another vision of himself, in his Orion Pax state, being menaced by a sinister figure. Crying out Megatron's name, Optimus collapsed and was rushed to the nearest Aquatronian medical center for diagnostic investigations. Doctor [[Xeros]] took a particular interest in his Matrix and scanned it, clandestinely transmitting its schematics back to the Curator to further their own plan.

Later that evening, at yet another welcome celebration, Ratchet privately confided in Optimus that Optimus may be suppressing traumatic memories from his days as Orion Pax. Ironhide interrupted the conversation to tell him that [[Rodimus (WFC)|Rodimus]], [[Kup (WFC)|Kup]], and Bumblebee had gone missing somewhere beneath Aquatron's deep oceanic trenches. Optimus immediately ordered a search party to find the missing Autobots, even though the Curator warned Optimus that Aquatron's deepest depths were inhabited by vicious, less-evolved creatures. Before the search party could begin its task, Sideswipe warned Optimus of the approaching ''Nemesis'', who had been trailing the Ark and also chanced upon Aquatron. Optimus asked the Curator for help, worrying that the ''Ark'' would be shot down, and the Curator responded by cutting power to both ships, angered that the Cybertronians had chosen to fight their war over a neutral planet. He invited both Optimus and Megatron—forced into a temporary truce—to a peace talk, apparently in the hopes of forging a true peace treaty to permanently ending the war. When both sides had arrived and temporarily disarmed, the Curator revealed his true allegiance... that he was, in fact, a Quintesson. A skeptical Optimus, who had studied the Quintesson occupation of Cybertron (although he did not personally remember his own time under Quintesson rule) found it hard to trust the Curator, even when the Quintesson claimed that his formerly violent race had reformed into a peaceful federation. Even so, Optimus decided to play along until he could find some way to escape.

The Curator visited Prime that night, promising him the current location of the Allspark if he cooperated the next morning, and also mentioning that the Aquatronians could subliminally influence Megatron's mind to make the Decepticon leader more suggestible and easier to manipulate—although Prime steadfastly refused the latter option. Optimus and Megatron prepared to negotiate the next morning. However, Megatron took the opportunity to backstab Prime by siccing six Vehicon troopers on him. Before either side could finish their fight, Skywarp—acting on Starscream's orders—detonated a bomb beneath the building, flooding it. Optimus—who had to shut off his Matrix to quell the tide of Quintesson visions—and Megatron temporarily put aside their differences and helped one another to escape from the rapidly sinking building... only to be met with a horde of angry [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s and their general [[Tyrannicon]], who placed Optimus, Megatron, and all the other Autobots and Decepticons under arrest for public mayhem and blasphemy.

Transported underwater and by rail, the defeated party of Cybertronians eventually arrived at Aquatron's capital of Hydratron. Once there, the Quintessons sent Optimus to stand trial for his numerous crimes against the Quintesson Imperium, including treachery and blasphemy against his creators. The Quintessons claimed that they had colonized Cybertron long ago and built the first Transformers, who subsequently revolted against them. Optimus, initially swayed by the stories—and partially remembering his own time spent under Quintesson rule—sadly pleaded guilty to his imagined crimes. However, he suddenly recalled ''more'' memories, including his life before the Quintesson invasion, and denounced the Quintessons as self-serving and manipulative egotists. Even though his brainwashed troops decried him as a maniac and a warmonger, Megatron, his memories also jogged, corroborated Optimus's testimony. The Quintesson judges considered this, and eventually declared Optimus and the assembled Cybertronians innocent. Being Quintessons, they immediately began executing the Cybertronians by pushing them into a Pirhanacon pit, while forcing Optimus and Megatron to fight one another in hand-to-hand gladiatorial combat.

Unbeknownst to either party, the Quintessons harvested the energy exerted by Optimus to power up an abandoned space bridge located beneath Aquatron, from which they eventually launched a Sharkticon invasion force to retake Cybertron, intending to re-colonize it and enslave its inhabitants once more. With Optimus and Megatron no longer needed, they too were plunged into the execution pit. In the fight for survival, Optimus reactivated his Matrix, giving both him and Megatron additional power, even though the Quintessons once again launched a stream of propaganda to further destabilize him. The two managed to escape and came face-to-face with the [[Gamekeeper]] and a mysterious set of carvings depicting a Megatron-like being surrounded by Sharkticons. Megatron killed the Gamekeeper, but Optimus had doubts about the carving's veracity. The temporary alliance fractured as soon as Megatron discovered the decoy Matrix hidden in Xeros' inner sanctum. He plunged the [[Sharkticon Matrix of Leadership]] into his chest, transformed into a Sharkticon-like form, and hurled Optimus down the elevator shaft.

As Prime fell to certain death, he was briefly visited by [[Thirteen|thirteen mysterious figures]], who informed him that it was not yet his time to depart from this realm. Indeed, Optimus's fall was broken by a recently freed [[Leviacon]], who carried him to the Curator's fortified command bubble hidden deep beneath the surface. Optimus arrived to find Megatron —who had usurped control over the Sharkticons—fighting Tyrannicon over control of the Matrix. Although Tyrannicon soon gained the upperhand and stole Megatron's new Matrix, he was eaten by Hydratron, who had transformed into a monstrous beast that the Curator intended to unleash on Cybertron. Even as the Curator attacked him with its powerful control wand, Optimus managed to ignite the Energon beneath the space bridge and cause a colossal explosion. Despite the Leviacon's misgivings, Optimus stopped to rescue the unconscious Megatron from the explosion as well, and the three of them headed up to the surface of the planet. With the Matrix free of Quintesson interference, Optimus and the Autobots departed to resume their search for the AllSpark. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}} after the Autobots barely emerged victorious in a battle at [[Kalis]], Optimus visited Alpha Trion. Within the Iacon archives, he expected to find a more hopeful atmosphere than on the battlefield. Instead, he learned that the Covenant of Primus foretold of a dire threat looming towards the AllSpark. Alpha Trion suggested launching the AllSpark from Cybertron to protect it, and Optimus reluctantly agreed to do so.

Optimus then called a meeting of his most trusted lieutenants: Jazz, Ratchet, Ironhide, Ultra Magnus, and the young Bumblebee, and laid out his plan to keep the AllSpark out of Megatron's reach for the duration of their war. When the group, accompanied by the Wreckers and Jetfire, approached the Well of AllSparks, they learned that the Decepticons were moving in on their position much earlier than anticipated. Optimus modified his plan accordingly, having Jetfire provide his grounded soldiers with a distraction, while the Wreckers were posted as their first line of defense against Megatron's troops. At Bumblebee's insistence, he and Cliffjumper were granted permission to back up the Wreckers.

Within the Well, Optimus had Arcee activate the mechanisms needed to launch the AllSpark, as it could not be activated by a Prime. She did so, and with the AllSpark now away, the Decepticons fell back. Optimus and his troops were then set out to finding Bumblebee out on the battlefield after he had been left crippled and mute by his encounter with Megatron. {{storylink|Bumblebee at Tyger Pax}}

Optimus Prime and the [[Earth Protection Taskforce]] unsuccessfully attempted to capture [[Starquest]] and [[Thundertron]]. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

===IDW Aligned comics===
[[File:GoodIntentions-GrimlockOptimus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|The possibility of the Dinobots reacting negatively was a factor I allowed for in my planning.]]
During the war for Cybertron, Optimus Prime and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] leader [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] didn't see eye to eye. Optimus preferred playing the long game, but Grimlock felt that caution would hinder their attempts at quick victory. Optimus attempted to rein in Grimlock when the latter attempted to defend Autobot City by himself. {{storylink|Fall}} On another one of the Lightning Strike Coalition's reckless missions, Optimus Prime ordered them to return to base and abandon their battle, lest they waste precious energon. Grimlock reluctantly obeyed. However, when it was discovered that [[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]] was in Decepticon custody, the Lightning Strike Coalition ignored Optimus Prime's orders, broke ranks, and went after him on their own. {{storylink|Good Intentions}}

[[File:PrimeComicOptimus.jpg|thumb|Manga is the right of all sentient beings.]]
In the modern day, Optimus sent an encrypted message from [[Earth]] directing the Autobots to their new world. When [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] landed, Optimus and Bumblebee detected them and came to retrieve them. For Optimus to find them under attack from [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] was no matter, for Optimus crushed the air commander and sent his brawny accomplice running. Optimus picked up the wounded Arcee, and took her through a [[GroundBridge]] to his base for [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] to repair her, while informing Cliffjumper that while his journey was over, their battle was just beginning. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|Transformers: Prime}}
{{--}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English), [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] (Japanese)|[[Wang Wei]] (Chinese), [[Alexander Kovriznyh]] (Russian), [[Alfredo Martínez]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Wan-gyeong Seong]] (Korean), [[Marco Balzarotti]] (Italian), [[Erwin Grunspan]] (French), [[Reiner Schöne]] (German, Season One), [[Klaus-Dieter Klebsch]] (German, Season 2), [[Blas Garcia]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Dariusz Odija]] (Polish), [[César Marchetti]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Pekka Lehtosaari]] (Finnish)}}
[[File:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|One does not simply see a strong friendship between a bully and a nerd.]]

In the waning years of the [[Golden Age]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Orion Pax was a clerk in the [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] [[Hall of Records]], {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} mentored by Alpha Trion. {{storylink|New Recruit}} His interests lay with the tales of ancient Cybertronian history, but the more he learned about the past, the more he grew concerned about the present. There was a disparity in freedom among the classes of his race, and the ruling class was corrupt and all-powerful. In seeking a solution to this inequity, he found inspiration in the words of a gladiator named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatronus]], and the two joined forces to end corruption and bring equality to the masses. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Orion and Megatronus became close allies, almost like brothers. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} But soon Megatronus' ideals would become corrupted, and the two would become bitter enemies. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[File:OneShallRise3-cametobe.jpg|thumb||If you squint, I look sort of like this in ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]''. Okay, that's a lie.]]
Both Megatronus—now "Megatron"—and Orion Pax appeared before the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], and Megatron stated it was his intention to overthrow the High Council by force and instate himself as the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. But it was Orion's speech that drew their attention. Jealous, Megatron left angrily and began his [[Great War (Prime)|conquest]], which resulted in countless casualties and left the [[Core]] of Cybertron itself [[Dark Energon|poisoned]]. It was Orion's subsequent search for the Core that completed his transformation into Optimus Prime. The Core, the essence of their creator [[Primus]], relinquished the [[Matrix of Leadership]] into his chassis. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

During the war, Optimus encountered [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] at the [[Battle of Technahar]] when the Decepticon was sent by Megatron to kill him. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} With the help of Alpha Trion, Optimus fired the [[AllSpark]] into space to hide it from Megatron. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}} After Cybertron was abandoned, Optimus Prime's [[Team Prime|elite team]] of Autobots eventually made their way to Earth, where they allied themselves with the [[United States of America|United States]] government. The Autobots were assigned [[William Fowler]] as their liaison, and provided an [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|abandoned missile silo]] as a base in exchange for keeping the Decepticon threat contained. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} Optimus then sent a message into space, calling any Autobot survivors to Earth. {{storylink|Out of the Past}}

[[File:DarknessRising1-fairquestion.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Do you have your grandfather's glasses—er, wait.]]

After three years of Decepticon absence, Prime was out on the road when word reached him that [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was facing down an entire contingent of Decepticons. Arriving to the battlefield too late, Prime delivered a eulogy for their fallen comrade. Soon after, some humans were caught up in a battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, and Optimus, knowing that they would now be targeted by the Decepticons, had them brought to the Autobot base. There, he told them about the Transformer war and assigned the Autobots to be their individual guardians. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Presently, the apparent reactivation of Cliffjumper's lifesigns was detected by the Autobots, and they tracked it to a Decepticon [[Energon]] mine, where they discovered that Megatron had returned to Earth with Dark Energon, used to revive Cliffjumper as a zombie [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]]. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

Realizing that Megatron's goal was to create an undead army, Optimus and [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] headed to the site of an ancient Transformer battleground on Earth, arriving just as Megatron used a sliver of Dark Energon to reanimate the corpses buried there into a Terrorcon legion. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} Struggling against the detrimental effects of Dark Energon, the pair cut their way through the Terrorcons, but Megatron escaped before Optimus could get his hands on him. Returning to base, Optimus was disappointed to find that [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] had let the kids go out into battle in his absence, but disturbing intel had been recovered in the process: the Decepticons were planning to use a [[space bridge]] to revive the dead of Cybertron with Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} [[GroundBridge|GroundBridging]] to the Decepticon's space bridge in Earth orbit, Optimus faced Megatron down in a one-on-one battle while the other Autobots sabotage the bridge, causing it to explode and destroy the Terrorcons, and apparently, Megatron himself. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[File:DarknessRising5-OptimusPrimeguns.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Pssst, Prime, your barrel openings are just painted detail.]]

Despite the victory, Optimus regretted not having been able to turn Megatron to the path of peace, and Ratchet consoled the Autobot leader. When Decepticon activity was detected in an area of the desert, Optimus and Bumblebee went to investigate, discovering that Starscream had located and reactivated Skyquake from stasis. Optimus tried to appeal to the two Decepticons to consider a truce now that Megatron had gone, but Starscream merely mocked his request and Skyquake was determined to carry out his late master's wishes and terminate Prime. Optimus and Bumblebee found themselves forced to battle and destroy Skyquake, with some assistance from Fowler, but they respectfully buried their fallen foe and Prime lamented the circumstances. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[File:Scrapheap-cloudsbreak.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Okay, ''now'' I'm ready to call Bulkhead fat."]]
After Bulkhead and Bumblebee found a pod in the [[Arctic]] and brought it back to base, Optimus and Arcee went back to the Arctic to check for clues as to the pod's origin. After some time searching, the temperature sensors Ratchet had given them went off, so Optimus attempted to contact base, only to find the comms were down. The pair sought shelter, but as their temperatures slowly dropped, things looked grim. Just as they were losing hope, the GroundBridge opened and ejected Bulkhead and the swarm of [[Scraplet]]s that had been causing havoc at base. The three Autobots were subsequently able to return home, and Optimus paid tribute to their human friends who had helped eliminate the Scraplets. {{storylink|Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap}}

[[File:Convoy-Optimustrailer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"This here's [[Rubber Ducky|Rubber Duck]] and I'm about to put the hammer down."]]
When Bulkhead's old buddy [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] arrived on Earth, Optimus excused himself from the welcome party and went out on patrol, since "Primes don't party". As such, he missed all the fun when Wheeljack turned out to be a [[Makeshift (Prime)|Decepticon spy]], but he stuck around for the second part to welcome the real Wheeljack, telling the visiting Autobot that he'd always be welcome on Earth. {{storylink|Con Job}} Not long after, when the Autobots were contracted by Fowler to help transport the experimental [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]], Optimus carried the device in a [[trailer]] to the rendezvous point, where it was transferred to a train. Unfortunately, the D.N.G.S. became a target for both the Decepticons and the human terrorist organization [[MECH]], and Prime was forced to have his Autobots break cover to fight [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] while he dispatched MECH's leader [[Silas]]. A poor loser, Silas took out the train track ahead and Optimus went into maximum overdrive, grabbing the train and physically halting it. {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}}

[[File:Optimuselectrocuted.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] were right, I should've gone for this earlier!]]
Tracking an [[Energon Harvester]] to a museum, Optimus Prime and the Autobots were attacked by new Decepticons arrivals [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], and Prime got the business end of Knock Out's [[Energon prod]], taking him out of the fight long enough for Soundwave to make off with the Harvester. Optimus led the Autobots in following the villains to Greece, and stopped their attempts to harvest an Energon seam there. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Prime had another clash with Knock Out soon after: when he discovered that Arcee and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] had disobeyed his orders against using powers for personal gain by participating in illegal street races, Optimus intervened, and helped rescue a [[Vince|captive human]] from Knock Out's clutches by ripping the Decepticon's door off. {{storylink|Speed Metal}}

[[File:SickMind-OPinfected.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|I woke up late one morning with a black eye. Why the heck does everyone think I'm sick? I could've just been punched in the face. Really hard.]]
While investigating a [[Autobot plague ship|crashed Autobot spacecraft]], Optimus Prime's hopes of helping any survivors were dashed when the craft turned out to be a corpse-strewn plague ship from which he contracted [[Cybonic plague]], a pathogen engineered by Megatron himself. Arcee and Bumblebee boarded the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' in search of a cure, and, discovering that Megatron was still alive and in stasis, Bumblebee entered his mind via a [[cortical psychic patch]]. In his dreamworld, Megatron was constantly killing imaginary Optimus Primes, and Bumblebee played on Megatron's desire to kill Optimus himself, rather than have him succumb to the plague, to convince him to hand over the cure. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} After getting back up to full health, Optimus led the Autobots to the Arctic, where Starscream was using a heat ray to melt a glacier in order to access an energon deposit. Prime boldly plowed through the weapon's beam in order to get close enough to destroy it, but the resultant explosion left him helpless before Starscream—until he was saved at the last moment when the resurrected Megatron arrived to haul Starscream away for punishment. {{Storylink|Out of His Head}}

[[File:Shadowzone HappymusPrime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|:D]]

Optimus Prime led the Autobots in investigating a Dark Energon energy signature, and found Starscream using the substance to resurrect Skyquake. Fortunately, the additional power conveyed upon Starscream by the Dark Energon was not enough to prevent Optimus Prime from blasting his arm clean off. Presently, a GroundBridge accident catapulted Jack, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] into an alternate dimension, and when the Autobots opened a portal to bring them back, Prime took the Autobots back to the battlefield to protect them from Starscream. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}} Optimus's inimitable compassion even extended to Breakdown, when he was captured by the forces of MECH and Optimus determined they would rescue him. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} Later, Optimus was at the Autobot base when Jack and Arcee brought [[June Darby|Jack's mom]] in to introduce her to everyone. {{storylink|Crisscross (episode)|Crisscross}} He was out on a scouting mission with Bumblebee when Ratchet detected a strange magnetic signature that turned out to be a [[Polarity gauntlet]], {{storylink|Metal Attraction}} and also missed out on an adventure in a collapsed mine, but when he heard that Jack had shown mercy to an immobilized Megatron, he was proud of the boy. {{storylink|Raf's Notes#Note15|Raf's Notes}}


[[File:Partners-StiffOptimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|We've replaced Optimus with a statue. Think anyone will notice?]]

Exploring the wreck of a crashed [[Harbinger|Decepticon ship]], Optimus Prime and his team fell victim to [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]], who paralyzed Prime and Bulkhead with the ship's cargo: an experimental [[Immobilizer]]. Prime would have wound up handed over to Megatron and mounted on the bow of the ''Nemesis'' if not for Bumblebee, who saw the villainess off, and Ratchet, who repaired the damaged device and unfroze the pair. {{storylink|Partners (Prime)|Partners}}

[[File:StrongerFaster-RatchetPrime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Who will join me? Who will become stronger, faster, more insubordinate?]]

Lost Cybertronian technology continued to cause problems for Prime and the Autobots when a formula for [[Synthetic Energon]] was beamed from a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]] into Bulkhead's mind, putting his life at risk. Refusing to sacrifice Bulkhead despite the advantage the formula would give the Autobots, Prime petitioned Megatron for the return of the cylinder so they could extract the data. In exchange, he would hand it over to the Decepticons, but Megatron refused and destroyed the device after a battle. The formula was subsequently beamed out of Bulkhead's mind into space, {{storylink|T.M.I.}} but when Ratchet proceeded to generate a batch of "SynthEn" and was driven mentally unstable after testing it on himself, he and Optimus came to blows, and Optimus confined him to base. Ratchet instead took off to face Megatron, forcing Prime to lead a team into a Decepticon mine to rescue him. Cured of the SynthEn's effects, Optimus reminded Ratchet that he was a vital member of the team. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[File:PrimeEp23-PrimeMegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Slap slap.]]

Believing that a prophecy in the [[Covenant of Primus]] was soon to come true and that Megatron could regard it as his destiny, Optimus Prime was finally forced to abandon any illusions of turning his old foe to the path of good after the Decepticon leader grievously wounded Raf during a battle over a power source for the villain's new space bridge. Optimus boarded the ''Nemesis'' and called Megatron out for a one-on-one battle that he vowed would be their last. The two ancient enemies fought before a volcano, and Optimus managed to fell Megatron, but just before he could deliver the killing blow, the volcano erupted with Dark Energon. Megatron experienced an increase in power, and turned the tide, {{storylink|One Shall Fall}} but thankfully, the intervention of the other Autobots saved Optimus's life. Retreating to base to review this new nightmare scenario, Optimus recounting the tale of [[Primus]], [[Unicron]] and the [[Thirteen]] to the gathered humans and told them he believed that Earth had formed around the slumbering form of Unicron, who was now in the process of awakening. Examining areas of the planet struck by earthquakes at the moment of the eruption, Optimus soon found himself confronted by Unicron himself, in an avatar formed from rock and stone. He prostrated himself before the Chaos Bringer and tried to plead for the lives of the billions of [[human]]s who dwelt on Earth, but Unicron considered them parasites and attacked Prime with wave after wave of avatars. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

[[File:OneShallRise2-shake.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Kiss kiss.]]

He ordered the other Autobots ''not'' to come to his aid, so naturally they came anyway. After fighting increasingly larger Unicrons, they came up against one that was too much for them. Just as it was about to step on Optimus, help came in the unlikely form of Megatron, who offered his services in eliminating Unicron and revealed that only the [[Matrix of Leadership]] held by Optimus could achieve that aim. The Autobots returned to base, where the others were horrified that Prime was intending to take up Megatron's offer, but he was resolute that all care would be taken to make sure it was a safe as possible. When Megatron stepped into the base, Optimus and the other Autobots welcomed him appropriately. Before they left on their mission, Optimus presented Jack with the key to the GroundBridge power supply. Optimus, Megatron and the Autobots were soon stepping through the GroundBridge to [[Earth's core]], Unicron himself. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

As they moved through Unicron's internal structure, they came under attack from [[Unicron's antibodies|anti-bots]]. Optimus and Megatron fought back to back, though Optimus took time out to rescue Bulkhead from falling. When they reach Unicron's spark chamber, Optimus and Megatron went inside, and, though the dark god possessed Megatron, Optimus unleashed the Matrix, apparently extinguishing Unicron's spark. However the price was high—Optimus's memory was lost and he believed himself to be Orion Pax. Megatron played along, and took him back to the ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

[[File:Orion-Pax-Part-1-OP-Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"You mean I can't just go [[Super Mode]] and kick your ass in this show? Crap."]]

Megatron wasted no time in convincing Orion that black was white and up was down. Branded with the Decepticon insignia by Knock Out, Orion was shown false history of Cybertron's destruction, and convinced that the Autobots were the aggressors. Angered at Cybertron's loss, Orion promised Megatron he would do his part to help. He was put to work decoding information stolen from the [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] archives, and told Megatron they were of locations of Earth and feared that they could be weapons of mass destruction. Later, there was a commotion in the corridors, and Orion decided to investigate despite being ordered to remain in his lab, however, Soundwave managed to prevent him from seeing Arcee when the Autobot managed to get on board. Not long after, the long-absent Starscream sneaked onto the ship to steal [[energon cube]]s and ended up blundering into Orion's work room. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}}

Surprised to see Starscream, not least because Megatron had said he was dead, Orion's suspicions became aroused as Starscream noted Megatron would likely have told him many lies. Despite asking what he knew, Starscream was quick to depart when more Vehicon guards arrived and in spite of Orion attempting to convince them to hold their fire. After Megatron's subsequent covering of the incident, Orion decided to poke through the Decepticon database and learned that he was Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}}

[[File:OrionPax3 Optimus Decepticon insignia.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|What did I do last night?]]

Megatron, as it turned out, already knew he knew since his work was being monitored. Orion decided to delete his discoveries so that Megatron could not use then. However, Megatron revealed he was also having his work copied. As Soundwave reported activity on Cybertron, Megatron had more Vehicon guards put at his back while he dealt with the matter, and threatened to kill him if he didn't continue his work. Orion tried to appeal to the guards to help him warn the Autobots, but they responded with a beating until he discovered he was armed and stopped them. Having realized he was meant to be an Autobot, Orion went to confront Megatron at the space bridge. However, he found he was no match for the Decepticon leader and was quickly overpowered. Just then, Arcee leapt through the space bridge from Cybertron and tackled Megatron. Behind her was Jack with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], loaded with the information from the Matrix of Leadership. Orion questioned whether he was worthy, and Jack assured him he was. When his memory was restored, albeit minus his time as Orion, Optimus prevented Megatron from exterminating his comrades, and they returned to the Autobot base for a big reunion. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

Optimus and Ratchet followed an ancient signal, and found Megatron and his forces unearthing a Cybertronian artifact, the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]]. While the two Autobots fought the other Decepticons, Bumblebee snatched the extractor from Megatron inside the GroundBridge. Later at base, Optimus theorized that the Spark Extractor was among the many Decepticon weapons confiscated during the Great War, and worried that he couldn't remember what he had revealed to Megatron when he was suffering amnesia. To compound matters, a short time later, MECH stole Bumblebee's [[transformation cog|T-cog]], causing Prime more worry. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}} Despite Optimus's misgivings, Ratchet talked him into approving a T-cog transplant between Ratchet and Bumblebee. When a signal indicating an artifact was detected, he cut the operation short to take Arcee and Bulkhead to secure it. Unfortunately, he and Arcee were unable to penetrate Knock Out's force field, and the Decepticons got away with the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

[[File:LooseCannons Optimus and Wheeljack in Jackhammer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|This scene is even funnier if you imagine "Mahna Mahna" playing on the radio.]]

When Wheeljack returned to Earth in pursuit of [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]], Optimus attempted to convince him to join the Autobot team. Wheeljack instead took Bulkhead to try and trap Dreadwing, only to fall into a trap themselves. Prime had to dig Wheeljack out of the resulting rubble, and joined him to rescue Bulkhead, who was strapped to one of Dreadwing's explosives. When Optimus managed to defeat the Decepticon and pin him, his gambit to make Dreadwing defuse the bomb worked, and Wheeljack gained a new respect for the Autobot leader. {{Storylink|Loose Cannons}}

After obtaining information on Airachnid's whereabouts from Starscream, Optimus led a mission to an abandoned energon mine in [[South America]], where they found Megatron fighting an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] under Airachnid's control. When the fight was finished, the Autobots surrounded the exhausted Megatron, but were prevented from finishing him off by the arrival of Dreadwing. Outnumbered, Optimus offered to allow Megatron go if Dreadwing extended the same courtesy. Though Dreadwing kept his word, Megatron ordered the Vehicons to attack while he and Dreadwing escaped, but luckily the Autobots trashed them. {{storylink|Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire}}

[[File:NemesisPrime Nemesis vs Optimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|"Optimus Prime, slavery is the right of all sentient beings!" "Wow, am I really that annoying?"]]
Optimus returned to base from an energon mine to find that MECH had created a clone of him and were using it to attack the military. He and the Autobots attempted to stop [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]] from attacking [[Alden Military Base]], but had to retreat under fire from the military. They began scouring the area, and located the MECH base, where Optimus fought one-on-one with Nemesis Prime, until a distraction by Fowler allowed him to finish off the Silas-controlled machine, dropping it on Silas himself. Optimus returned to base for repairs, and Fowler gave them the news that Silas had disappeared. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}} During Fowler's debriefing by [[Bryce|General Bryce]], Optimus revealed himself to the general to prove he was still alive and on the military's side. {{storylink|Grill (episode)|Grill}}

Optimus took Bumblebee and Arcee to investigate some activity and found Airachnid sending out a swarm of Insecticons to attack the ''Nemesis''. He and Bumblebee ended up having to fight a bunch of them and won. They got to return to base with Airachnid, whom Arcee had trapped in stasis-lock. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}} After the ''Nemesis'' crashed, and was reactivated with Dark Energon, Optimus took a team with the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]] to attack the warship, only for them to all be knocked into stasis lock by the ship's weapons. Ratchet took them back to base, where they recovered after the conscious ship was disabled by the kids. {{storylink|Flying Mind}}

[[File:TriangulationPrimeAndScream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
With the locations of four relics now in their possession, Optimus dispatched Arcee and Bumblebee to [[New York City]] to find the first {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}} and warned Bulkhead to be careful in obtaining another near the equator. {{storylink|Toxicity}} Optimus himself went to [[Antarctica]], where he found the relic had already been taken, and Dreadwing had Starscream a prisoner. During the ensuing fight, Optimus brought tons of ice down on Dreadwing, before forcing Starscream to lead him to a human base where the relic was being kept. Dreadwing caught up with them, and while Optimus fought the Decepticon, Starscream obtained the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], forcing Optimus and Dreadwing to team up to defeat him. Though Dreadwing intended to fight him again, Optimus convinced him that there would be no point in continuing their fight, so Dreadwing left. {{storylink|Triangulation}}

Back at base, Prime found that Bulkhead had been critically wounded during the relic missions. Optimus refused to tell Wheeljack who was responsible, but the Wrecker rushed off anyway. When Wheeljack and Miko later returned having killed [[Hardshell]], Optimus stopped Ratchet from preventing Miko from running to Bulkhead's side. {{storylink|Hurt}} Optimus began attempting to decode the Iacon database, though it was hard going with the Earth technology he was forced to use. {{storylink|Out of the Past}}

[[File:Legacy-PrimeStarSaber.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|By the power of Iacon, I HAVE THE POWER!]]
During a mission to investigate a crashed escape pod, the team encountered [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] whose tales of guarding Alpha Trion convinced Optimus that he was on the level. Optimus still believed Smokescreen was too green to go into combat, so the new Autobot was left at base when Prime took a team to recover some [[Red Energon]]. When they encountered Starscream, still in possession of the Apex Armor, Optimus took the Decepticon on himself, kicking Starscream off a crane. After Smokescreen used the [[phase shifter]] to separate Starscream from the armor, Optimus officially welcomed the new Autobot to the team. {{storylink|New Recruit}} When Fowler notified them that a [[Project Damocles]] satellite had been stolen by Breakdown and Silas, Optimus took a team to a military base in the hope of securing the satellite control codes before the Decepticons could get them. Instead, they found themselves facing both Decepticon troopers and the orbital death ray itself, controlled by Soundwave. {{storylink|The Human Factor}} Optimus assigned Jack to help Smokescreen adapt to Earth. He had almost finished decoding another set of Iacon coordinates when a signal led him and his team on a wild goose chase. Despite this, they found the location of the real relic, the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], and Optimus managed to wrest control of it off the Decepticons. Through the sword's power, he received a message from Alpha Trion. {{storylink|Legacy (episode)|Legacy}}

[[File:AlphaOmega-ohmy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"You must not sacrifice a piece of the future to bring back the past." "But you flung all of the artifacts from the past onto Earth!" "... right, right, sorry. [[Five Servos of Doom|Wrong script]].]]
Trion told him of the existence of the [[Omega Key]]s on Earth, and Prime immediately set about decoding the four final coordinates from the Iacon database. After Arcee returned from the first set of coordinates with news that Megatron had invited Prime to come get the first key, Optimus went to [[Egypt]] to find that Megatron had grafted the arm of a Prime onto himself and forged the [[Dark Star Saber]]. Though Megatron's new weapon shattered the Star Saber, with Smokescreen's help Prime returned to base with the first Omega Key and resumed his decoding work. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}}

He soon decoded more coordinates decoded though in both cases the Autobots failed to secure the Omega Keys. Smokescreen was hit hard by the failure, and Optimus told the other Autobots to allow the upset rookie space. When the final coordinates he decoded turned out to be an image of Smokescreen, he took the team to find their comrade, only to arrive too late as Smokescreen was captured by Soundwave. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}} After Smokescreen escaped the ''Nemesis'' with two of the keys, the Autobots received a message from Starscream offering the final key in exchange for surgical help. Optimus took Bulkhead and Ratchet out to Starscream's location, only to realize too late that they'd been tricked, and Starscream got away with all three of the Autobots' three Omega Keys. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

After Dreadwing returned the Forge of Solus Prime to the Autobots, Optimus used it to modify the GroundBridge into a space bridge. Believing that Megatron would use the keys to restore Cybertron for political points, Optimus took the Autobots to their home world, and kept Megatron busy with the reforged Star Saber while the others took back the keys. Though they succeeded, and reached the [[Omega Lock]], Megatron revealed he had taken the Autobots' human friends hostage. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}}

[[File:PrimeDarkestHourOPArm.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|"...Nothing ever dies we will rise again."]]
With no other choice, Optimus had everyone hand over the Omega Keys in exchange for the kids, however when it turned out Megatron intended to use the Omega Lock on Earth as well, Optimus was compelled to use the Star Saber to destroy the lock. He and his team returned to Earth, only to find that the Omega Lock had created a [[Darkmount (Earth)|Decepticon fortress]] on their doorstep, and he ordered the others to evacuate. Prime himself stayed behind to destroy the GroundBridge, and was caught in the explosion as the Decepticons destroyed the base. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

Optimus was salvaged from the wreckage by Smokescreen, who sheltered Prime in an underground cavern. {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}} Though Smokescreen was unable to find any medical supplies for his badly-damaged leader, Optimus asked after the Forge of Solus Prime. {{storylink|Scattered}} Smokescreen retrieved the relic from the Decepticon warship, however Optimus refused to use it on himself, believing the power should be conserved for later use in repairing the Omega Lock, and that the Autobots needed a new leader—Smokescreen. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}}

[[File:Rebellion-prepunch.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Here's your damn beef!]]
As his life faded, Optimus had a vision of approaching Alpha Trion and the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]]. His journey to the afterlife was cut short, as Smokescreen used the Forge to revive him, bestowing on him a new, more powerful body. He flew to [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], where he rescued [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] from Megatron's tender mercies, and proceeded to throw the Decepticon leader into the power core for the fortress's [[fusion cannon]]s. His efforts allowed Fowler's squadron to destroy the fortress, and the Autobots reassembled at a military base. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}

After [[scanning]] a new [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] provided by Fowler, Optimus scouted some Decepticon activity and found some Insecticons digging up a skull. He managed to secure the skull, which turned out to be [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] remains, leading the Autobots to conclude [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] was planning to clone more. After reports of Decepticon activity in [[Texas]], Optimus took Smokescreen and Bumblebee there, but faced with Shockwave and Soundwave, the trio proved unable to prevent the Decepticons obtaining more Predacon [[CNA]]. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

A lull in Decepticon activity made Optimus suspect that their enemy had collected sufficient fossils. He and the others went on a mission to secure more energon, only for Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack to find and destroy the Decepticon cloning laboratory. When the pair were attacked by the newly-intelligent [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], Optimus arrived in the nick of time to save them from termination and flew them back to base. {{storylink|Evolution}}

[[File:MinusOne-staredown.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Imagine waking up to this one day... *squeals with excitement*]]
When the Decepticons started raiding technology from the humans again, Optimus wondered what they were up to this time. He led a team to one of the thefts, and though they were unable to prevent the Vehicons from getting away, Optimus managed to shoot down Soundwave and take the Decepticon captive. Their attempts to interrogate Soundwave were unsuccessful, and Optimus took his team to the [[Solaris particle collider]] in response to another Decepticon attack. He found himself facing Predaking, and though he initially gained the upper hand, Predaking turned the tables and sent Prime plunging to the ground. {{storylink|Minus One}} Optimus continued to fight, but was only saved by the fact that Predaking was called away to rescue Shockwave. He and the rest of the team returned to base to find Ratchet had been abducted by Soundwave. {{storylink|Persuasion}}

The Autobots launched [[Chip|a probe]] containing Laserbeak's transponder and Optimus followed it in the hopes it would lead him to the Decepticon warship. Unfortunately, he was intercepted by Starscream and some Seekers along the way, and though he dealt with the Vehicons, Starscream destroyed the probe and escaped, leaving him none-the-wiser as to the warship's location. He continued to fly around until Ratchet contacted the Autobots to reveal the location of the warship, and Optimus ordered the others to storm the ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|Synthesis}}

[[File:PredaconsRisingOptimusPrimeFinalGlance.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66|Um, Luna? Do you have time to sing a 'Goodbye Song' before you go?]]
Optimus himself reached the ship by air, only to be immediately attacked by Megatron wielding the Dark Star Saber. With his [[jet pack]] damaged, Optimus still managed to climb onto the ship and eventually make his way to the Omega Lock on its underside, allowing him to briefly attack Shockwave before Megatron caught up with him to resume their duel. After Bumblebee's death, Optimus found himself dangling from the ship. Before Megatron could deal a final blow, the warlord was terminated by Bumblebee, who'd been resurrected by the Omega Lock's power. Optimus took command of the warship and flew it to Cybertron, where they used the Omega Lock to resurrect their home world.

After a final visit back to Earth, and a farewell to both their human friends and Ratchet, Optimus and his team finally departed back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock}} Optimus held a ceremony to promote Bumblebee to the rank of warrior, shortly before taking the [[Iron Will]] and heading off to find the AllSpark. He and Wheeljack located it near [[Theta Scorpii]], and managed to retrieve it, but arrived back on Cybertron to find Unicron had taken control of Megatron's body and was trying to destroy the planet. Optimus merged the AllSpark with the Matrix of Leadership, allowing him to use the container that had held it to trap Unicron's anti-spark. Unfortunately, this also meant that his own spark was inextricably merged with the AllSpark, and he was forced to sacrifice his own life to restore the AllSpark to Cybertron. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}
{{--}}

===Eaglemoss ''Prime'' comic===
After dealing with a Decepticon incursion, Prime contacted Raf at base to request a GroundBridge. Unfortunately the bridge collapsed as the Autobots went through, scattering them to the four corners of the Earth. {{storylink|On Thin Ice}} Optimus landed up in an Amazon jungle, where he stumbled on a Vehicon sinking in quicksand, having been left there by Starscream. After rescuing the Vehicon, Optimus found himself webbed to a tree by Airachnid. She was about to start cutting him when the Vehicon saved him, and leaving Airachnid in the quicksand, Optimus took a GroundBridge back to base. {{storylink|Friend or Foe?}} When the Decepticons hijacked [[COMSAT-1]] so they could broadcast warning worldwide and terrify the earthlings, Optimus and his team GroundBridged up to stop them. {{storylink|Horrible TV}} When Bulkhead was hit mid-transformation, trapping Miko inside, Optimus said cutting him open to get her out would be a last resort, as he had confidence Ratchet could fix the problem. {{storylink|Cell}}

===Titan ''Prime'' comic===
[[File:Titan4.2 Optimus and Miko.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|"Except when I'm making air-quotes."]]
As the Decepticons slowly conquered Cybertron, Optimus knew they'd try to attack [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and set up defences at the [[Iacon Energon Refinery]]. Sure enough, Megatron attacked with a small team of Decepticons but the Autobot gunners managed to take out all but Megatron. To Optimus's surprise, Megatron didn't abandon his men, instead rescuing them under heavy fire. When Optimus had the opportunity to take a shot, he hesitated and Megatron's team escaped. For that, Optimus took the blame and was even regarded as a traitor by some. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

Many years later, Optimus's team had settled on [[Earth]]. After Ratchet somewhat apologetically unveiled the [[Safe]], Optimus told him to have more confidence in his work. When Bulkhead managed to uncover a hidden nuclear missile and a scouting party of Vehicons neared the base, Optimus, Arcee and Bumblebee went out to greet the Decepticons. While Bumblebee knocked the Vehicons into the air, Prime and Arcee blasted them. They reentered at the base in time to see Fowler arriving with some scientists, and Optimus had some stern words with their liaison about the mystery bomb and its intended purpose, insisting that Fowler take it with him when he left. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1|The Safe and the Failsafe}}

During some downtime, Prime took the other Autobots and the kids to [[Valley of Fire State Park]]. At Miko's request, he told the story of his battle with Megatron in the Iacon Energon Refinery. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

[[File:Titan4.3 Optimus ready to roll out.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|MUNKY ARMS! MUNKY ARMS!]]
On [[Christmas]], Fowler reported to Optimus that Megatron and Starscream had taken control of the [[Yamal|NS ''Yamal'']], a nuclear-powered Russian icebreaker. Leaving Arcee and Bulkhead in charge of the base, Optimus took the other Autobots to the ship and attacked Megatron. As Optimus fought Megatron, the Decepticon leader outlined his plan to detonate the ship's reactors with a [[static lance]]. Bumblebee managed to wrest the lance off Starscream and threw it to Optimus who used it to hit Megatron. Once the Decepticons had been dealt with, Optimus's team returned to the base, where they found it had been turned into an impromptu ice skating rink. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

Optimus was surprised to find the GroundBridge active and asked Bulkhead what the problem was. Bulkhead tried to cover for Raf, who had been temporarily hypnotised into opening the GroundBridge. But his denials were undermined by the Vehicons pouring into the base, and Optimus led the counter-attack. While Optimus and the others kept the Decepticons busy, Raf and Bumblebee managed to shut down the bridge. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.4|Tinker, Tailor, Gamer, Spy!}}

Upon hearing of several schools in Jasper County mysteriously exploding, Optimus shared Jack's suspicions about something being afoot. He had the Autobots check out the other schools in the area. Sure enough, the buildings came under attack by [[MECH]], and Optimus helped fend off the organization. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.5|School Is... Out!}}

After Starscream stole [[Air Force One]] and held the [[President of the United States]] ransom, demanding Optimus Prime be turned over bound and gagged, the Autobot leader worked out from the ransom note where Starscream was. While the other Autobots protected the plane and took on the Vehicons, Optimus rescued the President by cutting off Starscream's arm and catching her as she fell. After the Decepticon retreated, Optimus made sure the Autobots left before the aircraft's crew recovered consciousness. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}}

[[File:Titan4.6 Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|left|240px]]
Lured into a trap in a scrap-metal facility in [[Zhejiang Province]], [[China]], Optimus found his mind had been zapped into a human by [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s [[neuron refractor]]. The Autobot leader mentally contacted the human, [[Lin-Che]], and guided him in fighting off the attacking Vehicons with the help of an [[The Claw|excavator]]. With the drones bested, they then returned to the refractor to reverse its effect. Back in his own body, Optimus broke out of the crusher he'd been stuffed into, and fought off Knock-Out and the remaining Decepticons. He later drove Lin-Che home, to return the favor. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.8|The Mind Trap!}} After Miko was kidnapped by MECH agent [[Novo]], Optimus joined the hunt to find her. When Novo, now in a mechanoid body thanks to a MECH experiment, returned Miko to them, Optimus offered him the help of Ratchet and the Autobots' technical expertise, but Novo turned him down. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.9|The Novo Incident}}

Optimus led a team to the [[Deep Driller]] oil platform, and found not the expected environmental terrorists, but human soldiers in [[robotic battle suit]]s. After finding dealing with the humans in a non-lethal matter difficult, Optimus took Jack's suggestion of surrendering, and once [[Rufus Madison|General Madison]] realized his opponents were alien robots, he stopped fighting. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.10|Mad Dogs & Autobots}} After it turned out that the missing Bulkhead had been imprisoned on the Decepticon warship, Optimus took a team, including the three kids, to the ship to mount a rescue. During the course of freeing Bulkhead, he trashed at least two Decepticons and blew a hole through the side of the ship. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.11|The Battle for Bulkhead}}

Optimus and his team took part in a battle against the Decepticons in [[The Wave]]. Unsurprisingly, they survived and returned to base to find Bumblebee and Raf had made a mess in their absence. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}} Optimus and Bumblebee went on a stealth mission to stop Megatron attacking the [[Statue of Liberty]], though they found the Decepticon forces there to be more than they expected. Optimus pursued Megatron up the side of the statue, and managed to defeat the Decepticon leader, but did substantial damage to the statue in the process. He later promised Fowler that the Autobots would fix it. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.13|Protecting the Lady}}

Knock Out and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] specifically demanded Optimus and Bulkhead come after the two Decepticons took over a TV studio. The Autobots found themselves forced to run the ''[[Down and Out]]'' course, lest the Decepticons' hostages be harmed. Though Optimus was confused by the inaccurate nature of the ''Down and Out'' set, he and Bulkhead managed to get through the course and rescue the hostages, leading to Knock Out and Breakdown's defeat at the hands of Arcee. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.14|It's a Knock-Out}}

Upon hearing of strange seismic movements throughout the Northen hemisphere, Optimus ordered a mission to a military base which had been hit by a quake, and contained a Particle Accelerator, and travelled there along with Wheeljack, Bulkhead and Arcee. Upon discovering the Decepticons' intent to use the Particle Aceelerator to open a permanent [[space bridge]] to Cybertron, Optimus changed into his Beast Hunters body for no readily apparent reason and ordered Arcee to clear the area of humans. After failing to stop [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] from opening the space bridge and releasing [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], Optimus flew up to the plant's reactor core with the intention of deactivating it, but Predaking blew it up instead. He, Bulkhead and Wheeljack then reflected on their chances of ever returning home. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.17|Collider-Scope}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.18|Power Outage}}}}

===''Rescue Bots'' pack-in storybooks===
Optimus Prime sent a special message to the [[Rescue Bot]]s on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], calling on them to come to [[Earth]]. He met them on arrival with the news they would be working with [[human]]s to improve inter-species relations. He accompanied them to [[Griffin Rock]] where he introduced them to his friend [[Charlie Burns|Chief Charlie]], before leaving to help other Transformers. {{storylink|Rescue Bots Roll Out}} After [[Cody Burns]] helped [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]] put out a fire that had threatened [[Fire Station Prime|Prime Fire Station]], Optimus Prime spoke to them through a screen, asking if Cody would join the Rescue Bots. Cody accepted. {{storylink|Prime Alert}} Once [[Blades (RB)|Blades]] and [[Sawyer Storm]] joined the team, Chief Charlie asked Optimus about the other two Rescue Bots, but only got an enigmatic response. {{storylink|Rescue Bots Respond}} Following another rescue conducted by [[Chase (RB)|Chase]] and [[Boulder]], Optimus talked [[Walker Cleveland|Walker]] and [[Jack Tracker|Hunter]] into joining the team. {{storylink|Rapid Rescue}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)|[[Klaus-Dieter Klebsch]] (German), [[Erwin Grunspan]] (French), [[Jung Goo Lee]] (Korean), [[Péter Barbinek]] (Hungarian), [[Jacek Mikołajczak]] (Polish), [[Blas Garcia]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Pekka Lehtosaari]] (Finnish), [[Wellington Lima]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}
[[File:UnderPressure Optimus on monitor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|[[Playskool]] is the right of all sentient beings.]]
Optimus Prime sent out a call to all Autobots to come to their new home on [[Earth]]. When a team of [[Rescue Bot]]s arrived at a military base, Optimus met them there and gave them their new mission: to team up with the Burns family and help them keep [[Griffin Rock]] safe. After presenting them with vehicles to [[scanning|scan]], he introduced them to [[Charlie Burns]] and left them to get acquainted. {{storylink|Family of Heroes}} The Rescue Bots had trouble learning to work with their new human friends, and they contacted Optimus to tell him as much, but he was confident that they and the humans would learn to work together. {{storylink|Under Pressure}}

After the Rescue Bots were fired by the Griffin Rock city council, [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]] attempted, but failed, to contact Optimus Prime to request the reassignment of Rescue Force Sigma-17. The Rescue Bots were later reinstated. {{storylink|The Reign of Morocco}}

[[File:ItsABotTime Optimus vehicle mode.jpg|thumb|left||Optimus drops by Griffin Rock whenever he's in the mood for G1.]]
When [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] tracked a meteor to Griffin Rock, he used the Rescue Bots' comms screen to report in with Optimus, who commended [[Cody Burns]] on his work helping the Bots to acclimate. Three of the Rescue Bots were struck with a strange virus from the meteorite, and they consulted with Optimus and Ratchet on the best way to deal with it. Optimus was concerned that the virus could fall into [[Megatron (WFC)|evil]] [[Silas|hands]] and ordered they destroy the meteorite. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (RB)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}}

[[File:BotToTheFuture Optimus steps forward.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Guest starring in an all new ''Tiny Titans'' comic book.]]
Notified that the Rescue Bots had been inadvertently sent back in time, Optimus and Bumblebee returned to Griffin Rock. Optimus deduced that [[energon]] would be enough to power the [[Temporal Station|time machine]], so he and Bumblebee went back to 1939, arriving in time to rescue the Rescue Bots from [[Doctor Morocco]]. The team returned to the present, only to find Griffin Rock overrun by [[MorBot]]s. {{storylink|It's a Bot Time}} Optimus and Bumblebee were kept busy trashing MorBots while the Rescue Bots worked out what was going on. By the time the pair ran out of MorBots to destroy, the team was ready to return to 1939 where they rescued [[Dither]] and returned the timeline to normal. Back in the present, Optimus congratulated the Rescue Bots team for their work. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

Alerted to the presence of energon beneath the island of Griffin Rock, Optimus journeyed there with a trailer to retrieve the substance. When Chief Burns's brother [[Woodrow Burns|Woodrow]] became trapped in a cavern deep underground with Cody, it turned into a rescue mission, and Optimus carried the team to the cavern on his trailer. {{storylink|What Lies Below}} Separated from the rest of the team, Optimus and Heatwave discovered the main shaft of [[Mount Magma]], and nearby, a sizable deposit of energon. When they were later reunited with the rest of the team, they were able to ignite the energon in a plan to blast themselves out of the top of the volcano. Optimus later farewelled the Rescue Bots, informing Heatwave that he should prepare for greater responsibility some time soon. {{storylink|What Rises Above}}

[[File:OddBotOut Optimus Matrix.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|Are we being flashed?]]
The time eventually came, when Optimus ordered Heatwave to the mainland. Rendezvousing at a military base, Optimus trained Heatwave on focusing his energies, so that Heatwave could take on a second [[alternate mode]]. {{storylink|Changes}}

On a relic-finding mission, Optimus and Bumblebee searched near Griffin Rock for a [[Liquefier|liquefying relic]]. Optimus enlisted [[Blades (RB)|Blades]]'s help to reach the relic at sea, and successfully used the Matrix of Leadership to shut it down before it could destroy the island. {{storylink|Odd Bot Out}}

When Doctor Morocco kidnapped the Rescue Bots, he showed them some photos of Optimus and claimed that Optimus had assigned him as the Rescue Bots liaison on Earth. {{storylink|Double Villainy}} The amnesiac Rescue Bots later tried to contact Optimus but received no response. {{storylink|Rise of the Heroes}}

[[File:BigGame Dinoptimus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|Just imagine the look on [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s face when he sees this coming at him.]]
Optimus made another routine inspection to Griffin Rock, and when a pterodactyl mysteriously appeared on the island, took the opportunity to observe the rescue team on an investigation mission to [[Wayward Island]]. When the Rescue Bots ran into trouble in the form of some [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]], Optimus was forced to intervene and ended up scanning robo-dino [[Trex]] to gain a third ''tyrannosaurus rex'' mode. With this, he was able to earn the trust of the dinosaurs and discover they were merely protecting their young. {{storylink|Land Before Prime (episode)|Land Before Prime}} Staying on at Griffin Rock to acclimatise to his new dino-mode, a lack of [[energon]] resulted in Optimus becoming feral. The out-of-control Autobot was abducted by big game hunter [[Quint Quarry|Colonel Quint Quarry]], who spirited Optimus away to [[Quarry Safariland]] and began hunting him through the jungle. With the help of Cody, Optimus evaded Quarry long enough for [[Boulder]] to manufacture a cure for his condition. Optimus was returned to normal, and helped Boulder rescue the rest of the rescue team from Quarry. {{storylink|Big Game}}

After capturing an [[Energon eater]], Chase and Boulder dropped it off with Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Unfinished Business}} Chief Burns again called in Optimus when Quarry kidnapped [[Anna Baranova|Professor Baranova]] and demanded five dinobots as ransom. Optimus and the four Rescue Bots were turned over to Quarry, who took them back to his island and subjected them to physical tests, before imprisoning them ready to be sold. Blades was able to knock out the Q-Drone restraining Optimus and the others, and Quarry was swiftly arrested. {{storylink|Quarry's Quarry}} Optimus alerted the Rescue Bots to a faint energon signal on Wayward Island. {{storylink|Did You See What I Thaw?}}

[[File:ANewHero Optimus laser hand.jpg|thumb|left|290px]]
When some water rescues were imminent, Optimus called [[High Tide]] to Earth to train the Rescue Bots. Later, after High Tide and Heatwave had a fight, Heatwave contacted Optimus to inform him that he was dropping out. Optimus encouraged him to return and he did. After the mission was complete, High Tide contacted Optimus informing him of the mission's success and Optimus requested that High Tide stay on the island to help out, following the destruction of [[Ezra Greene|Doc Greene]]'s [[floating lab]]. {{storylink|Turning the Tide}}

When the Autobots [[Salvage (RB)|Salvage]] and [[Blurr (Prime)|Blurr]] were discovered on Wayward Island, Optimus visited Griffin Rock to welcome them to Earth and assign them to be trained by Heatwave's team. With Doc Greene's help, he uncovered the fact that Blurr had been less than truthful about his past. {{storylink|The New Recruits}} Optimus was disappointed to hear that Blurr had stolen the ''[[Sigma]]'' and tried to contact the ship. After Blurr saved the day in Griffin Rock, Prime presented him and Salvage with Rescue Bots insignias, announcing that they would be assigned to a location elsewhere on Earth. {{storylink|A New Hero}}

After being contacted by High Tide, {{storylink|Now and Then}} Optimus Prime rushed to the location where Griffin Rock had been and helped clear the crater so the island could be flown back from where it had teleported in the [[Arctic]]. He, Blurr and Salvage helped it fly the remaining distance after the rocket engine gave out, and Optimus later decided that the Rescue Bots could let the whole town know that they were Cybertronians. {{storylink|Today and Forever}}

At some point during the next several years, [[Madeline Pynch]]'s activities gained Optimus's attention, and he dispatched [[Quickshadow]] to spy on the tycoon. {{storylink|Cody's 11}}

Several years later, Optimus contacted Heatwave with plans for a [[Rescue Bot Training Center|new base]] on the mainland. When Heatwave admitted he still hadn't revealed the Rescue Bots' secret to the humans, Optimus said he'd know when it was time. {{storylink|New Normal}} Optimus also ordered Quickshadow to work with the Griffin Rock rescue team, {{storylink|Plus One (RB)|Plus One}} and she later recorded a report for Optimus on events at the training center. {{storylink|The More Things Stay the Same}}

Unknown to the Rescue Bots, Optimus had also been involved in the [[Scrubmite|Scrubber Initiative]]. When the project's lab in [[Faxian]] was imperiled by runaway [[Scrubmite|Scrubbers]], Optimus observed the Rescue Bots response, and subsequently appeared to them via hologram to give them new assignments protecting the project. {{storylink|Upgrades}} Following the defeat of the [[Morocco virus]], Optimus turned up at the Training Center and assigned the Bots all to separate missions around the world. {{storylink|Transformations}}

===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
As [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] hunted for weapons to combat [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], they ran into trouble and sent a distress call. Optimus had [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] GroundBridge him into a derelict starship in the [[asteroid belt]]. On arrival, he attacked Predaking. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 5}} He managed to buy Bumblebee and Wheeljack the time they needed to get away with some of the weapons. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 6}}

With the Autobot forces falling before the Predacons, Optimus took the [[Firebreath Cyclocannons]] and set out into the desert in search of Predaking. He found his target, just as Ratchet managed to unlock the power of their new weapons. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 17}} With his newfound power, Optimus was able to instill fear into Predaking for the first time in millions of years. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 18}} The battle ended in Optimus's victory. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 23}}

===''Go!'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Go ep 1 Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|left|Hi, this is all of my frontal shots.]]
Optimus Prime was a warrior of justice who fought the Decepticons for many years. {{Storylink|Pursue! The Legendiscs!}} Somewhere off [[Earth]], Optimus Prime was alerted to the awakening of the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] [[Four Oni]]. He soon detected [[Swordbot|six individual signals]] that he recognized. {{storylink|Triple Combination! Swordbot - Samurai!}} {{storylink|Triple Combination! Swordbot - Ninja!}}

[[File:TFGoSamurai5 Optimus Exprime modes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
Those six signals turned out to be the [[Swordbot]] [[Swordbot Samurai Team|Samurai]] and [[Swordbot Shinobi Team|Shinobi]] teams. Both teams came in contact with Optimus Prime, and the Autobot commander set to analyzing the [[Legendisc]]s. Optimus contacted both teams in their newly built bases and let them know of the Legendiscs' number, locations, and their ability to travel through time. He tasked [[Isami Tatewaki]] and [[Tobio Fūma]] with acquiring the Legendiscs and protecting Earth at all costs. {{Storylink|Pursue! The Legendiscs!}} {{storylink|Discover! The Legendiscs!}} He later warned the Samurai teams that it was only a matter of time before Dragotron awoke, and they needed to find all the Legendiscs. {{storylink|The Invincible Swordsman - Ryōma Sakamoto!?}}

When he detected Dragotron's awakening, he was spurred to adopt a new body with dragon and train alternate modes, and as '''Optimus Exprime''', head to Earth to help the Swordbots in battle against the Predacon leader. {{storylink|Depart! Optimus Exprime!}} {{storylink|Enter! The New Warrior!}} Even with him as added reinforcements, Dragotron proved too much for him. When the Predacon abducted Tobio Fūma and Isami Tatewaki, the young humans who had been helping the Swordbots, Optimus and the Swordbot teams pursued him to [[Mount Fuji]], only to find he had absorbed the boys and the Legendiscs, gaining the power to Cyberform the mountain. Though the two boys manage to resist and escape the Predacon, the power of the Legendisc and the Four Oni which Dragotron also absorbed meant Optimus and the Swordbots had no chance of beating him.

Until, that is, it turned out that Tobio and Isami had duplicated the power of the Legendiscs through their [[burning spirit]], empowering Optimus to combine with [[Kenzan]] and [[Gekisoumaru]]. The Autobots' new combined form was powerful enough to take down Dragotron and use the Legendiscs to once again seal the Predacons away. The de-combined Autobots promised that if the Predacons ever returned, they would be there to again defend the Earth. {{storylink|Final Battle! Link-Up Triple Combination DaiKenzan!}} {{storylink|Final Battle! Link-Up Triple Combination DaiGekisou!}}

{{note|The Samurai and Shinobi ''Go!'' series have near-identical finales, with differences such as Kenzan forming the top of the Optimus combiner in the Samurai Chapter and Gekisoumaru forming the top in the Shinobi Chapter. A generalized retelling of events is presented here for simplicity's sake.}}

===Full of Fire!===
[[File:FullOfFire Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|I'm [[Batman]].]]
Optimus joined Ratchet, Bumblebee and Bulkhead who were testing new Beast Hunters weapons in a [[New Mexico]] desert. When they were attacked by Predacons, Optimus took the opportunity to test out his [[Firebreath Cyclocannons|Dragon Cannons]], and successfully countered Predaking's flame. But as the Predacons retreated, Optimus told the others he believed this was just a test so the Predacons would know the Autobots' comparative strength. {{storylink|Full of Fire!}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Once known as Orion Pax, Optimus is now inspirational leader and friend to the Autobots under his command. He carries within him the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

{{--}}

===2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English), [[Taitem Kusunoki]] (Japanese)|[[Alexander Kovriznyh]] (Russian), [[Seung-uk Jeong]], [[Ki-hyeon Kim]] (Korean), [[Erwin Grunspan]] (French), [[Robert Dubois]] (French, ''Moon Breaker''), [[Klaus-Dieter Klebsch]] (German), [[Blas Garcia]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Marco Balzarotti]] (Italian), [[César Marchetti]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

During the great war, Optimus led an operation to capture the Decepticon spy [[Overload (RID)|Overload]]. {{storylink|Overloaded, Part 1}}

Before [[Predacons Rising (Prime)|he could join with the Allspark]], Optimus was saved from death by the Primes, {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}} and brought to the [[Realm of the Primes]]. {{storylink|Out of Focus}} Some years after Cybertron's rebirth, a statue of Optimus was constructed in his honor, and he also had a bust of his head in the [[Cybertron History Museum]]. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}} However, when the new [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] came to power, Optimus Prime was blamed for the destruction of the planet caused by the war {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}} and, along with his [[Team Prime|team]], the [[Rescue Bot]]s, and countless other Autobots that supported him, Optimus was blacklisted by the council. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy (RID)|Enemy of My Enemy}}

[[File:OPS1EP01.jpeg|thumb|left|250px|I still exist.]]
One day, while Bumblebee and [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] were chasing down [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]], Optimus appeared to Bumblebee in a vision in an [[Energon]] pool pointing to a map of Earth inscribed at the nearby [[Cybertron History Museum]]. He later appeared again to Bumblebee, directing him to a decommissioned Space Bridge with Earth's coordinates already programmed in. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}} When Bumblebee and his makeshift crew cornered the Decepticon [[Underbite]], they were forced to fall back after Underbite unwittingly took a hostage in the form of [[Denny Clay]]. Before Underbite could devour the truck that Denny was trapped in, Optimus Prime manifested himself to the entire group, then easily trounced the Decepticon and rescued Denny. After complimenting Bumblebee's team, Optimus admitted he wasn't sure whether he was alive or not, nor what fate had in store for him, and then disappeared. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 2)}}
[[File:RID2015Optimusreturns.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|He's gonna die and come back here too. I give it a week.]]
Bumblebee continued to worry about his inability to control his troops when compared to Optimus's own command style, and tried calling upon him for guidance- to no avail. Bumblebee later tried to emulate Optimus's authoritative leadership approach while his team tracked down the Decepticon [[Terrashock]], which failed to impress anyone. Eventually, Optimus appeared to Bumblebee in another vision, though Prime disappeared before he could clarify his statement that Bumblebee was not him. {{storylink|W.W.O.D.?}} [[Russell Clay]] bluffed a mind-controlled Grimlock into thinking Optimus Prime was about to turn up, resulting in Grimlock fleeing. {{storylink|True Colors}}

[[File:OptimusOutOfFocus.jpeg|thumb|left|250px|"Say Cheese!"]]
Optimus began training with the other Primes in the [[Realm of the Primes]], who began testing him in preparation for a new mission on Earth. In one such test, [[Micronus Prime|Micronus]] served as Optimus Prime's mentor, and Micronus challenged Optimus to climb a hill. At the same time, Micronus also manifested a group of humans and a threatening robot to attack them. Optimus tried to defend the humans and begged Micronus to help, although Micronus declined. Eventually, Optimus realized that he needed to climb the hill first, which would activate his [[Prime Decepticon Hunter]] and allow him to defeat the robot. At the end of the test, Micronus revealed that the humans were merely illusions, and the Minicon congratulated Optimus for his accomplishments. {{storylink|Out of Focus}}

When suffering nightmares as the result of [[Nightstrike]]'s abilities, Bumblebee saw Optimus Prime being disappointed in him. {{storylink|Even Robots Have Nightmares}} The real Optimus made a brief appearance to Bumblebee to warn him of an evil soon to appear. {{storylink|The Trouble with Fixit}}

[[File:Battlegrounds1 Optimus has arrived.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Guess who's back. Back again.]]
Optimus continued his training in the Realm of the Primes with Micronus but still wasn't meeting the skill level Micronus expected of him, to make matters worse the realm was shrouded in darkness which signaled that the threat he was training for was finally about to arrive and he was not ready. Regardless Micronus took Optimus to the ones who ordered his training, the [[Thirteen|Primes]], and Optimus was able to persuade them to allow him some of their power. Reformatted into a new body, he was sent to Earth, arriving in time to save Denny, Russell and Fixit from [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]]. Informed of events, he headed to the [[Crown City Colossus]] when he tried to destroy the gateway [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]]'s team had constructed, however he was too late to prevent [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'s arrival on Earth. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 1}}

[[File:Battlegrounds2 Optimus and Megatronus fight.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Prime is back. Tell a friend.]]
Optimus engaged Megatronus but the latter's nearly invincible armor and even telekinesis left him at a disadvantage. A blow from Megatronus left Optimus unconscious, and he Optimus eventually came around to see Megatronus using a [[spark fuser]] to attempt to combine the AllSpark with what remained of the Anti-Spark from Earth's core. Optimus returned to battle with Megatronus until Bumblebee tried to get him to move Megatronus in front of the statue. As the AllSpark neared them, Optimus destroyed Megatronus's spark fuser and, with Grimlock's help, got Megatronus into position so the others could drop the statue's arm on him. Following Megatronus's defeat, Optimus intended to leave Earth, but Bumblebee persuaded him otherwise; Optimus agreed to stay but as Bumblebee's equal rather than his leader. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}

[[File:TRID E 28 Optimus Prime Polar Stealth.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I just got done racing a polar bear down a mountain. Stepped on some weird orange bandicoot or something on the way, though.]]
Optimus spent several weeks in the scrapyard, recounting war stories to Strongarm to pass the downtime. The Primes reclaimed the additional power which they had bestowed upon Optimus, leaving him in a severely weakened state. Despite this, Optimus insisted on joining the "away team" Bumblebee assigned to hunt Decepticons far from the scrapyard. When going on a mission to the Arctic, Optimus's changed biology caused the GroundBridge to explode after he passed through it. Optimus and his team started tracking a Decepticon hiding on a mountain, but Optimus continued to have trouble, and was knocked off the patch by a chunk of ice. {{storylink|Overloaded, Part 1}} After his rescue by his teammates, Optimus taught the others a trick he'd learned from the Primes, allowing them all to take on the color scheme of a vehicle they scanned. He was also able to come up with a plan on the fly that enabled them to capture [[Polarclaw]] by luring him underwater, and they took the Decepticon to be safely stored away. {{storylink|Overloaded, Part 2}}

[[File:TRID E 31 Optimus Prime Desert Stealth.jpg|thumb|left|250px|What happened to you? I joined the Army.]]
Though he was still weakened, Optimus and his team went hunting a Decepticon in the desert. Optimus became aware that the Decepticons they were hunting were preying on the weakest, and so feigned being more injured than he was so that he could take [[Razorpaw]] unawares. Noting that Prime was apparently performing poorly in the field, Windblade began acting overly protective towards him, leading to her getting injured. When the Autobots wound up facing up against Razorpaw and his Mini-Con accomplices, Windblade became their opponents' primary target, yet still interfered with Optimus's attacks so that she could keep him out of harm's way. Prime pretended to be completely disabled during the battle so that the Decepticons' attentions would shift back to him, and managed to defeat all three of the Decepticons in quick succession. He then tasked himself with freeing Sideswipe, Drift, and the Mini-Cons, who had gotten trapped by the enemy during the fight... though Drift told him to take his time, as Sideswipe's blabbermouth had gotten covered up in the process. {{storylink|Cover Me}}

When [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] escaped the [[Shadowzone (dimension)|Shadowzone]], Fixit tried to contact Optimus and the away team, but received no reply. {{storylink|Portals}} Investigating possible interference with one of Windblade's caches, Optimus's team found themselves up against [[Stockade (RID)|Stockade]] and his army of Mini-Cons. Optimus and Windblade were temporarily trapped in a bunker, but escaped with Sideswipe's help in time to take down the Decepticon. They subsequently GroundBridged back to the scrapyard with their new captives. {{storylink|Graduation Exercises}}

[[File:OPS2EP12.jpeg|thumb|lright|250px|I'm combat ready!]]
Once both teams were reunited, Optimus found himself increasingly questioning Bumblebee's orders and felt under the circumstances that he should take the lead. After a chance encounter reunited them with Ratchet, the Autobot medic tried to discuss the situation Optimus found himself with his former scout, only for Optimus to dodge the conversation. Soon after, the Autobots got help in the form of the Mini-Con [[Toolbox]], recent escapee from "Decepticon Island." The Autobots used a ruse to infiltrate the crash of the ''Alchemor,'' being used as a base by a group of Decepticons. Unfortunately, Optimus second guessed Bumblebee's leadership at a crucial stage of their infiltration; whereas Bumblebee wanted to press on to plant a stasis bomb as quickly as possible to disable their enemies, Optimus felt that they should instead pause to rescue several Mini-Cons being kept as slave. The Autobots were stalled while Optimus and Bumblebee argued, and were found out by the Decepticons. Steeljaw was alerted to the security breach, and Optimus and his team soon found themselves completely surrounded by the enemy. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}} [[File:OPS2EP15.jpeg|thumb|left|250px|It's only been two episodes...]] Optimus and Bumblebee began to agree once more, with Optimus wanting to willingly be taken prisoner to prepare a counter-strike. Windblade took the choice out of their hands by flying up and acting as a distraction, allowing the rest of the team to make a break for it and split up. Optimus accompanied Bumblebee and Toolbox to attach a [[cryo-gas]] bomb to the ship's ventilation hub. They were able to work out their leadership issues on the way and, after a fight with a [[Decepticon Hunter]] empowered Steeljaw, succeeded in freezing the Decepticons on the ship. With the Decepticon threat on Earth dealt with, Optimus announced he intended to return to Cybertron on the repaired ''Alchemor'' and investigate the new government there. He said his goodbyes to Bumblebee, telling him that he could always call on him should the need arise. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 2)}}

[[File:TRID E 43 Optimus Prime Signaute Red & Blue.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This better be an emergency...]]
The need arose and Bumblebee called Optimus to inform him about the new threat. Sporting a new paint job, Optimus told Bumblebee that he did the right thing by calling him and that he would be there soon. {{storylink|Strongarm's Big Score}} He eventually turned up in [[Prime Force One|a ship]] {{storylink|Mighty Big Trouble}} and found that Bumblebee had been abducted by [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] along with the team's Mini-Cons. Optimus had the team split up to search and they found the seven Mini-Cons Starscream was hunting. As their leader, Aerobolt, recognized Optimus, the two groups joined forces, only to come up against a group of [[Scavengers (RID)|Scavengers]] who managed to get the better of the Optimus's group. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}}

[[File:TRID E 45 Optimus Prime Aerobolt Power Surge.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Oh sun, source of all life and energy, give me greater strength.]]
Despite the capture of the Mini-Cons by Starscream, Optimus's team was able to overcome the Scavengers and track down Starscream's ship. After Starscream merged with the Mini-Cons, Optimus linked with Aerobolt and gained enough power to go toe-to-toe with the super-powered Decepticon. Optimus then loaded the comatose Starscream, his bounty hunters, and the Scavengers onto his ship to take them back with him. {{storylink|Worthy}}

[[File:OPS3EP5.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|Have you tried turning it off and on again?]]
Bumblebee contacted Optimus to see if he knew anything about the odd sphere they'd found. Optimus thought it looked like the [[Sphere of Doradus]], something he believed was a myth. {{storylink|Sphere of Influence}}

Having gained enough information to know the council were up to something, Optimus returned to Earth to recruit Drift. As Drift was unwilling to leave the Bee Team until the conclusion of their current mission, Optimus opted to join them on a trip to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. He and Fixit separated from the rest of the team to deal with a weapon-laden satellite which had been knock out of its orbit during their space battle with the Stunticons, and the pair were forced to disable its heat shield so it would explode before it hit anything on the ground. They rejoined the rest of the team to find that the Stunticons had been defeated, so Optimus and Drift took the Decepticons with them. {{storylink|Moon Breaker}}

[[File:CollateralDamageOptimusAndHiTest.jpeg|thumb|left|250px|Optimus gets hit by lightning a lot.]]
Ratchet's detection of Shadowzone readings again sent Optimus to Earth, this time by space bridge. Optimus and the Bee Team soon discovered that Soundwave was back and planning to try and contact Megatron, using a [[trans-galactic beacon generator]] which would also irradiate Earth as a side effect. Optimus ended up tangling with [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] and, with the help of a power-up from [[Hi-Test (RID)|Hi-Test]], managed to defeat the Mini-Con. He later returned the defeated Soundwave and Laserbeak to Cybertron. {{storylink|Collateral Damage}} With more information gathered on the council, Optimus ordered [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to head to Earth. {{storylink|Sick as a Bot}}

[[File:OptimusPrimeFreedomFighters.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|"[[Mark Hamill|See you around, kid]]."]]
Intel gathered by Drift pointed Optimus to the conclusion that the council were mind-controlling the population of Cybertron. He and the team he had gathered traveled to Earth to enlist the help of Bumblebee's team—as Optimus's group were too well known on Cybertron, they would defend Earth while 'Bee's team exposed the council. Optimus and his team soon discovered council forces stealing tech from a warehouse that could be used to build a space bridge receiver, however before they could act on this, a bomb left in the warehouse exploded. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy (RID)|Enemy of My Enemy}} The team fortunately survived thanks to Ratchet's [[Triage Shield]] and tracked the council forces to the [[Crown City]] docks. Though they failed to prevent the council forces from opening a space bridge portal, Optimus was able to throw the receiver into the portal, causing a feedback loop that destroyed the space bridge.

Optimus and his team returned to Cybertron where Bumblebee's team had exposed the council as Decepticons. Optimus turned down the opportunity to be leader of the planet, opting to take a break for a while and instead appointing the other members of his team as a provisional council. {{storylink|Freedom Fighters}}

===Legends World===
[[File:LegendsBizTrip5 TFs of today.jpg|thumb|right]]

During [[Rhinox (BW)#Legends World|Tankor]]'s battle to revert the world back to how it was in the '80s, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] attempted to stop him by singing the praises of modern-day Transformers such as Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 5|Bonus Edition Vol. 5}} Rattrap later had a dream in which he met Optimus Prime in the form of his [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#TAV21|latest toy]]. Prime explained that he could play 200 different sounds and phrases, including the names of everyone in Bumblebee's team, though doing so dried out his throat and forced him to have a glass of water. He went on to show off his truck mode, get surprised yet intrigued by a third "base mode" Rattrap invented for him, and dance with the other Autobots to "[[Try☆Transformers Adventure↑↑↑]]". {{storylink|TAV21 Optimus Prime Now on Sale!}}

===2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' books===
As Bumblebee looked into the sea while at the docks, Optimus Prime momentarily appeared to give him an inspirational speech. After his team captured [[Slink]] and her gang, Optimus appeared briefly to give Bumblebee a proud smile. {{storylink|Sideswipe Versus Thunderhoof}}

During his training, Optimus found that the challenges were getting harder and harder, but hid some of the damage he sustained for fear it would impact his chances of returning to Earth. When it became obvious that Micronus was not behind the raising intensity, the pair investigated further. They determined that [[Liege Maximo]] was behind the trickery, and once Optimus was able to dismiss the apparitions of Bumblebee's team conjured by the rogue Prime, he and Micronus were able to overcome the foe. Optimus was then allowed to communicate with Bumblebee and gave his former scout some words of encouragement. {{storylink|The Trials of Optimus Prime}}

Optimus was at a disadvantage while hunting [[Shocksprocket]], being too big to use the trees to avoid the electrified ground. Likewise when the away team headed to [[Chomolungma|Mount Everest]] to hunt [[Abominus (RID)|Abominus]], Optimus's bulk did not do him any favors coping with an avalanche. He and the rest of the team fell afoul of one of Abominus's boobytraps, resulting in the Decepticon capturing them until Slipstream came to their rescue and the team was able to turn the tables on Abominus. {{storylink|Autobot World Tour}}

===IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' comic===
[[File:IDWRID5 Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|280px|right|"I regret now I have the power of the Primes, I am unable to give a straight answer to any question you may pose."]]
While struggling to get his team to work together, Bumblebee recalled happier times under Optimus's leadership. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 1|Robots in Disguise #1}} Optimus later appeared to Bumblebee in a vision to tell him to trust his instincts about the visit by Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 2|Robots in Disguise #2}}

After joining Team Bee following the defeat of Megatronus, Optimus received a directive from the Primes which sent him with Windblade to the [[Sierra Ridge]] mountains. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 5|Robots in Disguise #5}} The pair searched various caves until they stumbled on Predaking. The Predacon escaped, but left behind a piece of Starscream. Optimus and Windblade took the arm back with them and were able to use it to convince some Vehicons who'd teamed up with Steeljaw that Starscream was dead and the Decepticon army defeated. Though Optimus offered to allow the Vehicons to peacefully return to Cybertron, they turned down his offer and went back into hiding. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise issue 6|Robots in Disguise #6}}

===''Rescue Bots Academy'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Jake Foushee]], [[Hiro Diaz]] (Eps 1-2 only) (English)|[[Erwin Grunspan]] (French), [[Victor Covarrubias]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Marco Balzarotti]] (Italian)}}
[[File:RBA - Recruits Part 1 - Recruitment Pitch.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Keep your pants dry, your dreams wet, and remember, hugs not drugs."]]
Though [[Wedge (RBA)|Wedge]] was created as a Decepticon, Optimus found him and successfully encouraged him to become an Autobot. {{storylink|More Than Meets The Eye (RBA)|More Than Meets The Eye}} Looking for new recruits for the Rescue Bots, Optimus Prime approached [[Hot Shot (Prime)|Hot Shot]] while the young bot was playing [[Cube (sport)|Cube]]. Hot Shot agreed, so Optimus accompanied him on a space bridge journey to Earth and left him at the Rescue Bot Training Center. {{storylink|Recruits Part I}} Optimus later returned to find Hot Shot on the verge of giving up. Though he said Hot Shot was free to give up and return to Cybertron, he first presented the recruit with an ancient Cybertronian relic, the [[Mul-T-Cog|Mul-T-Cog Badge]], which gave Hot Shot the confidence to stick with training for a while longer. {{storylink|Recruits Part II}}

After calling Heatwave for a mission, Prime was invited to see the new recruitment video [[Whirl (RBA)|Whirl]] made, and gave her some advice when she came depressed with the results. Luckily, her fellow recruits made a miracle out of her footage, and an amused Optimus saw them off to complete the film.{{storylink|Rescue Promo}} Optimus was among the bots featured on the [[Heroes of Cybertron (cards)|Heroes of Cybertron]] trading cards which Wedge owned. {{storylink|Battle of the Bots}}

On the eve of the recruits' graduation from year one, Optimus paid them a visit and brought Hot Shot's old friend [[Scorch (RBA)|Scorch]] along. {{storylink|Best Bots Forever Part 1}} Optimus was later disappointed to learn that Hot Shot had abandoned his Rescue Bot training, and went to return to Cybertron to retrieve the Mul-T-Cog so it could be presented to another student. The space bridge malfunctioned as a result of tampering by the recruits, trapping Optimus and the other teachers in a slowly-expanding energon bubble until the recruits were able to free them. Optimus later attended the recruits' graduation. {{storylink|Best Bots Forever Part 2}}

Optimus paid the academy a visit at the start of year two, bringing [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] with him to get the students matched with appropriate mentors. {{storylink|Back to School}} After the [[Sparksayer]] was recovered, Optimus approved the students to be the first to make use of its power. {{storylink|Power Up And Energize}} Optimus contacted Heatwave regarding the fact that Hot Shot had still not mastered use of his Mul-T-Cog enough to be able to use more than one form in a day. He later congratulated Hot Shot when the young Bot finally succeeded. {{storylink|Mul-T-Change of Pace}} Optimus visited the academy to give the recruits their reviews. {{storylink|Wizard Of Botz}}

Optimus attended a party on [[Citadel Secundus]] to celebrate the end of the recruits' second year, and was rendered out-cold along with almost everyone else on board when the Titan was struck by an asteroid which created an anti-energon field. {{storylink|Space Party}} Wedge tried unsuccessfully to revive him with a shield emitter which turned out not to be powerful enough given Optimus's size. Those aboard Secundus were eventually revived after the danger was over, and Optimus presented the year two graduation, during which he invited the recruits friends to become a new class, even making Laserbeak an Autobot in the process. {{storylink|Crash Of The Titan}}
{{--}}

===Precursor World===
[[File:Adventure Optimus Prime Selects.jpg|thumb|left|80px]]
A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling a scintillating Optimus Prime was a member of the [[Red Order]] of the [[Primus Vanguard]]. He cheered on [[Yokohama Convoy|the Order's dimunitive cannoneer]] when their commander [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Precursor World|Red Sentinel Prime]] bade him fire the Order's holy [[Matrix Buster]] at the marauding [[G1 World|interdimensional]] [[Seacon (BW)|pirate]] [[Terrormander]] in defense of the [[Red Planet]]. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 1}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==

{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]]}}

*Bulkhead received a phone call from {{w|Strawberry Shortcake}}, juvenile provider of baked goods, inviting him to the Berryfest Princess Parade in which he would be extremely glittered. When Optimus asked who the caller was, Bulkhead stated that it was for Optimus. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Strawberry Shortcake|Strawberry Shortcake and Bulkhead}}

*Optimus was weirded out by [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], [[My Little Pony|ponies]], and an {{w|Strawberry Shortcake|underage baker}} singing Christmas carols. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Carolers1|The Hub Carolers}}

*Optimus participated in a conference call with Fowler, who informed the Autobots that [[Batman]] was to backup the team for a mission. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Impossibly Awesome|Mission: Impossibly Awesome Marathon}}

*Optimus received some new secret weapons from Ratchet, and then proceeded to use his shoulder-mounted guns to mow down some Vehicons. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Weaponizers|Weaponizers commercial}}

*Optimus was lifted by an ant who had engaged in a proper nutrition regiment, yet eats Happy Meals. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Happy Meal|McDonald's Happy Meal}}

*Optimus, Bumblebee, [[Boulder]], and Predaking attended a pool party with various entities from other universes. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Pool Party|Hub Network Summer Pool Party}}

*Toy versions of Optimus and Bumblebee came to life to duke it out against toy versions of Predaking and [[Lazerback (Prime)|Lazerback]] in a child's room. Bumblebee and Optimus came out victorious, and bumped fists while their restrained opponents dangled beneath them. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime#Beast Hunters toys|Beast Hunters toys commercial}}

*Optimus, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]], [[Chase (RB)|Chase]], [[Blades (RB)|Blades]], and [[Boulder]] rushed out of [[Fire Station Prime]] in response to a nearby fire. They watched Heatwave put out the blaze, then all posed heroically in a v-formation. {{storylink|Commercial#Rescue Bots|Rescue Bots toys commercial}}

*Optimus and Bumblebee and the Rescue Bots responded to a fire emergency. Once on-scene, Optimus energized his saw weapon to better deal with the situation. {{storylink|Commercial#Rescue Bots|Energize figures commercial}}

*A child playing with the "Optimus Primal" Rescue Bots toy was turned into an animated version of himself and met with the Rescue Bots! He directed Optimus into rescuing Chase, who had been pinned under a boulder. {{storylink|Commercial#Rescue Bots|Rescue Bots Optimus Primal toy commercial}}

*Optimus came upon [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] and his two Mini-Cons in a parking lot. Though Fracture believe nothing could stop him, Optimus proved him wrong by first ramming the two smaller 'bots, then clobbering their boss in the jaw. {{storylink|Commercial#Robots in Disguise (2015)|Robots in Disguise Mega Optimus Prime toy commercial}}

*At a [[Toys"R"Us]] somewhere in a [[Quadwal]] universe, sentient versions of toy baby {{w|Baby Alive|Snackin' Sara}} and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Robots in Disguise|toy Optimus]] have a discussion involving the store's Price Match guarantee that concludes with toy Optimus getting distraught at the existence of an entire shelf with clones of himself. {{storylink|Commercial#2015 2|Toys"R"Us Commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)|[[Marco Balzarotti]] (Italian), [[Patrice Melennec]] (French), [[Andrei Yaroslavtsev]] (Russian), [[Alfredo Martínez]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Piotr Dobosz]] (Polish)}}

[[File:WFC-OptimusPrimeconcept.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Steroids are the right of all sentient beings.]]
In the waning days of the war for Cybertron, Optimus spotted a little yellow Autobot in trouble, and defeated the surrounding drone forces. [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] arrived on the scene, and Optimus helped up the Autobot scout, who revealed his name was [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]. Bumblebee informed Optimus that the Decepticons had taken control of communication relays, so that the only way to contact Optimus was by messenger. He also informed Optimus that their leader, [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], was dead. Optimus suspected [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s hand, and was informed by Bumblebee that the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] had gone into hiding because of this. Optimus believed that the Council would emerge during a safer time, and formed a team with Bumblebee and Ratchet.

They drove to the [[Decagon]], where they found [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]] battling the forces of [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. After assisting him in defeating Starscream's army, they confronted Starscream himself within the Decagon. After the trio combated and drove off Starscream, a hologram of Zeta Prime's face appeared in the center of the room, stating that he is being held in the Kaon prison complex. Optimus took Bumblebee and Sideswipe to the Kaon prison, allowing themselves to be captured so that they could infiltrate the facility. The Decepticons prepared to execute them, but [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] lent a hand so they could escape, though he himself was captured. While sneaking through the corridors, the three managed to free Air Raid, [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]], and others. They continued through the hallways, and finally located the room where Zeta is being held, only to face [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]]. The Decepticon cowered behind a force field, sending [[Frenzy (WFC)|Frenzy]], [[Rumble (WFC)|Rumble]], and [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] out to fight for him, only venturing out to administer needed repairs to his minions. As Soundwave's energy became low, he attempted to drain Zeta Prime, only to be interrupted by Optimus, who took a shot meant for Zeta. Though Soundwave and his minions retreated, the damage was done, and Zeta Prime died before Optimus could free him.

Optimus brought Zeta's corpse to the site of the hiding High Council, where he lay the dead body in the center of the room. Optimus stated that the Autobots craved their guidance, but the Council stated that their mission was to choose the Primes, not to lead them. They then told him that Optimus himself is a Prime, and that he had changed the lives around him. Optimus was then told that Megatron had corrupted the core of Cybertron, and that he was the one that could remove this blight. He took this burden and responsibility, then was told by the Council that he was now Optimus ''Prime'', the last Prime.

[[File:WFC-OptimusPrimeAltmode.jpg|left|thumb||Welcome to the ''Twilight Zone'' Prime.]]
For a new mission, Optimus selected Ironhide and [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]], and the team ventured to the entrance of the core, where a corrupted [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] was being tortured. After a prolonged battle, the Autobots defeated the torturers and freed Omega Supreme from the Dark Energon influence. Omega Supreme escaped, and the Autobots found some [[space slug]]s to use as steeds. One long journey later, they reached the core and defeated a corrupted slug. Unfortunately the core itself had become contaminated, and informed Optimus as much. The only solution was for the core to reboot, which would take millions of years, during which the planet would be unusable, and Optimus realized that the Autobots would have to leave their home. Before shutting down, the core revealed the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which it installed inside Optimus Prime's chest.

Optimus arrived back at Iacon, where he ordered all Autobots to evacuate the planet. Megatron announced that everyone must stay or face destruction, and fired a massive cannon installed in the Dark Energon space station. Optimus Prime ordered his Air Commander [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]] to shut down the cannon with his team. They succeeded, and the station crashed into Iacon. Optimus, Bumblebee, and Ironhide discovered that the "space station" wasn't a space station at all: it was the giant Decepticon, [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. They managed to defeat the heavily armed menace, who plunged into a pool of energon. The Autobots celebrated their victory, but noticed that ''they'' have to evacuate as well. Optimus revealed a massive starship they would use called the [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]], a ship still under construction that would allow them to take a part of Cybertron with them across the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}
[[File:WFCDS Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|124px|Origamimus Prime]]
Optimus was a dock worker who found himself caught up in the war against the Decepticons. With the Decepticons on the hunt for the Omega Key, Zeta Prime sent Optimus and his team to protect the library, knowing he could count on his old friend. When Zeta Prime was later captured by the Decepticons, he attempted to contact Optimus. The data links keeping him in contact with the Autobots were severed, so Bumblebee tracked down Optimus at an Autobot base. Optimus subsequently rescued an [[Autobot rookie]] from Starscream, chasing the Decepticon off before joining up with Jetfire and destroying other intruders at the base. Optimus was felled by a [[laser guard]], but revived with the help of Jetfire and Bumblebee. They completed clearing the base by defeating [[Dirge (WFC)|Dirge]], and Optimus announced that the next step was to retake Iacon.

He and his team entered Decepticon-occupied Iacon and destroyed the Dark Energon corruptors, allowing them to get the Decagon's defense systems back online. While they waited for Zeta Prime to make contact again, Optimus reminded Bumblebee that they couldn't let Megatron win just by giving up. Zeta let them know that he was being held in Kaon Prison, and Optimus's team infiltrated the prison in search of him. After an encounter with [[Onslaught (WFC)|Onslaught]], they ran into Megatron himself, who set more Decepticons on them. When they eventually found Zeta Prime, their leader expired. Optimus returned his body to the High Council, who appointed Optimus the new Prime.

Optimus Prime attempted to solicit [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s help. Grimlock challenged him to a fight to decide whether to join up, but [[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]]'s capture by Decepticons sent the Autobots off on a rescue mission instead. The Autobots tracked Swoop down to a Dark Energon laboratory on the outskirts of Iacon and freed him from Dark Energon contamination. Swoop's services were subsequently offered to the Autobots by Grimlock, who said he'd follow along to protect Swoop. Analysis of core samples by Jetfire and Ratchet indicated that they would need to disable to corrupters preventing it from repairing itself. To this end, Optimus's team traveled to the core and freed it after defeating [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]].

Realising that the core needed time to repair itself, Optimus ordered the Autobots to evacuate the planet in Arks. He and his team ascended the space bridge to attack the Trypticon space station and take out its main power core. They escaped during the station's plunge towards Cybertron, but as it fell, it transformed. Optimus rallied his men against this new threat, leading the way to the crash site, where the Autobots confronted Trypticon. After the titan's downfall, Optimus and his men left Cybertron in search of a new source of energy. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)|[[Marco Balzarotti]] (Italian)}}

Optimus Prime coordinated many of the Autobot campaigns during the war. He dispatched Ironhide and Bumblebee to retrieve a datacore of information about Trypticon from Kaon. He later coordinated the evac measures for Cybertron, personally guarding a supply convoy while Bumblebee ran point and ensuring the safe launch of an airlift while the Aerialbots prevented Seekers from taking potshots at it. He also sent the Aerialbots up to Trypticon Station itself when its orbital weapon systems began annihilating the Autobot ranks.

When Trypticon itself fell to Cybertron after the Aerialbot assault, it transformed into a tremendous warbot, and Optimus Prime raced out to meet it. Bumblebee and Ironhide accompanied Prime to the blast site, fighting through numerous Decepticon embankments to reach the monster. Trypticon himself proved to be an implaccable foe, and Optimus coordinated both ground-based flanking attacks and strafing runs by the Aerialbots. Eventually, the mighty menace went down, and Prime saluted Trypticon on his way to extinction. {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}
[[File:FOC-GameInformerPrimeBumblebee.jpg|thumb|"No, not in the chest, you guys! The throat! The throat!"]]
As the Ark neared completion, Optimus was alerted to the fact that [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]'s team had deserted their post and the Decepticons were consequently attacking with giant [[Warp Cannon]]s. He made haste back to Autobot City where he sent [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] off in search of the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] before joining [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]] in fending off the Decepticons attacking the nerve center. When it turned out they didn't have enough energon for the defences, Optimus and [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]] decided to divert some of the energon from Ark. With Perceptor's help, Optimus got an old artillery piece working and reached the [[neutron cannon]] which he used to take out some of the attackers before running out of energon. At that point he was drawn to the city core, where he managed to awaken [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]]. Optimus guided the giant in destroying the Warp Cannons, but the last of them felled Metroplex, forcing Optimus to go inside it himself.

[[File:FOC-OptimusPrimetruckart.jpg|left|thumb||"WFC Optimus will be so jealous!"]]
He didn't get very far before encountering [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] and the [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticons]] who took him prisoner. Dragged before Megatron, Optimus was only saved by the timely reactivation of Metroplex. Once Megatron was a messy stain on the ground, Prime strongly recommended Starscream and the others leave. Some time later, Jazz and Cliffjumper reported that they'd found a massive [[energon lake]], and Optimus organized a transport to pick it up. During a Decepticon attack on [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]'s crash site, Optimus was contacted by Autobots guarding the site who said that Megatron was alive. His request for confirmation was given by none other than Megatron himself, who killed the Autobots who contacted Prime. Recognizing that the Decepticons would only try to retrieve Trypticon's power core if their energon levels were dangerously low, Optimus offered a ceasefire to share what was left, but Megatron rejected his offer, saying that Optimus and the Autobots were responsible for Cybertron's death.

When he was contacted by Grimlock's team who reported [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s experiments, Optimus ordered them back to base, only for Grimlock to ignore him. The Ark was eventually launched thanks to a last-minute sacrifice by Metroplex, but didn't get far before the Decepticons caught up in the ''Nemesis'' and attacked it. Optimus headed to the engine room to assist with the defenses there, only to encounter Megatron himself. As the two fought, Bumblebee threw himself in front of a shot meant for Optimus, and the young bot's sacrifice sent an enraged Optimus back into battle against his nemesis. The pair's fight wasn't yet finished when both they and their ships were sucked into the space bridge portal. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Optimus Prime also appears in the game's 'Escalation' mode, on the 'Ignition' map. He fights alongside [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]]. Optimus serves as the team's [[Tank (FOC)|Tank]].}}

===''Transformers Prime: Battle For Energon''===
Optimus sent Bulkhead on multiple missions within a Decepticon Dark Energon Mine, the Nemesis Battle Cruiser and back to Autobot Headquarters after it had been infiltrated by Megatron himself. He would warn Bulkhead before he would face off against a particularly dangerous Decepticon foe. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Battle For Energon}}

===''Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense''===
Optimus Prime helped Arcee in stopping Starscream and his horde of Vehicons from escaping from an abandoned military outpost. Upon Megatron's arrival to the battlefield, he and Arcee defended Autobot headquarters. Though they were victorious, the Autobots swore to remain vigilant, as the future might bring innumerable threats yet!

Optimus Prime could deploy "Cannon Turrets," "Freeze Turrets," and "Missile Turrets" through the Ground Bridge to aid in destroying Vehicons. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense}}

===''Transformers Prime: Decepticon Strike''===
In the aftermath of a devastating Decepticon attack, the Autobots' home base was destroyed and Optimus was left in critical condition. Thankfully, Alpha Trion intervened, healed Optimus and granted him new flight capabilities. With renewed strength and resolved, Optimus fought his way through Megatron's troops until finally squaring off against the Decepticon leader himself. Once he defeated Megatron, Optimus returned to the other Autobots, and together they rebuilt their base in anticipation to the next Decepticon attack. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Decepticon Strike|Decepticon Strike}}

=== ''Transformers: Prime - The Game''===
[[File:Transformers prime the game optimus.jpg|thumb|left||Drop an' give me fifty. ''Now''.]]
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)|[[Patrice Melennec]] (French), [[Alfredo Martínez]] (Castilian Spanish)}}

Optimus Prime and the Autobots detected a massive asteroid of Dark Energon headed towards Earth, and used the GroundBridge to intercept the Decepticons aboard the ''Nemesis'' as they tried to retrieve the asteroid. During the battle, the asteroid broke up and Prime fell to Earth from orbit, and his team was scattered.

Optimus was located by Ratchet via the GroundBridge, where he lay buried beneath Dark Energon debris. The secret of the asteroid was revealed, as a powerful Cybertronian named [[Thunderwing (Prime)|Thunderwing]] emerged, ready to claim the Matrix and destroy it on behalf of his master, Unicron. Optimus and Ratchet evaded the giant's attacks until the ''Nemesis'' intervened. Stray blaster fire sent Optimus through a GroundBridge to his rescue, but Ratchet was inadvertently left behind.

Learning that the Decepticons planned to full repair Thunderwing, Optimus and the Autobots raced to stop the 'Cons from collecting Thunderwing's missing pieces. Optimus and Bulkhead battled Megatron and Starscream for one of the pieces, but Megatron escaped with the prize, leaving Prime buried alive.

Prime rescued himself, and GroundBridged to join the other Autobots in finale battle with the repaired Thunderwing. Optimus Prime succeeded in fending off Megatron and, with the help of one of Ratchet's inventions, defeated Thunderwing as well. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}

===''Transformers Online''===
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers Online}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}
====Console====
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}
====3DS====
{{Charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (3DS)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

===''Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense''===
When the Decepticons constructed an [[Energon Drain]] in an asteroid field, Optimus had the Autobots counter it by building a [[Pulsar Dish]] from debris, and defended the construction using the Star Saber. {{storylink|Transformers Prime: Pulsar Defense}}
{{-}}

=== ''Transformers Universe'' ===
[[File:Tu-character-art optimus.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|right]]
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}

During the journey back to Cybertron the ''[[Arclight (ship)|Arclight]]'' was ambushed by the Decepticons. Ultimately the ''Arclight'' was destroyed, but Optimus along with the Autobots escaped the destruction of the ship and took refuge on Earth. Optimus Prime called upon [[General Freeman]] to provide his fellow Autobots with a base of operations and to hide Optimus Prime himself, just as Megatron ordered the Decepticons to search Earth for Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers Universe (Jagex)|Transformers Universe}}
<gallery widths=200px>
File:TFUniverseJagex-Optimus Prime hologram.jpg|This is probably the most you'll ever see of him in-game
File:TFUniverseJagex-OptimusPrimeVehicle.jpg|The Flameless 379. It won't just rock your logistics, it'll transform them.
</gallery>
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' mobile game===
{{note|Due to one update, the original Power Surge Optimus Prime character is removed.}}
<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:65%"
|-
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Version'''
! style="background: #00CCFF; color: black" scope="col" width="35%" | '''Unlock Cost (Energon)'''
! style="background: #BF00FF; color: white" scope="col" width="35%" | '''Unlock Cost (Ultra Sparks)'''
|-
|Starter
|500
|10
|-
|Pumpkin
|500
|10
|-
|Desert
|500
|10
|-
|Titan Guardian
|1000
|20
|-
|Legion
|1500
|30
|-
|Ultra Magnus
|1500
|30
|-
|Legion Clash
|1500
|30
|-
|Legion Blizzard
|1500
|30
|-
|One-Step
|2000
|40
|-
|One-Step Evolved
|2000
|40
|-
|Titan Hero
|3000
|60
|-
|Warrior
|4000
|80
|-
|Warrior Clash
|4000
|80
|-
|Warrior Blizzard
|4000
|80
|-
|<s>Warrior Power Surge</s>
|<s>4000</s>
|<s>80</s>
|-
|Warrior Power Surge Elite
|4000
|80
|-
|Battlepack
|4000
|80
|-
|Titan Changer
|4000
|80
|-
|Hero
|6000
|120
|-
|Hero Clash
|6000
|120
|-
|Mega
|8000
|140
|-
|Power Surge
|10000
|160
|-
|Combiner
|3800
|75
|}
</center>
<gallery>
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Starter-Pumpkin-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Starter-Desert-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Titan-Guardian-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Legion-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TFRID-Game-Ultra-Magnus.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Legion-Optimus-Prime-(CotT).jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Legion-Optimus-Prime-(Blizzard).jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-One-Step-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-One-Step-(Evolved)-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Titan-Hero-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Warrior-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Warrior-Optimus-Prime-(CotT).jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Warrior-Optimus-Prime-(Blizzard).jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Warrior-Power-Surge-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Warrior-Power-Surge-Optimus-Prime-(Elite).jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Battle-Pack-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Titan-Changer-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Hyperchange-Heroes-3-step-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Hyperchange-Heroes-3-step-Optimus-Prime-(CotT).jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Mega-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Power-Surge-Optimus-Prime.jpg
TF-RID2015-Mobage-Activator-Combiner-Optimus-Prime.jpg
</gallery>
When Crown City was overrun by Decepticons as a result of a stasis pod modified to clone an army, the Autobots were forced to battle them throughout the city and surrounding landscape. They eventually found that Steeljaw and another Decepticon had constructed a [[space bridge]] and defeated the pair. {{storylink|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|Robots in Disguise}}

===''Transformers Super Mini-Con Striker''===
Optimus Prime was a spectator for a soccer match between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Super Mini-Con Striker}}

===''Power Up for Battle''===
[[File:RID2015 Power Up for Battle gameplay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.44]]
Optimus Prime engaged in battle against Starscream using a selection of Weaponizer Mini-Cons provided by Bumblebee. {{storylink|Power Up for Battle}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Optimus-Prime-(WFC).jpg|thumb|upright=2.2]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Optimus-Prime-(FOC).jpg|thumb|upright=2.2]]
Optimus Prime participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in multiple different bodies:
*''Optimus Prime (WFC)'' — This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
*''Optimus Prime (FOC)'' — This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Splatoon''===
[[Squid Sisters|Callie]] considered herself an Autobot fan, declaring "Optimus Prime for life!" {{storylink|Splatoon}}

==Toys==
{{main|Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Optimus Prime (WFC)/merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFPrimeOptimustruck.jpg|thumb||So, it hasn't got [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|flames]]. [[Ruined FOREVER|It's still not a flat nose truck.]]]]
[[File:VectorSigmaBotBuilderOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb||It am [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#BHWeaponizer|BIZARRO OPTIMUS PRIME!]]]]
*''Exodus'' and ''War for Cybertron'' are different interpretations of the same events. One could choose to view them as similar but different continuities within the same "continuity family" to explain their differences on Optimus Prime's pre-Prime name. Although, [[Hasbro]]'s [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?guid=7fd5ecd9-19b9-f369-1041-a7635be83172 online timeline]—meant as prequel to ''War for Cybertron''—refers to Optimus's pre-Prime name as "Orion Pax" like ''Exodus''. Furthermore, in [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|War for Cybertron]]'' comic, [[Alex Irvine]], in adapting scenes from his novel, still keeps the character's name as "Orion Pax", when it is also meant to occur prior the game's events. In ''Fall of Cybertron'', the sequel to ''War for Cybertron'', the name "Orion Pax" is actually even used in that game, so it is entirely possible that, via a slight [[retcon]], Optimus did indeed go by "Orion Pax" in the games prior his ever first going by "Optimus".
*Optimus is rather forgetful in ''Exodus''. Alpha Trion tells him twice that he had suggested to the High Council that Orion might be the Prime foretold in the [[Covenant of Primus]]. Then he tells Jetfire that the Core told him of Project Generation One, when it was a contingency plan Trion told him about, put in place since the Breaking of the Primes. Then again, leading an army for thousands or millions of years may place a strain on a bot's memory servers.
*Optimus's CG model underwent modifications between "[[Darkness Rising]]" and the first season proper, with his chest windows lowered somewhat during scenes when he is not in battle.
*Optimus Prime's truck mode in ''Fall of Cybertron'' is described by [[High Moon Studios]] principal artist [[Mike Brown]] as a "fist with wheels attached to it."<ref>{{citesocial|quote=|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118173459/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/10/fall-of-cybertron-the-new-optimus-prime.aspx|name=Ben Hanson|site=Game Informer|title=Fall Of Cybertron: The New Optimus Prime|year=2011|month=10|day=10}}</ref>
*At [[BotCon 2012]], High Moon Studios stated that [[Path Blaster|"Optimus Prime's weapon"]] was designed to look like an earlier version of the rifles he wields in the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' television series.
*Optimus Prime's body parts are available to use in [[Hub Network|The Hub]] website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Optimus Prime parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop.
*Optimus' appearance after being repaired by the Forge of Solus Prime is fairly reminiscent of Optimus' "Super Mode" appearance in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'', especially in regards to the wings, and how he holds his blaster in the show, slung under his hand.
*The initial and final colorations of Prime's robot modes in ''RID'' strongly resemble the original [[Action Master]] Prime.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Optimus Prime''' (オプティマス・プライム ''Oputimasu Puraimu''), '''Orion Pax''' (オライオンパックス ''Oraion Pakkusu''), '''Optimus Exprime''' (''Go!'', オプティマスエクスプライム ''Oputimasu Ekusupuraimu'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Optimusz Fővezér''' ("Supreme Commander Optimus"),<ref>''Robots in Disguise'' game, ''Rescue Bots Academy'', his correct G1 name</ref> '''Optimusz Prime''',<ref>mainline cartoons</ref> '''Optimusz Vezér''' ("Leader Optimus"),<ref>''Rescue Bots'' intro</ref> '''Orion Pax'''
*''Korean:'' '''Optimus Prime''' (옵티머스 프라임 ''Optimeoseu Peuraim''), '''Orion Pax''' (오라이온 팩스 ''Oraion Paekseu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kēbówén''' (Taiwan, 柯博文), '''Qíngtīanzhù''' (China, 擎天柱, "Pillar that Supports the Sky")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Thirteen}}
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! combiners]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Prime Decepticons]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Red Order]]
[[Category:Rescue Bots Autobots]]
[[Category:Rescue Bots Academy Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) Autobots]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]
[[Category:Transformers Online Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game Autobots]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]

Bombshell (SG)

2024-08-28T02:08:55Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|sgDecepticon}}
{{disambig3.5|the heroic Insecticon|his evil counterpart|Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell}}
:''Bombshell is a heroic [[Decepticon]] [[Insecticon (SG)|Insecticon]] from the [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File: SG Bombshell.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.6|HE'S GOING FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!]]
'''Bombshell''' is one of the [[Decepticon]]s' psychologists in charge of looking after the psychiatric health of the troops, including holding regular group therapy sessions. Outside of those sessions he can often be seen making deep-voiced, calm suggestions of ways to relax and unwind. When faced with especially excitable patients—particularly hostile [[Autobot]]s—he skips to administering instant sedation with his [[anestho-shell]]s.
{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===Fun Publications ''Shattered Glass'' continuity===
[[File:Insecticons SG.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|left|The guy on the right might be Bombshell.]]
[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] ranked the possibility of seeing his own corpse as maybe the three-hundredth weirdest thing about the universe he was now stuck in, somewhere between Bombshell's group therapy sessions and the weird aftertaste that [[energon]] had. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

[[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] discovered that the captured [[Dinobot (SG)|Dinocons]] [[Omega Terminus|mysteriously]] [[Grimlock (SG)|had]] [[spark|embers]] and the ability to [[Transformation|transform]], and had also become smarter and undergone some personality changes. He ordered Bombshell to give them a complete psychiatric evaluation to ensure they hadn't become dangerous. Bombshell reported that preliminary tests were "promising". {{storylink|Do Over}}

Months later on [[Earth]], Bombshell, [[Blitzwing (SG)|Blitzwing]], and [[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]] were dispatched to deal with an Autobot plot to create drone attackers out of Earth cars via a rigged car wash. Though he was unable to rein in Sideswipe's gung-ho charge on the drones themselves, Bombshell explained to the worried Blitzwing the more useful details of the situation, and reassured him that the owners of the hijacked cars would be properly compensated.

Bombshell then swooped in to attack, dodging a hail of cars thrown at him by [[Brawn (SG)|Brawn]]. At first Bombshell's attempts to talk Brawn down and anesthetize him were easily blocked by the Autobot. However, once Blitzwing activated his new sonic ability, it distracted Brawn just long enough for a second anestho-shell to hit home. Since the sonic assault had also scrambled the drones, Bombshell then went to bail out Sideswipe before he got in too far over his head.

Fortunately, Bombshell and Sideswipe were able to finish off that task just in time to save Blitzwing from [[Elita-One (SG)|Elita-One]], with a well-thrown car missile of their own. Their mission accomplished, Bombshell recommended they all get a nice drink of [[oil]] to relax... until he realized he could hear terrible music coming over ''their'' emergency frequency. He thought he was losing it, until they realized the worse truth that Blitzwing's sonic ability had now spread to the Decepticons as well. The three returned to the ''Nemesis'' to deal with the new development. {{storylink|Blitzwing Bop}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:EpilogueTwo Nightbird.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb]]
Bombshell was one of the heroic Decepticons present to examine the captured infiltration robot [[Nightbird (SG)|Nightbird]]. {{storylink|Epilogue Two}}
{{--}}

===IDW ''Shattered Glass'' comic===
Part of the Insecticon battle squad, Bombshell joined them in infiltrating [[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]]'s fortress to free Starscream from captivity. His first act was to emerge from a wall vent and use his [[cerebro-shell]] to mindjack [[Freeway (SG)|Freeway]], puppeteered into walloping fellow guard [[Tap-Out (SG)|Tap-Out]] before himself being incapacitated by the shell's after effects. Bombshell would tragically become the first to fall, quickly slain by a blast from Goldbug's cannon before having his corpse used as a projectile weapon against his comrades. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 4}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Collector's Edition''===
[[File:G1-toy Salvo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Insectron Clone Army''' (Multi-pack, [[2004]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''74''' (individual), '''76''' (clones set)
:*''Accessories'': [[Ion impulse blaster|Bipartite ion impulse blaster]], energon cube
{{note|''Collector's Edition'' [[Salvo (G1)|Salvo]] was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as ''Shattered Glass'' Bombshell.}}

: ''[[The Transformers: Collector's Edition|Collector's Edition]]'' Salvo is a [[redeco]] of the original [[Bombshell (G1)#The Transformers|Bombshell]] mold, transforming into a mechanical rhino beetle. Its coloration is based on the original pre-''Transformers'' "Waruder Kabutron" ''[[Diaclone]]'' release; the molding is as well, as it lacks the indent in the chromed horn added during the ''Transformers'' run that enables it to fold down further in robot mode. The "control seat" in the insect-mode back / robot-mode chest can open up and store one of the three [[energon cube]]s that come with the set. Or anything else you wanna cram in there.

: Salvo was only available in the [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] set with [[Shothole#Toys|Shothole]] and [[Zaptrap#Toys|Zaptrap]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Destron/Salvo/salvo.htm More information on Salvo at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:SGBombshell.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|]]
*Bombshell's appearance in "Epilogue Two" is inspired by his Generation 1 counterpart's original character model (recolored sketch by [[Jesse Wittenrich]] at right).
*In [[IDW Publishing]]'s comic, Bombshell ''might'' be drawn according to the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Legends Class [[Bombshell (G1)#Combiner Wars|Bombshell toy]]. It's hard to tell.

[[Category:Insecticons]]
[[Category:Psychologists]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass Decepticons]]

The Transformers: Till All Are One

2024-08-28T02:08:41Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{disambig3|'Til All Are One}}

[[File:TAAO-V1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''[[Combaticon (G1)|Human beings in a mob]]'' ''What's a mob to a [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|king]]?'' ''What's a king to a [[Elita One (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|god]]?'' ''What's a god to a [[Windblade (G1)|non-believer]] who don't believe in anything?'']]

''''' The Transformers: Till All Are One''''' is an ongoing comic series begun by [[IDW Publishing]] in [[Calendar|June]] [[2016]]. The series ran for twelve issues before concluding with a wrap-up annual released in December 2017.<ref name="Canceled">[http://www.mscottwriter.com/2017/06/01/transformers-till-all-are-one-is-cancelled/ Ms. Scott Writes: Transformers: Till All Are One wrapping up with issue 12 and an Annual.]</ref> With ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' following [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s exploits on Earth and ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]'' set in deep space, ''Till All Are One'' takes place on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the reunited [[Titan (group)|Titan]] colonies. As a sequel to the two ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' miniseries, the ongoing comic follows the adventures of [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], and the [[Council of Worlds]] as they attempt to maintain the newfound peace.

The title is not just a [[The Transformers: The Movie|callback]], it's thematic: all the characters are striving to bring about the unity and cohesion that the term implies, but the biggest threat is that assimilation and imperial hegemony will be forced upon the Cybertronian worlds.<ref>[http://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2016/06/episode-177-mairghread-scott-talks-till-all-are-one/ Episode 177 – Mairghread Scott Talks Till All Are One]</ref>

IDW asked if Scott wanted to do the ol' comic standby of a random shakeup after ''[[First Strike]]'', to see if this boosted sales, but she declined.<ref>[http://www.mscottwriter.com/2017/06/01/transformers-till-all-are-one-is-cancelled/ Ms. Scott Writes]: "Our attrition rate was fairly normal and Issue 12 would be our profitability breaking point. We were asked if we wanted to do something to shake things up (shift focus, shift cast, shift story) after the First Strike event, which is also normal, but I didn’t. I love Transformers, but I’ve been writing it for literally years and I wanted to tell this story. So rather than think of a new story I didn’t love as much, I just chose to end us here."</ref>

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers: Till All Are One'' issues|align=center|prev=The Transformers: Windblade|content=
* [[07:00:00|#1]]
* [[Applicable Skills|#2]]
* [[Things We Said We'd Never Do|#3]]
* [[The Line Between Us|#4]]
* [[Informed|Revolution]]
* [[Ping|#5]]
* [[Desperate Times|#6]]
* [[Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|#7]]
* [[Rubicon|#8]]
* [[Heavy|#9]]
* [[The Price of You|#10]]
* [[If I Know You|#11]]
* [[Your First Mistake|#12]]
* [[The Chosen One|Annual 2017]]
}}

==Overview==
In the wake of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], [[Republic of Cybertron|Cybertron]] finally reestablished contact and opened up diplomatic relationships with five of its colonies: [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Velocitron]], [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]], and [[Vigilem|Carcer]]. Thanks to the efforts of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[cityspeaker]]-turned-diplomat Windblade, these scattered Transformer civilizations have formed an interplanetary parliament known as the [[Council of Worlds]]. Now it's up to Windblade and her allies to keep Starscream and his boundless political ambitions in check, both on Cybertron and amongst the colonies.

Starscream comes into contact with the exiled Eukarian [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] and at his command, she begins lobotomizing Decepticon citizens in search of the whereabouts of Swindle's body, which vanished not too long after Starscream shot him through the back, the murders causing a wave of outrage at the Badgeless. This riles up the Decepticon population, prompting Windblade to attempt to rein in Starscream, who then reminds her about the leverage he holds over her bodyguard Chromia. Things get worse when Onslaught and the Combaticons kill a Decepticon in an attempt to spur the general public into overthrowing Starscream. In response, Starscream appoints Ironhide as the new Head of Cybertron Security and begins recruiting Cybertronians for his new police force, including Blast Off, who was actually playing the double agent role for Onslaught. Soon enough, Swindle's whereabouts are uncovered and it leads the Combaticons to the depths of Metroplex, where they merge into Bruticus and rampage throughout Iacon. Ironhide is called in to bring the gestalt down, and after the dust settles, Chromia confesses to Cybertron that she planted the bombs in Metroplex's Acrolight District, and is promptly arrested thereafter.

Following Chromia's arrest, Windblade is [[Revolution|briefly called to Earth by Optimus]] and returns mere hours before a fleet of undead Titans is due to arrive on Cybertron. Transformers from all over the Republic gather on Cybertron to defend their ancestral homeworld, but even a renewed Metroplex falls before the sheer strength and number of the undead. Desperate, Starscream and Windblade make a plan to seize control of Carcer from Elita One despite her vow that the Titan will never again be allowed access to his robot mode. Through a two pronged operation, Windblade manages to access Carcer's brain module only to find "Carcer" is none other than Vigilem. The power of the evil Titan proves enough to save Cybertron, and he quickly sets to work releasing his true master: [[Liege Maximo]]. While he succeeds, Elita One quickly kills Vigilem by blasting his brain module to nothing, much to Maximo's anger. The Prime, however, teleports away swearing vengeance for his banishment and the death of his follower.

In the aftermath, Cybertron (again) begins to rebuild with Elita One and the Mistress of Flame applying political pressure on Starscream. Desperate to keep his rule, the Seeker frees Chromia with the directive to kill Liege Maximo for him and has Airachnid brainwash Bruticus to be loyal to him. Before the dust from that crisis even has time to settle however, it is revealed that Vigilem still lives, having downloaded his mind into Windblade's with the two battling for control. In a crisis of conscience, however, Starscream connects himself to the Cityspeaker to help her expunge the Titan only for Vigilem to download himself into the Seeker and nearly take over his body before a pep talk from Windblade allows the two jets to end the evil Titan once and for all.

After Vigilem's defeat and [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]]'s [[First Strike|invasion]], an election is held to decide the next ruler of Cybertron. After a moment of conscience brought on by his mind-meld with Windblade, Starscream willingly confesses to all of his crimes, leading to his arrest and Windblade's resounding victory. In doing so, Starscream fulfills [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]]'s "Chosen One" prophecy, by uniting Cybertron's people ''against'' him for the good of the planet.

==Creative team==
[[Mairghread Scott]] returns for the ongoing as a writer, with [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] handling artistic duties.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/exclusive-first-details-for-idws-latest-transformers-ongoing-till-all-are-one]: "EXCLUSIVE: First Details for IDW's Latest "Transformers" Ongoing, "Till All Are One"</ref> Colors were by [[Priscilla Tramontano]] and [[Joana Lafuente]].

==Collections==
* '''''The Transformers: Till All Are One, Volume 1''''' ([[December 14]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631408089 / ISBN 978-1631408083 
** Collects ''Till All Are One'' issues #1–4.
** Bonus material includes art from most covers.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''The Transformers: Till All Are One, Volume 2''''' ([[July 19]], [[2017]]) ISBN 1631409247 / ISBN 978-1631409240 
** Collects ''Till All Are One: Revolution'' #1 and issues #5–8.
** Bonus material includes art from most covers.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 75: Titans Return, Part 1''''' ([[February 7]], [[2018]])
** Collects ''Till All Are One'' issues #1–4, ''[[Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return]]'' [[The Last Autobot|#1]], [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'' (2012)]] issues [[White Light|#56]]–[[White Heat|57]], and ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' issues [[Ten to Midnight|#56]]–[[Last Light (issue)|57]].
** Bonus material includes a two-page article on the beginnings of ''More than Meets the Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise''.
** Hardcover format.

* '''''The Transformers: Till All Are One, Volume 3''''' ([[April 11]], 2018) ISBN 1684050863 / ISBN 978-1684050864 
** Collects ''Till All Are One'' issues #9–12 and Annual 2017.
** Bonus material includes art from most covers.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 76: Titans Return, Part 2''''' ([[July 25]], 2018)
** Collects ''Till All Are One'' issues #5–11.
** Bonus material includes an article on ''Revolution''.
** Hardcover format.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 80: Requiem of the Wreckers''''' ([[May 29]], [[2019]])
** Collects ''Till All Are One'' #12 & Annual 2017, [[Ghost Stories|''Transformers'' Annual 2017]], and ''[[Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers]]''.
** Bonus material includes a Wreckers sketchbook and notebook material from [[Nick Roche]].
** Hardcover format.

<gallery>
File:TAAO-V1.jpg|'''''Till All Are One, Volume 1''''' – cover art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
File:TAAO-V2.jpg|'''''Till All Are One, Volume 2''''' – cover art by Sara Pitre-Durocher
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v75.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 75: Titans Return, Part 1''''' – cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] (Arcee) and [[Livio Ramondelli]] (retro)
File:TAAO-V3.jpg|'''''Till All Are One, Volume 3''''' – cover art by Sara Pitre-Durocher
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v76.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 76: Titans Return, Part 2''''' – cover art by Don Figueroa (Metroplex) and Sara Pitre-Durocher (retro)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v80.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 80: Requiem of the Wreckers''''' – cover art by Don Figueroa (Carnivac) and [[Nick Roche]] (retro)
</gallery>

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 12]]''''' ([[February 10]], [[2021]]) ISBN 1684057469 / ISBN 978-1684057467
** Collects ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues [[All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|#51]]–[[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|55]] & #56–57, ''Till All Are One'' issues #1–4, ''Titans Return'' #1, and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #56–57.
** Hardcover format.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 1]]''''' ([[November 17]], 2021) ISBN 1684058422 / ISBN 978-1684058426
** Collects ''[[Revolution]]'' issues [[Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|#0]]–[[Valley Forge|5]], ''Till All Are One: Revolution'' #1 & issues #5–8, ''The Transformers'' (2012): [[Thundercracker & Buster Save the World|''Revolution'' #1]], [[The Modern World|''Action Man: Revolution'' #1]], ''More than Meets the Eye:'' [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|''Revolution'' #1]], and ''[[Revolutionaries]]'' issues [[Crisis Intervention|#1]]–[[The Iron Klaw|4]].
** Hardcover format.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2]]''''' ([[April 6]], [[2022]]) ISBN 1684058775 / ISBN 978-1684058778
** Collects ''Till All Are One'' issues #9–12, ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' issues [[New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|#1]]–[[New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|6]], and ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]'' issues [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|#1]]–[[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|7]].
** Hardcover format.

* '''''[[Transformers: Best of Starscream]]''''' ([[September 21]], 2022)
** Collects ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'' [[Infiltration issue 6|#6]], ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Three Monologues|#20: "Three Monologues"]], ''[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]:'' "[[Choose Me]]", ''Till All Are One'' [[Your First Mistake|#12: "Your First Mistake"]], and [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|''Shattered Glass'']] [[Shattered Glass issue 3|#3]].
** Bonus material includes an art gallery.
** One-shot format.

* '''''[[Transformers: Best of Windblade]]''''' ([[December 7]], [[2022]])
** Collects [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'s first appearance from ''More than Meets the Eye'' [[Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|#26: "Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8"]], [[The Transformers: Windblade|''Windblade'' (2014)]] [[A 'Bot and Her City|#1: "A 'Bot and Her City"]], ''Till All Are One'' [[The Chosen One|Annual 2017: "The Chosen One"]], and [[Transformers (2019 comic)|''Transformers'' (2019)]] [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three|#9: "The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three"]].
** Bonus material includes an art gallery.
** One-shot format.

<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionP2V12.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 12''''' – cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]]
File:IDWCollectionP3V1.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 1''''' – cover art by Sara Pitre-Durocher
File:IDWCollectionP3V2.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2''''' – cover art by Sara Pitre-Durocher
File:BestOfStarscream_cvr.jpg|'''''Best of Starscream''''' – cover art by [[James Biggie]]
File:BestOfWindblade cvr.jpg|'''''Best of Windblade''''' – cover art by James Biggie
</gallery>

==Notes==
* The first 4 issues of the series had the "Road to [[Revolution]]" banner on the cover, but the contents of the issues did not tie in to the event.
* Plots that Scott would like to have to used, but was unable to use before cancellation included: Elita One repopulating and creating a militarised Kaon that almost restarts the war; a deeper look at the divides in [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukarian]] tribal society (which would have apparently involved Ironhide's security company trying to capture a serial killer <ref>Margirhead Scott at TFNation 2018</ref>); the escapades of Ironhide's security company; all the fembots from the original G1 cartoon teaming up for an issue; and most important of all: "Tall Tankor and Fat Tankor meet the Micromaster Tankor that turns into a train and they hate him for, like, no reason. He just can’t get into the “tankor clique”."<ref name="Canceled"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Till All Are One}}
[[Category:IDW (2005) comic series]]
[[Category:Till All Are One issues]]

Onslaught (WFC)

2024-08-28T02:08:09Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Onslaught}}
:''Onslaught is a [[Decepticon]] [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[File:WFC Onslaught bot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Status as roaring and/or a dudicus: unconfirmed.]]

The [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticon]]s are a fairly unruly mob, and it takes a strict leader to keep them in check. Thankfully, '''Onslaught''' fills that role nicely. Precision, strategy, and cunning are his watchwords, and they'll be necessary to rein in his troops. Submitting himself to [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]'s [[combiner]] experiments, he became the core of the dangerously unstable gestalt form known as [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]].

==Fiction==
===''Aligned'' novels===
Onslaught was put into [[stasis lock]] under [[Crystal City]] with the rest of Bruticus Maximus when Shockwave's combination experiment proved unsuccessful. After [[Devastator (WFC)|Devastator]] destroyed Crystal City, Bruticus was revived and sent to [[Kalis]]. But the Autobots won, with [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] and [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] taking down the giant. Sideswipe boasted he tore off Bruticus's head, which was formed by Onslaught. Bruticus was later repaired and deployed at [[Praxus]] and spearheaded the [[Nova Cronum]] massacre. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

===''The Covenant of Primus''===

The Combaticons remained behind on Cybertron after the launch of the [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]] and the [[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]. Onslaught and his comrades fought against the [[Wreckers]] to help [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] maintain control of Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Onslaught and the rest of the Combaticons had the ability to merge into the mighty Bruticus! It is not known whether they followed Megatron to Earth in his quest for the Allspark or if they remained behind on Cybertron, as they had yet to have been seen adopting an Earth vehicle mode. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3)===

{{Note|Onslaught is a downloadable content character,<ref name="WFC DLC listing">[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/07/first-transformers-war-for-cybertron-dlc-contains-all-three-preorder-characters/ First Transformers: War For Cybertron DLC Contains All Three Preorder Characters, Kotaku.com, July 3 2010]</ref> made available by downloading the ''Transformers: War for Cybertron Map and Character Pack''. He is not playable in the ''War for Cybertron'' storyline campaign. He was available for the XBox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, but not for the PC version.}}

{{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
{{voiceactor|[[Brad Davidorf]] (English)|[[Bruno Carna]] (French)}}
[[File:WFC Onslaught vehicle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Noticeably lacking in fandom shout-outs.]]

{{Note|Onslaught is an unlockable character for the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|Nintendo DS version]] of ''War for Cybertron'' (Decepticon version), unlocked by finding a disc in the mission "Reactivating the Energon Bridge" (requires Heavy and Light class characters). Like the other unlockable characters, he can replace any of the other Decepticons in the campaign mode.}}

Onslaught defended the [[Dark Energon]] injection machines. Wielding a large hammer, he introduced himself to his foes with a simple "Get ready for an ONSLAUGHT!", but was eventually defeated by the Autobots.
{{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|War for Cybertron - Autobots/Decepticons}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{voiceactor|[[Travis Willingham]] (English)}}

[[File:FOC-OnslaughtStarscream.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Now available in lime.]] Onslaught joined the Combaticons in the closing battles of the Great War. He and [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]] helped Starscream ambush Optimus under one of the [[Warp Cannon]]s, and dragged him before Megatron. After Megatron was mashed into the ground by [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]], he along with the rest of the Combaticons fell under [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]'s command.

They began a mission to assault an Autobot tanker, loaded with Energon the Autobots had managed to steal from the Decepticons. Onslaught's plan, which he had to keep reminding Starscream was his, called for the team to split up, as [[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]] eliminated enemy scouts, [[Blast Off (FOC)|Blast Off]] and [[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]] would clear a path for Brawl to arrive on a transport and destroy the supports to the bridge the tanker was headed for, diverting it into an ambush led by Starscream. However Starscream bungled the plan by continuing the air assault despite the heavy anti-air guns, and Onslaught decided to continue on despite Starscream's retreat order. Once the tanker's anti-air guns disabled, the Combaticons merged into [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]] so they could smash through the rest of the defenses surrounding the bridge. They disassembled to take the bridge itself, but the tanker was so badly damaged, they could do little more than attempt to guide its crash landing. Following the crash, Onslaught was arrested alongside his teammates by Starscream's henchmen, despite his protests that destroying half of the Energon inside was better than letting the Autobots have all of it.

Onslaught was later released alongside everyone else who opposed Starscream after Megatron was resurrected by Soundwave. He offered to lead the Combaticons after the fleeing Starscream, but Megatron had other plans; to recover [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]'s power core. During the assault, Onslaught combined with the others again to assist their leader. Onslaught was aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' before the Decepticons' assault on the fleeing [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]], and became part of Bruticus as the giant attacked the Ark's engines. Bruticus killed off dozens of Autobots before being taken down by the combined effort of [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] and [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] and was last seen flying off the Ark, the Combaticons' fate unknown.
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron}}

{{note|Onslaught is also a playable character in the 'Downfall' Escalation map. He fights alongside [[Quake (FOC)|Quake]] and fellow Combaticons [[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]] and [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]]. He is the team's [[Medic (FOC)|Medic]], with a heal beam that can be used to revive an injured teammate and replenish their health.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
{{voiceactor|[[Travis Willingham]] (English)}}

When Shockwave went missing while trying to transport the [[Dark Spark]] back to [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]], Onslaught and the Combaticons were dispatched to track him down. Vortex found the missing scientist along with a [[Sharpshot|new recruit]]. Taking the info in stride, Onslaught quickly took charge, issuing orders to Swindle to escort Shockwave and his precious cargo while the other Combaticons covered their flanks. Swindle attempted to complain, but Onslaught cut him off by reminding him who was in command.

Just as Swindle and Shockwave reached the Gates of Kaon, the Autobots under the command of Jazz launched a desperate assault in order to prevent Megatron from getting his hands on the artifact. Onslaught took cover while discussing options with Shockwave and the others, with a shell landing dangerously close by. When Blast-Off's suggestion that he simply fly the Dark Spark in was belayed by Shockwave's warnings of its volatility, Onslaught concluded that the only option was to push through.

While coordinating the defense, Onslaught ordered Shockwave to stay put and tasked Swindle with seeing he made it in one piece. As they drew closer, Onslaught personally defended the Gates and came under fire from an Autobot [[Titan (FOC)|Titan]]. Once Swindle destroyed the Titan, Onslaught praised him for a job well done. At that moment, Vortex and Blast Off also arrived and Onslaught quickly gave the order to combine into Bruticus. The combiner quickly ravaged the Autobot ranks until seizing [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] as a hostage and forcing the Autobots to stand down. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

====3DS====
{{Charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (3DS)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Onslaught-(FoC).jpg|thumb|400px]]
Onslaught (FoC) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character who could be acquired as a reward for 20 leagues in the "Bruticus' Chaos" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-Onslaught.jpg|right|thumb|upright=3|He has caused many a teenage girl's squeal, and probably even more thirty-year-old men's squeals.]]
*'''Decepticon Bruticus''' (multi-pack, [[2012]])
**''Accessories:'' Twin-barreled cannon
: The first version of Onslaught released was made available as part of a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] [[exclusive]] "[[Bruticus (WFC)#Generations|Decepticon Bruticus]]" [[giftset]]. Like most Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive toys, it was initially sold at the store's booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] and made available at the store's website a few days later.

: Onslaught's [[alternate mode]] is a four-wheeled [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] "Missile Carrier" truck, with the main color being a dark, dull shade of ocher, with some [[paint operation|painted]] highlights in a muted shade of green. Although the general vibe of the set is [[show-accuracy|game-accurate]] colors, Onslaught is actually substantially ''less'' accurate as an individual, sacrificing his own colors to better serve as Bruticus's head and torso. His twin-barreled cannon can be attached to two small pegs on top of the vehicle mode, completing his "missile carrier" mode.

: In addition to his robot and vehicle modes, Onslaught can also combine with his fellow Combaticons into Bruticus, serving as the gestalt torso. Bruticus's head is permanently attached to Onslaught's body. The most obtrusive indicators of Onslaught's combiner capability are the two pegs for attaching the Combaticons that form the gestalt arms, which are placed on the outsides of the front wheels, making them stick out rather prominently in vehicle mode.

: Onslaught's twin-barreled cannon can either be attached to Bruticus's back (although as the result of a [[design flaw]], two small tabs that are very prone to showing stress marks, and eventually breaking, are used to attach the cannon more securely), mimicking the cannon barrels on [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]'s back, which were also characteristic elements of ''Generation 1'' [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s design, or can be combined with the other Combaticons' weapons to form Bruticus's Sonic Cannon.

: A [[redeco]] of Onslaught in more "flashy" (and, in his case, somewhat more game-accurate) colors was available as an individually-released mass retail toy (see below), whereas a redeco in ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' colors (as the ''Generation 1'' Onslaught character) was released as part of a shared Amazon.com/[[BigBadToyStore]] exclusive [[Bruticus (G1)#WFC|Decepticon Bruticus]] gift set. The sculpt was also retooled into [[Impactor (Prime)#Generations|Impactor]].
{{-}}

{{anchor|Retail}}
[[File:Generationstoy-RetailOnslaught.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Now you know how [[Hulk]] feels.]]
*'''Onslaught''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series/number'': '''01/#004'''
**'''PART 1 OF 5!'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[2013]]-[[January 26|01-26]]'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TG07'''
**''Accessories:'' Cannons
{{toydesigner|[[Lenny Panzica]] (Hasbro)}}

: A [[redeco]] of Onslaught from the Decepticon Bruticus gift set was available individually alongside his fellow Combaticons as part of the second [[wave]] of the ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]''-themed 2012-onwards Deluxe Class ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' assortment. Overall, these versions of the Combaticons replace the [[show-accuracy|game-accurate]], [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]]-inspired decoes with more "flashy" colors apparently homaging the color scheme of [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]]. Onslaught, however, is an exception to this: Although his colors are brighter and more vivid, the colors themselves are more game-accurate, replacing the dull shade of ocher with dark blue as the main color.

: Aside from the colors, mass retail Onslaught is identical to the version from the Decepticon Bruticus gift set.
: The TakaraTomy Japanese release features a shade of dark blue similar to Hasbro's. Naturally, it features more paint applications, such as blue on the wheels and painted "light" details.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/Onslaught/onslaught.htm More information on retail Onslaught at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Platinum Edition''===
*'''Grimlock vs Decepticon Bruticus''' (Multi-pack, 2013)
**''Accessories'': Sonic Cannon

:''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' "Decepticon Bruticus" is a seemingly-identical re-release of his San Diego Comic-Con 2012 toy. He comes with a redeco of ''Fall of Cybertron'' [[Grimlock (WFC)#Platinum Edition|Grimlock]].

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Mark-brassington-onslaught-skin.jpg|thumb|300x200px|right]]

* At one point, ''Exodus'' refers to Onslaught as a Constructicon, but this seems likely to be an error as the Combaticon name is used later.
* Onslaught is usable in both the Autobot and Decepticon versions of the ''War for Cybertron'' games for the DS. Used only for multiplayer, bonus missions and Arena mode in the Autobot version and used in Multiplayer, Arena mode, and campaign in the Decepticon version.
* A glitch causes Onslaught (or rather [[Leader (WFC)|Leader]] class characters using his "Tactical Rig" model) to be immune to the [[Scout (WFC)|Scout]]'s Mark target ability in ''War for Cybertron''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s competitive multiplayer while in robot mode, but it works when in vehicle mode.
*In the game files of ''[[Transformers Universe (Jagex)|Transformers Universe]]'', Onslaught's portrait is among the many playable characters portraits. Further, [[Mark Brassington]] uploaded images of Onslaught's model on Artstation, even though Onslaught was never officially announced to ever be included in the game.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Onslaught''' (オンスロート ''Onsurōto'')
*''Russian:'' '''Shturmovik''' (Штурмовик, "Stormtrooper")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Xíjí''' (China, 袭击, "Raid")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Combaticons]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Platinum Edition]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Universe game Decepticons]]

Deore

2024-08-24T17:27:01Z

Tribimat: Notes tweaked (mainly with regard to Old English - 'diere' is a Middle English form)

:''Deore is a [[human]] character from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

{{mainpic}}
Lady '''Deore''' helps run the household of Sir [[Aetheling the Red]].

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
While Aetheling was speaking with time-displaced Autobots outside, Lady Deore was overseeing other women working on tapestries inside the castle. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (episode)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}}

==Notes==
*Deore is only named in the script's description of the scene. She is presumably Aetheling's wife and [[Nimue]]'s mother, but this is not explicitly stated.
*"Déore" is one of the Old English / Anglo-Saxon forms of the modern word "dear".

[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon humans]]

DIS-Integrated Circuits!

2024-06-23T10:26:41Z

Tribimat: typofix

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #9
|prev=Repeat Performance!
|next=The Next Best Thing to Being There!
|title="DIS-Integrated Circuits!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #33–34
|prev2=The Wrath of Grimlock!
|next2=The Next Best Thing to Being There!
|image=MarvelUS-09.jpg
|caption=Decepticon sexual harassment violates you. And it violates the law.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[June 25]], [[1985]] ("on sale" [[July 16]], 1985)
|coverdate=October 1985
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Mike Manley]]
|inks="[[M. Hands]]"
|colors=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letters=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Christopher J. Priest|Jim Owsley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''The Autobots, now restored, strike a deal with G.B. Blackrock. But one of his former employees has other plans.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Anti-robotphotonicmulti-cannon.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7|"Jack Kirby's Sybian City Saga" never got the attention it deserved, really.]]
[[G.B. Blackrock]], driving practice laps on a race track, is interrupted by General [[Capshaw]], who expresses concern over Blackrock's plans to unveil a new weapon designed to destroy the [[Transformer]]s. Blackrock shrugs him off, and goes to visit [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]] in her hospital room to update her on the situation. She, in turn, shows Blackrock some technology she's been working on from her hospital bed, causing Blackrock to worry that she may put herself in another dangerous situation in her desire for revenge against the robots who crippled her.

These fears are warranted when Josie escapes from her hospital room, and shows up in Blackrock's office that night, revealing herself as Circuit Breaker, wearing a metal suit designed to compensate for her damaged nervous system and granting her offensive capability against any mechanical form. Blackrock orders her to forget the whole thing and get back to the hospital; Circuit Breaker ignores him and says she's going to do what she has to.

The [[Autobot]]s have been revived after their imprisonment aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], with [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] in command. They seek a new solution to their fuel shortage, and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] takes [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] and goes to strike a deal with G.B. Blackrock. Kidnapping the billionaire, Jazz offers to provide him with protection from the [[Decepticon]]s in exchange for fuel. After a few confused moments, Blackrock agrees.

[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] is feeling mutinous after receiving word that the Autobots are online again and that [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] has disappeared. [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] sends him and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] to destroy Blackrock's weapon, allowing them to blow off some steam.

[[File:DisintegratedCircuits buster uses matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
[[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'s customers are also feeling mutinous, as [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] can only offer fumbling excuses and delays while his father remains in the hospital. Despite tinkering with the automobiles in for repairs, it's all a mystery to him. But another headache-seizure grips him, and in a flash, everything becomes clear—the structure, the problem, everything. Buster repairs an engine block with merely a thought.

Later that day, the unveiling of Blackrock's [[Anti-Robot Photonic Multi-Cannon]] is sabotaged by Circuit Breaker, in an effort to get him to announce '''her''' as his intended weapon. The Decepticons attack just then. Jazz and Wheeljack transform, intending to make good on their promise to provide Blackrock with protection; but Circuit Breaker, unable to discern between Autobot and Decepticon, severely injures Wheeljack. Between her and Jazz, the Decepticons are driven off, though Jazz is damaged. Although Circuit Breaker spares Jazz at Blackrock's pleading, she destroys his weapon, and severs her ties with him. Blackrock fears she is the only one to have truly lost the day's battle...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (6)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (7)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (8)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (9)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (10)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (11)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] (12)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (13)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (14)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]] (15)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (17)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (18)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (19)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (20)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (21)
}}
|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (22)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (23)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (24)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (25)
|c3=
*[[Chuck (G1)|Chuck]] (1)
*[[Ames (G1)|Ames]] (2)
*[[Capshaw]] (3)
*[[G.B. Blackrock]] (4)
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] (5)
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (26)
}}

==Quotes==
"Getting fuel is a piece of cake!" 
"Cake is fuel?"
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Prowl''' - different strokes, man.

"Now, with your okay, I'm going to pay a visit to Mr. Blackrock. We have a deal to negotiate." 
"As my Special Operations officer, you have my complete trust, Jazz. Permission granted. Take '''Wheeljack''' with you as a back-up. I only wish I knew what I just gave you permission '''for!'''"
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Prowl'''

"Or else... fall before the sonic fury of... '''Frenzy!!''' Ha ha ha!! Ha! Ha-ha-ha! ...An Autobot -- '''here!''' No matter -- you'll be a flaming piece of junk when I'm done with you! Ha ha ha!"
:—'''Frenzy''', smashing stuff and happy as a clam.

==Notes==
===Production notes===
[[File:SecretWarsII-Circuitbreaker.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75|They lack the "[[spark]]"? How things change...]]
*This issue marks the introduction of Josie Beller's superhuman identity, Circuit Breaker. Conceived and designed by Budiansky to resemble Marvel colorist Janet "Jay Jay" Jackson, Circuit Breaker will go on to become easily the most famous of the comic's original characters, but this would not translate to roles in wider Transformers fiction—because Budiansky and Marvel orchestrated it so that ''they'' would own her, not Hasbro. Hasbro's licensing agreement with Marvel stated that any new characters debuting within ''The Transformers'' would be their property, so, to circumvent this, Budiansky requested that Marvel insert Circuit Breaker into the pages of their crossover event ''{{w|Secret Wars II}}'' prior to her appearance in the comic. So it was that Circuit Breaker debuted in ''Secret Wars II'' #3 (right), released a month before ''The Transformers'' #9, securing Marvel ownership of the character. The issue contained a capsule summary of Circuit Breaker's origin and her hatred of robots (with a footnote directing readers to pick up ''Transformers'' #9 for more); in fact, it was her disgust of such "soulless mockeries of life" that "had no true free will" that convinced the antagonist of the series, {{w|Beyonder (comics)|the Beyonder}}, to release Earth from the mind-control he had placed it under, as he realized he had reduced humanity to a comparable state.

===Continuity notes===
*If the circumstances surrounding Circuit Breaker didn't make it clear enough, this issue was still being written from the perspective that ''The Transformers'' was set within the wider Marvel Universe, as is further evidenced by the newspaper in which [[Capshaw|General Capshaw]] reads about Blackrock's upcoming weapons test: it's the [[Daily Bugle]], the publication that pays [[Spider-Man]]'s bills, which previously appeared in [[Prisoner of War!|issue #3]].
*As footnotes reminds us, Josie Beller was injured by Shockwave in [[The Worse of Two Evils!|issue #6]], and has been working towards her recovery for the last two issues, with additional checks in on her ongoing subplot in the interspersed UK-original stories, "[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!]]" and "[[The Wrath of Grimlock!]]".
*As the Autobots finish their performance examinations, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] is absent from the group. He was blasted point blank by Shockwave in [[The New Order|issue #5]], and next issue is shown to still be inoperative, with Ratchet uncertain of his prospects for recovery.
*It is revealed that the "electric shock" Optimus Prime gave Buster in issue #6 was him transferring the Creation Matrix into the human's mind. Buster has been having "headaches" since [[Warrior School!|issue #7]], in which his control over metal and machines began to manifest. The UK series got out ahead of this subplot, revealing this truth ahead of its reprinting of this story, in "[[The Wrath of Guardian!]]"
*This is the first time US audiences are seeing Blackrock's photonic multi-cannon, but again, the UK reprints of the series got ahead of this plotline and actually seeded it a few issues in advance in "Decepticon Dam-Busters!"

===Real-life references===
*A sponsor logo for the real-life {{w|Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company}} can be seen on the side of Blackrock's racetrack.
*Alluding to then-current political tensions, the general worries that "[[Soviet Union|Communists]]" might behind the ongoing robot plague.
*Jazz likes [[Madonna]], blasting her song "{{w|Material Girl}}" during the Autobots' test drive.
*The guard at Blackrock's offices is totally reading [[Playboy]].
*The "next issue" box reads "CONSTRUCTICONS--PHONE HOME!", quoting the movie ''{{w|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial}}''.

===Artwork and technical errors===
*The latest change of artists has Josie Beller looking quite a bit different than previous issues. In particular, her hair's wavier, shorter and brighter now (and more in line with the Marvel employee that Budiansky modeled her after.) After she becomes Circuit Breaker, it changes into a ponytailed mullet.
*Prowl's forehead crest is consistently colored white instead of red throughout this issue, and he is lacking in portions of blue-black trim, including on his chest and thighs.
*After settling into his finalized colour scheme last issue, Shockwave goes off-model again with blue shoulders instead of purple.
*Cover: Starscream's helmet is colored white instead of blue, and his cockpit grey instead of orange.
[[File:Autobots-disintegratedcircuits1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75]]
*Page 4 (pictured at right):
**Panel 3: Huffer is red instead of orange, the red and white on Wheeljack's chest are inverted, and Jazz is missing the blue on his hood.
**Panel 4: Gears's face is red instead of white, while his helmet is blue instead of red; Cliffjumper's face is yellow; Jazz is still missing the blue on his hood; Sideswipe's helmet is white instead of blue. As all the formerly-injured Autobots bar Sunstreaker are supposed to be in this scene, Trailbreaker should be visible, but he's the only one who's missing.
*Page 5:
**Panel 5: The arms and torso of Optimus Prime's headless body are colored white instead of red.
**Panel 6: Ratchet is drawn finishing Prowl's line about rescuing Optimus and acquiring fuel. This leads to the peculiar sight of Ratchet stating that he is in command of the Autobots!
*Page 6, panel 2-3: Wheeljack has a blue-black pelvis and white thighs instead of the other way around. He's missing the red on his torso, the blue-black on his shoulders, and his shoulder-fins are blue-black instead of white.
*Page 6, panel 6: Starscream is missing his shoulder intakes, and his cockpit is red instead of orange. Buzzsaw is colored like Laserbeak.
*Page 7, panel 2: Buzzsaw is still colored like Laserbeak.
*Page 8: Continuing an error introduced by the artist of the previous two issues, Optimus Prime's head is drawn missing its antenna-ears.
*Page 8, panel 7: The sign on Sparkplug's garage reads "Witwicky Auto Repair," but per [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]] and [[Power Play!|#2]], it ought to say "'''S.''' Witwicky Auto Repair."
*Page 10, panel 14: The sign on G.B. Blackrock's office door reads "JB BLACKROCK."
*Page 16:
**Panel 7: "You really are a robot" is missing its punctuation.
**Panel 8: Jazz says "If I were a Decepticon I would've let you bounce me a couple of times before scraping you off the ground!" The "me" probably shouldn't be there.
*Page 20: Wheeljack's colored incorrectly again, still missing the red on his torso, and still with a blue pelvis (now in addition to his corrected blue thighs). His shoulder-fins have become red (except in panel 5, where they're colored like part of the background, and panel 6, in which they disappear altogether), and his shoulder-cannon is purple instead of blue. These panels were evidently used as reference for the coloring of the UK strips "The Wrath of Guardian!" and "The Wrath of Grimlock!"
*Page 21:
**Panel 6: The interior of Starscream's shoulder-intake is colored pink like the background. His null ray is colored pale purple. The narration bizarrely refers to Starscream's robot form as his "secret mode".
**Panel 7: Starscream's wings are missing. His one visible null-ray remains miscolored, except for its rearmost segment, but only because the coloring misinterprets it as part of Starscream's shoulder.

===UK printing===
[[File:DIS-Integrated Circuits UK printing error.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|"Jazz, are you all right?"—"Totally not! I'm seeing weird colors, man!"]]
'''Issue #33:'''
*'''Published:''' [[October 26|26th October]], 1985
*'''Cover date:''' [[November 2|2nd November]], 1985
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''Machine Man'' ("If This Be Sanctuary?!" Part 3), ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''November calendar:''' Prowl
*A printing error resulted in the magneta and cyan plates of the CMYK printing process being switched for pages 4, 5, and 9, a problem that would continue into the next issue and occur again in [[Fallen Angel|issue #101]] and [[Time Wars|issue #201]] (there with the yellow and cyan plates). The original US printing of this issue used the correct colors.

'''Issue #34:'''
*'''Published:''' [[November 2|2nd November]], 1985
*'''Cover date:''' [[November 9|9th November]], 1985
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Machine Man'' ("If This Be Sanctuary?!" Part 4), ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*The printing error continues, with the magenta and cyan plates switched again for pages 5 and 10.

===Other trivia===
[[File:DisintegratedCircuits-JazzBlackrock.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Float like a Jazzerfly...]]
*The inker of this issue is credited as "[[M. Hands]]". This isn't a person, but a pseudonym (short for "Many Hands") used to cover multiple inkers working on a rush-job.
*The presence of Marvel-owned character Circuit Breaker meant that when [[IDW Publishing]] was first reprinting the Marvel comic for their ''[[Classic Transformers]]'' series, this was another issue (like issue #3 before it) that they could not secure the license to reproduce, and were forced instead to replace it with a text summary. This was later resolved and the issue was included in the later reprint volume [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 1|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 1]]—but only in the print copy of the book, not the digital version.
*Judge Reinhold's character is shown reading pages from this issue in the film Vice Versa (1988). Though when the comic is closed issue #8's cover can be seen poking out from the newspaper that was used as a cover.
*As seen at right, this issue is perhaps the only occurrence of Jazz demonstrating the capability to glide using his "rear-mounted ailerons" as he catches Blackrock and gently floats to the bottom of the cliff. This ability is only brought up in Jazz's expanded ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|Transformers Universe]]'' profile and while it doesn't specify which mode Jazz can utilize it in, the art here seems to portray his car doors as said rear-mounted ailerons.

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: 21 active, as Ratchet revives all but one of the captive Autobots; Sunstreaker inactive; Optimus Prime held captive. (23 total)
*Decepticons: 10 active; Megatron missing in action. (11 total)

===Courtesy of my...===
*Blackrock unveils the [[Anti-Robot Photonic Multi-Cannon]].
*Starscream once again deploys his [[cluster bomb]]s, this time unloading on Jazz.

===Covers (3)===
*'''US issue #9:''' Circuit Breaker and Starscream, by [[Mike Manley]].
*'''UK issue #33:''' Circuit Breaker, Wheeljack and Frenzy, by [[John Higgins]].
*'''UK issue #34:''' reuse of art from US cover, modified to fit the UK aspect ratio.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-09.jpg|'''US issue #9''' - Thanks Marvel. ''Thanks''
File:MarvelUK-033.jpg|'''UK issue #33''' - Introducing: DAVID BOWIE
File:MarvelUK-034.jpg|'''UK issue #34''' - Starscream has a really sweet cycling helmet
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Transformers Digest 05-cover.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine issue 5|''The Transformers Comics Magazine'' #5]]''' (Marvel US, 1987)
File:Titan-NewOrderSC.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: New Order]]'' paperback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:Titan-NewOrderHC.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: New Order]]'' hardback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:TFClassicsVol1.JPG|'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 1|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2011)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v2.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Vol. 2: New Order''''' (Hachette Partworks Ltd, 2018)
File:HXClassicsVol3.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers Classics#Japanese reprints|The Transformers Classics]], Vol. 3''''' ([[Mediaboy Mook]], 2019)
</gallery>

====IDW ''Transformers Classics'' edits====
[[File:DISintegratedCircuits-WheeljackIDWreprint.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|wheeljack's got green, right, here's some dang green then, wherevs]]
For ''[[The Transformers Classics]]'' series of trade paperbacks, IDW Publishing "remastered" the coloring of the series with varying degrees of success. These changes were sometimes to fix errors, but often to alter characters' color schemes to make them resemble their toy and/or cartoon selves, and were rarely applied with consistency. IDW's recolored version was also used for Hachette's ''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|Definitive G1 Collection]]''.
*Cover: Starscream's head is changed from the incorrect white to a cartoon-based grey-black, with cartoon red eyes. His cockpit becomes the correct orange.
*Page 4, panel 4: Cliffjumper's miscolored face is the only error corrected on this page.
*Page 5, panel 5: The colors of Optimus Prime's headless body are corrected.
*Page 6:
**Panels 2-3: Spots of green are added to Wheeljack to emulate his toy/cartoon model.
**Panel 6: Shockwave's shoulders are corrected for this panel alone, but his Decepticon insignia and highlights on his chest-nubbins somehow become orange.
*Page 8, panel 1: Shockwave's right shoulder is corrected, but his left shoulder is not.
*Page 20: Green trim is again added to Wheeljack's chest and legs as well, and his blue shoulders are changed to white (pictured at right).

===Advertisements===
*Young Astronaut Program (inside front cover)
*Newtons Fruit Chewy Cookies - between pages 4 & 5
*Twizzlers - between pages 5 & 6
*''The Heavenly Kid'' (live-action film) - between pages 7 & 8
*[[Nestlé]] Quik - between pages 8 & 9
*Tootsie Roll - between pages 16 & 17
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' on videocassette - between pages 17 & 18
*Mile High Comics - between pages 19 & 20
*Bullpen Belletins - between pages 20 & 21
*''The West Coast Avengers'' and ''The Vision and the Scarlet Witch''
*Marvel subscriptions
*''Secret Wars II'' #5, ''The [[Thing]]'' #30, ''Dr. Strange'' #74, and ''[[Fantastic Four]]'' #285 (inside back cover)
*Rip-Off's shoes (back cover)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dis-Integrated Circuits!}}
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

More than Meets the Eye, Part 3

2024-06-03T22:08:38Z

Tribimat: The flight controller's line was originally cut off for a reason, as per the full script

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=3
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=3
|prev2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=3
|prev3=More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
|next3=S.O.S. Dinobots
|next2=Transport to Oblivion (episode)
|image=More Than Meets Part 3.jpg
|caption= NOW ENTERING AREA 51 - ACCESS RESTRICTED! NO TRESPASSING, NO PHOTOGRAPHY PERMITTED
|title="More than Meets the Eye, Part 3"
|season=1
|season ep=3
|production code=4025
|airdate=[[September 19]], 1984
|written by=[[George Arthur Bloom]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Ashi Productions]], [[Nakamura Production]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Optimus Prime]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6XpDmtizL0
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''When an Autobot attempt to lure the Decepticons into a holographic trap fails, the villains succeed in gathering the energy they need, leaving the Autobots with only one chance to stop them returning to Cybertron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:MTMtE Part3 PushingPrimeupright.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|After a bad fall, it's important that you move every part of the victim. Forcibly if needed.]]
Caught in the blast of [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack's]] explosive, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] tumbles down the mountainside. Shaken but not defeated, he musters the energy to transform into [[robot mode]]. The [[Autobot]]s begin digging through the rubble and [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] finds [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] alive and unharmed. Before the Autobots can begin celebrating what they presume to be the end of their enemies, there's a blast from the rubble. The [[Decepticon]]s have survived their burial and have blasted their way out. With their [[energon]] haul unscathed, the Decepticons take to the air.

[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] is tired of this string of defeats, and he soon takes to the air to follow. [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] takes off to try to rein him in. Ironhide takes a few pot-shots at the fleeing Decepticons, and [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] breaks formation to teleport behind their pursuers. He lands a rocket square in Ironhide's back, knocking the old Autobot out of the chase. Ironhide crashes into a lake, and the Autobots catch up with him to pull him out of the water and into [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]]'s waiting repair bay. The Autobots return to base.

Back at the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] taunts the captive [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and discusses the Decepticon spy's apparent abandonment by his comrades. In using a hologram of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to goad Ravage, Hound and [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] brainstorm an idea: to use an enormous hologram to trick the Decepticons into a trap. He pitches the idea to Optimus Prime, and the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] agrees.

Soon after, Hound talks to Mirage about a report from [[Teletraan I]] of a secret supply of rocket fuel. He says all this quite within earshot of Ravage, explaining how there's enough fuel there to make "four trips back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]." As Mirage and Hound walk away, Hound "accidentally" drops the key to Ravage's cage. The Decepticon retrieves it and escapes captivity.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 Starscreambegs.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The genesis of a whole lot of slashfic.]]
Back at the Decepticon camp, Ravage reports in to Megatron about the rocket base. Megatron is delighted; it's the last energy source they'll need before they can return to Cybertron. As Megatron gloats, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] grouses about the need for a change in leadership. In a foolish move, Starscream tries to blast Megatron in the back. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] warns his leader, who deflects the blast with a built-in energy shield. Starscream has spent all his ammunition in this single shot, and he is left defenseless. Megatron returns the sentiment by blasting Starscream in the arm, knocking his disloyal lieutenant to the ground. Groveling, Starscream huddles to Megatron's feet, who answers his pleas only by issuing the command: "We attack the rocket base at sunrise!"

In a flat stretch of desert, Hound creates the rocket base hologram. The Decepticons move into position, and Megatron orders them to attack.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 Jazz ScrapDecepticon.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Jazz soon regrets buying from eBay.]]
The Autobots spring their trap, running out from hiding to ambush the attacking Decepticons. However, when they engage in hand-to-hand combat, the Decepticons break apart like poorly made machines. Optimus Prime realizes they've been had. These aren't the Decepticons, but are instead decoys. Megatron, the only real Decepticon present, laughs at Prime's misstep. He saw through the phony release of Ravage. Megatron reveals to his defeated enemy that the real Decepticon army has been attacking the real rocket base.

Cut to [[Cape Carlson]], the real rocket base, where the Decepticon jets arrive. They transform and neutralize the human army's attempt to stop them. In short time, Megatron rejoins them, and they soon return to their launch base with all the fuel they need. Soundwave reports the space cruiser's readiness, and Megatron orders the Decepticons to prepare to blast off.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 Optimus overacting.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|KHAAAAAAAAAN!]]
Back at the Autobot ship, Optimus Prime briefs his soldiers on the grim situation. He tells them that Megatron is on the verge of returning to Cybertron, where he could become unstoppable with the energon he has tapped from [[Earth]]. The Autobots have no choice but to directly attack the Decepticons. Prime asks for volunteers, and all the Autobots—and their human allies [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and Sparkplug—step forward. The Autobots transform into [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] and roll out.

As the Decepticons begin to board the [[Victory (G1)|cruiser]], the Autobots encircle the base. Prime's forces transform into robot form and begin the attack. The Autobots grapple with the Decepticons, but the battle is brief. Megatron and his forces get aboard their ship and blast off into the sky.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 ExtinctiontoallTraitors.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Naturally, Megatron is a firm advocate of the Second Amendment.]]
Optimus Prime refuses to concede defeat. He orders [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] to hand over his [[Jet pack|rocket pack]]. Donning the pack, Prime takes off to personally pursue the Decepticon cruiser. Starscream spots Prime in pursuit. The cruiser opens fire, blasting Prime who falls out of the sky and hits the ground hard.

The Autobots gather to see if Prime is okay, and the tough Autobot shrugs off their help. It's then that he notices that Mirage is missing from their ranks.

Aboard the cruiser, Starscream makes his move to usurp Megatron. Waiting for the Decepticon leader to lower his guard and remove his arm-cannon, Starscream raises his weapon to Megatron. Just then, Mirage drops his invisibility power to fire a few shots in the cruiser's controls. Starscream turns to blast Mirage, and Megatron takes advantage of the distraction to retrieve his cannon and fire on Starscream. Chaos erupts aboard the cruiser as Mirage's sabotage begins spreading and Soundwave loses control of the ship.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 Mirage HALOjump.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|WHEEEEEE!]]
Mirage scrambles to his feet and jumps from the doomed ship as it crashes into the ocean. The Autobots on the ground stare incredulously as the Decepticons are suddenly and mysteriously defeated. They then spot Mirage, the unlikely hero, floating to the ground in a parachute rig. The Autobots celebrate their victory.

Spike writes in [[Spike's diary|his journal]] that because the Autobots stopped the Decepticons from stealing Earth's resources, the governments of the world have decided to give Optimus Prime the energy he needs to revitalize Cybertron. The Autobot ship is being refurbished, and Spike and Sparkplug eagerly await their trip to the Transformers' home world.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the ocean, the Decepticon space cruiser rests. Bubbles emerge from a hatch that is pulled free from the inside by massive metal hands. Megatron still functions.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (4)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (5)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (6)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (7)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (8)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (9)
*[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (10)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (11)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (23)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (24)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (25)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (26)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (28)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (17)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (18)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (19)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (20)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (21)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (22)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (27)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (29)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (30)
|c3=
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (15)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"You gave us all a pretty good scare." 
"It's been worse. I remember the time on Cybertron—" 
"Save the war stories, hot shot. Just remember, there's a thin line between being a hero, and being a memory."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ironhide'''

"The rocket base is one hundred and forty kilometers due west of the Autobot camp."
:—'''Ravage'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s sole line of dialog in the entire series.

"I am the leader of the future!" 
"You couldn't lead [[ant-droid]]s to a picnic. How can you pretend to lead the Decepticons?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''' arguing over Starscream's competence... again.

"Beware, Starscream... if you dispose of me, there will always be someone waiting to dispose of ''you''" 
"Let them try! I've waited for this moment a long time, Megatron... and my time is ''now!''
:—'''Megatron''' channeling his inner Nostradamus to '''Starscream'''

"We knew you were anxious to get back to Cybertron, but at least you could have waited for us." 
"Sorry, Prime. The ship was... full."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Mirage''' uttering a classic line.

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}
[[File:PrimeKennedySpecialProject.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"That's... That's just ''wonderful'', Tommy. I'm so... ''proud'' of you. It's going ''right'' on the fridge! Yep! The fridge."]]
[[Tommy Kennedy]] and [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] convene in the barren wasteland. Tommy has something hidden under a tarp and says it's a sneak preview of the "special project" he's been working on for school. Optimus sighs, "''Finally!''" but Tommy once again denies him, saying that Prime must first finish the story about how the Autobots first came to Earth. Prime whines that he's ''already'' told him the whole story, but Tommy reminds him that he never got past the explosion at the ruby crystal mine. Prime says he'll finish the story, but ''only'' on the condition that Tommy finally shows him the "special project". Tommy crosses his heart and so Prime continues...

With the story finished, Prime '''demands''' to see what's under Tommy's wonderful tarp of mystery. Tommy pulls aside the cloth and reveals a masterfully crafted bust of Prime's head. Prime is floored, saying that his own programmer couldn't tell the difference. Tommy says that the "special project" was a celebration of the anniversary for when the Autobots came to Earth. The statue will be presented to all the Autobots to commemorate "The greatest Autobot of all: Powermaster Optimus Prime!"
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:Mtmte3 ironhide flies.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Ironhide and Bluestreak cannot fly. WHAT IS HAPPENING!?!?!?]]
*Gadgets and powers:
**Ironhide, perhaps the most gadget-laden of all Autobots, brings out a forearm-mounted drill from inside his wrist.
**Later, he deploys a missile launcher out of his back. Like the van mode gun he had last episode, this one appears based on the launcher on his toy's combat platform.
**Jazz's ubiquitous grappling line makes its third appearance.
**Ravage deploys a little grappler waldo from his forepaw.
**Megatron generates a little deflector shield out of his fusion cannon.
**Hound can make a seriously HUGE hologram.
**Megatron can rotate his gun barrel around to his waist to fire it, which coincidentally resembles the original Megatron toy's barrel placement a fair bit.
**We get our first and last look at Sideswipe's [[Jet pack|rocket pack]].
**Skywarp can shoot a white fire-extinguishing substance from a wrist nozzle.
*This is the only time in the original series that Ravage speaks, relaying the information on the rocket base with his own voice instead of merely replaying Hound and Mirage's conversation about it. When he reappeared in ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]],'' he was similarly growly, but he had gained an [[Accent|Eastern European accent]].
*In a continuing trend during the Generation 1 cartoon, Prime's Combat Deck looks nothing like its toy counterpart or like it will appear in any future episodes. Not really an error since it's blown up here and could've been rebuilt differently.

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**[[Death Star]] superlaser as Skywarp rematerializes behind Ironhide.
**[[TIE Fighter]] engine roar as Skywarp pursues Ironhide and Bluestreak.
**[[Lightsaber]]-slicing-equipment sound as Skywarp blasts Ironhide.
**Lightsaber-slicing-equipment as Megatron deflects Starscream's blast.
**Roller's sounds are all taken directly from [[R2-D2]]. Then again, the Transformers really ARE from long ago, in a galaxy far away...
*Rocket base Cape Carlson may be a reference to {{w|Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|Cape Canaveral, Florida}}.

===Non-final premises===
*As with the two preceding episodes, the Autobots can all fly in [[robot mode]].

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Autobot Soundwave.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Autobots superior, Decepticons inferior.]]
[[File:Hufferg1animated.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Okay, you can't really see it here. But a second later, Cliffy leans back, and boom, no insignia.]]
*Coloring errors:
**As the Autobots gather around Optimus Prime's fallen form and Mirage and Cliffjumper fly in, Cliffjumper is colored yellow like Bumblebee, who is currently buried under tons of rubble. He's also missing his horns.
**As the Autobots gather around the rescued Bumblebee and Sparkplug, Wheeljack's launcher is tan instead of light gray.
**Bluestreak has Prowl's color scheme as Ironhide protests letting the Decepticons escape.
**"I've made my contribution!" The center of Starscream's chest is red instead of gray during his line.
**"It's empty!" Starscream's nose is the dark gray of his helmet instead of medium gray.
**"You failed to dispose of me..." The red parts of Megatron's waist are gray.
**Megatron's fusion cannon is light gray as Starscream grovels.
**Starscream's nosecone and the center of his chest are once again red instead of gray as he lands at the rocket base.
**Prowl's chest-sides and neck are black instead of white as Prime does his William Shatner imitation.
**Ratchet's lightbars are white as he drives toward Prime's crash site. All three Autobots in the shot kind of slide sideways instead of driving forward.
*As he wonders about Roller, Prime is shown with round headlights instead of square.
*Cliffjumper is missing his insignia as he encourages Prime.
*Inside the mines, Soundwave is shown with a [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|purple Autobot insignia]].
*Generic Decepticons:
**Two Skywarps as the Decepticons prepare to fly out of the mine.
**Two generic light purple jets as the Decepticons fly off.
**Two (fake) Starscreams as the "Decepticons" prepare to attack the "rocket base" (with their "lasers".)
**Eight jets fly toward the rocket base: the core three, 2 lavenders, 3 dark blues.
**15 Decepticons are visible from the Cape Carleson control tower.
**5 jets are seen landing at the base.
**A wingless lavender jet and the legs/feet of four other generics as the Decepticons cheer.
**A purple and two lavenders (one of whom changes to dark blue mid-shot) head toward the cruiser.
**An all-lavender jet leaps off the platform (infamously dubbed the Lady In Purple by a few fans), following Thundercracker and Skywarp, already shown to be on the ground.
**One lavender jet retreats from the final battle.
**One lavender jet backs away from Megatron as Starscream challenges him.
*After the Decepticons fly out of the mines, Skywarp and two generic purple Decepticon jets are drawn with the silhouettes of pilots sitting inside their cockpits.
*As Bluestreak catches up to Ironhide, Ironhide's back-mounted rocket launcher is shown in firing position (and Ironhide's shoulders are red instead of gray.) In the next shot, the launcher is missing, then is shown emerging from Ironhide's back.
*The energon cubes that Megatron holds when giving Skywarp permission to teleport are uncolored. To answer Skywarp's request, Megatron turns ''away'' from him.
*Skywarp's destroyed tailfin is back to normal after he teleports.
*Bluestreak and Ironhide continue to stare at each other for a ''very'' long time after Bluestreak says his line.
*Ironhide says he can't move... then immediately raises his arm.
*As Bluestreak carries Ironhide into Ratchet, he has one of Prowl's Highway Patrol symbols on his door.
*In the cavalcade of Autobots heading home, Jazz's blue stripes are colored red, and Wheeljack is missing his orange and green roof colors.
*A mislayering of animation cells when Hound creates a hologram of Megatron to taunt Ravage causes it to appear as if Hound is standing in the prison cage with Ravage.
*Jazz's visor is massively oversized during his "It might just work" line, and is missing its center crease line.
*After Ravage escapes, Hound is shown lip-flapping during Mirage's line.
*In the reaction shot of the Autobots when Optimus Prime is pleased at Ravage's escape, the tips of Prowl's doors are colored as parts of Jazz and Mirage's heads, and Mirage's shoulders are red.
*"You're in the driver's seat" - Prime only has 4 of his running light housings. Two of them extend all the way to his back.
*The flight controller's line, "There's nothing we can - ", is cut off for no apparent reason. In the original script, he and the other occupants of the control tower are frozen by Starscream's null-ray at this point, but this incident didn't make it to animation.
*In the pan across the Autobots (during which the Autobots have conveniently divided themselves by toy size):
**The Autobots have completely changed positions from where they were in the previous shot. Most obviously, Bumblebee was between Bluestreak and Hound; but now he's with the other mini-bots. To make it worse, the scene recycles the two shots several times in succession.
**Ratchet's hands are white.
**Jazz's waist is colored windshield blue.
**Prowl is missing his insignia.
**Jazz is shown in the line-up, while at the same time he's standing next to Prime, giving instructions.
*As Jazz says "Autobots, transform", Optimus Prime is shown saying it.
*Ironhide and Hound have strange black dots on them as they step forward. These were presumably supposed to be "battle scars", as the script for the episode suggests that these two could show signs of damage, but the effect is not well-accomplished.
*All the transforming Autobots get the wrong transformation sound (ascending pitch instead of descending pitch) as they change to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]].
*As the Autobots approach the Decepticon base, they're shown driving at a snail's pace.
*Soundwave is missing his insignia as the Decepticons cheer.
*Soundwave's eject button lights up each time he hits it. While cool (and intentional), it's a conceit not used in any future episode.
*Laserbeak is huge as Skywarp and Thundercracker fall into formation with him. The animation of the trio turning to dive is remarkably clunky.
[[File:OptimusCDeckMTMTE3.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Look away from the animation errors!"]]
*Prime orders [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]] to fire during a series of identically framed shots. The first shot shows buttes in the background behind him. The second shot shows a solid mountainside. The third shot shows clear sky.
*Megatron's gun barrel is missing as he prepares to face Prime. So is his insignia.
*How long's it take for the animators to forget that Megatron lost his cannon? About 1 scene. It's back in place as Prime judo-throws him, then gone again as he regains his feet a shot or two later.
*How long's it take for the animators to forget that Starscream lost an arm-cannon? No time at all. It's back in place as the Decepticons retreat, despite being smushed by Prowl.
*Mirage is clearly visible (prominent, in fact) during the Autobots' final, desperate assault on the space cruiser, despite later being shown to have snuck aboard it. This is either a major continuity error or the one time that Mirage's electro-disruptor works in the cartoon in the way his [[bio]] says it does.
*The establishing shot at the start of the third act uses a flubbed take: A major piece of artwork—the Decepticon starship blasting off into the sky—is missing, meaning the Autobots on the ground are reacting to nothing. (The completed shot does appear in the teaser for the episode at the end of Part 2, however.)
[[File:Sideswipejetpack.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Sideswipe, give me your plot device!"]]
*Sideswipe's rocket pack seriously just appears out of nowhere when it's called for by the plot. It's not part of his animation model and is never seen before or after, even when Sideswipe needs to fly.
*"You got him!" Starscream is missing his wing insignia.
*As the Autobots help their battered leader to his feet, the animation is ''really'' wobbly; Prime's head grows bigger, the detail patterns on his legs change completely, and the line-art is just very crude and "shakes" a lot in general.
*Similar to the scene of the Autobots attempting to capture Ravage in the previous episode, the various congratulations given to Mirage after he brings down the Decepticon ship were not attributed to individual characters in the script, and were simply listed as being delivered by the Autobots as a group. As such, they are delivered by random actors who are not using any of their normal Transformers character voices. We hear "Mirage!" from [[Frank Welker]], "You did it!" from [[Ken Sansom]], and "You stopped the Decepticons!" from Welker again, his delivery on that last one making it sound an awful lot like Mirage is congratulating himself.
*As with the previous two parts, [[Norm McCabe]]'s name is listed as Nor M McCabe in the credits.
*Frank Welker's name was mistakenly left out of this episode's voice credits, as they were in the previous two parts.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:MTMtE Part3 Dullsurprise.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Dull surprise|DULL SURPRISE!]]]]
*Mirage, Hound, Jazz and Prowl all react with shock at Optimus's statement that Ravage's escape was a good thing. Yet they were all in on the plan to let Ravage get away to tell the Decepticons about the secret hologram rocket base that is most certainly not a trap. Did they just forget?
*For that matter, how ''did'' Megatron figure out the Autobot trick? Ravage reports the same rocket base location that he heard from Hound. Was Hound dumb enough to accidentally blurt the ''real'' rocket base location in front of Ravage? Or did Megatron somehow figure out the ruse ''after'' Ravage made his report? Why would he do that? When we last see him, he's all excited to attack the same rocket base that Ravage just told him about. Or maybe he just has absolutely zero faith in Ravage's ability to escape on his own, and put two and two together.
*What ''is'' the point of rigging up the dummy Decepticons? Did Megatron go through all that trouble just to rub Prime's nose in it? Wouldn't it be smarter to leave the Autobots waiting and wondering?
[[File:MTMTE3 Bumblebee labcoat.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*The [[Mini Vehicle]] Autobots are shown disguised as lab-coat-wearing scientists to complete the holographic illusion of a rocket base, though it's a pretty poor disguise when you realize these scientists are big enough to turn into trucks and cars. Also, where'd they get the lab coats? (For that matter, why not just make holographic scientists?)
*Superhuman Spike:
**Spike can throw a rock with enough force to knock Starscream's Null Ray off his arm.
*Prime is nearly knocked out of commission by the explosion that collapses [[Ruby crystal mines of Burma|a Burmese ruby mine]], yet he simply seems to shrug off the effects of getting hit by a cruiser cannon and falling to Earth from the very edge of the atmosphere.
*Mirage only shoots the ship's control panel. How does this set the entire ship on fire?
*Despite the heights the space cruiser certainly reached before the sabotage, Mirage parachutes down to exactly the spot where the Autobots were assembled.
*The space cruiser is shown crashing into the ocean near the coast. However, later episodes show the cruiser is well far away from any coast line.
*Spike's narration is a bit confused; the Autobots ''didn't'' stop the Decepticons from stealing Earth's energy. They just up and left on their own!
*In the biggest continuity goof of the entire series, the next episode will completely ignore the premise of the Autobots preparing to return to Cybertron, which is the entire point of this episode's closing scenes. In fairness, they did think the Decepticons were destroyed, and maybe they were forced to abandon the plan to return to Cybertron when they realized that wasn't the case, but still.

===Home release changes/errors===
*In the Rhino DVD release, the establishing shot at the start of the third act uses a flubbed take: A major piece of artwork—the Decepticon starship blasting off into the sky—is missing, meaning the Autobots on the ground are reacting to nothing. (The completed shot does appear in the teaser for the episode at the end of Part 2, however.) Oddly enough, the bonus disc on the Rhino DVD set calls out the error in a collection of bloopers and oddities.
*All three parts of "More Than Meets the Eye" were spliced together into a single continuous episode for the ''More than Meets the Eye 25th Anniversary Special Edition'' disc, included as a pack-in with ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|25th Anniversary Optimus Prime toy]]. During Part 3, the sound effects for the [[Cybernet Space Cube]], added for the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] broadcast of the episode, can be heard over the scene transitions, despite the original broadcast version of the visuals being used; the result is a lot of strange mechanical noises being inserted with no clear on-screen source.

===Trivia===
[[File:MTMtE Part3 ExaggeratedPrime.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently Pat Lee had this as a poster in his office.]]
*There is a nice touch by the animators during the scene where the Autobots assist Optimus Prime after he rolls down the hill at the start of this episode. After Mirage, Prowl and Ratchet have pushed Optimus Prime's truck mode upright, he bounces as his suspension compensates for the weight of the truck landing on its wheels.
*After Ironhide assures that he'll be right back in action, Optimus Prime is depicted with rather exaggerated 'puffy' proportions for a brief sequence before he transforms into vehicle mode, which is similarly exaggerated with large wheels in comparison to the rest of the truck, followed by an exaggerated Ratchet in vehicle mode. Part of this animation is later reused near the end of the episode after the Decepticon space cruiser crashes, with the rest of the Autobots having similar proportions in both robot and vehicle mode. [[Masami Ōbari]] is credited as the animator for Prime's "transformation sequence", and this bizarrely proportioned Prime certainly fits with Ōbari's design aesthetic. Numerous other shots in the episode, including Megatron during Starscream's coup at the episode's end, and the Autobots when encouraging Optimus when he struggles to transform after surviving the mine explosion also take heavy cues from Ōbari's style.
*During the showdown between Optimus Prime and Megatron, an animation oddity results in what a few fans have taken as evidence of an obscure, little-used ability of Optimus: the ''Finger of Doom!'' Optimus deploys Combat Deck to shoot Megatron's cannon off of his arm. Simultaneously, Megatron fires his arm cannon and destroys Combat Deck. However, during the shot of Combat Deck exploding, the animation of Prime pointing at Megatron is ''re-used''. The next shot is Megatron being disarmed by an energy blast, which would seem to have come not from Combat Deck, whose blast should have already arrived, but from Prime's immediately prior pointing finger... his ''Finger of Doom!''
*Spike writing in [[Spike's diary|his journal]] looks ''disturbingly'' like Beavis of ''Beavis and Butt-Head''.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Plein la vue - Partie 3'''" ("Show off - Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Concerning the European French dub:
:::*Megatron claims that the Decepticon decoys are "robots taken from museums". The super-realistic statue designers were quick!
:::*Soundwave still does not want to pronounce Laserbeak's name. When ejecting the cassettes, he says "Rumble! Ravage! Warning! Ready for combat!"
:::*The most hilarious case of name-dodging happens in this episode, when Optimus Prime asks Sideswipe for his jetpack by saying "'''YOU!''' Give me a jetpack!".

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die letzte Schlacht'''" (''Generation 2'', "The Last Battle")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 14]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Megatron'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The fake supply of rocket fuel is called a "supply of combustible rocks".

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Molto più di quel che appare - Terza parte'''" ("Much More than What Appears - Third Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Chikyū Dasshutsu!'''" (地球脱出!, "Escape from Earth!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 20]], [[1985]]
::*In the scene where Ironhide chases after Megatron and Skywarp, it is ''Thundercracker'' who is heard requesting permission to teleport.
::*'''Cut:''' When Ironhide is loaded into the back of Ratchet, after he says, "No way", his lines about being back in action, Prime's "Let's get out of here!" (with the aforementioned "puffy proportions" shot) and the footage of all the Autobots transforming and rolling out have been cut. The following scene of Spike sitting by the Ark, writing that Prime would make a neat President, has been cut entirely.
::*'''Cut:''' After Ravage escapes and jumps off the cliffside, a few seconds of the Autobots gathered there reacting have been shaved off. The fade-in to the next scene and Prime and Gears standing together have also been cut. The sequence resumes at the shot of Hound, Mirage and the others walking together.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dìsān Tiān'''" (第三天, "The Third Day")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mais do Que Os Olhos Veem, Parte 3'''" ("More than Meets the Eye, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode did not air in the 1980s and was first released on DVD with a different dub from the rest of the show.

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Više nego što se vidi treći deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Више него што се види трећи део, "More than Meets the Eye Part 3"), "'''Sile zla treći deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Силе зла трећи део, "Forces of Evil Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-27 Ironhide (TakaraTomy, 2016)'''
:This ''Masterpiece'' figure includes a pair of accessories seen in this episode: The back-mounted missile launcher is included by default with it, while the drill hand was a preorder bonus for the figure's second release in Asian territories other than Japan.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-44 Convoy (TakaraTomy, 2019)'''
:One of the accessories included with the third iteration of Optimus Prime in the line is the rocket pack he borrows from Sideswipe in this episode. As a further note, the pack is molded so that it can be used by the ''Masterpiece'' Sideswipe mold too.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-47 Hound (TakaraTomy, 2019)'''
:One of the accessories included with this figure is the key he used to close Ravage in the cage.

*'''''[[LEGO]]'' 10302 Optimus Prime (LEGO, 2022)'''
:One of the accessories included in this set is a completely brick-built version of Sideswipe's rocket pack, which can be attached to Prime's back in robot mode.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 1: "More than Meets the Eye" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1985 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' ([[VAP]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|A.M.T. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|Little Gems Junior Video Club]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: Generation 2'' — More than Meets the Eye ([[Malofilm|Seville Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Exclusively from Blockbuster ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers: Generation 2'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 1 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (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 First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory) 
[[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]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2011 — ''Transformers'' — L'Attaque des Autobots ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20200217184156/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-1/synopses/4025.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C7h238LAv9ixlcHb1_hjDeBTk8OvkmZa/view?usp=drive_link Full episode script with revision pages dated 13th March 1984]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]