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Vector Sigma

2023-05-17T12:45:13Z

Volnar The Unforgiving:

{{factions|primus|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-AlphaTrion.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Alpha Trion (G1)|cPretty=Alpha Trion}}}}
[[File:VectorSigmaG1.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|A Clockwork Orange]]

'''Vector Sigma''' is an ancient and incredibly powerful super-computer that dwells at the heart of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Built to serve as a link between the [[Transformer]]s and their god [[Primus]], it is one of the fabled [[sacred implement]]s that grants access to the [[Transformer afterlife]], giving it a vast storehouse of wisdom, and the power to grant new Transformers [[spark|life]]. The computer maintains the functions of the planet while Primus sleeps within it, and frequently acts out his will to shape Cybertron's future. Multiple incarnations of Vector Sigma exist across the multiverse; in most universes, the computer typically takes the form of a faceted sphere, and is often tended by the Autobot sage, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]].

Vector Sigma has no allegiance in the Transformers' war; it can be commanded by anyone who wields its [[Key to Vector Sigma|activation key]], which on its own has the power to convert organic substances into [[living metal|metal]]. However, centuries in the future, by the time of the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], some incarnations of Vector Sigma are known to have evolved beyond physical form into the immaterial [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], and now requires a "receptive spark" to access its power.

{{quote|I am Vector Sigma. Before Cybertron was, I was.|Vector Sigma upon activation|"[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Corey Burton]] (English), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese)|[[Henry Djanik]] (European French), [[Marcos Miranda]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:Ktvs prime and trion.jpg|left|thumb|Alpha Trion telling Optimus about the benefits of Brilliant]]

Described as the "mega-computer" which gave all Transformers life, Vector Sigma resided in a spherical chamber deep within the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Its origins were unknown, save for the cryptic sentence it spoke upon being activated, whereupon it pronounces that before Cybertron existed, it did. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} No direct connection between Vector Sigma and the Transformers' creators the [[Quintesson]]s would ever be drawn, but it's not illogical to presume that the aliens must have used Vector Sigma to program their robots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

In 1985, seeking to combat the [[Autobot]]s' rule of the roads, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] created the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and brought them to Cybertron with the intent of having Vector Sigma program them with true cybernetic personalities. Requiring Vector Sigma's [[Key to Vector Sigma|activation key]] to bring the computer online, he stole it from [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and successfully completed his plan. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} In retaliation, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] constructed his own new team, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], but Megatron had already returned to Earth with the key still in his clutches, leaving the Autobots unable to reactivate Vector Sigma. As a first-generation product of Vector Sigma, Alpha Trion shared the mega-computer's computation matrix, and sacrificed himself by merging his lifeforce with it. This action reactivated the computer long enough for Optimus Prime to instruct it to program the Aerialbots with life.

Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that the key possessed another power—the bizarre ability to generate an energy beam that "de-energizes" organic matter, transforming it into lifeless metal. Megatron attempted to use this power to turn Earth into a new Cybertron, but his plans were thwarted and the key destroyed. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

After draining the energies of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to cure the [[Hate Plague]] in 2006, Optimus Prime began to suffer premonitions of some unseen future disaster. Believing that these visions were coming to pass with the Decepticons' theft of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} Prime used the empty shell of the Matrix to reactivate Vector Sigma, so that he could communicate with the spirit of Alpha Trion, still living within the computer, in hopes that the old sage could provide answers. Alpha Trion indicated that the recent conflict that had erupted around the Chamber had, in fact, been engineered by Vector Sigma as a means of bringing about a new Golden Age of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} The plan ultimately succeeded when the chamber's energies were released, forcing Earth's sun to go supernova, only for the excess solar energy to be rerouted into Vector Sigma by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and the Autobots' [[Nebulan]] allies, thereby re-energizing the planet. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====''A Birth of Planet Saybertron''====
Vector Sigma was originally a computer built within a mere satellite. It was the result of the greatest minds of a coalition of planets coming together to assemble an instrument that would ensure peace between their civilizations. But the computer malfunctioned, and the satellite begun drawing in materials from other satellites to build itself up. Those who had built the computer tried to stop it, but found themselves unable to defeat the rapidly-evolving machine. Cybertron came to strip its galactic neighborhood of its resources, extinguishing the life of its creators. Over time, primitive machines sprung from it, eventually evolving into the Transformers. {{storylink|A Birth of Planet Saybertron}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{main|Primus#Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

Vector Sigma was one identity of the multi-faceted god [[Primus]]. After his stint as [[Primacron]]'s assistant, the Oracle, Primus's essence within the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] fled to a desolate planet in the center of the galaxy which he made into a verdant world and where his form converted into the sphere later known as Vector Sigma. When the [[Quintesson]]s took over the planet, they sealed Primus within Vector Sigma and controlled it using the Key to Vector Sigma that they also used to convert the planet to a mechanical world. From Vector Sigma came the robotic Transformers, who chased their cruel masters off the planet.

Millions of years later, the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] reached Vector Sigma, who was tasked with creating more soldiers for the Autobots and the Decepticons. After Megatron stole the Key, ancient Transformer Alpha Trion was forced to give his life in activating Vector Sigma for the Autobots and the Key was destroyed shortly after. Decades later, the Matrix was sapped of energy in fighting the [[Hate Plague]], destabilizing Vector Sigma and eventually forcing Optimus Prime himself to sacrifice his life by merging with the computer to return it to normal. Soon afterwards, Vector Sigma began developing [[Cybertonuron]], which attracted the attention of Galvatron, but rival Scorponok had bombs planted in Vector Sigma's chambers that detonated and brought ruin to Cybertron.

Vector Sigma survived, and tasked the [[Disaster Relief Team]] with rebuilding the planet. It became embroiled in a plot by Unicron to take Cybertron as his new body, but Vector Sigma was able to help its children repel the invader. The computer was soon attacked again, this time by the Fallen, who sought its power of creation, but was saved by the efforts of Autobots from across space and time.

Centuries after the Great War ended, Vector Sigma hid itself under its other identity of the Oracle, and led [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] to bring about the [[Great Transformation|reformatting of Cybertron into a technorganic world]]. This led to another renewal of Vector Sigma that appointed itself the "God of Transformers" and the ultimate authority of Cybertron. When the threat of a revived Unicron emerged tens of thousands of years later, Vector Sigma took an interest in [[Big Convoy]] and his [[Big Convoy Unit|unit]], encouraging them by speaking through its link to Big Convoy's Energon Matrix. Unicron managed to possess Vector Sigma to take control of Cybertron, but the united efforts of Maximal and Predacon vanquished Unicron's spirit. Vector Sigma would go on to support the [[Dimensional Patrol]], led by one of Vector Sigma's creations, [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Fire Convoy]].

====''Wings Universe''====
Alpha Trion used Vector Sigma to bring [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to life. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 44|''Wings Universe'' Jhiaxus bio}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Carol Savenkoff]] (English), [[Nobutoshi Canna]] (Japanese)|[[Emanuela Damasio]] (Italian), [[Martina Treger]] (German)}}
{{main|Oracle (BM)}}
[[File:Oracle (The Reformatting).jpg|thumb|225px|The Oracle usually appears outwardly like a ball of "outer space", but many things can be displayed on its fluid surface. A swirling mass of sparks is another common visual.]]

Three hundred years after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] between the Autobots and Decepticons, Vector Sigma had evolved, transcending physical form to become the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], a huge, immaterial sphere of light. It had long since fallen into legend, remembered only as the computer that predated the Cybertronian race, until it was rediscovered by [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and his small band of [[Maximal]]s while they were on the run from [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who had conquered the entire planet. To protect Primal's Maximals from the effects of the [[transformation virus]] Megatron had used to conquer Cybertron, the Oracle reformatted them into new [[technorganic]] forms {{storylink|The Reformatting}}

[[File:Vector sigma core.jpg|left|225px|thumb|A Diagnostic Drone interfaces with the Vector Sigma core, which appears very similar to the Generation 1 Vector Sigma.]]

Through the Oracle, Optimus Primal communed with the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]], the extradimensional source of all Transformer life to which the computer was connected, and believed that it was the will of the Allspark that Cybertron be restored to its organic beginnings. {{storylink|Survivor}} In truth, Primal was incorrect—the Oracle actually desired a ''balance'' between the organic and the technological—but it would take the disastrous unleashing of the power buried within the computer to make him realize this. When Megatron's treacherous general, [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], discovered that Vector Sigma and the Oracle were one and the same, he used the sparkless [[Diagnostic Drone]] to circumvent the Oracle's "receptive spark" requirement, tapping into the Oracle's "Vector Sigma core" and acquiring from it the code for the mega-computer's legendary key. {{storylink|The Key}} When Optimus next attempted to contact the Oracle, he found himself unable to do so, due to Tankor's tampering. {{storylink|The Catalyst}}

Tankor proceeded to arm his [[Tank Drone]]s with the power of the Key to Vector Sigma, intending to use it to scour Cybertron of all traces of organic matter, but soon discovered that Megatron had taken control of the drones away from him. In order to trick Megatron into unleashing the key, Tankor had the Diagnostic Drone tap the Oracle once more and send Optimus Prime a false vision, guiding him to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. Tankor gambled that Primal would never unleash the Chamber's descructive energy, but that the ''threat'' of it in his control would goad Megatron into activating the key. Tankor gambled wrong; after Megatron triggered the key, Optimus retaliated by unleashing the power of the chamber, and two energies violently cancelled each other out. {{storylink|End of the Line}} Primal was killed by the energy backlash and travelled to the Allspark, but chose not to join it, now understanding what the Oracle truly desired. Primal returned to reality via the Oracle, and the computer vanished. {{storylink|Fallout (episode)|Fallout}} Though, it was anomalously visible again a few times. {{storylink|A Wolf in the Fold}} {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike|The Strike}} {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege|The Siege}}

It would be some time before Primal realized it, but the Oracle had, in fact, transplanted itself into Primal's body. Megatron was first to realize this and targeted Primal, tricking him with a hologram of Optimus Prime and downloading a portion of the Oracle for himself. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search|The Search}} Using the power of the Oracle, Megatron attempted to merge all the sparks he had stolen from Cybertron's population with his own, but Primal's Maximals halted his scheme. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege|The Siege}}

Optimus sought to consult with the Oracle one last time before his final showdown against Megatron's forces. The Oracle informed Primal that he already held the wisdom and strength of conviction to triumph and see Cybertron through to its destiny. It then relayed the strength of the sparks contained within the Matrix to give the Maximals new powers, to aid them in the upcoming confrontation. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall|When Legends Fall}} As it would soon turn out, the Oracle had actually orchestrated this entire scenario, so that Optimus Primal and Megatron would both control a portion of its power: with its power split thusly, neither one would be able to obtain their goal without the other. It was Optimus Primal who ultimately claimed victory, driving Megatron into Cybertron's organic core and sacrificing both of them as he activated the Oracle and triggered a planet-wide reformatting of Cybertron into a technorganic paradise. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|Seeds of the Future}}
{{--}}

====3H comics====
The Oracle was revealed to be a shell program constructed by the [[Quintesson]]s millions of years ago, in an attempt to harness the power of Vector Sigma (which the Quintesson [[Al-Badur]] described as "the ultimate physical embodiment" of Primus) and cut off its connection to the Transformers it birthed. Using the Oracle, the Quintessons allegedly fed Optimus Primal the visions and information necessary to orchestrate the technorganic reformatting of Cybertron, believing that it would leave the Cybertronians weak and disoriented, opening the planet up to an easy conquest. {{storylink|Disclosure}} In actuality, however, it was the Quintessons themselves who were being manipulated, by Primus, who used the greedy aliens to instigate this great evolutionary leap for his children. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===''Beast Wars Neo'' manga===
[[File:BWN manga Great Convoy.jpg|thumb|]]
{{charstubfiction|{{Storylink|The 5 Rookies}} {{storylink|Double Cross}}}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
Vector Sigma was the internal computer of Primus, which he used to analyze what was happening in the universe via information gained from the [[Sonic Canyons]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} After taking control of Cybertron, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attempted to access Vector Sigma and download its information, but concluded that he needed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to initiate an uplink. Capturing Optimus Prime, he forcibly removed the Matrix from the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] and initiated a complete download. {{storylink|War and Peace}} However, the information was so great that it overwhelmed Shockwave's multiple secondary computers, spilling into whatever available memory it could find, including the as yet-to-be activated [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation One}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
[[File:ForcedFusion RID vectorsigma.jpg|thumb|Is this from ''Transformers'' or ''Bubble Bobble''?]]
[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by "the Allspark", Vector Sigma, to carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and lead the Autobots. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}
{{-}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
Like the more famous [[AllSpark]], Vector Sigma possessed the ability to create new [[spark]]s. Following the loss of the AllSpark during the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], the victorious Autobots used Vector Sigma to continue the growth of the Cybertronian race. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The Allspark Almanac II}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:VectorSigma-DOTM.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Yep, this is very live-action film-y looking, yessirree.]]
The great historian [[Alpha Trion (ROTF)|Alpha Trion]] preserved important datatracks from Vector Sigma, the "Cybertronian Database". Some of these datatracks told of a handful of battles on the planet [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Cyber Missions|Cyber Missions}} Vector Sigma also, more appropriately, held records of the Transformer race's long history, its artifacts and terminology, and its most important combatants.<ref>Transformers.com's ''Dark of the Moon'' website</ref>
{{-}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
[[File:COP-VectorSigmaAlphaTrion.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The power to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to Vector Sigma!]]
A prototype of Vector Sigma was utilized by the [[Thirteen]] to simulate battle strategies against [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]]. The full-scale model was created after the Chaos Bringer's defeat and before the War of the Primes. Unlike the device that would much later become the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Vector Sigma would remain unchanged over the eons.

During the [[Age of Rust]], Alpha Trion went to Vector Sigma to try and acquire the Matrix hoping to reignite the lost fire of Cybertronian society. Vector Sigma refused, saying the time was not right, but gave him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]] instead. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
Vector Sigma had become a myth. Many believed it was located within the [[Sonic Canyons]], although a few of Cybertron's elite knew it was located beneath [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. When the [[Decepticon]]s bombed the Sonic Canyons, they bombed the area where an entrance to Vector Sigma was said to be located, causing outrage among Cybertronians. When the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] opted to remain behind, believing the computer would keep him alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

According to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had been given to him by Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Shockwave eventually found Vector Sigma and tried to use Alpha Trion as a substitute key, only to learn the ancient Prime had looped a false access code around his necrocortex. Undeterred, Shockwave began pumping [[Dark Energon]] into the computer to try and override its security despite Alpha Trion's protestations. His plans were stopped by the [[Wreckers]] rescuing Trion, but the Prime despaired as Shockwave's experiments had attracted something [[Quintesson|monstrous]] to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:OrionPaxPart3 Vector Sigma.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|“The Wheel of Power is the key that will open the way back to the Accelerons”]]
The entrance to Vector Sigma was, unbeknownst to the [[Decepticon]]s, located beneath their capital of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. It remained there untouched throughout the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]] until [[Jack Darby]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] followed the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to it. In the chamber below the planet's surface, Jack used the Key to activate the supercomputer and began to download the contents of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Despite an attack of [[scraplet]]s, the download was successful, and Vector Sigma disappeared back into the depths. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:ChaosGalvatronVectorSigma.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I did it thirty-five minutes ago."]]

In the Cybertronians' creation myth, [[Guiding Hand|their gods]] went to war against one of their own, [[Mortilus|the god of death]], and the light-bringer Primus was so badly wounded that he had to merge with Cybertron itself in order to survive. He reformatted himself into Vector Sigma, the life-giving supercomputer in the core of the planet. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Another tale put forth the idea that Primus had fashioned Vector Sigma as his crypt in preparing for his physical demise. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

Whatever its true origin, Vector Sigma became the source of new Transformer life in Cybertron's early era by periodically sending out pulsewaves that ignited new [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]s of [[spark]]s across the planet and the moons. Following the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] however, these waves began to grow less frequent and eventually ceased, forcing [[Nova Prime]] to extract new sparks from the [[Matrix of Leadership]] instead. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

Vector Sigma would continue to serve as Cybertron's primary source of [[energon]], and the religious myths surrounding it caused many to believe it was a miracle machine that would continue to provide them with energy forever. [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], on the other hand, thought the computer to be part of a system that wasn't designed to handle the sprawling metropolis Cybertron had become thanks to Nova Prime's population boost, and feared that it would eventually run dry. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} His prediction apparently came true, as Cybertron was eventually crippled by widespread energon shortage. {{storylink|The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Monstrosity|Monstrosity}}

According to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Vector Sigma was "essentially erased" when Cybertron was rendered a dead and uninhabitable world by the long war and [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s rampage. {{storylink|Ironing Out the Details}}

The psychotic [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], being manipulated by the [[D-Void]] through the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], believed that destroying Cybertron would save the universe when, in fact, it would merge it with the [[Dead Universe]], killing all forms of life. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] attempted to stop him, but were too late to prevent him from feeding the Heart of Darkness into Vector Sigma. While [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]], and [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] fought with Galvatron, Rodimus convinced an initially reluctant Optimus that the only way to save Cybertron and the universe was to release the Matrix of Leadership inside Vector Sigma. Agreeing, Prime leapt into Vector Sigma, opening the Matrix and preventing the assault of the Dead Universe on Cybertron and the rest of the universe. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}} Unexpectedly, however, this resulted in the rebirth of Cybertron itself. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

Some years later, Cybertron was invaded by the [[Iron Ring]] eventually resulting in one of their number, the [[Prysmosian]] sorcerer [[Merklynn]], using the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] to create the city of [[New Prysmos]] deep in Cybertron's underground. {{storylink|First Strike issue 6|First Strike #6}}

The Cybertronians eventually placed New Prysmos under quarantine with [[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]] unintentionally discovering that the Talisman's energies were spreading outwards from the alien city after a portion of it had decayed his arm. Following this, [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] began to examine the Talisman energy surrounding New Prysmos and found that the device itself was burrowing its way down to Vector Sigma, apparently intent on completing the terraforming process. [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] did not take this news well. {{storylink|Schismatic}}

Wheeljack eventually constructed an anti-Talisman bomb that if detonated close enough to the supercomputer could immunize it against [[magic]]. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Transformers vs. Visionaries)|Desperate Measures}} After [[Quickswitch]] transported the bomb to Vector Sigma's antechamber, {{storylink|Good Men}} it went off at the same time as [[Galadria]]'s healing spell managing to preserve Vector Sigma while moving New Prysmos to Cybertron's surface. {{storylink|The Curtain}}

Though it was preserved, Vector Sigma was still poisoned by the Talisman's energies. While imprisoned, Shockwave revealed to [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] that this had been goal, intending for Vector Sigma's consumption to poison and kill [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} When Unicron arrived at Cybertron however, he physically tore the planet in two with his robot mode, destroying Vector Sigma while leaving the Chaos Bringer unharmed. {{storylink|Road's End}}

====The Functionist Universe====

When the [[Functionist Council]] discovered [[Nova Prime]]'s stockpile of Sparks, they deemed it heretical that the [[Senate]] would try to use them. The Senate responded by sealing Vector Sigma's chamber behind a wall of [[ununtrium]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Since ununtrium could cut ununtrium, this was, at best, a minor inconvenience for the Functionists but they left the supercomputer alone out of fear that their [[Key to Vector Sigma|collective alternate mode]] was unnecessary to activate it. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

Millions of years later, the Council "discovered" that the true purpose of [[Rung (G1)|Rung's]] alternate mode was to drill through the wall and free Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Fearing what the Council could do with Vector Sigma, [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] led a team to try and rescue Rung before they breached the chamber. The group arrived too late and were met by [[Six-of-Twelve]] whom Rodimus insulted before tackling him into Vector Sigma's chamber. His team followed and were horrified by the sight of {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}} Six using the false Matrix as an agony beam to torture Rodimus. Using Rung as a false hostage, [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] got Rodimus freed and the group escaped back to the surface and onto the [[Cog (facility)|Cog]]. On the ship, Rung explained that once the Council learned of his ability to generate [[photonic crystal]]s, they'd tried to tap the [[Matrix of Leadership]] for new sparks only to discover it was a fake, instead turning to Vector Sigma to extract all the sparks they needed to build a galaxy conquering army. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

After turning Cybertron itself into a cosmic engine of destruction, the planet's lack of mobility proved a hindrance to Functionist Council. To counteract this, the Council engineered Cybertron with a robot mode in [[Primus]]'s likeness, which was directed by seven of the remaining eleven councillors, all merged with Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}} [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] eventually hit on a plan to exploit Vector Sigma's connection to Cybertron's [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]s to overwhelm the supercomputer's defences and kill the councillors who had merged with it. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremebering}} When the heroes opened twelve duplicates of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the energies briefly overloaded Vector Sigma before the computer shunted the excess energy to the orbiting Luna 1, though not before the Functionist Council had been totally disintegrated, ending their reign. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
After Megatron had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]], {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}} the talisman led him to the face of [[Primus]], deep beneath Cybertron's surface. Using the Matrix, Megatron managed to pervert Vector Sigma causing the supercomputer to begin reshaping Cybertron into Megatron's likeness. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
At some point during the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Vector Sigma was destroyed, threatening the Cybertronian species with eventual extinction. To ensure a future for his race, [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] contacted humanity, who had forced the end of planet-devastating Great War, and used their knowledge to construct the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] as a successor to Vector Sigma, allowing for the birth of the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s. {{storylink|Head Games}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:Vector Sigma (Cyberverse - Megatron Is My Hero).jpg|thumb|right|Unfortunately "Shiny Ball" was confused at the time.]]
When Cybertron fell to war, Vector Sigma's chamber was seized by the [[Decepticon]]s. [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] intended to use the supercomputer to reprogram the [[AllSpark|Allspark]] and have it birth [[Decepticon supersoldier|whole generations of Decepticons]], delegating [[Shockwave (Cyberverse)|Shockwave]] to base himself in the computer's chamber. When the Autobots caught wind of this, [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] was sent down to Vector Sigma to gleam the Decepticon plan only to be chased away by [[Shockwave's drones]]. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}}

Many years later, [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] had the [[Seeker (Cyberverse)|Seekers]] retrieve Vector Sigma from Shockwave's lab and, after obtaining the Allspark, used the relic and supercomputer to create an army of [[Scraplet]]s. {{storylink|Bring Me The Spark Of Optimus Prime}} {{storylink|Dark Birth}} [[Acid Storm (Cyberverse)|Acid Storm]] later used Vector Sigma to give Starscream complete control of the Allspark. Starscream was defeated soon afterwards and the Allspark forced out of his physical form. While the Autobots claimed the life-giving artefact, {{storylink|I Am The Allspark}} Vector Sigma was claimed by the Decepticons and brought back to Cybertron, {{storylink|Escape From Earth}} where it returned to its position within the [[Threshold of the Allspark]]. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron II}}

When the Autobots returned to Cybertron, the battle began to shift in the Decepticons' favour. [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] decided that the Autobots had to destroy Vector Sigma only to find that the supercomputer being guarded by [[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|Bludgeon]]. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron III}} As the two dueled, [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] snuck in and sprayed the supercomputer with [[unspace]] goo. After Windblade kicked Bludgeon into the computer, the unspace matter took effect and destroyed Vector Sigma, undoing any chance of Megatron creating his perfect army. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron IV}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
Upon returning to Cybertron following Megatron's takeover, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] reassured the crew of the ''[[Fist of Iacon]]'' that the relics of the past, Vector Sigma among them, would help them through the storm to come. {{storylink|Storm Horizon Part 3}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
After being brought to life by their respective factions thanks to Vector Sigma, the Aerialbots and the Stunticons fought for control of the supercomputer. Though the Autobots ultimately triumphed, the Decepticons made their escape in possession of the Key to Vector Sigma. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1 (Legends)|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

==Merchandise==
===''Timelines''===
[[File:VectorSigmaBotcon07b.jpg|thumb||upright=1.66|Long have you hunted me. Long have I eluded you.]]
*'''Vector Sigma''' ([[BotCon]] [[2007]] Souvenir Add-on)
**''Accessories'': Key, stand

:A hollow plastic Vector Sigma, packaged with a removable Circuit Key and a clear "hovering effect" display stand, was produced by the Lukis Bros of [http://www.unicron.com/ Unicron.com] as a special souvenir item offered [[exclusive]]ly at [[BotCon 2007]].

:The sphere of Vector Sigma was designed to scale with the contemporary-at-the-time ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' toys, while the slot for the key was intentionally designed to enable the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] mold to be inserted into the sphere, allowing Safeguard to function as an alternative personal key for [[Vector Prime]] to use to access Vector Sigma himself.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153596737309912&id=317740274911</ref>

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/VectorSigma/VectorSigma/vectorsigma.htm More information on Vector Sigma at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:VectorSigmaMP10.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Masterpiece Optimus Prime''' ([[2014]])

:Vector Sigma came as an exclusive with the Hasbro Asia re-release of the Hasbro version of ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-10 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|Optimus Prime]]. It contained a hollow plastic Vector Sigma, a removable Circuit Key and a cardboard stand.
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:Legacy A Hero is Born Vector Sigma.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Guess he really ''did'' have a key on him.]]
*'''A Hero is Born''' (2-pack, [[2022]])
**''Accessories'': Key, stand
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Takio Ejima]] and [[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Lenny Panzica]] (initial concept)}}<ref>[https://youtu.be/vuZHDR3ZBd8 Transformers Panel] at [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2022]] Day 1 on the [[Hasbro Pulse]] YouTube channel.</ref>

:Revealed at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2022, Vector Sigma, along with its [[Key to Vector Sigma#Legacy|Key]], are included in a box set with [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Legacy|Alpha Trion]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#HasbroPulse|Orion Pax]]. Vector Sigma is perched atop a removable translucent stand.

:The set was listed for sale as a [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2022|Pulse Con 2022]] exclusive, and began appearing in Hong Kong stores shortly afterwards.

{{--}}

==Notes==
*The idea of Vector Sigma appears to have been invented by [[Flint Dille]] while spitballing potential episode concepts in February 1985, which he included in a missive sent out to potential new writers for the cartoon to illustrate the types of stories the cartoon might tell. In a brief summary for a plot he titled "Journey to the Center of Cybertron," he proposed: "The Autobots and Decepticons have to fight their way to the center of their own planet through a maze of primitive monsters to try and find the 'original program' -- the machine that made all of them."<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dmk717ChQ_M6zqfHUy1gdCB2g58DZVKh/view "Transformers Series Update" letter] by Flint Dille, 7 February 1985, via the [https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/mp-700-transformers-part-1-1984-1985.html Sunbow and Marvel Productions Script/Storyboard Archive].</ref> In the same letter, Dille noted that the idea had grabbed him, and that he might write the episode himself; it seems likely that, very soon after this letter was sent, during the early development of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Dille had this idea in mind when he put together his proposal for the film, "[[The Secret of Cybertron]]," which involved Optimus Prime travelling to the center of Cybertron to discover the origin of the Transformer race.
*But of course, "The Secret of Cybertron" was never produced, and instead, the concept ultimately wound up being brought to life by [[David Wise]], who has said at various conventions (such as [[BotCon 2009]]) that he was instructed to include the computer when writing "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|The Key to Vector Sigma]]" (probably around July/August '85). Not knowing what Vector Sigma was, he pressed [[Marvel Productions]] story editor [[Bryce Malek]], who didn't know either; when he passed the question further up the chain, he was told that it was "the computer that gave all the Transformers personalities"... to which Malek responded: "Well, it didn't do a very good job, did it!" (In recounting the story, Wise has claimed Hasbro mandated its inclusion, and that Malek contacted them, but it seems likely he was misremembering and the instruction came down from Dille at Sunbow, who by that stage, had largely taken over the writing and story direction of the series).
*Prior to the event known as the "[[Shroud]]", the many incarnations of Vector Sigma that exist in different dimensions were linked in a massive, multiversal network known as the "Vector Sigma Gestalt," each one identified as a "node" in the network. The [[Caretaker]], an independent computer designed by Vector Sigma to aid the Autobot [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] was able to uplink to the Gestalt, identifying three particular "nodes" with a 10 digit numerical designation. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}} These three universes were:

*141.207.6.661 - [[Aurex 405.0 Epsilon]], a [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] cartoon universe<ref>Specifically, the Unicron Trilogy universe [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], and possibly also [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] and [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] are from. Whether this is the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comic Unicron Trilogy, the cartoon Unicron Trilogy, or a hybrid of the two is a [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|subject of debate]].</ref>
*585.354.3.116 - [[Primax 797.18 Epsilon]], the [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|3H Beast Era]] universe, potentially a tangent timeline to the original G1 cartoon universe<ref>The [[Caretaker]] notes that the Unicron Trilogy hub and this hub recently had "disruptions", which seems to indicate the [[Unicron Singularity]]'s effects on the Unicron Trilogy and ''Universe''. The Generation 1 cartoon universe is a universe very similar to this one, if they are not indeed the very same.</ref>
*216.333.8.616 - [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]], the ''[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]'' universe
**The Caretaker also spoke of a "central hub" that [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]] (the Classicsverse) was too far away from for Caretaker to function properly.
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Vector Sigma''' (ベクターシグマ ''Bekutā Shiguma''; ベクトル・シグマ ''Bekutoru Shiguma''<ref>"The Rebirth" Japanese dub</ref>)
*''French:'' '''Victor Sigma''' (France, ''The Rebirth, Part 3'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mólì Shénqiú''' (魔力神球, "Magic God Ball"), '''Sigma Shǐliàng''' (西格玛矢量, "Sigma Vector")
*''Russian:'' '''Sigma-Komp'yuter''' (Сигма-Компьютер)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Sigma-komp'yuter''' (Сигма-комп'ютер)

==References==
<references />

==See also==
*[[Primus]]
*[[Omega Terminus]]
*[[Transformer afterlife]]

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Neo characters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising]]
[[Category:Car Robots characters]]
[[Category:Computers]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Cyberverse (2018)]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon]]
[[Category:Generation 1 computers]]
[[Category:Kiss Players]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001)]]
[[Category:The Headmasters]]
[[Category:TransTech]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron]]

User:Volnar The Unforgiving

2023-05-17T01:23:20Z

Volnar The Unforgiving:

[[File:Chugway.jpg|right|thumb|300px|I don't know what more to say about this, but I'm putting it here.]]
"Volnar The Unforgiving" is the screen name of an individual hailing from a universe in the [[Quadwal]] cluster. He possesses large amounts of [[Decepticon]] figurines and even an affinity for Decepticon colors, and, going off of this, he could be speculated to be some sort of Decepticon himself. He also has a bizarre, practically instinctual love for purple things, like [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and even [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. He spends a lot of his time on the internet, often discussing things. He has a notable distaste for the [[Live-action film series|Bayformers movies]] and their character designs.

If you know him personally, you'd know the similarities between him and [[Shortround (Cybertron)|Shortround]] are uncanny, although he might wish he were more of a [[Purple Wicked Convoy]].

[[FIRRIB|Frenzy is red, Rumble is lavender.]]

Hot Rod (G1)

2023-05-12T11:21:54Z

Volnar The Unforgiving: /* Transformers: Earth Wars */

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Together with Ultra Magnus, Rodimus engaged in battle against [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], but was terrified when the Decepticon ninja unleashed the fury of his "Six Shadow Selves"! Luckily for Rodimus, Sixshot's doppelgangers were actually other Decepticons whom he'd painted black (and weren't very happy about it). {{storylink|PDTF Comic##18|The Ninja of Space, Sixshot!!}}

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

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

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:WarAgainstDestructions-HotRodApeface.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|GRONK yourself!]]
As Ultra Magnus left for a mission to find an Energon source, Hot Rod assured him that everything would be fine on Cybertron, and if there was any hint of trouble "Rodimus" would pop up and save the day. When Magnus later checked in, Hot Rod reported that they'd made some process on Headmaster technology. Though Magnus was more concerned about the threat of war, Hot Rod told him not to worry, unaware that [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] was planning to throw him a surprise. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===3H comics===
[[File:Skidswreckers2.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|It's funny because Rodimus sucked at everything.]]
A few months after he destroyed [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in 2005, {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}} Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoeTFHotRod70s.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|"That bumperchest really doesn't feel right. How do Prowl and Jazz live with it?"]]
Hot Rod was one of [[Teletran 3]]'s unfortunate victims when the computer malfunctioned and transported a random number of Transformers to random points in Earth's timeline. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Hot Rod ended up in mid-1970's [[San Francisco]], where he was locked into the form of a Ford Mustang muscle car. The dormant Autobot was soon stolen by a car thief, but was chased down by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members sent to retrieve the Transformers. Discovering [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the process, the humans equipped both vehicles with [[disruption unit]] that awakened the Transformers and sent them back to present-day Cybertron seconds after Hot Rod commented about feeling "really weird." {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on Cybertron, they were stuck waiting inside the force field Ultra Magnus had erected to prevent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] from capturing Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

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

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

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
[[File:SpotlightHotRod-HotRodcvrAexcerpt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|As much as anything else, this was to troll [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]].]]
Originating from the city-state of [[Nyon]], {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} Hot Rod destroyed it to keep its population from being painfully, fatally drained to fuel the corrupt [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s war machines. {{storylink|Purge}}

Years later, Hot Rod held a fairly high rank in the Autobot army, equivalent to [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], and was sent on a mission to [[Ki-Aleta]] to retrieve the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] which turned into a only technically-successful disaster, with himself the only apparent survivor. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}} When he found out [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] had also survived, he rescued him from a Decepticon prison, unaware that he was the traitor who had caused things to go so wrong. Soon after, he was called to Earth to aid [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], but briefly returned to retrieve the Magnificence to gain information on the [[Expansion]], during which he discovered Dealer's treachery and killed him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}} Thereafter, he returned to his information-gathering task on the [[Machination]], and though was badly beaten by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], he still aided in the Decepticon's defeat. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}}

After surviving the [[Surge (event)|Surge]], {{storylink|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron}} and watching Optimus surrender to [[Skywatch]], {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Hot Rod led a group of Autobots to make an alliance with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to get off Earth, with the capitalist Decepticon buttering him up by dubbing him "Rodimus Prime". {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}} Adopting the name, Rodimus fled his bad decisions by stealing [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]' spacecraft, hoping to redeem himself by reclaiming the stolen [[Matrix of Leadership]] from [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]. After fighting his way through the Decepticons and reclaiming the talisman, Rodimus was blasted into space by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], leading to a trip that involved the discovery of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron's]] army-building. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}} {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}} Returning the Matrix and this information to Optimus, he was permanently redubbed Rodimus and joined him in facing Galvatron, {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}} convincing Optimus that only the Matrix could undo the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]]' contamination of Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}}

With the Great War considered over and Cybertron reborn, the Autobots oversaw the return of their planet's [[NAIL|neutral population]]. When a map leading to the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]] was found in the depleted core of the Matrix, Rodimus decided to leave Cybertron, hoping to find the Knights so they could bring peace to the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

Emotionally manipulated by Prowl however, Rodimus allowed the [[Phase Sixer]] [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] to be smuggled aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'' in an attempt to extract information from the former Decepticon. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} After he broke free of his restraints, Overlord went on a rampage, leaving much of the crew dead or wounded, {{storylink|The Gloaming}} setting the crew on a collision course with the rogue [[Chief Justice]] [[Solomus|Tyrest]], stopping his mad scheme to commit genocide against all constructed cold Cybertronians. Though the day had been saved, Rodimus' Matrix half, and the map within, had been shattered. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}}

After a brief stopover at Cybertron to stop [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s evil plan, {{storylink|Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron}} Rodimus found himself, thanks to loophole exploitation, sharing the captaincy with a repentant Megatron. The ''Lost Light'' set course for [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], also seeking the Knights, {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} with the legendary Autobot joining the ''Lost Light''. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}}

Following their heroics at [[Miliarium]], [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] travelled to [[Necroworld]], finding a vengeful [[Decepticon Justice Division]] waiting for them. Trying to call for help, the Autobots found that [[Getaway]] had taken over the ''Lost Light'', the majority of the crew disgusted at Team Rodimus' acceptance of Megatron. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} Salvation for the resource-starved group when [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] sacrificed himself to supercharge everyone to [[Outlier (group)|outlier]] levels of power, {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} buying enough time for Megatron's gambits to defeat the DJD. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

When trying to return to Cybertron, Team Rodimus found that they had been shunted into a [[Functionist Universe|parallel universe]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} While they quickly managed to return home, Megatron, much to Rodimus' fury, had managed to stay behind. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}}

When the group instead flew after the ''Lost Light'', they were forced to abandon ship, {{storylink|Sardines}} falling into the orbit of the original [[Mederi]] which Rodimus deduced was the legendary [[Cyberutopia]]. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Finding themselves caught in the plans of the mysterious [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]], Rodimus managed to reclaim the ''Lost Light'' {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} before Megatron returned from the parallel universe alongside the threat the Architect had prepared for, the alternate [[Functionist Council]] whose version of Cybertron they'd turned into a planet-sized monster. The Architect then revealed himself to be Adaptus, naming the other members of the [[Guiding Hand]], all of whom Rodimus had crossed paths with in his life. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}} After Adaptus had been killed, {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Rung, the new identity of Primus himself, gave his life to produce twelve duplicates of the Matrix, allowing the ''Lost Light'' crew to overload [[Vector Sigma]] via Cybertron's [[Hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spots]], disintegrating the Functionist Council. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Amomg Embers}}

With the quest over, Rodimus said goodbye to Megatron, carted off for trial and punishment by the [[Galactic Council]], while the ''Lost Light'' itself was disassembled to aid in the rebuilding of "New Cybertron". In the centuries that followed, Rodimus found himself unable to properly adapt to peacetime, finding solace in alcohol. Eventually he signed onto the ''[[Exitus]]'' in a futile attempt to relive the glory days. When [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], a slightly drunk Rodimus placed Megatron's withered [[Rodimus Star]] on the medic's tomb but promised to stay in touch with [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Fire Rodimus===
{{note|Fire Rodimus is based on an unproduced toy concept. For information about the toy concept, see [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Notes|here]].}}
[[File:TFGRodimus.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|New Rodimus, not to be confused with New Coke.]]

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

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

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

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe4 hotrod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Flame deco now available with Kirby Krackle!]]

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

On a routine collection of [[turborat]] traps, Hot Rod was puzzled to find that one trap contained not the robotic pests he was used to, but small, organic beings: unfortunate members of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who had recently arrived on the planet. Tossing them in with the rest of his cargo and going on his weary way past the [[smelting pool]]s, he was suddenly confronted by Autobot revolutionary Blaster, who despised him for his defection and opened fire on him. A G.I. Joe [[G.I.Rocket|missile bombardment]] subsequently took Blaster out, but when Decepticons [[Apeface]] and [[Demolisher (G1)|Demolisher]] arrived, they assumed Hot Rod was responsible and congratulated him. Praise from these low-lifes was the last straw for Hot Rod, and he threw the pair into one of the furnaces, loaded up the unconscious Blaster, and roared off back to Metroplex, unintentionally providing the Joes with an escape from their own missiles in the process. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:TheWarNeverEnds RodimusSkyLynx.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]

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

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

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

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:Of Masters and Mayhem flashback.jpeg|thumb|left|300px]]

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

{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Ben Pronsky]] (''Combiner Wars'', English), [[Judd Nelson]] (''Titans Return'', ''Power of the Primes'', English)}}

[[File:TheCouncil-Rodimus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

At some point around the end of the Great War, Hot Rod accepted the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to become Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} In his new role as leader, Rodimus became a member of Cybertron's [[Council of Worlds]] alongside [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and the [[Mistress of Flame]]. {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Starscream}} {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Windblade}}

When the Council of Worlds convened to discuss the out-of-control [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]] that threatened both Cybertron and its outlying colonies, Rodimus first suggested fighting fire with fire by using the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create more combiners. As the three members debated how to best handle the problem, Rodimus suggested getting [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] involved before [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] attempted to eliminate the Enigma and accidentally injured Starscream when her shot went wide. {{storylink|The Council}}

[[File:AftermathAndRebirth-HotRod.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Later, the Council of Worlds examined the corpses of [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] when security cameras detected Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Windblade on approach to destroy the Enigma. In desperation, the Mistress suggested using the Enigma of Combination to intimidate Prime's team into standing down, but Rodimus advocated a peaceful approach, and the three went to meet with the intruders face-to-face. Eventually, however, negotiations broke down when Megatron fired on his former lieutenant, and amidst the chaos [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] attacked from below, ripped one of Rodimus's arms off, and hurled him away. {{storylink|Homecoming (CW)|Homecoming}}

Rodimus's injuries left him too damaged to safely activate the Enigma, and this injury allowed Starscream to get his hands on the Enigma and betray his nominal allies by taking the relic's power for himself.
{{storylink|A War of Giants}} As Starscream struggled to maintain control of his new form, a burst of energy sent Rodimus and the Mistress of Flame flying. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (CW)|Darkest Hour}} After Starscream's defeat, Rodimus and the Mistress of Flame stood by as Windblade made a peace offering by handing the Enigma over to [[Victorion]]. {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}

Following the Combiner Wars, Rodimus returned to the [[Primal Basilica]], where he asked the [[Chorus of the Primes]] to take back the [[Matrix of Leadership]], as he no longer believed himself worthy to carry it. The Chorus agreed and restored his arm before reformatting him back into his previous body as Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} When the [[Mistress of Flame]] alerted him to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s attack, he rushed back towards [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex City]] to help fight, assuring the Mistress he wouldn't be long. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} {{storylink|The Fight Begins}}

[[File:AtTheLastSecond-HotRodWindblade.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Finally arriving, he ran into Windblade and the two worked together to attack Trypticon, though they were unable to save Metroplex. When [[Emissary (TR)|Emissary]] was swallowed by Trypticon, Hot Rod entered Trypticon's body himself and rescued the [[Titan Master]], though he was hit by Trypticon's tail and sustained severe damage. Unable to move, he asked Windblade to take Emissary and find [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. As he lay on the ground, [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] arrived and forced the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]] into the weakened Hot Rod's chest, corrupting him. {{storylink|At the Last Second}} The two later observed the end of the conflict and the return of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] from afar. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

[[File:Volcanicus-RodimusCron.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Carbon fiber, 28 caliber, made in China; if you want to kill a public servant, Mr. Maroni, I recommend you buy American.]]

Now an acolyte of Megatronus, Hot Rod found himself dramatically powered up by the Matrix of Chaos, which granted him the new name '''Rodimus Cron'''. He joined Overlord in assaulting the remaining Combiners, killing [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and disabling [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. He proceeded to destroy Devastator's limbs one by one until [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] finally confessed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s whereabouts, only to finish the job anyway before departing for [[Primal Swamp]] with Overlord. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}

At first their search proved fruitless, but they spotted the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and took them down, attempting to interrogate them for Megatron's whereabouts. Rodimus found himself momentarily possessed by [[Unicron]], who identified the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]] from [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s description before killing [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] as a warning, leaving Rodimus's body as he and Overlord headed for the library. There, they caught Megatron's team unaware, giving Rodimus the opportunity to kill Victorion. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} Rodimus then proceeded to beat down any member of the team that came his way, culminating in him strangling Windblade when she moved to defend Megatron. Though she pleaded with him in an attempt to reach him, he assured her the old Hot Rod was dead and tossed her aside. He again prepared to execute Megatron, but Overlord insisted he do it himself. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}}

Unfortunately for him, Megatron used the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] to kill Overlord, overwhelming Rodimus with its power and leaving him on the ground. As Megatronus arrived to take the blaster, revealing his intention to combine it with the Matrix, Rodimus was again possessed by Unicron. Hellbent on destroying the Matrix, he approached Megatronus, but was knocked away before the Fallen Prime escaped with the blaster. Undeterred, Rodimus got to his feet and gave chase in vehicle mode. Although Windblade still hoped to save her friend, the others all agreed that if the time came, Rodimus might have to be sacrificed to save their race. {{storylink|Consequences}} Rodimus eventually arrived at the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] just as Megatronus had incapacitated everyone but Megatron, and the power of Unicron morphed him into an even stronger form. {{storylink|Collision Course}}

[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Rodimus-Cron-evolves.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"We are [[Venom (Marvel)|Venom]]."]]

Now fully possessed by Unicron, Rodimus battled Megatronus for the Matrix. When [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] got his hands on it instead and transformed into Optimal Optimus, he drew Rodimus's attention and the two began fighting, seemingly evenly matched. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Ultimately, Optimal got the upper hand and managed to remove the Matrix of Chaos from Rodimus, freeing him from Unicron's control and turning him back to Hot Rod. With Unicron now attempting to take control of Megatron, the still-weak Hot Rod confirmed their only option was to kill them both, to which Optimal obliged. In the aftermath, Hot Rod was placed in intensive care to recover from his experience, though Optimus Prime suspected that the emotional wounds from his time as Rodimus Cron would never heal. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

{{--}}

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

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-EvolutionRodimusUnicronus-CardArt.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb]]
With the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Hot Rod could evolve into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Skrapnel packaging bio}} However, when corrupted by the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]], Nemesis Hot Rod evolved into Rodimus Unicronus. Either form could wield powers of the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s by linking with [[Prime Master]]s. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Evolution Rodimus Prime and Evolution Rodimus Unicronus packaging bios}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Rodimus Prime and Rodimus Unicronus, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}
{{-}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===

[[File:MazingerZvsTransformers-futuredream.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

A group of mysterious dimensional observers observed a potential future where Hot Rod and Star Convoy stood side-by-side with [[Great Mazinger]]. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===
[[File:TFBTTF2-RodimusBumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In a dystopian 2015 created from the Decepticons' monopoly over [[time travel]], Rodimus Prime led the few remaining Autobots from [[Hill Valley]]'s [[Delgado Mine]]. When the defected Decepticon [[Gigawatt]], having scanned the [[DeLorean time machine]], came before Rodimus and informed him of how Megatron had gained time travel, Rodimus sent him back to [[1974]] to undo the perversion of history. As a result of his damaged [[flux capacitor]] however, Gigawatt was unable to complete his mission, instead bringing [[Marty McFly]], from the year [[1985]] before Rodimus. Though Rodimus had hoped Marty could repair the flux capacitor, the human told him that only [[Doc Brown]] could repair it. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

Soon afterwards, Rodimus led the Autobots to a distress signal, finding that Starscream, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and [[Biff Tannen]] had surrounded Doc Brown as well as Marty's parents [[Lorraine Baines-McFly|Lorraine]] and her husband [[George McFly|George]]. Though Rodimus advocated caution, Marty ran in, providing enough of a distraction for the Autobots to engage. The Autobots and their allies emerged victorious but before they could roll out, the Hill Valley courthouse unexpectedly revealed itself to be [[Watchtower]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 3|Transformers/Back to the Future #3}}

Ordering the humans to retreat, Rodimus boldly led the charge against Watchtower but quickly found his troops outmatched by the giant's firepower. When Gigawatt was injured by the battle, Rodimus ordered Skilz to back the humans up, fighting alone until he was simply stomped to death by Watchtower. Following Marty and Gigawatt altering time so that the Decepticons were never awakened, Rodimus never ascended to leadership of the Autobots. When Marty returned to 2015 with the [[DeLorean time machine]], Rodimus greeted him. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4|Transformers/Back to the Future #4}}
{{-}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:ARealMother-NewFriends.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

After the Decepticons' pilfering of [[Equestria]]n artifacts had brought several ponies to Cybertron, {{storylink|The Magic of Cybertron}} Hot Rod was among the Cybertronian youths who befriended the displaced [[Scootaloo]], showing their guest some Cybertronian stunts before the group reunited the equine with her aunts [[Holiday]] and [[Lofty]]. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}

{{--}}

===''Last Bot Standing''===
[[File:LastBotStanding2-Rodimussir.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Hot Rod was forged during the Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons. Although some of his comrades convinced themselves that conflict was intrinsically ingrained into their civilization, the fact that Hot Rod had never known a Cybertron at peace didn't make his duty of fighting against the Decepticons any easier. In time, Hot Rod rose to become "Rodimus Prime" then, at some point afterwards, shed the title to become simply "Rodimus". During his career, Rodimus stood shoulder-to-shoulder with many heroes of the war, including Optimus Prime, but developed a one-sided rivalry with [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]. He also at some point had a familiarity with a "[[Lost Light|lost light]]". {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

Rodimus was stationed on [[Earth]] when the increasingly violent Cybertronian war obliterated the planet, and he would remember the planet's destruction for many years afterwards. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} Over and over again, innocent species found themselves caught between the two factions and paid the price—including [[human]]s, [[Nebulan]]s, and [[Klozian|Klovian]]s—and with each new casualty Rodimus came to believe that his kind didn't deserve redemption. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

After ages of endless war, the Autobots and Decepticons finally became victims of their own success: their conflict had drained the universe of the [[energon]] and raw materials required to sustain themselves, and, one by one, the Cybertronians followed their victims into extinction. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} Eventually, Rodimus, [[Strongarm (G1)|Strongarm]], and [[Gripper (G1)|Gripper]] believed themselves to be the last three Cybertronians left in the universe, until they stumbled onto a pair of Decepticon warships. The Decepticons pursued them to the planet [[Donnokt]], a barren backwater on the very edge of the universe. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}} However, the three Autobots made a shocking discovery: in a universe otherwise devoid of resources, Donnokt possessed vast seams of raw, highly volatile energon. Rodimus correctly deduced that, if other Cybertronians learned of this geological miracle, their presence would only begin the war all over again; after killing the Decepticons who'd pursued them to the planet, Rodimus, despite his friends' reservations, decided that they would lie low and simply run out the clock until their shipboard energon reserves ran dry. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}} To their surprise, however, the three discovered a primitive race of pre-sapient humanoids. The discovery caused Rodimus to realize that, if they ''weren't'' the last Transformers left, the planet's abundant energon could attract other potential survivors, and so the three settled on a plan: as the primitive organics developed a tribal society, Rodimus opened contact with their most trustworthy individuals and gifted them three [[energon key]]s that could awaken their Cybertronian guardians in an emergency. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} At some point, Rodimus recorded a video message for the natives in which he warned them to avoid the energon buried in their planet's crust, lest they attract the attention of other "visitors" from beyond the stars. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

[[File:LastBotStanding1-Rodimuswagonmode.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

For the most part, Rodimus and his comrades kept to themselves, content to let the aliens evolve without any interference. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} Over time, however, Strongarm grew increasingly restless, and petitioned Rodimus to take their starship and search for other Cybertronian survivors. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} Thousands of years later, tragedy struck their little enclave: Gripper had an accident while recklessly driving in the mountains, and without the resources, energon, or skills required to repair their comrade, Strongarm and Rodimus couldn't save him. Some time later, an increasingly erratic Strongarm finally snapped and tried to steal their ship in an attempt to find other Cybertronians. Although Rodimus only intended to clip the ship's wings, he accidentally destroyed his only way off Donnokt and killed Strongarm with it. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}}

As his advanced age and lack of energon slowly caught up with him, Rodimus located the Wallkis family—remote descendants of the tribes he'd contacted thousands of years ago, and the current keepers of the energon keys—and made them an offer: if they kept him safe, he would protect their world from any outsiders who would do them harm. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} The Wallkises accepted the deal, and Rodimus shifted into a fuel-conserving low-power mode after assuming his [[alternate mode]]. Rodimus's dormant body found new use as a humble covered wagon, an heirloom to be passed down from parent to child; {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} by the time that the people of Donnokt had begun to mine their planet's energon and use it to fuel an industrial revolution, he and the energon keys eventually found their way into the possession of [[Shib Wallkis|Shib]], the eldest of three Wallkis siblings after the deaths of her parents. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}}

[[File:LastBotStanding1-Rodimusdie.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Pulled by [[Sparks (IDW)|Sparks]] and [[Firebolt (IDW)|Firebolt]], Shib used Rodimus's body to run an all-purpose courier service in the little settlement of [[Fembrance]], even though a new generation of fast, steam-powered cars threatened to undercut Shib's livelihood. One evening, after she helped rescue some miners from a cave-in up in the mountains, Shib returned to the town square just in time to see [[Nitro (IDW)|another Cybertronian]] approaching the village. The sight roused Rodimus into action, who promptly broke cover and decapitated the invader after a short, one-sided fight. Gathering the remnants of his wagon disguise around himself as a makeshift cape, Rodimus set out to investigate where the "visitor" had come from, and warned the inhabitants of Fembrance not to follow him. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}}

Rodimus followed the trail all the way out into the remote desert, where he discovered that the other Transformer had come to Donnokt using a one-way space capsule caked in a greasy, organic liquid. When Shib caught up with him, Rodimus briefly took in the sight of the stars going out overhead—a relativistic legacy of the universe-ravaging Cybertronian war—before explaining the sad history of his people to the girl. Before he could make any more headway on his investigation, however, a group of townsfolk led by alderman [[Errold]] caught up with him and demanded he return to town for questioning. After some back-and-forth, Rodimus agreed to play along, and even let them tie him down if it made him feel safe. As dawn broke, however, a completely fuel-deprived Rodimus couldn't free himself, and the arrival of [[Override (BWU)|Override]] and [[Riotgear (G1)|Riotgear]], searching of their compatriot, interrupted Shib's attempt to rescue her friend when they freed Rodimus, and brought him back to their base camp. Once there, Rodimus met their leader, [[Steel Jaw|Steeljaw]], who'd found a new way for him and his band of Cybertronian remnants to survive in an energon-depleted universe by processing living beings into [[biofuel]], before he finally passed out from fuel depletion. Upon coming to, Rodimus discovered that Shib had stowed away in his cape, and that Steeljaw's men planned to forcibly induct Rodimus into their ranks after turning Shib into a batch of biofuel. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

[[File:LastBotStanding3-thegoodstuff.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

While Rodimus mourned Shib's looming death, Steeljaw returned with an unexpected compatriot—[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s severed head, who'd found new life as the "Veteran": a living library of knowledge who remembered everything that Steeljaw and his crew had forgotten from fuel depletion. Although Steeljaw initially welcomed Rodimus into their group, Rodimus announced that he'd sooner die than convert to their parasitic lifestyle; when Steeljaw pushed the issue, Rodimus spat in his eye. Undeterred, Steeljaw left with his men to ransack Fembrance and take as many prisoners at they could for processing; while [[Moon (BW)|Moon]] prepared to turn Shib into fuel, Wheelie allowed the pair a moment to say goodbye. However, Shib took advantage of Wheelie's goodwill to use the energon key she'd been carrying to supercharge Rodimus, heal his injuries, and return him to fighting shape. The re-energized Rodimus quickly dispatched his guards, destroyed their refinery, and kicked Wheelie's head into orbit. Rodimus and Shib raced back to town, dispatching [[Treadshock (G1)|Treadshock]] and [[Vex]] on the way, but arrived too late to prevent Steeljaw from taking most of the town prisoner. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}}

[[File:LastBotStanding4-Rodimus.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Vegeta, what does the scouter say about his fanservice level?]]

Once he'd arrived, a furious Steeljaw, who'd stolen the two remaining energon keys, promptly confronted him with the video message he'd recorded thousands of years ago and accused him of living in the midst of plenty while he and his "family" had spent millennia subsisting on low-quality biofuel. Ignoring Rodimus's warnings that any large-scale excavation would put the entire planet at risk, Steeljaw announced his intent to process the citizens of Fembrance into biofuel, then convert back to processing energon. However, Steeljaw's men turned on him as they squabbled over who'd get to use the key and wound up destroying one entirely; amidst the confusion, Rodimus helped free the townsfolk, then, as Shib grabbed the last key and ran, caused a distraction by igniting a pair of energon-powered steam cars and hurling them at the other Transformers—only for the blowback to knock him unconscious. When Rodimus came to, he found that the remaining members of Steeljaw's pack had pooled their remaining fuel and [[combiner|combined]] themselves into the malformed [[Unstoppimus]].

Although Rodimus quickly took down the giant by ripping its head from its body, the distraction meant that he'd already begun to run out of fuel again; by the time he caught up with Steeljaw and Sharpclaw inside the energon mine, the pair had already captured Shib and used the last remaining energon key to supercharge Steeljaw. The two ex-Decepticons ambushed and fatally wounded Rodimus, but, in the face of Steeljaw's furious speech that they'd kill everyone on Donnokt and use their biofuel to convert their systems back to energon, Rodimus just laughed: he'd already destroyed their biofuel refinery, meaning that they had no way to harvest or process Donnokt's abundant energon. Screaming in rage, Steeljaw impaled Rodimus through the chest and hurled him down the mineshaft—only for the raw crystals to heal the old Autobot's injuries. As Steeljaw prepared to ignite the mineshaft and blow apart the whole planet in a final fit of spite, a supercharged Rodimus leapt from the shaft, blew off Steeljaw's arm, and, as his foe moved to kill Shib, blew Steeljaw's head to bits.

Having won the last battle his species would ever fight, Rodimus ripped his blasters from his arms and took in the sunset with Shib, where he thanked her for being the best boss he'd ever had. Over the next few months, Rodimus worked with the citizens of Fembrance and taught them how to more efficiently harness their planet's energon supplies, allowing them to reap the benefits of faster steam cars and an electrical grid. In the meantime, Rodimus turned his attention to salvaging whatever remained of Steeljaw's ship and the stasis chambers inside. After taking custody of Steeljaw's remaining followers and imprisoning them inside, Rodimus launched his starship into orbit around Donnokt—just in case any other Cybertronians came calling—and eventually returned to stasis. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
[[File:GoGo11-HotRod.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Y'know, the thing about a shark, he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes, like a doll's eyes.]]

While Hot Rod was on a drive with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the pair spied an enormous metal shark. Rather than fight it head-on, Hot Rod suggested they try to fish it up instead. Although his prey momentarily got the better of him when it swallowed the red Autobot, Hot Rod successfully cooked the giant fish from the inside out. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 11}}

One day, Hot Rod slept in on the date of an important Autobot meeting. An annoyed Ultra Magnus barged into his house and forced him to get ready, but as he raced out the door Hot Rod forgot his favourite handkerchief. As Magnus ran after Hot Rod, he wound up hitting his head on the door frame and collapsing Hot Rod's house on himself. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 12}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Go! Go! issue 15}}}}
{{--}}

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

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

===''The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth''===
[[File:C64RodimusPrime.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|YOU'RE Hot Rot, I'M Hot Rod! Are there any [[Hot Rod (disambiguation)|other Hot Rods]] I should know about?]]
[[File:C64HotRod.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|[[The Matrix]] brakes in the middle of my transformation.]]
Along with their fellow Autobots, Hotrod{{sic}} and Rodimus Prime protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Hotrod was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

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

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

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

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter von Gomm]] (English)}}
====Autobot story====
[[File:Callofthefuture rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"I am from the future and know a lot about history!"]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Chuck (AB)#As Rodimus}}
Rodimus appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events or with in-app purchases. He is portrayed by Chuck. He also appears as [[Chuck (AB)#As Nemesis Hot Rod|Nemesis Hot Rod]], who is basically Rodimus Cron. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interestingly, in this game, Rodimus Unicronus is implied to be Rodimus after being possessed by a force such as Unicron or The Fallen (Unicron is more heavily implied). He teams up with [[Straxus]] in the hopes of stopping Rodimus from fighting back this control.

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

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

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Hot Rod was once known as an impetuous troublemaker. In the present day, however, he was stationed at [[Autobot City]] and renowned for his compassion. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

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

==Notes==
*Rodimus Prime's preliminary name was '''Hot Rodimus''', which eventually became his name in [[Japan]].
*Like the rest of the [[1986]] movie's original characters, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had early designs by [[Floro Dery]] which the toys were based on, and then final models were drawn from the finished toys. The models that were used in the ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profile books and subsequent [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics had them using their pre-final models. See [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Character models]].
*Rodimus Prime's toy followed the model set by Optimus Prime before him by having a trailer that disconnected and transformed into a battle station (in this case, called the "[[Mobile Defense Bay]]"). Unlike Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], however, Rodimus's Defense Bay failed to make the leap to fiction, with the cartoon simply depicting his trailer as somewhat unfeasibly folding up into his legs and body <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120627165723/http://www.allspark.com/content/stories/tfpulp/8704TVM/k.gif Image of Rodimus Prime's animated transformation scheme from TV Magazine]</ref> (barring a few animation errors that depicted it as a separate unit). This [[Transformation|transformation scheme]] was realized in toy form with Rodimus's [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|6" ''Titanium Series'' action figure]].
*A lot of early secondary material uses Hot Rod and Rodimus in ways that don't fit the main Movie-established dynamic. As with stories from the same era that portrayed Megatron and Galvatron as separate beings, this was likely to avoid spoiling the Movie's ending.
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s powered up form has a color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's. The reference came full circle with [[Side Burn (RID)#Timelines|Generation 1 Side Burn]], who was a redeco of the ''Classics'' Rodimus toy.
*Aside from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[homage]]d twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].
*This Rodimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[space bridge]] project in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

Hot Rod (G1)

2023-05-12T11:21:04Z

Volnar The Unforgiving: /* Transformers: Earth Wars */

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the time following this campaign, Hot Rod would mature into a more sensible warrior and even a team leader. During the early stages of the war on [[Nebulos]], Hot Rod was Autobot commander against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s Decepticons before the return of Optimus Prime. At one point, he prevented the Decepticons causing Nebulos' destruction via cosmic radiation. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} He also orchestrated a search for a new source of lubricant when the Autobots were running dry, and led the construction of a pipeline bringing the oil reservoir's contents to Autobot base.
{{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}
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===Sticker Adventures books===
Out searching for a missing shuttle, Hot Rod and Kup spied it crashed on the Junk planet. They landed to find their friends engaged in battle with the natives, but Kup cautioned Hot Rod not to rashly jump in and join them. Kup's use of the Universal Autobot Greeting resulted in the Junkions abandoning the fight and making friends with the newcomers, and causing Hot Rod to exclaim "Holy cow!" The Junkions helped repair the damaged shuttle before the Autobots left. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}}}
{{-}}

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

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

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

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

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

Together with Ultra Magnus, Rodimus engaged in battle against [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], but was terrified when the Decepticon ninja unleashed the fury of his "Six Shadow Selves"! Luckily for Rodimus, Sixshot's doppelgangers were actually other Decepticons whom he'd painted black (and weren't very happy about it). {{storylink|PDTF Comic##18|The Ninja of Space, Sixshot!!}}

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

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

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:WarAgainstDestructions-HotRodApeface.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|GRONK yourself!]]
As Ultra Magnus left for a mission to find an Energon source, Hot Rod assured him that everything would be fine on Cybertron, and if there was any hint of trouble "Rodimus" would pop up and save the day. When Magnus later checked in, Hot Rod reported that they'd made some process on Headmaster technology. Though Magnus was more concerned about the threat of war, Hot Rod told him not to worry, unaware that [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] was planning to throw him a surprise. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
After looking upon the still-recovering Optimus Prime with Wheelie and Gnaw, Hot Rod was accosted by several "[[Female Autobots|Transformer-like warriors]]," and knocked off-line. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}
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===3H comics===
[[File:Skidswreckers2.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|It's funny because Rodimus sucked at everything.]]
A few months after he destroyed [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in 2005, {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}} Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoeTFHotRod70s.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|"That bumperchest really doesn't feel right. How do Prowl and Jazz live with it?"]]
Hot Rod was one of [[Teletran 3]]'s unfortunate victims when the computer malfunctioned and transported a random number of Transformers to random points in Earth's timeline. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Hot Rod ended up in mid-1970's [[San Francisco]], where he was locked into the form of a Ford Mustang muscle car. The dormant Autobot was soon stolen by a car thief, but was chased down by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members sent to retrieve the Transformers. Discovering [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the process, the humans equipped both vehicles with [[disruption unit]] that awakened the Transformers and sent them back to present-day Cybertron seconds after Hot Rod commented about feeling "really weird." {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on Cybertron, they were stuck waiting inside the force field Ultra Magnus had erected to prevent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] from capturing Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

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

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

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
[[File:SpotlightHotRod-HotRodcvrAexcerpt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|As much as anything else, this was to troll [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]].]]
Originating from the city-state of [[Nyon]], {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} Hot Rod destroyed it to keep its population from being painfully, fatally drained to fuel the corrupt [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s war machines. {{storylink|Purge}}

Years later, Hot Rod held a fairly high rank in the Autobot army, equivalent to [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], and was sent on a mission to [[Ki-Aleta]] to retrieve the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] which turned into a only technically-successful disaster, with himself the only apparent survivor. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}} When he found out [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] had also survived, he rescued him from a Decepticon prison, unaware that he was the traitor who had caused things to go so wrong. Soon after, he was called to Earth to aid [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], but briefly returned to retrieve the Magnificence to gain information on the [[Expansion]], during which he discovered Dealer's treachery and killed him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}} Thereafter, he returned to his information-gathering task on the [[Machination]], and though was badly beaten by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], he still aided in the Decepticon's defeat. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}}

After surviving the [[Surge (event)|Surge]], {{storylink|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron}} and watching Optimus surrender to [[Skywatch]], {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Hot Rod led a group of Autobots to make an alliance with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to get off Earth, with the capitalist Decepticon buttering him up by dubbing him "Rodimus Prime". {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}} Adopting the name, Rodimus fled his bad decisions by stealing [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]' spacecraft, hoping to redeem himself by reclaiming the stolen [[Matrix of Leadership]] from [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]. After fighting his way through the Decepticons and reclaiming the talisman, Rodimus was blasted into space by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], leading to a trip that involved the discovery of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron's]] army-building. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}} {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}} Returning the Matrix and this information to Optimus, he was permanently redubbed Rodimus and joined him in facing Galvatron, {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}} convincing Optimus that only the Matrix could undo the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]]' contamination of Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}}

With the Great War considered over and Cybertron reborn, the Autobots oversaw the return of their planet's [[NAIL|neutral population]]. When a map leading to the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]] was found in the depleted core of the Matrix, Rodimus decided to leave Cybertron, hoping to find the Knights so they could bring peace to the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

Emotionally manipulated by Prowl however, Rodimus allowed the [[Phase Sixer]] [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] to be smuggled aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'' in an attempt to extract information from the former Decepticon. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} After he broke free of his restraints, Overlord went on a rampage, leaving much of the crew dead or wounded, {{storylink|The Gloaming}} setting the crew on a collision course with the rogue [[Chief Justice]] [[Solomus|Tyrest]], stopping his mad scheme to commit genocide against all constructed cold Cybertronians. Though the day had been saved, Rodimus' Matrix half, and the map within, had been shattered. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}}

After a brief stopover at Cybertron to stop [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s evil plan, {{storylink|Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron}} Rodimus found himself, thanks to loophole exploitation, sharing the captaincy with a repentant Megatron. The ''Lost Light'' set course for [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], also seeking the Knights, {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} with the legendary Autobot joining the ''Lost Light''. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}}

Following their heroics at [[Miliarium]], [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] travelled to [[Necroworld]], finding a vengeful [[Decepticon Justice Division]] waiting for them. Trying to call for help, the Autobots found that [[Getaway]] had taken over the ''Lost Light'', the majority of the crew disgusted at Team Rodimus' acceptance of Megatron. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} Salvation for the resource-starved group when [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] sacrificed himself to supercharge everyone to [[Outlier (group)|outlier]] levels of power, {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} buying enough time for Megatron's gambits to defeat the DJD. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

When trying to return to Cybertron, Team Rodimus found that they had been shunted into a [[Functionist Universe|parallel universe]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} While they quickly managed to return home, Megatron, much to Rodimus' fury, had managed to stay behind. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}}

When the group instead flew after the ''Lost Light'', they were forced to abandon ship, {{storylink|Sardines}} falling into the orbit of the original [[Mederi]] which Rodimus deduced was the legendary [[Cyberutopia]]. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Finding themselves caught in the plans of the mysterious [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]], Rodimus managed to reclaim the ''Lost Light'' {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} before Megatron returned from the parallel universe alongside the threat the Architect had prepared for, the alternate [[Functionist Council]] whose version of Cybertron they'd turned into a planet-sized monster. The Architect then revealed himself to be Adaptus, naming the other members of the [[Guiding Hand]], all of whom Rodimus had crossed paths with in his life. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}} After Adaptus had been killed, {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Rung, the new identity of Primus himself, gave his life to produce twelve duplicates of the Matrix, allowing the ''Lost Light'' crew to overload [[Vector Sigma]] via Cybertron's [[Hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spots]], disintegrating the Functionist Council. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Amomg Embers}}

With the quest over, Rodimus said goodbye to Megatron, carted off for trial and punishment by the [[Galactic Council]], while the ''Lost Light'' itself was disassembled to aid in the rebuilding of "New Cybertron". In the centuries that followed, Rodimus found himself unable to properly adapt to peacetime, finding solace in alcohol. Eventually he signed onto the ''[[Exitus]]'' in a futile attempt to relive the glory days. When [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], a slightly drunk Rodimus placed Megatron's withered [[Rodimus Star]] on the medic's tomb but promised to stay in touch with [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Fire Rodimus===
{{note|Fire Rodimus is based on an unproduced toy concept. For information about the toy concept, see [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Notes|here]].}}
[[File:TFGRodimus.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|New Rodimus, not to be confused with New Coke.]]

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

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

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

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe4 hotrod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Flame deco now available with Kirby Krackle!]]

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

On a routine collection of [[turborat]] traps, Hot Rod was puzzled to find that one trap contained not the robotic pests he was used to, but small, organic beings: unfortunate members of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who had recently arrived on the planet. Tossing them in with the rest of his cargo and going on his weary way past the [[smelting pool]]s, he was suddenly confronted by Autobot revolutionary Blaster, who despised him for his defection and opened fire on him. A G.I. Joe [[G.I.Rocket|missile bombardment]] subsequently took Blaster out, but when Decepticons [[Apeface]] and [[Demolisher (G1)|Demolisher]] arrived, they assumed Hot Rod was responsible and congratulated him. Praise from these low-lifes was the last straw for Hot Rod, and he threw the pair into one of the furnaces, loaded up the unconscious Blaster, and roared off back to Metroplex, unintentionally providing the Joes with an escape from their own missiles in the process. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:TheWarNeverEnds RodimusSkyLynx.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]

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

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

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

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:Of Masters and Mayhem flashback.jpeg|thumb|left|300px]]

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

{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Ben Pronsky]] (''Combiner Wars'', English), [[Judd Nelson]] (''Titans Return'', ''Power of the Primes'', English)}}

[[File:TheCouncil-Rodimus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

At some point around the end of the Great War, Hot Rod accepted the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to become Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} In his new role as leader, Rodimus became a member of Cybertron's [[Council of Worlds]] alongside [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and the [[Mistress of Flame]]. {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Starscream}} {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Windblade}}

When the Council of Worlds convened to discuss the out-of-control [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]] that threatened both Cybertron and its outlying colonies, Rodimus first suggested fighting fire with fire by using the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create more combiners. As the three members debated how to best handle the problem, Rodimus suggested getting [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] involved before [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] attempted to eliminate the Enigma and accidentally injured Starscream when her shot went wide. {{storylink|The Council}}

[[File:AftermathAndRebirth-HotRod.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Later, the Council of Worlds examined the corpses of [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] when security cameras detected Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Windblade on approach to destroy the Enigma. In desperation, the Mistress suggested using the Enigma of Combination to intimidate Prime's team into standing down, but Rodimus advocated a peaceful approach, and the three went to meet with the intruders face-to-face. Eventually, however, negotiations broke down when Megatron fired on his former lieutenant, and amidst the chaos [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] attacked from below, ripped one of Rodimus's arms off, and hurled him away. {{storylink|Homecoming (CW)|Homecoming}}

Rodimus's injuries left him too damaged to safely activate the Enigma, and this injury allowed Starscream to get his hands on the Enigma and betray his nominal allies by taking the relic's power for himself.
{{storylink|A War of Giants}} As Starscream struggled to maintain control of his new form, a burst of energy sent Rodimus and the Mistress of Flame flying. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (CW)|Darkest Hour}} After Starscream's defeat, Rodimus and the Mistress of Flame stood by as Windblade made a peace offering by handing the Enigma over to [[Victorion]]. {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}

Following the Combiner Wars, Rodimus returned to the [[Primal Basilica]], where he asked the [[Chorus of the Primes]] to take back the [[Matrix of Leadership]], as he no longer believed himself worthy to carry it. The Chorus agreed and restored his arm before reformatting him back into his previous body as Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} When the [[Mistress of Flame]] alerted him to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s attack, he rushed back towards [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex City]] to help fight, assuring the Mistress he wouldn't be long. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} {{storylink|The Fight Begins}}

[[File:AtTheLastSecond-HotRodWindblade.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Finally arriving, he ran into Windblade and the two worked together to attack Trypticon, though they were unable to save Metroplex. When [[Emissary (TR)|Emissary]] was swallowed by Trypticon, Hot Rod entered Trypticon's body himself and rescued the [[Titan Master]], though he was hit by Trypticon's tail and sustained severe damage. Unable to move, he asked Windblade to take Emissary and find [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. As he lay on the ground, [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] arrived and forced the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]] into the weakened Hot Rod's chest, corrupting him. {{storylink|At the Last Second}} The two later observed the end of the conflict and the return of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] from afar. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

[[File:Volcanicus-RodimusCron.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Carbon fiber, 28 caliber, made in China; if you want to kill a public servant, Mr. Maroni, I recommend you buy American.]]

Now an acolyte of Megatronus, Hot Rod found himself dramatically powered up by the Matrix of Chaos, which granted him the new name '''Rodimus Cron'''. He joined Overlord in assaulting the remaining Combiners, killing [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and disabling [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. He proceeded to destroy Devastator's limbs one by one until [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] finally confessed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s whereabouts, only to finish the job anyway before departing for [[Primal Swamp]] with Overlord. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}

At first their search proved fruitless, but they spotted the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and took them down, attempting to interrogate them for Megatron's whereabouts. Rodimus found himself momentarily possessed by [[Unicron]], who identified the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]] from [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s description before killing [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] as a warning, leaving Rodimus's body as he and Overlord headed for the library. There, they caught Megatron's team unaware, giving Rodimus the opportunity to kill Victorion. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} Rodimus then proceeded to beat down any member of the team that came his way, culminating in him strangling Windblade when she moved to defend Megatron. Though she pleaded with him in an attempt to reach him, he assured her the old Hot Rod was dead and tossed her aside. He again prepared to execute Megatron, but Overlord insisted he do it himself. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}}

Unfortunately for him, Megatron used the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] to kill Overlord, overwhelming Rodimus with its power and leaving him on the ground. As Megatronus arrived to take the blaster, revealing his intention to combine it with the Matrix, Rodimus was again possessed by Unicron. Hellbent on destroying the Matrix, he approached Megatronus, but was knocked away before the Fallen Prime escaped with the blaster. Undeterred, Rodimus got to his feet and gave chase in vehicle mode. Although Windblade still hoped to save her friend, the others all agreed that if the time came, Rodimus might have to be sacrificed to save their race. {{storylink|Consequences}} Rodimus eventually arrived at the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] just as Megatronus had incapacitated everyone but Megatron, and the power of Unicron morphed him into an even stronger form. {{storylink|Collision Course}}

[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Rodimus-Cron-evolves.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"We are [[Venom (Marvel)|Venom]]."]]

Now fully possessed by Unicron, Rodimus battled Megatronus for the Matrix. When [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] got his hands on it instead and transformed into Optimal Optimus, he drew Rodimus's attention and the two began fighting, seemingly evenly matched. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Ultimately, Optimal got the upper hand and managed to remove the Matrix of Chaos from Rodimus, freeing him from Unicron's control and turning him back to Hot Rod. With Unicron now attempting to take control of Megatron, the still-weak Hot Rod confirmed their only option was to kill them both, to which Optimal obliged. In the aftermath, Hot Rod was placed in intensive care to recover from his experience, though Optimus Prime suspected that the emotional wounds from his time as Rodimus Cron would never heal. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

{{--}}

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

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-EvolutionRodimusUnicronus-CardArt.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb]]
With the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Hot Rod could evolve into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Skrapnel packaging bio}} However, when corrupted by the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]], Nemesis Hot Rod evolved into Rodimus Unicronus. Either form could wield powers of the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s by linking with [[Prime Master]]s. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Evolution Rodimus Prime and Evolution Rodimus Unicronus packaging bios}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Rodimus Prime and Rodimus Unicronus, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}
{{-}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===

[[File:MazingerZvsTransformers-futuredream.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

A group of mysterious dimensional observers observed a potential future where Hot Rod and Star Convoy stood side-by-side with [[Great Mazinger]]. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===
[[File:TFBTTF2-RodimusBumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In a dystopian 2015 created from the Decepticons' monopoly over [[time travel]], Rodimus Prime led the few remaining Autobots from [[Hill Valley]]'s [[Delgado Mine]]. When the defected Decepticon [[Gigawatt]], having scanned the [[DeLorean time machine]], came before Rodimus and informed him of how Megatron had gained time travel, Rodimus sent him back to [[1974]] to undo the perversion of history. As a result of his damaged [[flux capacitor]] however, Gigawatt was unable to complete his mission, instead bringing [[Marty McFly]], from the year [[1985]] before Rodimus. Though Rodimus had hoped Marty could repair the flux capacitor, the human told him that only [[Doc Brown]] could repair it. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

Soon afterwards, Rodimus led the Autobots to a distress signal, finding that Starscream, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and [[Biff Tannen]] had surrounded Doc Brown as well as Marty's parents [[Lorraine Baines-McFly|Lorraine]] and her husband [[George McFly|George]]. Though Rodimus advocated caution, Marty ran in, providing enough of a distraction for the Autobots to engage. The Autobots and their allies emerged victorious but before they could roll out, the Hill Valley courthouse unexpectedly revealed itself to be [[Watchtower]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 3|Transformers/Back to the Future #3}}

Ordering the humans to retreat, Rodimus boldly led the charge against Watchtower but quickly found his troops outmatched by the giant's firepower. When Gigawatt was injured by the battle, Rodimus ordered Skilz to back the humans up, fighting alone until he was simply stomped to death by Watchtower. Following Marty and Gigawatt altering time so that the Decepticons were never awakened, Rodimus never ascended to leadership of the Autobots. When Marty returned to 2015 with the [[DeLorean time machine]], Rodimus greeted him. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4|Transformers/Back to the Future #4}}
{{-}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:ARealMother-NewFriends.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

After the Decepticons' pilfering of [[Equestria]]n artifacts had brought several ponies to Cybertron, {{storylink|The Magic of Cybertron}} Hot Rod was among the Cybertronian youths who befriended the displaced [[Scootaloo]], showing their guest some Cybertronian stunts before the group reunited the equine with her aunts [[Holiday]] and [[Lofty]]. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}

{{--}}

===''Last Bot Standing''===
[[File:LastBotStanding2-Rodimussir.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Hot Rod was forged during the Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons. Although some of his comrades convinced themselves that conflict was intrinsically ingrained into their civilization, the fact that Hot Rod had never known a Cybertron at peace didn't make his duty of fighting against the Decepticons any easier. In time, Hot Rod rose to become "Rodimus Prime" then, at some point afterwards, shed the title to become simply "Rodimus". During his career, Rodimus stood shoulder-to-shoulder with many heroes of the war, including Optimus Prime, but developed a one-sided rivalry with [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]. He also at some point had a familiarity with a "[[Lost Light|lost light]]". {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

Rodimus was stationed on [[Earth]] when the increasingly violent Cybertronian war obliterated the planet, and he would remember the planet's destruction for many years afterwards. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} Over and over again, innocent species found themselves caught between the two factions and paid the price—including [[human]]s, [[Nebulan]]s, and [[Klozian|Klovian]]s—and with each new casualty Rodimus came to believe that his kind didn't deserve redemption. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

After ages of endless war, the Autobots and Decepticons finally became victims of their own success: their conflict had drained the universe of the [[energon]] and raw materials required to sustain themselves, and, one by one, the Cybertronians followed their victims into extinction. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} Eventually, Rodimus, [[Strongarm (G1)|Strongarm]], and [[Gripper (G1)|Gripper]] believed themselves to be the last three Cybertronians left in the universe, until they stumbled onto a pair of Decepticon warships. The Decepticons pursued them to the planet [[Donnokt]], a barren backwater on the very edge of the universe. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}} However, the three Autobots made a shocking discovery: in a universe otherwise devoid of resources, Donnokt possessed vast seams of raw, highly volatile energon. Rodimus correctly deduced that, if other Cybertronians learned of this geological miracle, their presence would only begin the war all over again; after killing the Decepticons who'd pursued them to the planet, Rodimus, despite his friends' reservations, decided that they would lie low and simply run out the clock until their shipboard energon reserves ran dry. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}} To their surprise, however, the three discovered a primitive race of pre-sapient humanoids. The discovery caused Rodimus to realize that, if they ''weren't'' the last Transformers left, the planet's abundant energon could attract other potential survivors, and so the three settled on a plan: as the primitive organics developed a tribal society, Rodimus opened contact with their most trustworthy individuals and gifted them three [[energon key]]s that could awaken their Cybertronian guardians in an emergency. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} At some point, Rodimus recorded a video message for the natives in which he warned them to avoid the energon buried in their planet's crust, lest they attract the attention of other "visitors" from beyond the stars. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

[[File:LastBotStanding1-Rodimuswagonmode.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

For the most part, Rodimus and his comrades kept to themselves, content to let the aliens evolve without any interference. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} Over time, however, Strongarm grew increasingly restless, and petitioned Rodimus to take their starship and search for other Cybertronian survivors. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} Thousands of years later, tragedy struck their little enclave: Gripper had an accident while recklessly driving in the mountains, and without the resources, energon, or skills required to repair their comrade, Strongarm and Rodimus couldn't save him. Some time later, an increasingly erratic Strongarm finally snapped and tried to steal their ship in an attempt to find other Cybertronians. Although Rodimus only intended to clip the ship's wings, he accidentally destroyed his only way off Donnokt and killed Strongarm with it. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}}

As his advanced age and lack of energon slowly caught up with him, Rodimus located the Wallkis family—remote descendants of the tribes he'd contacted thousands of years ago, and the current keepers of the energon keys—and made them an offer: if they kept him safe, he would protect their world from any outsiders who would do them harm. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} The Wallkises accepted the deal, and Rodimus shifted into a fuel-conserving low-power mode after assuming his [[alternate mode]]. Rodimus's dormant body found new use as a humble covered wagon, an heirloom to be passed down from parent to child; {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} by the time that the people of Donnokt had begun to mine their planet's energon and use it to fuel an industrial revolution, he and the energon keys eventually found their way into the possession of [[Shib Wallkis|Shib]], the eldest of three Wallkis siblings after the deaths of her parents. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}}

[[File:LastBotStanding1-Rodimusdie.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Pulled by [[Sparks (IDW)|Sparks]] and [[Firebolt (IDW)|Firebolt]], Shib used Rodimus's body to run an all-purpose courier service in the little settlement of [[Fembrance]], even though a new generation of fast, steam-powered cars threatened to undercut Shib's livelihood. One evening, after she helped rescue some miners from a cave-in up in the mountains, Shib returned to the town square just in time to see [[Nitro (IDW)|another Cybertronian]] approaching the village. The sight roused Rodimus into action, who promptly broke cover and decapitated the invader after a short, one-sided fight. Gathering the remnants of his wagon disguise around himself as a makeshift cape, Rodimus set out to investigate where the "visitor" had come from, and warned the inhabitants of Fembrance not to follow him. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}}

Rodimus followed the trail all the way out into the remote desert, where he discovered that the other Transformer had come to Donnokt using a one-way space capsule caked in a greasy, organic liquid. When Shib caught up with him, Rodimus briefly took in the sight of the stars going out overhead—a relativistic legacy of the universe-ravaging Cybertronian war—before explaining the sad history of his people to the girl. Before he could make any more headway on his investigation, however, a group of townsfolk led by alderman [[Errold]] caught up with him and demanded he return to town for questioning. After some back-and-forth, Rodimus agreed to play along, and even let them tie him down if it made him feel safe. As dawn broke, however, a completely fuel-deprived Rodimus couldn't free himself, and the arrival of [[Override (BWU)|Override]] and [[Riotgear (G1)|Riotgear]], searching of their compatriot, interrupted Shib's attempt to rescue her friend when they freed Rodimus, and brought him back to their base camp. Once there, Rodimus met their leader, [[Steel Jaw|Steeljaw]], who'd found a new way for him and his band of Cybertronian remnants to survive in an energon-depleted universe by processing living beings into [[biofuel]], before he finally passed out from fuel depletion. Upon coming to, Rodimus discovered that Shib had stowed away in his cape, and that Steeljaw's men planned to forcibly induct Rodimus into their ranks after turning Shib into a batch of biofuel. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

[[File:LastBotStanding3-thegoodstuff.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

While Rodimus mourned Shib's looming death, Steeljaw returned with an unexpected compatriot—[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s severed head, who'd found new life as the "Veteran": a living library of knowledge who remembered everything that Steeljaw and his crew had forgotten from fuel depletion. Although Steeljaw initially welcomed Rodimus into their group, Rodimus announced that he'd sooner die than convert to their parasitic lifestyle; when Steeljaw pushed the issue, Rodimus spat in his eye. Undeterred, Steeljaw left with his men to ransack Fembrance and take as many prisoners at they could for processing; while [[Moon (BW)|Moon]] prepared to turn Shib into fuel, Wheelie allowed the pair a moment to say goodbye. However, Shib took advantage of Wheelie's goodwill to use the energon key she'd been carrying to supercharge Rodimus, heal his injuries, and return him to fighting shape. The re-energized Rodimus quickly dispatched his guards, destroyed their refinery, and kicked Wheelie's head into orbit. Rodimus and Shib raced back to town, dispatching [[Treadshock (G1)|Treadshock]] and [[Vex]] on the way, but arrived too late to prevent Steeljaw from taking most of the town prisoner. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}}

[[File:LastBotStanding4-Rodimus.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Vegeta, what does the scouter say about his fanservice level?]]

Once he'd arrived, a furious Steeljaw, who'd stolen the two remaining energon keys, promptly confronted him with the video message he'd recorded thousands of years ago and accused him of living in the midst of plenty while he and his "family" had spent millennia subsisting on low-quality biofuel. Ignoring Rodimus's warnings that any large-scale excavation would put the entire planet at risk, Steeljaw announced his intent to process the citizens of Fembrance into biofuel, then convert back to processing energon. However, Steeljaw's men turned on him as they squabbled over who'd get to use the key and wound up destroying one entirely; amidst the confusion, Rodimus helped free the townsfolk, then, as Shib grabbed the last key and ran, caused a distraction by igniting a pair of energon-powered steam cars and hurling them at the other Transformers—only for the blowback to knock him unconscious. When Rodimus came to, he found that the remaining members of Steeljaw's pack had pooled their remaining fuel and [[combiner|combined]] themselves into the malformed [[Unstoppimus]].

Although Rodimus quickly took down the giant by ripping its head from its body, the distraction meant that he'd already begun to run out of fuel again; by the time he caught up with Steeljaw and Sharpclaw inside the energon mine, the pair had already captured Shib and used the last remaining energon key to supercharge Steeljaw. The two ex-Decepticons ambushed and fatally wounded Rodimus, but, in the face of Steeljaw's furious speech that they'd kill everyone on Donnokt and use their biofuel to convert their systems back to energon, Rodimus just laughed: he'd already destroyed their biofuel refinery, meaning that they had no way to harvest or process Donnokt's abundant energon. Screaming in rage, Steeljaw impaled Rodimus through the chest and hurled him down the mineshaft—only for the raw crystals to heal the old Autobot's injuries. As Steeljaw prepared to ignite the mineshaft and blow apart the whole planet in a final fit of spite, a supercharged Rodimus leapt from the shaft, blew off Steeljaw's arm, and, as his foe moved to kill Shib, blew Steeljaw's head to bits.

Having won the last battle his species would ever fight, Rodimus ripped his blasters from his arms and took in the sunset with Shib, where he thanked her for being the best boss he'd ever had. Over the next few months, Rodimus worked with the citizens of Fembrance and taught them how to more efficiently harness their planet's energon supplies, allowing them to reap the benefits of faster steam cars and an electrical grid. In the meantime, Rodimus turned his attention to salvaging whatever remained of Steeljaw's ship and the stasis chambers inside. After taking custody of Steeljaw's remaining followers and imprisoning them inside, Rodimus launched his starship into orbit around Donnokt—just in case any other Cybertronians came calling—and eventually returned to stasis. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
[[File:GoGo11-HotRod.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Y'know, the thing about a shark, he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes, like a doll's eyes.]]

While Hot Rod was on a drive with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the pair spied an enormous metal shark. Rather than fight it head-on, Hot Rod suggested they try to fish it up instead. Although his prey momentarily got the better of him when it swallowed the red Autobot, Hot Rod successfully cooked the giant fish from the inside out. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 11}}

One day, Hot Rod slept in on the date of an important Autobot meeting. An annoyed Ultra Magnus barged into his house and forced him to get ready, but as he raced out the door Hot Rod forgot his favourite handkerchief. As Magnus ran after Hot Rod, he wound up hitting his head on the door frame and collapsing Hot Rod's house on himself. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 12}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Go! Go! issue 15}}}}
{{--}}

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

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

===''The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth''===
[[File:C64RodimusPrime.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|YOU'RE Hot Rot, I'M Hot Rod! Are there any [[Hot Rod (disambiguation)|other Hot Rods]] I should know about?]]
[[File:C64HotRod.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|[[The Matrix]] brakes in the middle of my transformation.]]
Along with their fellow Autobots, Hotrod{{sic}} and Rodimus Prime protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Hotrod was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

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

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

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

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter von Gomm]] (English)}}
====Autobot story====
[[File:Callofthefuture rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"I am from the future and know a lot about history!"]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Chuck (AB)#As Rodimus}}
Rodimus appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events or with in-app purchases. He is portrayed by Chuck. He also appears as [[Chuck (AB)#As Nemesis Hot Rod|Nemesis Hot Rod]], who is basically Rodimus Cron. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interestingly, in this game, Rodimus Unicronus is implied to be Rodimus after being possessed by a force such as Unicron or The Fallen (Unicron is more heavily implied). He teams up with Straxus in the hopes of stopping Rodimus from fighting back this control.

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

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

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Hot Rod was once known as an impetuous troublemaker. In the present day, however, he was stationed at [[Autobot City]] and renowned for his compassion. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

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

==Notes==
*Rodimus Prime's preliminary name was '''Hot Rodimus''', which eventually became his name in [[Japan]].
*Like the rest of the [[1986]] movie's original characters, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had early designs by [[Floro Dery]] which the toys were based on, and then final models were drawn from the finished toys. The models that were used in the ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profile books and subsequent [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics had them using their pre-final models. See [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Character models]].
*Rodimus Prime's toy followed the model set by Optimus Prime before him by having a trailer that disconnected and transformed into a battle station (in this case, called the "[[Mobile Defense Bay]]"). Unlike Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], however, Rodimus's Defense Bay failed to make the leap to fiction, with the cartoon simply depicting his trailer as somewhat unfeasibly folding up into his legs and body <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120627165723/http://www.allspark.com/content/stories/tfpulp/8704TVM/k.gif Image of Rodimus Prime's animated transformation scheme from TV Magazine]</ref> (barring a few animation errors that depicted it as a separate unit). This [[Transformation|transformation scheme]] was realized in toy form with Rodimus's [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|6" ''Titanium Series'' action figure]].
*A lot of early secondary material uses Hot Rod and Rodimus in ways that don't fit the main Movie-established dynamic. As with stories from the same era that portrayed Megatron and Galvatron as separate beings, this was likely to avoid spoiling the Movie's ending.
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s powered up form has a color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's. The reference came full circle with [[Side Burn (RID)#Timelines|Generation 1 Side Burn]], who was a redeco of the ''Classics'' Rodimus toy.
*Aside from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[homage]]d twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].
*This Rodimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[space bridge]] project in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

Hot Rod (G1)

2023-05-12T11:20:06Z

Volnar The Unforgiving: /* Transformers: Earth Wars */

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In a splinter timeline, Hot Rod would lose the Matrix a whole bunch of times. ''Constantly.'' Eventually, he would resign himself to his role as Rodimus Prime, leader, though in 2011 it was under his watch that Cybertron was destroyed. Rodimus would later discover the planet Micro and help develop Micromaster technology, becoming one himself and reverting back to Hot Rod.
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===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Hoverscooter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Wheeeee....]]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
Initially serving under [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hot Rod travelled to [[Nebulos]] where he became a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] and then on to [[Earth]] where he joined [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s forces aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Returning to Cybertron, he survived the battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and formed part of the shaky Autobot-Decepticon alliance under the leadership of Prime's successor [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Betrayed by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s Decepticons, Hot Rod was killed during the ambush on [[Klo]] but revived shortly afterwards by the power of the [[Last Autobot]].

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Together with Ultra Magnus, Rodimus engaged in battle against [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], but was terrified when the Decepticon ninja unleashed the fury of his "Six Shadow Selves"! Luckily for Rodimus, Sixshot's doppelgangers were actually other Decepticons whom he'd painted black (and weren't very happy about it). {{storylink|PDTF Comic##18|The Ninja of Space, Sixshot!!}}

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

Joining [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]] and Ultra Magnus in an assault on Mega Zarak, Rodimus was terrified when the mammoth Decepticon unleashed his titanic Anti-Gravity Rifle. Fortunately for the Autobots, the gun jammed and Mega Zarak was left fiddling with it while they opened fire. {{storylink|PDTF Comic##24|Anti-Gravity Rifle}}
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===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:WarAgainstDestructions-HotRodApeface.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|GRONK yourself!]]
As Ultra Magnus left for a mission to find an Energon source, Hot Rod assured him that everything would be fine on Cybertron, and if there was any hint of trouble "Rodimus" would pop up and save the day. When Magnus later checked in, Hot Rod reported that they'd made some process on Headmaster technology. Though Magnus was more concerned about the threat of war, Hot Rod told him not to worry, unaware that [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] was planning to throw him a surprise. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

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

Hot Rod and Blurr next visited Tau-Ursa to check for Decepticons, and encountered [[Apeface|Ape Face]], who had found a [[Logicon]] warning beacon. The two Autobots wrestled it from him and returned to Cybertron, where the beacon was found to hold the coordinates to [[Metascan Alpha]], a major Energon storehouse. Prime placed Hot Rod in charge of one of two teams to search for the planet, though the operation was hampered slightly by the discovery of the two Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clone]]s spying on them. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}
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===Toy pack-in material===
Both Hot Rod and Rodimus fought side-by-side during a tumultuous battle on a moon base. While Rodimus charged [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] alongside [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], Hot Rod received a punch to the face, courtesy of [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. {{storylink|Decipher the Decepticon}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
After looking upon the still-recovering Optimus Prime with Wheelie and Gnaw, Hot Rod was accosted by several "[[Female Autobots|Transformer-like warriors]]," and knocked off-line. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}
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===3H comics===
[[File:Skidswreckers2.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|It's funny because Rodimus sucked at everything.]]
A few months after he destroyed [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in 2005, {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}} Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoeTFHotRod70s.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|"That bumperchest really doesn't feel right. How do Prowl and Jazz live with it?"]]
Hot Rod was one of [[Teletran 3]]'s unfortunate victims when the computer malfunctioned and transported a random number of Transformers to random points in Earth's timeline. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Hot Rod ended up in mid-1970's [[San Francisco]], where he was locked into the form of a Ford Mustang muscle car. The dormant Autobot was soon stolen by a car thief, but was chased down by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members sent to retrieve the Transformers. Discovering [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the process, the humans equipped both vehicles with [[disruption unit]] that awakened the Transformers and sent them back to present-day Cybertron seconds after Hot Rod commented about feeling "really weird." {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on Cybertron, they were stuck waiting inside the force field Ultra Magnus had erected to prevent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] from capturing Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

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

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

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
[[File:SpotlightHotRod-HotRodcvrAexcerpt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|As much as anything else, this was to troll [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]].]]
Originating from the city-state of [[Nyon]], {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} Hot Rod destroyed it to keep its population from being painfully, fatally drained to fuel the corrupt [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s war machines. {{storylink|Purge}}

Years later, Hot Rod held a fairly high rank in the Autobot army, equivalent to [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], and was sent on a mission to [[Ki-Aleta]] to retrieve the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] which turned into a only technically-successful disaster, with himself the only apparent survivor. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}} When he found out [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] had also survived, he rescued him from a Decepticon prison, unaware that he was the traitor who had caused things to go so wrong. Soon after, he was called to Earth to aid [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], but briefly returned to retrieve the Magnificence to gain information on the [[Expansion]], during which he discovered Dealer's treachery and killed him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}} Thereafter, he returned to his information-gathering task on the [[Machination]], and though was badly beaten by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], he still aided in the Decepticon's defeat. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}}

After surviving the [[Surge (event)|Surge]], {{storylink|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron}} and watching Optimus surrender to [[Skywatch]], {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Hot Rod led a group of Autobots to make an alliance with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to get off Earth, with the capitalist Decepticon buttering him up by dubbing him "Rodimus Prime". {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}} Adopting the name, Rodimus fled his bad decisions by stealing [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]' spacecraft, hoping to redeem himself by reclaiming the stolen [[Matrix of Leadership]] from [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]. After fighting his way through the Decepticons and reclaiming the talisman, Rodimus was blasted into space by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], leading to a trip that involved the discovery of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron's]] army-building. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}} {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}} Returning the Matrix and this information to Optimus, he was permanently redubbed Rodimus and joined him in facing Galvatron, {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}} convincing Optimus that only the Matrix could undo the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]]' contamination of Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}}

With the Great War considered over and Cybertron reborn, the Autobots oversaw the return of their planet's [[NAIL|neutral population]]. When a map leading to the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]] was found in the depleted core of the Matrix, Rodimus decided to leave Cybertron, hoping to find the Knights so they could bring peace to the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

Emotionally manipulated by Prowl however, Rodimus allowed the [[Phase Sixer]] [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] to be smuggled aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'' in an attempt to extract information from the former Decepticon. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} After he broke free of his restraints, Overlord went on a rampage, leaving much of the crew dead or wounded, {{storylink|The Gloaming}} setting the crew on a collision course with the rogue [[Chief Justice]] [[Solomus|Tyrest]], stopping his mad scheme to commit genocide against all constructed cold Cybertronians. Though the day had been saved, Rodimus' Matrix half, and the map within, had been shattered. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}}

After a brief stopover at Cybertron to stop [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s evil plan, {{storylink|Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron}} Rodimus found himself, thanks to loophole exploitation, sharing the captaincy with a repentant Megatron. The ''Lost Light'' set course for [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], also seeking the Knights, {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} with the legendary Autobot joining the ''Lost Light''. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}}

Following their heroics at [[Miliarium]], [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] travelled to [[Necroworld]], finding a vengeful [[Decepticon Justice Division]] waiting for them. Trying to call for help, the Autobots found that [[Getaway]] had taken over the ''Lost Light'', the majority of the crew disgusted at Team Rodimus' acceptance of Megatron. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} Salvation for the resource-starved group when [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] sacrificed himself to supercharge everyone to [[Outlier (group)|outlier]] levels of power, {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} buying enough time for Megatron's gambits to defeat the DJD. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

When trying to return to Cybertron, Team Rodimus found that they had been shunted into a [[Functionist Universe|parallel universe]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} While they quickly managed to return home, Megatron, much to Rodimus' fury, had managed to stay behind. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}}

When the group instead flew after the ''Lost Light'', they were forced to abandon ship, {{storylink|Sardines}} falling into the orbit of the original [[Mederi]] which Rodimus deduced was the legendary [[Cyberutopia]]. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Finding themselves caught in the plans of the mysterious [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]], Rodimus managed to reclaim the ''Lost Light'' {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} before Megatron returned from the parallel universe alongside the threat the Architect had prepared for, the alternate [[Functionist Council]] whose version of Cybertron they'd turned into a planet-sized monster. The Architect then revealed himself to be Adaptus, naming the other members of the [[Guiding Hand]], all of whom Rodimus had crossed paths with in his life. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}} After Adaptus had been killed, {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Rung, the new identity of Primus himself, gave his life to produce twelve duplicates of the Matrix, allowing the ''Lost Light'' crew to overload [[Vector Sigma]] via Cybertron's [[Hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spots]], disintegrating the Functionist Council. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Amomg Embers}}

With the quest over, Rodimus said goodbye to Megatron, carted off for trial and punishment by the [[Galactic Council]], while the ''Lost Light'' itself was disassembled to aid in the rebuilding of "New Cybertron". In the centuries that followed, Rodimus found himself unable to properly adapt to peacetime, finding solace in alcohol. Eventually he signed onto the ''[[Exitus]]'' in a futile attempt to relive the glory days. When [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], a slightly drunk Rodimus placed Megatron's withered [[Rodimus Star]] on the medic's tomb but promised to stay in touch with [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Fire Rodimus===
{{note|Fire Rodimus is based on an unproduced toy concept. For information about the toy concept, see [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Notes|here]].}}
[[File:TFGRodimus.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|New Rodimus, not to be confused with New Coke.]]

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

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

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

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe4 hotrod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Flame deco now available with Kirby Krackle!]]

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

On a routine collection of [[turborat]] traps, Hot Rod was puzzled to find that one trap contained not the robotic pests he was used to, but small, organic beings: unfortunate members of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who had recently arrived on the planet. Tossing them in with the rest of his cargo and going on his weary way past the [[smelting pool]]s, he was suddenly confronted by Autobot revolutionary Blaster, who despised him for his defection and opened fire on him. A G.I. Joe [[G.I.Rocket|missile bombardment]] subsequently took Blaster out, but when Decepticons [[Apeface]] and [[Demolisher (G1)|Demolisher]] arrived, they assumed Hot Rod was responsible and congratulated him. Praise from these low-lifes was the last straw for Hot Rod, and he threw the pair into one of the furnaces, loaded up the unconscious Blaster, and roared off back to Metroplex, unintentionally providing the Joes with an escape from their own missiles in the process. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:TheWarNeverEnds RodimusSkyLynx.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]

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

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

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

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:Of Masters and Mayhem flashback.jpeg|thumb|left|300px]]

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

{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Ben Pronsky]] (''Combiner Wars'', English), [[Judd Nelson]] (''Titans Return'', ''Power of the Primes'', English)}}

[[File:TheCouncil-Rodimus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

At some point around the end of the Great War, Hot Rod accepted the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to become Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} In his new role as leader, Rodimus became a member of Cybertron's [[Council of Worlds]] alongside [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and the [[Mistress of Flame]]. {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Starscream}} {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Windblade}}

When the Council of Worlds convened to discuss the out-of-control [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]] that threatened both Cybertron and its outlying colonies, Rodimus first suggested fighting fire with fire by using the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create more combiners. As the three members debated how to best handle the problem, Rodimus suggested getting [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] involved before [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] attempted to eliminate the Enigma and accidentally injured Starscream when her shot went wide. {{storylink|The Council}}

[[File:AftermathAndRebirth-HotRod.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Later, the Council of Worlds examined the corpses of [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] when security cameras detected Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Windblade on approach to destroy the Enigma. In desperation, the Mistress suggested using the Enigma of Combination to intimidate Prime's team into standing down, but Rodimus advocated a peaceful approach, and the three went to meet with the intruders face-to-face. Eventually, however, negotiations broke down when Megatron fired on his former lieutenant, and amidst the chaos [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] attacked from below, ripped one of Rodimus's arms off, and hurled him away. {{storylink|Homecoming (CW)|Homecoming}}

Rodimus's injuries left him too damaged to safely activate the Enigma, and this injury allowed Starscream to get his hands on the Enigma and betray his nominal allies by taking the relic's power for himself.
{{storylink|A War of Giants}} As Starscream struggled to maintain control of his new form, a burst of energy sent Rodimus and the Mistress of Flame flying. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (CW)|Darkest Hour}} After Starscream's defeat, Rodimus and the Mistress of Flame stood by as Windblade made a peace offering by handing the Enigma over to [[Victorion]]. {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}

Following the Combiner Wars, Rodimus returned to the [[Primal Basilica]], where he asked the [[Chorus of the Primes]] to take back the [[Matrix of Leadership]], as he no longer believed himself worthy to carry it. The Chorus agreed and restored his arm before reformatting him back into his previous body as Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} When the [[Mistress of Flame]] alerted him to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s attack, he rushed back towards [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex City]] to help fight, assuring the Mistress he wouldn't be long. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} {{storylink|The Fight Begins}}

[[File:AtTheLastSecond-HotRodWindblade.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Finally arriving, he ran into Windblade and the two worked together to attack Trypticon, though they were unable to save Metroplex. When [[Emissary (TR)|Emissary]] was swallowed by Trypticon, Hot Rod entered Trypticon's body himself and rescued the [[Titan Master]], though he was hit by Trypticon's tail and sustained severe damage. Unable to move, he asked Windblade to take Emissary and find [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. As he lay on the ground, [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] arrived and forced the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]] into the weakened Hot Rod's chest, corrupting him. {{storylink|At the Last Second}} The two later observed the end of the conflict and the return of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] from afar. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

[[File:Volcanicus-RodimusCron.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Carbon fiber, 28 caliber, made in China; if you want to kill a public servant, Mr. Maroni, I recommend you buy American.]]

Now an acolyte of Megatronus, Hot Rod found himself dramatically powered up by the Matrix of Chaos, which granted him the new name '''Rodimus Cron'''. He joined Overlord in assaulting the remaining Combiners, killing [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and disabling [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. He proceeded to destroy Devastator's limbs one by one until [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] finally confessed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s whereabouts, only to finish the job anyway before departing for [[Primal Swamp]] with Overlord. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}

At first their search proved fruitless, but they spotted the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and took them down, attempting to interrogate them for Megatron's whereabouts. Rodimus found himself momentarily possessed by [[Unicron]], who identified the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]] from [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s description before killing [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] as a warning, leaving Rodimus's body as he and Overlord headed for the library. There, they caught Megatron's team unaware, giving Rodimus the opportunity to kill Victorion. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} Rodimus then proceeded to beat down any member of the team that came his way, culminating in him strangling Windblade when she moved to defend Megatron. Though she pleaded with him in an attempt to reach him, he assured her the old Hot Rod was dead and tossed her aside. He again prepared to execute Megatron, but Overlord insisted he do it himself. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}}

Unfortunately for him, Megatron used the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] to kill Overlord, overwhelming Rodimus with its power and leaving him on the ground. As Megatronus arrived to take the blaster, revealing his intention to combine it with the Matrix, Rodimus was again possessed by Unicron. Hellbent on destroying the Matrix, he approached Megatronus, but was knocked away before the Fallen Prime escaped with the blaster. Undeterred, Rodimus got to his feet and gave chase in vehicle mode. Although Windblade still hoped to save her friend, the others all agreed that if the time came, Rodimus might have to be sacrificed to save their race. {{storylink|Consequences}} Rodimus eventually arrived at the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] just as Megatronus had incapacitated everyone but Megatron, and the power of Unicron morphed him into an even stronger form. {{storylink|Collision Course}}

[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Rodimus-Cron-evolves.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"We are [[Venom (Marvel)|Venom]]."]]

Now fully possessed by Unicron, Rodimus battled Megatronus for the Matrix. When [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] got his hands on it instead and transformed into Optimal Optimus, he drew Rodimus's attention and the two began fighting, seemingly evenly matched. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Ultimately, Optimal got the upper hand and managed to remove the Matrix of Chaos from Rodimus, freeing him from Unicron's control and turning him back to Hot Rod. With Unicron now attempting to take control of Megatron, the still-weak Hot Rod confirmed their only option was to kill them both, to which Optimal obliged. In the aftermath, Hot Rod was placed in intensive care to recover from his experience, though Optimus Prime suspected that the emotional wounds from his time as Rodimus Cron would never heal. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

{{--}}

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

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-EvolutionRodimusUnicronus-CardArt.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb]]
With the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Hot Rod could evolve into Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Skrapnel packaging bio}} However, when corrupted by the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]], Nemesis Hot Rod evolved into Rodimus Unicronus. Either form could wield powers of the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s by linking with [[Prime Master]]s. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Evolution Rodimus Prime and Evolution Rodimus Unicronus packaging bios}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Rodimus Prime and Rodimus Unicronus, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}
{{-}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===

[[File:MazingerZvsTransformers-futuredream.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

A group of mysterious dimensional observers observed a potential future where Hot Rod and Star Convoy stood side-by-side with [[Great Mazinger]]. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===
[[File:TFBTTF2-RodimusBumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In a dystopian 2015 created from the Decepticons' monopoly over [[time travel]], Rodimus Prime led the few remaining Autobots from [[Hill Valley]]'s [[Delgado Mine]]. When the defected Decepticon [[Gigawatt]], having scanned the [[DeLorean time machine]], came before Rodimus and informed him of how Megatron had gained time travel, Rodimus sent him back to [[1974]] to undo the perversion of history. As a result of his damaged [[flux capacitor]] however, Gigawatt was unable to complete his mission, instead bringing [[Marty McFly]], from the year [[1985]] before Rodimus. Though Rodimus had hoped Marty could repair the flux capacitor, the human told him that only [[Doc Brown]] could repair it. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

Soon afterwards, Rodimus led the Autobots to a distress signal, finding that Starscream, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and [[Biff Tannen]] had surrounded Doc Brown as well as Marty's parents [[Lorraine Baines-McFly|Lorraine]] and her husband [[George McFly|George]]. Though Rodimus advocated caution, Marty ran in, providing enough of a distraction for the Autobots to engage. The Autobots and their allies emerged victorious but before they could roll out, the Hill Valley courthouse unexpectedly revealed itself to be [[Watchtower]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 3|Transformers/Back to the Future #3}}

Ordering the humans to retreat, Rodimus boldly led the charge against Watchtower but quickly found his troops outmatched by the giant's firepower. When Gigawatt was injured by the battle, Rodimus ordered Skilz to back the humans up, fighting alone until he was simply stomped to death by Watchtower. Following Marty and Gigawatt altering time so that the Decepticons were never awakened, Rodimus never ascended to leadership of the Autobots. When Marty returned to 2015 with the [[DeLorean time machine]], Rodimus greeted him. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4|Transformers/Back to the Future #4}}
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===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:ARealMother-NewFriends.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

After the Decepticons' pilfering of [[Equestria]]n artifacts had brought several ponies to Cybertron, {{storylink|The Magic of Cybertron}} Hot Rod was among the Cybertronian youths who befriended the displaced [[Scootaloo]], showing their guest some Cybertronian stunts before the group reunited the equine with her aunts [[Holiday]] and [[Lofty]]. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}

{{--}}

===''Last Bot Standing''===
[[File:LastBotStanding2-Rodimussir.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Hot Rod was forged during the Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons. Although some of his comrades convinced themselves that conflict was intrinsically ingrained into their civilization, the fact that Hot Rod had never known a Cybertron at peace didn't make his duty of fighting against the Decepticons any easier. In time, Hot Rod rose to become "Rodimus Prime" then, at some point afterwards, shed the title to become simply "Rodimus". During his career, Rodimus stood shoulder-to-shoulder with many heroes of the war, including Optimus Prime, but developed a one-sided rivalry with [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]. He also at some point had a familiarity with a "[[Lost Light|lost light]]". {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

Rodimus was stationed on [[Earth]] when the increasingly violent Cybertronian war obliterated the planet, and he would remember the planet's destruction for many years afterwards. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} Over and over again, innocent species found themselves caught between the two factions and paid the price—including [[human]]s, [[Nebulan]]s, and [[Klozian|Klovian]]s—and with each new casualty Rodimus came to believe that his kind didn't deserve redemption. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

After ages of endless war, the Autobots and Decepticons finally became victims of their own success: their conflict had drained the universe of the [[energon]] and raw materials required to sustain themselves, and, one by one, the Cybertronians followed their victims into extinction. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} Eventually, Rodimus, [[Strongarm (G1)|Strongarm]], and [[Gripper (G1)|Gripper]] believed themselves to be the last three Cybertronians left in the universe, until they stumbled onto a pair of Decepticon warships. The Decepticons pursued them to the planet [[Donnokt]], a barren backwater on the very edge of the universe. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}} However, the three Autobots made a shocking discovery: in a universe otherwise devoid of resources, Donnokt possessed vast seams of raw, highly volatile energon. Rodimus correctly deduced that, if other Cybertronians learned of this geological miracle, their presence would only begin the war all over again; after killing the Decepticons who'd pursued them to the planet, Rodimus, despite his friends' reservations, decided that they would lie low and simply run out the clock until their shipboard energon reserves ran dry. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}} To their surprise, however, the three discovered a primitive race of pre-sapient humanoids. The discovery caused Rodimus to realize that, if they ''weren't'' the last Transformers left, the planet's abundant energon could attract other potential survivors, and so the three settled on a plan: as the primitive organics developed a tribal society, Rodimus opened contact with their most trustworthy individuals and gifted them three [[energon key]]s that could awaken their Cybertronian guardians in an emergency. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} At some point, Rodimus recorded a video message for the natives in which he warned them to avoid the energon buried in their planet's crust, lest they attract the attention of other "visitors" from beyond the stars. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

[[File:LastBotStanding1-Rodimuswagonmode.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

For the most part, Rodimus and his comrades kept to themselves, content to let the aliens evolve without any interference. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} Over time, however, Strongarm grew increasingly restless, and petitioned Rodimus to take their starship and search for other Cybertronian survivors. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} Thousands of years later, tragedy struck their little enclave: Gripper had an accident while recklessly driving in the mountains, and without the resources, energon, or skills required to repair their comrade, Strongarm and Rodimus couldn't save him. Some time later, an increasingly erratic Strongarm finally snapped and tried to steal their ship in an attempt to find other Cybertronians. Although Rodimus only intended to clip the ship's wings, he accidentally destroyed his only way off Donnokt and killed Strongarm with it. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}}

As his advanced age and lack of energon slowly caught up with him, Rodimus located the Wallkis family—remote descendants of the tribes he'd contacted thousands of years ago, and the current keepers of the energon keys—and made them an offer: if they kept him safe, he would protect their world from any outsiders who would do them harm. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}} The Wallkises accepted the deal, and Rodimus shifted into a fuel-conserving low-power mode after assuming his [[alternate mode]]. Rodimus's dormant body found new use as a humble covered wagon, an heirloom to be passed down from parent to child; {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}} by the time that the people of Donnokt had begun to mine their planet's energon and use it to fuel an industrial revolution, he and the energon keys eventually found their way into the possession of [[Shib Wallkis|Shib]], the eldest of three Wallkis siblings after the deaths of her parents. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}}

[[File:LastBotStanding1-Rodimusdie.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Pulled by [[Sparks (IDW)|Sparks]] and [[Firebolt (IDW)|Firebolt]], Shib used Rodimus's body to run an all-purpose courier service in the little settlement of [[Fembrance]], even though a new generation of fast, steam-powered cars threatened to undercut Shib's livelihood. One evening, after she helped rescue some miners from a cave-in up in the mountains, Shib returned to the town square just in time to see [[Nitro (IDW)|another Cybertronian]] approaching the village. The sight roused Rodimus into action, who promptly broke cover and decapitated the invader after a short, one-sided fight. Gathering the remnants of his wagon disguise around himself as a makeshift cape, Rodimus set out to investigate where the "visitor" had come from, and warned the inhabitants of Fembrance not to follow him. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 1|Last Bot Standing #1}}

Rodimus followed the trail all the way out into the remote desert, where he discovered that the other Transformer had come to Donnokt using a one-way space capsule caked in a greasy, organic liquid. When Shib caught up with him, Rodimus briefly took in the sight of the stars going out overhead—a relativistic legacy of the universe-ravaging Cybertronian war—before explaining the sad history of his people to the girl. Before he could make any more headway on his investigation, however, a group of townsfolk led by alderman [[Errold]] caught up with him and demanded he return to town for questioning. After some back-and-forth, Rodimus agreed to play along, and even let them tie him down if it made him feel safe. As dawn broke, however, a completely fuel-deprived Rodimus couldn't free himself, and the arrival of [[Override (BWU)|Override]] and [[Riotgear (G1)|Riotgear]], searching of their compatriot, interrupted Shib's attempt to rescue her friend when they freed Rodimus, and brought him back to their base camp. Once there, Rodimus met their leader, [[Steel Jaw|Steeljaw]], who'd found a new way for him and his band of Cybertronian remnants to survive in an energon-depleted universe by processing living beings into [[biofuel]], before he finally passed out from fuel depletion. Upon coming to, Rodimus discovered that Shib had stowed away in his cape, and that Steeljaw's men planned to forcibly induct Rodimus into their ranks after turning Shib into a batch of biofuel. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

[[File:LastBotStanding3-thegoodstuff.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

While Rodimus mourned Shib's looming death, Steeljaw returned with an unexpected compatriot—[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s severed head, who'd found new life as the "Veteran": a living library of knowledge who remembered everything that Steeljaw and his crew had forgotten from fuel depletion. Although Steeljaw initially welcomed Rodimus into their group, Rodimus announced that he'd sooner die than convert to their parasitic lifestyle; when Steeljaw pushed the issue, Rodimus spat in his eye. Undeterred, Steeljaw left with his men to ransack Fembrance and take as many prisoners at they could for processing; while [[Moon (BW)|Moon]] prepared to turn Shib into fuel, Wheelie allowed the pair a moment to say goodbye. However, Shib took advantage of Wheelie's goodwill to use the energon key she'd been carrying to supercharge Rodimus, heal his injuries, and return him to fighting shape. The re-energized Rodimus quickly dispatched his guards, destroyed their refinery, and kicked Wheelie's head into orbit. Rodimus and Shib raced back to town, dispatching [[Treadshock (G1)|Treadshock]] and [[Vex]] on the way, but arrived too late to prevent Steeljaw from taking most of the town prisoner. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 3|Last Bot Standing #3}}

[[File:LastBotStanding4-Rodimus.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Vegeta, what does the scouter say about his fanservice level?]]

Once he'd arrived, a furious Steeljaw, who'd stolen the two remaining energon keys, promptly confronted him with the video message he'd recorded thousands of years ago and accused him of living in the midst of plenty while he and his "family" had spent millennia subsisting on low-quality biofuel. Ignoring Rodimus's warnings that any large-scale excavation would put the entire planet at risk, Steeljaw announced his intent to process the citizens of Fembrance into biofuel, then convert back to processing energon. However, Steeljaw's men turned on him as they squabbled over who'd get to use the key and wound up destroying one entirely; amidst the confusion, Rodimus helped free the townsfolk, then, as Shib grabbed the last key and ran, caused a distraction by igniting a pair of energon-powered steam cars and hurling them at the other Transformers—only for the blowback to knock him unconscious. When Rodimus came to, he found that the remaining members of Steeljaw's pack had pooled their remaining fuel and [[combiner|combined]] themselves into the malformed [[Unstoppimus]].

Although Rodimus quickly took down the giant by ripping its head from its body, the distraction meant that he'd already begun to run out of fuel again; by the time he caught up with Steeljaw and Sharpclaw inside the energon mine, the pair had already captured Shib and used the last remaining energon key to supercharge Steeljaw. The two ex-Decepticons ambushed and fatally wounded Rodimus, but, in the face of Steeljaw's furious speech that they'd kill everyone on Donnokt and use their biofuel to convert their systems back to energon, Rodimus just laughed: he'd already destroyed their biofuel refinery, meaning that they had no way to harvest or process Donnokt's abundant energon. Screaming in rage, Steeljaw impaled Rodimus through the chest and hurled him down the mineshaft—only for the raw crystals to heal the old Autobot's injuries. As Steeljaw prepared to ignite the mineshaft and blow apart the whole planet in a final fit of spite, a supercharged Rodimus leapt from the shaft, blew off Steeljaw's arm, and, as his foe moved to kill Shib, blew Steeljaw's head to bits.

Having won the last battle his species would ever fight, Rodimus ripped his blasters from his arms and took in the sunset with Shib, where he thanked her for being the best boss he'd ever had. Over the next few months, Rodimus worked with the citizens of Fembrance and taught them how to more efficiently harness their planet's energon supplies, allowing them to reap the benefits of faster steam cars and an electrical grid. In the meantime, Rodimus turned his attention to salvaging whatever remained of Steeljaw's ship and the stasis chambers inside. After taking custody of Steeljaw's remaining followers and imprisoning them inside, Rodimus launched his starship into orbit around Donnokt—just in case any other Cybertronians came calling—and eventually returned to stasis. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
[[File:GoGo11-HotRod.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Y'know, the thing about a shark, he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes, like a doll's eyes.]]

While Hot Rod was on a drive with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the pair spied an enormous metal shark. Rather than fight it head-on, Hot Rod suggested they try to fish it up instead. Although his prey momentarily got the better of him when it swallowed the red Autobot, Hot Rod successfully cooked the giant fish from the inside out. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 11}}

One day, Hot Rod slept in on the date of an important Autobot meeting. An annoyed Ultra Magnus barged into his house and forced him to get ready, but as he raced out the door Hot Rod forgot his favourite handkerchief. As Magnus ran after Hot Rod, he wound up hitting his head on the door frame and collapsing Hot Rod's house on himself. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 12}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Go! Go! issue 15}}}}
{{--}}

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

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

===''The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth''===
[[File:C64RodimusPrime.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|YOU'RE Hot Rot, I'M Hot Rod! Are there any [[Hot Rod (disambiguation)|other Hot Rods]] I should know about?]]
[[File:C64HotRod.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|[[The Matrix]] brakes in the middle of my transformation.]]
Along with their fellow Autobots, Hotrod{{sic}} and Rodimus Prime protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Hotrod was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

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

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

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

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter von Gomm]] (English)}}
====Autobot story====
[[File:Callofthefuture rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|"I am from the future and know a lot about history!"]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Chuck (AB)#As Rodimus}}
Rodimus appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events or with in-app purchases. He is portrayed by Chuck. He also appears as [[Chuck (AB)#As Nemesis Hot Rod|Nemesis Hot Rod]], who is basically Rodimus Cron. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Ability: '''To Battle!: Rush into combat and inspire your allies, giving them an increase to all damage (including abilities) for 5 seconds.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:rodimus-unicronus Rodimus Unicronus at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}
Interestingly, in this game, Rodimus Unicronus is implied to be Rodimus after being possessed by a force such as Unicron or The Fallen (Unicron is more heavily implied). He teams up with Straxus in the hopes of stopping Rodimus from fighting back this control.

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

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Hot Rod was once known as an impetuous troublemaker. In the present day, however, he was stationed at [[Autobot City]] and renowned for his compassion. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

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

==Notes==
*Rodimus Prime's preliminary name was '''Hot Rodimus''', which eventually became his name in [[Japan]].
*Like the rest of the [[1986]] movie's original characters, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had early designs by [[Floro Dery]] which the toys were based on, and then final models were drawn from the finished toys. The models that were used in the ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profile books and subsequent [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics had them using their pre-final models. See [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Character models]].
*Rodimus Prime's toy followed the model set by Optimus Prime before him by having a trailer that disconnected and transformed into a battle station (in this case, called the "[[Mobile Defense Bay]]"). Unlike Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], however, Rodimus's Defense Bay failed to make the leap to fiction, with the cartoon simply depicting his trailer as somewhat unfeasibly folding up into his legs and body <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120627165723/http://www.allspark.com/content/stories/tfpulp/8704TVM/k.gif Image of Rodimus Prime's animated transformation scheme from TV Magazine]</ref> (barring a few animation errors that depicted it as a separate unit). This [[Transformation|transformation scheme]] was realized in toy form with Rodimus's [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|6" ''Titanium Series'' action figure]].
*A lot of early secondary material uses Hot Rod and Rodimus in ways that don't fit the main Movie-established dynamic. As with stories from the same era that portrayed Megatron and Galvatron as separate beings, this was likely to avoid spoiling the Movie's ending.
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s powered up form has a color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's. The reference came full circle with [[Side Burn (RID)#Timelines|Generation 1 Side Burn]], who was a redeco of the ''Classics'' Rodimus toy.
*Aside from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[homage]]d twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].
*This Rodimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[space bridge]] project in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

Overlord (G1)

2023-05-12T11:12:47Z

Volnar The Unforgiving: /* Transformers: Earth Wars */

{{faction|decepticon}}
{{featured}}
{{Disambigm|Overlord (disambiguation)|Gigatron (disambiguation)}}
:''Overlord is a [[Decepticon]] [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Overlord.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Check out these killer abs!]]
[[Autobot]]s quake in fear when '''Overlord''' (オーバーロード ''Ōbārōdo'', aka '''Gigatron'''[[#Notes|[Note]]]) thunders on to the battlefield. This towering warrior is an amalgamation of the deadliest [[Decepticon]] weaponry known, armed with laser blasters and grenade launchers in his stomach, and the terrifying ability to prevent the wounds he inflicts upon his opponents from healing. He is even equipped with an internal arms factory. Overlord is formed from two individual vehicles, the Gigatank and the Megajet, which combine to form his colossal [[robot mode]], a heavily armed advance base, or a larger jet capable of space flight.<ref>Hybridized summary from the 1988 ''Masterforce'' anime and the 2005-2018 IDW comics</ref>

{{note|Exactly who—and even ''what''—Overlord is varies greatly from continuity to continuity, to the point that it could conceivably be argued whether or not the different incarnations represent different characters. See individual sections below for details.}}

==Fiction==
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Keiichi Noda]] (Japanese)|[[Rik Thomas]] (English, Omni Productions dub)}}
[[File:Overlord r.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Believe it or not, this is a crane shot.]]
The story of the Overlord begins with the mysterious alien energy-being and self-styled Decepticon god, [[Devil Z]], who schemed to create the ultimate lifeform by merging Transformers and humans into one. Devil Z stole a collection of Transformer [[Transtector]]s from the [[G Nebula 89|G Nebula]] and brought them to Earth. Devil Z recruited two human beings, husband and wife [[Giga]] and [[Mega]], and charged them with creating an army for him. Mega and Giga were both bonded to the largest Transtector, and together, they became the terrifying Overlord, serving as Devil Z's "Ambassador of Destruction" on Earth.

Giga and Mega took their Transtectors into battle for the first time after a string of failures that resulted in several of the Godmaster Transtectors falling into the hands of the [[Autobot]]s. The couple had [[Hydra (G1)|Hydra]] and [[Buster (G1)|Buster]] lure Autobot commander [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] into the desert, and then confronted him as Overlord, immediately proving their superiority by beating him to near-death. {{storylink|Super Ginrai Gets Blown Away in the Desert!?}} Believing Ginrai dealt with, Overlord subsequently departed into space, {{storylink|Will the Bomber Project Be Destroyed!?}} taking control of a [[Weather Observatory Moon Base|weather-monitoring base]] on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] in order to rendezvous with the approaching [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] there. Ginrai, however, proved entirely too stubborn to die, and, powered-up through his combination with the freshly-constructed [[Godbomber]] drone, soon pursued Overlord and engaged him in battle above the moon's surface. {{storylink|God Ginrai - Into the Sky!!}} During the fight, Ginrai was blindsided by BlackZarak and sent crashing down to the moon, where he found himself hunted by the two powerful Decepticons. Luckily, the Autobot battleship [[Grand Maximus]] arrived to help, and the two Decepticon tried to break off the fight an return to Earth. Ginrai and Grand vowed to stop them, and a shot from Ginrai's God Cannon sent Overlord plummeting back to the moon, forcing Giga and Mega to split into their individual Transtectors to soften their impact and save their lives. The Autobot pair managed to drive BlackZarak back to the moon as well, and the dark Decepticon insisted that Overlord return to Earth alone and inform Devil Z of the situation. Overlord refused, furious that anyone other than Devil Z would presume to give him orders, but when Ginrai and Grand returned to press their attack, he realised the damage he had sustained prevented him from carrying on the fight, and he relented. After Overlord departed for Earth, however, the outnumbered BlackZarak was then beaten by Ginrai and sent fleeing back into the depths of space. {{storylink|God Ginrai - Showdown on the Surface of the Moon}}

[[File:Overlord v.jpg|205px|thumb|I'm easy come. Easy go. Little High. Little Low.]]
Incensed by this failure, Giga decided to reduce Ginrai's power level by destroying Godbomber. A desert again served as Ginrai and Overlord's battleground, as Overlord used his Chōkon Power to create a massive whirling tornado out of the shifting sands, but when he was thrown off balance by a sneaky God Punch attack, Overlord's "Chōkon Tornado" quickly backfired on him and sent him spinning off wildly through the sky. {{storylink|Overlord - Terror of the Chōkon Tornado}} Despite this setback, Overlord made another attempt to eliminate Godbomber, this time by separating him from Ginrai with an ambush in the American heartland. In their separate Transtectors, Giga and Mega wore down Ginrai until he no longer had enough Chōkon Power to animate Godbomber, but the plan was foiled when the Autobot [[Headmaster Junior]]s discovered they could combine their own energy to control Godbomber themselves. With Ginrai and Godbomber reunited, Overlord was sent packing by a blast of Chōkon Power. {{storylink|Destroy Godbomber!!}}

[[File:Overlord b.jpg|left|205px|thumb|Umm, Giga? Where are we supposed to sleep?]]
Overlord later adopted his base mode for the first time to act as a staging ground for the search for the final Godmaster. The search came to an abruptly end, however, when the Godmaster himself, [[Clouder]], sought out the Decepticons, and the villains decided to use his ability to adopt two robot forms to install him as a double agent within the Autobot ranks. {{storylink|Appearance!! The Final Godmaster}} Using information fed to them by Clouder, the Decepticons initiated a full-scale attack on the Autobots' headquarters, again using Overlord's base mode as a mobile headquarters from which the assault was masterminded. {{storylink|Secret Orders! Destroy the Autobot Base!!}} When Ginrai (who had been lured away from the base so the attack to begin) returned to aid his fellow Autobots, Overlord transformed to [[robot mode]] and again engaged him in battle, intending to keep him occupied until a [[Seacon (Masterforce)|Seacon]] force could destroy the Autobot base from within. Although defeated in combat, Overlord was still able to gloat, as Ginrai failed to realise that he was being stalled until it was too late. Furious at his own short-sightedness, Ginrai hurled Overlord and embedded him, head-first, in the side of the mountain housing the Autobot base. At that moment, the base's magma converter power core finally exploded, and Overlord was sent flying over the horizon by a jet of lava. {{storylink|Disaster! The Autobot Base Explodes}}

[[File:Overlord spacejet.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Set controls to outer space, now, flying higher than ever before!]]
Soon thereafter, BlackZarak returned to Earth, and the Decepticons began "Operation M-1" to cut a swathe of devastation across the Earth. While BlackZarak tore through [[New York City|New York]], Overlord landed in the heart of [[Paris]], decimating military resistance and destroying the [[Arc de Triomphe]]. With these cities in ruins, the two Decepticons began to converge on Tokyo; while passing over China, Overlord landed on the Great Wall and broadcasted a message to the leaders of the world, warning them to surrender or witness Tokyo's destruction. Overlord then carried on his way, easily defeating [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]], [[Phoenix (G1)|Phoenix]] and [[Diver (G1)|Diver]] when they attempted to block his path. Overlord and BlackZarak soon arrived in Tokyo, and with no surrender forthcoming, began razing the city. In the midst of the chaos, however, Ginrai and Grand Maximus—who had been trapped in a black hole by BlackZarak, and only just managed to escape—arrived to stop their evil deeds. During the ensuing battle, Ginrai manoeuvred himself between the two Decepticons, and dodged at the last second, causing them to blast each other. With his two most powerful warriors damaged, Devil Z called off Operation M-1, and initiated Operation M-2 {{storylink|BlackZarak - Destroyer from Space}} which involved destroying the Earth's atmosphere from orbit with the unholy [[Death Para-Machine]]. Overlord transformed to his "space jet" mode to carry the Decepticon Headmaster Juniors into space for the operation, but naturally, the Autobots pursued their enemies, and Ginrai was able to destroy the Death Para-Machine before it caused irreparable damage to Earth. {{storylink|Crisis! The Day of Human Extinction}}

[[File:Overlord vs ginrai.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|"I outrank you, Ginrai!" "You do NOT! 'God' outranks 'Overlord'!"]]
After a battle with [[Lightfoot (G1)|Lightfoot]] in southern Europe, {{storylink|God Ginrai - Save Cancer!?}} Overlord tried a more underhanded tactic, capturing Autobot Headmaster Junior [[Shūta Gō]], and using him as a bargaining chip to bring Ginrai to the Decepticon base. The battle that followed was distinctly one-sided, as Ginrai was unable to fight back due to Shūta being in danger, but this suddenly took an unexpected turn when Decepticon Junior [[Cancer (G1)|Cancer]] turned on his teammates and freed Shūta. Even as the shocked Overlord commanded him to stop, Ginrai got back in the fight, and flattened Overlord before escaping with Shūta and Cancer. {{storylink|God Ginrai: Showdown at the Decepticon Base}} With the information Cancer provided them, the Autobots were able to stage an all-out attack on the Decepticon base, during which Overlord again battled Ginrai. The fight came to a sudden end when Devil Z merged with BlackZarak and collapsed the Decepticon base in a failed attempt to destroy the Autobots. {{storylink|The Ultimate Combination!! BlackZarak, the New Lifeform}}

For a time, Devil Z's hatred of humankind had been steadily growing, and rankled with Giga and Mega, reaching a head when the alien abandoned [[Wilder (G1)|Wilder]] and [[Bullhorn (G1)|Bullhorn]] in the ruins of the Decepticon base, and transformed Hydra and Buster into true robots. {{storylink|Battle to the Death!! God Ginrai VS Darkwings Reborn}} Confronting God Ginrai for one final time in the heart of the [[Grand Canyon]], Overlord vowed to fight him without weapons, battling him only through the use of his physical strength and the power of his human flesh. He didn't explain his motives to Ginrai, but Ginrai observed Overlord's refusal to draw his weapons, and fought honourably. When Grand Maximus arrived on the scene, however, he was not so concerned, and simply shot Overlord out of the sky. {{storylink|Autobots! Desperate Attack!!}}

[[File:Overlord ginrairescue.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I get by with a little help from my ... uh, foes.]]
After the battle in the Grand Canyon, the Decepticons relocated to the Alps, and the Autobots again gave chase. Overlord was willing to engage the Autobot Godmasters, but the merged Devil Z/BlackZarak entity held him back and instead buried them under an avalanche. Meanwhile, Ginrai again defeated Hydra and Buster, and the two brothers limped back to the peak of the Matterhorn, where Devil Z turned on them for their failure. As their punishment continued, Overlord at last stood up to his leader and attempted to stop him, only to be on the receiving end of Devil Z's wrath. {{storylink|Malevolent and Inhuman! The True Form of Devil Z}} Unexpectedly, Overlord was rescued by Ginrai, and as the Autobot leader began his final battle with BlackZarak, Giga and Mega realized that they owed him a debt of honor for saving them and finally made the decision to turn against their former master. When Overlord attempted to aid God Ginrai in his battle with BlackZarak, however, they were struck down and enveloped in a sphere of Devil Z's [[Devil Power]]. Devil Z separated Mega and Giga from their Transtectors, bringing Overlord to life as a true super-robot lifeform. As their [[Master-Brace]]s vanished from their wrists, Giga and Mega died, regretting that they could not settle their rivalry with Ginrai honourably. Alas, there was not even time to mourn, as the new, robotic Overlord lunged for Ginrai, but was tackled by Grand Maximus. Ginrai subsequently united his powers with the Headmasters Juniors to finally destroy Devil Z and BlackZarak, and at the sight of his leader being vaporized, Overlord immediately called for the Decepticons to retreat. As they fled into space, the Autobots' Transtectors were also brought to life, as Overlord's had been, by the death of Devil Z, and they headed into space in pursuit of Overlord's Decepticons. {{storylink|A Battle... and Then...}}
{{-}}

====''Legends'' comic====
The now-living Overlord transtector and his followers joined with the Decepticon forces in space, and in [[2021]], Overlord led an attack on the [[transtector]] factory in [[G Nebula 89]], forcing [[Grand Maximus|Grand]] to send the former [[Decepticon]] [[Headmaster Junior]]s to the [[Legends World]] for their safety. {{storylink|LG24 Shockwave & Cancer Prologue}} During one of his assaults, Overlord was defeated by a [[Getmaster]]-powered [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 39|Bonus Edition Vol. 39}}

====''Victory'' cartoon====
[[File:Decepticons in the g nebula.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Those car washes get more dangerous every year.]]
Overlord briefly led the Decepticon army before the rise to power of [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]. {{storylink|Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus's toy bio}} Following this, Overlord commanded the Sector Two Decepticon force, based in the G Nebula, where they battled the Autobots under the command of his old foe, God Ginrai. {{storylink|Planet Micro - The Mysterious Warrior}}
{{--}}

====''Zone'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Keiichi Noda]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:OverlordZone1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Robots should not wear [[Transformer clothing#Capes|capes]].]]
Years after the end of the [[Masterforce War]], Overlord was among the Decepticons recruited by the new Decepticon emperor Violengiguar to become the strongest of his Nine Great Demon Generals. In addition to his new title of "Super-God General", Overlord was outfitted with new armor and weapons that made him even more dangerous than before. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}}

Years later, when the supernatural creature known as [[Violengiguar]] seized command of the Decepticons, his first act was to recruit nine "[[Nine Great Demon Generals|Demon Generals]]" from Decepticon history. Overlord was selected to be one of those Generals and was given new power and weaponry to make him an even greater threat than before. At Violengiguar's instruction, Overlord was sent to the planet [[Feminia]] to wreak havoc along with [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. Together, the three Decepticon Demon Generals destroyed the entire planet and nearly killed Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] [[Star Saber (G1)|Victory Saber]] in the process.

Two-and-a-half months later, Overlord led Menasor, Abominus, and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] in an attack on the planet of [[Micro|Zone]], gleefully blasting [[Micromaster]]s and using his trident to slice into [[Zone Base]] to retrieve a sample of [[Energon Z]] for Decepticon use. With the Micromasters completely unable to harm the Decepticon generals, Overlord left the planet in triumph, handing the Energon Z off to the second group of Generals, who went on to attack Earth, but were stopped by Autobot [[Powered Master]] [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]. {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

It wasn't long before Overlord got his own chance to go up against Dai Atlas, but the Powered Master didn't think much of this so-called "Strongest of the Generals," aiming to finish their battle in under eight seconds. Whether or not he achieved this lofty goal is unknown, but he ''did'' lay out Overlord with his powerful "Galactic Dash" attack. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 6}}

The Generals schooled [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] and the [[Metrosquad]] in the ways of evil, making them formidable foes for the [[Powered Master]]s. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 7}}

====Train Wars====
In the aftermath of Violengiguar's defeat, Overlord's faction of Decepticons in G Nebula 89 tried to reorganize and desired to take control of the nebula's transtector factory to create more Decepticon soldiers. {{storylink|Train Wars: Goshooter & Shūta Gō Chapter}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In some versions of the history of the [[G1 World|Primax 785.06 Alpha]] system, the G Nebula Transtector that became Overlord was intended to be a new body for a fallen Decepticon known as [[Gigatron (G1)|Gigatron]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/24}}

===''TV Magazine'' comic continuity===
====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
[[File:Overlord manga.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"I am a freak?, Not so, I am a devil!"]]

After a failed assault on planet [[Athenia]] and the defeat of [[Scramble 7]], the Decepticons returned to Earth and were met by their new commander, the mysterious Overlord. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The Earth-Space Alliance Army}}

Giga and Mega debuted their Transtectors in an attack on a city, during which they combined into Overlord and devastated the Autobot Godmasters with their Daemon Blast and Bolt Masher weapons. Blindsided and badly damaged by the newly created God Ginrai, Overlord was goaded into pursuing the Autobot out into space, where BlackZarak was battling the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. As BlackZarak turned to face the approaching Ginrai, the cunning Autobot swiftly ducked out of the way, causing Overlord and BlackZarak to attack each other. Gravely wounded, Overlord returned to Earth, while BlackZarak fled back into space. {{storylink|God Ginrai's Amazing Divine Combination!}}

Overlord's base mode was employed by the Decepticon to hold Shūta Gō and [[Cab (human)|Cab]] prisoner, when they attempted to torture the two boys into becoming members of the Decepticons. Their fellow Autobot Junior, [[Minerva (human)|Minerva]], came to their rescue when she crashed Godbomber through Overlord's walls and freed them, after which Overlord transformed to robot mode to face the approaching Ginrai and Grand Maximus. It wasn't his best showing: after Ginrai combined with Godbomber, Grand crashed his battleship directly into Overlord's face, and God Ginrai used the Headmaster's "[[Master Blade (Masterforce)|Master Blade]]" to slice off Overlord's legs. Their Transtectors forcibly separated, the battered Giga and Mega escaped. {{storylink|The Good and Evil Families of Earth}}

[[File:Overlord aolaser.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"Cry some more!"]]
From the top of [[Chomolungma]], Overlord rained destruction down on the world using the Decepticons' newest weapon, the [[A.O. Laser]]. When Ginrai and Godbomber arrived to stop him, Overlord turned the laser on them; they dodged, but they had failed to observe the presence of the Decepticons' newest member, the Godmaster Clouder, who reflected the laser beam back at them and knocked them out of the sky. Unfortunately for Overlord, a chance comment from Cancer insulting Clouder's falcon mode plunged the Godmaster into such a rage that he turned on his Decepticon allies and blew up the A.O. Laser in Overlord's hands. Although Ginrai had been temporarily blinded by the A.O. Laser, the Headmaster Juniors were able to serve as his eyes and point him in the right direction to unleash his "God Punch" attack, which clobbered Overlord so hard that Giga and Mega actually popped out of his chest. {{storylink|The Decepticons' Great Counterattack!}}

Soon thereafter, when the Autobots were off-Earth visiting their space-based allies, BlackZarak was able to return to Earth, and he and Overlord took the opportunity to attack a city. The Autobots soon returned with, and Ginrai and Godbomber grappled with Overlord, forcing him to separate back into the Megajet and Gigatank. The two Autobots clung onto the separate Transtectors, however, refusing to let them escape, as they waited for the new weapon they had brought back from space, the [[VX Bomb]] to detonate. The explosion came seconds later, knocking Mega and Giga's Transtectors offline, but Ginrai and Godbomber survived by combining into God Ginrai. {{storylink|Life or Death? The Desperate Divine Combination!}}

[[File:Overlord vs blackzarak.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Don't ever speak about Broly.]]
When BlackZarak attacked a city, Cancer happened to be here, and BlackZarak showed his disdain for humans by using the boy as a bargaining chip to prevent the Autobots from interfering with his deviltry. Horrified at this treatment of Cancer, Overlord viciously attacked BlackZarak, rescuing Cancer from his grip, but while they were fighting, it allowed the Autobots to take down both of them. {{storylink|The Great Turnabout of the Autobots}}

In light of this act of treachery by Overlord, it was perhaps not surprising that in the midst of his next battle with Ginrai, Overlord himself was the subject of a betrayal. In an attempt to transform himself into the ultimate lifeform, Devil Z fused with BlackZarak, and then turned on Overlord and the Decepticon Headmaster Juniors, attempting to drain theirs and Ginrai's [[Chōkon Power|Jinchōkon]] and take it for his own. They were saved by the Autobot Pretenders, who blocked the Jinchōkon-absorbing beam, and Overlord decided to join with the Autobots in defeating Devil Z. Overlord joined with all the other Transformers in combining their energies into the "Perfect Transform Attack", which finally destroyed BlackZarak and Devil Z once and for all. With the alien's death, the Transformers' Transtectors were brought to life as true super-robot lifeforms, Overlord's included. Alas, Devil Z's energies had also been sustaining the lives of Giga and Mega, and his death also resulted in theirs. The now-living Overlord and Ginrai Transtectors decided to take their troops back into space, where Overlord vowed to defeat Ginrai in memory of Mega and Giga, and for the honor of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Birth of the Super Life-Forms}}
{{-}}

====''Zone'' comic====
[[File:Overlord zone manga.jpg|upright=0.9|thumb|Your hair is like lavender but smells like strawberries.]]
Years after the end of the [[Masterforce War]], Overlord was among the Decepticons recruited by the new Decepticon emperor Violengiguar to become the strongest of his Nine Great Demon Generals. In addition to his new title of "Super-God General", Overlord was outfitted with new armor and weapons that made him even more dangerous than before. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}}

One month after the Demon Generals destroyed the planet Feminia, apparently taking the life of the Autobot Supreme Commander Victory Saber in the process, Overlord led Menasor, Bruticus and Abominus in an attack on the planet Zone, where they successfully stole a sample of the super-energy, Energon Z. When the Zone Base transformed into battle mode and opened fire on the Decepticons, Overlord called retreat, seeing no need to stay and fight when the prize was already theirs. Overlord then handed the Energon Z off to the second platoon of generals, who subsequently headed for Earth, but were defeated in battle there by the Autobot Powered Master Dai Atlas. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Transformers: Zone}}

It wasn't long before Overlord got his own chance to go up against Dai Atlas, but the Powered Master didn't think much of this so-called "Strongest of the Generals," aiming to finish their battle in under eight seconds. Whether or not he achieved this lofty goal is unknown, but he ''did'' lay out Overlord with his powerful "Galactic Dash" attack. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 6}}

The Generals later schooled [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] and the [[Metrosquad]] in the ways of evil, making them formidable foes for the [[Powered Master]]s. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 7}}
{{--}}

===''PDTF Comic''===
[[File:Pdtype overlord.jpg|left|thumb|I'm a foot and a half taller than you, but whatever.]]
During a battle between Overlord and Super Ginrai, the Autobot Godmaster prepared to attack with Chokon Power. When he raised his hands to summon Tenchokon, however, he was struck by a bolt of lightning, causing Overlord to smirk that the weather wasn't looking too good. {{storylink|PDTF Comic##7 "Fight! Super Ginrai!"|Fight! Super Ginrai!!}}

Sitting in a field, watching the clouds float by, Overlord started to wonder what he was doing with his life and decided he needed a day off to reflect on his lot. Unfortunately, he had chosen to sit down and have this epiphany in the middle of a huge battle, and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] began shouting at him to get back up and join the fight. {{storylink|PDTF Comic##9 "Oh Overlord."|Oh, Overlord}}
{{--}}

===European toy bio continuity===
[[File:Overlord vs motorvators.jpg|thumb|Collect all time-displaced toys.]]
A legend by virtue of his very existence, Overlord is the ultimate Decepticon anti-hero. Emerging to join the Transformers' war at some undetermined point in space and time, Overlord fights alone on the battlefield despite his Decepticon allegiance, a monolithic horror born of "advanced robotic engineering" whose special abilities—including the power to travel across dimensions—come from the "[[Energon figure]]s" that operate his multiple functions.

To counter the monstrous threat posed by this powerful new breed of Decepticon, the Autobots developed their own new team of warriors, the [[Motorvator]]s, emulating Overlord's Energon figure technology to make the trio a match for his awesome power.<ref>Overlord's European toy bio</ref><ref>Story blurb on Overlord and the Motorvators' packaging.</ref>
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]}}
{{bigquote|A good strategist is half psychologist and half '''sadist'''. And I was the '''best'''.|Overlord|[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #3]]}}
[[File:Overlords spark remembrance day.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|They're so cute when they're small.]]
Overlord was born on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Moonbase Two|second moon]] 4.2 million years ago, a rare breed known as a "[[Point One Percenter]]". After its "first flash" killed the [[Frak|hapless]] [[Rushcut|miners]] who discovered it, his [[spark]] was taken by the [[Functionist Council]]'s authenticator [[Three-of-Twelve]]. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}}

[[File:MegatronOrigin2 fightcrowd1.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Hey, he appeared as a rabid fan of gladiatorial combat in a crowd shot once. Wouldn't it be ''awesome'' if [[Nick Roche|someone]] built a whole character round that?]]
In the days before the [[Great War (G1)|Cybertronian civil war]], Overlord was both an avid spectator of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s gladiatorial matches {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} and a participant in the bouts, even fighting Megatron himself. Megatron would be the only opponent to ever defeat Overlord, and he did so regularly, giving Overlord a pathological fear of defeat. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} All the same, Overlord still joined Megatron's Decepticon faction upon its founding, though it was not the loftiness of the Decepticon cause that Megatron espoused which enticed him. Rather, it was the chance to have the glorious excess of the gladiator battles move beyond the arena, to encompass entire worlds. To Overlord, the ends didn't matter overly much when the ''means'' themselves were this pleasurable. As a result, his tactics developed a reputation as unsound, and his schemes as nothing more than flights of brutal whimsy. Unlike [[Scorponok (G1)|many]] [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|other]] powerful Decepticons, he had no interest in command, only in taking his slaughter to the next stage. Megatron was not convinced, however, believing the image of Overlord as simply interested in killing to be a façade, and began searching for a way to exert greater control over him.

[[File:Overlord UnuntriumInfusion RemembranceDay.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|Weapon O.]]
Recognizing Overlord's power, Megatron regularly sparred with him, and eventually, three million years ago, selected him to be the fourth candidate for an upgrade process that would transform him into a world-shatteringly powerful superwarrior. Rendered virtually indestructible by an infusion of [[ununtrium]] to his endoskeleton, Overlord's first action as a member of the "[[Warriors Elite]]" was to smash out of his capsule and kill the scientist who oversaw the process, [[Rossum]]. He could not, however, do the same to Megatron: the Decepticon leader had not been foolish, and had, during the upgrade process, had [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] equip Overlord with both a killswitch that could deactivate him, and infect him with an [[Achilles virus]] that caused a "tactical blindspot" preventing him from figuring out how to harm Megatron. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} When [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] was captured by the Autobots and brought to the [[Institute|New Institute]] for brainwashing, Overlord saw his chance to free himself from these shackles. While ostensibly attacking the facility to rescue Soundwave, he also captured the cerebroscientist [[Trepan]], and studied the basics of [[mnemosurgery]] from him, intending to hack Shockwave's memories and learn how to deactivate his killswitch and the virus. Megatron caught wind of Overlord's scheming before he learned how to interface with others, and had Trepan killed. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Overlord later participated in the [[Battle for Hell's Point]] alongside the other members of the Warriors Elite. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers2-teleconference.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I am not a number!]]
While embroiled in battle on [[Caldoon 4]], Overlord was called to a teleconference with [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], who announced the finalization of his [[infiltration protocol]], and that Overlord would join fellow Warriors Elite [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and [[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]] in being reclassified as "[[Phase Sixer]]s", called in to alien worlds to enact the doomsday scenario of the protocol's final phase. Dissatisfied with being declared a weapon that operated at someone else's whim, Overlord contested his appointment, and Megatron gave him two options: do as he was told, or refuse and have Megatron hunt him down. Overlord made his choice quickly, returning to the battle outside and dispatching every Autobot save one—[[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]]—who he allowed to survive so a message could be sent to Megatron: Overlord had chosen option two. He proceeded to leave Caldoon 4 to plan for Megatron's inevitable coming. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}} For his treason, Overlord found his way onto the infamous [[The List|list]] of traitors maintained by the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}}

Some time later, Overlord initiated a conflict with the emperor of a star system who was in possession of interstellar travel capabilities and weapons technology that rivaled his own. Finding himself overmatched, Overlord sought and secured the aid of [[Gorelock]]'s Decepticon battalion, which, at the time, was assigned to [[Spensifax B]]. The ensuing battle, according to the estimates of science officer [[Vivisector]], set the technological development of the empire back an estimated 250,000 years. {{storylink|The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Gorelock's prisoner clemency request}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-Overlord.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|We peed a little.]]
At the height of the [[Surge (event)|cross-galactic Decepticon uprising]], Overlord arrived at [[Garrus-9]] in the midst of the Decepticon siege of the prison, and casually murdered garrison leader [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]] when he refused to turn command over to him. Intending to turn Garrus-9 into his home away from home, Overlord personally defeated warden [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and threw him to the crowd of Decepticon prisoners he had freed as a show of good faith. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} Overlord was not done with Maximus, though, later imprisoning him and personally torturing him for information on the [[Aequitas]] computer hidden in the bowls of Garrus-9, and the [[Epistemus|mysterious secret]] of the prison that the computer had been created to hide. Maximus refused to give up the passcodes to the device's chamber even after Overlord threatened to kill an Autobot for every second that he withheld them. {{storylink|Interiors}}

[[File:Overlord-Fort-Max-Interiors.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Do you expect me to talk?" "No, I expect you to die and be a cheap funeral".]]
During his time in command of Garrus-9, Overlord turned the prison into a huge gladiatorial arena, and had the prisoners fight for their lives with the promise that victory meant freedom. This was, of course, a lie; those who won in twelve bouts were offered the choice of facing Overlord himself or committing suicide. Overlord forced the imprisoned [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] to watch footage both of these matches and of the sacking of the prison, possibly driving him insane. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} After a year of this, some of the Decepticons began to have doubts about their sadistic leader; [[Fearswoop (G1)|Fearswoop]] was lucky to survive when he questioned Overlord's lack of sportsmanship, but [[Wingblazer]] and his partner were not so fortunate when they let an Autobot prisoner get the better of them during a hunt, and Overlord killed them for their carelessness. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} Around this time, Overlord also released Shockwave from confinement and let him leave in return for the Achilles Virus being removed. Shockwave could tell that all Overlord was doing with Garrus-9 was trying to get Megatron's attention, though Overlord denied it. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-BoreholeKickoff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Better than television!]]
Two years later, Overlord and his Decepticons watched the captive Autobot [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] battle the Decepticon [[Borehole]] for his amusement. Kick-Off triumphed and was taken to Overlord's quarters {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} where he was offered the customary choice; {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last stand of the Wreckers #4}} he evidently opted to fight Overlord, given the brutalized state of his body when it was later found. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

Not long thereafter, the Autobot strike team known as the [[Wreckers]] arrived to liberate Garrus-9, one of their drop pods crashing into the arena chamber right in front of Overlord's feet. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}} Although disappointed to discover that the new arrivals were not troops sent by Megatron, Overlord was amused by the joke made by [[Rotorstorm (G1)|Rotorstorm]] about Wreckers combining... right before he shot him through the head. The Wreckers turned down Overlord's proposal of surrender but were unable to injure him, and escaped into the prison by detonating a fuel tank to cover their withdrawal. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

[[File:LastStandofWreckers4- OverlordSpringerReady.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|FINAL ROUND, FIGHT!]]
Regrouping with help from the Decepticon [[Snare]], who had come to believe that the Decepticons on Garrus-9 were as trapped by Overlord as the Autobots were, the Wreckers established a new mission objective: kill Overlord. They did not have to hunt him down, however, as he soon arrived to take them on. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} The fight quickly made its way to the rooftop of Garrus-9, where [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] was torn in half and used to dispatch Kup. A [[harpoon]] through the eye courtesy of [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] barely fazed Overlord, who delivered a defeat more crushing than any beating: the Autobot prisoners the Wreckers had come to liberate had all been executed on his orders already. Overlord proved able even to shrug off the massive payload of a huge chaingun-like weapon provided to Springer by [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]], but after all the other Autobots around him had been dispatched, Ironfist revealed the weapon's secret: it had injected Overlord with thousands of deterrence chips, which Ironfist then remotely detonated, reducing Overlord to a flaming, yet still-functional skeleton.

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers5-brittlebones.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|"Megatron better not show up when I'm naked!"]]
Ironfist fell unconscious, leaving only Verity to hear Overlord's wrathful ranting, as he demanded to know how he could meet a challenge from Megatron in this sorry state. Realizing this was what Overlord had longed for all along, Verity dropped the bomb: Megatron was ''dead''. Overlord was stunned by the realization that while he had dedicated every waking hour of his existence to his supposedly inevitable fight with Megatron, the Decepticon leader had never cared, and would never come. He put up no resistance when Impactor recovered, but Impactor refused to kill Overlord, for Springer's sake, and promised to take him in to face justice. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

[[File:Overlord-Lost-Light-Interiors.jpg|thumb|First class may seem like a rip off but it has advantages over the alternatives.]]
[[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] believed that the Autobots had a moral obligation to return P.O.W.s to their natural state, so he had the Decepticon's body rebuilt. [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], intent on learning from Overlord the secrets of the process that created the Phase Sixers, acquiesced to Bumblebee's decision in hopes it would encourage Overlord to talk, and released a cover story that claimed the villain's spark had been extracted and sealed in a [[whiteout vacuum]]. In the wake of Cybertron's rebirth following the [[Chaos (IDW)|Chaos event]], Prowl petitioned [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] to use his mnemosurgery skills to read Overlord's memories in the hopes of creating an army of "Autobot Phase Sixers," but Chromedome refused. Learning that Chromedome was leaving Cybertron aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'', Prowl convinced [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] to allow him to put Overlord on the Lost Light. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} At launch, he had the [[Duobot]]s secretly load Overlord aboard the ship and instructed [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] to talk Chromedome around to his way of thinking when the time was right. As a security measure, Overlord was held within a [[slow cell]] in which time passed much more slowly. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}}

When the ''Lost Light'' launched, an accident aboard caused a massive quantum explosion, and as a result the ship was split into two identical copies—one on-course, and one off-course—each containing an identical Overlord. On the on-course Lost-Light, Rodimus died in an accident with a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]], after which Drift came clean to Ultra Magnus, who proceeded to inform the rest of the crew. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken}} When Brainstorm—a deep-cover double agent with Decepticon ties—was contacted by his Decepticon handler and demanded proof of his loyalty to the Decepticon cause, the Autobot panicked and put through a call to the Decepticon Justice Division, sabotaging Overlord's slow cell so that the DJD could detect his energy signature. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}} The DJD initially agreed to not harm the crew of the ''Lost Light'' so as to maintain his cover, {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}} but reneged when they discovered Drift aboard the ship. The DJD proceeded to slaughter the entire crew of the ''Lost Light'' {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}} {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}} before finally going to chop off Overlord's head off with a saw. Crossing Overlord's name off the list, the DJD left the shattered wreckage of the ''Lost Light'' behind in orbit of [[Ofsted XVII]]. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}}

[[File:RemembranceDay-Chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.50|left]]
On the off-course ''Lost Light,'' the "other" Overlord remained a prisoner of the Autobots; when a crack was cut in the cell by the stowaway Sparkeater, paranoid security director [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] began hearing noises emanating from within. After recording the noises and discovering, with aid from [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], that it was a massively-slowed down voice repeating "Kill me", {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}} Red Alert widened the crack and discovered the cell's occupant, {{storylink|Interiors}} but was mysteriously deactivated in an alleged suicide before he could tell anyone. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

After Chromedome's [[Conjunx Endura]] [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] was grievously injured in battle, the possibility of losing Rewind was enough to convince Chromedome to begin visiting the slow cell to probe Overlord's mind in a series of mental interrogation sessions, gradually acclimatizing himself to the Decepticon's mental architecture. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} As a safeguard in the event of Overlord's escape, he subtly altered the Decepticon's memories so as to make him associate the phrase "[['Til all are one]]!" with defeat in combat, knowing that Rodimus would undoubtedly say this in a battle and give the Autobots a potential opening to take down the stunned Decepticon. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}}

[[File:Overlord bigfight UnderColdBlueStars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|right|So Overlord walks into a [[Swerve's|bar]]. Everybody dies. Painfully.]]

During the last of these sessions, however, Chromedome made a fatal mistake when he inadvertently revealed to Overlord that Megatron was still alive. Spurred back to action, Overlord used the mnemosurgery tricks he had learned from Trepan to take over their mental link and plucked the code for the slow cell from Chromedome's memories. Bursting free from his restraints, he opened the cell and sealed Chromedome in, {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} then proceeded to go on a rampage through the ship, first stomping [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] to death, then attacking [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] in the medibay. The assembled crew of the ship confronted him in battle, during which Overlord stabbed [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] through the [[spark]], then turned on [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] asking him for last words. When Rodimus replied with "'til all are one," however, the phrase tripped Overlord's mnemonic trigger, allowing him to be herded back to the slow cell by Fortress Maximus so that he could be jettisoned from the ship. At the last moment, however, the plan was nearly thwarted when one of Overlord's stolen swords was lodged in the cell doors; as the only 'bot small enough to remove it, Rewind squeezed through the gap and pulled the sword free, allowing the cell to jettison but trapping himself inside with Overlord. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} Overlord gleefully began torturing the little Autobot {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} before Chromedome, in an act of mercy, used the ship's guns to destroy the floating cell. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} Overlord's still-living but inert body was left drifting in space. {{storylink|The Gloaming}} {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}

Approximately six months later, the crew of the surviving ''Lost Light'' encountered the wreck of the quantum duplicate over Ofsted XVII following the disappearance of their own vessel. [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] discovered Overlord's headless corpse in the slow cell. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} This, combined with numerous other historical inconsistencies and the atrocities found by the others, led the Lost Lighters to figure out that they were aboard an quantum duplicate version of their ship that had been visited by the DJD. The alternate Overlord's corpse vanished with the rest of the wrecked ''Lost Light'' when the main ''Lost Light'' was restored to reality. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}}.

[[File:TarnvsOverlord.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|And another thing, Dad told me when you were born what he really wanted was a Labrador.]]
In the meantime, the other Overlord was recovered and rebuilt by the [[Galactic Council]]. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}} After a lengthy recuperation process, {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|Your Fierce Tears}} the Council deployed him to the [[Necroworld|homeworld]] of the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]] and take down Megatron, whose recent defection to the [[Autobot]]s threatened to undermine the anti-Cybertronian sentiment that the council had spent years cultivating among its members. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}} Overlord interrupted a one-sided battle between his old tormentor and the D.J.D. commander [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Declaring that only he was allowed to kill Megatron, Overlord attacked Tarn, distracting both from noticing the crippled Megatron escaping on a hoverscooter. Seeing that their goals overlapped, Tarn brought Overlord in as a temporary ally.

Aboard the ''[[Peaceful Tyranny]]'', Overlord immediately began undermining Tarn's command by trying to sow doubt in the mind of [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] while openly mocking the D.J.D. The D.J.D's image didn't benefit from a panicked [[Kaon (G1)|Kaon]] begging Tarn to save his captured [[Dominus Ambus|"Pet"]]. Overlord watched on as Tarn decapitated Kaon and then jammed his severed head into Overlord's chest, telling him he wouldn't be mocked by such a desperate attention seeker. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|Your Fierce Tears}}

[[File:mtmte54 KRACK.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Admit it, you cheered a little at this.]]
When sundown came, Overlord stood with Tarn and Deathsaurus, a big smirk on his face, as they prepared to storm the Autobots. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|At Close of Day}} After swatting Cyclonus to the floor, he gleefully sought out Chromedome and began to mock him with claims of what he'd done to Rewind, so Chromedome decked him, the first obvious sight the Autobots were charged with something. Once the charge ran out though, Megatron finally emerged to tear through the Decepticons...

...and Overlord dismissed this as just him getting a gun back. Bored and finding it easy to now shoot him down, {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} Overlord concluded that Megatron had become a coward, and—disgusted by this change of heart—grimly told Tarn that he didn't ''need'' Megatron anymore before flying off. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

[[File:RequiemoftheWreckers OverlordGuiglione.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left|And now he can transform into a Karen.
He really is pure evil.]]
Overlord spent the next few years aimlessly wandering, bored with life, before coming in contact with the exiled mad scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], stationed on [[Earth]]. The two formed a partnership; after arriving on Earth, Overlord agreed to become a test subject for Tarantulas' ever-evolving [[Chimeracon]] process. Through Tarantulas' mad science, Overlord gained a third, [[human]]-based disguise; in this guise, he was able to forge an identity for himself as "Megan Guiglione," a populist anti-Cybertronian politician aiming to sow discord throughout Earth's political systems as its inhabitants struggled to adjust to life under the [[Council of Worlds]]. Not only could "Guiglione" secure funding and resources for Tarantulas' latest plan, but Tarantulas was also fascinated by the effects that "Megan" had on the government of the United States, seeing it as a twisted social experiment.

At one rally, "Megan" was attacked by Springer, who had been temporarily brainwashed by members of [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]] and puppeteer into annihilating the firebrand politician, but only succeeded in revealing Overlord. Overlord promptly resumed his normal robot mode and slaughtered the Mayhem operatives who attempted to engage him. Intrigued by the reappearance of Verity at this meeting, Overlord abducted her and returned to the dormant volcano where he and Tarantulas had established their base. There, Tarantulas revealed the "[[Timemaze]]," a functional [[time travel|time machine]] through which Tarantulas would send Overlord back in time, over and over, and his actions would create an infinity of new timelines for Tarantulas to play with. Overlord, however, revealed that he had no interest in being Tarantulas's lackey anymore: instead, he would use the Timemaze to travel back in time and kill Megatron, wiping him from this reality and every alternate universe that might happen to spring up. He punctuated this statement (and his partnership with Tarantulas) by shooting the spider in the back of the head.

[[File:RequiemoftheWreckers Overlordsplits.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Before he could enter the machine, however, Springer and Impactor arrived; tackling Springer, the two plummeted into the volcano's caldera, causing a landslide that temporarily separated the combatants from one another. By the time Overlord found his feet and advanced on the two Autobots, Impactor sacrificed himself by allowing Springer to fire through him, giving him the opportunity to make a break for the Timemaze with Overlord in hot pursuit. As Overlord caught up to Springer, however, the villainous Phase Sixer was paralyzed by a sonic howl from [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], forcing both halves of his body to involuntarily assume their [[alternate mode]]s. Taking advantage of this paralysis, Springer and Verity were able to send his jet half into the distant future, then sent his tank half plummeting into the distant past. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}}

===''Classics''===
[[File:InvasionPrologue-Gigatron.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Everything's shrunk except those glorious lips.]]
Long ago, '''Gigatron''', the Overlord, grew restless in his duties at [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], and forfeited his throne to [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]. His psychotic craving for power led him to scour the universe, ultimately leading him to Earth.

Gigatron crash-landed in [[Japan]], where he adopted a robot form resembling a shogun and a Type 90 tank altmode. With most of Earth's Decepticons offplanet with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], he was able to gather a small army of ten warriors, and he would infrequently clash with [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] and his fellow Earthbound Autobots. {{storylink|#Timelines|BotCon 2012 Gigatron profile card}} Once, Gigatron searched in [[Kitakyushu]] for [[Musashi Miyamoto|Musashi]]'s sword, but legends of the sword's strength were exaggerated.

Soon, Gigatron had set his sights on another potential source of power, [[Rarified Energon]]. The Autobots had been guarding it for a period of time, and had been moving it frequently to keep it out of the hands of the Decepticons. But Gigatron discovered that the Rarified Energon had been moved to [[Ironworks (facility)|Ironworks]], and effortlessly battled through an army of [[Armored Robot Hunters|RUNTs]] to reach the Autobot station. There, he fought Metalhawk, and he and his Decepticons were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Overlord (G1)#Timelines|BotCon 2012 Gigatron profile card}} {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}}

Gigatron continued to keep vigil over Ironworks, however, and when [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] brought him news of a skirmish involving heroic Decepticons and evil Autobots, Gigatron knew it was time to strike! With this distraction, they could easily take the Rarified Energon hidden in the vaults for themselves.

[[File:Invasion-destroythem.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Gigatron's about to be really happy he got stuck on Earth.]]
Once it was discovered that the evil Autobots were also after the Rarified Energon, Gigatron refused to be out-conquered. He and the majority of his troops came to the rescue of [[Soundwave (SG)|Sir Soundwave]], who was about to get assimilated by [[Junkion (species)#Shattered Glass|Junkions]]. Aiming to show these heroic Decepticons how it's done, he set Soundwave loose and continued battling the Junkions.

What Gigatron did not know was that the evil Autobots, led by [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]], intended to warp this iteration of Earth to their own universe's Cybertron, destroying it in the process. Though Sir Soundwave was able to expand the force field surrounding the evil Autobots' machinery large enough to protect the entire planet, saving Gigatron and his troops, no one foresaw the true scale of Magnus's intentions. And so as Earth neared the [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|alternate universe]] Cybertron, its [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|entire dimension]] was destroyed behind them, leaving Gigatron and the rest of his Earth's denizens the last remnants of their universe.

Gigatron and the others were unsurprisingly distraught, so [[Straxus (SG)|the Bard of Darkmount]] recited for them a hopeful poem. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

====''Recordicons''====
[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] took to perching on Gigatron's arm. {{storylink|Recordicons issue 23|Recordicons #23}}
{{--}}

===''Kre-O'' online comic===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-5-Overlord.jpg|right|thumb|75px|He's using...the smolder.]]
Overlord was part of a massive Decepticon invasion force intended to ruin the Autobots' picnic. However, [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]] plowed through them with his truck and left them scattered... and then left. Returning to the scene after.. ''ahem'', taking care of some pressing business, Optimus gathered up the still-wiped-out Kreons, bound them up on a flatbed trailer, and took them to the picnic. {{storylink|Emergency! Hurry to the Base, Optimus!}}

===''The AllSpark Almanac''===
Overlord was a [[Duocon]] who possessed a [[mitotic spark]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete AllSpark Almanac}}

===''TransTech''===
A [[Duocon]] Overlord found his way to [[Axiom Nexus]], and became one of its most infamous "Parallel Killers". {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus news, 2015/06/15}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In one reality, Overlord was a Decepticon who was "genderfluid" by organic-based gender standards. The [[Arcee (G1)#Ask Vector Prime|Arcee]] of Overlord's reality would mention Overlord in a lecture given in [[Axiom Nexus]] which [[Vector Prime]] attended. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/12/23}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
At the onset of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], Overlord held [[Decepticon leader]]ship for a brief time, {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} before he was overthrown by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
A member of the ultra-elite [[Phase Sixer]] strike team, Overlord annihilated civilizations ready for Decepticon conquest. He was partnered with the ancient [[Titan Master]] [[Giga|Dreadnaut]], who granted his larger partner an Ion Impoder blast that could erase matter from existence. {{storylink|#Generations|''Titans Return'' Dreadnaut/Overlord packaging bio}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
Under the control of Giga, Overlord set up a trap by emitting a signal to lure in and destroy some Autobots, and was disappointed when only [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] showed up. He didn't do well while fighting the smaller opponents, however, and Mega ousted Giga from his position as Overlord's head to show him how it was done. Backed up by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Octane]], Mega's Overlord nearly destroyed Bumblebee and Spike before Autobot reinforcements arrived and defeated the Decepticons, after which Overlord returned to his leader, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Looming Threat}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Patrick Seitz]] (English)}}
[[File:OverlordandEmissary-Overlord.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|Let's bury the hatch—I say—let's bury the hatchet! But not in anyone's head, boy! "Hatchet head"! That's a joke, boy, you missed it. It went past you. You got to keep—I say—you got to keep on your toes!]]
Having been defeated by Megatron in the past, the only one to ever do so, Overlord sought revenge on the Decepticon leader. Promised the power to best Megatron by [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], he pledged his loyalty and uncovered the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]] from within the remains of [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} Witnessing the events of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]] from afar, he decided to get a closer look for the sake of curiosity. Upon arrival in [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex City]], he eventually found his way into the [[Primal Basilica]], where he encountered the [[Mistress of Flame]].

[[File:TR-Ep4-Overlord-and-Emissary-Overlord-alt-modes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
She attacked him, but he easily overpowered her and demanded to know where he could find Megatron. When the Mistress of Flame failed to answer, Overlord electrocuted her and departed, leaving her for dead. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}} Overlord later found a weakened [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and deemed him a suitable host for the Matrix of Chaos before forcibly shoving it into his chest, corrupting him and turning him into Rodimus Cron. {{storylink|At the Last Second}} Later, he and Rodimus observed the fall of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the return of Megatronus from afar. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

Searching for Megatron and the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] under Megatronus's orders, he and Rodimus attacked the Combiners. He restrained [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] until he finally confessed Megatron's whereabouts, prompting Overlord to snap his neck and head to [[Primal Swamp]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} Upon their arrival, Overlord was enraged to not find Megatron, but he and Rodimus spotted the Dinobots and interrogated them for Megatron's next destination: the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. The two picked up the trail and eventually reached the library, where Overlord spotted Megatron and lunged at him, promising to take his time in making Megatron suffer. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} He attempted to electrocute Megatron into submission, but Megatron escaped with Perceptor's help. Undeterred, Overlord engaged in battle with Megatron, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], insistent that he be the one to finish the former. However, [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] tossed the Requiem Blaster to Megatron, who completely disintegrated Overlord with a single shot. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Overlord was part of a battle at some point, fighting alongside [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. {{storylink|Fan Favorite}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Overlord Earth Wars.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
In [[Transformers: Earth Wars]], Overlord is considered a combiner character, and is unlocked by completing the "War For Cybertron" section of the story mode, which prominently features him.
{{gamestub}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOOverlord.jpg|thumb|100px]]
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''===
{{anchor|Super-God Masterforce}}
[[File:G1 overlord toy.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Not to be confused with Blackstar's nemesis.]]
*'''Overlord''' (''Godmaster'', [[1988]])
**''ID number:'' '''D-307'''
**''Accessories:'' Giga and Mega Godmaster engines, "Transtector Destroyer Cannon", three missiles, tank barrel, two ramps/shin guards, central ramp, two radar arrays, double-barreled laser, rocket launcher, car
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1988 (Super-God Masterforce)|Masterforce]]'' Overlord consists of two vehicles, the Gigatank and the Megajet, which are able to combine together to form a [[robot mode]] or a base mode. Like any Godmaster (or [[Powermaster]]), Overlord is only able to transform when the Giga and Mega Godmaster figures are transformed into engine mode and snapped into place in the sockets on top of the vehicles. Inserting Giga into the tank splits it in half to form legs for robot mode, or alternatively, the left and right emplacements of the base (the left containing a fold-out twin cannon, the right a poseable claw arm). Fitting Mega into the jet, meanwhile, unlocks the toy's shoulder articulation for robot mode and its fold-out launchpad for base mode. Once the toy is in its hefty, 15"-tall robot mode, the figures can be removed from their sockets and fitted into two further ports hidden beneath doors on his chest, which unlock the multi-barreled "Chōkon Daemon Blast" and spring-loaded "Chōkon Bolt Masher" weapons that pop out of his stomach. One figure can also fit into the [[Roller (G1)|Roller]]-style car that comes with the set.

:There is, unfortunately, no one mode that uses all of Overlord's many accessories.

:Overlord's instructions do not feature the additional large jet mode seen in the animated series and manga, as it (like [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]'s "Wingwolf" mode or BlackZarak's "Dakatsu" mode) was created by the production staff after fiddling around with the toy itself. As such, it's entirely possible to put the toy in this form, although it doesn't rest evenly on a flat surface.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Destron/Overlord/overlord.htm More information on Overlord at TFU.info]''

===''The Transformers''===
*'''Overlord''' (Decepticon, [[1991]])
**''Accessories:'' 2 Energon mini figures, missile-launching rifle, three missiles, tank barrel, two ramps/shin guards, central ramp, two radar arrays, double-barreled laser, rocket launcher, car

:Overlord's toy was later released in Europe and Australasia with a slightly darker shade of purple plastic, in a packaging design reminiscent of the concurrently available "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" figures. Diverging from previous Hasbro fiction for [[Powermaster]]s that treated the little figures that turn into their engines as [[Nebulan]]s, Overlord's companions were declared so-called "[[Energon figure|Energon mini figure]]s" instead, and the term "Powermaster" isn't mentioned at all.
{{picsneeded|European variant}}
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Timelinestoy-BC2012Gigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Oh my, Bludgeon, you've never looked so... ''kissable''... before...]]
*'''Invasion''' ([[BotCon 2012]] box set)
**''Accessories:'' {{w|Katana}}, {{w|Wakizashi|tanto}}

:''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' "Gigatron" ([[trademark]] reasons) is a [[redeco]]/[[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyager Class [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager|Bludgeon]], sporting a new head. Gigatron transforms from a Japanese {{w|Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90}} tank into a samurai-esque robot mode. He features a flexible plastic sword which is made out of a portion of the barrel of the tank's main gun as well as a smaller dagger. The dagger can be stored in a sheath which is revealed from inside the tank turret, and both blades can be slotted in holes provided on the robot mode's left hip guard. Additionally, the dagger's handle can fit in the base of the sword's handle, forming a double-bladed weapon. He has [[Mech Alive]] [[gimmick]]s in his thighs and turret: Sculpted cylinders in his thighs rotate whenever his lower legs are rotated, and pulling his turret open makes a sculpted "disc" at the center rotate while a scabbard for the tantō hinges over to the side and props itself up for use.

:The [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is one of the very few Transformer tank toys with rubber components to its treads. Portions of the tread links can unlock, allowing them to hang from the robot mode, while the wheels of the treads are integrated separately into the robot mode form itself. The treads still do not function realistically; small plastic wheels on the underside of the treads help the tank mode roll, as is standard with nearly all Transformer tank toys.

:The original version of this mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' [[Banzaitron (TF 2010)#Transformers (2010)|Banzaitron]], and it was differently retooled to make ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]] and ''[[Transformers Cloud|Cloud]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Cloud|Megatron]].

:As a redeco of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Bludgeon mold, it is highly likely that Gigatron is cursed with the same design fault as his brethren—the rubber treads break down over the course of years, causing them to corrode spots of plastic and leave melty gashes behind. This is particularly sad considering Gigatron is a convention-exclusive figure.

:Gigatron was released in a box set with [[Ultra Magnus (SG)#Timelines|Ultra Magnus]], [[Tracks (SG)#Timelines|Tracks]], [[Treadshot (SG)#Timelines|Treadshot]], [[Soundwave (SG)#Timelines|Soundwave]], and [[Metalhawk (G1)#Timelines|Metalhawk]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/BCGigatron/gigatron.htm More information on BotCon Gigatron at TFU.info]''
{{ROTFBludgeonMold}}
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
{{anchor|BotCon2014}}
[[File:KreO-Toy BC14-Gigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Far less kissable than previous Gigatrons.]]
*'''Kreon Gigatron''' (Kreon Souvenir Figure Set, 2014)
**''Accessories'': Katana, robot sword

:"Kreon Gigatron" is based on the [[BotCon 2012]] [[#Timelines|Gigatron figure]], and can be re-built into a battle tank. His gun barrel is partially made from/stores his katana blade, just like the larger figure. He uses the [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#Kre-O|Sentinel Prime]] helmet.

: This figure was only available as part of a [[BotCon 2014]] ''Kre-O'' six-pack, including [[Breakdown (G1)#BotCon2014|Breakdown]], [[Fractyl#Kre-O|Fractyl]], [[Landshark (G1)#Kre-O|Landshark]], [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Kre-O|Rattrap]], and [[Rodimus (SG)#Kre-O|''Shattered Glass'' Rodimus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Decepticon/BCKre-OGigatron/gigatron.htm More information on Gigatron at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
{{anchor|Generations}}
[[File:TitansReturn-Overlord.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2|Hidden head nipple.]]
*'''Dreadnaut & Decepticon Overlord''' (Leader Class, 2017)
**''Accessories'': [[Giga#Generations|Dreadnaut]] Titan Master, tank barrel/gun, cockpit/shield
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Emiliano Santalucia]] (concept artist)}}

:Part of the fifth and final wave of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Leader Class toys, "Decepticon Overlord" is a heavy retool of the same line's [[Black Shadow (G1)#Titans Return|Sky Shadow]]: the tank component is mostly a redeco with the waist slightly retooled, but the jet component is an entirely new sculpt. He retains the ability to split into both a tank and a jet simultaneously, as well as a combined base mode. In another change from Sky Shadow, the jet nosecone is now removable and can be worn as a shield on either shoulder in robot mode. It can also plug into his chest as additional armor, and the tip can be removed to make the bottom hatch more accessible.

:In homage to his original Godmaster gimmick, Overlord has two opening doors on his chest which reveal slots for the storage of two individual [[Titan Master]] or [[Prime Master]] figures (one in each pectoral) in head/spark mode. Care must be taken though, as these compartments are VERY snug and the Titan Master may get stuck inside or will not fit altogether, depending on the head sculpt. The pectoral slots are also not deep enough to allow the doors to close once a Titan Master or Prime Master has been inserted. While no longer related to the pectoral accessories, this Overlord does once again have a hidden weapons system sculpted inside his chest, in this case a missile rack that is exposed by leaning back his upper body.

:His tank mode still has the clips from Sky Shadow that allow for Sky Shadow's jet component to carry it, but lacks the corresponding connector on his jet component. Instead the Jet can be mounted on top of the tank by clamping Overlord's chest doors along the Tank's cab sides, although this only loosely secures it. There is also a detail sculpted at the base of his torso (ostensibly landing gear) that can be used as a base connector like the ones in his feet.

:On some figures, the 5 mm hole on his tank where his gun plugs in and the holes on his shoulders are extremely snug, which can make it difficult to remove anything that might be plugged into them. The 5 mm post on his jet's nose that allows it to be used as a shield is also extremely prone to popping out, in part because of the former issue.

:Both the CG renders depicted on the back of his packaging and the official stock photos depicting a near-final sample show both the tank and the jet mode with the gun/tank barrel attached, thereby implying that he includes two weapons, one to be used for each mode, even though the figure only includes one weapon. Additionally, both the CG render and the stock photo of his base mode have the section of the tank/right leg that contains a cockpit for a Titan Master flipped up, the same way Sky Shadow's base mode is also depicted in his own CG renders and stock photos, even though the instructions show the cockpit being folded down for the base mode.

:Sadly, his lips are not terribly kissable.
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-60-Overlord.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|One of my face-nipples only tells the truth - the other tells only lies. Which will you trust?]]
*'''Overlord''' (Leader Class, [[January 27]], [[2018]])
**''ID number'': '''LG-60'''
**''Accessories'': Gigatank barrel/gun, [[Giga#Legends|Giga]] Headmaster, [[Mega#Legends|Mega]] Headmaster, Megajet cockpit/shield

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Overlord is a retool of the ''Titans Return'' Leader Class figure above, featuring a new chest with sculpted-in Godmaster engines, new doors, and a new helmet. The Godmaster engines are not removable, nullifying the Titan/Prime Master storage on the ''Titans Return'' toy. If one wishes to restore the chest slots, one must unscrew the jet piece, and pry the pieces out from the inside. In addition to an anime-accurate deco, Overlord also comes with new [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures of [[Giga#Legends|Giga]], with a neutral anime-accurate face, and [[Mega#Legends|Mega]], with a smiling feminine face (more akin to Overlord's face in the IDW comics). When using Giga as a face, his chest doors are supposed to be open and the cockpit should be attached to the arm, and is referred to as '''Overlord Giga'''. With Mega, the doors are closed and the cockpit is attached to the back, and goes by the name '''Overlord Mega'''. The [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 60|pack-in manga]] shows these two individually and combining into '''Overlord Tera''' (though the Overlord attached to the back uses sticker detail from the ''Titans Return'' toy).

:Promotional photography shows Overlord's feet transformed differently from the Hasbro version, placing him up on his tippy-toes so as to increase his height. This is presumably to allow him to scale better with ''Legends'' [[Ginrai (human)#Legends|Super Ginrai]]. While this does work, the front halves of the feet aren't level with the back halves, and must be adjusted at an angle to keep him standing upright, which combined with less-than-tight swivels will often having him falling over.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Parody Deformed===
[[File:Overlord pd model.jpg|thumb|Overlooked.]]
*'''Overlord''' ([[1990]])
:A small blue and white, non-transforming [[super deformed]] model kit of Overlord was available as part of [[Kabaya]]'s "[[Parody Deformed]]" line of [[candy toy]]s. The eighth figure in the series, he came with a "[[PDTF Comic]]" comic about himself, "Oh, Overlord", and something that could charitably be described as "chocolate".
{{--}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[File:SCF Overlord.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I can't transform? Where's the fun in that?]]
*'''Overlord''' ([[2001]])
**''Act'': '''5'''
**''Accessories'': Stand

:A PVC figure of Overlord was part of the ''Super-God Masterforce''-centric fifth act of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' series, available in both full colour and metallic silver "pewter", in an equal ratio of one each per case of twelve figures. His incredibly wide stance makes it difficult for him to properly use the included display stand.

: In eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version of Overlord came packaged with the right leg of the wave's "build-a-figure", [[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Super Collection Figure|BlackZarak]]. This part could be in either full color or clear-plastic, at an equal 4:4 ratio.

: This mold was later released in the fourth wave of [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'', as "[[Gigatron (G1)#Heroes of Cybertron|Powermaster Gigatron]]".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/HoCGigatron/gigatron.htm More information on ''Super Collection Figure'' Overlord at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Destron/PewterOverlord/overlord.htm More information on pewter Overlord at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===Heroes of Cybertron===
[[File:HOC Gigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Whaaaat? I'm safe! My shoulder spikes are rounded now! It's totally safe to come within arm's reach!]]
*'''Powermaster Gigatron''' ([[2003]])

:Released in the third wave of ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'', [[Gigatron (G1)|Gigatron]] is a slightly-altered version of the ''Super Collection Figure'' Overlord PVC, featuring rounded-off shoulder-cones [[for safety reasons]]. He is cast in clear red plastic painted over, leaving his eyes and the back of his head unpainted to attempt a [[light-piping]] effect.

: He also came with the left arm of the wave's [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Heroes of Cybertron|Fortress Maximus]] build-a-figurine.

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

===Transformers Gum===
[[File:KabayaDX2Overlord.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Breaking out of these plastic sprues was never a challenge - I just lacked motivation.]]
*'''Overlord''' ([[2013]])
**''Accessories:'' Giga and Mega Godmaster engines, "Transtector Destroyer Cannon", tank barrel, two ramps/shin guards, central ramp, two radar arrays, car

:Overlord was released in series 2 of Kabaya's larger-sized DX gum kits. Since the original ''Masterforce'' Overlord toy could only transform by being disassembled, this particular Kabaya kit stands out from most others in terms of near-perfectly matching the transformation mechanism of its template, and can be configured into the paired Megajet-and-Gigatank vehicle modes, city mode, and a 5" tall robot mode. It also includes tiny removable (and transformable) Mega and Giga Godmaster engines, though all of their associated spring-loaded features are no longer present.

:This kit also adds some new features to the Overlord design. There is now a gear-driven rotating platform in the city mode on which the small car can be spun around before deploying, and every accessory can now be stored in all of Overlord's modes.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Overlord was a new [[character]] created for the 1988 Japanese ''Super God Masterforce'' series. While all his fellow Godmasters had American Powermaster counterpart characters (Ginrai had [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Lightfoot had [[Getaway]], and so forth), Overlord's counterpart came later in the form of a 1991 European and Australasian exclusive. The bio of this figure stated that he was a dimension-hopper, which leaves the door open for him being the ''Masterforce'' character who jumped dimensions into the European toy bio continuity. Overlord did not have an American counterpart until 2003, when the ''Heroes of Cybertron'' line introduced "[[Gigatron (G1)|Gigatron]]". However, the little-known nature of this character (existing as he did only as an obscure PVC figurine), coupled with the fact that Overlord had been around for fifteen years already, meant that the idea of a Powermaster named Gigatron who existed as a separate character from the Godmaster Overlord didn't really become widespread. Dreamwave would briefly mention "Gigatron" as the originator of the Powermaster process in their contemporary ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profiles, but when the non-Godmaster version of the character appeared again a few years later in [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' series, he was "Overlord" once more. It would not be until [[Fun Publications]] stories in [[2015]] and [[2016]] that versions of Overlord and Gigatron would be established as coexisting in the same universe.
*Early during pre-production for ''Masterforce'', Overlord was named '''Leviathan'''. This was almost certainly a name based in series creator [[Masumi Kaneda]]'s desire to sprinkle the series with assorted Biblical allegories; the name-change is fairly symptomatic of how these references wound up being downplayed to the point of near-total obfuscation in the finished show.
*[[James Roberts]] stated that he envisioned the IDW incarnation of Overlord to sound like English actor {{w|John Simm}}<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120829174627/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=166284&highlight= James Roberts on the IDW forums (via the Internet Archive)]</ref> (who at the time was the most recent performer of {{w|The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master}} on ''[[Doctor Who]]''). By contrast, [[Patrick Seitz]] gives Overlord a Southern U.S. accent in the ''Prime Wars Trilogy'' webtoons.
*Like all non-toy robot Kreons in the ''Kre-O'' manga, Overlord is made from existing ''Kre-O'' parts. He uses the [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Ironhide]] helmet, the twin-cannon backpack, a black clip-on tread with a small jet-fin plugged into each side, and the bazooka with an extra 1x1 cone on the end.
*The concept image for Kreon Gigatron used in the pack-in flier shows him with white tank-turret parts rather than the final toy's light gray.
*A proposed [[Fun Publications]] [[BotCon]] [[exclusive]] was a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Voyager Class [[Mindwipe (ROTF)#Toys|Mindwipe]] into "'''[[Mega]]'''bolt", a counterpart to the BotCon 2012 "'''[[Giga]]'''tron" toy.<ref>[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc14/bc14br.html BotCon 2014 attendee report by griffin]</ref> The characterization for this pair of figures would be that the ''Classics'' incarnation of Overlord was magically split into two, but this toy plan did not come to fruition.

===Foreign names===
*''Korean'': '''Overlord''' (오버로드 ''Obeorodeu'')
*''Mandarin'': '''Bàwáng''' (China, 霸王, "Overlord"), '''Chāozài''' (China, 超载, "Overload")
*''Italian'': '''Overlord'''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon bases]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Emperors]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Godmasters]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Point One Percenters]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]
[[Category:Zone Decepticons]]
[[Category:Nonbinary characters]]

Overlord (G1)

2023-05-12T11:11:48Z

Volnar The Unforgiving: /* Transformers: Earth Wars */

{{faction|decepticon}}
{{featured}}
{{Disambigm|Overlord (disambiguation)|Gigatron (disambiguation)}}
:''Overlord is a [[Decepticon]] [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Overlord.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Check out these killer abs!]]
[[Autobot]]s quake in fear when '''Overlord''' (オーバーロード ''Ōbārōdo'', aka '''Gigatron'''[[#Notes|[Note]]]) thunders on to the battlefield. This towering warrior is an amalgamation of the deadliest [[Decepticon]] weaponry known, armed with laser blasters and grenade launchers in his stomach, and the terrifying ability to prevent the wounds he inflicts upon his opponents from healing. He is even equipped with an internal arms factory. Overlord is formed from two individual vehicles, the Gigatank and the Megajet, which combine to form his colossal [[robot mode]], a heavily armed advance base, or a larger jet capable of space flight.<ref>Hybridized summary from the 1988 ''Masterforce'' anime and the 2005-2018 IDW comics</ref>

{{note|Exactly who—and even ''what''—Overlord is varies greatly from continuity to continuity, to the point that it could conceivably be argued whether or not the different incarnations represent different characters. See individual sections below for details.}}

==Fiction==
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Keiichi Noda]] (Japanese)|[[Rik Thomas]] (English, Omni Productions dub)}}
[[File:Overlord r.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Believe it or not, this is a crane shot.]]
The story of the Overlord begins with the mysterious alien energy-being and self-styled Decepticon god, [[Devil Z]], who schemed to create the ultimate lifeform by merging Transformers and humans into one. Devil Z stole a collection of Transformer [[Transtector]]s from the [[G Nebula 89|G Nebula]] and brought them to Earth. Devil Z recruited two human beings, husband and wife [[Giga]] and [[Mega]], and charged them with creating an army for him. Mega and Giga were both bonded to the largest Transtector, and together, they became the terrifying Overlord, serving as Devil Z's "Ambassador of Destruction" on Earth.

Giga and Mega took their Transtectors into battle for the first time after a string of failures that resulted in several of the Godmaster Transtectors falling into the hands of the [[Autobot]]s. The couple had [[Hydra (G1)|Hydra]] and [[Buster (G1)|Buster]] lure Autobot commander [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] into the desert, and then confronted him as Overlord, immediately proving their superiority by beating him to near-death. {{storylink|Super Ginrai Gets Blown Away in the Desert!?}} Believing Ginrai dealt with, Overlord subsequently departed into space, {{storylink|Will the Bomber Project Be Destroyed!?}} taking control of a [[Weather Observatory Moon Base|weather-monitoring base]] on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] in order to rendezvous with the approaching [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] there. Ginrai, however, proved entirely too stubborn to die, and, powered-up through his combination with the freshly-constructed [[Godbomber]] drone, soon pursued Overlord and engaged him in battle above the moon's surface. {{storylink|God Ginrai - Into the Sky!!}} During the fight, Ginrai was blindsided by BlackZarak and sent crashing down to the moon, where he found himself hunted by the two powerful Decepticons. Luckily, the Autobot battleship [[Grand Maximus]] arrived to help, and the two Decepticon tried to break off the fight an return to Earth. Ginrai and Grand vowed to stop them, and a shot from Ginrai's God Cannon sent Overlord plummeting back to the moon, forcing Giga and Mega to split into their individual Transtectors to soften their impact and save their lives. The Autobot pair managed to drive BlackZarak back to the moon as well, and the dark Decepticon insisted that Overlord return to Earth alone and inform Devil Z of the situation. Overlord refused, furious that anyone other than Devil Z would presume to give him orders, but when Ginrai and Grand returned to press their attack, he realised the damage he had sustained prevented him from carrying on the fight, and he relented. After Overlord departed for Earth, however, the outnumbered BlackZarak was then beaten by Ginrai and sent fleeing back into the depths of space. {{storylink|God Ginrai - Showdown on the Surface of the Moon}}

[[File:Overlord v.jpg|205px|thumb|I'm easy come. Easy go. Little High. Little Low.]]
Incensed by this failure, Giga decided to reduce Ginrai's power level by destroying Godbomber. A desert again served as Ginrai and Overlord's battleground, as Overlord used his Chōkon Power to create a massive whirling tornado out of the shifting sands, but when he was thrown off balance by a sneaky God Punch attack, Overlord's "Chōkon Tornado" quickly backfired on him and sent him spinning off wildly through the sky. {{storylink|Overlord - Terror of the Chōkon Tornado}} Despite this setback, Overlord made another attempt to eliminate Godbomber, this time by separating him from Ginrai with an ambush in the American heartland. In their separate Transtectors, Giga and Mega wore down Ginrai until he no longer had enough Chōkon Power to animate Godbomber, but the plan was foiled when the Autobot [[Headmaster Junior]]s discovered they could combine their own energy to control Godbomber themselves. With Ginrai and Godbomber reunited, Overlord was sent packing by a blast of Chōkon Power. {{storylink|Destroy Godbomber!!}}

[[File:Overlord b.jpg|left|205px|thumb|Umm, Giga? Where are we supposed to sleep?]]
Overlord later adopted his base mode for the first time to act as a staging ground for the search for the final Godmaster. The search came to an abruptly end, however, when the Godmaster himself, [[Clouder]], sought out the Decepticons, and the villains decided to use his ability to adopt two robot forms to install him as a double agent within the Autobot ranks. {{storylink|Appearance!! The Final Godmaster}} Using information fed to them by Clouder, the Decepticons initiated a full-scale attack on the Autobots' headquarters, again using Overlord's base mode as a mobile headquarters from which the assault was masterminded. {{storylink|Secret Orders! Destroy the Autobot Base!!}} When Ginrai (who had been lured away from the base so the attack to begin) returned to aid his fellow Autobots, Overlord transformed to [[robot mode]] and again engaged him in battle, intending to keep him occupied until a [[Seacon (Masterforce)|Seacon]] force could destroy the Autobot base from within. Although defeated in combat, Overlord was still able to gloat, as Ginrai failed to realise that he was being stalled until it was too late. Furious at his own short-sightedness, Ginrai hurled Overlord and embedded him, head-first, in the side of the mountain housing the Autobot base. At that moment, the base's magma converter power core finally exploded, and Overlord was sent flying over the horizon by a jet of lava. {{storylink|Disaster! The Autobot Base Explodes}}

[[File:Overlord spacejet.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Set controls to outer space, now, flying higher than ever before!]]
Soon thereafter, BlackZarak returned to Earth, and the Decepticons began "Operation M-1" to cut a swathe of devastation across the Earth. While BlackZarak tore through [[New York City|New York]], Overlord landed in the heart of [[Paris]], decimating military resistance and destroying the [[Arc de Triomphe]]. With these cities in ruins, the two Decepticons began to converge on Tokyo; while passing over China, Overlord landed on the Great Wall and broadcasted a message to the leaders of the world, warning them to surrender or witness Tokyo's destruction. Overlord then carried on his way, easily defeating [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]], [[Phoenix (G1)|Phoenix]] and [[Diver (G1)|Diver]] when they attempted to block his path. Overlord and BlackZarak soon arrived in Tokyo, and with no surrender forthcoming, began razing the city. In the midst of the chaos, however, Ginrai and Grand Maximus—who had been trapped in a black hole by BlackZarak, and only just managed to escape—arrived to stop their evil deeds. During the ensuing battle, Ginrai manoeuvred himself between the two Decepticons, and dodged at the last second, causing them to blast each other. With his two most powerful warriors damaged, Devil Z called off Operation M-1, and initiated Operation M-2 {{storylink|BlackZarak - Destroyer from Space}} which involved destroying the Earth's atmosphere from orbit with the unholy [[Death Para-Machine]]. Overlord transformed to his "space jet" mode to carry the Decepticon Headmaster Juniors into space for the operation, but naturally, the Autobots pursued their enemies, and Ginrai was able to destroy the Death Para-Machine before it caused irreparable damage to Earth. {{storylink|Crisis! The Day of Human Extinction}}

[[File:Overlord vs ginrai.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|"I outrank you, Ginrai!" "You do NOT! 'God' outranks 'Overlord'!"]]
After a battle with [[Lightfoot (G1)|Lightfoot]] in southern Europe, {{storylink|God Ginrai - Save Cancer!?}} Overlord tried a more underhanded tactic, capturing Autobot Headmaster Junior [[Shūta Gō]], and using him as a bargaining chip to bring Ginrai to the Decepticon base. The battle that followed was distinctly one-sided, as Ginrai was unable to fight back due to Shūta being in danger, but this suddenly took an unexpected turn when Decepticon Junior [[Cancer (G1)|Cancer]] turned on his teammates and freed Shūta. Even as the shocked Overlord commanded him to stop, Ginrai got back in the fight, and flattened Overlord before escaping with Shūta and Cancer. {{storylink|God Ginrai: Showdown at the Decepticon Base}} With the information Cancer provided them, the Autobots were able to stage an all-out attack on the Decepticon base, during which Overlord again battled Ginrai. The fight came to a sudden end when Devil Z merged with BlackZarak and collapsed the Decepticon base in a failed attempt to destroy the Autobots. {{storylink|The Ultimate Combination!! BlackZarak, the New Lifeform}}

For a time, Devil Z's hatred of humankind had been steadily growing, and rankled with Giga and Mega, reaching a head when the alien abandoned [[Wilder (G1)|Wilder]] and [[Bullhorn (G1)|Bullhorn]] in the ruins of the Decepticon base, and transformed Hydra and Buster into true robots. {{storylink|Battle to the Death!! God Ginrai VS Darkwings Reborn}} Confronting God Ginrai for one final time in the heart of the [[Grand Canyon]], Overlord vowed to fight him without weapons, battling him only through the use of his physical strength and the power of his human flesh. He didn't explain his motives to Ginrai, but Ginrai observed Overlord's refusal to draw his weapons, and fought honourably. When Grand Maximus arrived on the scene, however, he was not so concerned, and simply shot Overlord out of the sky. {{storylink|Autobots! Desperate Attack!!}}

[[File:Overlord ginrairescue.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I get by with a little help from my ... uh, foes.]]
After the battle in the Grand Canyon, the Decepticons relocated to the Alps, and the Autobots again gave chase. Overlord was willing to engage the Autobot Godmasters, but the merged Devil Z/BlackZarak entity held him back and instead buried them under an avalanche. Meanwhile, Ginrai again defeated Hydra and Buster, and the two brothers limped back to the peak of the Matterhorn, where Devil Z turned on them for their failure. As their punishment continued, Overlord at last stood up to his leader and attempted to stop him, only to be on the receiving end of Devil Z's wrath. {{storylink|Malevolent and Inhuman! The True Form of Devil Z}} Unexpectedly, Overlord was rescued by Ginrai, and as the Autobot leader began his final battle with BlackZarak, Giga and Mega realized that they owed him a debt of honor for saving them and finally made the decision to turn against their former master. When Overlord attempted to aid God Ginrai in his battle with BlackZarak, however, they were struck down and enveloped in a sphere of Devil Z's [[Devil Power]]. Devil Z separated Mega and Giga from their Transtectors, bringing Overlord to life as a true super-robot lifeform. As their [[Master-Brace]]s vanished from their wrists, Giga and Mega died, regretting that they could not settle their rivalry with Ginrai honourably. Alas, there was not even time to mourn, as the new, robotic Overlord lunged for Ginrai, but was tackled by Grand Maximus. Ginrai subsequently united his powers with the Headmasters Juniors to finally destroy Devil Z and BlackZarak, and at the sight of his leader being vaporized, Overlord immediately called for the Decepticons to retreat. As they fled into space, the Autobots' Transtectors were also brought to life, as Overlord's had been, by the death of Devil Z, and they headed into space in pursuit of Overlord's Decepticons. {{storylink|A Battle... and Then...}}
{{-}}

====''Legends'' comic====
The now-living Overlord transtector and his followers joined with the Decepticon forces in space, and in [[2021]], Overlord led an attack on the [[transtector]] factory in [[G Nebula 89]], forcing [[Grand Maximus|Grand]] to send the former [[Decepticon]] [[Headmaster Junior]]s to the [[Legends World]] for their safety. {{storylink|LG24 Shockwave & Cancer Prologue}} During one of his assaults, Overlord was defeated by a [[Getmaster]]-powered [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 39|Bonus Edition Vol. 39}}

====''Victory'' cartoon====
[[File:Decepticons in the g nebula.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Those car washes get more dangerous every year.]]
Overlord briefly led the Decepticon army before the rise to power of [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]. {{storylink|Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus's toy bio}} Following this, Overlord commanded the Sector Two Decepticon force, based in the G Nebula, where they battled the Autobots under the command of his old foe, God Ginrai. {{storylink|Planet Micro - The Mysterious Warrior}}
{{--}}

====''Zone'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Keiichi Noda]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:OverlordZone1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Robots should not wear [[Transformer clothing#Capes|capes]].]]
Years after the end of the [[Masterforce War]], Overlord was among the Decepticons recruited by the new Decepticon emperor Violengiguar to become the strongest of his Nine Great Demon Generals. In addition to his new title of "Super-God General", Overlord was outfitted with new armor and weapons that made him even more dangerous than before. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}}

Years later, when the supernatural creature known as [[Violengiguar]] seized command of the Decepticons, his first act was to recruit nine "[[Nine Great Demon Generals|Demon Generals]]" from Decepticon history. Overlord was selected to be one of those Generals and was given new power and weaponry to make him an even greater threat than before. At Violengiguar's instruction, Overlord was sent to the planet [[Feminia]] to wreak havoc along with [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. Together, the three Decepticon Demon Generals destroyed the entire planet and nearly killed Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] [[Star Saber (G1)|Victory Saber]] in the process.

Two-and-a-half months later, Overlord led Menasor, Abominus, and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] in an attack on the planet of [[Micro|Zone]], gleefully blasting [[Micromaster]]s and using his trident to slice into [[Zone Base]] to retrieve a sample of [[Energon Z]] for Decepticon use. With the Micromasters completely unable to harm the Decepticon generals, Overlord left the planet in triumph, handing the Energon Z off to the second group of Generals, who went on to attack Earth, but were stopped by Autobot [[Powered Master]] [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]. {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

It wasn't long before Overlord got his own chance to go up against Dai Atlas, but the Powered Master didn't think much of this so-called "Strongest of the Generals," aiming to finish their battle in under eight seconds. Whether or not he achieved this lofty goal is unknown, but he ''did'' lay out Overlord with his powerful "Galactic Dash" attack. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 6}}

The Generals schooled [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] and the [[Metrosquad]] in the ways of evil, making them formidable foes for the [[Powered Master]]s. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 7}}

====Train Wars====
In the aftermath of Violengiguar's defeat, Overlord's faction of Decepticons in G Nebula 89 tried to reorganize and desired to take control of the nebula's transtector factory to create more Decepticon soldiers. {{storylink|Train Wars: Goshooter & Shūta Gō Chapter}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In some versions of the history of the [[G1 World|Primax 785.06 Alpha]] system, the G Nebula Transtector that became Overlord was intended to be a new body for a fallen Decepticon known as [[Gigatron (G1)|Gigatron]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/24}}

===''TV Magazine'' comic continuity===
====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
[[File:Overlord manga.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"I am a freak?, Not so, I am a devil!"]]

After a failed assault on planet [[Athenia]] and the defeat of [[Scramble 7]], the Decepticons returned to Earth and were met by their new commander, the mysterious Overlord. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The Earth-Space Alliance Army}}

Giga and Mega debuted their Transtectors in an attack on a city, during which they combined into Overlord and devastated the Autobot Godmasters with their Daemon Blast and Bolt Masher weapons. Blindsided and badly damaged by the newly created God Ginrai, Overlord was goaded into pursuing the Autobot out into space, where BlackZarak was battling the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. As BlackZarak turned to face the approaching Ginrai, the cunning Autobot swiftly ducked out of the way, causing Overlord and BlackZarak to attack each other. Gravely wounded, Overlord returned to Earth, while BlackZarak fled back into space. {{storylink|God Ginrai's Amazing Divine Combination!}}

Overlord's base mode was employed by the Decepticon to hold Shūta Gō and [[Cab (human)|Cab]] prisoner, when they attempted to torture the two boys into becoming members of the Decepticons. Their fellow Autobot Junior, [[Minerva (human)|Minerva]], came to their rescue when she crashed Godbomber through Overlord's walls and freed them, after which Overlord transformed to robot mode to face the approaching Ginrai and Grand Maximus. It wasn't his best showing: after Ginrai combined with Godbomber, Grand crashed his battleship directly into Overlord's face, and God Ginrai used the Headmaster's "[[Master Blade (Masterforce)|Master Blade]]" to slice off Overlord's legs. Their Transtectors forcibly separated, the battered Giga and Mega escaped. {{storylink|The Good and Evil Families of Earth}}

[[File:Overlord aolaser.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"Cry some more!"]]
From the top of [[Chomolungma]], Overlord rained destruction down on the world using the Decepticons' newest weapon, the [[A.O. Laser]]. When Ginrai and Godbomber arrived to stop him, Overlord turned the laser on them; they dodged, but they had failed to observe the presence of the Decepticons' newest member, the Godmaster Clouder, who reflected the laser beam back at them and knocked them out of the sky. Unfortunately for Overlord, a chance comment from Cancer insulting Clouder's falcon mode plunged the Godmaster into such a rage that he turned on his Decepticon allies and blew up the A.O. Laser in Overlord's hands. Although Ginrai had been temporarily blinded by the A.O. Laser, the Headmaster Juniors were able to serve as his eyes and point him in the right direction to unleash his "God Punch" attack, which clobbered Overlord so hard that Giga and Mega actually popped out of his chest. {{storylink|The Decepticons' Great Counterattack!}}

Soon thereafter, when the Autobots were off-Earth visiting their space-based allies, BlackZarak was able to return to Earth, and he and Overlord took the opportunity to attack a city. The Autobots soon returned with, and Ginrai and Godbomber grappled with Overlord, forcing him to separate back into the Megajet and Gigatank. The two Autobots clung onto the separate Transtectors, however, refusing to let them escape, as they waited for the new weapon they had brought back from space, the [[VX Bomb]] to detonate. The explosion came seconds later, knocking Mega and Giga's Transtectors offline, but Ginrai and Godbomber survived by combining into God Ginrai. {{storylink|Life or Death? The Desperate Divine Combination!}}

[[File:Overlord vs blackzarak.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Don't ever speak about Broly.]]
When BlackZarak attacked a city, Cancer happened to be here, and BlackZarak showed his disdain for humans by using the boy as a bargaining chip to prevent the Autobots from interfering with his deviltry. Horrified at this treatment of Cancer, Overlord viciously attacked BlackZarak, rescuing Cancer from his grip, but while they were fighting, it allowed the Autobots to take down both of them. {{storylink|The Great Turnabout of the Autobots}}

In light of this act of treachery by Overlord, it was perhaps not surprising that in the midst of his next battle with Ginrai, Overlord himself was the subject of a betrayal. In an attempt to transform himself into the ultimate lifeform, Devil Z fused with BlackZarak, and then turned on Overlord and the Decepticon Headmaster Juniors, attempting to drain theirs and Ginrai's [[Chōkon Power|Jinchōkon]] and take it for his own. They were saved by the Autobot Pretenders, who blocked the Jinchōkon-absorbing beam, and Overlord decided to join with the Autobots in defeating Devil Z. Overlord joined with all the other Transformers in combining their energies into the "Perfect Transform Attack", which finally destroyed BlackZarak and Devil Z once and for all. With the alien's death, the Transformers' Transtectors were brought to life as true super-robot lifeforms, Overlord's included. Alas, Devil Z's energies had also been sustaining the lives of Giga and Mega, and his death also resulted in theirs. The now-living Overlord and Ginrai Transtectors decided to take their troops back into space, where Overlord vowed to defeat Ginrai in memory of Mega and Giga, and for the honor of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Birth of the Super Life-Forms}}
{{-}}

====''Zone'' comic====
[[File:Overlord zone manga.jpg|upright=0.9|thumb|Your hair is like lavender but smells like strawberries.]]
Years after the end of the [[Masterforce War]], Overlord was among the Decepticons recruited by the new Decepticon emperor Violengiguar to become the strongest of his Nine Great Demon Generals. In addition to his new title of "Super-God General", Overlord was outfitted with new armor and weapons that made him even more dangerous than before. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}}

One month after the Demon Generals destroyed the planet Feminia, apparently taking the life of the Autobot Supreme Commander Victory Saber in the process, Overlord led Menasor, Bruticus and Abominus in an attack on the planet Zone, where they successfully stole a sample of the super-energy, Energon Z. When the Zone Base transformed into battle mode and opened fire on the Decepticons, Overlord called retreat, seeing no need to stay and fight when the prize was already theirs. Overlord then handed the Energon Z off to the second platoon of generals, who subsequently headed for Earth, but were defeated in battle there by the Autobot Powered Master Dai Atlas. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Transformers: Zone}}

It wasn't long before Overlord got his own chance to go up against Dai Atlas, but the Powered Master didn't think much of this so-called "Strongest of the Generals," aiming to finish their battle in under eight seconds. Whether or not he achieved this lofty goal is unknown, but he ''did'' lay out Overlord with his powerful "Galactic Dash" attack. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 6}}

The Generals later schooled [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] and the [[Metrosquad]] in the ways of evil, making them formidable foes for the [[Powered Master]]s. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 7}}
{{--}}

===''PDTF Comic''===
[[File:Pdtype overlord.jpg|left|thumb|I'm a foot and a half taller than you, but whatever.]]
During a battle between Overlord and Super Ginrai, the Autobot Godmaster prepared to attack with Chokon Power. When he raised his hands to summon Tenchokon, however, he was struck by a bolt of lightning, causing Overlord to smirk that the weather wasn't looking too good. {{storylink|PDTF Comic##7 "Fight! Super Ginrai!"|Fight! Super Ginrai!!}}

Sitting in a field, watching the clouds float by, Overlord started to wonder what he was doing with his life and decided he needed a day off to reflect on his lot. Unfortunately, he had chosen to sit down and have this epiphany in the middle of a huge battle, and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] began shouting at him to get back up and join the fight. {{storylink|PDTF Comic##9 "Oh Overlord."|Oh, Overlord}}
{{--}}

===European toy bio continuity===
[[File:Overlord vs motorvators.jpg|thumb|Collect all time-displaced toys.]]
A legend by virtue of his very existence, Overlord is the ultimate Decepticon anti-hero. Emerging to join the Transformers' war at some undetermined point in space and time, Overlord fights alone on the battlefield despite his Decepticon allegiance, a monolithic horror born of "advanced robotic engineering" whose special abilities—including the power to travel across dimensions—come from the "[[Energon figure]]s" that operate his multiple functions.

To counter the monstrous threat posed by this powerful new breed of Decepticon, the Autobots developed their own new team of warriors, the [[Motorvator]]s, emulating Overlord's Energon figure technology to make the trio a match for his awesome power.<ref>Overlord's European toy bio</ref><ref>Story blurb on Overlord and the Motorvators' packaging.</ref>
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]}}
{{bigquote|A good strategist is half psychologist and half '''sadist'''. And I was the '''best'''.|Overlord|[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #3]]}}
[[File:Overlords spark remembrance day.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|They're so cute when they're small.]]
Overlord was born on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Moonbase Two|second moon]] 4.2 million years ago, a rare breed known as a "[[Point One Percenter]]". After its "first flash" killed the [[Frak|hapless]] [[Rushcut|miners]] who discovered it, his [[spark]] was taken by the [[Functionist Council]]'s authenticator [[Three-of-Twelve]]. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}}

[[File:MegatronOrigin2 fightcrowd1.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Hey, he appeared as a rabid fan of gladiatorial combat in a crowd shot once. Wouldn't it be ''awesome'' if [[Nick Roche|someone]] built a whole character round that?]]
In the days before the [[Great War (G1)|Cybertronian civil war]], Overlord was both an avid spectator of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s gladiatorial matches {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} and a participant in the bouts, even fighting Megatron himself. Megatron would be the only opponent to ever defeat Overlord, and he did so regularly, giving Overlord a pathological fear of defeat. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} All the same, Overlord still joined Megatron's Decepticon faction upon its founding, though it was not the loftiness of the Decepticon cause that Megatron espoused which enticed him. Rather, it was the chance to have the glorious excess of the gladiator battles move beyond the arena, to encompass entire worlds. To Overlord, the ends didn't matter overly much when the ''means'' themselves were this pleasurable. As a result, his tactics developed a reputation as unsound, and his schemes as nothing more than flights of brutal whimsy. Unlike [[Scorponok (G1)|many]] [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|other]] powerful Decepticons, he had no interest in command, only in taking his slaughter to the next stage. Megatron was not convinced, however, believing the image of Overlord as simply interested in killing to be a façade, and began searching for a way to exert greater control over him.

[[File:Overlord UnuntriumInfusion RemembranceDay.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|Weapon O.]]
Recognizing Overlord's power, Megatron regularly sparred with him, and eventually, three million years ago, selected him to be the fourth candidate for an upgrade process that would transform him into a world-shatteringly powerful superwarrior. Rendered virtually indestructible by an infusion of [[ununtrium]] to his endoskeleton, Overlord's first action as a member of the "[[Warriors Elite]]" was to smash out of his capsule and kill the scientist who oversaw the process, [[Rossum]]. He could not, however, do the same to Megatron: the Decepticon leader had not been foolish, and had, during the upgrade process, had [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] equip Overlord with both a killswitch that could deactivate him, and infect him with an [[Achilles virus]] that caused a "tactical blindspot" preventing him from figuring out how to harm Megatron. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} When [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] was captured by the Autobots and brought to the [[Institute|New Institute]] for brainwashing, Overlord saw his chance to free himself from these shackles. While ostensibly attacking the facility to rescue Soundwave, he also captured the cerebroscientist [[Trepan]], and studied the basics of [[mnemosurgery]] from him, intending to hack Shockwave's memories and learn how to deactivate his killswitch and the virus. Megatron caught wind of Overlord's scheming before he learned how to interface with others, and had Trepan killed. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Overlord later participated in the [[Battle for Hell's Point]] alongside the other members of the Warriors Elite. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers2-teleconference.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I am not a number!]]
While embroiled in battle on [[Caldoon 4]], Overlord was called to a teleconference with [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], who announced the finalization of his [[infiltration protocol]], and that Overlord would join fellow Warriors Elite [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and [[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]] in being reclassified as "[[Phase Sixer]]s", called in to alien worlds to enact the doomsday scenario of the protocol's final phase. Dissatisfied with being declared a weapon that operated at someone else's whim, Overlord contested his appointment, and Megatron gave him two options: do as he was told, or refuse and have Megatron hunt him down. Overlord made his choice quickly, returning to the battle outside and dispatching every Autobot save one—[[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]]—who he allowed to survive so a message could be sent to Megatron: Overlord had chosen option two. He proceeded to leave Caldoon 4 to plan for Megatron's inevitable coming. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}} For his treason, Overlord found his way onto the infamous [[The List|list]] of traitors maintained by the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}}

Some time later, Overlord initiated a conflict with the emperor of a star system who was in possession of interstellar travel capabilities and weapons technology that rivaled his own. Finding himself overmatched, Overlord sought and secured the aid of [[Gorelock]]'s Decepticon battalion, which, at the time, was assigned to [[Spensifax B]]. The ensuing battle, according to the estimates of science officer [[Vivisector]], set the technological development of the empire back an estimated 250,000 years. {{storylink|The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Gorelock's prisoner clemency request}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-Overlord.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|We peed a little.]]
At the height of the [[Surge (event)|cross-galactic Decepticon uprising]], Overlord arrived at [[Garrus-9]] in the midst of the Decepticon siege of the prison, and casually murdered garrison leader [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]] when he refused to turn command over to him. Intending to turn Garrus-9 into his home away from home, Overlord personally defeated warden [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and threw him to the crowd of Decepticon prisoners he had freed as a show of good faith. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} Overlord was not done with Maximus, though, later imprisoning him and personally torturing him for information on the [[Aequitas]] computer hidden in the bowls of Garrus-9, and the [[Epistemus|mysterious secret]] of the prison that the computer had been created to hide. Maximus refused to give up the passcodes to the device's chamber even after Overlord threatened to kill an Autobot for every second that he withheld them. {{storylink|Interiors}}

[[File:Overlord-Fort-Max-Interiors.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Do you expect me to talk?" "No, I expect you to die and be a cheap funeral".]]
During his time in command of Garrus-9, Overlord turned the prison into a huge gladiatorial arena, and had the prisoners fight for their lives with the promise that victory meant freedom. This was, of course, a lie; those who won in twelve bouts were offered the choice of facing Overlord himself or committing suicide. Overlord forced the imprisoned [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] to watch footage both of these matches and of the sacking of the prison, possibly driving him insane. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} After a year of this, some of the Decepticons began to have doubts about their sadistic leader; [[Fearswoop (G1)|Fearswoop]] was lucky to survive when he questioned Overlord's lack of sportsmanship, but [[Wingblazer]] and his partner were not so fortunate when they let an Autobot prisoner get the better of them during a hunt, and Overlord killed them for their carelessness. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} Around this time, Overlord also released Shockwave from confinement and let him leave in return for the Achilles Virus being removed. Shockwave could tell that all Overlord was doing with Garrus-9 was trying to get Megatron's attention, though Overlord denied it. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-BoreholeKickoff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Better than television!]]
Two years later, Overlord and his Decepticons watched the captive Autobot [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] battle the Decepticon [[Borehole]] for his amusement. Kick-Off triumphed and was taken to Overlord's quarters {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} where he was offered the customary choice; {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last stand of the Wreckers #4}} he evidently opted to fight Overlord, given the brutalized state of his body when it was later found. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

Not long thereafter, the Autobot strike team known as the [[Wreckers]] arrived to liberate Garrus-9, one of their drop pods crashing into the arena chamber right in front of Overlord's feet. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}} Although disappointed to discover that the new arrivals were not troops sent by Megatron, Overlord was amused by the joke made by [[Rotorstorm (G1)|Rotorstorm]] about Wreckers combining... right before he shot him through the head. The Wreckers turned down Overlord's proposal of surrender but were unable to injure him, and escaped into the prison by detonating a fuel tank to cover their withdrawal. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

[[File:LastStandofWreckers4- OverlordSpringerReady.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|FINAL ROUND, FIGHT!]]
Regrouping with help from the Decepticon [[Snare]], who had come to believe that the Decepticons on Garrus-9 were as trapped by Overlord as the Autobots were, the Wreckers established a new mission objective: kill Overlord. They did not have to hunt him down, however, as he soon arrived to take them on. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} The fight quickly made its way to the rooftop of Garrus-9, where [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] was torn in half and used to dispatch Kup. A [[harpoon]] through the eye courtesy of [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] barely fazed Overlord, who delivered a defeat more crushing than any beating: the Autobot prisoners the Wreckers had come to liberate had all been executed on his orders already. Overlord proved able even to shrug off the massive payload of a huge chaingun-like weapon provided to Springer by [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]], but after all the other Autobots around him had been dispatched, Ironfist revealed the weapon's secret: it had injected Overlord with thousands of deterrence chips, which Ironfist then remotely detonated, reducing Overlord to a flaming, yet still-functional skeleton.

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers5-brittlebones.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|"Megatron better not show up when I'm naked!"]]
Ironfist fell unconscious, leaving only Verity to hear Overlord's wrathful ranting, as he demanded to know how he could meet a challenge from Megatron in this sorry state. Realizing this was what Overlord had longed for all along, Verity dropped the bomb: Megatron was ''dead''. Overlord was stunned by the realization that while he had dedicated every waking hour of his existence to his supposedly inevitable fight with Megatron, the Decepticon leader had never cared, and would never come. He put up no resistance when Impactor recovered, but Impactor refused to kill Overlord, for Springer's sake, and promised to take him in to face justice. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

[[File:Overlord-Lost-Light-Interiors.jpg|thumb|First class may seem like a rip off but it has advantages over the alternatives.]]
[[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] believed that the Autobots had a moral obligation to return P.O.W.s to their natural state, so he had the Decepticon's body rebuilt. [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], intent on learning from Overlord the secrets of the process that created the Phase Sixers, acquiesced to Bumblebee's decision in hopes it would encourage Overlord to talk, and released a cover story that claimed the villain's spark had been extracted and sealed in a [[whiteout vacuum]]. In the wake of Cybertron's rebirth following the [[Chaos (IDW)|Chaos event]], Prowl petitioned [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] to use his mnemosurgery skills to read Overlord's memories in the hopes of creating an army of "Autobot Phase Sixers," but Chromedome refused. Learning that Chromedome was leaving Cybertron aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'', Prowl convinced [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] to allow him to put Overlord on the Lost Light. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} At launch, he had the [[Duobot]]s secretly load Overlord aboard the ship and instructed [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] to talk Chromedome around to his way of thinking when the time was right. As a security measure, Overlord was held within a [[slow cell]] in which time passed much more slowly. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}}

When the ''Lost Light'' launched, an accident aboard caused a massive quantum explosion, and as a result the ship was split into two identical copies—one on-course, and one off-course—each containing an identical Overlord. On the on-course Lost-Light, Rodimus died in an accident with a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]], after which Drift came clean to Ultra Magnus, who proceeded to inform the rest of the crew. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken}} When Brainstorm—a deep-cover double agent with Decepticon ties—was contacted by his Decepticon handler and demanded proof of his loyalty to the Decepticon cause, the Autobot panicked and put through a call to the Decepticon Justice Division, sabotaging Overlord's slow cell so that the DJD could detect his energy signature. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}} The DJD initially agreed to not harm the crew of the ''Lost Light'' so as to maintain his cover, {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}} but reneged when they discovered Drift aboard the ship. The DJD proceeded to slaughter the entire crew of the ''Lost Light'' {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}} {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}} before finally going to chop off Overlord's head off with a saw. Crossing Overlord's name off the list, the DJD left the shattered wreckage of the ''Lost Light'' behind in orbit of [[Ofsted XVII]]. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}}

[[File:RemembranceDay-Chromedome.jpg|thumb|upright=1.50|left]]
On the off-course ''Lost Light,'' the "other" Overlord remained a prisoner of the Autobots; when a crack was cut in the cell by the stowaway Sparkeater, paranoid security director [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] began hearing noises emanating from within. After recording the noises and discovering, with aid from [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], that it was a massively-slowed down voice repeating "Kill me", {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}} Red Alert widened the crack and discovered the cell's occupant, {{storylink|Interiors}} but was mysteriously deactivated in an alleged suicide before he could tell anyone. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

After Chromedome's [[Conjunx Endura]] [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] was grievously injured in battle, the possibility of losing Rewind was enough to convince Chromedome to begin visiting the slow cell to probe Overlord's mind in a series of mental interrogation sessions, gradually acclimatizing himself to the Decepticon's mental architecture. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} As a safeguard in the event of Overlord's escape, he subtly altered the Decepticon's memories so as to make him associate the phrase "[['Til all are one]]!" with defeat in combat, knowing that Rodimus would undoubtedly say this in a battle and give the Autobots a potential opening to take down the stunned Decepticon. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}}

[[File:Overlord bigfight UnderColdBlueStars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|right|So Overlord walks into a [[Swerve's|bar]]. Everybody dies. Painfully.]]

During the last of these sessions, however, Chromedome made a fatal mistake when he inadvertently revealed to Overlord that Megatron was still alive. Spurred back to action, Overlord used the mnemosurgery tricks he had learned from Trepan to take over their mental link and plucked the code for the slow cell from Chromedome's memories. Bursting free from his restraints, he opened the cell and sealed Chromedome in, {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} then proceeded to go on a rampage through the ship, first stomping [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] to death, then attacking [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] in the medibay. The assembled crew of the ship confronted him in battle, during which Overlord stabbed [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] through the [[spark]], then turned on [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] asking him for last words. When Rodimus replied with "'til all are one," however, the phrase tripped Overlord's mnemonic trigger, allowing him to be herded back to the slow cell by Fortress Maximus so that he could be jettisoned from the ship. At the last moment, however, the plan was nearly thwarted when one of Overlord's stolen swords was lodged in the cell doors; as the only 'bot small enough to remove it, Rewind squeezed through the gap and pulled the sword free, allowing the cell to jettison but trapping himself inside with Overlord. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} Overlord gleefully began torturing the little Autobot {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} before Chromedome, in an act of mercy, used the ship's guns to destroy the floating cell. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} Overlord's still-living but inert body was left drifting in space. {{storylink|The Gloaming}} {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}

Approximately six months later, the crew of the surviving ''Lost Light'' encountered the wreck of the quantum duplicate over Ofsted XVII following the disappearance of their own vessel. [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] discovered Overlord's headless corpse in the slow cell. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} This, combined with numerous other historical inconsistencies and the atrocities found by the others, led the Lost Lighters to figure out that they were aboard an quantum duplicate version of their ship that had been visited by the DJD. The alternate Overlord's corpse vanished with the rest of the wrecked ''Lost Light'' when the main ''Lost Light'' was restored to reality. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}}.

[[File:TarnvsOverlord.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|And another thing, Dad told me when you were born what he really wanted was a Labrador.]]
In the meantime, the other Overlord was recovered and rebuilt by the [[Galactic Council]]. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}} After a lengthy recuperation process, {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|Your Fierce Tears}} the Council deployed him to the [[Necroworld|homeworld]] of the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]] and take down Megatron, whose recent defection to the [[Autobot]]s threatened to undermine the anti-Cybertronian sentiment that the council had spent years cultivating among its members. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}} Overlord interrupted a one-sided battle between his old tormentor and the D.J.D. commander [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Declaring that only he was allowed to kill Megatron, Overlord attacked Tarn, distracting both from noticing the crippled Megatron escaping on a hoverscooter. Seeing that their goals overlapped, Tarn brought Overlord in as a temporary ally.

Aboard the ''[[Peaceful Tyranny]]'', Overlord immediately began undermining Tarn's command by trying to sow doubt in the mind of [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] while openly mocking the D.J.D. The D.J.D's image didn't benefit from a panicked [[Kaon (G1)|Kaon]] begging Tarn to save his captured [[Dominus Ambus|"Pet"]]. Overlord watched on as Tarn decapitated Kaon and then jammed his severed head into Overlord's chest, telling him he wouldn't be mocked by such a desperate attention seeker. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|Your Fierce Tears}}

[[File:mtmte54 KRACK.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Admit it, you cheered a little at this.]]
When sundown came, Overlord stood with Tarn and Deathsaurus, a big smirk on his face, as they prepared to storm the Autobots. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|At Close of Day}} After swatting Cyclonus to the floor, he gleefully sought out Chromedome and began to mock him with claims of what he'd done to Rewind, so Chromedome decked him, the first obvious sight the Autobots were charged with something. Once the charge ran out though, Megatron finally emerged to tear through the Decepticons...

...and Overlord dismissed this as just him getting a gun back. Bored and finding it easy to now shoot him down, {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} Overlord concluded that Megatron had become a coward, and—disgusted by this change of heart—grimly told Tarn that he didn't ''need'' Megatron anymore before flying off. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

[[File:RequiemoftheWreckers OverlordGuiglione.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left|And now he can transform into a Karen.
He really is pure evil.]]
Overlord spent the next few years aimlessly wandering, bored with life, before coming in contact with the exiled mad scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], stationed on [[Earth]]. The two formed a partnership; after arriving on Earth, Overlord agreed to become a test subject for Tarantulas' ever-evolving [[Chimeracon]] process. Through Tarantulas' mad science, Overlord gained a third, [[human]]-based disguise; in this guise, he was able to forge an identity for himself as "Megan Guiglione," a populist anti-Cybertronian politician aiming to sow discord throughout Earth's political systems as its inhabitants struggled to adjust to life under the [[Council of Worlds]]. Not only could "Guiglione" secure funding and resources for Tarantulas' latest plan, but Tarantulas was also fascinated by the effects that "Megan" had on the government of the United States, seeing it as a twisted social experiment.

At one rally, "Megan" was attacked by Springer, who had been temporarily brainwashed by members of [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]] and puppeteer into annihilating the firebrand politician, but only succeeded in revealing Overlord. Overlord promptly resumed his normal robot mode and slaughtered the Mayhem operatives who attempted to engage him. Intrigued by the reappearance of Verity at this meeting, Overlord abducted her and returned to the dormant volcano where he and Tarantulas had established their base. There, Tarantulas revealed the "[[Timemaze]]," a functional [[time travel|time machine]] through which Tarantulas would send Overlord back in time, over and over, and his actions would create an infinity of new timelines for Tarantulas to play with. Overlord, however, revealed that he had no interest in being Tarantulas's lackey anymore: instead, he would use the Timemaze to travel back in time and kill Megatron, wiping him from this reality and every alternate universe that might happen to spring up. He punctuated this statement (and his partnership with Tarantulas) by shooting the spider in the back of the head.

[[File:RequiemoftheWreckers Overlordsplits.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Before he could enter the machine, however, Springer and Impactor arrived; tackling Springer, the two plummeted into the volcano's caldera, causing a landslide that temporarily separated the combatants from one another. By the time Overlord found his feet and advanced on the two Autobots, Impactor sacrificed himself by allowing Springer to fire through him, giving him the opportunity to make a break for the Timemaze with Overlord in hot pursuit. As Overlord caught up to Springer, however, the villainous Phase Sixer was paralyzed by a sonic howl from [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], forcing both halves of his body to involuntarily assume their [[alternate mode]]s. Taking advantage of this paralysis, Springer and Verity were able to send his jet half into the distant future, then sent his tank half plummeting into the distant past. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}}

===''Classics''===
[[File:InvasionPrologue-Gigatron.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Everything's shrunk except those glorious lips.]]
Long ago, '''Gigatron''', the Overlord, grew restless in his duties at [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], and forfeited his throne to [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]. His psychotic craving for power led him to scour the universe, ultimately leading him to Earth.

Gigatron crash-landed in [[Japan]], where he adopted a robot form resembling a shogun and a Type 90 tank altmode. With most of Earth's Decepticons offplanet with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], he was able to gather a small army of ten warriors, and he would infrequently clash with [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] and his fellow Earthbound Autobots. {{storylink|#Timelines|BotCon 2012 Gigatron profile card}} Once, Gigatron searched in [[Kitakyushu]] for [[Musashi Miyamoto|Musashi]]'s sword, but legends of the sword's strength were exaggerated.

Soon, Gigatron had set his sights on another potential source of power, [[Rarified Energon]]. The Autobots had been guarding it for a period of time, and had been moving it frequently to keep it out of the hands of the Decepticons. But Gigatron discovered that the Rarified Energon had been moved to [[Ironworks (facility)|Ironworks]], and effortlessly battled through an army of [[Armored Robot Hunters|RUNTs]] to reach the Autobot station. There, he fought Metalhawk, and he and his Decepticons were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Overlord (G1)#Timelines|BotCon 2012 Gigatron profile card}} {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}}

Gigatron continued to keep vigil over Ironworks, however, and when [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] brought him news of a skirmish involving heroic Decepticons and evil Autobots, Gigatron knew it was time to strike! With this distraction, they could easily take the Rarified Energon hidden in the vaults for themselves.

[[File:Invasion-destroythem.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Gigatron's about to be really happy he got stuck on Earth.]]
Once it was discovered that the evil Autobots were also after the Rarified Energon, Gigatron refused to be out-conquered. He and the majority of his troops came to the rescue of [[Soundwave (SG)|Sir Soundwave]], who was about to get assimilated by [[Junkion (species)#Shattered Glass|Junkions]]. Aiming to show these heroic Decepticons how it's done, he set Soundwave loose and continued battling the Junkions.

What Gigatron did not know was that the evil Autobots, led by [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]], intended to warp this iteration of Earth to their own universe's Cybertron, destroying it in the process. Though Sir Soundwave was able to expand the force field surrounding the evil Autobots' machinery large enough to protect the entire planet, saving Gigatron and his troops, no one foresaw the true scale of Magnus's intentions. And so as Earth neared the [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|alternate universe]] Cybertron, its [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|entire dimension]] was destroyed behind them, leaving Gigatron and the rest of his Earth's denizens the last remnants of their universe.

Gigatron and the others were unsurprisingly distraught, so [[Straxus (SG)|the Bard of Darkmount]] recited for them a hopeful poem. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

====''Recordicons''====
[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] took to perching on Gigatron's arm. {{storylink|Recordicons issue 23|Recordicons #23}}
{{--}}

===''Kre-O'' online comic===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-5-Overlord.jpg|right|thumb|75px|He's using...the smolder.]]
Overlord was part of a massive Decepticon invasion force intended to ruin the Autobots' picnic. However, [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]] plowed through them with his truck and left them scattered... and then left. Returning to the scene after.. ''ahem'', taking care of some pressing business, Optimus gathered up the still-wiped-out Kreons, bound them up on a flatbed trailer, and took them to the picnic. {{storylink|Emergency! Hurry to the Base, Optimus!}}

===''The AllSpark Almanac''===
Overlord was a [[Duocon]] who possessed a [[mitotic spark]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete AllSpark Almanac}}

===''TransTech''===
A [[Duocon]] Overlord found his way to [[Axiom Nexus]], and became one of its most infamous "Parallel Killers". {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus news, 2015/06/15}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In one reality, Overlord was a Decepticon who was "genderfluid" by organic-based gender standards. The [[Arcee (G1)#Ask Vector Prime|Arcee]] of Overlord's reality would mention Overlord in a lecture given in [[Axiom Nexus]] which [[Vector Prime]] attended. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/12/23}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
At the onset of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], Overlord held [[Decepticon leader]]ship for a brief time, {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} before he was overthrown by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
A member of the ultra-elite [[Phase Sixer]] strike team, Overlord annihilated civilizations ready for Decepticon conquest. He was partnered with the ancient [[Titan Master]] [[Giga|Dreadnaut]], who granted his larger partner an Ion Impoder blast that could erase matter from existence. {{storylink|#Generations|''Titans Return'' Dreadnaut/Overlord packaging bio}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
Under the control of Giga, Overlord set up a trap by emitting a signal to lure in and destroy some Autobots, and was disappointed when only [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] showed up. He didn't do well while fighting the smaller opponents, however, and Mega ousted Giga from his position as Overlord's head to show him how it was done. Backed up by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Octane]], Mega's Overlord nearly destroyed Bumblebee and Spike before Autobot reinforcements arrived and defeated the Decepticons, after which Overlord returned to his leader, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Looming Threat}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Patrick Seitz]] (English)}}
[[File:OverlordandEmissary-Overlord.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|Let's bury the hatch—I say—let's bury the hatchet! But not in anyone's head, boy! "Hatchet head"! That's a joke, boy, you missed it. It went past you. You got to keep—I say—you got to keep on your toes!]]
Having been defeated by Megatron in the past, the only one to ever do so, Overlord sought revenge on the Decepticon leader. Promised the power to best Megatron by [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], he pledged his loyalty and uncovered the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]] from within the remains of [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} Witnessing the events of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]] from afar, he decided to get a closer look for the sake of curiosity. Upon arrival in [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex City]], he eventually found his way into the [[Primal Basilica]], where he encountered the [[Mistress of Flame]].

[[File:TR-Ep4-Overlord-and-Emissary-Overlord-alt-modes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
She attacked him, but he easily overpowered her and demanded to know where he could find Megatron. When the Mistress of Flame failed to answer, Overlord electrocuted her and departed, leaving her for dead. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}} Overlord later found a weakened [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and deemed him a suitable host for the Matrix of Chaos before forcibly shoving it into his chest, corrupting him and turning him into Rodimus Cron. {{storylink|At the Last Second}} Later, he and Rodimus observed the fall of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the return of Megatronus from afar. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

Searching for Megatron and the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] under Megatronus's orders, he and Rodimus attacked the Combiners. He restrained [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] until he finally confessed Megatron's whereabouts, prompting Overlord to snap his neck and head to [[Primal Swamp]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} Upon their arrival, Overlord was enraged to not find Megatron, but he and Rodimus spotted the Dinobots and interrogated them for Megatron's next destination: the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. The two picked up the trail and eventually reached the library, where Overlord spotted Megatron and lunged at him, promising to take his time in making Megatron suffer. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} He attempted to electrocute Megatron into submission, but Megatron escaped with Perceptor's help. Undeterred, Overlord engaged in battle with Megatron, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], insistent that he be the one to finish the former. However, [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] tossed the Requiem Blaster to Megatron, who completely disintegrated Overlord with a single shot. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Overlord was part of a battle at some point, fighting alongside [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. {{storylink|Fan Favorite}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Overlord Earth Wars.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
In Transformers: Earth Wars, Overlord is considered a combiner character, and is unlocked by completing the "War For Cybertron" section of the story mode, which prominently features him.
{{gamestub}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOOverlord.jpg|thumb|100px]]
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''===
{{anchor|Super-God Masterforce}}
[[File:G1 overlord toy.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Not to be confused with Blackstar's nemesis.]]
*'''Overlord''' (''Godmaster'', [[1988]])
**''ID number:'' '''D-307'''
**''Accessories:'' Giga and Mega Godmaster engines, "Transtector Destroyer Cannon", three missiles, tank barrel, two ramps/shin guards, central ramp, two radar arrays, double-barreled laser, rocket launcher, car
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1988 (Super-God Masterforce)|Masterforce]]'' Overlord consists of two vehicles, the Gigatank and the Megajet, which are able to combine together to form a [[robot mode]] or a base mode. Like any Godmaster (or [[Powermaster]]), Overlord is only able to transform when the Giga and Mega Godmaster figures are transformed into engine mode and snapped into place in the sockets on top of the vehicles. Inserting Giga into the tank splits it in half to form legs for robot mode, or alternatively, the left and right emplacements of the base (the left containing a fold-out twin cannon, the right a poseable claw arm). Fitting Mega into the jet, meanwhile, unlocks the toy's shoulder articulation for robot mode and its fold-out launchpad for base mode. Once the toy is in its hefty, 15"-tall robot mode, the figures can be removed from their sockets and fitted into two further ports hidden beneath doors on his chest, which unlock the multi-barreled "Chōkon Daemon Blast" and spring-loaded "Chōkon Bolt Masher" weapons that pop out of his stomach. One figure can also fit into the [[Roller (G1)|Roller]]-style car that comes with the set.

:There is, unfortunately, no one mode that uses all of Overlord's many accessories.

:Overlord's instructions do not feature the additional large jet mode seen in the animated series and manga, as it (like [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]'s "Wingwolf" mode or BlackZarak's "Dakatsu" mode) was created by the production staff after fiddling around with the toy itself. As such, it's entirely possible to put the toy in this form, although it doesn't rest evenly on a flat surface.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Destron/Overlord/overlord.htm More information on Overlord at TFU.info]''

===''The Transformers''===
*'''Overlord''' (Decepticon, [[1991]])
**''Accessories:'' 2 Energon mini figures, missile-launching rifle, three missiles, tank barrel, two ramps/shin guards, central ramp, two radar arrays, double-barreled laser, rocket launcher, car

:Overlord's toy was later released in Europe and Australasia with a slightly darker shade of purple plastic, in a packaging design reminiscent of the concurrently available "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" figures. Diverging from previous Hasbro fiction for [[Powermaster]]s that treated the little figures that turn into their engines as [[Nebulan]]s, Overlord's companions were declared so-called "[[Energon figure|Energon mini figure]]s" instead, and the term "Powermaster" isn't mentioned at all.
{{picsneeded|European variant}}
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Timelinestoy-BC2012Gigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Oh my, Bludgeon, you've never looked so... ''kissable''... before...]]
*'''Invasion''' ([[BotCon 2012]] box set)
**''Accessories:'' {{w|Katana}}, {{w|Wakizashi|tanto}}

:''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' "Gigatron" ([[trademark]] reasons) is a [[redeco]]/[[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyager Class [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager|Bludgeon]], sporting a new head. Gigatron transforms from a Japanese {{w|Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90}} tank into a samurai-esque robot mode. He features a flexible plastic sword which is made out of a portion of the barrel of the tank's main gun as well as a smaller dagger. The dagger can be stored in a sheath which is revealed from inside the tank turret, and both blades can be slotted in holes provided on the robot mode's left hip guard. Additionally, the dagger's handle can fit in the base of the sword's handle, forming a double-bladed weapon. He has [[Mech Alive]] [[gimmick]]s in his thighs and turret: Sculpted cylinders in his thighs rotate whenever his lower legs are rotated, and pulling his turret open makes a sculpted "disc" at the center rotate while a scabbard for the tantō hinges over to the side and props itself up for use.

:The [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is one of the very few Transformer tank toys with rubber components to its treads. Portions of the tread links can unlock, allowing them to hang from the robot mode, while the wheels of the treads are integrated separately into the robot mode form itself. The treads still do not function realistically; small plastic wheels on the underside of the treads help the tank mode roll, as is standard with nearly all Transformer tank toys.

:The original version of this mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' [[Banzaitron (TF 2010)#Transformers (2010)|Banzaitron]], and it was differently retooled to make ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]] and ''[[Transformers Cloud|Cloud]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Cloud|Megatron]].

:As a redeco of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Bludgeon mold, it is highly likely that Gigatron is cursed with the same design fault as his brethren—the rubber treads break down over the course of years, causing them to corrode spots of plastic and leave melty gashes behind. This is particularly sad considering Gigatron is a convention-exclusive figure.

:Gigatron was released in a box set with [[Ultra Magnus (SG)#Timelines|Ultra Magnus]], [[Tracks (SG)#Timelines|Tracks]], [[Treadshot (SG)#Timelines|Treadshot]], [[Soundwave (SG)#Timelines|Soundwave]], and [[Metalhawk (G1)#Timelines|Metalhawk]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/BCGigatron/gigatron.htm More information on BotCon Gigatron at TFU.info]''
{{ROTFBludgeonMold}}
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
{{anchor|BotCon2014}}
[[File:KreO-Toy BC14-Gigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Far less kissable than previous Gigatrons.]]
*'''Kreon Gigatron''' (Kreon Souvenir Figure Set, 2014)
**''Accessories'': Katana, robot sword

:"Kreon Gigatron" is based on the [[BotCon 2012]] [[#Timelines|Gigatron figure]], and can be re-built into a battle tank. His gun barrel is partially made from/stores his katana blade, just like the larger figure. He uses the [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#Kre-O|Sentinel Prime]] helmet.

: This figure was only available as part of a [[BotCon 2014]] ''Kre-O'' six-pack, including [[Breakdown (G1)#BotCon2014|Breakdown]], [[Fractyl#Kre-O|Fractyl]], [[Landshark (G1)#Kre-O|Landshark]], [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Kre-O|Rattrap]], and [[Rodimus (SG)#Kre-O|''Shattered Glass'' Rodimus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Decepticon/BCKre-OGigatron/gigatron.htm More information on Gigatron at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
{{anchor|Generations}}
[[File:TitansReturn-Overlord.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2|Hidden head nipple.]]
*'''Dreadnaut & Decepticon Overlord''' (Leader Class, 2017)
**''Accessories'': [[Giga#Generations|Dreadnaut]] Titan Master, tank barrel/gun, cockpit/shield
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Emiliano Santalucia]] (concept artist)}}

:Part of the fifth and final wave of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Leader Class toys, "Decepticon Overlord" is a heavy retool of the same line's [[Black Shadow (G1)#Titans Return|Sky Shadow]]: the tank component is mostly a redeco with the waist slightly retooled, but the jet component is an entirely new sculpt. He retains the ability to split into both a tank and a jet simultaneously, as well as a combined base mode. In another change from Sky Shadow, the jet nosecone is now removable and can be worn as a shield on either shoulder in robot mode. It can also plug into his chest as additional armor, and the tip can be removed to make the bottom hatch more accessible.

:In homage to his original Godmaster gimmick, Overlord has two opening doors on his chest which reveal slots for the storage of two individual [[Titan Master]] or [[Prime Master]] figures (one in each pectoral) in head/spark mode. Care must be taken though, as these compartments are VERY snug and the Titan Master may get stuck inside or will not fit altogether, depending on the head sculpt. The pectoral slots are also not deep enough to allow the doors to close once a Titan Master or Prime Master has been inserted. While no longer related to the pectoral accessories, this Overlord does once again have a hidden weapons system sculpted inside his chest, in this case a missile rack that is exposed by leaning back his upper body.

:His tank mode still has the clips from Sky Shadow that allow for Sky Shadow's jet component to carry it, but lacks the corresponding connector on his jet component. Instead the Jet can be mounted on top of the tank by clamping Overlord's chest doors along the Tank's cab sides, although this only loosely secures it. There is also a detail sculpted at the base of his torso (ostensibly landing gear) that can be used as a base connector like the ones in his feet.

:On some figures, the 5 mm hole on his tank where his gun plugs in and the holes on his shoulders are extremely snug, which can make it difficult to remove anything that might be plugged into them. The 5 mm post on his jet's nose that allows it to be used as a shield is also extremely prone to popping out, in part because of the former issue.

:Both the CG renders depicted on the back of his packaging and the official stock photos depicting a near-final sample show both the tank and the jet mode with the gun/tank barrel attached, thereby implying that he includes two weapons, one to be used for each mode, even though the figure only includes one weapon. Additionally, both the CG render and the stock photo of his base mode have the section of the tank/right leg that contains a cockpit for a Titan Master flipped up, the same way Sky Shadow's base mode is also depicted in his own CG renders and stock photos, even though the instructions show the cockpit being folded down for the base mode.

:Sadly, his lips are not terribly kissable.
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-60-Overlord.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|One of my face-nipples only tells the truth - the other tells only lies. Which will you trust?]]
*'''Overlord''' (Leader Class, [[January 27]], [[2018]])
**''ID number'': '''LG-60'''
**''Accessories'': Gigatank barrel/gun, [[Giga#Legends|Giga]] Headmaster, [[Mega#Legends|Mega]] Headmaster, Megajet cockpit/shield

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Overlord is a retool of the ''Titans Return'' Leader Class figure above, featuring a new chest with sculpted-in Godmaster engines, new doors, and a new helmet. The Godmaster engines are not removable, nullifying the Titan/Prime Master storage on the ''Titans Return'' toy. If one wishes to restore the chest slots, one must unscrew the jet piece, and pry the pieces out from the inside. In addition to an anime-accurate deco, Overlord also comes with new [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures of [[Giga#Legends|Giga]], with a neutral anime-accurate face, and [[Mega#Legends|Mega]], with a smiling feminine face (more akin to Overlord's face in the IDW comics). When using Giga as a face, his chest doors are supposed to be open and the cockpit should be attached to the arm, and is referred to as '''Overlord Giga'''. With Mega, the doors are closed and the cockpit is attached to the back, and goes by the name '''Overlord Mega'''. The [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 60|pack-in manga]] shows these two individually and combining into '''Overlord Tera''' (though the Overlord attached to the back uses sticker detail from the ''Titans Return'' toy).

:Promotional photography shows Overlord's feet transformed differently from the Hasbro version, placing him up on his tippy-toes so as to increase his height. This is presumably to allow him to scale better with ''Legends'' [[Ginrai (human)#Legends|Super Ginrai]]. While this does work, the front halves of the feet aren't level with the back halves, and must be adjusted at an angle to keep him standing upright, which combined with less-than-tight swivels will often having him falling over.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Parody Deformed===
[[File:Overlord pd model.jpg|thumb|Overlooked.]]
*'''Overlord''' ([[1990]])
:A small blue and white, non-transforming [[super deformed]] model kit of Overlord was available as part of [[Kabaya]]'s "[[Parody Deformed]]" line of [[candy toy]]s. The eighth figure in the series, he came with a "[[PDTF Comic]]" comic about himself, "Oh, Overlord", and something that could charitably be described as "chocolate".
{{--}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[File:SCF Overlord.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I can't transform? Where's the fun in that?]]
*'''Overlord''' ([[2001]])
**''Act'': '''5'''
**''Accessories'': Stand

:A PVC figure of Overlord was part of the ''Super-God Masterforce''-centric fifth act of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' series, available in both full colour and metallic silver "pewter", in an equal ratio of one each per case of twelve figures. His incredibly wide stance makes it difficult for him to properly use the included display stand.

: In eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version of Overlord came packaged with the right leg of the wave's "build-a-figure", [[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Super Collection Figure|BlackZarak]]. This part could be in either full color or clear-plastic, at an equal 4:4 ratio.

: This mold was later released in the fourth wave of [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'', as "[[Gigatron (G1)#Heroes of Cybertron|Powermaster Gigatron]]".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/HoCGigatron/gigatron.htm More information on ''Super Collection Figure'' Overlord at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Destron/PewterOverlord/overlord.htm More information on pewter Overlord at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===Heroes of Cybertron===
[[File:HOC Gigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Whaaaat? I'm safe! My shoulder spikes are rounded now! It's totally safe to come within arm's reach!]]
*'''Powermaster Gigatron''' ([[2003]])

:Released in the third wave of ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'', [[Gigatron (G1)|Gigatron]] is a slightly-altered version of the ''Super Collection Figure'' Overlord PVC, featuring rounded-off shoulder-cones [[for safety reasons]]. He is cast in clear red plastic painted over, leaving his eyes and the back of his head unpainted to attempt a [[light-piping]] effect.

: He also came with the left arm of the wave's [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Heroes of Cybertron|Fortress Maximus]] build-a-figurine.

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

===Transformers Gum===
[[File:KabayaDX2Overlord.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Breaking out of these plastic sprues was never a challenge - I just lacked motivation.]]
*'''Overlord''' ([[2013]])
**''Accessories:'' Giga and Mega Godmaster engines, "Transtector Destroyer Cannon", tank barrel, two ramps/shin guards, central ramp, two radar arrays, car

:Overlord was released in series 2 of Kabaya's larger-sized DX gum kits. Since the original ''Masterforce'' Overlord toy could only transform by being disassembled, this particular Kabaya kit stands out from most others in terms of near-perfectly matching the transformation mechanism of its template, and can be configured into the paired Megajet-and-Gigatank vehicle modes, city mode, and a 5" tall robot mode. It also includes tiny removable (and transformable) Mega and Giga Godmaster engines, though all of their associated spring-loaded features are no longer present.

:This kit also adds some new features to the Overlord design. There is now a gear-driven rotating platform in the city mode on which the small car can be spun around before deploying, and every accessory can now be stored in all of Overlord's modes.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Overlord was a new [[character]] created for the 1988 Japanese ''Super God Masterforce'' series. While all his fellow Godmasters had American Powermaster counterpart characters (Ginrai had [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Lightfoot had [[Getaway]], and so forth), Overlord's counterpart came later in the form of a 1991 European and Australasian exclusive. The bio of this figure stated that he was a dimension-hopper, which leaves the door open for him being the ''Masterforce'' character who jumped dimensions into the European toy bio continuity. Overlord did not have an American counterpart until 2003, when the ''Heroes of Cybertron'' line introduced "[[Gigatron (G1)|Gigatron]]". However, the little-known nature of this character (existing as he did only as an obscure PVC figurine), coupled with the fact that Overlord had been around for fifteen years already, meant that the idea of a Powermaster named Gigatron who existed as a separate character from the Godmaster Overlord didn't really become widespread. Dreamwave would briefly mention "Gigatron" as the originator of the Powermaster process in their contemporary ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profiles, but when the non-Godmaster version of the character appeared again a few years later in [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' series, he was "Overlord" once more. It would not be until [[Fun Publications]] stories in [[2015]] and [[2016]] that versions of Overlord and Gigatron would be established as coexisting in the same universe.
*Early during pre-production for ''Masterforce'', Overlord was named '''Leviathan'''. This was almost certainly a name based in series creator [[Masumi Kaneda]]'s desire to sprinkle the series with assorted Biblical allegories; the name-change is fairly symptomatic of how these references wound up being downplayed to the point of near-total obfuscation in the finished show.
*[[James Roberts]] stated that he envisioned the IDW incarnation of Overlord to sound like English actor {{w|John Simm}}<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120829174627/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=166284&highlight= James Roberts on the IDW forums (via the Internet Archive)]</ref> (who at the time was the most recent performer of {{w|The Master (Doctor Who)|the Master}} on ''[[Doctor Who]]''). By contrast, [[Patrick Seitz]] gives Overlord a Southern U.S. accent in the ''Prime Wars Trilogy'' webtoons.
*Like all non-toy robot Kreons in the ''Kre-O'' manga, Overlord is made from existing ''Kre-O'' parts. He uses the [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Ironhide]] helmet, the twin-cannon backpack, a black clip-on tread with a small jet-fin plugged into each side, and the bazooka with an extra 1x1 cone on the end.
*The concept image for Kreon Gigatron used in the pack-in flier shows him with white tank-turret parts rather than the final toy's light gray.
*A proposed [[Fun Publications]] [[BotCon]] [[exclusive]] was a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Voyager Class [[Mindwipe (ROTF)#Toys|Mindwipe]] into "'''[[Mega]]'''bolt", a counterpart to the BotCon 2012 "'''[[Giga]]'''tron" toy.<ref>[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc14/bc14br.html BotCon 2014 attendee report by griffin]</ref> The characterization for this pair of figures would be that the ''Classics'' incarnation of Overlord was magically split into two, but this toy plan did not come to fruition.

===Foreign names===
*''Korean'': '''Overlord''' (오버로드 ''Obeorodeu'')
*''Mandarin'': '''Bàwáng''' (China, 霸王, "Overlord"), '''Chāozài''' (China, 超载, "Overload")
*''Italian'': '''Overlord'''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon bases]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Emperors]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Godmasters]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Point One Percenters]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]
[[Category:Zone Decepticons]]
[[Category:Nonbinary characters]]

Transformers: Earth Wars

2023-05-11T12:36:30Z

Volnar The Unforgiving:

[[File:TransformersEarthWars logo.png|center|400px]]
{{videogame
|title=''Transformers: Earth Wars''
|image=TransformersEarthWars header.jpg
|caption=''"...fuel cells!"''
|developer=[[Space Ape Games]]
|publisher=[[Backflip Studios]]
|date=[[June 2]], [[2016]]
|platform=Android, iOS
}}

'''''Transformers: Earth Wars''''' is a mobile game by [[Space Ape Games]]/[[Backflip Studios]] with a storyline written by [[Simon Furman]], which means plenty of [[Furmanism]]s. The aim of the game is to assemble an army and build a fortress, then try to defend your base while destroying the enemy's. Essentially, Transformers meets ''Clash of Clans'', without Hog Riders.

The setting is [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]], though characters from the [[Beast Era]], [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]], [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]], [[Aligned continuity family|Prime]] and even some original characters also appear.

==Plot==
The Autobots and Decepticons return to Earth to battle over resources. Furman promises that while it "appears to be about the same old stuff" initially, "as we progress through the game, more is revealed about Megatron’s master plan and what he’s looking for on Earth."<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2016/02/10/transformers-land-mobile-earth-wars/80167164/ USA Today: "'Transformers' land on mobile in 'Earth Wars'"]</ref>

===Campaigns===
*'''Get Optimus / Get Megatron!'''
Jetfire and Starscream arrive on Earth and set up their base of operations. Soon, Ironhide and Bludgeon arrive through their Space Bridges, and after raiding a few bases, both factions find a [[Quantum Crystal]] powerful enough to power their spacebridges and bring their leaders to Earth.
*'''The Lost Map'''
With the arrival of Optimus Prime and Megatron, the Autobots and/or Decepticons set out to find the [[Fractal Map]] pieces with the help of their human allies. Both sides find a Gunner Crystal and recruit Sunstreaker and Swindle.
*'''Power Play'''
After collecting three of the map pieces, both factions try putting the pieces they collected together, only to find out they need a [[Codex Key]] to break the encryption.
*'''The Codex Showdown'''
With the help of the recently recruited medics, Ratchet and Hook, both sides fight over the Codex Key, and find the location of a [[Enigma of Combination|legendary artifact]].
*'''Secrets of Nebulos'''
Some weird pieces of [[Nebulos]] technology called '''"Power Cores"''' have landed on Earth. Starscream and Optimus gather some troops, and both Starscream and Optimus Prime fight over the Power Cores. The power cores gathered, however, have been rigged to explode, and so both sides have to start from scratch with building up their power core stocks.
*'''Combiner Wars'''
With the Enigma of Combination, the Autobots and Decepticons harness the power of Combiners. The gestalts prove unstable, however, and require Ore-13 and high-ranking bots to be useful.
*'''Return to Cybertron'''
A power play involving Starscream, Straxus, and Rodimus Unicronus results in the Autobots and Decepticons teaming up to assault Cybertron-based fortresses with overpowered defenses.
*'''War For Cybertron'''
Flashbacks introduce the Omega Supreme and Overlord combiners, along with the War for Cybertron cosmetic skin cores.
*'''Regenesis'''
Autobots and Decepticons team up once more to retreive the mysterious Project: Regenesis
*'''Titans on Earth'''
The Titans Metroplex & Trypticon are summoned to Earth to help their allies

==Gameplay==
===Alliances===
Alliances are the primary way to gain access to bots firsthand via events. Your alliance can also compete in Alliance Wars to determine who is better, and to see who comes up top! Compete in Alliance wars to gain resources, league promotions, and bragging rights!

You can join with other players in an alliance, or you can create your own for 15,000 Alloy! There are many notable alliances within the community!

A player must have Level 4 Headquarters or higher to join an Alliance, and up to 40 people can be in an Alliance.

===Classes===
*'''Warriors''' are armored front line melee fighters that rush into enemy defenses to open up the attack and protect other bots, but they have the lowest Damage per second (DPS). Warriors generally have a speed of 1.7, but some are slightly faster.
*'''Aerial''' units deal the highest DPS at a short range and can perform powerful airstrikes on single targets from great distances, but have low health. All air units have a speed of 2.
*'''Gunners''' shoot over walls and bombard large areas with their abilities from long range. like the Air units, they're deadly but vulnerable. All gunners have a speed of 1.8.
*'''Medics''' heal and support other bots in battle. They are only a few medics in the game, and they aren't durable themselves, so keep them in the back. Medics have a speed of 2.6.
*'''Special''' bots are highly individualized fighters with unique capabilities. This class incorporates leaders, scouts, and deployers.
*'''Triple Changers''' come with two special abilities making them highly versatile in battle. Triple Changers have speeds from 2.1 to 2.4.
*'''Combiners''' are a special class that must be summoned individually. They deal massive amounts of damage, but can only stay on the battlefield for so long. Their three abilities do not use ability points, but have cooldown times.

===Power Cores===
Power Cores are pieces of Nebulan Technology that are used to enhance bots and buildings, that can be obtained from ‘’’Power Chips’’’ or from Bot duplicates. Unused cores can be "fused" to active ones, increasing the effectiveness of the latter, but annihilating the former.

Building Cores

*Universal Building Cores:
**'''Attack''': Increases attack.
**'''Defense''': Increases initial building health.
**'''Repair''': Restores building health periodically after receiving damage.
**'''Death Pulse''': Releases an EMP explosion when building is destroyed.

*Auto Cannon Cores:
**'''Explosive Shells''': Deals a reduced amount of damage to all targets in a small area, and eliminates knockback.
**'''High Velocity Shells''': Fires a reduced amount of damage through everything in a straight line and beyond.

*Mortar Cores:
**'''Incendiary''': Fiery explosions deal increased damage over 6 seconds, and eliminate knockback.
**'''Target Protocol''': Prioritizes gunners and medics, while increasing range and decreasing damage.

*Missile Launcher cores:
**'''Guided Missiles''': Laser-guided single target missiles, dealing a reduced amount of damage.

*Laser Turret Cores:
**'''Anti-Air Laser''': Increases range and damage, but restricts weapon to attack only airborne targets.
**'''Laser Ricochet''': Increases damage and bounces to another target dealing half the damage

*HQ Cores:
**'''Adaptive Shielding''': Partial protection from Combiner damage and Special Ability damage.
**'''Omni-Flamer''': Torches all nearby enemies.
**'''Point Defense Beam''': Deals damage to a single nearby target. Can target airborne attackers, and prioritizes gunners.
**'''EMP Defense Bolt''': Deals electrical damage and stuns the target. Cannot hit at close range

*Beam Laser Cores:
*'''Cybertronian Charge''': Increases range & deals more damage the longer the beam stays on target
*'''Slowdown Photon''': Fires a beam that slows the target

*Shock Tower Cores:
*'''Thunderstrom''': Increases range but deals a reduced amount of damage
*'''EMP Shock''': Deals a reduced amount of damage & stuns targets temporary

*Stasis Mine Cores:
*'''Glass Gas Mine''': Affected targets take more damage when triggered.
*'''Flare Mine''': Nearby defences focus their attacks on a single target when triggered. Can detect bots in stealth mode
*'''Motion Sensing Mine''': Prevents a bot from using their ability temporary

*Building Bot Cores:
*'''Force Field Disruptor''': Disables nearby enemy ability shields & dissipates zone damage cloaking
*'''Lightning Rod''': Shields nearby building from EMP effect. Build Bot is immune to Electical damage
*'''Zone Heal''': Restores health of nearby buildings every couple of seconds
*'''Ray Blockers''': Blocks healing of invaders. Does not affect bots equipped with health regeneration core

*Prime Cores: Simliar to the Prime Bot Cores. Obtainable for 7500 Prime Core Shards

*Universal Bot Cores:
**'''Attack''': Boosts damage of regular attacks.
**'''Vitality''': Increases bot's health.
**'''Rejuvenate''': Heals bot every 5 seconds.
**'''Tactician''': The bot prioritizes defenses for a period immediately after deployment.
**'''Wallbuster''': Damage to walls increased.

*Warrior Bot Cores
**'''Trithyllium Plating''': Partial protection from Auto Cannons.
**'''Death Pulse''': On 0 health, the warrior creates an EMP explosion, stunning targets in a large area.

*Air Bot Cores:
**'''Reflective Coating''': Partial protection from Laser Turrets and Beam Lasers.
**'''Enhanced Ordnance''': Increases special ability damage.

*Gunner Cores:
**'''Flak Jacket''': Partial protection from Mortars and Missile Launchers.
**'''Volatile Mixture''': Increases special ability damage.

*Medic Cores:
**'''Ray Boosters''': Increases power of healing done.

*Bot Specific Cores:
Certain bots have bot-specific cores that can only be equipped to one particular bot. Their effects are unique, and they also modify the visual appearance of the bot on which they're equipped - for instance, Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime each have "Matrix" cores, which cause the Matrix to appear on their chests.

*G1 Cores:
A successor to the Bot Specific Cores are the G1 cores. Again, these can be equipped to specific bots, and modify the visual appearance of the bots. But in the case of the G1 cores, the visual modification takes the form of a thicker black outline around the edges of each bot, approximating the appearance of the classic animated series.

*Prime Cores:
12 unique cores (each corresponding to one of the ancient [[Thirteen|Primes]]) that provide particularly potent abilities, and in some cases alter the physical appearance of each bot. Prime cores are not obtainable from bot duplicates or standard core chips, and can be obtained only through the collection of 5,000 Prime Core shards (typically special rewards from weekend events).

*Limited Time Cores:
Temporary cores that provide an XP boost for a specific period after being equipped. One the period is completed, they are automatically destroyed.

*Squad cores:
Faction- and class-specific cores that confer two buffs - one to the bot on whom it is equipped, and another on any bots of the same class in the same squad.

*Skin Cores:
Cores that will give your bots a different appearance

===Resources===
*'''Alloy'''- A metal substance used to upgrade buildings and walls.
*'''[[Energon]]'''- Energon is used to upgrade buildings, upgrade Bots' special abilities, and to perform research on Bots to make them stronger.
*'''[[Ore-13]]'''- A potent substance used to activate Combiners.
*'''[[Spark]]'''- Obtained from holographic summons in the Space bridge and Event rewards, Spark is used to upgrade Bots' abilities. Special Spark can be received from Combiner team bots.
*'''Crystal Shards'''- Also the result of Holographic summons and events, shards are used to create powerful crystals to summon high star rating Bots.
*'''[[Cybercoin]]'''- Premium currency used for instantly obtaining resources and [[Quantum Crystal|crystals.]]
*'''Combiner Spark''' - This type of spark is used only for combiners. Obtained when you get a duplicate of a Combiner Bot.
*'''C.O.M.B.A.T Spark'''- Used to upgrade C.O.M.B.A.T bots. Obtained when you get a duplicate C.O.M.B.A.T bot
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/wiki:currencies Currencies and Resources at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===Battle Boosts===
Battle Boosts are like Spells in Clash of Clans. They can only be used once in a battle, but provide extra offense or defense for your team.
*'''Incendiary Barrage MK. 1, II, and III''' Rain down an artillery battery of Incendiary shells on the battlefield dealing medium damage
*'''Orbital Strike MK. I, II, and III''' summon a powerful Orbital Strike from above dealing massive damage.
*'''Forcefield MK. I, II, and III''' Provides a forcefield that blocks 45% to 75% of damage taken and makes them immune to knockbacks for 6 seconds.
*'''Smart Bomb MK. I, II, and III''' Deals a set amount of damage to a single target.
*'''EMP blast MK. I, II, and III''' Stun all targets in a large radius for a set amount of time depending on the level.
*'''Field Repairs MK. I, II, and III''' Heal all friendly bots for a set amount of HP over 5 seconds.
*'''Shark Attack MK I, II, and III''' Call for 3 vicious 2-star Sharkticons (level 14, 30, and 40, respectively) to attack a target. '''Warning''': Fallen Sharkticons are ''highly'' explosive.
*'''Nanofrost MK. I, II, and III''' Freeze a building for 8–12 seconds, then destroy it to freeze and slow down all buildings around the Bomb radius by 40% for 10 seconds.
*'''[[Kremzeek]]''' Coming in 5 variants, Kremzeeks can do quite a lot of things.
**Red Kremzeeks set buildings on fire dealing 128 damage per second for 6 seconds, increasing every second if you destroy the building they are currently deployed on.
**Yellow Kremzeeks deal 96 damage over 15 seconds. Can jump to other buildings up to 4 times.
**Purple Kremzeeks hack defenses and make them attack other defenses for you, albeit with less damage.
** The rare Blue Kremzeek can stun defenses over a brief period of time.
** The White Kremzeek makes the target building take more damage.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/wiki:battleboosts Battle Boosts at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

==Buildings==
===Main===
*'''Headquarters''' - The heart of your Autobot/Decepticon outpost, protect yours well, and destroy an opponent's Headquarters to win a battle! Upgrade it to unlock more upgrades and buildings!
*'''Shuttle''' - The shuttle carries Autobots and Decepticons into battle! Upgrade with Energon to increase maximum capacity.

===Defense===
*'''[[Autogun|Auto Cannon]]''' - Provides a decent amount of damage and has medium range. Cannot target flying units.
*'''Laser Turret''' - Shoots off 4 smaller lasers that deal constant damage at shorter range, but deals double damage to flying units!
*'''Mortar''' - Long range defense that targets ground units and deals explosive damage from far away.
*'''Outpost''' - Assign an Autobot or Decepticon with a fraction of their normal stats to defend against attacks on your base.
*'''Beam Laser''' - Shoots off a long range Photon laser to deal the Highest DPS on a single ground unit.
*'''Shock Tower''' - Delivers a nasty jolt of electricity to nearby bots and knocks them back, and is immune to EMP effects! (Except for [[Star Saber (G1)|shock]][[Deathsaurus (G1)|fire]])
*'''Missile Launcher''' - Shoots off a barrage of rockets over a very long range at both ground and air units. Cannot target troops within its blind spot.
*'''Stasis Mine''' - Doesn't deal damage, but freezes enemies in place for 2–5 seconds.
*'''Wall''' - Used to shield defenses and slow down invaders. Upgrading each wall post gives it more health to better defend against opponent bots.

*'''Combiner Outpost''' - Originally unavailable to players and only seen in the Combiner Wars Campaign, this very long-ranged outpost activates a Combiner to defend against other Combiners!
*'''Shield Generator''' - When charged, shields HQ from all damage and absorbs ability damage for adjacent buildings.
*'''Multi-Defense System''' - Switch between three different modes and adapt to your foes! Immune to EMP and hack effects.
*'''Spider Mine''' - Releases explosive spiders rushing onto enemies

===Utility===
*'''Energon Harvester''' - Harvests precious Energon for research and upgrading buildings. Upgrade with Alloy to increase production rate.
*'''Energon Storage''' - Stores Energon for later usage. Upgrade with Alloy to increase maximum storage capacity.
*'''Alloy Harvester''' - Harvests Alloy to upgrade buildings. Upgrade with Energon to increase production rate.
*'''Alloy Storage''' - Stores Alloy for later usage. Upgrade with Energon to increase maximum storage capacity.
*'''Ore-13 Harvester''' - Harvests the rare mineral [[Ore-13]] for sending out Combiners to battle.
*'''Ore-13 Storage''' - A storage device strong enough to contain the power of Ore-13.
*'''[[Space bridge]]''' - The Space bridge is used to activate [[Quantum Crystal]]s to bring in bots and resources!
*'''Research Lab''' - Upgrade your bots and their abilities with Energon and Spark to make them more powerful! Upgrade the lab to increase the max level that bots can be upgraded to.
*'''Combiner Lab''' - Used to activate Combiners and upgrade their abilities using combiner Spark.
*'''Build Bot''' - Build Bots will build and upgrade buildings, but the bots themselves cannot be upgraded and have very low health. The number of buildings that can be upgraded at a time depends on the number of Build Bots on base. More Build Bots can be bought at 2000 [[Cybercoin]]s or 5000 [[Shanix]] each. Until a later update, the build bots can now be upgraded & can be equipped with a power core
*'''Scanner''' - Provides locations of rivals' bases so you can raid them. Upgrading it will give access to tougher battle zones.
*'''Power Core Lab''' - Equip, manage & fuse your power cores for your bots & buildings
*'''Helio-Harvester''' - Can be obtained by completing the "Regenesis" campaign. When charged, increases the production of all Energon Harvesters by 100%

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/wiki:buildings Buildings at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|nonumbering=true
|c1=
{{collist|6|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Jetfire (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Jetfire]]
*[[Ironhide (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Ironhide]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Ratchet]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Bumblebee]]
*[[Prowl (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Prowl]]
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cliffjumper]]
*[[Grimlock (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Grimlock]]
*[[Mirage (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Mirage]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Wheeljack]]
*[[Blaster (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Blaster]]
*[[Silverbolt (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Silverbolt]]
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Skydive]]
*[[Air Raid (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Air Raid]]
*[[Powerglide (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Powerglide]]
*[[Alpha Bravo#Transformers: Earth Wars|Alpha Bravo]]
*[[Fireflight (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Firefly]]
*[[Jazz (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Autobot Jazz]]
*[[Windblade (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Windblade]]
*[[Pyra Magna#Transformers: Earth Wars|Pyra Magna]]
*[[Rust Dust#Transformers: Earth Warst|Rust Dust]]
*[[Dust Up#Transformers: Earth Wars|Dustup]]
*[[Jumpstream#Transformers: Earth Wars|Jumpstream]]
*[[Skyburst (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Skyburst]]
*[[Stormclash#Transformers: Earth Wars|Stormclash]]
*[[Slag (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Slug]]
*[[Huffer (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Huffer]]
*[[Arcee (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Arcee]]
*[[Sideswipe (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sideswipe]]
*[[Swoop (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Swoop]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Ultra Magnus]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hot Rod]]
*[[Hot Spot (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hot Spot]]
*[[Seaspray (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Seaspray]]
*[[Pipes (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Pipes]]
*[[Star Saber (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Star Saber]]
*[[Hound (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hound]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Perceptor]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Smokescreen]]
*[[First Aid (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|First Aid]]
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Optimus Primal]]
*[[Sludge (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sludge]]
*[[Kup (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Kup]]
*[[Drift (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Drift]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Laser Optimus Prime]]
*[[Snarl (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Snarl]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cheetor]]
*[[Springer (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Springer]]
*[[Cosmos (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cosmos]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Rodimus Prime]]
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sky Lynx]]
*[[Warpath (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Warpath]]
*[[Elita One (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Elita-1]]
*[[Tracks (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Tracks]]
*[[Inferno (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Inferno]]
*[[Tigerhawk#Transformers: Earth Wars|Tigerhawk]]
*[[Sentius Magnus]]
*[[Slash (POTP)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Slash]]
*[[Sandstorm (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sandstorm]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Goldfire]]
*[[Streetwise (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Streetwise]]
*[[Jetfire (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cybertron Jetfire]]
*[[Blades (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Blades]]
*[[Rook (CW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Rook]]
*[[Rhinox (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Rhinox]]
*[[Punch (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Punch]]
*[[Hound (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hound V.A.M.P.]]
*[[Jetfire (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Jetfire Skystriker]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Red Alert]]
*[[Strafe (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Strafe]]
*[[Dinobot (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Dinobot]]
*[[Nosecone (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Nosecone]]
*[[Brainstorm (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Brainstorm]]
*[[Six-Gun#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sixgun]]
*[[Chromia (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Chromia]]
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Lightspeed]]
*[[Afterburner (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Afterbreaker]]
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Scattershot (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Scattershot]]
*[[Hoist (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hoist]]
*[[Grapple (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Grapple]]
*[[Prowl (Magnaboss)#Transformers: Earth Wars|BW Prowl]]
*[[Silverbolt (Magnaboss)#Transformers: Earth Wars|BW Silverbolt]]
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Optimal Optimus]]
*[[Ironhide (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|BW Ironhide]]
*[[Broadside (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Broadside]]
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
*[[Rotorstorm (G1)|Rotorstorm]]
*[[Minerva (G1 robot)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Minerva]]
*[[Whirl (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Whirl]]
*[[Slingshot (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Slingshot]]
*[[Twin Twist (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Twin Twist]]
*[[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
*[[Elita One (G1)|Ariel]]*

;[[Combiner]]s/[[Guardian robot|Guardians]]
*[[Superion (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Superion]]
*[[Optimus Maximus (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Optimus Maximus]]
*[[Volcanicus (POTP)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Volcanicus]]
*[[Victorion#Transformers: Earth Wars|Victorion]]
*[[Defensor (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Defensor]]
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Omega Supreme]]
*[[Computron (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Computron]]
*[[Magnaboss (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Magnaboss]]
*[[Sky Reign#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sky Reign]]

;[[Titans]]
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]}}
}}
{{featuredcharacters
|nonumbering=true
|c2=
{{collist|6|
*[[Megatron (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Megatron]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Starscream (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Starscream]]
*[[Bludgeon (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Bludgeon]]
*[[Swindle (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Swindle]]
*[[Hook (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hook]]
*[[Shrapnel (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Skrapnel]]
*[[Brawl (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Brawl]]
*[[Kickback (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Kickback]]
*[[Razorclaw (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Razorclaw]]
*[[Breakdown (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Breakdown]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Shockwave]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Soundwave]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Thundercracker]]
*[[Skywarp (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Skywarp]]
*[[Slipstream (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Slipstream]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cyclonus]]
*[[Long Haul (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Long Haul]]
*[[Blast Off (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Blast Off]]
*[[Mixmaster (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Mixmaster]]
*[[Divebomb (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Divebomb]]
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Bonecrusher]]
*[[Scavenger (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Scavenger]]
*[[Vortex (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Vortex]]
*[[Scrapper (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Scrapper]]
*[[Onslaught (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Onslaught]]
*[[Viper (CW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Viper]]
*[[Rampage (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Rampage]]
*[[Lockdown (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Lockdown]]
*[[Nightbird (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Nightbird]]
*[[Offroad (CW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Offroad]]
*[[Scourge (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Scourge]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Galvatron]]
*[[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Nemesis Prime]]
*[[Tantrum (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Tantrum]]
*[[Octopunch (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Octopunch]]
*[[Headstrong (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Headstrong]]
*[[Deathsaurus (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Deathsaurus]]
*[[Drag Strip (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Drag Strip]]
*[[Bombshell (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Bombshell]]
*[[Wildrider (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Brake-Neck]]
*[[Reflector (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Reflector]]
*[[Megatron (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]]
*[[Straxus (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Straxus]]
*[[Dead End (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Dead End]]
*[[Barricade (IDW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Barricade]]
*[[Megatron (Armada)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Armada Megatron]]
*[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hun-Gurrr]]
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Blackarachnia]]
*[[Astrotrain (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Astrotrain]]
*[[Mindwipe (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Mindwipe]]
*[[Motormaster (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Motormaster]]
*[[Blitzwing (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Blitzwing]]
*[[Skullcruncher (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Skullsmasher]]
*[[Lugnut (TF 2010)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Lugnut]]
*[[Cutthroat (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cutthroat]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Rodimus Unicronus]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Waspinator]]
*[[Sentius Malus]]
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Rippersnapper]]
*[[Octane#Transformers: Earth Wars|Octone]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Ramjet]]
*[[Sinnertwin (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sinnertwin]]
*[[Starscream (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cybertron Starscream]]
*[[Dirge (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Dirge]]
*[[Blot (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Blot]]
*[[Tarantulas (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Tarantulas]]
*[[Punch (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Counterpunch]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Soundwave H.I.S.S.]]
*[[Skywarp (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Skywarp Nightraven]]
*[[Runamuck (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Runamuck]]
*[[Thrust (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Thrust]]
*[[Dinobot II#Transformers: Earth Wars|Dinobot II]]
*[[Drillhorn (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Drillhorn]]
*[[Guyhawk#Transformers: Earth Wars|Guyhawk]]
*[[Triggerhappy (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Triggerhappy]]
*[[Hellbat (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Fellbat]]
*[[Killbison#Transformers: Earth Wars|Ironbison]]
*[[Flamewar (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Flamewar]]
*[[Exhaust#Transformers: Earth Wars|Exhaust]]
*[[Leozack#Transformers: Earth Wars|Leozack]]
*[[Crankcase (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Crankcase]]
*[[Dirtbag#Transformers: Earth Wars|Dirtbag]]
*[[Ram Horn#Transformers: Earth Wars|Ram Horn]]
*[[Cicadacon#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cicadacon]]
*[[Megatron (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Transmetal 2 Megatron]]
*[[Sea Clamp#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sea Clamp]]
*[[Apeface#Transformers: Earth Wars|Apeface]]
*[[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]]
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]]
*[[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]]
*[[Sea Phantom#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sea Phantom]]
*[[Acid Storm (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Acid Storm]]
*[[Coelagon]]
*[[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown Prime]]
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]
*[[Terrormander]]
*[[Halfshell]]
*[[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]]
*[[Scylla]]*

;Combiners/[[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmasters]]
*[[Devastator (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Devastator]]
*[[Bruticus (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Bruticus]]
*[[Predaking (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Predaking]]
*[[Menasor (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Menasor]]
*[[Abominus (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Abominus]]
*[[Overlord (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Overlord]]
*[[Liokaiser#Transformers: Earth Wars|Liokaiser]]
*[[Tripredacus#Transformers: Earth Wars|Tripredacus]]
*[[Galvatronus (CW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Galvatronus]]

;Titans
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]}}
}}
{{featuredcharacters
|nonumbering=true
|h3=Trans-factional|c3=
*[[Gnaw (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Gnaw]]
*[[Impactor (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Impactor]]
;[[Mercenary|Mercenaries]]
*[[Doubledealer#Transformers: Earth Wars|Doubledealer]]
*[[Snapdragon (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Snapdragon]]

|h4=Negative universe|c4=
;Evil Autobots
*[[Goldbug (SG)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Goldbug]]
*[[Jetfire (SG)#Transformers: Earth Wars|SG Jetfire]]
;Heroic Decepticons
*[[Shockwave (SG)#Transformers: Earth Wars|SG Shockwave]]
*[[Thundercracker (SG)#Transformers: Earth Wars|SG Thundercracker]]

|h5=Support characters|c5=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
;[[Autobot Mini-Cassette]]s
*[[Eject (G1)|Eject]]
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]]
;[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette]]s
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
;[[Sharkticon (species)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sharkticons]]
* Generic Mini-Sharkticons
;[[Drone]]s
* Generic Medibots
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
;[[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|C.O.M.B.A.T]] Autobots
*[[Nightstalker (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Nightstalker]]
*[[Firebolt (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Firebolt]]
*[[Flak (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Flak]]
*[[Pteraxadon#Transformers: Earth Wars|Pteraxadon]]
*[[Lionizer (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Lionizer]]
*[[Big Shot#Transformers: Earth Wars|Topshot]]
*[[Trenchfoot#Transformers: Earth Wars|Trenchfoot]]
*[[Rung (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Rung]]
*[[Dile#Transformers: Earth Wars|Dile]]
*[[Smashdown#Transformers: Earth Wars|Smashdown]]
*[[Glitch (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Glitch]]
*[[Soundbarrier#Transformers: Earth Wars|Soundbarrier]]
*[[Stripes#Transformers: Earth Wars|Stripes]]
*[[Top-Heavy#Transformers: Earth Wars|Top-Heavy]]
*[[Red Hot#Transformers: Earth Wars|Red Heat]]
*[[Spoilsport#Transformers: Earth Wars|Spoilsport]]
*[[Rattrap (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Rattrap]]
*[[Airazor (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Airazor]]
*[[Sheeldron#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sheeldron]]
*[[Dazzlestrike#Transformers: Earth Wars|Dazzlestrike]]
*[[Roadburner#Transformers: Earth Wars|Roadburner]]
*[[Pinpointer (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Pinpointer]]
*[[Steeljaw (SG)#Transformers: Earth Wars|SG Steeljaw]]
*[[Zaur (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Zaur]]
*[[Tricerashot]]
*[[Windstrike]]
*[[Trip-Up]]
*[[Sawtooth (RID)|Sawtooth]]
*[[Nightstick (Headmasters)|Nightstick]]
*[[Sidetrack (G1)|Sidetrack]]
*[[Bashbreaker]]
*[[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]]
*[[Wheeljack Kunai| Kunai]]*
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
;C.O.M.B.A.T Decepticons
*[[Ravage (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Ravage]]
*[[Blowpipe (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Blowpipe]]
*[[Cratermaker#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cratermaker]]
*[[Terror-Daxtyl#Transformers: Earth Wars|Terror-Daxtyl]]
*[[Catgut#Transformers: Earth Wars|Catgut]]
*[[Fireline#Transformers: Earth Wars|Fireline]]
*[[Caliburst (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Caliburst]]
*[[Hairsplitter#Transformers: Earth Wars|Shrute]]
*[[Overkill (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Overkill]]
*[[Razor-Sharp#Transformers: Earth Wars|Razor-Sharp]]
*[[Gatoraider#Transformers: Earth Wars|Gatorface]]
*[[Doublecrosser (Earthrise)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Doublecrosser]]
*[[Glit (KP)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Glit]]
*[[Sights (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Sights]]
*[[Bombshock (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Bombshock]]
*[[Aimless#Transformers: Earth Wars|Aimless]]
*[[Vertebreak (Kingdom)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Vertebreak]]
*[[Tonbot#Transformers: Earth Wars|Tonbot]]
*[[Fangtron#Transformers: Earth Wars|Fangtron]]
*[[Giza (POTP)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Giza]]
*[[Power Punch#Transformers: Earth Wars|Power Punch]]
*[[Singe#Transformers: Earth Wars|Singe]]
*[[Ravage (SG)#Transformers: Earth Wars|SG Ravage]]
*[[Slugfest (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Slugfest]]
*[[Heartburn]]
*[[Baru]]
*[[Roller Force]]
*[[Zori]]
*[[Fracas]]
*[[Growl (G1)|Growl]]
*[[Gabu]]
*[[Ground Hog]]
*[[Bido]]*
{{!}}}

|h6=Non-Playable|c6=
;[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]
*[[Scarlett]]
*[[Snake-Eyes]]
;[[Cobra]]
*[[Cobra Commander]]
*[[Baroness]]
*[[Storm Shadow]]
;Other [[human]]s
*[[Melody Keen]]
*[[Luca]]
}}

'''<nowiki>*</nowiki>''' Upcoming characters

==Events==
Every weekend, for three days, events are held so players can win resources and new crystals. The events usually alternate between solo events and Alliance events each week. New characters are introduced with a story strewn across a four-week saga.

The various type of events are:
* A solo totaliser with various resource prizes, capped at 10,000 points.
* An Alliance single totaliser with a grand prize at around 200,000 points.
* An Alliance event with many prestiges to collect prizes and crystals multiple times.
* A single totaliser with multiple prestiges, which gives the same amount of battle points in all battle zones and triple XP.
* An Alliance totaliser and leaderboard event, with the top alliances receiving the newest 4 or 3 star character crystal and Premium Crystals. Or in some events, even more of the event's crystals.

{{main|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events}}

==Notes==
*Furman has said that early in production, "we had to base it in the IDW continuity as it turned out". He also revealed it was him who pushed for Bludgeon to make it into the game as well.<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/comic-writer-simon-furman-discusses-three-decades-of-transformers-and-new-game-earth-wars-707 Vice interview]</ref>
** A purple [[Decepticon Command Bunker]] can be seen in the mountainside of Decepticon bases as a counterpart to the Ark in Autobot bases.
*Character models are mostly based on each character's most-recent toy release. In many cases, this means ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'', ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'', ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'',''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'', ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]''. There are also some appearances from ''[[Thrilling 30]]'', ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'', ''[[Unite Warriors]]'', ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'', [[Live-action film series|movie]]verse namesakes, 'original' ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)]]'' and 'original' [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]], and a bit of ''[[Masterpiece]]'' in the mix.
* Though the game's dialogue is depicted using text boxes, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Soundwave still have voice lines. They are voiced, as usual, by [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Frank Welker]], respectively.
*Apparently, the Mastermind Creations toys of the Predacons inspired the staff so much, that the in-game models of the Predacons are based on these [[IP theft|third party]] toys.
**The Predacons aren't the only ones guilty of this either! Motormaster had his in-game model based on TransForm Mission's toy based on the Stunticon leader!
**Did we also mention that Menasor's model takes cues off of the "Perfect Effect" third party add on kit, along with the aforementioned Transform Mission toy.
**On the bot side, Defensor is an interesting case, as rather than reuse the limb-mode rigs of Vortex, Ironhide and Brakeneck, Blades, First Aid and Streetwise use brand new frames for their limb modes. Don't even mention that Rook is combined upside down. The head, thighs and parts of the shoulders are the only bits of Hot Spot with any resemblane to the ''Combiner Wars'' toy, as everything else is based on the C+ Customs add-on kit for Defensor instead of retooling from Victorion (though the backpack kibble is shrunken down).
**Abominus: Torso: ''Power of the Primes''/''Unique Toys''. Legs: ''Power of the Primes''. Arms: ''Power of the Primes''/''Unique Toys''. Thighs: ''Unique Toys''. Head: ''Unique Toys''. Hands and feet: ''Unique Toys''. Gun: ''Unique Toys'' (shared with Defensor). Whew!
* The only Furmanisms actually in the game are "It is over - finished!" (said by Optimus or Megatron after a victory) and "Now - Reap the whirlwind!" (spoken by Optimus Prime when deploying troops).
* [[FIRRIB|Rumble is blue, Frenzy is red.]]
* As it turns out, Tracks' bot mode is based on his Masterpiece toy, but his alt-mode is entirely based on his Universe toy.
*Sky-Lynx is classified as a Triple-Changer now, this also marks the first time in a while that his dual mode Tiger and Dragon modes have been used.
* While the soundtrack is normally unique music made for the game itself, by default, you also have the choice of a Generation 1 soundtrack, using original [[Johnny Douglas]] tracks from the 1984 cartoon.
* Up until Defensor's debut, Superion was the only original ''G1'' combiner for the Autobots.
* How do you know a combiner is coming? If all the bots of a known combiner group are available.
* Soundwave's H.I.S.S. tank model is the first instance of the character having a vehicle mode in the game. It draws from the [[HISS tank#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Soundwave-themed HISS redeco]].
* Hound's VAMP model draws inspiration from his ''Universe'' toy and from the Hound-themed [[VAMP]] redeco.
* Jetfire's Skystriker model draws inspiration from the Jetfire-themed [[Skystriker]] redeco. Skywarp, however, is the nutball in the group.
* Swoop was known as Strafe before the Technobot of the same name was added to the game.
* Making for a nice easter egg, transforming Blaster in the character viewer will result in him playing [[The Touch]]. This also applies to Soundwave.
* One of, if not both of the Autobot Drift's swords translates into "revenge". Strangely enough, the symbols are in the ''Decepticon'' variant, and not Autobot.
===Errors===
* You can count on pretty much any character with tall shoulders to have said shoulders clip and cut through the character model when in battle stance.
* Drift does an awkward shift when going from vehicle to robot and the opposite way, seeing as his body warps and shifts so that he faces sideways in bot mode. This happens every time he attacks and every time he changes form.
* Most characters with extended shooting animations will sometimes lag out and be out of sync with the shooting animation.
* If activating an Aerialbot's ability, he may circle the target pointlessly for a while. Sometimes he even goes underground.
* Rampage and Razorclaw can have a victory animation while in bot mode and charging when the battle ends. They even have their swords.
*Sunstreaker has a giant gap in the back of his combined form leg.
*Sometimes Blast Off has his combination process [[Animation error|distorted]].
*''Beast Wars'' Megatron's weapons sometimes don't properly align with the hand models.
*Sharkticons just don't know when to stop fighting. The animations for the fighting will still appear, and they still run to buildings, but they don't actually deal damage. Does not translate to Gnaw.
*Sometimes (although this is very rare), amalgamations will randomly appear, where parts of the robot mode and vehicle mode appear on the opposite modes. Examples include Blast Off becoming a [[Seeker (body-type)|Conehead]], Ironhide gaining his [[Ironhide (Movie)|movieverse]] look, and Optimus Prime having [[Kibble#"Faux-parts"|two truck cabs]].
*Characters collision hitboxes will sometimes get caught on each other or on wall hitboxes and they will stay stuck in place for a good while. The bug where they get stuck on the Wall hitboxes can be fixed by letting the character walk in place, letting them get uncaught or destroying the wall. The bug where they get stuck in the collision hitboxes of each other can be fixed by activating the bot's ability. This most commonly happens with Medics and Gunners, and especially if you deploy your units in an extremely short fashion.
*Sometimes, when viewing your bots, after the bot transforms into their alternate mode, they won't transform into their robot mode, and remain [[Transformation paralysis|stuck in alternate mode.]] This is fixed by restarting the game.
*There are so many issues with the hands, especially characters with aerial capabilities or alt modes, especially the helicopters. When they transform, more often then not, their hands slide into their arms and then randomly reappear in alt mode. This usually applies to jets, but Laser (G2) Optimus Prime has his hands visible in vehicle mode.
*Brainstorm's character model duplicates his shield kibble on his arm and on his back and his arm cannon just disappears when he transforms.
*After the update that gave Blaster and Soundwave altmodes,this came at a price. Both of their character models in robot mode have extremely distorted upper arms that just levitate next to their lower arms.
*The Breastforce cannot activate their Breast Partner in the traditional way (gun, handgun, and animal) with Guyhawk being the exception. Either they are used as decoration, or don't appear at all.
*Mixmaster, when equipped with his G1 Core, will sometimes adopt a Transmetal texture in bot form. In ''Alternate Form'', however, he'll switch back to the regular G1 look. It is unknown if this applies to other bots, and if the G1 core matters. (Further research needed)
*As of the most recent update, Overlord and Omega Supreme are sometimes static while deployed, lacking their animations though they'll return occasionally. This has since been fixed.
**Other gimmicks that certain Transformers or Special Teams may have usually don't make it into the game.
*Most bugs that affect gameplay are promptly resolved within a given time, and Patch notes detailing what is currently being fixed are always released to the public.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers: Earth Wars''''' (トランスフォーマー：アースウォーズ ''Toransufōmā: Āsu Wōzu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīn'gāng: Dìqiú zhī Zhàn ''''' (变形金刚：地球之战, "Transformers: Earth Wars")

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersearthwars.com/ Official website]
* [http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/ Official Transformers Earth Wars Wiki]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Earth wars}}
[[Category:Generation 1 video games]]
[[Category:Earth Wars| ]]
[[Category:Mobile games]]

User:Volnar The Unforgiving

2023-05-10T17:51:56Z

Volnar The Unforgiving:

User:Volnar The Unforgiving

2023-05-10T01:39:17Z

Volnar The Unforgiving:

User:Volnar The Unforgiving

2023-05-10T01:38:44Z

Volnar The Unforgiving: Created page with "I don't know what more to say about this, but I'm putting it here. "Volnar The Unforgiving" is the screen name of an individual hailing ..."

[[File:Chugway.jpg|right|thumb|300px|I don't know what more to say about this, but I'm putting it here.]]
"Volnar The Unforgiving" is the screen name of an individual hailing from a universe in the [[Quadwal]] cluster. He possesses large amounts of [[Decepticon]] figurines and even an affinity for Decepticon colors, and, going off of this, he could be speculated to be some sort of Decepticon himself. He also has a bizarre, practically instinctual love for purple things, like [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and even [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. He spends a lot of his time on the internet, often discussing things. He has a notable distaste for the [[Live-action film series|Bayformers movies]] and their character designs.

If you knew him personally, you'd know the similarities between him and [[Shortround (Cybertron)|Shortround]] are uncanny.

Talk:Transformers: Wings Universe

2023-05-10T00:58:57Z

Volnar The Unforgiving: /* How loosely based is this to the cartoon? */

==Female Autobots==
{{quote|The historical tales feature a young [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] alongside mostly characters who never appeared in the cartoon. So far, this has allowed the writers to avoid problems of relative age, since Kup is supposed to be significantly older than almost everyone in the present day. And the only familiar characters in that early timeframe are either [[Alpha Trion (G1)|also old]] or [[renegade Decepticon|have an excuse]].}}
What about the [[Female Autobots]]? "Flames of Yesterday" features the orange/purple and green elf ladies, and also Moonracer, the youngest-seeming Female Autobot, is also out and about. (Moonracer's bio tries to deal with this by saying that there was an accident during an upgrade so she acts like a teenager.) I am not sure how to rewrite this paragraph to accommodate them, since there are so many exceptions presented already to the "rule" given in it. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 10:35, 31 May 2010 (EDT)
:It also makes zero mention of the fact that (so far, anyway) this is a very Elite Guard-centric set of stories, not just pre-war stories in general.
:(Although thanks for creating the sucker... I'd been [[Talk:Wings of Honor#Fiction.2FToy_page.3F|thinking we needed it for a while now]] but wasn't quite sure how to go about it.) --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 10:47, 31 May 2010 (EDT)
::No problem. I do wonder if Wings of Honor deserves a franchise and toyline page (in which case this page might get folded into the franchise page or become "Wings of Honor (fiction)"), but at the moment I'm comfortable leaving it be. We'll see what happens with G2 Redux and beyond. - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 20:08, 1 June 2010 (EDT)

==Shuttle scene==
And as far as the shuttle scene from Timelines #4, didn't Pete say at some point that it was set in 2009 or 2010? And I think I remember him placing it somewhere around the Nexus Prime scene from TCSp1... --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:15, 31 May 2010 (EDT)
:http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=67730&view=findpost&p=1489241 --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 11:21, 31 May 2010 (EDT)
::Thanks for digging that up. So, as far as creator intent goes, it's firmly in the 'Toon continuity, and the shuttle scene is just coincidentally strikingly similar to one that went before. There is precedent to that; in Marvel, the Predacon attack on [[Prey!|Optimus in the UK]], then [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|Megatron in the US]], for instance.--[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] 11:26, 31 May 2010 (EDT)

== How loosely based is this to the cartoon? ==

The article says it is loosely based on the cartoon. I haven't read them, but the continuity seems pretty tight to me if they do things like recolor not-First Aid to avoid a continuity error and give a reason why the '85 Autobots appeared from seemingly nowhere after season one. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 23:54, 23 December 2011 (EST)
: For an example of where Wings and Cartoon diverge, take the case of Cyclonus, Scourge, and Galvatron. They all did the things they did in the cartoon, but they did it while looking like their Universe/BotCon/Generations toys. Same with Ironhide and Ratchet, who both did all of their cartoon things while looking like their BotCon 2005 toys. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 00:19, 24 December 2011 (EST)
:: ("Loosely" may be the wrong word to use.) --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 00:22, 24 December 2011 (EST)
::: Y'know, particularly after that last chapter of Battle Lines, it almost seems disingenuous to me to put Wings stuff down at the bottom of the fiction sections as the most recent thing. It kinda feels like it deserves to go with the other cartoon stuff. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 05:11, 24 December 2011 (EST)
::::I wouldn't be opposed to that. Although I would make an exception for JG1 dudes like Metalhawk, for obvious reasons. [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 08:17, 24 December 2011 (EST)
:::::I also wouldn't be opposed to that. It feels like it belongs in the cartoon section, even if it's off in its own area, and labeled appropriately. I think we need a new note template to go above the section that explains things. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 09:43, 24 December 2011 (EST)
::::::Did we ever come to a decision on this? It does seem like it'd be better suited in the G1 cartoon continuity sections. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 20:23, 16 November 2012 (EST)
:::::::I am not sure if a decision was reached, but if Wings stuff started getting moved to cartoon sections with the appropriate note-age, I wouldn't stop anyone. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 20:36, 16 November 2012 (EST)
::::::::Why hasn't this been done yet? It's been over ten years and everybody seems to have thought moving Wings info into cartoon sections made sense, yet it still hasn't happened. Honestly, categorizing fiction that is explicitly intended to be a part of the cartoon continuity as being completely seperate just because of unimportant design differences is petty and doesn't make a lot of sense.--[[User:Volnar The Unforgiving|Volnar The Unforgiving]] ([[User talk:Volnar The Unforgiving|talk]]) 20:58, 9 May 2023 (EDT)
::Different bodies with no explanation based on modern toys seems to be the new normal, like [[Rodimus vs. Cyclonus]]. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 09:00, 24 December 2011 (EST)

== Termination ==

Shouldn't Machine Wars be on the navbox?[[User:KrytenKoro|KrytenKoro]] ([[User talk:KrytenKoro|talk]]) 20:28, 19 June 2014 (EDT)

== BotCon 2014 stuff ==

So, uh, it's highly very likely we have to merge all the 3H stuff into this universe, across countless articles. Everything does its damned best to smooth itself into that universe, including mentioning stuff like Tap-Out previously being dead (as seen in the Elite Guard magazine comic) but being alive now. The BotCon 2014 story is, in effect, a post-3H Universe story while also being Wings continuity. The only other contradictions are Crosscut and Glyph dying in Wings and being alive in 3H, and Windmill appearing alive after having been killed on the Sojourner's Passage's crash in 3H, but like Tap-Out's "hey I'm alive even though I was dead once" blurb in the customization class materials, apparently those are not as final as they seemed to be? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 23:18, 23 June 2014 (EDT)
:That sounds like a good argument for renaming it to something along the lines of "3H BotCon Continuity," too. -- [[User:Dark T Zeratul|Dark T Zeratul]] ([[User talk:Dark T Zeratul|talk]]) 03:01, 24 June 2014 (EDT)
::I've not read the comic, but doesn't it have an alternate origin for Shokaract? And one of the new Apelinq journals makes it clear that this Apelinq never time-travelled back into the Beast Wars (he had a vision of an alternate version of his life, in which he sees but doesn't recognise Optimal Optimus and Shokaract).
::And Tap-Out wasn't Wrecker second-in-command in 3H, right? 'Cause another journal describes him as returning to the post when Alpha Trizer reforms the Wreckers. It also mentions that Primal Prime kicked Devcon out of the Wreckers for being a prick, whereas in 3H he just sods off of his own accord?
::Is it possible that, much as it includes an almost-but-not-quite version of the G1 cartoon, the Wings Universe also includes an almost-but-not-quite version of the BM/Universe 3H material (but not the BW stuff)? [[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 04:32, 24 June 2014 (EDT)
:::What that guy said. Most notably, Primal Prime and Apelinq aren't Sentinel Maximus. [[User:Mimi|Mimi]] ([[User talk:Mimi|talk]]) 10:28, 24 June 2014 (EDT)
::::I'd say that's the least notable part. The customization class booklet says there's a period of time after the Quintesson invasion that his whereabouts were top secret, and presumably once Sentinel Maximus was done cavorting around the multiverse, he could have ended up back where he started and separated from Apelinq. The Apelinq cross-dimensional thing is eyebrow-raising enough that I'm hesitant to do a merge until things are nailed down better. Which is fine by me. It's not a merge I wanna do. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 11:29, 24 June 2014 (EDT)
::::Oh, and I wouldn't say Shokaract's origin is different, at least going by my memory. By all appeareances, Hunter steps through the space bridge that Cannonball stole to Earth, where he finds the Dark Essence. That's just putting him in the right place for his original origin to happen. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 11:32, 24 June 2014 (EDT)
::::And Tap-Out coulda been Wrecker second-in-command during any point in time in the past 150 years. Same with Devcon's defection, since he joins up again with them in Wreckers Finale II. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 11:33, 24 June 2014 (EDT)
:::::Glancing over 3H stuff, the Hunter was described as being from a Cybertron where BW Megatron and the Predacons ruled, and that he winds up crash-landing on the desolate future-Earth before finding the Dark Essence. [[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 12:18, 24 June 2014 (EDT)
::::::Yeah, that'd do it. You could probably bend over backwards to explain that away, but that ain't what WE'RE for. Distinct continuity integrity is preserved! --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 21:54, 24 June 2014 (EDT)

Gobotron

2023-05-09T20:37:27Z

Volnar The Unforgiving:

[[File:Gobotron screen capture.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
'''Gobotron''' (also '''GoBotron''') is home to transforming metallic organisms who are having a civil war, but ''these'' guys are actually the cyborg [[GoBot]]s, with the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]]' police force protecting from the constant [[Renegade]] insurgencies. It is known for its abundance of moons, including a [[prison moon]], a knowledge moon, a [[fortress moon]], a picnic moon, a spa moon, the moon of fire, the moon of shadows, four industrial moons (Zeta 1-Zeta 4), a [[communication moon]] (that [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] once stole for 48 hours), and a few unnamed others. The capital city is '''Gobotolis''', which is protected by the '''Gobotron Fortress'''.

==Fiction==
===Renegade Rhetoric===
[[File:Gobotron Fortress RR.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
The Evil One, the local version of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], nearly destroyed Gobotron with the [[Dark Heart]] in ancient times. He was eventually trapped under the [[Peru|Nazca Lines]] on Earth.

Later, the [[Renegade]]s arose as a faction that, according to Cy-Kill sought to overthrow the unjust reign of the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]]. Unwilling to concede defeat, the Guardians destroyed their planet with an asteroid strike. This necessitated the surviving population place their minds inside robotic bodies, called GoBots. The war for the planet continued to this day.

Gobotron had a prison moon. [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] intentionally got himself captured so as to free the Renegades inside. Later, [[Renegade#Gunnyr|Gunnyr]] and [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] were held here and also freed by Cy-Kill. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Renegade Rhetoric (1)}}

===''Timelines''===
In [[Gargent 984.08 Alpha]], Gobotron is the body of Primus. It was menaced by the [[Unicron]] of this universe, who had taken a body with an organic brain ''a la'' the GoBots themselves. Unicron would, somehow, get kicked out into [[Primax 703.02 Gamma|another universe]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

When a [[Cataclysm (GoBots)|Cataclysm]] began to threaten the very existence of the universe, the inhabitants of Gobotron ceased their conflict, united with the remaining humans, and held an emergency summit. It was decided to send [[G1 GoBots|a joint team]] to [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|the 22nd Level]], the dimension causing the disaster, and try to reverse the damage. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Gargent 087.0 Kappa]], a fake attack on Gobotron lured nearly all [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]] off [[Earth]], leaving it undefended when the Renegades enacted an [[Embargo Field]] and prompting them to call on their extra-dimensional allies, the [[Spychanger|Spy Changers]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/30}}

After meeting [[Renegade#Gong|Gong]] in a [[Primax]] universe and deciding to have a contest of interdimensional chaos, [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] journeyed to the Gobotron of [[Gargent 186.0 Gamma]]. Traveling to the [[Omega Lock]]s at the core of the planet, Sideways tempered with them to cause properties of Gargent 186.0 Gamma to "bleed" into the Primax universe, tuning that universe into a strange and unstable [[Iocus]] reality containing Transformers ''and'' GoBots. [[Maccadam|A bartender]] in the Primax universe, however, alerted his brother [[Vector Prime|Vec-Tor]] to Sideways's machinations, and Vec-Tor apprehended Sideways and restored Gobotron's Omega Locks to normal. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
[[Von Joy|Baron Von Joy]]'s, located on Planet Gobotron, was the seventeenth venue for the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]] on their 2014 "Till All Are One" tour. {{storylink|Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron}}

===''Go-Bots''===
In its earliest incarnation, Gobotron was but a space station autonomously run by the Go-Bots. {{storylink|Go-Bots issue 5|Go-Bots #5}} After the Go-Bots, led by [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]] conquered [[Earth]], they expanded Gobotron into a massive artificial planet that was built around the organic world. Under Leader-1's guidance, the Go-Bots built their world into mechanical duplicate of human society with the remains of Earth becoming known as the "Heart of Gobotron". All was not perfect on this world for threat both political, such as the [[Trade Federation]]'s disputes, or existential, like the monstrous [[Zod]], threatened Go-Bot society.

Having been off-world during the uprising, [[Spay-C]] returned home with four human astronauts who eventually breached the inner sanctum and found [[Turbo (GoBots)|Turbo]] and [[Scooter (GoBots)|Scooter]] who had elected to remain on Earth with what remained of humanity. {{storylink|Go-Bots issue 3|Go-Bots #3}}

After the humans had descended into Earth, the Go-Bots followed so Leader-1 could retrieve the [[Lazer Lance]] and slay Zod. Though the monster was felled, Leader-1 himself died in battle. {{storylink|Go-Bots issue 4|Go-Bots #4}} When his forces returned to their world, they found its surface ravaged by the [[Vamp]]s who were put down by [[Road Ranger]]. Assuming leadership of the planet, Road Ranger made the decision to leave Earth behind, disconnecting Gobotron from the organic world and charting a course for deep space so his people could start anew. As their world streaked through hyperspace, Road Ranger informed [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] that, not only would they begin constructing new Go-Bots, they were going to seed the multiverse with new versions of Gobotron, each with their own name. {{storylink|Go-Bots issue 5|Go-Bots #5}}

==Notes==
*Official ''GoBots'' media from the 1980s rendered the planet's name with camel casing as "GoBotron".
*During planning for the 2002-2003 ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Transformers: Armada]]'' toyline, Hasbro considered recycling the trademark "Gobotron" for [[Unicron]]'s Mini-Con partner, who was ultimately named [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]].

==External links==
{{GBwiki|GoBotron}}

[[Category:GoBots locations]]
[[Category:Knights of Unicron]]
[[Category:Planets]]
[[Category:TransTech locations]]