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Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (franchise)

2024-02-25T10:08:27Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{Nav-rotb}}
'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' (abbreviated on this wiki as "'''ROTB'''") is the seventh franchise in the [[live-action film series]], launched in 2023 to accompany the film. As of this writing, the franchise includes:
*[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Film]]
*[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (toyline)|Toyline]]
*[[Transformers Rise of the Beats|Playlist]]
*[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)|Score]]
*[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (books)|Books]]

Along with the usual swathe of licensed material and ancillary merchandise.

==External links==
*[https://www.transformersmovie.com/ Paramount's landing page for ''Rise of the Beasts'']
*[https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/tf_mv7/ Takara Tomy's landing page for ''Rise of the Beasts'']
[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts| ]]

Snake-Eyes

2024-02-25T10:07:48Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{Factions|gijoe|cobra}}
:''Snake-Eyes is a [[human]] member of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] from the [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:OptimusSnakeEyes.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Your fans are [[Ruined FOREVER|bitching]] about your live-action mouth too?" "...." "I hear you, brother."]]

'''Snake-Eyes''' (also '''Snake Eyes''') is a member of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and quite possibly one of the most dangerous [[human]]s alive. A masked man of mystery with ties to the enigmatic [[Arashikage]] clan, his self-appointed vow of silence means that he doesn't talk much about his past—or, indeed, about ''anything''. He's ignored orders and gone rogue more than once, sometimes to deal with unwelcome reminders of his enigmatic past.

On the battlefield, Snake-Eyes combines years of martial arts training with modern trigger discipline to become an effective commando. Unarmed, he's more than a match for most humans; combined with an arsenal of firearms and ninja weapons, he's even capable of toppling an unprepared [[Transformer]]. It would take another master of the martial arts to defeat Snake-Eyes, such as his [[Cobra]] rival [[Storm Shadow]]. It's not clear what his face looks like under his mask, but despite (or perhaps ''because of'') his silent, stoic façade, several of his female teammates, including [[Scarlett]] and [[Agent Helix]], have developed an affection for him.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''====
[[File:Snake-Eyes-Blood on the Tracks.jpg|thumb|right]]

Snake-Eyes was one of the [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] stationed at [[Fort Lewis]] in [[Seattle]] to guard [[Power Station Alpha]], the world's first mobile solar/nuclear power station. The base was attacked by the [[Dreadnok]]s and also investigated by the [[Autobot]]s and the [[Decepticon]]s. Snake-Eyes managed to shut down Alpha after it was set moving by the Decepticon [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} then was part of the team who tried to deal with the angry Autobot [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} Snake-Eyes remained stationed at Fort Lewis and subsequently had to work in an alliance with [[Cobra]] against the Decepticons. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:SnakeeyesinG2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|[[Cobra Viper]]'s blood supplied by Super Nintendo!]]

Years later, Snake-Eyes was part of [[Ninja Force]], a team of, er, ninjas. Unfortunately for him, around this time he had to stab fellow Ninja Force member [[Scarlett]], a spy within Cobra, to preserve her cover. {{storylink|Unfoldings!}} The Joes fled to the abandoned [[Cobra Island]] after this took place. While Snake-Eyes was ruminating over his decision, [[Destro]] approached him to assure he had made the right call. Snake-Eyes only gave the former Cobra associate a death glare before walking away. {{storylink|Realignments}} When Cobra upgraded [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and transported the captured [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] to [[Milleville]], Snake-Eyes and his team were sent in to raid the facility. {{storylink|Goin' South}} Finding Scarlett recovering in a hospital bed, Snake-Eyes and his team had to fend off a team of Night-Creeper ninjas who found them out. Though the rest of the Ninja Force was called away to assist a secondary infiltration team, Snake-Eyes stayed behind to fight the [[Night Creeper Leader]]. Snake-Eyes emerged from the fight victorious, and doubled back to retrieve Scarlett. However, she had already fled her hospital room to accost Megatron himself. {{storylink|Sucker Punch}} Snake-Eyes made his way to Scarlett, dealing with several Cobra Alley-Vipers along the way. Both Joes then retrieved Doctor [[Sidney Biggles-Jones]] from Megatron while he was busy fighting the Autobots. The trio was picked up by [[Spirit]] and [[Storm Shadow]], who had commandeered a Cobra transport, but Megatron crushed the Autobots that had challenged him and resumed his pursuit. Dr. Biggles-Jones allowed herself to be recaptured by the tyrant so that the rest of the group could safely escape Milleville. {{Storylink|Final Transformations}}

Later, Snake-Eyes and [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] tried to help [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] in destroying the alien technology Cobra had obtained, but Hot Spot was wounded and chose to activate his self-destruct rather than risk being captured. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}
{{--}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Hawk and Snake Eyes GIJoevsTFs2.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

The [[United States military|soldier]] nicknamed "Snake-Eyes" enjoyed a reputation among his military comrades for being incredibly talkative, enough so that the other soldiers bet on how long he could shut up during a mission to [[Washington, D.C.]] When the city was attacked by Cobra's [[Transformer|giant robots]], Snake-Eyes opened fire on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who in turn blasted him with a giant laser. While Snake-Eyes survived, his face was hideously scarred and he lost his ability to speak. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1}} It later turned out that Snake-Eyes's parents and twin sister had been killed in the same attack, and with nothing to live for but revenge, Snake-Eyes got [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to pull some strings and let him join [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. After donning a ninja outfit, he impressed the rest of the Joes by defeating both [[Quick Kick]] and [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] during a sparring session. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}}

[[File:Starscream snakeeyes eye gouge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Relax, Starscream; it could be [[Starscream (Movie)#Dark of the Moon film|worse]].]]

Whilst defending the [[SPS Research Facility]] from a Cobra attack, Snake-Eyes decapitated [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] with his sword. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} Along with the other Joes, he later boarded a plane to [[Cobra Island]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} After airdropping onto the island with a hang-glider, Snake-Eyes met his former attacker, Starscream. While the [[Decepticon]] was busy taunting him, the ninja sliced open his eye and shoved a grenade in it, thereby getting his revenge. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}} Snake-Eyes later helped fight [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] by throwing something at his leg. When Cobra and the Decepticons were defeated, the [[Autobot]]s thanked them for their help by providing Snake-Eyes and a few others with [[G.I. Joe battle mech|battle mechs]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

G.I. Joe continued to hunt down stray Cobra members, and two years later, Snake-Eyes helped stop the [[Dreadnok]]s from trading [[Cybertronian]] technology in [[Boston]] by using his mech suit to rip the turret off a Cobra vehicle. Without the mech, he later participated in an attack on a different Cobra project, and ended up being teleported to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] when Cobra's wormhole technology malfunctioned. The Joes and Cobras stuck on the planet learned that [[Teletran 3]] had placed [[Earth]] in severe danger, and that they only way to save their planet was by retrieving several Transformers that had been lost in different points Earth's timeline. Together with [[Lady Jaye]], [[Zartan]] and enemy ninja [[Storm Shadow]], Snake-Eyes traveled to 1970s [[San Francisco]] and disguised himself with a hat that handily shadowed his face at all times. After locating four time-lost Transformers, the team returned to present-day Cybertron. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Snake-Eyes silently looked on as Lady Jaye and Roadblock offered to sneak past [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and save the day, and later returned to Earth along with everyone else. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

[[File:Snake Eyes AoW2.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

After the time travel issues, it was decided that humans probably shouldn't have access to Cybertronian technology after all, and Snake-Eyes's mech suit was set to be decommissioned. At [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]], [[Scarlett]] offered to play a final game of "robo-tag" with Snake-Eyes before they got rid of their mechs, but they were interrupted when the facility was attacked by Cobra. With help from a visiting team of Autobots, the Joes fought back against Cobra's [[Battle Android Trooper]]s. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} They later met the powerhungry biological android [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who took control of Snake-Eyes's mech and forced it to fire on Scarlett. In the aftermath, the ninja was devastated when Scarlett was nowhere to be found, but she quickly turned out to be okay. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

[[File:ArtOfWar4-SnakeEyes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Together with Scarlett, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], Roadblock and the Autobot team, Snake-Eyes followed Serpent O.R. to Cybertron, where his firepower proved completely useless against a [[cannibalizer]]. By the time the group found Serpent O.R., the android had already recruited dozens of Decepticons for his cause, and Snake-Eyes and the others were captured. In captivity, he and Scarlett shared a tender moment, as she saw past his damaged face and kissed him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} After that, Snake-Eyes just sat down and stared blankly into a wall, attracting the attention of their guard, [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]. When Breakdown looked in his eyes, Snake-Eyes used an Arashikage hypnotism technique on the Decepticon to force him into breaking them out of jail. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

After freeing the other prisoners, Snake-Eyes fought his way through the Decepticon base, at one point stabbing [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] through the eyes to save Hawk. As Overkill let it slip that Serpent O.R. had captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], the Joes and Autobots went to save him. When they arrived in Serpent O.R.'s control room, they found that [[Cobra Commander]] had taken control of Serpent O.R.'s body; he used its tentacles to simultaneously knock out Snake-Eyes and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. After Hawk managed to defeat Serpent O.R., Snake-Eyes continued his game of tag with Scarlett, only this time without giant mechs. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

A few months later, Snake-Eyes was part of a team of Joes sent to stop [[Destro]] from selling [[S.N.A.K.E.]]'s in [[Cuba]], but found that the Autobots had already dealt with it before they arrived. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}} The Joes were later sent to [[Tibet]], where Snake-Eyes fought against [[Cobra-La]]'s [[Royal Guard]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:Snake-Eyes Storm Shadow flashback-Wolves.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In his youth, Snake-Eyes was part of the Arashikage clan alongside [[Storm Shadow|Stormshadow]], but one day, he somehow ashamed Stormshadow before the clan. He left the clan in an attempt to spare Stormshadow further shame, but the enraged ninja took revenge on Snake-Eyes by taking away his ability to speak. {{storylink|Wolves}}

[[File:Snake-Eyes-Trenches.jpg|thumb|left]]

Snake-Eyes grew up, and in [[1939]], he enlisted with the newly formed [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] was not amused when the ninja identified himself by throwing dice at him. During his first day with the Joes, Snake-Eyes pointed out to [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] that they were being [[Laserbeak (G1)|spied on]], and started watching [[Scarlett]] from the shadows. The very next day, they were sent to attack [[Cobra]]'s headquarters on the [[Fera Islands]], where Snake-Eyes was reunited with Stormshadow, who wouldn't mind some more revenge. {{storylink|The Line}} Snake-Eyes attacked his old comrade, but was blinded and repeatedly cut in the face. Stormshadow was chased off by [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], but Snake-Eyes refused to come back with him for medical care—their medic was Scarlett, and he didn't want her to see his injured face. Chasing after Stormshadow, he found and killed several Cobra troops, and used their ammunition to cauterize his wounds using fire. While this stopped the blood loss, it scarred his face even further. After grabbing a sword and a helmet from an old suit of armor, he confronted Stormshadow again, only to be attacked by [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. {{storylink|Transformed}}

Snake-Eyes bested the robotic cat and the Cobra soldiers sent his way, finally getting into an honorable fistfight with Stormshadow. He was victorious, but Stormshadow ran off again. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} He soon reappeared and attacked Snake-Eyes with a halberd, causing both of them to fall off a cliff into the ocean. As Snake-Eyes struggled with Stormshadow and reminisced about how they were once brothers, a giant shark appeared and attacked them. {{storylink|Wolves}} Snake-Eyes survived and carried the fatally injured Stormshadow out of the water, where he realized the error of his ways before passing away. Making his way back to the other Joes, Snake-Eyes was attacked by Ravage again, but killed him easily. Upon reuniting with the team, he refused to talk to Scarlett, still not wanting her to see his face. {{storylink|Trenches}}

[[File:Snake-Eyes-The Iron Fist.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

However, he soon got over it, and swam to the Cobra [[Terrordrome]] alongside Scarlett. Snake-Eyes planned to take out the enemy's [[Shockwave (G1)|main cannon]], but instead found [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. Dodging the giant's destruction, the two made their way to his creators, [[Destro]] and the [[Baroness]], and captured them. Next, Snake-Eyes took the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from [[Cobra Commander]]'s corpse, only to be attacked by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for it. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] came to his rescue, keeping Megatron busy and ordering the ninja to smash the Matrix in an attempt to destroy the unstoppable Bruticus. Snake-Eyes complied, tossing the artifact at Bruticus's swinging fists and causing a flash of light that deactivated all the Transformers. As the other Joes reflected on Prime's sacrifice, Snake-Eyes embraced Scarlett. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

Over five decades later, Snake-Eyes participated in an attack on a Cobra smuggling facility in [[New York City]], and was sent running for his life when Cobra defended themselves using [[Flight Pod]]s. A while later, he and several other Joes were sent to investigate a mysterious crash site in [[Oregon]]. They found that Cobra troopers were already there stealing stuff, so Snake-Eyes helped take out a few of them. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity}}

{{unreleased TFGJ comic}}
[[Cobra Commander]] sent out his assassin, [[Firefly]], to track down and eliminate Snake-Eyes. Snake-Eyes was forced to overcome his rival in order to help his teammates retrieve stolen Transformers technology. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front|Divided Front #3}} Snake-Eyes's rivalry against Firefly threatened to compromise him when the Joes launched an assault on Cobra Island. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front|Divided Front #5}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
Snake-Eyes was a character in the video game ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]''. {{Storylink|Where Is Thy Sting?}}

===''Unit:E'' comic===
Upon approaching the planet [[Earth]], the artificial intelligence [[Synergy]] presented footage of the Joes in action so that her crew-mate, the young [[Microman|Acroyear]], could learn about his potential allies and enemies on the alien world. Snake-Eyes could be seen fighting another ninja on one of Synergy's view-screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:DetentionEscape Duke and Snake-Eyes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
Duke and Snake-Eyes were stuck in detention by [[Dr. Mayhem]]. They attempted to escape by parachuting out of the window, but were caught and returned to detention. The pair were finally freed when fellow captive [[Spock]] had Mayhem transported to an alien planet. {{storylink|Detention Escape}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[Image:golden boys handsome snakeyes.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|AIII! What happened to his FACE?! It's---it's horrible!]]

In his youth, '''Francis Witwicky''' studied under both the [[Soft Master]] and the [[Hard Master]], who taught him to both be kind and ruthless on the battlefield. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} He also trained under the [[Blind Master]], who taught him further on how a ninja should live and fight. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} At some point in his life, Francis joined G.I. Joe, where he adopted the code-name "Snake-Eyes". He and Duke became romantic rivals, both vying for Scarlett's affections. All three were part of a G.I. Joe strike force that stormed a Cobra hideout housing deadly [[G.I.Rocket|Creeper bombs]]. During the raid, Scarlett announced that she would marry whichever Joe would bring her the helmet of Cobra Commander. Both Snake-Eyes and Duke accepted her challenge. The squad then apprehended [[Doctor Venom]], who informed the Joes that Cobra Commander was already on his way out of the base. The Joes split up to track down the head of Cobra before he escaped them once more.

Snake-Eyes found his way into Cobra Commander's private automobile collection, where he encountered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Mistaking the Cybertronian for a Cobra drone, Snake-Eyes attempted to destroy him with a grenade, only for Starscream to swat it back towards him. Snake-Eyes only survived thanks to the timely intervention of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], disguised as one of the many cars in the room. Bumblebee drove Snake-Eyes out of the hide-out, with Starscream pursuing them. Outside, they happened upon the other Joes giving chase to Snake-Eyes in mid-air. Using his jet-pack, Snake-Eyes leapt out of Bumblebee and flew atop of Cobra Commander's [[Rattler]], despite Hawk ordering him to stay back. There, he managed to stab the Commander through the chest, though the terrorist got a shot off simultaneously, disfiguring Snake-Eyes. He was rescued by both Scarlett and Duke as the Rattler was blown up in mid-air, and brought back to [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]]. Scarlett visited him as he recovered, Cobra Commander's helm in hand. She asked Snake-Eyes if he was ready to set a date for their wedding, but Snake-Eyes was unresponsive. {{storylink|The Golden Boys}}

[[Image:saw three ships flagg recruits snake-eyes.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]

Snake-Eyes stopped talking altogether and took off from G.I. Joe. He found himself an isolated cabin, where he stayed to brood with his pet wolf [[Timber]], until [[General Flagg]] came to find him. {{storylink|I Saw Three Ships}} The upper echelons of G.I. Joe had decided to use Snake-Eyes as a double agent, a deep cover agent embedded deep within the Cobra organization designed to undermine them from within. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}} As a result, when Snake-Eyes returned to active duty, it was seemingly on the side of Cobra: when when several Cybertronians, Starscream among them, came to Earth to demand the humans' unconditional surrender, Snake-Eyes flewe in on a glider and fired on Duke, wounding his arm—{{storylink|I Saw Three Ships}} in reality, however, it had been ''Storm Shadow'' who'd shot him, and Snake-Eyes was really trying to throw off the aim of his fellow ninja. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}} During the scuffle, Snake-Eyes swooped down and blew off a portion of Starscream's face, taking revenge for his own disfigurement. Snake-Eyes then flew away, avoiding both the [[Coltonbolt]] shot down from orbit to destroy [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], and the Cobra ship that flew in to pick up [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. {{storylink|I Saw Three Ships}}

After Duke infiltrated Cobra, he saw Snake-Eyes standing side-by-side with [[Destro]], and grew enraged over what he saw as confirmation that Snake-Eyes had turned traitor. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}} Duke soon discarded his disguise and confronted Snake-Eyes about his betrayal. Snake-Eyes remained ever silent, even as his fight with Duke sent both men tumbling through a nearby [[M.A.S.S. Device|M.A.S.S. transfer device gate]], and into the void between dimensions. There, they encountered the long-lost leader of the Autobots, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]! {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:ExpelledFromTheGarden-SnakeEyes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Snake-Eyes and Duke put aside their differences to concentrate on escaping from the snare of the [[Quintesson]]s, who had taken an interest in both of them and Optimus. After breaking free from the extra-dimensional beings' mind-probes, the trio made their way to normal space. Snake-Eyes and Duke appeared on Cybertron just in time to help Scarlett fend off a horde of Cobra Troopers. In the calm after the battle, Scarlett turned to Snake-Eyes for an embrace... But Snake-Eyes instead took off, fading into the night. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} He made his way to [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's Lubricarium]] and instigated a bar fight among its sozzled patrons. During the brawl, Snake-Eyes skewered one of the 'bots with his multiple swords. Blinded and helpless, his victim offered whatever the ninja wanted, be it information, fuel, or guns. But Snake-Eyes showed no sign that he wanted to do anything more than inflict pain. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

Snake-Eyes crossed paths with [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]], son of Cobra Commander, atop of the city-bot [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. The boy challenged Snake-Eyes to a duel, which ended with Snake-Eyes victorious and Billy short an arm and leg. {{storylink|FCBD Funnies}} Billy later returned, this time augmented by a cybernetic arm and leg, and managed to bloody up Snake-Eyes some before bringing him before Cobra Commander (who was not as dead as the Joes had previously thought). When Cobra Commander attempted to peel off Snake-Eyes's mask, the ninja sprung back to his feet, ready to fight. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}}

When Cybertron seemingly destroyed the planet Earth, Snake-Eyes was one of the few survivors lucky enough to make it offworld in time, along with [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] and [[Storm Shadow|Stormshadow]], clambering up along one of the metal planet’s horned protrusions at the moment it collided with Earth. Pursued by the Cobra god, Snake-Eyes did battle with his old rival for a time, before Stormshadow revealed that he’d come to rescue Billy from Koh-Buruh-Lah. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} Snake-Eyes quickly took to life on the metal world, and used some of his [[Arashikage]] mind-control techniques to domesticate [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and use him as an impromptu steed. When Ravage received a psychic transmission from his deceased master [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], Ravage detoured to [[Kalis (polity)|Kalis]], and the intrigued Snake-Eyes came with him. After fighting their way through a horde of [[zombie]]s, Snake Eyes found that Soundwave had been resurrected as an emotionless shell of his former self. Despite putting up a fight, Soundwave knocked Snake Eyes away, seized Ravage, and returned him to his chest. {{storylink|Black Cybertron}}

[[File:TheWarNeverEnds-SnakeEyes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

At some point after this, Snake-Eyes came into possession of the [[Master Sword]], now imbued with the power of the three masters who'd once trained him, and used it to take command of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. In this way did he reunite with [[Scarlett]], who was now piloting [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], and the two lovers reconciled atop their respective Cybertronians. The two helped rouse [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] into action, and together the three giant Autobots joined the march to meet the Decepticons in final battle. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

During the final battle, a fatally wounded Hawk confessed to Duke the truth behind Snake-Eye’s traitorous behavior, shortly before dying. Meanwhile, Snake-Eyes himself had returned to Cobra Commander’s side, in time to provide him with his original helmet after the animals of [[U.S. 7]] snatched his cowl. As Cobra Commander battled his son Billy, Snake-Eyes dueled with, and defeated, his old rival Storm Shadow. At that moment, Snake-Eyes revealed his deception by remotely triggering the anti-tamper mechanism built into the helmet and killing Cobra Commander. At the conclusion of the battle, Snake-Eyes asked the recently revived Optimus if he could heal his damaged face. Optimus agreed, and Scarlett and Snake-Eyes happily reunited as lovers once more.

In the years that followed, Francis Witwicky hung up his swords and took up residence with Scarlett in a log cabin atop Scorponok’s tail. It would be Billy who inherited the title of both Snake Eyes and Cobra Commander; under his leadership, he reformed the once-nefarious organization into a benevolent force aimed at fostering interplanetary goodwill. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{mainIDW|Snake Eyes}}

[[File:TheIronKlaw-DeepCoverSnakeEyes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Snake Eyes was a mysterious individual with ties to the [[Arashikage]] ninja clan, who'd originally trained him in the ways of the ninja. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} He first came to the attention of G.I. Joe when Scarlett and Duke rescued him from an explosion at a plastic surgery clinic in [[Los Angeles]], which left his face, hands, and voice badly damaged. After his rescue, Snake Eyes became a valued member of G.I. Joe, despite a troubling tendency to ignore orders and go rogue. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 3|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook #3}} He managed to get an action figure, with one being owned by [[Jimmy (G1)|Jimmy]]. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

Over the next several years, Snake Eyes took part in a secret war against the forces of [[Cobra]]. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}} On one notable occasion, he fought against the forces of the [[Elder God]]s when they broke loose from their extradimensional prison. {{storylink|Infestation 2 issue 1|Infestation 2 #1}} Ultimately, however, the conflict went public when Cobra invaded, and subsequently destroyed, the nation of [[Nanzhao]], and the fallout from the conflict turned public opinion against G.I. Joe. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}} Eventually, Cobra outwardly reformed itself as a public peacekeeping organization; while G.I. Joe was now stuck having to justify its existence to the United States government, Snake Eyes faked his death and later resurfaced later as a Cobra operative—unbeknownst to anyone, including his own teammates, his seemingly traitorous actions were part of a deep cover assignment with the aim of bringing Cobra down from within. Duke, [[Big Ben]], and [[Isaac Craft]] successfully dealt Cobra a fatal blow, although Snake Eyes was forced to kill Craft to maintain his own cover. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} By this point, however, the United States government had already decided to shut down G.I. Joe, and Snake Eyes vanished once more. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}}

Years later, the government reinstated G.I. Joe to take over from the decommissioned [[Earth Defense Command]]. Soon, the organization found itself embroiled in a dire crisis—not only had Earth's supplies of [[Ore-13]] were beginning to explosively destabilize, potentially endangering the entire planet, but the Joes had also learned that aliens had also infiltrated their chain of command, and drawn the attention of the [[Space Knight]] [[Rom]]. To help take down the aliens, Scarlett contacted Snake Eyes and asked him to infiltrate [[Metrotitan (G1)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|O Ship of State}}

[[File:TheNewColossus-thisendsnow.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Snake Eyes easily slipped past the Autobots until he came face to face with Metrotitan's [[space bridge]] and the starship ''[[Heliopolis]]'', which had just emerged from [[Microspace]]. Snake Eyes engaged the tiny vessel, but the scuffle attracted the attention of [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]—although Snake Eyes successfully outmaneuvered the larger Cybertronian and took out one of her optics before the diminutive [[Acroyear (Micronaut)|Acroyear]] caught Snake Eyes off-guard and stabbed him in the arm. When [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] and Rom arrived, Snake-Eyes activated his distress beacon,allowing [[Miles Mayhem]] and the forces of [[M.A.S.K.]] to locate his position, and played dead until the aliens made it clear they knew he was faking it. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] asked him for aid in repelling the [[Dire Wraith]]s, who'd helped kickstart the entire crisis. Snake Eyes agreed, and offered his communicator as a sign of assent. However, Miles Mayhem had secretly been working with the Dire Wraiths the whole time; when the combined M.A.S.K.-Wraith invasion force arrived on their doorstep, Snake Eyes—now armed with a new Cybertronian alloy sword—joined the other heroes as they fought off the villainous aliens. When [[Baron Karza]] arrived, the evil alien used his enerchange ability to merge with the Wraiths and become a towering colossus of power. {{storylink|The New Colossus}}

In the heat of battle, Snake Eyes fired on Rom as the Space Knight attempted to shoot down [[Matt Trakker]]'s [[Thunderhawk]], before Optimus scooped up all three of them into his alternate mode cab, where he reminded them that they shared a common enemy in both Karza and the Dire Wraiths. As G.I. Joe reinforcements arrived, Snake Eyes and the other heroes evacuated to Autobot City as the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] took to the air. Working together, the impromptu alliance successfully defeated Baron Karza. {{storylink|Valley Forge}}

[[File:TheIronKlaw-SnakeEyes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Following the Ore-13 crisis, Snake Eyes returned to active duty as a member of the newly international G.I. Joe, based inside the crashed ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''—now the ''Lemuria''—and working alongside the Decepticon [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]]. On one early mission, the team fought the [[Red Shadows]] in [[Tokyo]] alongside [[Agent Helix]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 1|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #1}} The Joes became aware that the defeated remnants of Cobra, backed by the Dire Wraiths, were reorganizing into an underground "Cobranarchist" movement; during a mission to infiltrate one such cell, Snake Eyes and Helix were dispatched to [[Greece]] to rescue [[Lady Jaye]] and [[Gung-Ho]] when their mission ran into difficulty. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 4|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #4}} Snake Eyes, [[Rock 'n Roll]], Scarlett, and Skywarp were hunting down another group of Dire Wraiths in [[Scotland]] when a Microspace warship appeared and incapacitated Skywarp. {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 1|Wrath of Karza #1}}

Some time later, Snake Eyes joined [[Ayana Jones|Mayday]], [[Action Man]], [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]], and [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]] on a mission to infiltrate [[Iron Klaw|Count van Rani]]'s fortress in [[Kalistan]]. Snake Eyes infiltrated the castle by posing as [[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax Paoli]], with Kup providing a synthesized voice to complete the illusion, and pretended that he had taken Blackrock prisoner. As the other members of the [[Iron Ring]] experimented on the helpless Cybertronian with a replica [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], the heroes used a robotic copy of Snake Eyes to distract von Rani's [[Iron Grenadier]]s long enough for "Tomax" to shed his disguise and attack the villains. Amidst the chaos, Snake Eyes smashed the control panel and, without knowing, saved his allies from a rampaging [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] elsewhere on the grounds by forcing the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s to de-combine. The job done, Snake Eyes used van Rami's [[M.A.S.S. Device]] to escape. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}}

[[File:Unicron5-MaximalAttack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

A spate of [[Fatal Fluffy|subterranean monsters]] sent Snake Eyes and Helix on an unauthorized mission to [[Ecuador]] in the hopes that Helix could figure out a way of predicting when the creatures would attack, deliberately defying Scarlett's orders by hijacking a [[S.H.A.R.C.]] {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 5|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #5}} During their absence, Cobranarchist riots began breaking out across the world, necessitating the deployment of a team to carry out a mission Snake Eyes could've handled alone. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 6|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #6}} After killing one of the monsters in [[Africa]], the duo returned to base, where Scarlett reprimanded them for disobeying orders. Snake Eyes turned to leave, but [[Quick Kick]] moved to stop him. Helix scoffed at the notion that Quick Kick could pose a threat, but Kick challenged Snake Eyes to a martial arts match without guns. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 7|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #7}} The two sparred in Quick Kick's dojo; despite putting up a good fight, Snake Eyes was narrowly bested and conceded the title of G.I. Joe's one true martial arts expert to his opponent. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 8|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #8}}

Following this, Snake Eyes and Helix were imprisoned in the ship's brig, and were unavailable for several key missions. {{storylink|Scarlett's Strike Force issue 1|Scarlett's Strike Force #1}} The two were playing an impromptu game of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' when Skywarp tripped a blackout and allowed them to escape, so that he could meet Duke in [[Washington, D.C.]] {{storylink|Scarlett's Strike Force issue 3|Scarlett's Strike Force #3}}
During [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s attack on Earth, Snake Eyes, Skywarp, and Helix returned to the ''Lemuria'' just in time to rescue Scarlett and Roadblock from a swarm of Maximals attempting to breach the base. {{storylink|Last Stand (G.I. Joe)|Last Stand}} As Unicron closed in on Earth, Snake Eyes, Helix, [[Tempest (G.I. Joe)|Tempest]], and [[Stardrive]] led an advance team of Red Shadows into [[Toronto]], ground zero for the Maximal invasion. When the Maximals discovered the humans, Helix sniped [[Megatron (BW)|one]] through the throat, leaving Snake Eyes and his allies free to engage [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. {{storylink|Assembly}} After finally taking down Primal, Stardrive prepared to move to their next target, until Snake Eyes drew her attention to the sight of [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] dragging the captured [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] through the streets. Following Unicron's destruction, Snake Eyes joined the other heroes as they approached Prowl's starship, the ''[[Peaceful Revolution]]'', with news that they'd secured the city. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

{{--}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
[[File:AwYeahRevolution2-SnakeEyes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Snake Eyes was battling the forces of Cobra on Earth when the diminutive Baron Karza— who considered the ninja to be his favourite superhero—abducted him. Along with [[Rom]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Karza brought the trio to [[Microspace]], where he intended to use the [[Orbsah Gem]] to drain their powers. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}} When the heroic [[Micronaut]]s attacked, [[Microtron]] freed the captives from the energy bubble, but the introduction of such large beings to the sub-atomic realm threatened its overall stability. [[Acroyear (Micronaut)|Acroyear]] held the portal open long enough for the heroes to pursue Karza through the portal to Earth, where they encountered Storm Shadow meditating near a secret Cobra base. Snake Eyes fought his old rival with some help from Acroyear and Rom, until Storm Shadow revealed that Cobra had successfully captured Optimus and turned him into a Cobra weapon. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 2|Aw Yeah Revolution! #2}}

In the final battle, Snake Eyes duelled Storm Shadow until G.I. Joe and Autobot reinforcements arrived to help turn the tide. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 3|Aw Yeah Revolution! #3}}

===When Worlds Collide===
Snake-Eyes was one of the many heroes who joined Optimus Prime to recover the stolen [[Matrix of Leadership]] from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Cobra Commander]]. {{storylink|When Worlds Collide}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
'''[[Jetfire (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Jetfire]] [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]]'''
[[File:GiJoe Snake-Eyes EarthWars.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.50]]

Snake Eyes is the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] partner of Jetfire. {{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

*'''Class:''' Aerial
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Ability: Ninja Strike''' - Fire 4 powerful rockets at a target building dealing damage. You also fire 16 missiles dealing damage in an area. In flight mode, the Sky Striker is invisible to the enemies.
**'''Cost''': 5 ability points, +2 for reuses.
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{Note|This character has many other toys that are not connected to ''Transformers''. See the external link to yojoe.com for more information.}}
===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
[[File:SDCC2013 crossover Snake Eyes toy.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.8|Snake Eyes, you stay here and think of a better commando name.]]
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' (2013)
**''Accessories:'' Web gear, sword, machine gun, silencer, Autobot Blaster boombox with three mini-cassettes

:An [[exclusive]] release for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013, this version of Snake Eyes is a straight [[redeco]] of the first ''G.I. Joe: Retaliation'' Snake Eyes figure from 2012, with an Autobot insignia on his right shoulder. He comes with removable web gear, a sword, and a submachine gun with silencer. Also included is "[[Blaster (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Autobot Blaster]]", an in-scale boombox accessory that he can hold by the handle or plug into a hole on his back.

:Snake Eyes was only available in a box set along with a [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Sky Striker]] painted as [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Jetfire]], a [[VAMP]] redecoed into [[Hound (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Hound]], as well as a [[Baroness#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Baroness]] figure with [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Baroness|Ravage]] on a leash, a [[Bludgeon (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Bludgeon]] figure, and the aforementioned Blaster accessory with cassette pieces representing [[Steeljaw (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Ramhorn]], and [[Eject (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Eject]].

::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/snakeeyes66.shtml More information on Snake Eyes (v66) at YoJoe.com]''
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===First 4 Figures===
[[File:F4F Snake Eyes.jpg|thumb|You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains.]]
*'''Optimus Prime and Snake Eyes''' (<s>2006</s> unreleased)

:Initially announced at UK Toy Fair in 2006<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2006/01/25/first4figures-beast-wars-and-transformers-vs-g-i-joe-statuesbusts-4267 "First4Figures Beast Wars and Transformers VS. G.I. Joe Statues/Busts"] at TFW2005.com</ref> with a second showing at New York [[Toy Fair]] the following month,<ref>[https://tformers.com/transformers-/5568/news.html "Toy Fair 2006 - First4Figures TF & GI Joe Statues& Busts"] at tformers.com</ref> "Optimus Prime and Snake Eyes" was intended to be one of the first releases in [[First 4 Figures]]' ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' comic tie-in subline. This 8-inch tall bust depicted a one-armed [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#F4F1|Optimus Prime]] in the [[Cobra]] [[HISS tank]] body he used in that series holding a battle-ready Snake Eyes, directly recreating the cover to the [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|first issue]] of the comic (originally drawn by [[Mike S. Miller]]).

:Unfortunately, this statue was a casualty of F4F's discontinuation of ''Transformers'' product, the result of a challenging marketplace and lack of retailer interest.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

===Kidrobot===
[[File:Kidrobot GIJoe Enamel Pin Series.jpg|thumb]]
====Enamel Pin Series====
*'''Snake Eyes''' ([[November 3]], [[2017]])
:*''Rarity:'' 1 in 20
:Released by [[Kidrobot]] in their Enamel Pin Series, this is a flat, enamel pin badge of Snake Eyes inspired by the art of [[Tom Scioli]]'s ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'', albeit with [[Super deformed|cutesy proportions]]. The pin series was [[Blindpacking|blindboxed]], with some pins being rarer than others.
{{--}}

====Vinyl Mini Series====
[[File:Kidrobot GI Joe Snake Eyes mini.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Snake Eyes''' ([[November 14]], [[2017]])
:*''Rarity:'' 2 in 24
:*''Accessories'': Sword
:The same character design was reused for the Vinyl Mini Series, with Snake Eyes receiving a three-inch tall, blindboxed figurine retaining the vibrant colours and exaggerated proportions. Snake Eyes featured articulation in each shoulder, and included a katana accessory that he can hold in each hand.
{{--}}

====Vinyl Keychain Series====
[[File:Kidrobot GI Joe Snake Eyes keychain.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Snake Eyes''' ([[December 1]], [[2017]])
:*''Rarity:'' 3 in 24
:Snake Eyes was also released as part of the once again blindboxed Vinyl Keychain Series, now standing at about one to two inches. He included a keychain molded into his head and, due to his small scale, did not feature any articulation. No sword this time either.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Snake-Eyes was (and is) a ''hugely'' popular character in the ''G.I. Joe'' comics. By the time the ''Generation 2'' crossover took place, he'd usurped the cover box and the cover title read "G.I. Joe Featuring '''SNAKE-EYES'''".
*If Snake-Eyes' face hasn't already been disfigured before the start of a particular ''Transformers'' crossover, he's guaranteed to receive a facial injury at some point. He actually did get reconstructive surgery in the Marvel series between the two crossovers, only to get hot coals thrown in his face by a Cobra interrogator soon afterward. Dude just can't catch a break. [[Mark Bright]] was the first artist to depict Snake-Eyes' scarred face in full.
*Snake-Eyes' head was featured, along with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s, in the cover box for the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' miniseries. The art for the head was modified from the cover for ''G.I. Joe'' [http://www.yojoe.com/comics/joe/joe53.shtml issue #53], which like the cover of [[Heavy Traffic!|issue #22]] of ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'', celebrated Marvel's 25th anniversary. Unlike [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], who made his comic debut in ''his'' issue, Snake-Eyes did ''not'' actually appear within the issue that featured his cover.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.yojoe.com/action/82/snakeeyes.shtml Snake Eyes at Yojoe.com]
*{{i|Snake Eyes}} at the IDW Hasbro Wiki

[[Category:Animated humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:G.I. Joe members]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) humans]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 humans]]
[[Category:Kre-O humans]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]

Thrust (Movie)

2024-02-25T10:07:32Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Thrust}}
:''Thrust is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[movie continuity family]].''

[[File:FURY-Studio-Series-Thrust.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|360px|''G1'' Thrust was primarily green and light grey, right?]]
Lieutenant '''Thrust''' is in charge of the lighter long-range Decepticons. Which works out great for him, because it means he can send ''them'' out on dangerous missions. This way he doesn't have to get up close and personal with the [[Autobot]]s himself.

Indeed, Thrust can be a colossal coward. He's as "brave" as they come when it comes to terrorizing unarmed [[human]]s, but once even a decently-armed human force comes into play, let alone fully-armed Autobots, Thrust is off like a shot. He has no intention of hanging around and getting killed.<ref>''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class Thrust packaging bio</ref>

==Fiction==
===IDW movie comics===
[[File:Thrustandpalsnefarious5.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.65|left]]
Thrust was among the Transformers captured by the [[Initiative]] and mind-controlled into being one of their soldiers. When the Autobots and [[NEST]] assaulted the Initiative's mobile headquarters, Thrust was released in the Initiative's final battle. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 5|Nefarious #5}}

Thrust battled [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]], [[Dune Runner (ROTF)|Dune Runner]], and [[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knock Out]] until he was eventually subdued by [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. {{storylink|Nefarious issue 6|Nefarious #6}}

===Titan movie comics===
Thrust was one of [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]]'s Decepticons and took part in an ambush on Autobot/[[NEST]] forces in [[Russia]] alongside [[Skywarp (Movie)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.20|Divided Loyalties}} After [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] took down Bludgeon, Thrust was either killed or captured by NEST. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.21|A Short, Sharp Lesson}}

====Letters page====
Thrust and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] were old colleagues in the [[Seeker (Movie)|Seekers]]. Starscream wanted to reunite with him someday. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|#9's Star Screams}}

===Toy bios===
[[File:Thrust rotf.jpg|thumb|150px]]
Knowing that an airborne attacker almost always had an advantage over ground targets, Thrust didn't hesitate to attack when he spotted [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] traveling on his own, as destroying one of the Autobots' most famous warriors would have made for a great victory. Unfortunately for him, Bumblebee had years of experience fighting fliers and knew exactly how to bring them down. {{storylink|#Transformers (2010)|Crash Landing Attack}}

===''Bumblebee'' film===
[[File:BB Thrust and Thundercracker.jpg|thumb|350px|left|He better not get himself stuck inside a seam.]]
Thrust was among the Seeker hordes under the command of [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. Rallying behind [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], Thrust participated in an attack on the Autobots' launch pad in an effort to prevent them from evacuating Cybertron. While they succeeded in this task, all the Autobots save [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] managed to escape before the launchpad tower fell. After Prime was attacked by [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]], Thrust and the other Decepticons closed in to attack the Autobot leader. Despite this, Prime managed to escape the planet. {{storylink|Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee}}
{{--}}

==Games==
====''Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game (PS2/Wii)====
{{charstubgame}}
As [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] jumped out of a large cargo plane over [[Shanghai]], Thrust (or another lieutenant like him) fought Optimus, only to be blown to pieces. More of them later assaulted [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] in the Decepticon base. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Wii/PS2)|Revenge of the Fallen: The Game (Wii/PS2)}}

==Toys==
===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
[[File:ROTF-toy Thrust.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I am adorable and I will kill you!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Thrust''' (Deluxe Class, [[2009]])}}</ul>

:Part of the seventh wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Deluxe Class toys, Thrust is a [[retool]] and [[redeco]] of ''Revenge'' [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] with a new head, transforming into an approximation of an {{w|F-35 Lightning II|F-35 Lightning II/Joint Strike Fighter}}. His right arm features a rotary cannon with a rotating barrel, activated by a gear-wheel embedded in his forearm. His [[Mech Alive]] gimmick is located in his upper arms; turning his forearms makes the machinery inside his biceps turn in time. Thrust does have a waist joint but turning it is impossible because the tail fin (attached to his waist) tabs into his back. Surprisingly, unlike most Deluxe Class jet figures, he actually has rolling landing gear.

:Thrust was initially released with the standard Decepticon symbol tampographed on his wings and fuselage. A running change was made, correcting these with the movie style Decepticon symbol.

:This mold was redecoed and further retooled into ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Air Raid (Movie)#Dark of the Moon|Air Raid]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/Thrust/thrust.htm More information on Thrust at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Transformers'' (2010)===
[[File:TargetCrashLandingAttackBumblebeeThrust.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I am adorable and I will probably be killed!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Crash Landing Attack''' (Multi-pack, [[2010]])}}</ul>

:This [[Target]]-exclusive ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' multi-pack contains a low-visibility camouflage [[redeco]] of Thrust and an electric blue/bright yellow redeco of "Movie Preview" ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#CrashLandingAttack|Bumblebee]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/TargetThrust/thrust.htm More information on Crash Landing Attack Thrust at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:SS76-Bumblebee-Thrust.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I am not adorable and it's unknown if I'll kill or be killed!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Thrust''' (Voyager Class, [[2021]])}}</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''''Bumblebee'''''
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''76'''
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-73'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[February 26]], [[2022]]
:*''Accessories'': Cannon, 2 Null-ray blasters, "Cybertron Falls" backdrop (1st version)
{{toydesigner|[[Sam Smith]] (Hasbro)}}<ref>Sam Smith's [https://www.instagram.com/p/CbvaPvqODDO/ Instagram post about ''Studio Series'' Thrust]</ref>

:''[[Studio Series]]'' Thrust is a retool of the third [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#SS72|Starscream]] from the same line, transforming from a robot accurate to his appearance in ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' into a green-and-grey Cybertronian tetrajet in 30 steps. He uses a slightly upscaled version of ''Studio Series'' [[Blitzwing (BB)#Studio Series|Blitzwing]]'s head and has a new chest piece with a conehead cowl surrounding his neck and head. This does heavily limit his head articulation, however.

:He comes with two Null-Ray blasters evocative of his Generation 1 [[Thrust (G1)|namesake]], a cannon, and a cardboard backdrop display depicting a war-torn Cybertron as it appears at the beginning of the film.

:His arms are shown to tab together in vehicle mode; however, the tabs they're using don't actually exist on the figure proper. Weird.

:Thrust was first found in early July 2021 at [[Toys"R"Us]] in the [[Philippines]]<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/07/01/transformers-studio-series-ss-76-thrust-bumblebee-movie-found-in-phillipines-436569 ''Studio Series'' Thrust found in Philippines Toys"R"Us.]</ref> before the official reveal later in the month.

:Thrust's instructions depict his wingtips pointing up in robot mode, whereas his packaging art, renders, and stock photos have them rotated to point down.

:This toy can be repurposed as any of the generic green-and-grey conehead Seekers featured in ''Bumblebee''.

:The ''Bumblebee'' Starscream mold was also used to make [[Thundercracker (Movie)#SS89|Thundercracker]], utilizing Thrust's head mold.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Thrust was developed independently of the on-screen character, yet shares the same article for simplicity and because both of them are portrayed as Decepticon jets with [[conehead]]-like aesthetics, much like [[Thrust (G1)|Generation 1 Thrust]].
*During the opening Cybertron scenes of ''Bumblebee'', Thrust's onscreen design is used for numerous [[generic]] [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]]s, with one being blasted from afar by Optimus Prime and another being bowled over by Bumblebee/B-127. Trying to distinguish which Seekers appeared in ''Bumblebee'' only continues to get harder with each watch. His ''Studio Series'' toy bio specifically states that the ''real'' Thrust is the green-and-grey coneheaded Seeker who joins Starscream in "blast[ing] the Autobot[s'] launchpad with missile fire to stop their escape from Cybertron".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Thrust''' (スラスト ''Surasuto'')

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Bumblebee Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie Seekers]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Studio Series Decepticons]]

Arcee (disambiguation)

2024-02-25T10:06:20Z

VoxelTheMaster:

[[Transformer]] gender is complex and fraught with inconsistencies across the [[multiverse]], but in universes where [[Female Transformer|female Cybertronians]] exist, you're sure to find '''Arcee''' among the [[Autobot]]s.

{{TOCclear}}

==Major Arcees==
<center><gallery widths="150px" heights="200px">
File:ArceeG1-2010storypage.jpg|[[Arcee (G1)|"Generation 1" Arcee]] <hr>''[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cartoon]]'' • ''[[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|IDW (2005)]] • [[Arcee (G1)/toys|Toys]]''
File:ArceeEn-jcard.jpg|[[Arcee (Energon)|''Energon'' Arcee]]
File:ROTFArceeArt.jpg|[[Arcee (Movie)|"Movie series" Arcee]]
File:Animatedarcee.jpg|[[Arcee (Animated)|''Animated'' Arcee]]
File:Arcee Prime stockimage.jpg|[[Arcee (WFC)|"Aligned" Arcee]]
File:CyberverseArcee.jpg|[[Arcee (Cyberverse)|''Cyberverse'' Arcee]]
File:Arcee es.JPG|[[Arcee (ES)|''EarthSpark'' Arcee]]
</gallery></center>

==Full list of Arcees==
{{disamb|y=[[1986]]|[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], the [[Female Transformer|female]] [[Autobot]] from the [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]].
** For this character in the [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], see [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
** For this character in the [[2005 IDW continuity]], see [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity]]
** For toys of this character, see [[Arcee (G1)/toys]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2002]]|Arcee, the Japanese name for [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]], the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team]] motor scooter from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2003]]/[[2015]]|[[Arcee (Armada)|Arcee]], the [[Urban Protection Team]] motor scooter from ''Armada''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2004]]|[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]], the female Autobot [[Omnicon]] motorcycle from ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'', sometimes known as the [[synthoid]] Elita Seven.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2006]]|[[Arcee Arthur]], the [[human]] [[T-SPAN]] newscaster from the 2005 IDW continuity.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2007]]|[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], the female Autobot motorcycle(s) from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2008]]|[[Arcee (SG)|Arcee]], the evil female Autobot from ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]], the female Autobot from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2010]]|[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]], the female Autobot from the [[Aligned continuity family]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2012]]|[[Arcee Blade]], the Autobot [[Arms Micron]] from ''Prime''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2013]]|[[Arcee (Kre-O)|Arcee]], the name of multiple ''[[Kre-O]]'' characters.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2014]]|[[Stella (AB)|Arcee Bird]], the Angry Bird transformed into a facsimile of Arcee in ''[[Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2014|[[Arcee (KOU)|Arcee]], the female Autobot and destroyer of bands from ''[[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2016]]|[[Arcee (SG Animated)|Arcee]], the evil female Autobot from ''Shattered Glass Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2018]]|[[Arcee (Cyberverse)|Arcee]], the female Autobot from ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Cyberverse]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2022]]|[[Arcee (ES)|Arcee]], the female Autobot from ''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]]''.}}

==Media with "Arcee" in the title==
{{disamb|y=2008|''[[Spotlight: Arcee]]'', the comic issue from [[IDW Publishing]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2019]]|"[[An Arcee Sort of Day]]", the three page comic story from IDW Publishing that first appeared in ''[[Synergy: A Hasbro Creators Showcase|Synergy]].''}}
{{disamb|y=[[2020]]|"[[Arcee/Greenlight: Run]]", the ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' issue.}}
{{disamb|y=2022|''[[Transformers: Best of Arcee]]'', the comic reprint one-shot released by IDW Publishing.}}

==Not to be confused with...==
* [[Autobot nurse]]s, the generic robots whose models share body parts with ''Energon'' Arcee.
* [[Cheesecake robot]]
* [[Elita One (disambiguation)|Elita One]]
* [[Lifeline (G1)|Lifeline]]
* [[Cee|Madame Cee]], the human from the Generation 1 storybook "[[Deadly Paradise]]".
* [[Paradron Medic]]s, the Arcee look-alikes from [[Paradron]] from Generation 1.
* The [[Motorcycle drone]]s from ''[[Transformers: Human Alliance|Human Alliance]].

{{disambig}}

Kick-Off (G1)

2024-02-25T10:06:00Z

VoxelTheMaster: Are you watching, Chang'e...?

{{featured}}
{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Kick-Off}}
:''Kick-Off is an [[Autobot]] [[Action Master]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:AmKick-Off.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|He turned into a white car in front and a black car in back.]]
'''Kick-Off''' (aka '''Kick-Over''') spent nearly a full [[Units of time|vorn]] inside a [[Decepticon]] prison in [[Polyhex]], where he was forced by his captors to fight his own teammates in brutal [[gladiatorial combat]]. Kick-Off did everything he could to survive... and everything he could to learn the inner workings of the [[Decepticon]]s' security measures. After his rescue from the [[grease pits]], he put this knowledge to good use as a member of the [[Autobot]]s.

However, having been forced to injure his teammates has left Kick-Off a very bitter robot, who prefers to work alone. He also tends to get too worked up when it comes to enacting revenge on his former captors for his own good. Still, his skills are unquestionable, both in planning raids against Decepticon strongholds and on the battlefield, where he can kick skidplate with ranged weapons or his own fists and feet.

{{quote|[[Alternate mode|Alt-mode]]s are for '''wimps!'''|Kick-Off|[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #1]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Battle of the Star Gate''===
[[File:StargateBattles-KickOff.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|Actually using his primary accessory!]]
Kick-Off was one of dozens of Autobots sent into high orbit to stop the Decepticons from taking over the ''[[Trigger]]'' space station. Things didn't go so well for him (or anyone else, really) after [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and his own time-displaced ghost from the future fused with the ''Trigger'' to form a colossal robot ''thing''. When the Starscreams' giant body exploded thanks to the combined power of Megatron and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (further augmented by the [[Matrix of Leadership]]), Kick-Off was sent hurtling to Earth along with virtually all of the other Cybertronians involved in the massive battle. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Stormbringer issue 1|''Stormbringer'' #1]]}}
[[File:SpotlightArcee Kick-Off.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|We're being attacked by Michael Bay's camera work!]]
Kick-Off was stationed on board the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]]. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} He was also present on the Hub when [[Ku'arn]] returned [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] to the Autobots. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Very soon thereafter, Kick-Off picked up a new duty assignment under the command of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] at the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary, overseeing security matters. As a guard, he was one of the few who treated the prisoners with respect. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} During the sudden attack by [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]]'s Decepticon Secret Services, Kick-Off was ordered by Maximus to activate the [[autogun]]s and mobilize their security teams. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

When every [[Autobot]] outpost's security codes fell into the hands of the Decepticons, initiating a galaxy-wide massacre, Kick-Off suspected an inside job. But his boss, Fortress Maximus, was the only keeper of Garrus-9's security codes, so they were confident that they could keep out [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]]'s Decepticons. And they did, until [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] killed Skyquake and took command of the assault on Garrus-9. Instead of turning over the facilities to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], Overlord decided to make the world his.

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-BoreholeKickoff.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|Hey, someone read his [[Tech Spec]] bio!]]
Three years later, Overlord was still running Garrus-9 as he saw fit. He especially enjoyed setting loose Autobots so his Decepticons could hunt them down, or pitting Autobots against others in gladiator-like fights for his own entertainment. Kick-Off was one of these fighters, and he proved himself one of the more proficient among them, racking up eleven kills. By the time of his twelfth bout, with the Decepticon [[Borehole]], he had become violent and savage, and brutally murdered his opponent by ripping off his head. In accordance with Overlord's rules, Kick-Off was taken to the Decepticon's quarters and offered a reward in exchange for twelve successful kills. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}}

Little did Kick-Off suspect that this "reward" was actually a choice: to commit suicide, or to battle Overlord himself. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} Kick-Off chose the latter and his dead body was later was found by the [[Wreckers]] during their invasion of Garrus 9. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

Years after his death, footage of Kick-Off saying "terrified that you'd" was used by [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] in his final, spliced-together message to [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]]. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}
{{--}}

===''Classics''===
[[File:Invasion-KickOff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Turbo-Pack not included.]]
Long ago, Kick-Off was forced to fight his fellow Autobots in the gladiatorial pits of [[Polyhex]]. When [[Overlord (G1)|Gigatron]] left Polyhex in boredom, leaving a void which created a power struggle to fill his place, Kick-Off used the distraction to mount a revolt. Since then, Kick-Off has never trusted anyone with a Decepticon badge, regardless of their individual intentions or, perhaps, their universe of origin. {{storylink|#Timelines|BotCon 2012 Kick-Over profile card}}

Eventually, Kick-Off would settle into the Autobot base on [[Earth]] in [[Oregon]], [[Ironworks (facility)|Ironworks]] and become a lieutenant. Following a foiled attack by Gigatron and his Decepticon cronies, Kick-Off oversaw the reconstruction of their damaged headquarters. However, repairs were cut short when a strange portal opened up in the sky above them. As Kick-Off called for back-up, snake-like creatures burst through the portal, attached themselves to several of his comrades, and converted them into [[Junkion (species)#Shattered Glass|strangely-colored Junkions]]. [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] and Kick-Off were forced to flee, and Rad sacrificed himself to keep Kick-Off safe inside Ironworks... for a moment.

After more Autobots fell following the arrival of an [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|evil Ultra Magnus]] and the rest of his army, Kick-Off and the other survivors were introduced to heroic Decepticons from another universe. Kick-Off admitted that despite their badges, he'd rather join them in battle than the Autobot jerks who killed his friends. Ultra Magnus's plan was thwarted... sort of. Though the heroic Decepticons were able to save Earth from being destroyed, they were not able to save the rest of Kick-Off's [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|universe]], leaving the heroic Autobots and their Earth stranded in [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|a new universe]] near the heroic Decepticons' [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

This was distressing news, to say the least. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

On negative Cybertron, Kick-Off reluctantly integrated with his new heroic Decepticon comrades. {{storylink|Solar Requiem}}

===''Regeneration One''===
[[File:Kick-off natural selection.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|Later, Kick-Off developed a ''Flappy Bird'' addiction.]]
In [[2012]], more than twenty years after the supposed end of hostilities between the Autobots and Decepticons, Kick-Off was stationed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. He was not one of the Autobots who accompanied Prime on his mission to end [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron's]] reign of terror on Earth, working instead as a guard at the [[Bastion-five lock-up]] and when [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] returned from his sojourn to [[Nebulos]], Kick-Off was tasked with guarding the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander there. He didn't do a very good job, allowing Grimlock to get the drop on [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], who subsequently infected Kick-Off with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s [[Gene Key]]. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}} Fortunately, Perceptor's infection was actually a ruse, allowing him to undermine Scorponok's plan from within. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

Having recovered from the Gene Key's effects after Grimlock and Perceptor thwarted Scorponok's plans (although apparently hanging out with [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] and [[Axer (G1)|Axer]]), Kick-Off was on Cybertron shortly before the rise of the [[Dark Matrix|Anti-Matrix]]'s [[shadow-leech]]es. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy KickOff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|If I hear one more "overcompensating" joke, I'm cracking skulls.]]
*'''Kick-Off with Turbo-Pack''' ([[Action Master]], [[1990]])
**''Accessories:'' Turbo-Pack, [[sonic blaster]]
:As an Action Master, Kick-Off is a non-transforming action figure, though his design shows evidence of a vehicle mode, possibly an off-road vehicle. He came with the [[Turbo-Pack]] accessory, which attaches to his back and features a spring-loaded, over-shoulder (non-firing) cannon. His sonic blaster can be held by any Action Master, or attached to any Action Master partner/accessory.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1990/Autobot/Kick-Off/kick-off.htm More information on Kick-Off at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:TL-toy KickOver.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|You really have to see this thing in person.]]
*'''Kick-Over/Optimus Prime''' ([[BotCon 2012]] souvenir)
**''Accessories:'' sonic blaster, left & right amplifiers
:A [[retool]] of ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#Hasbro Reveal the Shield subline|Reveal the Shield]]'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Jazz]], '''Kick-Over''' (thanks, [[trademark]]) transforms from robot into a black sports car. Kick-Over sports a new head and has deployable speakers in both robot and vehicle mode, plus a rifle that collapses for vehicle-mode storage. The speakers can also combine with his rifle via [[c joint]]s to form a super rifle, or they can be used on any other c joint-compatible ''Transformers'' toy. Kick-Over was released in a bagged souvenir set with ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Optimus Prime (SG)#BotCon2012|Optimus Prime]]. Since the fluorescent orange stripe running down the middle of his alt-mode is ''actually'' fluorescent, in, like, a [[neon|non-pejorative]] sense, it doesn't really photograph accurately.

:The original version of this mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' [[Ricochet (Headmasters)#United 2|Stepper]] and ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Longarm (SG)|Longarm]] and [[Stepper (SG)|Stepper]], and the mold's alternate head was used to make [[Treadshot (SG)|Treadshot]]. It was also retooled to make ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Wheelie (G1)#Generations|Wheelie]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BCKick-Over/kick-over.htm More information on Kick-Over at TFU.info]''
{{2010JazzMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
{{twoimages|File:ActionMasterMuralSkyfallKickOff.jpg|File:EarlyKick-Off.jpg|thumb|w1=280|w2=125|caption=}}
*Kick-Off is the only new-character carded Action Master Autobot to come with an accessory rather than an "animal/robot" partner. Whether or not he was originally intended to have his wave-mate [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s partner, [[Tyrannitron]], is unknown.
*Kick-Off's colors went through several alterations before production.
**The 1990 boxback mural<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=2&image=41 Back of the Box Art: 1990 - botchthecrab.com]</ref> and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime's]] [[Armored Convoy]] package art feature Kick-Off in a yellow and brown color scheme (with [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] also in entirely different colors in those artworks).
**Meanwhile, Kick-Off's catalog photography and [[Power Plans]] show him with far more red and white, along with dark blue thighs.
*[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye| More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile for Kick-Off replaced his sonic blaster with a [[heat beam rifle]], presumably because the ''More than Meets the Eye'' writers did not have access to his [[instructions]] as part of their reference materials and instead extrapolated upon the detail in his [[packaging]] [[bio]] that described the Turbo-Pack's [[flamethrower]] as having a heat beam attachment.
*In addition to being called "Kick-Over" on his file card, [[BotCon 2012]] Kick-Off was also called "Kick-Out" on convention signage. Finding a viable [[trademark]] can be a drag sometimes.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Kick-Off''' (キックオフ ''Kikku Ofu'')
*''French:'' '''Démarreur''' (Canada, "Starter")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kāi Chǎng Shào''' (China, 开场哨, "Opening Whistle")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]

B.O.T. (episode)

2024-02-25T10:04:48Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{featured}}
{| style="margin:0 1em 0 2em; padding:.5em; background:#f7f8ff; border:thin solid #aaa;display:block;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"
|-
|''This article is about the worst episode of Transformers ever. For a list of other meanings, see [[B.O.T. (disambiguation)]].''
|}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=65
|next=The Transformers: The Movie
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=59
|prev2=Neverending Struggle
|next2=War Dawn (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=44
|prev3=The Ultimate Doom, Part 3
|next3=Aerial Assault
|image=B.O.T.jpg
|caption=Smarter than a race of multimillion-year-old robots. ''Using Brawl's brain.''
|title="B.O.T."
|season=2
|season ep=49
|production code=#700-64
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|airdate=[[January 9]], 1986
|written by=[[Earl Kress]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh3qgj4awtU
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''After Swindle sells the components of his fellow Combaticons, three kids get their hands on Brawl's brain, using it to make a robot.'''

Or...

'''Worst. Episode. Ever.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:BOT-Road.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Here we come...drivin' down the street...]]
The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] enter an unidentified city for no discernible reason, then all transform to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] for no discernible reason. While transforming, [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] knocks over [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] for no discernible reason. Brawl expresses his displeasure for an obvious reason. They then drive (yes, even [[Vortex (G1)|the]] [[Blast Off (G1)|flyers]] ''drive'') about ten feet down the street and form [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] for no discernible reason. He is immediately destroyed with a single shot by [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (who's there for no discernible reason). Defensor just leaves the pile of parts alone and unsupervised, apparently not bothering to alert the other [[Autobot]]s or anything. This enables Swindle—who has somehow survived ''without a scratch'' the explosion that reduced all the other Combaticons to a pile of parts — to gather up the bits. No human authorities are involved either.

Swindle then visits the generically evil foreign guy "[[El Presidente]]" on his ship filled with weapons in order to buy parts to repair the Combaticons.

Meanwhile, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is running a simulation of his new [[orbit disruptor cannon]]. After [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] whines, Megatron explains that once the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]] is knocked from orbit, they will use [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]'s new device to control the tides. They will then use this colossal power to flood a single canyon, creating "a limitless source of power". What?

At the [[Combaticons' headquarters]], El Presidente's men load up the weapons and more advanced computer systems from the wrecked robots, as apparently Swindle forgot about that whole "repair" thing. Swindle then leaves to take the remaining parts to a dump. Shortly after they all leave, [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] arrives, noting no one seems to be home. He discovers a piece of one of the Combaticons, then notices there's a trail of them. Confused, he asks Megatron what to do. Megatron calmly replies that he should perchance follow the trail of wreckage in order to discover where it may lead.

[[File:BOT-Luigi.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Giant turtles out to get him, creepy crabs are right behind.]]
Swindle arrives in a junkyard, where he threatens a junkyard worker before he starts to dump the leftovers. Starscream and Skywarp discover him in the act and capture him as he tries to escape. Back at the [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon base]], Soundwave installs a bomb in Swindle's head; he has 15 hours to reassemble the Combaticons before it goes off. Swindle takes the parts back from various mid-'80s evil foreign stereotypes and reassembles the team. However, they are unable to combine into Bruticus because Brawl's [[personality component]] is missing. Swindle is charged with getting the component back or the bomb will still go off.

Meanwhile, at [[Benjamin Franklin Pierce High School]], [[Robbins|Mr. Robbins]]'s demonstration of a laser is sabotaged by two sociopathic students, [[Martin and Roland]], who boost the laser's power output so high it instantly burns a hole through steel. Rather than involve the authorities, Mr. Robbins threatens them with an "F" in his class if they don't win a blue ribbon at the science fair, and assigns [[Elise Presser]] to assist them for no discernible reason.

Outside, the two assholes meet the meek and spineless Elise. They realize a high-rise is on fire across the street, and witness the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] coming to the rescue (well, four of them; [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] blows two window-washers off their dangling rig with his downdraft—the bastard). This inspires them to build a robot for their project. The three rummage for parts in the same junkyard where Swindle dumped the Combaticons' leftover remains, and Elise discovers a random piece of machinery. They spend the night in the school's lab assembling their machine, and Martin dubs it "[[B.O.T. (G1)|B.O.T.]]". After several failures, Elise installs the random piece of machinery, which turns out to be Brawl's personality component. Naturally, Brawl-B.O.T. goes postal and starts trashing the place.

[[File:BOT-CompRoom.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Unbeknownst to all, the school was secretly funded by a hideously gargantuan Richie Rich.]]

Martin grabs the laser and fires, and B.O.T. runs off. The kids run to the school's preposterously-advanced computer lab, and use it to call the Protectobots. [[Teletraan I]] gets the SOS, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] sends [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] to investigate.

Swindle re-threatens the junkyard worker, who says that maybe some kids took the part Swindle is after. Swindle mutters "you better hope so"... then proceeds to rummage through the trash, seemingly instantly forgetting that whole "kids" angle.

The [[Autobot]]s arrive at the school. The kids seem disappointed that they didn't get the Protectobots, but quickly lead them to their runaway creation in the school's cafeteria. Brawl-B.O.T. knocks all three Autobots over with a single serving pan of corn on the cob (That high-school food, I tell ya, huh? Huh?), then deflects Gears's blaster-fire with a pot lid. Ironhide shoots molten lead at Brawl-B.O.T., but he leaps to grab a light fixture, avoiding the attack, and the now-weakened floor collapses under Ironhide. Brawl-B.O.T. runs for it, barricading the door out with remarkable speed, and heads for a seemingly abandoned building... as Swindle watches.

The Autobots follow, telling the kids to stay put. They enter the building, and find that Brawl-B.O.T. has taken an elevator thirty floors up. Ironhide wedges a stick into the doors, and the trio run up the stairs. Outside, the future serial killers grow instantly impatient, and drag Elise inside the building. They remove the stick, enter the elevator and head up.

A blast erupts ''behind'' the Autobots, and Ironhide orders them to shoot up. They shoot at absolutely ''nothing'', Ironhide declares they hit whatever it was, and they run right into Swindle. Meanwhile, the elevator has stopped. Roland is lifted up so he can open the emergency hatch, and discovers B.O.T. is trying to break the elevator cables.

[[File:BOT Defensor forcefield.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|My force field's only good for 10 seconds — you've got a plan for after that, right Prime? ...Prime?]]

Sadly, B.O.T. is prevented from snapping the cables by an energy blast to the back. The Autobots pick themselves up, seemingly having been soundly thrashed by Swindle all by himself. They all run outside to witness Swindle driving away. Back at Decepticon headquarters, Brawl is restored and the bomb removed, and Bruticus is formed again.

At the school, Elise inspects the remnants of B.O.T. to find that the "funny component" is gone. Martin decides to hunt it down by reworking the machine that read B.O.T.'s "brain response" so it can track the signal. The three drive to the ocean, and Elise rewires B.O.T.'s speech synthesizer so it receives and decodes signals rather than creating them, letting them hear what Brawl hears. Megatron insists on a test-run of the cannon, and picks Autobot headquarters as the target. (Because it's in orbit, you see. Wait, no, it isn't.) The kids rush off to warn the Autobots, who send a signal to the [[Protectobots' headquarters]].

Having been properly forewarned, the Autobots apparently just sit around and wait for Megatron to set up his giant cannon, get his troops into position just outside their base, and for the Combaticons to assemble Bruticus before starting to defend themselves. Bruticus basically stumbles around until he falls apart. The Protectobots arrive and random fighting ensues.

[[File:Elisetape.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|This is the light-hearted, end-of-episode comedy beat. No, seriously.]]

Inside the base, the kids think they need to help, and Elise has a rare moment of spine. Using Teletraan I, she sends B.O.T. out into the battlefield on a beeline to the disruptor cannon. The Protectobots combine into Defensor and generate a force field, protecting about four other Autobots. The Decepticons wait until the force field wears off, then one shot blasts Defensor to pieces. Bruticus re-forms and tries to fire the cannon, but it turns and blasts Starscream and Soundwave instead. B.O.T. is working the cannon using a conveniently-placed control panel at the base, and causes it to explode by hitting the clearly-marked "overload" button, sending Bruticus flying away and forcing a Decepticon retreat.

Back inside, the Autobots thank the kids for their help and offer their apologies for the loss of their robot. Elise asks if they have any spare parts so they can try again... and Roland and Martin duct-tape her mouth shut and drag her away while the Autobots just watch... ''argh argh argh''...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (7)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (18)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (19)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (20)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (21)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (22)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (24)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (25)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (26)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (27)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (28)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (29)
|c2=
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (1)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (2)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (3)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (4)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (5)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (6)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (11)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (12)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (30)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (31)
|c3=
*[[El Presidente]] (8)
*[[Robbins]] (14)
*[[Martin and Roland|Roland]] (15)
*[[Martin and Roland|Martin]] (16)
*[[Elise Presser]] (17)

|c4=
*[[B.O.T. (G1)|B.O.T.]] (23)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:BOT Swindle grabbed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Until you can tell me what you mean by "brain" and "head", even you can't be trusted.]]
"Call sanitation. There's junk all over the street!"
:—'''Defensor''', leaving his mess for the humans to clean up. He's humanity's defender, not their maid.

"Megatron, I-I-I couldn't find Brawl's personality component! I didn't think it would ''matter''…"
:—'''Swindle'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s high opinion of his teammate.

[[File:BOT wet Gears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|You are so right.]]
"Here, munch a little lead!"
:—'''Ironhide''' just before spraying something that's not lead at B.O.T.

"This is so degrading."
:—'''Gears''' on being beaten by Brawl-B.O.T. Or he was talking about the episode itself?

"We should've just taken the 'F' in Science."
:—'''Martin''', not knowing that if they did, we probably would have been spared this horrendous episode.

"If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I'll melt you down for scrap [[tutonium]]!"
:—'''Megatron''' threatens Swindle with gibberish

==Notes==
{{quote|The episode "B.O.T." was one I always remembered from when I was young. But the thing is, I had just remembered the story focusing on Swindle selling off the other Combaticons, and I had totally mentally blocked out the whole school science project part of the story! Wow was I disappointed when I went back and watched that one!|[[Derrick J. Wyatt]]<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/interviews-27/derrick-wyatt-interview-166415/ ''Transformers Animated'' Art Director Derrick Wyatt interview at TFW2005.com]</ref>}}

===Continuity notes===
[[File:BOT Protectobot HQ exterior.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|E Cola. The cool, refreshing taste of uncooked pork.]]
*This episode establishes that the Combaticons have their [[Combaticons' headquarters|own separate base]], as do [[Protectobots' headquarters|the Protectobots]]. As this was the last episode before the jump to 2005, this is never touched on again.
*The billboard over the [[Protectobots' headquarters|Protectobots' urban headquarters]] seems to be advertising for [[E Cola]]. Mmmmmmm. Another advertisement for the beverage would appear years later in the Japanese series, ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', in the episode "[[Heroism!! The Birth of Super Ginrai]]".
*Skywarp lives up to a little-used note in his bio, which states that he would be "useless without Megatron's supervision."
*Personality components make a second appearance. Unlike in "[[The Revenge of Bruticus]]", they're a physical piece of metal hardware.
*"Soundwave's new device" is never seen, and aside from Megatron's indirect "soon we'll control the oceans" boast, is never referenced again after its original mention at the start of the episode.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Bruticus lives up to his bio's assertion that he has "a tendency to stand still if he is not told what to do," and as Megatron promised at the end of "[[The Revenge of Bruticus]]", Bruticus is reprogrammed to obey only him.
**Starscream somehow snatches Jeep mode Swindle into the air while in jet mode.
**Groove can retract his wrist and fire liquid nitrogen out of it. It's a foamy pink stuff this time.
**Ironhide shoots some brown goopy stuff that he claims is lead out of his retracted wrist.
**Wheeljack's gyro-inhibitor is now an energy beam that can blow up missiles.

===Real-world references===
*"Benjamin Franklin Pierce High School" is a reference to {{w|Hawkeye Pierce|Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce}}, the character from ''{{w|M*A*S*H}}'' (who was also the inspiration for the [[Mini-Con]] [[Hawkeye]]'s bio).
*"We'll let the computer do the walking" refers to an ad slogan for the Yellow Pages — "Let your fingers do the walking!"
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Sparking and clashing [[lightsaber]]s as Swindle zaps Brawl-B.O.T., and again as Soundwave restores Brawl's brain.

===Animation and technical errors===
*Argh.
[[File:BOT Bumblebee tries door.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Either Bumblebee's shrunk to the size of a human, or that's one humongous coffee pot on the counter to his left.]]
*The scenery in this episode is always ''huge''. In the opening scene, the five Combaticons are driving down a downtown street in a row (yes, ''even the fliers are driving on the ground'') with plenty of room. Humans are drawn tiny compared to the doors of their own buildings, and the Autobots fit easily inside human structures.
*The Combaticons get the wrong transformation sound effect (ascending pitch) when transforming to their vehicle modes.
*Swindle's vehicle mode is missing its Decepticon symbol as he gets stuck against Brawl.
*It's inherent to their color models, but the combination sequence makes it ''really obvious'' that Onslaught completely changes color from blue to white while transforming into Bruticus.
*The Bruticus scrap pile changes between shots; first it's a few scattered parts on the street, then it's a solid pile of them.
*Swindle pops out of the junk pile from beneath a yellow rectangle with wheels. The only yellow component on Bruticus is... Swindle.
*As Swindle drives past the guy with the radio on the docks, he's layered too far to the left and appears to be hovering above the road.
*When Swindle transforms to meet with El Presidente, his gun attaches to the side of his right arm. In the next shot, it's attached to the ''front'' of his arm (its usual, correct location.) Then in the next shot, it's on the ''left'' arm.
*In Megatron's simulation, Astrotrain is completely off-model — he's got no cockpit, his sides are purple instead of gray, he's got some kind of side vents that shouldn't be there, and his nosecone covers the entire front of his shuttle mode.
*Skywarp's voice is a bit off — much more nasally than usual.
*There is no indication as to what jet mode Starscream uses to capture jeep mode Swindle.
*Swindle's eyes aren't colored as he apologizes to the Russians. In the same shot, we suddenly hear the ticking-clock sound of the bomb in his head, when it has been silent till now. It will continue to pop up randomly until Swindle completes his mission.
*In the lineup shot of the Combaticons, Onslaught is the same height as everybody else, instead of being taller. Swindle's cannon is missing.
*When the teacher addresses Martin and Roland, his desk is visible behind him. The books that were on it — which were prominently burned through by the laser a moment earlier — have vanished.
*Roland's mouth moves when Martin says "Aw, come on" — especially noticeable since Roland then goes on to speak his own line in the same shot.
*As the Protectobots rush to the aid of a burning building, a voice is heard to say "Stay calm! We're coming up for you!" The staging of scene makes it appear that it's one of the vehicle-mode Protectobots who speaks the line, but it doesn't match any of the characters; the episode's script explains it's actually supposed to be coming from a fireman. The script calls for the line to be amplified by a bullhorn, but it is missing the necessary audio effects.
*While the kids are constructing B.O.T in the lab, Elise's glasses are clear instead of blue in one of the shots.
[[File:BrawlPersonalityComponent.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Brawl's brain. Brawl is apparently operated by a tiny dude who sits inside his head.]]
*Brawl's personality component changes design several times between shots. In its main establishing shot, it's drawn as some sort of real-world electrical monitoring device, complete with gauges and buttons.
*When Elise says "Maybe I wired the box in wrong," one of her legs is drawn way too short, almost as if she's missing her right thigh.
*When Mr. Robbins turned on the laser, it shot a continuous beam. When Martin uses it on B.O.T., it fires bolts.
*The first two times we see the Ark, it has two engines rather than three.
*The "SOS" Gears receives is written in numbers rather than letters and isn't aligned to match the angle of Teletraan I's screen. Also, Gears is sitting in a human-looking chair we've never seen before.
*After threatening the dude at the junkyard, Swindle turns to leave, walking toward... the fence. He starts to clear some junk out of his way, but then the scene ends and we never find out if he realizes he's not walking toward the exit.
*The kids create and lose B.O.T. in the middle of the night. When the Autobots reach the school, it's bright and sunny outside. If this ''isn't'' an animation error, then we are forced to assume that Brawl-B.O.T. spent several hours not doing much at all, staying inside the school the whole time, while the kids waited for the Autobots to arrive.
*Gears' mouth isn't moving for the end of his "hunk of junk" line.
*Ironhide towers over the door to the kitchen, yet he fits inside a moment later. Three Autobots fit in the stairwell of the condemned building.
*As he delivers the line, "Well if that don't fry my circuits," Ironhide's left shoulder is missing.
*As everyone runs out of the kitchen, Ironhide clips through the door frame.
[[File:BFPierce High School.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*The first shot of the front of the school shows it with two arches, but when the group chases after B.O.T., it's one big rectangular opening. On a similar note, Gears describes the high school as a "one-level structure", but it's pretty clearly two stories.
*The design of the weapon Gears is using changes with every shot it's in, even though by this point, the [[generic Autobot laser pistol]] exists (and Ironhide uses it later in the episode).
*The empty building is, presumably, the burnt-out skyscraper from before.... but it's totally changed its appearance when B.O.T. takes refuge in it.
*The elevator in the condemned building has two rows of lights above it, but in the close-ups there's only one row (with 12 lights, far fewer than the thirty needed for the number of floors Bumblebee says are in the building).
*The top of Ironhide's torso is all red as he runs up the stairs, and again as he gives the order to stop firing. Most of it should be gray. (The same error happens ''again'' at Autobot Headquarters when the kids warn the Autobots about the disruptor attack.)
*The "shooting at nothing upstairs" bit might be attributed to animation/script mismatch. The animation puts the Autobots in a circular staircase so they are plainly shooting at the clearly-lit curved wall directly ahead of them. It's ''possible'' the writer intended them to be shooting up a straight staircase into darkness... but that's pure conjecture.
*"Boost me up" — Martin (or Roland, who can tell)'s mouth isn't moving.
*Starscream has blue eyes (instead of red) as Brawl's brain is restored.
*Swindle's cannon is back on the side of his arm (instead of the front) as Megatron throttles him.
*When Swindle stumbles back alongside the other Combaticons, Onslaught's forehead is colored yellow, like his visor.
*After he forms in Decepticon Headquarters, Bruticus's nose is colored the same red as his eyes, giving the effect of a visor.
*During a close-up, Elise's red VW Beetle becomes Swindle-colored (including a purple hood!), then changes back and remains red through the rest of the scene.
*As Ironhide is contacting the Protectobots, he turns away from the screen, at which point the top of his shoulder suddenly turns partially red.
*When the Protectobots receive the signal, the lit-up part appears off to the side of the rest of the display.
*In a long, slow zoom-in on Protectobot headquarters, we have plenty of time to see that the front facade has a central hallway carved into it. Then when it lifts up for them to drive out, the entrance is a normal door.
*When the Combaticons combine at the beginning of the final battle, the footage from their combination inside Decepticon Headquarters a few minutes before is reused, but flipped, so Vortex and Blast Off appear on the wrong sides.
*Optimus and the Autobots attack from a cliff, but a few seconds later Optimus is standing in front of the Ark.
*Wheeljack's [[gyro-inhibitor shell|gyro-inhibitor]] appears to fire out of the air next to his left ear. (Also, it's animated as some kind of energy wave instead of a shell-launched weapon; also also, it's not for shooting down missiles, but for destabilizing a robot's sense of balance.)
*It's not real clear who fired the missiles, either. Onslaught was the last guy we saw shooting, but he was shooting laser beams.
*As Megatron transforms into gun mode, his shoulder rest appears and disappears — as does Soundwave's Decepticon symbol.
*Hot Spot's guns use the Decepticon laser sound effect.
*Hot Spot shoots Soundwave (carrying gun mode Megatron), knocking him backwards into Brawl. In the next shot, Megatron transforms and lands nearby — and Brawl, who has already collapsed under Soundwave, comes flying in and lands on Megatron, with Soundwave nowhere to be seen.
*As the Protectobots transform to Defensor, a huge wave of energy is shown (for no real reason).
*Bruticus's gun disappears from his hand between shots as he runs to the cannon.
*As Megatron orders Bruticus to fire the disruptor, his waist controls are colored in reverse (blue on the left and red on the right). This is corrected a few seconds later.
*As B.O.T. gains control of the disruptor, Megatron is far to the right of the other Decepticons, but a few shots later Soundwave and Ramjet are right behind him.
*Just before Soundwave is hit, he randomly lifts his left leg in the air.
*When the kids are watching B.O.T. on Teletraan's screen, the disruptor is no longer pointing to the left as it was before, and B.O.T. — who is supposed to be working the controls ''behind'' it — is now visible in front of it.

====Rhino DVD release====
The [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] release of this episode has the following differences from the original broadcast version, due to their use of incomplete film masters:

*When asking Mr. Robbins about lasers, Martin is visible on-screen speaking his question. The original broadcast master instead used an alternate take where we don't see Martin asking his question, the shot instead cutting to and remaining on the teacher for the duration of Martin's line, possibly in an attempt to reduce the screentime of the students' recycled character designs (further details in The surreal world of "B.O.T."). This short sequence was not replaced with the as-broadcast footage for the [[Shout! Factory]] DVD release.
*During the final battle, there is a shot that shows a wall behind Megatron and Soundwave as they face down Hot Spot in the middle of the desert. For the broadcast episode, the error was removed by deleting the entire shot and replacing it with reused footage of Gears and Wheeljack taken from about twenty seconds earlier in the episode (when Gears instructs Wheeljack to use his gyro-inhibitor). The end result is that it appears Gears is shouting the line Hot Spot delivers from offscreen. This short sequence was also not replaced with the as-broadcast footage for the Shout! Factory DVD release.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Combaticon pyramid.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The Combaticons unveil their new routine as the Polyhex Cowbots cheerleaders.]]
[[File:BOT Orbit Disruptor Cannon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Megatron? Did you just build ''[[Masquerade|yet another]]'' [[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|giant immobile cannon]]? Seriously dude?]]
[[File:BOT-Overload.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"I assure you, there is zero chance of this coming back to bite us!"]]
*''Argh''.
*In the opening scene, why didn't the Combaticons just combine into Bruticus right away, rather than transforming to vehicles, driving down the street for like two seconds, and ''then'' combining?
*Did Defensor really not see Swindle struggling out of the wreckage right in front of him?
*Swindle goes to El Presidente to ''buy'' parts to repair the other Combaticons. The next time we see them, he's ''sold'' the Combaticon parts. We can only presume that El Presidente made him a better offer than his original plan.
*As much fuss as Megatron makes over how much he wants Bruticus back, he sure doesn't act like it:
**Why does Megatron put a bomb in Swindle's head? If it goes off, he loses Bruticus for good.
**Why does Megatron have ''only'' Swindle go looking for the lost personality component?
**Fifteen hours seems like an impossibly tight deadline to track down dozens or hundreds of parts scattered ''all over the world'' (including the Middle East and Russia), retrieve them, reassemble them into complex high-tech robots, AND still have time left over to track down Brawl-B.O.T.
*How did Swindle know ''exactly'' where to find each and every Combaticon component across the globe once he sold them to ''El Presidente''?
*Why was Brawl’s personality component in the “leftover” pile deposited at the junkyard? You’d think unscrupulous foreign General guys would want to pay top dollar for the brain of one of the most sophisticated war machines Earth has ever seen, if only to reverse-engineer it.
*When Swindle goes to the Soviet Army base to get the parts back, the Red Army soldiers shooting at him have PPS submachine guns, which were fazed out by the 1960s. They should instead have either AK47 Assault Rifles (Caliber 7.62 x39mm) or the lighter caliber version they fielded the 1970s onward the AK74 Assault Rifle (Caliber 5.45 x 39mm).
*Just because Brawl is out of commission, the Combaticons have to form a robot-pyramid before becoming Bruticus. Why can't the other four just float up to their correct spots, like usual?
*The kids don't seem to recognize what Transformers are, but by this point in the series, they're internationally recognized, there are [[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|holidays]] and [[Optimus Prime memorial|tributes to them]], etc. Despite this, they seem to instantly accept the existence of Transformers.
*Superhuman Elise:
**When B.O.T. is first activated, Elise is forcefully flung off the ladder by its arm. Somehow, she lands with only a soft thud and no real injuries.
*The Autobots seem to initially not understand what a high school is. This is in spite of the fact that they have been on Earth for a couple of years now and are friends with 3 school-aged humans, at least two of which (Carly and Chip) we ''know'' have a formal education.
*How did Swindle get above the Autobots on the way up? And how'd he get past them on the way down again?
*"Only Defensor can stand against Bruticus," says Optimus Prime... apparently forgetting that [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] did quite well against him just a few episodes back. And there's [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], too.
*Why did the Autobots do nothing while the Decepticons set up a gigantic cannon right outside their headquarters? They don't pop up and start shooting until the cannon is in place and Bruticus is assembled.
*The Autobots basically ''give up'' trying to beat the Decepticons, choosing to hide behind Defensor's force field. When the force field gives out, it would have been game over for the 'bots, if it weren't for Elise and the psycho twins.
*It's never really specified why Megatron specifically needs Bruticus to fire the cannon. If it's a size thing, he also has [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. The size thing is debatable because the cannon has a human-scaled control panel on it. Oy.
*On that note, the human-level control panel has a great big button clearly marked "Over Load" in English. Why did he install that?
**No, really, why?
*The disruptor cannon is supposed to be powerful enough to obliterate Autobot Headquarters and ''knock Earth's moon out of its orbit''. When it hits several of the Decepticons, it just knocks them into the air.
*Bruticus didn't notice B.O.T. fiddling with the controls right there in front of him?
*This episode was made.

===The surreal world of "B.O.T."===
*'''''Argh'''''.
[[File:BOT-ModelReuse.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Me an' my friends are Jem girls, especially Jimmy "The Legbreaker" Cianciulli!]]
[[File:Elpresidente.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"The medals? This one is for being evil. This one is for having an accent. This one, for beard-growing. This one, a reward for having the most medals."]]
*Mr. Robbins's class is made up of a ''very'' odd collection of students. The ''least'' odd are the two women who are just recolored character models of Jerrica and Kimber Benton from ''[[Jem]]'', [[Hasbro]]'s then-current cartoon-advertised foray into girls' fashion dolls. To the left of "Jerrica" is the recoloured character model of Ernie Sly, the henchman from the short-lived Sunbow series Bigfoot And The Muscle Machines. Towards the back, however, appear to be [[Auto-Bop|thugs in business suits.]]
*The classroom itself appears to be ''huge'' in the initial shot. And why don't the desks have table tops? Only one girl is taking notes, holding a bunch of paper in her lap. There are no backpacks to be seen. And as Roland and Martin walk out, there's only an arch in front of them (with no actual ''doors'' attached to it!).
*The class, by the way, lasts for about two minutes before the bell rings.
*"El Presidente" apparently just holds court on a docked ship in a port somewhere, selling missiles to whoever walks in the door.
*The teens completely fail to notice a hundred-story building that is almost completely engulfed in flames and surrounded by emergency vehicles until they hear somebody fifty stories up call for help.
*Groove claims to use liquid nitrogen to put out the fire. Liquid nitrogen evaporates at -198 °C (-320 °F), so it would completely boil away the second it hits the atmosphere.<ref>{{w|Liquid nitrogen}} at Wikipedia</ref> On top of that, liquid nitrogen is not pink. (In fairness, virtually ''no'' episode of the cartoon portrayed this accurately — see also "[[Divide and Conquer]]", "[[Quest for Survival]]", and "[[Triple Takeover]]".)
*Streetwise catches the two falling window-washers with his ''metal'' arms after they've fallen about fifty stories, and somehow they're not splattered all over him. [[Prime Target (episode)|Remember, kids:]] [[A Plague of Insecticons|If anything besides the ground]] [[War Dawn (episode)|breaks your fall,]] [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2|you'll be just fine!]]
*Three high school kids can build a walking, fully articulated robot out of junk bits and Brawl's brain ''overnight'' that is ''stronger'' and ''smarter'' than the Autobots. (The latter would be a little more believable if it weren't for the "Brawl's brain" part.)
*"B.O.T." stands for '''B'''iotronic '''O'''perational '''T'''elecommunicator, as Martin spends several long minutes explaining to us. Even though this is supposed to describe what it does, at no point in the episode does B.O.T. ever communicate anything remotely, nor is he biomechanical.
*The high school's computer is astounding. It is exceedingly and hugely sci-fi in design, plus, how the kids were able to use it to send an SOS to the Autobots over the phone is... [[magic]] or something.
*Autobots are weaker than kitchenware: Gears carries a blaster that was made to injure or kill alien beings made entirely of metal, but it can't shoot through a pot lid.
*Similarly, B.O.T. somehow knocks over Gears, Ironhide and Bumblebee with a tray full of corn!
*Benjamin Franklin Pierce High School packs its hallways with some seriously heavy furniture — somehow it's heavy enough that Gears can't break through a stack of it.
*There is a fully functional elevator within a building that just suffered a ''massive'' fire. Shouldn't the power be shut off? Speaking of which, a wrecked building next to a high school seems like ''trouble''. Shouldn't it be boarded up, surrounded by security tape and guarded?
*The fully functional elevator appears to function well despite having a broken cable or two. Martin also spends an awfully long time just watching B.O.T. tearing up the cables.
*The speech synthesizer is "rewired" so that instead of "synthesizing and transmitting," it "receives and decodes". And this somehow lets the kids listen in on a conversation being held in the undersea Decepticon base... yeah, when this can almost be considered one of the episode's ''more'' plausible elements, something is very, very ''wrong''.
*The entire front of the Protectobots' headquarters just rotates up to let them depart. Wouldn't a simple garage door have sufficed? What if someone's walking down the sidewalk when this happens? ''Smack!''
*Apparently Roland and Martin carry duct tape around with them. Here, they use it to tape a girl's mouth shut. Who knows what they use it for the rest of the time!

===Trivia===
[[File:BOT MrRobbins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|You think high school teachers get paid too much? This poor guy proves that you are so, so wrong.]]
[[File:Bot-episode-closingshot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|And on that jovial note, we end Season 2. See you in the theaters [[1986|this summer]], kids, where we'll all die [[The Transformers: The Movie|abrupt, violent deaths]]!]]
*'''''Argh'''''.
*This episode introduces the most loathsome ''Transformers'' characters ever, Roland and Martin. Boosting a laser to a level that could grievously injure or kill someone as a ''prank'', the misogynistic duct-taping of Elise's mouth and constantly dragging her places against her will, and a general smarmy smugness level that makes Starscream seem humble.
*This episode was lampooned at the [[BotCon 2006]] [[MSTF]] presentation, and as far as the writers are concerned, it is the single ''dumbest'' episode in the entirety of ''Transformers'' animation.
*It is also possibly the worst advertisement for the combiner teams possible. Bruticus is destroyed with ''a single shot'' from Defensor, and later stumbles around like a concussed baby as the Autobots shoot at him. Defensor's force field is rendered utterly pointless as the Decepticons just wait for it to run out (no more than 20 seconds), then he too is blasted to bits with ease.
**That being said, the early part of the episode is a great advertisement for Swindle individually and features some excellent character moments for him (including his rather humorous line about Brawl's missing personality component). Every cloud has a silver lining, eh?
*This is one of the most device-laden episodes, featuring no less than the [[orbit disruptor cannon]], "Soundwave's new device", the school's overpowered laser, a brain-bomb, Brawl's personality doohickey, the eponymous human-built robot, the kids' locator device, and the speech synthesizer.
*Production-wise, it seems a bit odd to have three Season One Autobots respond to the kids' SOS, rather than showcasing the brand-new combiner team who would otherwise seem to be the spotlight buy-my-toy characters of the episode (this is even flagged up in the episode itself, when the kids try to CALL the Protectobots for help!) The cause is presumably the same last-minute shoehorning that got the Protectobots into "[[The Revenge of Bruticus]]".
*The original script's cast list for the episode notes that the "junkyard operator" is a spy, and that the only other thing we learn about him is that he gets taken away by the "Federal Authorities". Oh, and he has no lines.<ref>[[Metrodome]]'s Season 3 & 4 DVD set extras</ref> This bizarre plot twist obviously didn't make it into the final draft, but really, what's one more wad of nonsense at this point?
*This was the last episode of season two. Can you imagine if this was the last episode of ''The Transformers'' ever?
*Good God, I need a stiff drink.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''Les derniers exploits'''" ("The Latest Exploits")
:*''Title (European French DVD release):'' "'''B.O.T'''"
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''Le B.O.T'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Giovani inventori'''" ("Young Inventors")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*"Biotronic Operational Telecommunicator" is translated as "Telecomunicatore Biotronico Operativo", but Martin still says that the first letters spells "B.O.T.", while it should be "T.B.O." (which would obviously loose the similarity to "bot").
::*Megatron's line: «Get off of me!» (talking to Brawl) is not present in this dub, so you can see him moving his mouth without saying anything.
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''B.O.T.'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Bruticus no Fukkatsu'''" (ブルーティカスの復活, "The Revival of Bruticus")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 5]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Pàng Wá '''" (胖娃, "Fat Boy")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fuga do Perigo'''" ("Escape from the Danger")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2003]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 8 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 15 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 06: Stagione Due Parte Quarta ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20211021062746/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/movie/movie.html Movie Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dXvA-K4yt7vI1HNg7RkZEZO2b1eIei6Q Episode dialogue script]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bot (episode)}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Head Games

2024-02-25T10:04:25Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|''Transformers Timelines'']] text story
|prev=Broken Windshields
|next=Burning Bridges
|image=HeadGames-Titlepage.jpg
|seriesissue2=''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]''
|title="Head Games"
|publisher=[[Transformers Collectors' Club]] (online exclusive)
|date=[[March 16]], [[2015]]
|by=[[David Bishop]] & [[Jim Sorenson]]
|illustrations by=[[Will Mangin|William Mangin]]
|cover=[[Jesse Wittenrich]]
|pagecount=30pp
|chronology=circa [[2384]]
|continuity=''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]''
}}

'''Buzzclaw is recruited for a mission into Fortress Maximus.'''

==Synopsis==
''The past—[[Buzzclaw (BW)|Buzzclaw]] is fighting in the [[Games (competition)|Games]]. Pitted against [[Armordillo]], his situation looks grim; while he is out of ammo, the [[Maximal]] still has plenty. He manages to find a rusted metal spike which he hopes to use as a javelin. The [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] launches a desperate aerial attack against his opponent, but is hit by a missile mid-flight. Badly damaged, Buzzclaw accepts his fate... only for Armordillo to trip and skewer himself on Buzzclaw’s javelin, still in his grasp. The Predacons are declared the winners of this Game.''

The here and now—Buzzclaw spends his days in [[The Proton Blaster]], where he coasts on his past victory, entertaining whoever will listen to his story. Today it is [[Ser-Ket (BWU)|Ser-Ket]], though she is quickly losing interest. His companion brings up that Buzzclaw's match might have been fixed, as [[Lio Convoy]] revealed many were when he interrupted the last Game. Buzzclaw vehemently defends the legitimacy of his victory, but with no more money to spend on drinks for himself of his companion, fails to keep her from leaving.

Ser-Ket is about to head off to meet some friends when a projectile explodes in the street before her. She rushes back into the bar, where the vid-screens report that the "unprovoked" attack came from the [[Resistance]]. The bar's patrons begin to panic, [[Wreckloose (TF 2010)|one of them]] getting blown to bits as he tries to flee from the establishment. Ser-Ket turns to Buzzclaw for leadership, who blurts out that they should barricade themselves in. To his surprise, the rest of the patrons follow his orders. The lot of them start to drink, and wait out for the whole thing blow over. Buzzclaw finds he is enjoying himself greatly, his waning sense of self-worth now returning thanks in part to the [[engex]] he is drinking, and in part to the adulation the others heap onto him. Despite this, he gives the others to okay to leave after Ser-Ket asks if it is safe to do so. Most of the patrons depart, leaving Buzzclaw alone with Ser-Ket and [[Cybershark]]. The latter divulges he is a member of the Resistance. With a few choice words to stroke Buzzclaw's ego, Cybershark manages to convince both him and Ser-Ket to ally themselves with Lio Convoy's freedom fighters.

Buzzclaw's first undertaking as resistance fighter is to infiltrate [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], the living prison. Along with [[Bighorn]], Cybershark, Ser-Ket, [[Survive]], and [[Colada|Corahda]], his mission is to liberate allies of the revolution held within the cyclopean [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]]. Lio Convoy, leading another group, provides them with cover fire.

The others in Buzzclaw's team begin to scale Fortress Maximus, while Buzzclaw himself is tasked with watching their flank in his aerial mode. Though he manages to deal with [[Bulge (BWU)|Bulge]] and [[Windshear|Windsheer]], more Builders swarm out of Fortress Maximus and attack the rest of his squad. Corahda splits off from the group to take on an incoming brigade, but dies as he's overcome by their numbers. Buzzclaw rejoins his team, and they finish the climb up, and into, Fortress Maximus. All the while, strange errant thoughts invade Buzzclaw's mind...

Inside Fortress Maximus, the infiltration team must contend with more Micromaster patrols. In the heat of battle, and thanks to Maximus's shifting innards, Buzzclaw is separated from the others. Wandering about, he eventually finds his way to a room containing three black obelisks. The voice he had previously heard in his head starts to converse with Buzzclaw here, and taunts him with the tortured shrieks and panicked dialogue of the rest of his team. Maximus begins to peel away at Buzzclaw's confidence and self-worth, then segues into a history lesson; the titan explains how he helped bring the Maximals, Predacons, and Cybertron's current status quo into existence. As Maximus speaks, Buzzclaw is gradually brainwashed to act as his agent, and is sent out to lead his fellow invaders into a trap.

However, as soon as Buzzclaw presents himself to his former allies, Cybershark stabs the Predacon with a silver canister, killing him and forcibly retrieving the coordinates to [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]]'s control room. Though Ser-Ket is bewildered by this turn of events, Survive explains to her that this isn't the first time the Resistance has made an attempt on Fortress Maximus. Previous efforts failed because the Builder had managed to brainwash members of their parties, just as Buzzclaw was under Maximus's thrall before his death.

Once in Cerebros's control room, the Resistance fighters retrieve the [[Grand Maximus|Gran]] [[Cyberdroid]] housed there, and execute the other two, [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]] and [[Galen|Kord]]. With the psychic weapon that was Cerebros disabled, the team accesses Maximus's systems, and frees the political prisoners held within him.

Back at Resistance HQ, Ser-Ket demands to know why Lio Convoy sacrificed her friend without ever telling her of his plan. Lio Convoy sadly answers that they couldn't risk her tipping Buzzclaw off, and that the political prisoners they rescued were too important to leave incarcerated. Ser-Ket storms off, and Lio Convoy is left to muse that they all do what they must for their cause.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Armordillo]] (2)
*[[Knockdown (Classics)|Knockdown]] (7)
*[[Backstop (TF 2010)|Backstop]] (8)
*[[Cybershark]] (9)
*[[Lio Convoy]] (10)
*[[Bighorn]] (12)
*[[Survive]] (13)
*[[Colada|Corahda]] (14)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]
|c2=
*[[Buzzclaw (BW)|Buzzclaw]] (1)
*[[Ser-Ket (BWU)|Ser-Ket]] (4)
*[[Wreckloose (TF 2010)|Wreckloose]] (6)

|h3=[[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]]s
|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
'''Autobots'''
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (11)
*The "ghost" of [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (20)
*[[Grand Maximus|Gran]] (22)
*[[Galen|Kord]] (23)
*[[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]] (24)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
'''Decepticons'''
*[[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] (15)
*[[Crumplezone (BWU)|Crumplezone]] (16)
*[[Growl (G1)|Growl]] (17)
*[[Bulge (BWU)|Bulge]] (18)
*[[Windshear|Windsheer]] (19)
*[[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] (21)
*[[Crack (BWU)|Crack]] (25)
*[[Shot (BWU)|Shot]] (26)
*[[Bomb (BWU)|Bomb]] (27)
*[[Thunderblast (BWU)|Thunderblast]] (28)
*[[Wreckage (BWU)|Wreckage]] (29)
*[[Steamhammer (BWU)|Steamhammer]] (30)
*[[Bonecrusher (BWU)|Bonecrusher]] (31)
*[[Broadside (BWU)|Broadside]] (32)
*[[Tankor (BWU)|Tankor]] (33)
*[[Motorhead (G1)|Motorhead]] (34)
*[[Roller Force]] (35)
*[[Ground Hog]] (36)
*[[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]] (36)
*[[Spark Grid]] (38)
*[[Dirt Digger]] (39)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
'''Others'''
*[[Supersonic]] (3)
{{!}}}

|c4=
*[[Dipole]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
“Hi, I’m Buzzclaw, Champion of the Games.” [...] “And I can fly, I guess.”
:—'''Buzzclaw''' fails to make a great first impression

“I am Plasma, but I’m also Galen, and Spike, and Daniel. I am Cerebros, who is Zebres, who is Emissary. I am male, and I am female. I am compassion and horror. I am my own father, grandfather, son. I am Gasket and Grommet, who are Cog, who is Koka and Onomisu. I am wisdom and grief. My wife is my mother is the daughter of my enemy is bonded to my opposite. I am human and Nebulon, Cyberdroid and Macromaster and Megamaster. I am death and I am life. I am Fortress Maximus! WE are Fortress Maximus. We are–”
:—'''Plasma'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s speech is cut off midway

==Notes==
*The following characters are mentioned or referenced, but do not appear in the story proper: [[Diver (BW)|Diver]], [[Drancron]], [[Frostbite (Universe)|Frostbite]], [[Abel]], [[Vamp]], an [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel]], [[Rage (BW)|Queen Rage]], [[Autostinger]], [[Night Viper]], [[Scourge (BW)|Scourge]], [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Liege Maximo]], [[Primus]], Squeezeplay's former [[Lokos|partner]], the [[Titan (group)|Titans]], [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], [[Galen Witwicky]], [[Zebres]], [[Emissary (RID)|Emissary]], [[Cog (G1)|Gasket]], [[Cog (G1)|Grommet]], [[Cog (G1)|Cog]]/[[Cog (Masterforce)|Cog]], [[Cog (Masterforce)|Koka]], [[Cog (Masterforce)|Onomisu]], the [[Carly|wife and the mother]], the [[Llyra|daughter]], the [[Borx|enemy]], the [[Scorponok (G1)|opposite]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Preditron]], and the [[Tripredacus Council]].
*Further mentioned in the [[Cybertronix]] text are: [[Llyra]] and [[Olin Zarak|Olin Witwicky]].
*Like the previous story, "Head Games" has blocks of [[Cybertronix]] text between scene transitions - in this case, the thoughts of Fortress Maximus, with Gran's data reports in red, Kord's status checks in blue, and Plasma's rambling literary quotations and cryptic references in green.
*Bishop did most of the initial writing for this story without a particular viewpoint character in mind - when he asked Sorenson if he knew of a character "like this", his co-writer suggested [[Buzzclaw (BW)|Buzzclaw]].
*In Bishop's initial draft, the Maximals would not have planned ''for'' Buzzclaw to be brainwashed.
*This story debuts an in-universe term for the characters usually referred to as "city-formers"; Megamasters. Judging by Fortress Maximus's words, they're separate from the [[Titan (group)|Titans]].

===Continuity notes===
*More detail is fleshed out for this timeline and how the war ended this way, namely that the [[Human Confederacy]], now more advanced than Transformers, ''forced'' them to Cybertron. We would hear some more detail about them in the Facebook edition of [[Ask Vector Prime]] and in "[[Micro-Aggressions]]".
*This story follows a few days on from "[[Broken Windshields]]" but the [[Grand Uprising]] is only now kicking off for real, much to the shock and horror of many characters at the pub.
*Buzzclaw thinks about Queen Rage, mentioned as one of the participants in the Game Lio and the Resistance interrupted to announce the start of the Uprising. Turns out she, along with her teammates Autostinger, Nightviper and Scourge stuck around where the Maximal team ran off, but the Builders still wouldn't say whether that counted as a victory or not.
*Cerebros's monologue to Buzzsaw sheds a little light on the nature of Maximals and Predacons in this continuity. Unlike prior ''Beast Wars'' fiction, which have generally treated the two factions as simply being smaller, more energy-efficient upgrades of Autobots and Decepticons, here they're physiologically entirely separate races. He also states that [[Vector Sigma]] was destroyed, explaining how the Builders have been unable to replenish their own numbers.
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] as "first resistor" nods back to the earliest ''Uprising'' fiction, [[Blackarachnia (BW)#TransTech|Blackarachnia]]'s bio in [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 25|club magazine #25]].
*It's implied [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] had a son, [[Galen Witwicky]].
* Powers and abilities:
** Buzzclaw has the ability projectile vomit acid at enemies in robot mode. He doesn't use it often because aside from being totally gross, it's not even very accurate.

===Transformers references===
*Buzzclaw's bundle of nerves under a brave front and Armordillo's patient, murderous stalking are both in line with their ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' bios.
*The Photon Blaster has a rival bar named Abel's Energon, named after (and presumably operated by) [[Abel|the Cyberdroid]] from the ''Headmasters'' anime.
*Wreckloose and Backstop, two slight redecoes of the ''Cybertron'' characters/toys of the same name in the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]], are finally given a [[continuity family]] of origin with this story: they're G1 guys!
*When he tries puffing himself up, Buzzclaw notes he's actually smaller than Cybershark anyway. Back in the original ''Beast Wars'' toyline Buzzclaw's toy was sold in the Basic price range, while Cybershark was a Deluxe size.
*Lio Convoy has been dubbed [[Supreme Commander]] of the Resistance. Typically in Japanese Transformers media, this is the rank given to the head of the goody goods, including Lio himself.
*Ser-Ket declares as a Predacon, her lineage goes back to [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]], Megatron and the Liege Maximo. We shouldn't need to specify why Megs is listed there, but Razorclaw, as leader of the G1 Predacons, has been treated as the founder of the Beast-era Preds in plenty of ancillary ''Beast Wars'' media (though not in ''Uprising'' continuity). As for the Liege, he was identified as being the ancestor of all Decepticon way back in his first appearance, in [[A Rage in Heaven!|the final issue of the ''Generation 2'' comic]], a part of the character's history that has largely fallen by the wayside in all subsequent depictions
*Lio Convoy's projection of Fortress Maximus, with red circles designating various spots on the giant's body and a specific one ringed in blue, is based on the [[sticker]] attached to the [[Buzzsaw (G1)/toys#Headmasters|Buzzsaw]] toy that came packaged with [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#SoundblasterG1|Generation 1 Soundblaster]].
*Just before his death, Squeezeplay mentally rails against his "former partner". This probably refers to his [[Nebulan]] Headmaster partner [[Lokos]].
*While several of the Micromaster guards in Fortress Maximus are classic Generation 1 Micromasters, others are [[Repurposing|repurposes]] of ''Armada'' and ''Cybertron'' [[Mini-Con]]s. [[Dirt Digger]] is the only Micromaster with a new name but may be an erroneous rendition of the ''Classics'' Mini-Con [[Dirt Rocket (Classics)|Dirt Rocket]], a member of the [[Dirt Digger Team]].
**Interestingly, "Head Games" includes the Micromaster [[Spark Grid]], a second Micromaster character based on the ''Armada'' Mini-Con [[Zapmaster (Armada)|Zapmaster]] in addition to the Micromaster [[Zapmaster (BWU)|Zapmaster]] in "Broken Windshields".
*The given origin for Fortress Maximus is broadly in line with "[[The Rebirth]]", with Cerebros the regular-sized Cybertronian pacifist being rebuilt into a city-sized 'bot. However, he's a walking turducken of Fort Max and his various partners and repaints from across ''Transformers'' fiction. Plasma is the Japanese name for the ''Robots in Disguise'' version of Cerebros, Gran is the Headmaster form of [[Grand Maximus]] from ''Super-God Masterforce'', and Kord was a name given to Galen, the original partner to Fortress Maximus in the US Marvel comic, in [[Transformers Annual 1987]] (and in keeping with an ''Uprising'' continuity tradition, Kord and Galen are separate characters). Zebres is the name for the Cerebros repaint that came with the ''Robotmasters'' "Cybertron Base" figure, while Emissary is the western name for the ''Robots in Disguise'' version of Cerebros. Gasket, Grommet and Cog are the tiny little robot accessories that came with the original Fort Max toy, while Onomisu and Koga are their repaints that came with Grand's (and whose combined form was also named Cog). The "wife who is the daughter of my enemy" mentioned in the rambling up above would be Llyra, who in the Marvel comics was the daughter of Zarak, Nebulon Headmaster partner to Max's rival city-former Scorponok, though later stories show that the ''Uprising'' version of that character goes by a different name. Hard to blame Plasma having difficulty keeping all that straight in her head.
*Galen Witwicky is a reference to [[Galen]], Fortress Maximus's original partner in the Marvel G1 continuity.
*The Cyberdroids are a reference to two Japanese redecoes of Cerebros and [[Transformers Annual 1987|a UK Annual]]'s wrong name for Galen. Together, they form an RGB pattern.
*At story's end, Lio name-drops the Tripredacus Council, the usual ruling body of the Predacon faction as established in the original ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, though later stories in the setting will alternately call them the Tripredacus ''Alliance'', conflating them with the Predacon Alliance, also mentioned in ''Beast Wars''. They're said to have usurped the original founder, Preditron, which has been taken from other ''Beast Wars'' media, such as the profile card of the 2009 Botcon Razorclaw toy. Preditron himself was a character in the ''Wings'' story "[[A Team Effort]]", a transplant of the 2004 ''Go-Bots'' character Beast-Bot under a new name. Later stories in the Uprising-verse will show this Preditron is different from his depiction there, both in terms of character and appearance.

===Real world references===
*Ser-Ket mistakenly calls the dead Armordillo "Armor''drillo''", after the alien of the same name from the cartoon series {{w|Ben 10}}. Later ''Uprising'' stories will establish that the [[Armordrillo]] is also a species of Cybertronian animal.
*Buzzclaw's plan for the bar patrons is a direct reference to, and a near verbatim quote of, the titular character Shaun's survival plan in the 2004 zombie comedy film {{w|Shaun of the Dead}}.
*The "Terran Singularity" which gave humankind the capability to be powerful and immortal is a reference to the {{w|Technological singularity|Rapture-for-nerds theory of a technological singularity}}.
*Many of Plasma's babblings come from real world works, including:
**The poems of {{w|Sir Thomas Wyatt}}, {{w|W. B. Yeats}}, [[Ovid]], [[Keats|John Keats]], {{w|Robert Frost}}, and [[Emily Dickinson]]
**The songs of {{w|Smash Mouth}}, {{w|Guns and Roses}}, and {{w|Patti Smith}}

===Errors===
*Night Viper's name is misspelt as "Nightviper".
*On page 13, the narration reads "Buzzsaw located silent black form of Lio Convoy's transport". There should be a "the" between 'located' and 'silent'.
*Shot is accidentally referred to as "Shock".
*The depiction of Fortress Maximus's eye on page 21 doesn't really jibe with the descriptions the text gives of him being ludicrously huge compared to the Resistance members.
*On page 21, the narration says "he just about had the presence of mind to shoot green tank rumbling towards Ser-Ket." There should be a "the" or "a" between shoot and green.
*On page 22, the narration says "an uncharacteristic surge of honest" when it should be "honest'''y'''".
*The word "grow" should be "grew" in the sentence "As the centuries dragged on and the desperation '''grow''' steadily worse, I realized I was the only one left who believed words could make things right."
*"Hear" is used in place of "here" in the sentence "This Fortress Maximus is no more a Builder than the transport that brought you '''hear''' is part of you."
*On page 29, the narration says Bighorn "shook the green cyberdroids", when it should just be cyberdroid singular.
*Shortly thereafter it says "her limbs were too atrophied to provided any resistance", instead of "provide any resistance".

==See also==
*[[Source:Beast Wars: Uprising translations#Head Games|"Head Games" Cybertronix translation]]

==External links==
*[http://transformersclub.com/head_games_final.pdf "Head Games"] at The Official [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] website
*[https://sites.google.com/site/goingfullsorenson/beast-wars-uprising/head-games "Head Games" annotations] by [[Jennifer Alexis Carlo]]

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising media]]
[[Category:Timelines text stories]]

Energon Universe

2024-02-25T10:03:55Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{disambig2|the shared universe from [[Skybound Entertainment]]'s comics|the [[Transformers: Legacy#.22Universe.22 designations|universe]] from ''[[Transformers: Legacy]]''|Transformers: Energon (franchise)}}
[[File:Energon Universe logo.png|center|500px]]

[[File:EnergonUniversePoster.jpeg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|Well, it's not quite ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'', and it's not quite ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'', but man...]]

The '''Energon Universe''' is the name for the shared universe in which [[Skybound Entertainment]]'s comic books featuring licensed properties from [[Hasbro]] take place. Launched in [[2023]], these properties currently include [[Transformers (2023 comic)|an ongoing ''Transformers'' series]], a line of ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' comics, and the original series ''[[Void Rivals]]''.

==Overview==
The aliens [[Darak]] and [[Solila]], members of two warring factions, become stranded on a deserted planet and are forced to work together to survive. While attempting to escape, the two come across the derelict form of the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], who is restored to functionality and leaves to check on the state of his homeworld, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

Jetfire's journey brings him to the planet Earth, where he finds and reactivates the dormant [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s and they resume their war. In response to their awakening, events are set into motion that will lead to the formation of the special ops team [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and the terrorist organization [[Cobra]].

==Development==
[[Robert Kirkman]] first began developing the Energon Universe in [[2021]] after Hasbro approached Skybound about taking over the licenses for ''Transformers'' and ''G.I. Joe'' from [[IDW Publishing]]. Wanting to do something unique, Kirkman proposed launching the universe with a new property that would feature a surprise reveal in the first issue, which eventually became ''Void Rivals''. Along with writing ''Void Rivals'', Kirkman acts as a sort of "showrunner" for the rest of the Energon Universe line, with other creators working on the main ''Transformers'' and ''G.I. Joe'' comics.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/robert-kirkman-void-rivals-shared-energon-universe-transformers-gi-joe How Robert Kirkman's Void Rivals Secretly Launches a Massive Shared Universe — IGN]</ref>

In the letters page for [[Void Rivals issue 3|''Void Rivals'' #3]], Kirkman stated that there are currently no plans to integrate other Hasbro properties into the Energon Universe, though that could change in the future. He also confirmed that they don't plan to have more than four series running at once.

==Titles==
===Ongoing series===
* ''[[Void Rivals]]''
* ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]''
===Miniseries===
* ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]''
* ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''

===One-shots===
* ''[[Energon Universe Special 2024]]''

==See also==
* [[Hasbro Universe]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Crossovers]]
[[Category:Skybound Entertainment]]

Dinobots Strike Back

2024-02-25T10:03:22Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[Find Your Fate Junior|Find Your Fate Junior: The Transformers]]'' #1
|next=Battle Drive
|image=Dinobots strike back fyf.jpg
|caption="Frenzy's using his package-art-disassembly ray! Quick Grimlock, switch to your toy design!"
|title="Dinobots Strike Back"
|publisher=[[Ballantine Books]]
|imprint=[[Find Your Fate Junior]]
|date=1985
|writer=[[Casey Todd]]
|illustrator=[[William Schmidt]] (interior pencils and cover painting)
|pagecount=73
|ISBN=ISBN 9780345341501 ISBN 0-345-34150-3
}}

[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] attacks the Dinobots with his [[cerebro-shell]]s, ordering them to go on a rampage. But Swoop escapes, bringing help from the [[Autobot]]s.

Once rescued at [[Bandit's Bluff]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] remembers overhearing Bombshell's thoughts, which leads [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] to investigate [[Dolphin's Bay]], where Decepticon activity had been spotted recently. They uncover a hidden Decepticon base, and a sinister plan to convert the bay's [[black coral]] into superfuel for the Decepticons!

Can the Autobots destroy the power plant before it comes online and the Decepticons become unstoppable? The answer to that question... is up to '''[[you]]'''!

==Synopsis==
{{anchor|Page 1}}'''(PAGE_1)''' The Dinobots are on lookout duty in [[Hidden Valley]], so bored that Slag and Sludge start a fight. None of them notice two Insecticons sneaking up until Bombshell fires a [[Mortar cannon|mortar]]. {{anchor|Page 2}}'''(PAGE_2)''' The blast knocks down all of them but Swoop, who transforms and dodges, but gets a wing injured by the explosion. Bombshell transforms and injects the other four Dinobots' heads with cerebro-shells. As Kickback reports back to Megatron, Bombshell orders the Dinobots to attack the Autobots and their pathetic Earth friends. The four of them transform into dino-mode. {{anchor|Page 5}}'''(PAGE_5)''' Swoop worries that with his bad wing, by the time he flies back to Autobot headquarters, the other Dinobots will have caused a lot of damage. Should he:

'''''Fly back to Optimus Prime at Autobot Headquarters?'' (>>[[#Page 10|PAGE_10]]>>)'''

'''''Stay and fight Bombshell?'' (>>[[#Page 12|PAGE_12]]>>)'''

:'''(<<From_[[#Page 5|PAGE_5]]_''OR''_[[#Page 6|PAGE_6]]<<)''' '''''Swoop takes off for the Ark'' {{anchor|Page 10}}(>>PAGE_10>>)''' ...and arrives to find Optimus Prime in the war room discussing Hound's report of Dinobots tearing up farmland. {{anchor|Page 19}}'''(PAGE_19)''' Prowl notes that a quick, direct attack may be necessary to stop the Dinobots from reaching populated areas, but taking time to consult the Ark's computer might yield a better plan. Should Optimus Prime:

:'''''Consult the Ark's computer?'' (>>[[#Page 26|PAGE_26]]>>)'''

:'''''Destroy the Dinobots immediately with a massive attack?'' (>>[[#Page 30|PAGE_30]]>>)'''

::'''(<<From_[[#Page 19|PAGE_19]]<<)''' '''''Optimus consults the Ark's computer'' {{anchor|Page 26}}(>>PAGE_26>>)''' The computer suggests having Windcharger remove the cerebro-shells with his magnetic field. Prowl warns that the Dinobots are approaching Bandit's Bluff, 15 minutes away from a city. {{anchor|Page 27}}'''(PAGE_27)''' This gives Mirage an alternative idea: using his [[Electro-disrupter|electro-disruptor]] to cast an illusion of Optimus Prime on the edge of Bandit's Bluff, tricking the Dinobots into charging it and falling into the ocean. Should Optimus:

::'''''Go with Mirage's plan?'' (>>[[#Page 45|PAGE_45]]>>)'''

::'''''Go with the computer's plan using Windcharger?'' (>>[[#Page 66|PAGE_66]]>>)'''

:::'''(<<From_[[#Page 27|PAGE_27]]<<)''' '''''Optimus chooses Mirage's plan'' {{anchor|Page 45}}(>>PAGE_45>>)''' The Dinobots take the bait and charge... {{anchor|Page 71}}'''(PAGE_71)''' ...over the cliff and into the ocean, where Seaspray is waiting. Ratchet, Sunstreaker, Huffer, Sideswipe, and Bumblebee haul the unconscious Dinobots aboard and head back to the Ark.
:::'''THE END'''

:::'''(<<From_[[#Page 27|PAGE_27]]<<)''' '''''Optimus Prime chooses the computer's plan'' {{anchor|Page 66}}(>>PAGE_66>>)''' Windcharger leads a convoy to Bandit's Bluff, knowing he'll definitely be able to pull the cerebro-shells out from 40 feet away, but worries that might harm the Dinobots. Should Windcharger cast his magnetic field from:

:::'''''40 feet away?'' (>>[[#Page 54|PAGE_54]]>>)'''

:::'''''Further back?'' (>>[[#Page 50|PAGE_50]]>>)'''

[[File:DinobotsStrikeBack-magnets.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 66|PAGE_66]]<<)''' '''''Windcharger stands 40 feet away'' {{anchor|Page 54}}(>>PAGE_54>>)''' As Windcharger releases his magnetic field, the Dinobots stop, then convulse in repetitive motions. The field was too strong, but Windcharger can't stop it. {{anchor|Page 32}}'''(PAGE_32)''' The four Dinobots are torn to pieces now just as extinct as real dinosaurs.

::::'''THE END'''

::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 66|PAGE_66]]<<)''' '''''Windcharger stands about 100 feet away'' {{anchor|Page 50}}(>>PAGE_50>>)''' His magnetic field which pops all four cerebro-shells off. That night, there's a celebration at Autobot headquarters to welcome the Dinobots back. Grimlock then remembers Bombshell saying... {{anchor|Page 59}}'''(PAGE_59)''' ...that controlling them was just part of a bigger Decepticon plan. Optimus wonders if it's related to the strange electromagnetic activity that Skids detected around Dolphin's Bay, where Decepticons were spotted a week ago. Optimus tells Skids to scout around the bay, and take Bumblebee since he can explore underwater. Wheeljack has built a new [[Star mini-submarine|mini-submarine]], and offers to program it by remote control to meet the two Autobots at the bay. {{anchor|Page 13}}'''(PAGE_13)''' Then Sludge volunteers to help, since he considers himself the best water fighter. Should Optimus send Skids and Bumblebee on the mission:

::::'''''With Sludge?'' (>>[[#Page 24|PAGE_24]]>>)'''

::::'''''Without Sludge?'' (>>[[#Page 3|PAGE_3]]>>)'''

:::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 13|PAGE_13]]<<)''' '''''Optimus sends Sludge, Bumblebee, and Skids to Dolphin's Bay'' {{anchor|Page 24}}(>>PAGE_24>>)''' Bumblebee and Skids drive faster than Sludge can walk, so they go ahead, leaving Sludge to catch up. Sludge takes a wrong turn that's actually a shortcut, arriving first. Offshore, he decides to take a nap, curling his head and tail so that he looks like a big gray rock in the water. {{anchor|Page 17}}'''(PAGE_17)''' Skids and Bumblebee arrive and start exploring the cove in Wheeljack's mini-sub. They detect the signal Skids found, tracing it to an underwater tunnel which connects to a series of chambers inside Mt. Lomas. Bumblebee steps out to investigate... {{anchor|Page 28}}'''(PAGE_28)''' ...swimming into the tunnel upwards until he emerges, facing a doorway. He hears Megatron on the other side making a speech about finishing an energy plant to process black coral into a superfuel which will make the Decepticons invincible. Bumblebee radios Skids before returning to the sub. {{anchor|Page 4}}'''(PAGE_4)''' Behind him, he suddenly sees Soundwave who intercepted his transmission, and Frenzy who paralyzes him with a circuit-scrambling sonic attack, leaving him there as a rusty warning to any future spies. When Bumblebee fails to return, Skids knows something awful happened, and won't risk radioing the Ark for fear of the Decepticons picking up the transmission. Should he:

[[File:DinobotsStrikeBack frenzy soundwave bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
:::::'''''Return to the Ark for help?'' (>>[[#Page 57|PAGE_57]]>>)'''

:::::'''''Attempt to rescue Bumblebee himself?'' (>>[[#Page 68|PAGE_68]]>>)'''

::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 4|PAGE_4]]<<)''' '''''Skids drives back to the Ark'' {{anchor|Page 57}}(>>PAGE_57>>)''' He tells the Autobots of Bumblebee's disappearance and Operation Black Coral. Windcharger opts for an all-out attack, but Prowl thinks a mountain fortress is impossible to storm via brute force. {{anchor|Page 8}}'''(PAGE_8)''' Prowl claims the Decepticons believe the Dinobots to still be under their control. He suggests contacting Sludge and having him trick Megatron into allow the four of them into their base. Should Optimus take:

::::::'''''Prowl's advice?'' (>>[[#Page 11|PAGE_11]]>>)'''

::::::'''''Windcharger's advice?'' (>>[[#Page 22|PAGE_22]]>>)'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 8|PAGE_8]]<<)''' '''''Optimus takes Prowl's advice'' {{anchor|Page 11}}(>>PAGE_11>>)''' He explains the plan to the Dinobots, and sends Swoop to relay it to Sludge. As the sun sets, Seaspray relays Prime's order to start the attack. {{anchor|Page 40}}'''(PAGE_40)''' Swoop flies low towards shore, spotting the Decepticons and Dinobots having a victory party around a bonfire atop [[Mount Lomas]]. Swoop flies a loop-the-loop, signalling the Dinobots to attack. {{anchor|Page 64}}'''(PAGE_64)''' Sludge stomps Soundwave, and Grimlock bisects Frenzy. Starscream fires a laser at Slag which bounces off the Triceratops' armor and back to the gun, melting it. Thrust transforms and takes off, only to take a missile from Swoop. As Megatron tries to fire his nuclear fusion cannon, Snarl tail-strikes him, redirecting his aim down to blast a hole in the side of Mount Lomas. A platoon of Autobots and uses the hole to access the underground lab. Bumblebee is freed and the fuel generators destroyed. That night, ''another'' Autobot victory party!

:::::::'''THE END'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 8|PAGE_8]]<<)''' '''''Optimus takes Windcharger's advice'' {{anchor|Page 22}}(>>PAGE_22>>)''' The Autobots arrive at sunset, spying Megatron, Starscream, Frenzy, Rumble, and other Decepticons confidently awaiting the attack atop Mount Lomas. {{anchor|Page 44}}'''(PAGE_44)''' Skywarp drops a heat-seeking missile on Topspin, and Seaspray responds with a barrage of lasers and missiles. Tracks and Powerglide engage Megatron's warrior jets, while the land-based Autobots storm the entrance to Mount Lomas. While Ratchet rescues Bumblebee, Jazz torches the lab, turning Operation Black Coral into Operation Black Ashes.

:::::::'''THE END'''

::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 4|PAGE_4]]<<)''' '''''Skids tries to rescue Bumblebee himself'' {{anchor|Page 68}}(>>PAGE_68>>)''' He sends out the weakest radio signal he can, hoping Bumblebee is closer than the Decepticons. Suddenly Frenzy attacks; he's far enough away not to harm Skids, but the sub goes haywire, speeding every which way. {{anchor|Page 52}}'''(PAGE_52)''' Skids considers short-circuiting the sub with his [[electron blaster]] to stop it, or activating the emergency backup systems in hopes of regaining control. Should he:

::::::'''''Short-circuit the sub?'' (>>[[#Page 31|PAGE_31]]>>)'''

::::::'''''Activate the emergency systems?'' (>>[[#Page 9|PAGE_9]]>>)'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 52|PAGE_52]]<<)''' '''''Skids zaps the controls'' {{anchor|Page 31}}(>>PAGE_31>>)''' ...stopping the sub, but also breaking a window and sinking it. {{anchor|Page 67}}'''(PAGE_67)''' Suddenly, Sludge lifts the sub out of the water and places it on the deck of Seaspray, who came to investigate when the Ark lost radio contact with the sub. On-board, once Ratchet repairs him, Skids tells them of Operation Black Coral, and they radio Autobot headquarters. Optimus Prime launches a full-scale assault as Ratchet and Skids use the repaired sub to pull Bumblebee out. Autobots firepower crumbles the seaward wall of Mount Lomas, allowing seawater to crash into the Decepticons' lab. Good thing you decided to have Sludge along, since Operation Black Coral is now a total washout!

:::::::'''THE END'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 52|PAGE_52]]<<)''' '''''Skids tries activating the emergency systems'' {{anchor|Page 9}}(>>PAGE_9>>)''' ...but Frenzy's scream has ruined them. The sub does a backflip through the air, then bolts for a huge gray rock. It hits, but just bounces off of...Sludge, finally stopping the sub. {{anchor|Page 65}}'''(PAGE_65)''' Skids disembarks and climbs on Sludge's back. {{anchor|Page 51}}'''(PAGE_51)''' Sludge drops Skids off at a dock, then wades back out to, "make big wave." He churns up the water until Bumblebee surfaces, then carries him back to the dock as well. {{anchor|Page 16}}'''(PAGE_16)''' Sludge resumes stomping in the water until he creates a giant tidal wave that tears the side off Mount Lomas, washing the Dectpicons and their lab out into the bay. Skids tells Sludge that the 'Cons will never forget the day he crashed their party.

:::::::'''THE END'''

:::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 13|PAGE_13]]<<)''' '''''Optimus sends Bumblebee and Skids to Dolphin's Bay, without Sludge'' {{anchor|Page 3}}(>>PAGE_3>>)''' On the way, Skids daydreams and crashes into a hillside, folding his hood in two. He doesn't care though, because he's picking up the same electromagnetic waves as before, meaning he hit the landward side of Mount Lomas. {{anchor|Page 18}}'''(PAGE_18)''' Bumblebee notices a trail cleared into the woods with giant footprints along it. Should Bumblebee and Skids:

:::::'''''Follow the trail?'' (>>[[#Page 23|PAGE_23]]>>)'''

:::::'''''Continue to Dolphin's Bay?'' (>>[[#Page 25|PAGE_25]]>>)'''

::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 18|PAGE_18]]<<)''' '''''Bumblebee and Skids follow the trail'' {{anchor|Page 23}}(>>PAGE_23>>)''' With difficulty, Skids transforms into robot mode and takes the lead, but fails to notice a trip wire. The ground gives way, and the two Autobots fall right into a trap. {{anchor|Page 20}}'''(PAGE_20)''' Bumblebee awakens in an underground prison as Scrapper welcomes the first guests the Decepticons have had in their supermodern lab. The Constructicon explains that they've discovered a limitless source of superfuel. {{anchor|Page 39}}'''(PAGE_39)''' Scrapper then reduces the two Autobots into scrap metal, which he uses to help finish the new energy plant. One by one, the Autobots come looking for their friends and fall into Scrapper's trap, allowing him to build the whole thing out of Autobot parts. He names it the "[[Autobot Memorial Power Plant]]," and laughs at having made the Autobots look so ''fuelish''!

::::::'''THE END'''

[[File:DinobotsStrikeBackBumbleandSkidsinSub.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 18|PAGE_18]]<<)''' '''''Bumblebee and Skids continue to Dolphin's Bay'' {{anchor|Page 25}}(>>PAGE_25>>)''' ...where the mini-sub awaits. They dive and head north, passing a black coral reef which seems to be emitting the electromagnetic waves. Skids tries using the sub's computer... {{anchor|Page 42}}'''(PAGE_42)''' ...to break into the Decepticons' computer, bringing up a file on converting the coral into a superfuel that will triple current war capacity. {{anchor|Page 60}}'''(PAGE_60)''' Bumblebee exits the sub to get a sample of the black coral. Passing some huge crimson coral, he's approached by a school of [[dolphin]]s wishing to play with him. As he breaks off a chunk of the black coral... {{anchor|Page 53}}'''(PAGE_53)''' ...there's an explosion; the coral was booby-trapped! (?) When the water clears, Skids sees that Bumblebee is trapped in a deep coral canyon, the now-broken pillars of crimson coral blocking the sub from entering. {{anchor|Page 61}}'''(PAGE_61)''' Skids notices the dolphins swimming through to where Bumblebee is trapped, and wonders if he could use the sub's computer to decode the dolphins' language and ask them to rescue his friend. It's a long shot, so should he:

::::::'''''Decode the dolphins' language and ask for help?'' (>>[[#Page 46|PAGE_46]]>>)'''

::::::'''''Head for the channel to radio Seaspray?'' (>>[[#Page 49|PAGE_49]]>>)'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 61|PAGE_61]]<<)''' '''''Skids decodes the dolphin's language'' {{anchor|Page 46}}(>>PAGE_46>>)''' ...with the computer in about five minutes, and asks them to go get Bumblebee. The three largest dolphins push aside the coral pillars trapping Bumblebee, who swims back to and enters the sub... {{anchor|Page 41}}'''(PAGE_41)''' ...with the sack of black coral he collected. '''(PAGE_33)''' Back at base, Optimus Prime maps out an attack strategy, and an hour later an Autobot convoy speeds back to Dolphin's Bay. Decepticon spy jets spot them, and they arrive to find Megatron shouting a strange challenge to Optimus: A one-on-one fight to the end, on the mountaintop! {{anchor|Page 62}}'''(PAGE_62)''' When Optimus gains the upper hand, Rumble impulsively jumps in to help Megatron, pounding the ground... {{anchor|Page 38}}'''(PAGE_38)''' ...which splits the hollow mountain in half. Both sides flee as the lab is buried. ''Operation Black Coral'' is renamed ''Operation Earthquake Mistake'' in the Decepticon computer file.

:::::::'''THE END'''

:::::::'''(<<From_[[#Page 61|PAGE_61]]<<)''' '''''Skids heads for the channel'' {{anchor|Page 49}}(>>PAGE_49>>)''' ...and sends an s...o...s to Seaspray, who arrives just as the mini-sub surfaces. Seaspray carefully uses his laser from the water's surface to cut away the crimson coral. Bumblebee squeezes through and swims up to Seaspray with the black coral. They agree to sail back to the Ark since Seaspray's sonar can detect any more mines (the booby trap, apparently) {{anchor|Page 39}}'''(PAGE_34)''' But as they round Sea Lion point at the bottom of the cove, Seaspray proves a nice, big target for one of Starscream's cluster bombs, which shatter him. There's no stopping Operation Black Coral now, so the Autobots are truly sunk.

:::::::'''THE END'''

::'''(<<From_[[#Page 19|PAGE_19]]<<)''' '''''Optimus decides to attack the Dinobots immediately'' {{anchor|Page 30}}(>>PAGE_30>>)''' ...since there isn't a moment to lose. Tracks fires his black-beam gun into Grimlock's eyes, Powerglide knocks Snarl to his knees with a concussion bomb, then Slag attacks the Autobot plane with a jet of fire. Swoop missiles the ground near Slag, knocking him over and popping a cerebro shell off. {{anchor|Page 72}}'''(PAGE_72)''' Optimus orders the Autobots to "Bring them down fast and hard." Warpath downs Sludge with a volley of sonic shells, Swoop missiles Snarl, and Sideswipe and Sunstreaker down Grimlock with high-energy electron pulses, freeing the other three shells. Grimlock accuses the Autobots of enjoying the situation, but the Autobots have a good laugh.

::'''THE END'''

:'''(<<From_[[#Page 5|PAGE_5]]<<)''' '''''Swoop stays and fights Bombshell'' {{anchor|Page 12}}(>>PAGE_12>>)''' ...launching a missile which misses. Bombshell then hovers right above the other Dinobots. Should Swoop:

:'''''Try to lure Bombshell higher?'' (>>[[#Page 70|PAGE_70]]>>)'''

:'''''Fly underneath Bombshell to fire up at him?'' (>>[[#Page 35|PAGE_35]]>>)'''

[[File:DinobotsStrikeBackTinySwoop.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
::'''(<<From_[[#Page 12|PAGE_12]]<<)''' '''''Swoop flies higher'' {{anchor|Page 70}}(>>PAGE_70>>)''' ...but instead of following him, Bombshell orders the other Dinobots to attack the Ark and any human settlements along the way. They charge off, raising a dust cloud which temporarily blinds Swoop. Bombshell sees his opportunity, flies up, and stings Swoop's wing, shrinking him down to the size of a hummingbird! As he hops along the ground, a lizard spots him... {{anchor|Page 15}}'''(PAGE_15)'''...and swats him down. He's saved by a breeze which gets him airborne, then follows the Dinobots' trail of destruction. {{anchor|Page 6}}'''(PAGE_6)''' Then Bombshell's poison wears off, and he returns to normal size, flying back to the Ark.

::'''(>>[[#Page 10|PAGE_10]]>>GO_BACK_^UP^)'''

::'''(<<From_[[#Page 12|PAGE_12]]<<)''' '''''Swoop flies lower'' {{anchor|Page 35}}(>>PAGE_35>>)''' ...but isn't sure whether to risk flying over the violent Slag for a better shot at Bombshell, or try a tougher shot from over Sludge, who's less likely to attack him. Should Swoop fly over:

::'''''Slag?'' (>>[[#Page 36|PAGE_36]]>>)'''

::'''''Sludge?'' (>>[[#Page 48|PAGE_48]]>>)'''

:::'''(<<From_[[#Page 35|PAGE_35]]<<)''' '''''Swoop flies over Slag'' {{anchor|Page 36}}(>>PAGE_36>>)''' Swoop drops his missile for a direct hit on the tiny Insecticon, who spirals to the ground. Swoop transforms and shakes Bombshell awake, ordering him to make the Dinobots better. Bombshell complies and flies off. {{anchor|Page 56}}'''(PAGE_56)''' The Dinobots return to their old selves, but confused. Swoop says they just had a bug in their circuits.

:::'''THE END'''

:::'''(<<From_[[#Page 35|PAGE_35]]<<)''' '''''Swoop flies over Sludge'' {{anchor|Page 48}}(>>PAGE_48>>)''' He can barely see Bombshell, but fires anyway, scoring a lucky shot, then threatens Bombshell with his energo sword until he removes the cerebro-shells. Bombshell limps away as the Dinobots return to normal. Slag and Sludge resume the fight they were having before the attack, accidentally knocking Swoop out. {{anchor|Page 58}}'''(PAGE_58)''' Swoop wakes up with no memory of what just happened, so now [[you]]'re the only one who knows!

:::'''THE END'''

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters|nonumbering=true
|c1=

* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
* [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]

|c2=
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
* [[Gravedigger]] (see "Errors")
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]

|c3=
* [[You]]
* Friendly Dolphins
}}

==Errors==
* If Swoop flies over Slag for a better shot at Bombshell, he "drops his missile" for a direct hit. Since Swoop also flew lower at the previous choice, it seems like dropping it should hit Slag instead, and hitting Bombshell should only be possible by properly firing it, as is common practice for ''missiles'' as opposed to ''bombs''. Oh well, at least he didn't drop [[Decepticon Hijack|an entire missile-launcher]] this time.
* After disabling Bumblebee, Frenzy wants to leave his body at the entrance to the Decepticons' base as a warning to other Autobots. Even though it's a ''secret'' base.
* On page 20, Scrapper is referred to as "Gravedigger" in one sentence. This was a preliminary name for the character, and the book was evidently written using it, and while all other instances were corrected for the final product, this one slipped through. Compounding the error, the illustration for this scene shows [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] instead of Scrapper. This led to fans—unaware of the origin of the "Gravedigger" name at the time—having a bit of fun with the scene and imagining Gravedigger as his own distinct character, which would be [[canonizing|canonized]] years later, when a toy of Gravedigger was released in 2012's ''[[Transformers United EX]]'' line.
* On page 65, Skids worries that, "If the Decepticon computer was telling the truth, it won't be long before the Decepticons are super robots." He's right to worry, but the Decepticon computer is in a different branch. Here, Skids heard about Operation Black Coral from Bumblebee, who overheard Megatron talking about it.
* When Bumblebee breaks off a chunk of black coral, it triggers an explosion. ''Not'' because the coral was dangerously unstable, as one might expect of a substance the Decepticons can convert into a superfuel, but because, "the coral was ''booby-trapped''". Yes, the Decepticons somehow rigged a booby-trap to trigger an explosion when any random piece of black coral was broken. The nature of this trap is never explained (beyond Bumblebee talking about avoiding mines in one branch afterwards), leaving readers to speculate how the heck it could precisely target Bumblebee, and how an explosion that powerful wouldn't also destroy the precious black coral before the 'Cons can use it. It certainly breaks enough red coral.
* Bumblebee is typically the weakest Autobot in a given story, but how much do these pillars of red coral weigh that he can't move them, yet three large dolphins can?
* "Skids breathes a sigh of relief..." is probably just an excusable expression here since Transformers don't even breathe.
* Optimus ascends Mount Lomas "in a few strides". While it's possible there's a land route that near the summit, it's never mentioned, implying some pretty big strides.
* On page 62, "Optimus Prime evades the blast by splitting into three units: Optimus, the [[Brain Center|brain center]], armed with a laser rifle; [[Roller (G1)|Roller]], the spy; and [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], a fully armed artillery robot." While nice and accurate to his tech spec (though "Combat Deck" usually isn't a proper noun), this implies that after climbing the mountain, Optimus somehow transformed back into his full truck mode, stayed that way the whole time he and Megatron were squaring off, and only transformed back into robot mode to avoid his opponent's shot. My, that ''was'' a strange challenge!

==Notes==
* Autobot headquarters is the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].
* The Ark's computer, on the other hand, is never named.
* The Dinobots' speech patterns and mental faculties are pretty much in line with their G1 cartoon portrayals.
* Bombshell uses his stinger to inject something into Swoop's wing which temporarily ''shrinks him down'' so small that he's in danger of being eaten by a passing lizard! This interesting weapon's not mentioned in Bombshell's Marvel TF Universe bio. If anything, it's usually the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] themselves who have the ability to shrink in their alt-modes in various continuities.
* Bombshell does shrink when he transforms, but not down to actual Earth insect size. In Swoop's hand, he's roughly the size his original toy would be relative to an adult human hand.
* Seaspray is repeatedly described as transforming into either a destroyer or a battleship, but never a hovercraft. And he's ''freakin' huge!''
**Unfortunately, we never see a picture of his warship mode, just several of the submarine piloted by Skids and Bumblebee.
* Skids is described as a red compact throughout this book. (Which was in fact one of his [[Diaclone]] color schemes.) This makes it one of the few times his altmode has been properly characterized, as opposed to being a minivan. He is depicted with his correct, more human-like head. In the picture where he's face to face with Bumblebee, he's clearly ''shorter'' than Bee, which also makes sense considering a Honda City Turbo is even smaller than a VW Beetle, a rare instance of real-life vehicle [[scale]] asserting itself in otherwise toy-accurate artwork
* Bumblebee's chosen for the sea mission because he performs better underwater than the other Autobots, an ability from his tech spec that's come up once [[Search for Treasure Under the Sea|in a coloring book]], but not in the bigger continuities.
* A rare appearance by Topspin among the Autobot assault force, apparently because he's their only water vehicle besides Seaspray. His fellow [[Jumpstarter]] [[Twin Twist]] is therefore not in this book.
* The Dinobot story for which this book is named is little more than a prelude to the Operation Black Coral plot, though some endings never get to it.
* When Sludge carries out his tidal wave assault, Skids and Bumblebee hide in a "hut" on the beach. How many huts are on the American west coast, especially huts large enough to hold two Autobots? (Granted, they are the two smallest Autobots in this story).
* Frenzy gets washed out to sea, therefore Bumblebee recovers from his paralyzing sonic attack, after he's already been moved away from the Decepticon base. The paralysis apparently depends on Frenzy continuing to screech (or...something), regardless of his proximity to his victims. Huh.
* Scrapper's tech specs mention him using parts from Autobots to make his creations, but this is one of the few times he's actually done it in fiction. The Autobot throne in "[[Triple Takeover]]" wasn't nearly as horrific as the Autobot Memorial Power Plant, but that project also took advantage of one of Skids' rare appearances.
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] never appears, though Optimus specifically worries about him spying on the Dinobots in one branch.
* While subsequent books in this series occasionally switch to second-person narration to berate [[you]] for choosing the wrong path, the only second person endings in this book are after Autobot victories. One praises you for putting Sludge on the mission with Skids and Bumblebee, and another points out that once Swoop gets conked on the head and forgets Bombshell, you're the only one who knows what happened.
* In the illustration on page 63, Optimus's hand is a little too close to Megatron's...um...trigger. It's partly a perspective trick, but still unfortunate composition.
**This is also one illustration that blatantly copies box art: there are no toy-based pictures of Megatron in this book.
* Lots of victory parties in this one, including three in the same path! The Decepticons even build a mountaintop bonfire! No one gets drunk though. In another ending, Skids bets that the Decepticons will never forget the day Sludge crashed their party.
* Despite the Dinobots destroying farms and threatening a city, there are no humans in any path in this book. The only Earth natives the Autobots interact with are animal and plant life.
* While the dino-mode Dinobots flying apart is likely the illustration burned into the minds of fans traumatized by this book at age 7, the final picture shows the Dinobots with some more subtle injuries in robot mode, sustained in the "Bring them down fast and hard" ending. Snarl has a black eye, Sludge is seeing stars, and he and Slag both have little "X" bandages on their foreheads. Cute, Will. Very cute.
* This book was available individually, or as part of a six-book box set with the other five "pre-[[The Transformers: The Movie|Movie]] era" books in the series.

==External links==
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_item.php?id=1144 "Dinobots Strike Back" on Demian's Gamebook Web Page]

[[Category:Generation 1 multipath adventures]]

Commercial bumper

2024-02-25T10:02:53Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{disambig2|the bits between the show and the ads|the television advertisements|Commercial}}
{{picsneeded|RID}}
[[File:G1CommercialBumper01.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Still not as catchy as ABC's "Aaaafter theeese messages, we'll be riiiight back!"]]
'''Commercial bumpers''' are short segments used to mark the start and end of a commercial segment during a television show. They have been used in many Transformers cartoons.

In Japan, a commercial bumper is referred to as an '''eyecatch''' (アイキャッチ ''aikyatchi'').

==Generation 1==
The original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Transformers]]'' cartoon featured a rotating series of commercial bumpers which changed by season. The music for all seasons remained the same, however, with [[Victor Caroli]] narrating "[[Media:G1-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|''The Transformers'' will return after these messages]]" and "[[Media:G1-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|We now return to ''The Transformers'']]", while a character transformed. The animation for the season 1 and 2 bumpers was provided by [[Toei Animation|Toei]] (with [[Anime R]] assisting for Season 2's bumpers) while the animation for the season 3 and 4 bumpers was provided by [[AKOM]]. Amusingly, at the end of each episode, it was announced the Transformers would return, only to come back to the end credits.

The commercial bumpers were among the many aspects of the cartoon subjected to aural desecration by [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]]. Whereas the original bumpers featured only music and the narrator's voice, the Rhino DVD releases included lasers, squealing tires, revving engines, swooshing sounds, and [[transformation]] sound effects, none of which were present in the original.

The Japanese dub replaced [[Victor Caroli]] with [[Issei Masamune]] yelling "Exciting Transformer!", and had sound effects added to them. During the ''Transformers 2010'' series (US season 3 episodes), the regular music in the bumpers was replaced with "[[Transformer 2010|TRANSFORMER 2010]]".

[[File:G1CommercialBumperOptimus01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|This image can also be found on every vintage trapper keeper, pencil case and paper party cup you'll ever find.]]
;1984
''The Transformers'' will return:
*Optimus Prime transforms to [[robot mode]].
*Jazz drives out from behind an Autobot symbol, spins out while transforming to robot mode, and backs off-screen while firing.

We now return to ''The Transformers'':
*Starscream flies over Earth, transforms to robot mode and lands.
*Laserbeak flies under cam in cassette mode; a passing Decepticon symbol hides his transformation to condor mode.

[[File:G1CommercialBumperShockwave01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Little known fact: Shockwave invented [[:File:G1 Vol.2 Issue6 2.jpg|disco]].]]
;1985
The Season Two commercial bumpers are distinguished by their bright, solid-color backgrounds.

''The Transformers'' will return:
*Cosmos transforms and lands on an upside-down planetoid, which then rotates so he's upright.
*Omega Supreme transforms from base to robot and fires.
*Shockwave transforms from gun to robot and fires at the camera
*Devastator forms, raises his fists together and is enveloped by an energy glow.

We now return to ''The Transformers'':
*Thrust transforms to robot mode and lands.
*Warpath transforms to tank mode and drives under the camera.
*Astrotrain flies past in shuttle mode, changes to robot mode and fires, then changes to locomotive form and drives into the camera.
*Grimlock changes to dino mode and uses his tail to smash a rock outcrop with the Decepticon emblem.
*Hook, in crane mode, lifts a sign declaring "We now return to the Transformers".

[[File:G1CommercialBumperTrypticon01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Trypticon destroy obnoxious text!!]]
;1986
''The Transformers'' will return:
*Rodimus Prime, dodging fire from Cyclonus before changing to vehicle mode.
*Blurr flies past camera, transforms and fires.
*[[Alternate mode|Base mode]] Trypticon fires, then transforms to [[beast mode|dinosaur mode]] while Broadside flies by in Jet Mode .

We now return to ''The Transformers'':
*Ultra Magnus, discharging two passengers before transforming to robot mode.
*Sharkticon, transforming to shark mode and walking into the camera.

[[File:G1CommercialBumperHighbrow01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Featuring everyone's favorite... this guy!]]
;1987
''The Transformers'' will return:
*Scorponok transforms from base to scorpion, scuttles at the camera, and transforms to robot.

We now return to ''The Transformers'':
*Highbrow transforms from helicopter to robot over a planet.

[[File:PrimeTommyCommercialBumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Denim's making a comeback. Just you wait.]]
;1988
''The Transformers'' will return:
*The Optimus Prime puppet telling audiences not to go away.
*[[Tommy Kennedy]] leaning up against the giant Prime puppet's face, telling audiences not to go away.
*Tommy Kennedy lounging in puppet Prime's hand, assuring us they'll be right back.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB3_yXfWdwk</ref>

We now return to ''The Transformers'':
*The Optimus Prime puppet welcoming everyone back.
*Tommy Kennedy announcing, "Now back to the story!"

{{-}}

==''The Headmasters''==
Every bumper for ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' featured the same [[Media:HM-Commercial-Bumper-Sting.ogg|musical sting]], followed by a cry of "Head On!" from one of the cast.

[[File:Headmasters bumpers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Apply directly to the command module!"]]
Into first commercial:
*Gun mode [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] leaps from [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s hand, transforms to robot mode and fires a volley of shots from his blasters.

First return to show:
*Jet mode [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] flies and spins through space, then transforms to robot mode and fires a blast.
*Bat mode [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] dodges gun fire, transforms to robot mode and emits his hypnosis beam. ([[Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears]] to [[Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!]])

Into second commercial:
*[[Alternate mode|Vehicle mode]] [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] dodges two blasts from offscreen, then transforms to robot mode and fires back.
*Scorpion mode [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] transforms to robot mode, materialises his shield and ends with a mighty pose.

Second return to show:
*Tank mode [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] comes under fire from behind, and turns to return fire before transforming to robot mode.
*Ship mode [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] transforms to robot mode.
*Wolf mode [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] dodges gun fire, transforms to robot mode and fires his gun, poised with his tail/sword in his hand. ([[Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears]] to [[Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!]])
{{-}}

==''Super-God Masterforce''==
Every ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' bumper was accompanied by [[Media:MF-Commercial-Bumper-Sting.ogg|a musical sting]] featuring a drawn-out cry of "Mastaaaaa-FORCE!"

;First rotation
[[File:Masterforce bumper 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|You'd better not touch that dial!]]
Into first commercial:
*Jet mode [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] flies over a polar wasteland, then transforms to [[robot mode]] and fires two shots.

First return to show:
*The [[Seacon (Masterforce)|Seacons]] burst out of the ocean and combine into [[King Poseidon]].

Into second commercial:
*Jet mode [[Blood]] flies over a city and shoots at a building, then transforms to robot mode.

Second return to show:
*[[Shūta Gō|Goshooter]] transforms to robot mode.

Before closing credits:
*Truck mode [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] drives across a rocky landscape, and transforms to robot mode.

;Second rotation
[[File:Masterforce bumper 2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Into first commercial:
*Jet mode [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] flies over a polar wasteland, then transforms to robot mode and fires two shots.

First return to show:
*The [[Seacon (Masterforce)|Seacons]] burst out of the ocean and combine into [[King Poseidon]].

Into second commercial:
*[[Hydra (G1)|Hydra]] and [[Buster (G1)|Buster]] combine into [[Darkwings]].

Second return to show:
*[[Shūta Gō|Goshooter]] transforms to robot mode.

Before closing credits:
*Super Ginrai bursts out of a volcano in vehicle mode and transforms into robot mode.

;Third rotation
[[File:Masterforce bumper 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Into first commercial:
*Ship mode [[Grand Maximus]] flies through a smokey battlefield, fires off a shot, and transforms to robot mode.

First return to show:
*Super Ginrai tears through a wall of strange organic material, then combines with [[Godbomber]] into God Ginrai.

Into second commercial:
*Scorpion mode [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] scuttles through a dark canyon and transforms to robot mode.

Second return to show:
*The [[Giga]]tank drives through some water as the [[Mega]]jet flies overhead, then the pair combine into [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]].

Before closing credits:
*Super Ginrai tears through a wall of strange organic material, then combines with [[Godbomber]] into God Ginrai.

The final episode of the series, "[[You Too Use the Masterforce to Transform]]" featured a unique final bumper, starring [[Cab (human)|Cab]]'s pet [[parrot and armadillo]]. The parrot rode around on top of the rolled up armadillo, then fell off as the armadillo uncurled.
{{-}}

==''Victory''==
[[File:Victory bumpers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|When your room looks kinda weird, and you wish that you weren't the-ere...]]
[[File:Roadcaesar bumper.jpg|thumb|125px|ANIMAL DANCE!]]

''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]''{{'}}s bumpers were distinguished by their use of cutesy "[[super deformed]]" characters, who would destroy the opposing faction's [[insignia]] to the tune of [[Media:Victory-Commercial-Bumper-Sting.ogg|a short musical sting]].

After opening credits:
*[[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] flies in and transforms, then slashes the Decepticon insignia, which falls apart to reveal the Autobot insignia beneath.

Into commercial:
*[[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] falls into shot in [[beast mode]], transforms and smashes the Autobot insignia with his mace, which crumbles away to expose the Decepticon insignia.

Back to show:
*The [[Dinoforce]] combine into [[Dinoking]], who jumps on the Autobot insignia, then cheerfully plucks the Decepticon insignia from the rubble.

Before closing credits:
*[[Holi]] destroys the Decepticon insignia by bursting out of it in car mode, then transforms to watch [[Jan Minakaze|Jan]] as he pushes the Autobot insignia into shot. Holi leans against it and Jan salutes.
*The [[Brainmaster]]s combine into [[Road Caesar]] and kick the Decepticon logo and the camera follows it as it rolls off to the right, past the Autobot logo, and falls over. Road Caesar jumps on it and dusts his hands off. Curiously, this bumper was only featured in "[[Attack! Leozack]]".
{{-}}

==''Generation 2''==
[[File:G2commercialConstructiconsDinobots.jpg|thumb|125px]]
''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' incorporated [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] clips from the line's toy [[commercial]]s, each one featuring a piece of unique narration.

Into commercial:
*The Constructicons transform and start smashing stuff as the narrator appeals to the audience: "Hey, don't trash the place! ''Transformers: Generation 2'' will be right back!"
*Jazz drives off a ramp and transforms to [[robot mode]] with a flip. "Hey, don't flip out! ''Transformers: Generation 2'' will be right back!"
*Optimus Prime drives down a road for a while before transforming. "Don't hit the road! ''Transformers: Generation 2'' will be right back!"

Back to show:
*Ramjet swoops down and transforms to robot mode as the narrator requests: "Don't go ballistic! ''Transformers: Generation 2'' is back!"
*Devastator smashes a chasm into the ground, out of which emerge the Dinobots. "And now, back to ''Transformers: Generation 2''!"
{{-}}

==''Beast Wars''==
''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' featured a standardized short commercial bumper, with the show's logo from the opening credits accompanied by the "BEAST WARS!" cry, and [[Garry Chalk]] proclaiming either "We'll be right back!" or "We're back!" as appropriate.

[[File:Beast Wars bumper.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
After the final act of the episode and before the final commercial, there would be an additional bumper, with a narrator urging viewers to continue watching the series as a montage of action clips and quotes played quickly in the background.

[[File:BeastWarsJapanBumperConvoy01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
:''Garry Chalk'': "BEAST WAAAARS!"
:''Narrator'': "More exciting action--"
:''Chalk'': "MAXIMIZE!"
:''Narrator'': "--from your favorite 3-D Transformers!"
:''Chalk'': "Prime jets, ON!"
:''[[Ian James Corlett|Ian Corlett]]'': "Whoaaaaah, cool!"
:''Narrator'': "On the next exciting adventure of ''Beast Wars''! With 3-D action!"

None of these have been included on any [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)#Home video releases|home video release]].

Meanwhile, for the Japanese version of the series, the commercial bumpers were slightly more elaborate. Each bumper featured a framed image of a chosen character, showing off their transformation while screaming the name of the show. Laid over their narration was a clip of the [[theme song]]: "[[War War! Stop It|WAR WAR! STOP IT]]" by [[Banana Ice]].
{{-}}

==''Beast Wars II''==
[[File:BWII Lio Convoy bumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
The Japanese ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' series used two different types of bumpers.

The first featured an over-the-shoulder, close-up shot of [[Lio Convoy]] on a plain black background. This would reveal itself slowly with an adjustment of the screen's lighting, followed by the series' logo materialising in the bottom right corner, all to the tune of [[Media:BWII-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|a strange "whoosing" synth sting]].

The second type of bumper used in ''BWII'' featured a character's stock transformation footage on a plain black background, again ending with the show's logo slowly appearing in the corner. When the featured character had a beast mode, they were shown transforming to [[robot mode]], but those without ended up in vehicle mode. The exceptions to this rule were [[Moon (BW)|Moon]], [[Scuba]], and [[Ikard]], who were each shown to transform both to robot mode in a pre-break bumper and then back to [[beast mode]] after the break. [[Starscream (BW)|Starscream]] also transformed to robot mode when he was featured. Instead of the "whoosing" synth, this style of bumper was accompanied by [[Media:BWII-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|its own short musical sting]].

The first Lio Convoy-style bumper was used almost exclusively for the first fifteen episodes, with the sole exception of episode twelve. Between the episodes sixteen and forty-two it only turned up in four episodes, and then shared the final episode with a [[Lio Junior]] transformation bumper.
{{-}}

==''Beast Wars Neo''==
''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' also used bumpers that each featured the series' characters' transformation footage as ''BWII'' had. This was accompanied by one of two musical stings, depending on whether the bumper was positioned [[Media:BWN-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|before]] or [[Media:BWN-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|after]] the ad break.

[[File:Beast Wars Neo bumpers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|left|Wonkey <s>donkey</s> giraffe.]]
Approximately half of the episodes featured a different character either side of the ad break, whereas the other half kept the same character for both bumps. Occasionally they also mixed things up a bit by showing a single character transforming from [[beast mode]] to robot mode before the break and back again afterwards.

Of the twenty-two characters featured in the series' bumpers, only six were given more than one piece of transformation footage. Of those, [[Big Convoy]] is special in that he was shown in three separate clips; one transforming to [[beast mode]], and two transforming to robot mode.

The familiar [[Lio Convoy]] over-the-shoulder bumper from ''BWII'' also made a cameo appearance in this series. It was used as both the pre- and post-break bumpers in [[Illusion? Lio Convoy|episode twenty-nine]]. The only difference was that it now featured the ''Neo'' logo and stings, naturally.

With this series, Lio Convoy also finally got his own transformation-style bumper, something that managed to elude him throughout the whole of ''BWII''.
{{-}}

==''Beast Machines''==
''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' featured a standardized short commercial bumper that played after every ad break. The bumper reuses the logo animation from the show's [[title sequence]], albeit without the deep voice exclaiming "Beast Machines!" It is unknown which if any networks actually used this bumper, but it does appear on the [[Shout! Factory]] DVD box set, as well as certain streaming platforms such as Tubi. Notably, like the title sequence seen in these releases, the bumper features 16:9 footage squished down to a 4:3 resolution, suggesting that widescreen versions of the first season episodes existed at one point but were never released.

For the U.S. broadcast, [[Fox Kids]] created its own unique set of commercial bumpers done in the style of the kinds of bumpers the network would create for its other contemporary programming. As these bumpers were produced by Fox Kids rather than the show itself, they are not included on any of [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)#Home video releases|the cartoon's home video releases]].

==2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon==
[[File:Car Robots bumpers.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb]]
;''Car Robots''
The Japanese ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|Car Robots]]'' series featured bumpers that each re-used one of the [[computer-generated imagery|CGI]] character transformations seen in the show's [[title sequence|opening titles]], except taking place on a plain black background and with the series logo overlaid onto the bottom right corner. These were accompanied by one of two different musical stings, depending on whether they were [[Media:CR-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|leading into]], or [[Media:CR-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|returning from]] the ad break.

;''Robots in Disguise''
Like ''Beast Machines'', [[Fox Kids]] created bumpers for the English ''Robots in Disguise'' dub that matched the template used for their other programming. As such, they are not included on any [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)#Home video releases|home video releases]].

Episode lead-in:
*A CG animated disk reconfigures into a monitor that reveals a superimposed image of [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]], spins around to show the series logo on its back, and then spins back to face frontward with the Fox Kids logo now on its screen. Narrator: "You're watching ''Transformers'' on Fox Kids!"

Into commercial:
*CGI animation of a superdeformed [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] transforming into the [[Fox Kids]] logo. [[Neil Kaplan]] narrates "We'll be back, on Fox Kids!"
*CGI clip of Optimus Prime's transformation from the original ''Car Robots'' opening credits. Kaplan: "''Transformers'' will be right back, on Fox Kids."
*The [[Spychanger]]s run towards the screen and transform, as [[Wally Wingert]] implores "Don't speed up--we'll be transforming back to the show!"
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] transforms as a narrator taunts him with "Here, sharky, sharky, sharky... Don't bite. ''Transformers'' will be back on Fox Kids!"

Back to show:
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s face appears on his own car mode viewscreen. Wingert: "Dude! We're cruising the fast track, back to ''Transformers'' on Fox Kids!"
*Transformation stock footage of the [[Autobot Brothers]] (specifically [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]]) ending with the Fox Kids logo. Wingert: "What would a hero be without his sidekicks?! Let's get back to the show!"
*[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] transforms into [[robot mode]] as the narrator retorts, "Megatron, Optimus sees you. Back to ''Transformers'' on Fox Kids."
*Stock footage of Optimus transforming on his vehicle mode viewscreen. Kaplan: "Shift--lock--and ready to roll--back to ''Transformers'' on Fox Kids!"
{{-}}

==''Armada''==
[[File:Armada Optimus Prime bumper.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
;''Armada''
The ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' series featured bumpers that were very similar in part to the show's [[scene transition]]s.

The first bumper of the episode would start by showing [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s vehicle mode driving down a dirt road for a couple of seconds before transitioning via a screen full of customised [[Autobot]] [[insignia]]-shaped {{w|wipe (transition)|iris wipes}} to a shot of him in [[robot mode]] in front of a vaguely mechanical looking background. Optimus would then twirl around, flailing wildly, before settling on a pose on the right side of the screen. This was accompanied by either [[Media:Armada-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|a short musical sting taken from the show's theme song]], or [[Media:Armada-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|a second sting that, like, totally rocks out loud]].
[[File:Armada bumpers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|left|Winners don't use drugs. Transfans don't need them.]]
The bumper leading into the mid-episode commercial break would start by fading up on the familiar swirling green background as pieces of the Autobot insignia quickly tumbled from behind the camera towards the middle of the screen. Once the pieces had met in the middle-ground and joined to form the Autobot symbol, they would perform a quick flip while a glowing yellow monochrome Optimus suddenly appeared out of the flare effect. All of this was accompanied by the same first musical sting taken from the theme song.

The bumper that led the return to the show was basically the same, except with the [[Decepticon]] symbol, a glowing white [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], and [[Media:Armada-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1-Short.ogg|a slightly shorter version of the first sting]].
{{-}}

[[File:Micron Legend bumpers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Transfans DEFINITELY don't need drugs. The franchise itself is addicting enough as it is.]]
;''Legends of the Microns''
The Japanese version ''Legends of the Microns'' used multiple bumper sets, changing to new ones in the later half of the series. Almost all feature the accompanying music sting that is the initial cries of [[Media:ML-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|"Transform! Transform!" and guitar riff]] from the first opening song "[[Transformer: Dream Again|TRANSFORMER -Dream Again-]]". Like the scene transitions, these were handled by [[Raretrick]].

The previously mentioned bumper of Prime driving, and transforming, at the start of each episode, which was used as bumper for the start of ''Armada'' episodes, instead served as the title cards for each episode in ''Legends of the Microns''.

The first set is more or less identical to ''Armada''{{'}}s mid-episode commercial break, although they're accompanied with the ''Legends of the Microns'' logo and instrumentals that play slightly extended versions of the [[scene transition#The Unicron Trilogy|scene transitions']] stings: [[Media:ML-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|the "heroic" guitars]] for Optimus, and [[Media:ML-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-3.ogg|the more ominous horns]] for Megatron.

[[File:Micron Legend Unicron bumper.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Now do an "OM NOM NOM" pose!]]
The second eye catch variation leading into commercial shows Jet Optimus firing a shot while flying back, followed with [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] driving by in vehicle form before cutting to a yellow monochrome of them all combined against the similarly styled green background.

Returning from commercial has more than one variation. One shows [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] standing on Cybertron with [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] popping up behind him and a starry backdrop. Cut to them combined and the green background with the ''Legends of the Microns'' logo, but not in silver monochrome

Another version of returning from commercial features Unicron in planet mode zooming close to the screen before his planet-mode's "jaws" transitions the screen over to him in robot mode hovering over Cybertron with the ''Legends of the Microns'' logo.
{{-}}

==''Super Link''==
[[File:Super Link bumpers.jpg|thumb|280px]]
The Japanese version of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' cartoon featured still shots of various characters over the top of one of two musical stings, one for [[Media:SL-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|either]] [[Media:SL-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|side]] of the break. In addition, the featured character would announce the show's title, often taking the opportunity to introduce themselves to the audience or give their characteristic rallying cry ("[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]—hyper mode!" for example).

Rather than follow a fixed pattern across the series or be chosen randomly, the bumpers would often relate to the events of the episode during which they appeared, and characters would sometimes make references to what was happening in the show at the time. The special episode "[[Distribution]]" featured an abundance of original commercial bumpers which didn't actually lead into commercials, but were just included for "fun" in the middle of the show.

''Super Link''{{'}}s commercial bumpers didn't make it into ''Energon'' (because it took commercial breaks more frequently and at different times), but the fake bumpers from "Distribution" did, since they were actually part of the episode. Naturally, the joke (weak as it was in the first place) was met with [[dull surprise|dull bemusement]] by the ''Energon'' audience, since viewers who had not seen ''Super Link'' (i.e. most of the viewing audience) had no idea what they were or where they came from.
{{-}}

==''Galaxy Force''==
The bumpers for the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Galaxy Force]]'' series featured a harmonised cry of "[[Media:GF-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|To-ran-su-for-MAAAAA!]]" taken from the end of [[Call You... Kimi to Boku no Mirai|the main theme tune]]. When the theme changed at episode twenty-eight the show's bumpers switched to using two different versions of the cry, neither from the main theme, each with slightly different timing for the pre- and post-break bumpers; "[[Media:GF-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|To-ran-su... fo-or-MAAAAA!]]" and "[[Media:GF-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-3.ogg|To-ran-su-FORRR-maaaaa!]]" respectively.

[[File:Galaxy Force bumpers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.55|left|Everyone admires their tiny floaing toys.]]
[[File:Galaxy Force bumpers ep51.jpg|thumb|upright=1.05|Up and below!]]
For the first half of the series, each bumper would start by showing the series' logo on a light blue star field, from which the planets would break away and fly around a bit as the title glowed white and phased-out. This would then quickly cross-fade into a close-up still of a character, on top of which said character would then phase-in with the same white glow seen earlier (together with their name and faction's insignia) and strike a pose with a mighty ''clunk''.

From episode twenty-seven (the series' half-way point), the bumpers would start with a close-up silhouette of a character on a star field background, overlaid with the series' logo in the bottom corner. The logo would then phase-out as the silhouette moved away from the camera, usually turning around, as the lighting adjusted to reveal the character and the background cross-faded into said character's close-up still. Each bump would still end with the same pose-striking ''clunk'' as before, together with the character's name and insignia phasing into view.

For the first thirteen episodes, the bumper leading into the ad break was also used to return to the show, whereas from episodes fourteen to twenty-five, most (but not all) episodes featured different characters either side of the break. From episode twenty-six onwards they were always different, and occasionally displayed two or three characters on the same screen.

A notable exception is [[Unfinished|episode fifty-one]], which is the only episode to feature no commercial bumpers; instead, the ''Galaxy Force'' logo scrolls on and off the screen to signal the beginning and the end of the commercial break, as pictured right.
{{-}}

==''Animated''==
[[File:Animated Japan bumpers.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
In America, the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' cartoon series did not have any unique bumpers, simply going with whatever generic bumpers [[Cartoon Network]] was using at the time.

In Japan, however, new commercial bumpers were crafted for the series. These bumpers use one of two musical stings, depending on whether the character featured is [[Media:Animated-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-1.ogg|an Autobot]] or [[Media:Animated-Commercial-Bumper-Sting-2.ogg|a Decepticon]], with said character shouting their name followed by the "Transform!" command. The Autobot sting is based on [[Transformers Evo.|the show's opening theme song]].

Visually, each bumper starts with a blank screen showing a colour gradient, in front of which the featured character quickly moves in from off-screen in their vehicle mode. They then flip in a manner similar to a [[scene transition]] to reveal the same character in robot mode, flanked by a mirrored pair of monochrome versions of themselves in an action pose, set at a jaunty angle and overlaid with their name in a unique font. This art then moves towards the camera slightly before straightening up and shrinking back to the middle-ground as the series' logo positions itself in front of them.
{{-}}

==''Prime''==
In the US, ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' initially had no separate bumpers, simply using [[Hub Network|The Hub]]'s generic bumpers. However, ''Prime''-themed bumpers were eventually created later on.

Into commercial:
*We see [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] explode out of the Hub logo. We then see a picture of [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], which then goes into the background as Bumblebee punches the screen.

Back to the show:
*We see [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] transform into truck mode, then Bumblebee is aiming his gun at something, then we see Optimus Prime's face, and finally we see the Hub logo.

In Japan, there is a circling 3D image of a Transformer in [[alternate mode]] accompanied by their name, rank (e.g. Optimus is Autobot Commander, Megatron is Decepticon Emperor of Destruction) and the various tech specs (e.g. Strength, Intelligence, etc.) set to the familiar 'Robots in Disguise!' refrain used since G1. The image speeds up as the character calls out, "(name), Transform!" at which point there is a flash of light and the image is replaced with the character in [[robot mode]]. Starting with [[T.M.I.|episode 21]], the bumpers began including the Transformer's [[Arms Micron]] partner and the "Transform!" callout was replaced by the Micron saying "Arms Micron (name), Arms Up!"

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Eyecatch''' (アイキャッチ ''Ai Kyacchi'')

==External links==
*{{w|Bumper (broadcasting)|Commercial bumper at Wikipedia}}
*{{w|Eyecatch|Eyecatch at Wikipedia}}

{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Commercials]]

Studio Series

2024-02-25T10:02:13Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{nav-studio}}
[[File:StudioSeries-01-MV1-Deluxe-Bumblebee-w backdrop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|From L'Oreal]]
First revealed at New York [[Toy Fair 2018]], '''''Transformers Generations: Studio Series''''' (aka '''''Transformers: Studio Series'''''), acts as a celebration under the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' banner of over ten years of live-action movies, with characters from every movie represented. It has to date also coincided with ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]'', the sixth and seventh films in the [[live-action film series]].

Each figure from the Deluxe, Voyager, and Leader Class assortments is numbered, with an indication of their movie of origin. The same also applies to store exclusive figures and multi-packs. All figures also come with a cardboard backdrop–the eponymous "studio"<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's called "Studio Series" partly because Hasbro envisioned fans using the included backdrops as miniature "studios" when taking photos of the toys for social media.|link=https://twitter.com/tfwiki/status/1136078338706104320|name=Transformers Wiki (Matthew Karpowich)|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=06|day=05}}</ref>–depicting a notable scene from their respective fictional appearance. In some instances, backdrops are repeated between separate figures representing the same scene. If those figures are released as part of different [[size class]]es, the backdrops are rescaled accordingly.

With rough robot mode [[scale]] as a line-wide goal, each figure is sized in relation to other toys, even in the same [[size class]]; 18 Deluxe Bumblebee is shorter than Jazz and 01 Bumblebee, who are in turn shorter than Ratchet and Lockdown.

The toyline boasts a greater accuracy than previous lines, due its focus on relative scale and its making use of CG models pulled from the films (or games) for reference (though this does fall short for early ''Bumblebee''/''Rise of the Beasts'' toys). ''Studio Series'' also explores toys for characters who had none before, or were left to a smaller size class.
{{TOC|limit=3}}
==Hasbro ''Studio Series'' toyline==
===2018===
====Deluxe Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|01 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Bumblebee]] (''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' 1976 Camaro)}}
{{Bp-d1|02 [[Stinger (AOE)#Studio Series|Decepticon Stinger]] (''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'')}}
{{Bp-d1|03 [[Crowbar#Studio Series|Crowbar]] (''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'')}}
{{Bp-a1|04 [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Autobot Ratchet]] (''Transformers'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|10 [[Jazz (Movie)#Studio Series|Autobot Jazz]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|11 [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Studio Series|Lockdown]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|16 [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#SS16|Autobot Ratchet]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|17 [[Shadow Raider#Studio Series|Shadow Raider]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-a1|18 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS18|Bumblebee]] (''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' VW Beetle)}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|22 [[Dropkick (Movie)#Studio Series|Dropkick]] (''Bumblebee'' SuperCobra)}}
{{Bp-d1|23 [[KSI Sentry#Studio Series|KSI Sentry]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:StudioSeries-03-MV3-Deluxe-Crowbar.jpg|thumb|200px|03 Deluxe Class [[Crowbar#Studio Series|Crowbar]]]]
|}

====Voyager Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|05 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Optimus Prime]] (''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'')}}
{{Bp-d1|06 [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Starscream]] (''Transformers'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|12 [[Brawl (Movie)#Studio Series|Decepticon Brawl]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|13 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Megatron]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|14 [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Autobot Ironhide]] (''Transformers'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|21 [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#SS21|Starscream]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:StudioSeries-13-MV2-Voyager-Megatron.jpg|thumb|200px|13 Voyager Class [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Megatron]]]]
|}

====Leader Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|07 [[Grimlock (AOE)#Studio Series|Grimlock]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-d1|08 [[Blackout (Movie)#Studio Series|Decepticon Blackout]] (''Transformers'' w/ [[Scorponok (Movie)#Studio Series|Scorponok]])}}
</ul>
|
|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:StudioSeries-08-MV1-Leader-Blackout.jpg|thumb|200px|08 Leader Class [[Blackout (Movie)#Studio Series|Decepticon Blackout]]]]
|}

====Exclusives====
The earliest exclusives in ''Studio Series'' were hit hard by the bankruptcy of [[Toys"R"Us]] in several countries. Thundercracker was only available for a very short window at TRU, and only in store. Likewise, the Bumblebee/Charlie 2-pack was also intended for Toys"R"Us, but ultimately only released that way in Canada, which still had Toys"R"Us by the time it came out. Both releases were eventually made available through numerous online retailers such as [[BigBadToyStore]], Entertainment Earth, ToyWiz, and TFSource.

The Bumblebee Then & Now Two-pack was exclusive to [[Target]] and BigBadToyStore in the United States and to Kmart in Australia; the Bumblebee Vol. 1 Retro Rock Garage set debuted at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018 and was later also made available via [[Hasbro Toy Shop]]; and the Bumblebee Vol. 2 Retro Pop Highway set appears to have been an "online exclusive" shared between the same retailers that offered Thundercracker and Bumblebee/Charlie. We say "appear" because the Retro Pop Highway set was ''also'' available at GameStop stores in the United States, ''and'' both sets were ''also'' listed in Diamond Comic Distributors' ''Previews'' catalog, so really the only "exclusivity" for these appears to be that neither of them is available from Walmart or Target.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Voyager Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|09 [[Thundercracker (Movie)#Studio Series|Thundercracker]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Multi-packs'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|15 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS15|Bumblebee]] (''Bumblebee'' 1976 Camaro, w/ [[Charlie Watson#Studio Series|Charlie]])}}
{{Bp-a1d1|19 Vol. 1 Retro Rock Garage (''Bumblebee'')}}
:{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS19|Bumblebee]] (1976 Camaro)}}
:{{Bp-a1|[[Dairu#Studio Series|Dairu]]}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Uruaz#Studio Series|Uruaz]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|20 Vol. 2 Retro Pop Highway (''Bumblebee'')}}
:{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS20|Bumblebee]] (Beetle)}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Uriad#Studio Series|Uriad]]}}
:{{Bp-a1|[[Zauru#Studio Series|Zauru]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|Bumblebee Then & Now Two-Pack}}
:{{Bp-a1|24 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS24|Bumblebee]] (''Bumblebee'' Beetle)}}
:{{Bp-a1|25 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS24|Bumblebee]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Studio-Series-20-Vol2-retro-Pop-Highway-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|200px|20 Vol. 2 Retro Pop Highway]]
|}

;Asia only
Meanwhile, in Hasbro Asia markets: a special Bumblebee with battle damage deco was [[Campaign item|given away]] to customers who purchased at least 100 SGD of ''Studio Series'' and/or ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' products in Singaporean Toys"R"Us stores; and in China, the purchase of ''Studio Series'' products from Hasbro's official TaoBao online shop on May 15, 2018, entered buyers into a lucky draw with the chance of receiving one of 300 battle damaged Bumblebees or one of 88 Blackouts in camouflage deco.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Singapore (Toys"R"Us)'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|01 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BattleDamagedTRU|Bumblebee]] (''Transformers'' 1976 Camaro)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''China (TaoBao)'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|01 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SSTaoBao|Bumblebee]] (''Transformers'' 1976 Camaro)}}
{{Bp-d1|08 [[Blackout (Movie)#TaoBao|Decepticon Blackout]] (''Transformers'' w/ [[Scorponok (Movie)#TaoBao|Scorponok]])}}
</ul>
|[[File:TF-Studio-Series-Hasbro-TaoBao-exclusive-Blackout.jpg|thumb|200px|TaoBao exclusive 08 Leader Class [[Blackout (Movie)#TaoBao|Decepticon Blackout]]]]
|
|}
----
===2019===
Falling on the tenth anniversary of ''Revenge of the Fallen'', the [[2019]] product saw a return of the film's starring combiners, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS32|Jetwing Optimus Prime]] and a hugely ambitious [[Devastator (ROTF)#Studio Series|Devastator]], which necessitated a release over two years.

====Deluxe Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|26 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS26|WWII Bumblebee]] (''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'')}}
{{Bp-a1|27 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS27|Clunker Bumblebee]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|28 [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Barricade]] (''Transformers'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|29 [[Sideswipe (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Sideswipe]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|30 [[Crankcase (DOTM)#Studio Series|Crankcase]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 6'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|39 [[Cogman#Studio Series|Cogman]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-d1|40 [[Shatter#Studio Series|Shatter]] (''Bumblebee'' Plymouth)}}
{{Bp-d1|41 [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Scrapmetal]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 7'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|45 [[Drift (AOE)#SS45|Autobot Drift]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-d1|46 [[Dropkick (Movie)#SS46|Dropkick]] (''Bumblebee'' Javelin)}}
{{Bp-d1|47 [[Hightower (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Hightower]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Studio-Series-MVBB-40-Deluxe-Shatter.jpg|thumb|200px|40 Deluxe Class [[Shatter#Studio Series|Shatter]]]]
|}

====Voyager Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|32 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS32|Optimus Prime]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|33 [[Bonecrusher (Movie)#Studio Series|Bonecrusher]] (''Transformers'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 6'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|37 [[Rampage (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Rampage]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-a1|38 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS38|Optimus Prime]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 7'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|42 [[Long Haul (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Long Haul]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-d1|43 [[KSI Boss#Studio Series|KSI Boss]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Studio-Series-38-MVBB-Voyager-Optimus-Prime.jpg|thumb|200px|38 Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS38|Optimus Prime]]]]
|}

====Leader Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|34 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS34|Megatron]] (''Dark of the Moon'' w/ [[Igor#Studio Series|Igor]])}}
{{Bp-a1|35 [[Jetfire (Movie)#Studio Series|Jetfire]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|44 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS44|Optimus Prime]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Studio-Series-35-MV2-Leader-Jetfire.jpg|thumb|200px|35 Leader Class [[Jetfire (Movie)#Studio Series|Jetfire]]]]
|}

====Exclusives====
As with the previous year's Vol. 2 Retro Pop Highway, the Drift and Baby Dinobots set was available from multiple online retailers. Battle Damaged Megatron was first found stocked by Hong Kong shops, long before it was available both online and in store at Toys"R"Us in Canada and Target in the U.S.

"As Seen In Parks" Megatron was officially exclusive to Universal Studios, but was released (almost a ''year'' after he had been officially revealed) in Hasbro's Asian markets first. Due to the global {{w|COVID-19 pandemic}}, the toy was only released exclusively to online retailers in the U.S.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Voyager Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|31 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS31|Battle Damaged Megatron]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Leader Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|48 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SSUniversal|As Seen In Parks Megatron]] (''[[Transformers: The Ride – 3D]]'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="40%" valign="top"|'''Multi-pack'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|36 [[Drift (AOE)#Studio Series|Autobot Drift]] & [['Tops#Studio Series|Dinobot 'Tops]], [[Pterry#Studio Series|Dinobot Pterry]], [[Sharp-T#Studio Series|Dinobot Sharp T]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Studio-Series-MV5-Deluxe-Drift.jpg|thumb|200px|36 Deluxe [[Drift (AOE)#Studio Series|Autobot Drift]]]]
|}
{{-}}
----

===2020===
====Deluxe Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 8'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|49 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS49|Bumblebee]] (''Transformers'' 2008 Concept Camaro)}}
{{Bp-a1|50 [[Hot Rod (DOTM)#Studio Series|WWII Autobot Hot Rod]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{Bp-d1|51 [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#Studio Series|Soundwave]] (''Dark of the Moon'' w/ [[Laserbeak (DOTM)#Studio Series|Laserbeak]])}}
{{Bp-a1|52 [[Chromia (ROTF)#Studio Series|Chromia]] • [[Arcee (Movie)#Studio Series|Arcee]] • [[Elita-One (Movie)#Studio Series|Elita-1]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 9'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|57 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS57|Offroad Bumblebee]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|58 [[Roadbuster (DOTM)#Studio Series|Roadbuster]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|59 [[Shatter#SS59|Shatter]] (''Bumblebee'' Harrier)}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 10'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|62 [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS62|Soundwave]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-a1|63 [[Topspin (DOTM)#Studio Series|Topspin]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-a1|64 [[Cliffjumper (Movie)#Studio Series|Cliffjumper]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-Generations-Studio-Series-50-WWII-Hot-Rod.jpg|thumb|200px|50 Deluxe Class [[Hot Rod (DOTM)#Studio Series|WWII Autobot Hot Rod]]]]
|}

====Voyager Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 8'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|53 [[Mixmaster (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Mixmaster]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-d1|54 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS54|Megatron]] (''Transformers'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 9'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|60 [[Scrapper (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Scrapper]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-a1d1|61 [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#Studio Series|Sentinel Prime]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}} 
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 10'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|65 [[Blitzwing (BB)#Studio Series|Blitzwing]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-d1|67 [[Skipjack (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Skipjack]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-Studio-Series-Voyager-Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|200px|65 Voyager Class [[Blitzwing (BB)#Studio Series|Blitzwing]]]]
|}

====Leader Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|55 [[Scavenger (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Scavenger]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-a1d1|56 [[Shockwave (Movie)#Studio Series|Shockwave]] (''Dark of the Moon'' w/ [[Brains#Studio Series|Brains]], [[Wheelie (ROTF)#Studio Series|Wheelie]], and [[NEST#Studio Series|Paratrooper]])}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|66 [[Overload (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Overload]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Studio-Series-MV2-Leader-Overload.jpg|thumb|200px|66 Leader Class [[Overload (ROTF)#Studio Series|Constructicon Overload]]]]
|}

====Exclusives====
2020 saw the release of Leadfoot at Target, the enormous Devastator box set at multiple retailers, and the beginnings of the ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' line in celebration of everybody's favourite little yellow Autobot. Toys in the latter line are earmarked by the addition of "BB" to their ID numbers.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Target Deluxe Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|68 [[Leadfoot (DOTM)#Studio Series|Leadfoot]] (''Dark of the Moon'' w/ [[Steeljaw (DOTM)#Studio Series|Steeljaw]])}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Target ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Deluxe asst. 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|15BB [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BW15|Bumblebee]] (''Bumblebee'' 1976 Camaro, w/ [[Charlie Watson#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Charlie]])}}
{{Bp-a1|26BB [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BW26|WWII Bumblebee]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-d1|40BB [[Shatter#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Shatter]] (''Bumblebee'' Plymouth)}}
{{Bp-a1|74BB [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BW74|Bumblebee]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'' 2008 Camaro, w/ [[Sam Witwicky#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Sam]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Multiple outlets'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|69 [[Devastator (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Devastator]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')
:{{Bp-d1|[[Scavenger (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Constructicon Scavenger]]}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Hightower (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Constructicon Hightower]]}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Scrapmetal (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Constructicon Scrapmetal]]}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Skipjack (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Constructicon Skipjack]]}}}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
 
:{{Bp-d1|[[Long Haul (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Constructicon Long Haul]]}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Scrapper (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Constructicon Scrapper]]}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Overload (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Constructicon Overload]]}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Mixmaster (ROTF)#SSBoxset|Constructicon Mixmaster]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-Studio-Series-SS-68-Deluxe-Leadfoot.jpg|thumb|200px|68 Deluxe Class [[Leadfoot (DOTM)#Studio Series|Leadfoot]] (w/ [[Steeljaw (DOTM)#Studio Series|Steeljaw]])]]
|}
{{-}}
----

===2021===
For [[2021]]'s new product, ''Studio Series'' started to include characters from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', in celebration of the film's 35th anniversary. These toys feature a separate numbering system in Hasbro markets that utilizes "86" before the number of the respective figure. The '86 figures follow the same style, scale and play pattern of those from the concurrent ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' toylines, complete with [[Fire Blast effect]] compatibility and [[5 mm post|5 mm port]]s that can support [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|Weaponizers]] and [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizers]].

====Deluxe Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 11'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-01 [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Autobot Jazz]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|86-02 [[Kup (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Kup]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|86-03 [[Blurr (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Blurr]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 12'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|70 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS70|B-127]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|71 [[Dino#Studio Series|Autobot Dino]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 13'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|74 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS74|Bumblebee]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'' w/ [[Sam Witwicky#SS74|Sam Witwicky]])}}
{{Bp-a1|75 [[Jolt (ROTF)#Studio Series|Jolt]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-qu2|86-08 [[Gnaw (G1)#Studio Series|Gnaw]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 14'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|78 [[Sideswipe (Movie)/toys#SS78|Sideswipe]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-Studio-Series-86-01-Deluxe-Autobot-Jazz.jpg|thumb|200px|86-01 Deluxe Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Autobot Jazz]]]]
|}

====Voyager Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 11'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-04 [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Autobot Hot Rod]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-d1|86-05 [[Scourge (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Scourge]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 12'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|72 [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#SS72|Starscream]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 13'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|76 [[Thrust (Movie)#Studio Series|Thrust]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|86-09 [[Wreck-Gar (G1)#Studio Series|Wreck-Gar]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 14'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|86-10 [[Sweep (G1)#Studio Series|Decepticon Sweep]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:SS76-Bumblebee-Thrust.jpg|thumb|200px|76 Voyager Class [[Thrust (Movie)#Studio Series|Thrust]]]]
|}

====Leader Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 6'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-06 [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Grimlock]] & [[Wheelie (G1)#Studio Series|Autobot Wheelie]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 7'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|73 [[Grindor (ROTF)#Studio Series|Grindor]] & [[Ravage (ROTF)#Studio Series|Ravage]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-a1|86-07 [[Slag (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Dinobot Slug]] & [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Studio Series|Daniel Witwicky]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:SS-toy Grimlock 86.jpg|thumb|200px|86-06 Leader Class [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Grimlock]] & [[Wheelie (G1)#Studio Series|Wheelie]]]]
|}

====Target exclusives====
The ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' line further expanded in 2021 to include multi-packs. Target also reissued Battle Damaged Megatron and the Then & Now Two-Pack.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Voyager Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|31 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS31|Battle Damaged Megatron]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'') reissue}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Multi-pack'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|Bumblebee Then & Now Two-Pack (reissue)}}
:{{Bp-a1|24 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS24|Bumblebee]] (Beetle, ''Bumblebee'')}}
:{{Bp-a1|25 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS24|Bumblebee]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Battle Packs'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|18BB [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BW18|Bumblebee]] VS 46BB [[Dropkick (Movie)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Dropkick]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1d1|27BB [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BW27|Clunker Bumblebee]] VS 28BB [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Barricade]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-a1d1|79BB [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BW79|High Octane Bumblebee]] VS 02BB [[Stinger (AOE)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Decepticon Stinger]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Buzzworthy-Bumblebee-High-Octane-Bumblebee-VS-Decepticon-Stinger.jpg|thumb|200px|79BB [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BW79|High Octane Bumblebee]] VS 02BB [[Stinger (AOE)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Decepticon Stinger]]]]
|}
{{-}}
----
===2022===
In [[2022]], ''Studio Series'' adopted the Core Class price point that debuted in the ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' line, producing both characters too small for Deluxe Class as well as pocket-sized versions of the main cast like in [[Legends Class (2005)|days of yore]]. Notably, unlike the larger figures in the line, the toys in the Core Class are not numbered.

====Core Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Shockwave (Movie)#SSBB|Shockwave]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ravage (ROTF)#SSBB|Ravage]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Studio Series|Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky]] (''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Autobot Ratchet]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Wheelie (G1)#SSCore|Autobot Wheelie]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Laserbeak (DOTM)#SSCore|Laserbeak]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Rumble (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Decepticon Rumble (Blue)]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Studio-Series-Core-Class-Bumblebee-Ravage.jpg|thumb|200px|Core Class [[Ravage (ROTF)#SSBB|Ravage]]]]
|}

====Deluxe Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 15'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|80 [[Brawn (ROTF)#Studio Series|Brawn]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|81 [[Wheeljack (Movie)#Studio Series|Wheeljack]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|82 [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#SS82|Autobot Ratchet]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|86-11 [[Perceptor (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Perceptor]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 16'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|84 [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys#SS84|Ironhide]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|85 [[Arcee (Movie)#SS85|Arcee]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 17'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-16 [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Arcee]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|87 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS87|Bumblebee]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|88 [[Sideways (ROTF)#Studio Series|Sideways]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 18'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|92 [[Crosshairs (AOE)#Studio Series|Crosshairs]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-a1|93 [[Hot Rod (DOTM)#SS93|Autobot Hot Rod]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:SS-toy Brawn.jpg|thumb|200px|80 Deluxe Class [[Brawn (ROTF)#Studio Series|Brawn]]]]
|}

====Voyager Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 15'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|83 [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|Soundwave]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 16'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-14 [[Junkyard (G1)#Studio Series|Junkheap]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 17'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|89 [[Thundercracker (Movie)#SS89|Thundercracker]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-d1|90 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS90|Galvatron]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 18'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-17 [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Ironhide]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Studio-Series-Voyager-Class-Bumblebee-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|200px|83 Voyager Class [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|Soundwave]]]]
|}

====Leader Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 8'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|86-12 [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Coronation Starscream]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 9'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-15 [[Sludge (G1)#Studio Series|Dinobot Sludge]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 10'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|91 [[The Fallen/toys#Studio Series|The Fallen]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-Studio-Series-Leader-ROTF-The-Fallen.jpg|thumb|200px|91 Leader Class [[The Fallen/toys#Studio Series|The Fallen]]]]
|}

====Exclusives====
2022 saw a new assortment of ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Deluxes from Target, the first in a line of exclusives themed around [[NEST]] in the online exclusive N.E.S.T. Bumblebee, as well as a special commemorative multi-pack of Autobots available at [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]].

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Target ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Deluxe asst. 2, wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|70BB [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BW70|B-127]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|86-02BB [[Kup (G1)/toys#BW8602|Kup]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|86-13BB [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#BW8613|Cliffjumper]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|''' Shared exclusive Deluxe Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|77 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS77|N.E.S.T. Bumblebee]] (''Bumblebee'' w/ "[[Sam Witwicky#SS77|mini figure]]")}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Amazon ''Transformers'' 15th Anniversary''' (multi-pack)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|04 [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#SS15thAnniversary|Autobot Ratchet]]}}
{{Bp-a1|10 [[Jazz (Movie)#SS15thAnniversary|Autobot Jazz]]}}
{{Bp-a1|14 [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys#SS15thAnniversary|Ironhide]]}}
{{Bp-a1|32 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS15thAnniversary|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|49 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS15thAnniversary|Bumblebee]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:SS77-NEST-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|200px|77 Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS77|N.E.S.T. Bumblebee]]]]
|}
{{-}}
----
===2023===
''Studio Series'' expanded in scope in [[2023]], not only with toys for ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]''–the first new ''Transformers'' movie since the line's early days–but also into the world of the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' video game. Toys from the latter imprint feature a separate numbering system that we've chosen to represent as beginning with a plus (+), though the actual toy packaging stylises the symbol as a little D-pad. Neat! It also introduced the Commander Class range of figures, starting with Ultra Magnus which was revealed at SDCC 2023.

====Core Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Arcee (Movie)#SSCore|Arcee]] (''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]'')}}
{{Bp-ter|[[Freezer#Toys|Terrorcon Freezer]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 6'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Ironhide (G1)/toys#SSCore|Ironhide]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 7'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SSCore|Bumblebee]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 8'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Frenzy (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Decepticon Frenzy (Red)]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Noah Díaz#Toys|Noah Díaz Exo-Suit]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-ter|[[Novakane#Toys|Terrorcon Novakane]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-Studio-Series-SS-Core-ROTB-Arcee.jpg|thumb|200px|Core Class [[Arcee (Movie)#SSCore|Arcee]]]]
|}

====Deluxe Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 19'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m1|97 [[Airazor (ROTB)#Studio Series|Airazor]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-a1|100 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS100|Bumblebee]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 20'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|+01 [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Studio Series|Gamer Edition Bumblebee]] ([[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|''War for Cybertron'')]]}}
{{Bp-d1|+02 [[Barricade (WFC)#Studio Series|Gamer Edition Barricade]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 21'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-22 [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Brawn]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|+05 [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Studio Series|Gamer Edition Cliffjumper]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 22'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-ter|104 [[Nightbird (ROTB)#SS104|Nightbird]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-a1|105 [[Mirage (Movie)#SS105|Autobot Mirage]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-SS-WFC-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|200px|+01 Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Studio Series|Gamer Edition Bumblebee]]]]
|}

====Voyager Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 19'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m1|98 [[Cheetor (ROTB)#Studio Series|Cheetor]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-ter|99 [[Battletrap (ROTB)#Studio Series|Battletrap]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 20'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|+03 [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Studio Series|Gamer Edition Optimus Prime]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 21'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m1|103 [[Rhinox (ROTB)#Studio Series|Rhinox]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-d1|+04 [[Megatron (WFC)/toys#Studio Series|Gamer Edition Megatron]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 22'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-23 [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#SSVoyager|Autobot Ratchet]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-Studio-Series-SS-98-Voyager-ROTB-Cheetor.jpg|thumb|200px|98 Voyager Class [[Cheetor (ROTB)#Studio Series|Cheetor]]]]
|}

====Leader Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 11'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-ter|101 [[Scourge (ROTB)#Studio Series|Scourge]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 12'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-19 [[Snarl (G1)#Studio Series|Dinobot Snarl]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 13'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m1|106 [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)#Studio Series|Optimus Primal]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:StudioSeriestoy-ScourgeLeader.jpg|thumb|200px|101 Leader Class [[Scourge (ROTB)#Studio Series|Scourge]]]]
|}

====Commander Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-21 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Ultra Magnus]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|}
{{--}}

====Exclusives====
There were further releases in ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' this year, some of which continued the range of NEST-themed redecoes, and none of which were released in waves or regular assortments.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Deluxe Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|96BB [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#BW96|N.E.S.T. Autobot Ratchet]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Voyager Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|95BB [[Bonecrusher (Movie)#BW95|N.E.S.T. Bonecrusher]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-a1|102BB [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#BBROTB|Optimus Prime]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Leader Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|44BB [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#BW44|Optimus Prime]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-a1|07BB [[Grimlock (AOE)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Grimlock]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' multi-packs'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-24BB [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Ironhide]] / 86-20BB [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Prowl]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Buzzworthy-Bumblebee-95BB-NEST-Bonecrusher.jpeg|thumb|200px|95BB Voyager Class [[Bonecrusher (Movie)#BW95|N.E.S.T. Bonecrusher]]]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Amazon'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|''Transformers'' 15th Anniversary (06 [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#SS15thAnniversary|Starscream]], 08 [[Blackout (Movie)#SS15thAnniversary|Decepticon Blackout]] (w/ [[Scorponok (Movie)#SS15thAnniversary|Scorponok]]), 28 [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#SS15thAnniversary|Barricade]], 54 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS15thAnniversary|Megatron]])}}
|}

----

===2024===
[[2024]] marked another first for ''Studio Series'' with the introduction of figures marked as "Concept Art" releases, based on character designs created for films but which ultimately did not appear in the finished product. ''Bumblebee'', having left a variety of designs on the cutting room floor during its tumultuous post-production, was the primary source for this initial round of "Concept Art" releases.

With the exception of the Deluxes, the first wave was made available early alongside ''[[Transformers: Legacy#Legacy_United|Legacy United]]'' products at [[Cybertron Fest|Cybertron Fest 2023]].

====Core Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 9'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Mohawk#Toys|Decepticon Mohawk]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Rumble (ROTF)#Studio_Series|Concept Art Decepticon Rumble]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

====Deluxe Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 23'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p1|107 [[Scorponok (ROTB)#Studio_Series|Predacon Scorponok]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-a1|108 [[Wheeljack (ROTB)#Studio_Series|Wheeljack]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

====Voyager Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 23'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|+06 [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Studio_Series|Gamer Edition Starscream]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
{{Bp-a1|86-24 [[Scrapheap (G1)#Studio_Series|Junkion Scrapheap]] (''The Transformers:The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

====Leader Class====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 14'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|109 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SSConcept|Concept Art Megatron]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

----

===Cancelled releases===
====Target exclusives====
In late 2022, a second wave of that year's ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Deluxe Class assortment was briefly listed by the wholesaler NDA Toys, revealing the existence, and robot-mode images, of ''Studio Series'' toys for ''The Transformers: The Movie'' Hound and ''Dark of the Moon'' Hatchet. While there are a pair of conspicuous gaps in the ''Studio Series'' numbering system that would seem to imply the figures were originally intended as late 2022 releases, Hasbro has yet to officially acknowledge the toys' existence since the wholesale listing's brief appearance and disappearance, leaving it unclear when, or if, they will ultimately see release. As of January 2024, it has been reported that Target opted to cancel their release of Hound and Hatchet due to poor sales of their previous 2022 assortment of ''Buzzworthy'' Deluxe Class figures, leaving Hasbro with no other place available to release the pair at the time.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/original-plans-for-individual-releases-of-hatchet-and-earth-mode-hound-were-cancelled/48011/ "Original Plans for Individual Releases of Hatchet and Earth Mode Hound were Cancelled"] at Seibertron.</ref> Notably, tooling from Hound subsequently surfaced in multiple 2023 ''[[Transformers: Legacy#Legacy: Evolution|Legacy]]'' releases, with [[Detritus (G1)#Legacy|Detritus]] being an entire redeco of the figure, while just the weapon accessories were also included to supplement [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Legacy|G2 Universe Autobot Jazz]].

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Deluxe asst. 2, wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|86-18BB [[Hound (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Autobot Hound]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-d1|94BB [[Hatchet (DOTM)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Hatchet]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|}
{{canceledtoy}}

==TakaraTomy ''Studio Series'' toyline==
Similar to ''Power of the Primes'', in Takara's '''''Transformers Studio Series''''' (トランスフォーマースタジオシリーズ ''Toransufōmā Sutajio Shirīzu'') line, all figures are identical to their Hasbro counterparts, forgoing Takara's past practice of using more movie-accurate paint jobs. This is most likely due to the line being an official collaboration between Hasbro and [[TakaraTomy]], much like the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece#Masterpiece Movie Series|Masterpiece Movie Series]]'' line. ID numbering differs after number 8 compared to the Hasbro release, since some of the exclusives are not released in Japan. Introduced to the line in 2021, Takara includes characters from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' in its pre-existing ''Studio Series'' numbering system, whereas Hasbro assigns them ID numbers prefixed by "86". Takara also assigns ID numbers to Core Class figures, which go unnumbered in Hasbro markets. From wave 4 through wave 12, the packages featured the franchise's 35th anniversary logo.

In 2021, Takara decided to go back to its old ways and launched the exclusive ''[[Transformers Premium Finish|Premium Finish]]'' toyline, featuring rereleases of some ''Studio Series'' figures with much more movie-accurate decoes.

=== Regular retail ===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" style="margin-right:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1''' ([[April 21|Apr 24]], 2018)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-01 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Bumblebee]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-02 [[Stinger (AOE)#Studio Series|Decepticon Stinger]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-03 [[Crowbar#Studio Series|Crowbar]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-04 [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Ratchet]] (''Transformers'')}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{Bp-a1|SS-05 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Optimus Prime]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-06 [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Starscream]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-07 [[Grimlock (AOE)#Studio Series|Grimlock]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-08 [[Blackout (Movie)#Studio Series|Blackout]] (w/ [[Scorponok (Movie)#Studio Series|Scorponok]], ''Transformers'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2''' ([[July 21|Jul 21]], 2018)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-09 [[Jazz (Movie)#Studio Series|Autobot Jazz]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-10 [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Studio Series|Lockdown]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-11 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Megatron]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-12 [[Brawl (Movie)#Studio Series|Brawl]] (''Transformers'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3''' ([[September 15|Sep 15]], 2018)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-13 [[Shadow Raider#Studio Series|Shadow Raider]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-14 [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#SS16|Ratchet]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-15 [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Ironhide]] (''Transformers'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4''' ([[October 27|Oct 27]], 2018)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-16 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS18|Bumblebee]] (Beetle, ''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-17 [[KSI Sentry#Studio Series|KSI Sentry]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-18 [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#SS21|Starscream]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5''' ([[January 26|Jan 26]], [[2019]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-19 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS26|World War II Bumblebee]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-20 [[Sideswipe (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Sideswipe]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-21 [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Decepticon Barricade]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-22 [[Crankcase (DOTM)#Studio Series|Crankcase]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 6''' ([[March 23|Mar 23]], 2019)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-23 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS27|Rusty Bumblebee]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-24 [[Bonecrusher (Movie)#Studio Series|Bonecrusher]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-25 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS32|Optimus Prime]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-26 [[Jetfire (Movie)#Studio Series|Jetfire]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-27 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS34|Megatron]] (w/ [[Igor#Studio Series|Igor]], ''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-28 [[Dropkick (Movie)#Studio Series|Dropkick]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 7''' ([[April 27|Apr 27]], 2019)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-29 [[Shatter#Studio Series|Shatter]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-30 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS38|Optimus Prime]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-31 [[Cogman#Studio Series|Cogman]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-32 [[Scrapmetal (ROTF)#Studio Series|Decepticon Scrapmetal]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-33 [[Rampage (ROTF)#Studio Series|Decepticon Rampage]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 8''' ([[July 27|Jul 27]], 2019)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-34 [[Long Haul (ROTF)#Studio Series|Decepticon Long Haul]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-35 [[KSI Boss#Studio Series|KSI Boss]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 9''' ([[August 31|Aug 31]], 2019)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-36 [[Dropkick (Movie)#SS46|Dropkick 2]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-37 [[Hightower (ROTF)#Studio Series|Decepticon Hightower]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-38 [[Drift (AOE)#SS45|Sky Drift]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-39 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS44|Jetwing Optimus Prime]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 10''' ([[January 25|Jan 25]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-40 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS49|New Bumblebee]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-41 [[Chromia (ROTF)#Studio Series|Chromia]] • [[Arcee (Movie)#Studio Series|Arcee]] • [[Elita-One (Movie)#Studio Series|Elita-1]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-42 [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#Studio Series|Soundwave]] with [[Laserbeak (DOTM)#Studio Series|Laserbeak]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-43 [[Mixmaster (ROTF)#Studio Series|Decepticon Mixmaster]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 11''' ([[February 29|Feb 29]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-44 [[Hot Rod (DOTM)#Studio Series|WWII Autobot Hot Rod]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-45 [[Shockwave (Movie)#Studio Series|Shockwave]] (w/ [[Brains#Studio Series|Brains]], [[Wheelie (ROTF)#Studio Series|Wheelie]], and [[NEST#Studio Series|Paratrooper]], ''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 12''' ([[March 28|Mar 28]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-46 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS54|Megatron]] (''Transformers'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-47 [[Scavenger (ROTF)#Studio Series|Decepticon Scavenger]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 13''' ([[April 25|Apr 25]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-48 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS57|Offroad Bumblebee]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-49 [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#Studio Series|Sentinel Prime]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 14''' ([[May 30]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-50 [[Roadbuster (DOTM)#Studio Series|Roadbuster]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-51 [[Scrapper (ROTF)#Studio Series|Decepticon Scrapper]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 15''' ([[June 27|Jun 27]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-52 [[Shatter#SS59|Shatter 2]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 15.5''' ([[August 1|Aug 1]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-54 [[Overload (ROTF)#Studio Series|Decepticon Overload]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 16''' ([[August 29|Aug 29]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-53 [[Cliffjumper (Movie)#Studio Series|Cliffjumper]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 17''' ([[September 26|Sep 26]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-55 [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS62|Soundwave]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-56 [[Topspin (DOTM)#Studio Series|Topspin]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 18''' ([[October 23|Oct 23]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-57 [[Blitzwing (BB)#Studio Series|Blitzwing]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 19''' ([[November 28|Nov 28]], 2020)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-58 [[Leadfoot (DOTM)#Studio Series|Leadfoot]] (w/ [[Steeljaw (DOTM)#Studio Series|Steeljaw]], ''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 20''' ([[April 20|Apr 20]], [[2021]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-59 [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Autobot Jazz]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-60 [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Hot Rod]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-61 [[Kup (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Kup]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 21''' ([[May 29]], 2021)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-62 [[Scourge (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Scourge]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-63 [[Blurr (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Blurr]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-64 [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Grimlock]] & [[Wheelie (G1)#Studio Series|Autobot Wheelie]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 22''' ([[June 26|Jun 26]], 2021)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-65 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS70|B-127]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 23''' ([[July 31|Jul 31]], 2021)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-66 [[Dino#Studio Series|Autobot Dino]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-67 [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#SS72|Starscream]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 24''' ([[August 7|Aug 7]], 2021)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-68 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS74|Bumblebee]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 25''' ([[November 27|Nov 27]], 2021)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-69 [[Wreck-Gar (G1)#Studio Series|Wreck-Gar]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-qu2|SS-70 [[Gnaw (G1)#Studio Series|Gnaw]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-71 [[Slag (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Slug]] & [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Studio Series|Daniel Witwicky]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 26''' ([[February 26|Feb 26]], [[2022]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-73 [[Thrust (Movie)#Studio Series|Thrust]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-74 [[Jolt (ROTF)#Studio Series|Jolt]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 27''' ([[April 30|Apr 30]], 2022)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-75 [[Perceptor (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Perceptor]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-76 [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Studio Series|New Destruction Emperor Starscream]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-77 [[Sideswipe (Movie)/toys#SS78|Sideswipe]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 28''' ([[May 28]], 2022)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-78 [[Ravage (ROTF)#SSBB|Ravage]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-79 [[Shockwave (Movie)#SSBB|Shockwave]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-80 [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#SS82|Autobot Ratchet]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-81 [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|Soundwave]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 29''' ([[June 25]], 2022)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-82 [[Sweep (G1)#Studio Series|Decepticon Sweep]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-83 [[Brawn (ROTF)#Studio Series|Brawn]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-84 [[Wheeljack (Movie)#Studio Series|Wheeljack]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 30''' ([[August 27]], 2022)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-85 [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Studio Series|Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-86 [[Arcee (Movie)#SS85|Arcee]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-87 [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys#SS84|Ironhide]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-88 [[Junkyard (G1)#Studio Series|Junkheap]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-89 [[Sludge (G1)#Studio Series|Dinobot Sludge]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 31''' ([[October 29]], 2022)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-90 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS87|Bumblebee]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-91 [[Sideways (ROTF)#Studio Series|Sideways]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-92 [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Arcee]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 32''' ([[November 26]], 2022)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-93 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS90|Galvatron]] (''Age of Extinction'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-94 [[Thundercracker (Movie)#SS89|Thundercracker]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 33''' ([[February 25]], [[2023]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-95 [[Crosshairs (AOE)#Studio Series|Crosshairs]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-96 [[Hot Rod (DOTM)#SS93|Hot Rod]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-97 [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Ironhide]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 34''' ([[March 25]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-98 [[Wheelie (G1)#SSCore|Autobot Wheelie]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-99 [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Ratchet]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-100 [[The Fallen/toys#Studio Series|Fallen]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 35''' ([[April 29]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-101 [[Laserbeak (DOTM)#SSCore|Laserbeak]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-102 [[Rumble (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Rumble (Blue)]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 36''' ([[June]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-103 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS100|Bumblebee]] (''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]'')}}
{{Bp-ter|SS-104 [[Battletrap (ROTB)#Studio Series|Battletrap]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 37''' ([[July]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-ter|SS-105 [[Freezer#Studio Series|Terrorcon Freezer]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{bp-a1|SS-106 [[Arcee (Movie)#SSCore|Arcee]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{bp-m1|SS-107 [[Airazor (ROTB)#Studio Series|Airazor]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 38''' ([[August]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{bp-m1|SS-108 [[Cheetor (ROTB)#Studio Series|Cheetor]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{bp-ter|SS-109 [[Scourge (ROTB)#Studio Series|Scourge]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 39''' ([[September]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-110 [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#SSCore|Ironhide]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-111 [[Snarl (G1)#Studio Series|Dinobot Snarl]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 40''' ([[October]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS GE-01 [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Studio Series|Optimus Prime]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS GE-02 [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Studio Series|Bumblebee]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS GE-03 [[Barricade (WFC)#Studio Series|Barricade]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 41''' ([[November]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-112 [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Brawn]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-m1|SS-113 [[Rhinox (ROTB)#Studio Series|Rhinox]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS GE-04 [[Megatron (WFC)/toys#Studio Series|Megatron]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS GE-05 [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Studio Series|Cliffjumper]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 42''' ([[December]], 2023)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-114 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SSCore|Bumblebee]] (''Dark of the Moon'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 43''' ([[January]], 2024)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-115 [[Frenzy (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Frenzy (Red)]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-116 [[Noah Díaz#Studio Series|Noah Díaz Excel Suit]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-117 [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#SSVoyager|Ratchet]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
</ul>
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 44''' ([[February]], 2024)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m1|SS-118 [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)#Studio Series|Optimus Primal]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-119 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Ultra Magnus]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{Bp-ter|SS-120 [[Nightbird (ROTB)#Studio Series|Nightbird]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 45''' ([[March]], 2024)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-ter|SS-121 [[Novakane#Studio Series|Novakane]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-122 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#BBROTB|Optimus Prime]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 46''' ([[April]], 2024)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-123 [[Mohawk#Toys|Mohawk]] (''The Last Knight'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-124 [[Rumble (ROTF)#Studio Series|Rumble]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
{{Bp-a1|SS-125 [[Scrapheap (G1)#Studio Series|Scrapheap]] (''The Transformers: The Movie'')}}
{{bp-d1|'''SS GE-06''' [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Studio Series|Starscream]] (''War for Cybertron'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 47''' ([[May]], 2024)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p1|SS-125 [[Scorponok (ROTB)#Studio Series|Scorponok]] (''Rise of the Beasts'')}}
{{Bp-d1|SS-126 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SSConcept|Megatron]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|}
{{comingsoontoy|Everything beyond wave 42}}

===''Premium Finish''===
{{nav-pf}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1''' ([[October 30]], [[2021]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|PF SS-01 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Premium Finish|Bumblebee]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2''' ([[November 27]], 2021)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|PF SS-02 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Premium Finish|Optimus Prime]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3''' ([[December 29]], 2021)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|PF SS-03 [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Premium Finish|Megatron]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4''' ([[January 29]], [[2022]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|PF SS-04 [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#Premium Finish|Ratchet]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:TF-Premium-Finish-PF-SS-02-BB-Optimus-Prime.jpg|thumb|200px|PFSS-02 Optimus Prime]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5''' ([[July 30]], [[2022]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|PF SS-05 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#PFSS05|Optimus Prime]]}}
</ul>
|}

===Exclusives===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Tokyo Comic Con#2018|Tokyo Comic Con 2018]]/[[TakaraTomy Mall]]'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|SS-EX Vol. 1 Retro Rock Garage (''Bumblebee'')}}
:{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#SS19|Bumblebee]] (1976 Camaro)}}
:{{Bp-a1|[[Dairu#Studio Series|Dairu]]}}
:{{Bp-d1|[[Uruaz#Studio Series|Uruaz]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Omni7'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-EX [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#7NetBattleDamage|1967 Rusty Bumblebee]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Toys"R"Us]]'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|SS-EX [[Drift (AOE)#Studio Series|Autobot Drift]] with [[Mini Dinobot#Studio Series|Mini Dinobot]]s (''The Last Knight'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[TakaraTomy Mall]]'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-EX [[Skipjack (ROTF)#Studio Series|Skipjack]] (''Revenge of the Fallen'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Lawson Ticket'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|SS-EX [[Nemesis Prime (AOE)#Studio Series|Nemesis Prime]] (''Bumblebee'')}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-BB-SS-EX-Rusty-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|SS-EX [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#7NetBattleDamage|1967 Rusty Bumblebee]] (Takara release of 24 Deluxe Class Bumblebee)]]

|}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*In July 2017, photos of a computer screen taken during an internal Hasbro presentation were leaked to the public that revealed, among other things, the very ''existence'' of the ''Studio Series'' general retail line-up, though not the actual title "Studio Series" yet (which was later revealed through separate leaks). The fact that the slides incorrectly featured projected release dates for "2017" instead of 2018 (which included dates ''predating'' the leak) led some fans to assume that the still unannounced line-up had long since been canceled. It wouldn't be until several leaks later that Hasbro ''finally'' acknowledged the existence of the ''Studio Series'' line, and revealed the first few [[wave]]s during New York [[Toy Fair 2018]], even offering a limited quantity of the first wave of Deluxe Class figures as an early release through the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] website. Simultaneously, [[TakaraTomy]] revealed their version of the line at [[Wonder Festival]] Winter 2018.
*Among the figures whose existence was revealed through the aforementioned July 2017 leak that were ''not'' officially unveiled at Toy Fair was Voyager Class Ironhide, who made his worldwide debut at retail in Singapore in June 2018. Subsequently, Hasbro announced the redeco of Voyager Class Starscream (based on his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''), the final figure revealed through the July 2017 leak, via their "[[Hasbro Pulse]]" Instagram account a few days before [[San Diego Comic-Con]], even though they ''still'' hadn't officially acknowledged the existence of Ironhide by that point.
* Like with previous movie-based lines, ''Studio Series'' also assigned code names to at least some of its characters. This time, the "theme" for those code names was "Australian race horses":
{{collist|3|
:::*Bumblebee: "Stryker"
:::*Dropkick: "Blue Lightning" or "Blue Light"
:::*Megatron: "Fox"
:::*Optimus Prime: "Radar"
:::*KSI Sentry: "Sentry"
:::*Shadow Raider: "Mercenary"
:::*Shatter: "Red Lightning" or "Red Light"
}}
:The code names of many of the other figures, assuming they even ''had'' code names, are still unknown, as those toys have (thus far) consistently been listed under their actual characters' names. Meanwhile, a listing for a supposed Voyager Class figure using the code name "Destroyer" later turned out to be a mislabeled Energon Igniters Speed Series [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Bumblebee|Barricade]] from the [[Transformers: Bumblebee (toyline)|''Bumblebee'' movie toy line]], with which the ''Studio Series'' shares its code names.
*A few of the Voyagers and Deluxes of the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)#Generations .28Series M4.29|previous]] [[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)#Premier Edition|two]] movie toylines scale fairly well with ''Studio Series'' figures. The latter of the two toylines, ''The Last Knight'', seems to have a greater tie-in to the ''Studio Series'' lineup, as a [[Nitro Zeus#Toys|few]] [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#ThirdTLKDeluxe|molds]] [[Cogman#Deluxe|were]] also redecoed in this toyline as well [[Nitro Zeus#Toys|as a]] [[Drift (AOE)#Premier Edition|few]] [[Berserker#Toys|retools]]. Furthermore, the static figurine of [[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]] scales perfectly among these molds and also seems to serve as an inspiration for later pack-in figurines like [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]], [[Brains]] and the [[Mini Dinobot]]s.
*One of the biggest [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|misconceptions]] surrounding the ''Studio Series'' toyline is that there is a [[Subline imprint|subline]] called "Studio Series 86". This came about from leaked listings on Walmart's website where the number "86" was misinterpreted as part of the toyline's title, rather than the ID numbers of those toys. While the toys based on characters from the [[1986]] movie do feature a separate numbering system, the line itself doesn't acknowledge them as being any different from the live-action movie toys they are sold alongside.
**While it has never been confirmed, the move to include 1986 characters in the ''Studio Series'' toyline after three years of continuous focus on the live-action films, was likely done to allow Hasbro and TakaraTomy to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the film, without stepping on the toes of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' 25th anniversary, which was celebrated as a part of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''. Evidence suggesting this is the inclusion of some of the film's main characters ([[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Kingdom|Cyclonus]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Kingdom|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Kingdom|Galvatron]]) being sold in the concurrently-ran ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' toyline and the shared design aesthetics of the toys between both lines.
*Despite ''Studio Series''<nowiki>'</nowiki> prominently featured numbering system, there are several numbers missing from the line, as of writing these being: 86-18 and 94. Additionally, 79, 86-13, 86-20, 86-24, 95, 96, and 102 are missing, but are assigned to the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' version of the line, though it is unclear if there are any plans for them to be released in the regular ''Studio Series'' line as well. 74 ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Bumblebee is the only set so far to be re-released in the regular line after debuting in ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''.
**TakaraTomy's version of the line has skipped over "72" for unknown reasons.
**Junkion Scrapheap and ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Ironhide both use the 86-24 number, the first time the same number has been used for different characters between the two lines.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 toylines]]
[[Category:Generations toylines]]
[[Category:Live-action film series toylines]]
[[Category:Studio Series]]

Beast Wars (Part 2)

2024-02-25T10:01:41Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=2
|series2=BWJtoon
|ep2=2
|prev2=Beast Wars (Part 1)
|next2=The Web
|title="Beast Wars" (Part 2)
|image=BeastWars2 clash.jpg
|caption="The energon is shorting out our depth perception!"
|season=1
|season ep=2
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[April 23]], [[1996]] (preview),<ref>Though this episode played several days earlier in several US markets, its most widespread screening was on the 22nd.</ref> [[September 17]], 1996 (regular airing)
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Steve Ball]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Convoy]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7RgXcoDfgw
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''After a battle between Optimus Primal and Dinobot, a huge cache of energon is discovered.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:BeastWars2 bridge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|I am the servant of the [[AllSpark|secret fire]], wielder of the [[Matrix Flame|flame of Anor]]! The [[The Fallen#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|dark fire]] will not avail you, flame of [[Pit (BW)|Udun]]! Go back to [[Unicron|the shadow]]!]]
[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] challenges [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] to mortal combat for the leadership of the [[Maximal]]s. [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] wonders if the rest of them get a say, while [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] is indifferent and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] offers to nail the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] himself. Optimus tries to talk sense to Dinobot, saying he's welcome to join the group, but not as leader. Dinobot is unimpressed; the two duel. Rattrap has to restrain Cheetor from joining in. Primal knocks Dinobot down, and the Predacon tells him to finish the job, but Optimus refuses, and Dinobot responds by blasting him, almost sending the Maximal leader over the edge. Dinobot helps him back up, stating that Primal slipped and that winning the fight that way would not have been honorable.

As they continue to fight, [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and his crew arrive, taking the chance to attack both combatants. Primal transforms to [[beast mode]], pulling Dinobot out of the way of the missiles, but leaving the pair dangling over the ravine. Dinobot begins suffering from energon buildup, and pleads with Optimus to let him fall so that Optimus might save himself, but Optimus naturally refuses. The pair is saved at the last moment by Rhinox. This is the signal for another attack from the Predacons, which takes out the rock bridge. The Maximals (bar Rattrap, who has to be saved by Optimus) reach the other side of the bridge in time.

[[File:BeastWars2 maximals sight mountain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|''The Hills Have Energon''... never coming to a theatre near you!]]
Megatron takes his frustrations out on [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]], but [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] points to where some of the Predacon missiles have struck a mountain, unveiling a massive cache of [[energon]] crystals. The Predacons set out for the mountain, but they're spotted heading for the energy crystals by the Maximals. Rhinox and Rattrap are ready to scrap Dinobot before starting out, but Optimus stops them. They set out for the mountain as well, though Rattrap is less than impressed with the news that Dinobot is coming too.

[[File:BeastWars2 Dinobot Rattrap glaring.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Oh, so you think you're better than me just because you're a Deluxe?" "Let's see how many times they've reused ''your'' mold, vermin."]]
En route, Rhinox suggests Optimus fly ahead using his jets, but Primal believes there's strength in numbers. They spot a strange [[Standing Stones|stone circle]], obviously artificially built, but are interrupted in their discussion by the arrival of Terrorsaur and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]. Optimus takes to the air and scares them off with a missile. As the two Predacons flee, Dinobot fires on them with his [[Optic weaponry|optical lasers]], inadvertently blasting the ledge above them. Rhinox is forced to leap aside as a boulder comes crashing down on him, and Rattrap accuses him of intentionally trying to slag Rhinox. Optimus orders him to stand down.

[[File:BeastWars2 Megatron and Optimus struggle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Darn it... how does [[King Kong]] ''do'' this trick?"]]
The Predacons arrive at the mountain, though as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] points out, the energy will force them to remain in their beast modes. The Maximals arrive at roughly the same time, and both sides eye each other across a pass through the top mountain. After the prerequisite speech from Megatron, both sides charge and begin tearing into one another in beast form. Despite biting a chunk out of Optimus, Megatron is thrown aside and, as a last desperate gamble, transforms and fires a missile on Optimus. Dinobot throws himself between the pair, knocking the missile with his tail and saving Primal, but the missile begins a chain reaction. Both teams quickly flee.

As the Maximals watch the resultant explosions, Dinobot explains that his actions are payment of a debt—he owed Primal his life; now they are even. Primal says that's good enough for the moment, and proclaims that the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] have begun.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
* [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (2)
* [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (3)
* [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (4)
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (5)
|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
* [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (1)
* [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
* [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (7)
* [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (8)
* [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (9)
* [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"I still live! Finish it." 
"That's not how we Maximals do things." 
"Then that will have to ''change!''"
:—'''Dinobot''' and '''Optimus Primal'''

"What are you doing? You'd won." 
"You slipped. To defeat you in such a manner would be lacking in honor. I would not have earned the right to lead. I prefer to beat my opponents the old fashioned way—BRUTALLY!" 
''[The two resume fighting]'' 
"For a Predacon, Dinobot, you have qualities I could like." 
"And you, ahh, have proved to be a worthy adversary. I will have you recycled with full honors." 
"Well, that's. Just. Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Primal''' and '''Dinobot'''

"The energon fields! I am shorting out." 
"Hang on! You can't transform in this position!" 
"Release me! Let me fall and save yourself." 
"Now, where's the honor in that?" 
''[Optimus's hold on the rock bridge weakens]'' 
"You have no choice." 
"Then we both go!"
:—'''Dinobot''' and '''Optimus Primal'''

"You're welcome." 
"You're the leader. It's your, ah, job."
:—A life-saving '''Optimus Primal''' and an ungrateful '''Rattrap'''

"Ease off, Rattrap! It was an accident." 
"Says you!" 
"That's right—says me! You wanna question my orders one. More. Time?" 
"I… ahhhh… ya, I don't trust Predacons."
:—'''Optimus Primal''' asserts command over '''Rattrap'''.

"Across the galaxy, it has come to this, Optimus Primal—face to face, tooth to claw. Yesss. Have you anything to say?" 
"I'd say that's prime. Let's do it."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Primal''', just before the big fight begins

"It is over, Megatron!" 
"It is ''never'' over. Noooo! For if I must die, I shall take you with me!"
:—'''Optimus Primal''' and '''Megatron'''

"So for now, let the battle be here, on this strange primitive world. And let it be called... Beast Wars!"
:—'''Optimus Primal''' after the first of many battles.

==Notes==
===Script timeline===
* First draft: 22nd December 1995
* Finalised: 12th January 1996
* Revised: 19th January 1996
* As Air: 10th April 1996

===Animation and technical errors===
* The movements of the three Maximals watching the duel are repeated in multiple shots, resulting in Rhinox mouthing his "Don't we get a say in this?" line at least two further times in the background.
* When Dinobot transforms to fight Optimus he is an incomplete model: his eyes, his knee-pads and the bones around his ankles are absent. Also, a strange transparent grey shape also appears behind him for a moment.
* Immediately after this, while approaching Optimus, Dinobot's spinning blades are severely shortened and misshapen, making them appear to have been chibified. Then, as he readies himself for the duel, Dinobot at one point pokes his sword through his own chest.
* During the closeup on Rhinox as he reacts to Dinobot's first attack, his rhino hooves are missing from his foot.
* When Dinobot prepares for his big spinning jump attack, both his sword and rotating shield clip through his body all over the place multiple times.
* While Dinobot makes a huge leap towards Optimus, his blade clips through his right ankle just before the shot cuts.
* In the following reaction shot of Primal, his left upper arm is on upside down. Then in the next shot, his sword is clipping through his left leg.
* Optimus clips his blade through his right ankle just before he smacks Dinobot.
* When Waspinator first transforms, the bee-stripes on his thighs are mapped along the wrong axis.
* When the Predacons open fire on the rock bridge, Tarantulas appears to be blasting missiles from his armpits. These also clip through Scorponok's shoulder as they fly.
* In the low-angle shot of Optimus holding Dinobot while dangling from the bridge, Dinobot's leg briefly clips into the "camera".
* When Scorponok turns back into [[beast mode]], the hind section of his carapace vanishes for a frame, revealing his [[robot mode]] leg joints.
* In the shot focusing on the Energon mountain, right before Optimus remarks "Raw Energon!", a bunch of rubble lining the exploded hole's bottom rim gradually fades into existence.
* As the Maximals start for the Energon mountain and Rattrap is left behind, if you look closely you'll see Optimus' legs are messed up – they're stretched to the ground and don't move as he walks.
* During the night scene, some of the stars on the night sky are very blatantly stretched vertically.
* After Waspinator transforms to attack the Maximals on the cliff side, both his feet are twisted to the side at an awkward angle, and there's an elongated green segment sticking out of his abdomen.
* The rock rubble on the mountainside is invisible yet again as the two flyers swoop toward the Maximals, and again gradually fade into view.
* As Rattrap ducks behind the freshly-blasted boulder when the Maximals come under flying-Predacon fire, the barrel of his gun clips through the rock.
* The "energy surge" effect on Terrorsaur and Waspinator lags one frame behind them as they're blown out of the sky.
* Often, when the Energon mountain appears in the distance, a large piece of energon in the foreground clips and flickers, making it appear as though the Energon is appearing and disappearing at random. This also happens in the shot of the energon when Optimus first climbs to the top of the mountain (before Megatron appears on the other side).
* After Megatron appears on the mountain, the sky background and the Predacons behind him all disappear for a frame before the shot cuts, leaving Megatron standing in a black nothingness.
* When the two teams smash into each other, Terrorsaur clips into Rhinox.
* Megatron's right leg jerks position suddenly right after Optimus smacks him in the jaw.
* When Megatron transforms to robot mode near the end of the episode, he almost immediately suffers an Energon surge. However, he appears normal as he fires a missile at Optimus.
* Though Megatron takes quite a chunk out of Primal's left leg during the final battle, the damage disappears when the Maximals retreat.

===Continuity errors===
* Throughout the duel between Optimus and Dinobot in the first half of the episode, the ''Axalon'' is often missing from its crash site in the background, and the Maximal bystanders also disappear, reappear or shift positions depending on the shot.
* When the Maximals and Predacons are charging towards each other in the big fight, it is established that all combatants were running almost side by side. Yet in each of the closeups of each combatant, it seems they are the only ones actually charging in the small crevasse.
* After the energon mountain explodes and the Maximals are seen ducking for cover, every shot showing Optimus Primal and Dinobot in the foreground features none of the other Maximals in the background, even though they were seen standing behind the pair moments earlier, and both Rattrap and Rhinox are seen when Rattrap thinks they have won. Oddly enough, Cheetor is no longer in the scene at all.
* The very same scene features a lot of rubble from the destroyed mountain in close-ups of Rattrap and Rhinox, but relatively little rubble when Optimus Primal and Dinobot are in the foreground.
* Scorponok directs Megatron's attention to the missiles approaching the mountain. The missiles then hit the mountain, revealing it to be full of energon. There's no reason to believe Scorponok knew the energon was there, so why did he ''care'' about the imminent impact of the missiles?
* Megatron deciding to destroy the mountain is...questionable. Though Optimus Primal managed to throw him into a rock face, Primal himself was down and crippled, while Megatron appeared ready to keep fighting.

===Real-world references===
* The [[Standing Stones|standing stones]] glimpsed by Rhinox and Optimus have a strong resemblance to {{w|Stonehenge}}.
* When Rhinox charges him, Terrorsaur holds his wing out like a cape, in the style of a matador. Rhinox duly charges through it as Terrorsaur whips it back.

===Trivia===
* During the audio commentary for this episode on [[Madman Entertainment]]'s ''Beast Wars'' Season 1 DVD, [[Garry Chalk]]'s cell phone suddenly rings, forcing him to step outside, while [[Scott McNeil]] and [[Alec Willows]] crack jokes about it being Garry's mom on the line.
* At the end of the episode, Megatron transforms without his command code. The Maximals do the same when the Predacon fliers attack on the way to the mountain. This is a rarity in the early episodes, but becomes commonplace as the series progresses.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Animutants - 2e partie'''" ("Animutants - 1st Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

:*''Title:'' "'''Pilote 2'''" (Canada, "Pilot 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Der fremde Planet, Teil 2'''" ("The unknown Planet, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' 28 March 1998

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un nuovo compagno'''" ("A New Mate")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Taose Destron'''" (倒せデストロン, "Beat the Destrons")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 8|8 October]] [[1997]]
::*After Optimus declares to the skies that their conflict shall be called the Beast Wars, the Maximals all comment on how cool and dramatic his statement was (all except Dinobot, anyway, who remains a stick in the mud).

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Wojna bestii'''" ("Beast War")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Beast Wars parte 2'''" ("Beast Wars part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La guerra de las bestias [Parte 2]'''" ("The War of the Beasts [Part 2]")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

:''Title:'' "'''Guerra de Bestias Segunda Parte'''" (America, "Beast War Second Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''能量争夺战'''" ("Grabs of Energon")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1996 — ''Beast Wars'' — A Feature Length Beasties Adventure ([[Alliance Atlantis|Alliance Video]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1996 — ''Robots-Bêtes'' — Une Adventure Cybernetique (Alliance Video) — French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1997 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Enter the Super Lifeform Transformers ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars'' / ''Robots-Bêtes'' Three pack (Alliance Video) — Available in English or French audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 1 ([[Universal]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 1 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Maximal Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 1 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season (Rhinomation) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Chain of Command (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes — Where the Beasties Began! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
===Official uploads (Japanese)===
*''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Again|Beast Wars Again]]'' re-airings:
**[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7642j87VYiA "Beat the Destrons"] on YouTube
**[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RKhkEFwX4I "Beat the Destrons (Part 2)"] on YouTube

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

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Tarantulas (BW)

2024-02-25T10:01:11Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{factions|predacon|{{factions/icons|custom=Tarantulas Logo.png|cSize=35x35px|cLink=Tarantulas (BW)|cPretty=Tarantulas}}|unicron|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Tarantulas}}
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:''Tarantulas is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Tarantulasbw.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[BotCon 2000|"And fries! Lots of FRIES!"]]]]

'''Tarantulas''' (aka '''Tarantulus''' or '''Mesothulas''') is the scheming mad scientist of the Predacon crew. He's the type of mad scientist who experiments on living beings, cackling in his [[trademark]]ed laugh all the while, and then if things go wrong, happily eats what's left as his midday snack. The eating is what he was really looking forward to, anyway. It's this focused perversity that turns off even his fellow Predacons. Tarantulas's emotional detachment from their war also rubs his peers the wrong way. Fighting Maximals and following orders is just a required chore; his real passion is the unmentionable projects stashed in [[Tarantulas's lair|his "secret" lair]].

Nominally, Tarantulas was one of the Predacons to join [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] during his theft of the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] and the search for [[Earth]]. In addition to being an utterly psychotic, sadistic sociopath, he has a record for treachery rivaled by few other Transformers. He is actually an [[Predacon Secret Police|agent]] of the [[Tripredacus Council]], which is trying to coax the Beast Wars toward an unspecified goal, where neither Autobot or Decepticon won the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Who knows what other [[Unicron|dark]] [[Cybertronian (faction)|secrets]] lie in his past.

If anything upsets Tarantulas, other than losing a potential meal, it's those pompous aliens who call themselves the [[Vok]]. He harbors a hatred for them strong enough to make him work to eliminate them by any means.

{{bigquote|You're ''insane.''}}
{{bigquote|So they ''saa''-aay! Wbrrwbrrbbppth!|[[Tigerhawk]] and Tarantulas|"[[Other Victories]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Toy bios===
[[File:PrimalVSMegs-Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Why Megatron, I do believe you're trying to seduce m—oh, hey, [[Razorbeast]].]]
Tarantulas was a sneaky, mysterious ninja feared across the galaxy. A master of the martial arts, he was suspected in the disappearances of many [[Human|Earthlings]], and rumors swirled of giant cocoons where he stored his prey. {{storylink|#Toys|Tarantulas bio}}

Tarantulas was guarding the Predacons' jungle-based genetics lab along with Megatron and Waspinator. When the Maximals discovered them, he engaged [[Razorbeast]] in combat briefly before Megatron called retreat and destroyed the lab. {{storylink|Optimus Primal vs Megatron!}}

After the [[quantum surge]], Tarantulas became a [[Transmetal]], with the accompanying vehicle mode to match. With his new set of wheels, Tarantulas didn't have to rely on stealth and deceit as much, instead speeding head-first into battle and using his new mechanical beast mode to overpower his enemies. {{storylink|#Transmetal|Transmetal Tarantulas bio}}
{{--}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Alec Willows]] (English), [[Scott McNeil]] (English, portions of "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]" only), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese)|[[Xue Weigang]] (Chinese), [[Alexandr Novikov]] (Russian, 1st dub), [[Hervé Jolly]] (French), [[Lutz Harder]] (German), [[Riccardo Peroni]] (Italian), [[Junseok Song]] (Korean), [[Humberto Vélez]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Fábio Vilalonga]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:BeastWars1-Tarantulasprebeast.jpg|left|thumb]]

Lieutenant Tarantulas of the [[Predacon Secret Police]] was one of [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s original crew, a mole inside his organization feeding information back to the [[Tripredacus Council]] without his knowledge. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} More than that, he was a ''direct'' agent of the Council and shared their origins that existed outside of [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]], with an overall agenda to alter the timeline by going back to prehistoric Earth and completely destroying the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'' and the Transformers within]]. {{storylink|Other Victories}} The plan went tits up though, as Megatron's ''Darksyde'' warship ended up crashing on an unidentified planet and contact with Cybertron was lost. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} Tarantulas carried on as normal despite this setback. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

[[File:TheWeb Tarantulas beast mode.jpg|right|thumb|Not arachnophobic, eh? I can fix that.]]
As Megatron's technical leader, he manned the scanners to appropriate beast forms based on the most powerful local creatures, choosing the form of an over-sized spider for himself. He cheerfully took part in the first battle of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], only to succumb to energon buildup while the Maximals were escaping. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} The Predacons uncovered a stash of energon crystals atop a mountain, but were forced to fight in their [[beast mode]]s. Tarantulas and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] fought in this manner until Megatron triggered a chain reaction which caused the energon to explode. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 2)}}

It wasn't long before Tarantulas had set up his own [[Tarantulas's lair|underground lair]] to keep his experiments away from Megatron's prying eyes. After helping [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] recover a mega-cannon, Tarantulas managed to capture [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], trapping the young Maximal in a web in his lair with the intent of feeding later. Rattrap mounted a rescue, during which the cavern caved in on Tarantulas {{storylink|The Web}} Tarantulas was blasted by Rattrap during the battle at the [[Standing Stones]], and later accompanied Megatron and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to attack the ''Axalon'' after it appeared that [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] had perished. After the Maximals got the ship's shields back up, he suggested to Megatron that they return to the Standing Stones. Unfortunately once there, the Maximals managed to retrieve Primal from the [[Vok probe|alien probe]] at the site, and Tarantulas was one of the first victims of the restored Maximal commander. {{storylink|Chain of Command (BW)|Chain of Command}}

[[File:ChainofCommand Tarantulas firing.jpg|left|thumb|Sure, he's fast on the draw, but he ALWAYS shoots himself in the foot.]]

Terrorsaur, his power boosted, defeated Megatron in combat before leaving Tarantulas in charge of the other Predacons. Tarantulas promptly tailed Terrorsaur to find out what his new power source was, and discovered it was a [[flying mountain]] topped with a cache of super energon. Before he could do anything with the knowledge, he encountered Rattrap, who'd come to destroy the mountain. Their fight ended with Tarantulas falling from the side of the mountain. {{storylink|Power Surge (episode)|Power Surge}} He subsequently took part in an attack on the Maximal base after a [[stasis pod]] crashed. While Megatron kept [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] distracted, Tarantulas and Scorponok ambushed the Maximal from behind. Unfortunately for them, Dinobot had time to activate the base defenses, and Tarantulas was blasted into the distance by the auto-guns. {{storylink|Fallen Comrades}}

When the Predacons finally captured a stasis pod, Tarantulas made sure that the [[protoform]] was given a spider beast mode, creating [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Megatron suspected he had ulterior motives, but was nonetheless pleased by the new soldier. Tarantulas seemed happy to follow Terrorsaur when the Predacon mounted another takeover attempt with the aid of Rattrap, but spent most of his time skulking around the ''Darksyde'' in search of rats to eat. He spotted Rattrap sneaking around, but the Maximal blasted him before he could do anything. He subsequently limped back to the others to find that Megatron had reasserted his leadership. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}} After one of Scorponok's viruses turned Primal into a berserker, the Maximal leader broke into the Predacon base and, completely ignoring Tarantulas's attempts to stop him, pinned the spider to a wall using Tarantulas's own weapon. {{storylink|Gorilla Warfare}}

[[File:Tflocklens&tarantulas.jpg|thumb|right|"Behold my latest invention... THE DISCO BALL VERSION 2.0!"]]
One of Tarantulas's many inventions, the [[Transformation Lock Lens|transformation lock lens]], was instrumental in preventing the Maximals from contacting a [[temporal probe]] doing a flyby of the planet. He used it to ensnare [[Tigatron]] and Cheetor, then wreaked havoc with the Maximals' attempts to build a communications array, before he was finally defeated by Primal. Although his new toy was destroyed by the recovered Cheetor and Tigatron, the damage was already done, and the probe flew by uncontacted. {{storylink|The Probe}} After the Predacons discovered a Maximal spy camera in their base, they faked a mutiny and hid in a crevice. Tarantulas spent his nights being hugged like a stuffed toy by [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], and his days eating stray rats. While the Maximals repaired the ''Axalon'', the Predacons were discovered by Dinobot, and gave chase. Though they attacked the Maximal ship in an attempt to capture it, the affair ended with the ''Axalon'' crashing back to the ground. {{storylink|Victory (episode)|Victory}} After a Maximal victory, largely due to the efforts of Rhinox, Tarantulas captured the rhino in a web on Megatron's orders, so that he could be converted into a Predacon by the [[Transmuter (BW)|Transmuter]]. In return, the new Predacon poisoned him and Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Dark Designs}}

[[File:Spider'sGame Tarantulas hauling stasis pod.jpg|thumb|left|Ever the engineer, Tarantulas invents the low-tech equivalent of a tow truck.]]
Tarantulas detected another stasis pod landing in [[Grid Scavos]], but Megatron refused to let him go and assist in the recovery, much to his disgust. {{storylink|The Spark}} The next time a stasis pod crashed, Tarantulas was more prepared. From his lair, he used a [[magna pulse]] to disable both the ''Darksyde'' and ''Axalon'' to allow him to investigate without interference. Unfortunately for him, Blackarachnia had found his lair, and insisted on coming along to help. At the pod, Tarantulas reprogrammed the new arrival into a Predacon, but was disappointed that a beast mode had already been chosen, and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] would not be another spider. In the confusion that followed, he made off with the real prize—the stasis pod itself. Unfortunately for him, Tigatron destroyed the pod before he could get very far, and he was forced to retreat when Megatron arrived. Later, in his lair, he inadvertently told Blackarachnia that the planet was doomed, and she realized he was intending to build an escape ship, however he threw her out before she could work out any more of his plans. {{storylink|Spider's Game}}

Tarantulas took part in a diversionary attack while Waspinator and Terrorsaur stole the Maximals' [[rectifier coil]]. After the Maximals went feral, the Predacons mounted a hunting expedition, though Tarantulas was stuck supporting the back end of Megatron's chair. {{storylink|Call of the Wild}} On another occasion, Tarantulas detected what appeared to be walking energon. Megatron realized that an earlier battle had left four of the Maximals contaminated and blinded, and ordered Tarantulas to send Terrorsaur to investigate. {{storylink|Dark Voyage}} After Waspinator was possessed by the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], Tarantulas took part in the attack on the ''Axalon'', and pointed out once they'd conquered it that their own base was now undefended. Megatron's answer was to leave Starscream in charge of the ''Axalon'', a decision which would come back to bite him later. {{storylink|Possession}}

[[File:Dinobottarantulasrattrapthelowroad.jpg|thumb|right|"See? I told you I was taller than Tarantulas."]]
During an attack on the Maximal base, Tarantulas was able to infect Rhinox with an [[energon discharge virus]], though he himself was injured by Dinobot during the retreat. He was tracked by Dinobot and Rattrap, but eventually turned the tables by getting the drop on them, only to be flattened by a huge boulder. After recovering, he took advantage of their incessant arguing by trying to get the drop on them again, only to be knocked unconscious by a double punch. Finally, Dinobot attempted to use Tarantulas's body as a hostage, only for Megatron to blast it aside. Perhaps his only consolation was that he avoided the indignity of the fate that befell the rest of the Predacons. {{storylink|The Low Road}}

With the return of the [[Vok|aliens]] a certainty, Tarantulas stole a [[transwarp cell]] from the ''Darksyde'', slagging Waspinator in the process. Megatron detected the theft and used Blackarachnia as a distraction while he remotely inserted his own programming into the cell. The two spiders later took part in an attempt to prevent Tigatron from escaping the Predacon base, and were squished by a boulder Dinobot had set up. They were relatively uninjured and able to haul their damaged comrades back to the ship. {{storylink|Before the Storm}} The two spiders teamed up again, infiltrating the Maximal base and disabling Rhinox and Dinobot while the other Maximals were busy with the latest alien construct to appear. They became aware that the planet's second moon had just been revealed as an artificial, alien ''doomsday weapon'' in disguise, with Tarantulas remarking it was "the beginning of the end" for the planet. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 1}} In the cargo hold, Tarantulas used the transwarp cell and a stasis pod to construct a ship, but was interrupted by Inferno, who torched the spider. Fortunately, Blackarachnia entered Tarantulas's mind to obtain the information to complete the escape ship, and he was able to set up a permanent neural link between the two Predacons. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}

[[File:ComingFuzors1 Tarantulas lives.jpg|thumb|left|A new look, and he didn't even have to [[Spider-Man|sell out]] to [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]] for it!]]
When the [[quantum surge]] caused by the "second moon's" destruction knocked out all of the Transformers on the planet, Tarantulas's body was upgraded to a [[Transmetal]] form, and he forced Blackarachnia to drag it from the Maximal base, even getting her to ignore Megatron's command to stay and fight the Maximals. {{storylink|Aftermath}} With Blackarachnia's hard work and some serious-looking electrical arc generators, Tarantulas was restored to life. Megatron soon called him to the battlefield, so he left Blackarachnia to root around in their leader's computer files: by this point, the loss of the "moon" and the damages to the planet had revealed it to be ''prehistoric Earth'' all along... {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}}

Using his new cycle mode, Tarantulas quickly reached the Maximals' position. During the fight, he kept in contact with her, until a shot by Dinobot put him temporarily out of commission. After he came around, Blackarachnia reported that she'd failed to get the data he needed. The Predacons were soon routed by the resurrection of Optimus Primal, and forced to return to base. There, Megatron and Tarantulas questioned Blackarachnia, only to be told the vital data had been lost. Neither of them believed her, but didn't call her out. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}

[[File:TangledWeb-Tarantulasmotorcycle.jpg|right|thumb|It's important that you understand that Transmetal Tarantulas's beast mode has a jaw.]]

With his old lair destroyed by the Planet Buster, Tarantulas was fortuitous in that Megatron assigned him with Blackarachnia and [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] to check out a cave filled with energon. He quickly surmised that it would make an excellent new lair, and attempted to get his two comrades interested in going it alone. Blackarachnia was more interested in getting rid of the neural link the two of them shared, and cracked an energon crystal, sending feedback through the link, to force him to sever it. By a fortunate coincidence, the three Predacons were soon attacked by [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] and Rattrap, and during the battle Tarantulas was able to convincingly fake the destruction of the cave, allowing him to utilize it as his own lair. {{storylink|Tangled Web}} When Dinobot defected to the Predacon side, Tarantulas offered to verify his programming, but Megatron decided it wouldn't be a very good idea to let Tarantulas into Dinobot's processor. {{storylink|Maximal, No More}}

[[File:OtherVisits1 Tarantulas beast mode.jpg|left|thumb|Downside: everything tastes like feet now.]]
Back in his lair, Tarantulas's instruments detected the aliens again, and he rushed off to the site. He arrived shortly after Tigatron and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] had been abducted, and zapped Cheetor, but was forced to retreat when more Maximals arrived. He visited Megatron, claiming to no longer be under the tyrant's command, but willing to help. The Predacons returned to the alien site to set up equipment, during which Blackarachnia revealed that she had learned through the broken neural link that Tarantulas hated the aliens. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 1)}} Megatron, Quickstrike, and Tarantulas recovered quickly from the energy wave put out by the new [[Metal Hunter|alien construct]], and after Tarantulas's [[refractive web]] was activated, the trio ventured inside. Once Megatron had control of the construct, he terminated his alliance with Tarantulas, dropping the Predacon from a great height. Infuriated, Tarantulas helped the Maximals attack the construct, infiltrating it along with Rattrap, and sabotaging the transwarp cells which Megatron installed, causing the ship to explode. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 2)}}

Through a bug planted on Megatron's chair, Tarantulas learned that Blackarachnia had been sent to recover a new protoform, and took the opportunity to threaten her to try and extract the information he suspected she'd gained from Megatron's computers. Unfortunately for him, Silverbolt stepped in and defended Blackarachnia, shortly before an energon explosion separated everyone. Though Tarantulas found the stasis pod, [[Rampage (BW)|its contents]] found him, and his body parts were spread liberally over a wide area. {{storylink|Bad Spark}} Dinobot later tracked down Tarantulas in an attempt to find out what Megatron's latest scheme was. Though Tarantulas didn't know, Dinobot forced him to act as transport, and they soon found Megatron preparing to torch a valley full of [[anthropoid]]s. Tarantulas took advantage of Dinobot's distraction to shoot the Maximal, only for Dinobot to drop a boulder on him. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}

[[File:Agenda3 Tarantulas button push.jpg|thumb|right|Tarantulas presses the History Eraser Button.]]
Alerted by the [[transwarp wavefront]], the Tripredacus Council sent covert agent [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to capture Megatron. The former Decepticon led the Maximals to apprehend Megatron, and Tarantulas assisted by taking down the ''Darksyde''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> defense system. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} Megatron, much to his indignation, was later informed by Ravage that the spider was a lieutenant in the Predacon Secret Police; Tarantulas joined in the diss by laughing over a comm-screen at his former boss. Tarantulas was able to inform the Maximals of the location of a stash of energon crystals that Megatron had hidden. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} When Ravage was persuaded to change sides by the Predacon leader, Tarantulas appeared to come too, manning the [[transwarp cruiser]]'s weapons systems for an attack on the ''Axalon''. Alas, Rattrap chewed his way into the ship and tossed a couple of [[Fusion weaponry#Fusion grenade|bomb]]s at Tarantulas, which stuck to his hands before exploding. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

[[File:CuttingEdge-Tarantulasleadsraptorsintobattle.jpg|left|thumb|You've been cool, but you've never been Leading An Army Of Cyborg Velociraptors Into Battle cool.]]

Tarantulas survived, though, and was quickly put back together by his [[arachnoid]]s. He was repaired in time to witness the destruction of the ''Axalon''. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}} He was soon seen back at the Predacon base, working under Megatron's command once again with no mention of his former secession. {{storylink|Cutting Edge}} However, around this time he was also working on another scheme: restoring the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', the flagship of the [[Decepticon]] fleet! At some point, he'd found it lying at the bottom of the ocean, and was ensuring it would not only fly again but had a Predacon control console and a transwarp cell that could take it back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}

He battled the Maximals alongside Megatron's [[cyber raptor]]s, taking the opportunity to try out his new Transmetal [[cyber venom]] to great success, though he was stomped on by a cyber raptor once the Maximals worked out how to destroy their controls. {{storylink|Cutting Edge}} He assisted in the construction of Megatron's [[disruptor cannon]], suggesting that they abduct an early human to complete the device when the other Predacons were unable to get too close to it due to the unstable power source. While the cannon was completed by [[Una]], she managed to use her knowledge of levers to tip a piece of heavy equipment on him. Though he survived, Una had taken the cannon's stablizer crystal, and it exploded in the Predacons' faces when they tried to use it. {{storylink|Go with the Flow}}

[[File:CrossingRubicon Tarantulas fires on Silverbolt.jpg|thumb|right|Pew Pew!]]
When the Maximals attempted to remove Blackarachnia's shell program, he revealed to Megatron that he had included "certain safeguards" that guaranteed she would not survive, and joined the other Predacons in an attack on the Maximals that was meant to disrupt the attempted shell removal. He fired the missile which knocked the Maximals' power off-line at a crucial instant, seemingly bringing an end to his "treacherous creation". Enraged by the death of his beloved, [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] attempted to kill the scientist, but was thwarted by [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]], who was later defeated by a revived—and [[Transmetal]]ized—Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Crossing the Rubicon}}

Tarantulas participated in the Predacons' next attempt to retake the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], utilising his latest invention to allow Quickstrike to take control of Optimus Primal... and ''that'' was when he made his move, at last. He manipulated [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] into throwing Megatron into the nearby lava while he himself set the Ark's engines to overload. Megatron survived his lava-dunking, gaining a new body in the process. However, he had lost his patience. While he'd tolerated Tarantulas' treachery, he could not tolerate incompetence. Tarantulas survived his punishment and fled back to his lair. {{storylink|Master Blaster}} This appears to have ''not'' been what Quickstrike thought he was going to do, and neither he nor Megatron had any idea why he'd planned to destroy the whole Ark.

[[File:TarantulasVok SignOfTheCross.jpg|left|thumb|"Save me, X-Men!"]]
Tarantulas was left ranting in his lair about how the Tripredacus Council's plans were wrecked, while his systems monitored the ''Nemesis'' (which was finished by this point). However, his rant and ''Nemesis'' plans were interrupted when the aliens—now revealed to be called the [[Vok]]—sent their emissary [[Tigerhawk]] to Earth. Tarantulas let him take out the Predacons, then used his arachnoids to disable and capture him. Tarantulas intended to force the all-powerful being into his servitude by drawing the Vok influences out of his body and reprogramming him, and then have him obliterate the Ark. He cheerfully told the emissary that as he nor the Council had Autobot or Decepticon origins, they'd survive the resulting timestorm, turn Cybertron into a universe-conquering force, and one day even conquer the Vok themselves!

The scheme backfired, however, as his energy beam device expelled two ''actual Vok'' out of Tigerhawk. The formless spectres attempted to take over Tarantulas' body. Panicking, he made a religious sign to ward them off and then opened fire on them—a futile gesture that merely served to spin the energy device around 'til its rays were blasting him and his lab equipment. Overloaded by the beams, Tarantulas exploded, leaving nothing behind but his boots. The remainder of his equipment detonated seconds later, blowing the lair to rubble. Cheetor managed to rescue the inert Tigerhawk, and Tarantulas was presumed destroyed. {{storylink|Other Victories}}

Megatron knew that Tarantulas must have had some schemes on the go that the Predacons could pick up and use, and had his men search the ruins of the spider's lair. During this, he offhandedly referred to him as "[[Unicron's Spawn]]". He ended up discovering and using the working ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}
{{--}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base=====
[[File:Yokohama Unicron Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|100px]]
As part of a plot to destroy the [[2014]] [[Transformers Expo]] in [[Yokohama]] and the Cybertronian artifacts within, Tarantulas, working on [[Unicron]]'s behalf, secretly granted [[Predacon computer|NAVI-ko]] a new body and intelligence regarding [[Yokohama Convoy|Nemesis Prime]]. True to plan, NAVI-ko was sent to activate the clone and guide him to the Transformers Expo. However, thanks to Nemesis Prime's inherent sense of justice, the plan failed. {{storylink|Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base}}

=====''Cloud''=====
While the Maximals were trying to help out the wayward [[Hot Rodimus]] and [[SARA]] of the [[Cloud World]], they investigated an energon mine, only to find the Predacons waiting there. The two sides battled, and Hot Rodimus took the opportunity to transform into helicopter mode to pursue his true quarry, the [[Shockwave (Cloud)|Shockwave]] from his world. The two's battle set off the nearby energon, forcing the Predacons to retreat. {{storylink|Wild (Cloud)|Wild}}

In another fight with Shockwave, Hot Rodimus thought back to their confrontation with the Beast Warriors, including Tarantulas. {{storylink|TFC-A03}}

=====''Beast Wars Diorama Story''=====
[[File:BWDiorama Motorarm Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|left|A ravenous, sinister fiend... and Tarantulas.]]
Sometime after Starscream's arrival to prehistoric Earth, Tarantulas was confronted in battle by a time-displaced [[Motorarm (BW)|Motorarm]], who fended off the Predacon with his Beetle Claw attack. Tarantulas was not present when the Autobots from [[Movie (franchise)|another universe]] and Maximals combined all of their energies to attack a team of Predacons and Decepticons. {{storylink|Motorarm Chapter}}

=====''Legacy VS500 Collection Special Comic''=====
Tarantulas was a spectator for the second week of the [[Speedia 500]] on [[Velocitron]]. {{storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 3}}
{{--}}

====3H comics====
Tarantulas was the inventor of the [[mind-drill]]. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] "borrowed" it from him to get information out of [[Antagony (BW)|Antagony]]. {{storylink|Herald}}

[[File:Primevaldawn2 tarantulas matrix.jpg|thumb|Further proving the maxim: "If you want to steal the Matrix, you basically can."]]
Following the Beast Wars, Tarantulas's body returned to life, reanimated by the Vok powers he'd previously absorbed. The undead Tarantulas, along with a rebuilt Ravage (as [[Ravage (G1)|Tripredacus Agent]]), nurtured new troops to life through enigmatic means, growing [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]] and [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] in tubes. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}} {{storylink|Primeval Dawn II}}

The remaining Vok anticipated Tarantulas's plan to destroy the rest of them, take their power, and fashion the timestream to his desires, and so they assembled an army of their own consisting of [[Primal Prime]], [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], and [[Tigatron]]. Tarantulas met this opposition in battle, overwhelmed them, and triumphantly ripped the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from Primal Prime's chest. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2}}

Wounded critically, the Maximals withdrew to the Ark, while Tarantulas and his Predacons returned to his lair, where he directed them in the construction of a transwarp portal. Upon completion, Tarantulas planned to bring his stolen prize to his master, Unicron. Since his troops were getting restless, he promised them they could assault the Ark once they finished construction. Tarantulas was true to his word, and as Ravage led the Predacons against the Maximals, Unicron's spawn tried to stabilize the portal and prepared the Matrix for transport. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

{{note|[[3H Productions]] dissolved before this storyline could be completed. Based on the subsequent ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|Wreckers]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' storylines, it can be assumed that the Matrix of Leadership was restored to Optimus Prime's body at the end of this altercation, the Maximals were triumphant and used Tarantulas's portal to return home to Cybertron, and that Tarantulas somehow fled to Unicron.}}

[[File:Escape-Tarantulas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|Tarantulus {{sic}} basically just never dies.]]

After using the [[Divine Light]] to access [[Primus]]'s power, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]] reanimated several [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] corpses into facsimiles of [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s old subordinates, including one of Tarantulas. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

A year after the [[Great Transformation]], the [[Unicron virus|influence]] of [[Unicron]] swayed an abducted [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] to the side of darkness. As she was escorted by [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Reptilion]] into the heart of the Chaos Bringer, she was surprised to see Tarantulas (still in his undead body) greet her as she joined the ranks of the [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minions of Unicron]]. She hissed with disgust while Tarantulas noted that it was just like old times. {{storylink|Escape (Universe)|Escape}}

Tarantulas had learned that [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] had been assembling the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] to counter Unicron's Minions, and so he sent Blackarachnia on a mission to [[Primax 797.18 Epsilon|her home Cybertron]] to sever the link between the Transformers and [[Primus]] by invading [[Vector Sigma]]'s chamber and destroying Alpha Trion. He gave Blackarachnia a swarm of [[Piranacon (Universe)|Piranacon]]s and directions to the chamber through a structural weak point near the [[Rust Sea]]. {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers Legends'' anthology====
The [[Megatron (G1)|original Megatron]], now inside the mind of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] after the latter planted the former's spark inside his body, berated the Predacon leader's failures—in particular, being led astray time and again by such treacherous subordinates as Tarantulas. {{storylink|A Meeting of Minds}}

====2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity====
One account stated that when Tarantulas was born at the [[Pit (BW)|Pit]], a glitch in the process granted him insight into the fact that an alien force was manipulating the Predacons for its ends. Thus, Tarantulas became obsessed with whatever this force was. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #4}}

[[File:DawnofthePredacus TarantulasPredacusCouncil.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.65|He's laughing at the chances of the [[fandom]] at large accepting this comic as the one true pre-Beast Wars canon.]]
Another account stated that Tarantulas was one of the [[Tripredacus Council]]'s covert agents, working for them since before the Great Wars began to be recorded. As a key member of the council's schemes, Tarantulas helped develop the combiner technology that led to [[Predacus]]. {{storylink|#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Tarantulas bio}}

Before his travels off-world, Tarantulas worked in tandem with the Tripredacus Council, who sought to unite Cybertron under a single, "purer" race. As the Great War drew to a close, Tarantulas received field intelligence reporting startling news: both [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had died in a terrible confrontation between their forces. Though his masters weren't particularly moved by this turn of events, [[Megatron (BW)|a renegade]] within their army's ranks was. It became clear to the council that this upstart would resume the offensive against the enemy forces despite being ordered not to, and so Tarantulas was sent back out into the field to try and prevent any further complications from arising out of the situation.

While Tarantulas was away, the Council's secret base was discovered, and due to an [[Axalon (BW)|exploration vessel]] accidentally getting in its path, the transmatter bomb the Council had attempted to launch, to reformat all of Cybertron at once, was deflected from its proper course. Ram Horn, Cicadacon, Sea Clamp, and Ravage all met up with Tarantulas in the field, and confronted the gestalt [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], who was among the Decepticons causing dissension in their ranks. Tarantulas and his allies isolated him on the battlefield, and merged into their own gestalt form, [[Predacus]], to slay him.

[[File:DawnofthePredacus RavageAndTarantulasLaugh.jpg|thumb|upright=2.1|Seriously, this might be a medical condition.]]
Tarantulas next met with the upstart now calling himself "Megatron", and told him that the transmatter raining down on the planet was the result of a doomsday weapon of Galvatron's going off, triggered by the mad tyrant's death. He next informed Megatron that Predaking has committed suicide out of shame for his involvement in Galvatron's plans. The Tripredacus Council had hoped these lies would be enough to dissuade Megatron from continuing hostilities, but this was not the case, and so moved on to plan B: sniping Megatron with a stun beam, and surrendering to the Autobots themselves.

For the "great risks" Tarantulas took towards the pursuit of peace, he was granted amnesty after the signing of the Pax Cybertronia. He had a hearty laugh at the expense of the Autobots' gullibility over this. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}}

During his time on Earth, Tarantulas discovered the force he was obsessed with since birth was the [[Vok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #4}} He also programmed the Predacons' mobile fortress, the [[Arachnid]], utilizing his own personality programs to give it some form of sentience, accompanied by Tarantulas's own tendency for cruelty. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #1}}

While [[Magmatron]] surveyed the timestream, he witnessed several key events during the Beast Wars. Among these was Tarantulas in his original "beast" body skulking in his lair. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 1|The Gathering #1}}

====SD BotCon====
Tarantulas joined Ravage at a bar to [[Dawn of the Predacus|laugh maniacally over drinks]], only for the pair to be approached by [[Beetle]] after their fourth outburst; the pair were being kicked out since everyone else was tired of their cackling. Thankfully, Tarantulas knew of a place where they could laugh to their hearts' content... a children's ball pit! {{storylink|SD SG issue 5|SD BotCon #1}}

====''Timelines''====
[[File:TheftOfGoldenDisk-Tarantulas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|What y'wanna do? Wanna be hackers? Code crackers? Slackers? Wastin' time with all the chatroom yakkers? 9 to 5, chillin' at Hewlett Packard? WHAT?]]
Tarantulas decoded the information on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] which had been freshly stolen by Megatron. He thought this was quite hilarious, but then, he thinks that about everything. {{storylink|Theft of the Golden Disk}}

[[File:Tarantulasdawn.jpg|thumb|See? A Planet X key in the corner of the pic. He's working for Unicron! Get him!]]
As [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and his rogue band of Predacons escaped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in their stolen ship, the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'', Tarantulas was in charge of scanning the disk for a desired set of coordinates. While Megatron was not watching, he was in secret communication with [[Cicadacon|General Cicadacon]] of the [[Tripredacus Council]].

Using the decoded coordinates, the ''Darksyde'' opened a [[Unspace|transwarp]] portal, which it and the [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] passed through. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

Two weeks after [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] was reborn on [[Earth]], Tarantulas fought to defend an orbital weapon from the Maximals. The launching pad was destroyed by Airazor. {{storylink|The Razor's Edge}}
{{-}}

====''Wings Universe''====
[[File:Tarantulasemerges-ACommonFoe.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1| "Well, howdy! Just scratching the wall, don't mind me!"]]
One of four mysterious protoforms found by [[Sky-Byte (RID)#Wings Universe|Sky-Byte]] in the laboratory of [[Jhiaxus (G2)#Wings Universe|Jhiaxus]] while trying to save his former collaborator's clones from the Autobots, {{storylink|A Common Foe}} Tarantulas and [[Tripredacus Council|the other three]] pledged allegiance to the Predacons in suspiciously quick time.<ref name="TFSS3bio">"Tarantulas is a being without a history. In his rush to remove Jhiaxus' clones from his laboratory before the Autobots discovered its location, Sky-Byte mistakenly extracted four stasis pods of unknown origin. The emergent robots immediately declared for the Predacon cause, some might say suspiciously quickly. Of the four robots, Tarantulas has since discovered an endless fascination with experimental science, especially seeking any opportunity for vivisection."</ref>

=====''Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts''=====
The Tarantulas of [[Primax 509.28 Epsilon]] was interviewed by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Shotimus Prime]], who seemed determined to prove that Tarantulas was also [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. Annoyed by Shotimus's badgering, Tarantulas eventually resorted to pulling the Matrix out of Shotimus's chest, reverting him to Hot Shot, and then hitting him repeatedly with it. {{storylink|Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts}}

====Waspscream continuity====
In [[Primax 208.06 Zeta]], Tarantulas joined [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspscream]]'s successful coup against Megatron. Waspscream then convinced Tarantulas to decode Megatron's Golden Disk by promising to make Tarantulas his lieutenant upon returning to Cybertron and deposing the Tripredacus Council. Unfortunately en route, Megatron escaped, conquered Cybertron with a [[transformation virus]], and turned the bodies of Cybertron's populace into [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. Upon arrival, Waspscream's crewmembers who had [[transmetal]] forms managed to survive the virus and escape Megatron's clutches, eventually finding their way to the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], who granted them [[technorganic]] forms. Waspscream's Predacons waged a valiant Spark War against the Vehicons, eventually achieving victory. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/16}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga===
[[File:TarantulasMangaMouth01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Tarantulas raises an army of mannequins to strike terror into his foes.]]
Following the [[Quantum surge]], Tarantulas was upgraded into a [[Transmetal]]. Scheming with [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] within their floating island base, [[Hindenburg]], Tarantulas developed a plan to revive the deceased [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] as a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] slave. Recovering Primal's mindless, raging body, Tarantulas staged a strange voodoo ceremony (complete with boiling cauldron). As Megatron pricked his finger and prepared to use his mutated blood to turn Primal's rampaging body into his slave, the spark of Optimus Primal returned to it just in the nick of time. As Primal turned into a Transmetal, Tarantulas began to celebrate, convinced that his plan had worked out better than he had thought, unaware of what was really going on. In fact, he was ''so'' convinced that Primal was now a Predacon slave, that he ordered the monkey to give him a shoulder massage. Optimus Primal proceeded to knock Tarantulas's block off. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 1|Beast Wars Metals #1}}

Tarantulas pulled himself together and confronted Tigatron, only to be promptly sliced in half. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 2|Beast Wars Metals #2}}

Undeterred, he taped himself back together and planted an [[arachnoid]] in Tigatron which gave Tarantulas control of the Maximal samurai's mind and body. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 3|Beast Wars Metals #3}} Airazor linked her mind to Tigatron's in an attempt to free her beloved and while her body fought Tigatron, Airazor's consciousness fought Tarantulas and his virtual minions. Ultimately, with Blackarachnia's help, Tigatron's mind was freed, though Airazor died in the process, killed by the mind-controlled Tigatron. Optimus Primal arrived and promptly stomped Tarantulas to death and blew his body to pieces. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 4|Beast Wars Metals #4}}

Shortly afterward, the energies from sparks freed from an obliterated [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] brought Tarantulas back to life as a mindless zombie. He fought Optimus Primal but was destroyed for good by Primal's rocket-fists. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}}

===Fire in the Dark===
====''Legends'' anthology====
When [[human]] archaeologists uncovered a cave filled with primitive language, [[Mini-Con]] [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] translated it for them. The markings told of a time when the Maximals and Predacons crash-landed on prehistoric Earth, though the stranded Transformers were seen by the [[Natiltec]] as gods. The "spider-god" and the "[[Waspinator (BW)|wasp-god]]", under instruction from their [[Megatron (BW)|leader]], enslaved the humans for the purposes of excavating "[[Energon|glowing rose crystals]]". Eventually, a "[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|wolf-god]]" came, and had a fierce battle with the spider, allowing the captive humans to flee. The spider was defeated by the wolf, and then buried underground in a cave-in. {{storylink|Fire in the Dark}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
Dimensional observer [[Vector Prime]] explained that in [[Aurex 1104.30-JH Zeta]], Tarantulas had his own agenda on prehistoric Earth. He deployed his [[Arachnoid]]s across the globe to search for traces of [[Super Energon]], accumulating a large cache of the powerful substance. Optimus Primal sacrificed himself to hijack Tarantulas's makeshift craft and destroy it in orbit, causing a [[Quantum surge|Super Energon Transwarp Explosion]] which granted a [[Transmetal]] upgrade to many participants in the conflict as well as created the [[Fuzor]]s. Later, Megatron attempted to use Tarantulas's secret experiments in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide, but ultimately, the Maximals emerged victorious in the war for the [[Mini-Con]]s. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/13}}

===Legends World===
The Tarantulas of the [[Legends World]] was head of [[Tera-Kura Co.]]'s science department and an expert at building robots. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} He sneakily browsed the toys for sale at [[Transformers Celebration 2014]]. {{storylink|Legends Bonus Vol.}} Later, Tarantulas was responsible for production of Tera-Kura's [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird Shadow]]s. One day, he was approached by the [[Decepticon]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] of [[G1 World|another universe]], who offered him use of their technology in exchange for his help in building them new [[transtector]]s. Realizing he could use this tech to conquer the Legends World for himself, Tarantulas accepted. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} Once a partnership between the Decepticons and Tera-Kura had been formed, he used data stolen from the [[Autobot]] Headmasters to build a body for [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] as well as the drone [[Butla]]. Seeking to eliminate the Autobots, his rivals on the technology market, he and [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] then sent out Skullcruncher to lure out and destroy them, but the Headmaster was defeated. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 22|Bonus Edition Vol. 22}} Tarantulas's boss, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], chewed them out over their violent approach, leading to a disgruntled Tarantulas building a body for Megatron that would turn him into the destructive [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. In the end, Megatron resisted the body and taught them a lesson, though Tarantulas pointed out that as he'd planned, Galvatron's destruction had increased Tera-Kura's sales. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}}

Not ones to give up, Tarantulas and Weirdwolf had [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] hypnotize Megatron back into Galvatron only for [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] to undo the spell. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 25|Bonus Edition Vol. 25}} He was present at the office when [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] attempted to take over Tera-Kura. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}} When a group of [[Nightbeat (G1)|mass-produced Headmasters]] from [[Axalon Trading Company|Autobot Axalon Trading Company]] started stealing Decepticon transtectors on the orders of [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], Tarantulas responded by activating the Galvatron body's mask, briefly brainwashing the unfortunate [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] into being evil. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 28|Bonus Edition Vol. 28}} Since his Megatron plan wasn't working out, Tarantulas chose to enter the Galvatron body and pilot it himself, using it to defeat Megatron and use his head mode as a soccer ball. Though he was defeated by [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Shūta Gō]], he was happy with the data he'd gathered about controlling a transtector. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 29|Bonus Edition Vol. 29}} He then finished a new transtector for Weirdwolf, shocking its owner by making it sentient (and revealing that Skullcruncher's had been so all along). {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 30|Bonus Edition Vol. 30}}

Tarantulas was initially gleeful when Tera-Kura purchased [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], but quickly grew unsatisfied and wanted control of ''both'' Metroplex and Autobot Axalon's new base, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Maximus]]. He had Weirdwolf infiltrate Maximus and take it for Tera-Kura by using the [[Master Sword]], but the plan failed when Weirdwolf was unable to control the giant transtector's power. Using what he'd learned from piloting Galvatron, Tarantulas took things into his own hands by taking direct control of Metroplex and having him attack Maximus. The battle between Metroplex and Fortress Maximus ended with Fortress destroying Tarantulas's control device, and the scientist was arrested for his crimes. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 31|Bonus Edition Vol. 31}} He eventually broke out of jail and encountered [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], who agreed to hide him from the law in exchange for a transtector of his own. Tarantulas then found himself pressed to mass-produce these bodies for Astrotrain's master plan, and once he was done and expected to get along with his "fellow jailbird", Astrotrain promptly deemed him unnecessary and turned on him, sending him fleeing. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} He next found refuge with Weirdwolf's faction of Decepticons, only to again be press-ganged into building bodies, this time for [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|LG-43 Trypticon Project Chapter}} As such he was present for the resurrection of Trypticon. {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
To the best of [[Vector Prime]]'s knowledge, Tarantulas and [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] did not think of themselves as relatives. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/15}}

[[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] claimed he showed up at the last second to help win [[#3H comics|the battle against Primal Prime]] but only referred to Ravage being there, not Tarantulas. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Sideways#July 6, 2015|Ask Sideways, 2015/06/06}} He also claimed to know the secret origins of Tarantulas and the Tripredacus Council. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Sideways, 2015/06/28}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|''Sins of the Wreckers'' #1]]}}
[[File:SinsoftheWreckers3-Mesothulas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6|"I'm not [[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]]! Okay, maybe I am... but basically, no, I'm not."]]
Mesothulas was a non-affiliated scientist, an avid student of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}} who served as a consultant for [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] during the early stages of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Mesothulas saw their relationship as symbiotic—Prowl's imagination would feed into Mesothulas's desire to make the impossible real and vice versa. This collaboration yielded many of the weapons and technologies that the Autobots would use during the war, including [[stasis bullet]]s, [[Spark extractor|spark extraction]], [[Decepti-Bomb]]s, and [[positive reinforcement prison]]s; most notably, Mesothulas developed the guilt-detecting supercomputer known as [[Aequitas]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Mesothulas eventually came to believe that the war itself was a sort of macrocosmic "organism", and could be manipulated at will with the right tools. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}} Mesothulas's mad science would eventually yield what he considered his greatest success, the artificial life-form known as "[[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ostaros]]". Prowl eventually began to doubt the ethics involved with Mesothulas's inventions, and events came to a head after the scientist unveiled his latest creation: a hellish prison dimension he called the "[[Noisemaze (dimension)|Noisemaze]]". {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

Realizing that Mesothulas's increasingly depraved experiments could not continue, Prowl cashed in a favor with [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], asking him to dispose of Mesothulas by pushing the scientist into his own Noisemaze, then destroying everything in his workshop. When faced with the innocent Ostaros, however, neither Prowl nor Impactor could bring themselves to kill the young "Transformer", and instead Prowl falsified a new identity for him as the Autobot [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}} Thanks to the [[Anti-rad armor|bulky, face-concealing armor]] Impactor wore, Mesothulas was left to believe that Prowl had personally disposed of him. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}}

[[File:SinsoftheWreckers3 Ultra Energon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|''But then one day he went to that science lab'' ''That mutated spider came down'']]
Though Mesothulas was prepared for such an occurrence, having built a personal jumpgate built into his body, the disorienting effects of the Noisemaze meant that it took centuries before Mesothulas could put it to use. With his lab ransacked and his experiments left in shambles, Mesothulas turned his efforts outwards: he followed in the footsteps of his idol Shockwave—a trail that led him to [[Earth]]. There, he discovered and refined samples of Shockwave's [[Ore-13]] to create an artificially derived superfuel he called [[obtenteum]], which became the basis for all of his future inventions. Using obtenteum, he established a base within the Noisemaze he dubbed the [[Tor]]; inspired by the native wildlife, he turned the Tor into a laboratory for developing the perfect bio-disguise, a [[size changing|mass-shifting]] bodyform that formed the basis for the [[spark]]-shielding [[Chimeracon]] upgrade. Fascinated by Earth's spiders, he eventually modified his own body with Chimeracon technology to become a gigantic arachnid, renaming himself "Tarantulas". {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

The Chimeracon process required further raw material, and so Tarantulas returned to Cybertron and began the incident that would later be immortalized as the "[[Roadbuster affair]]"—by shrinking down into a tiny size, Tarantulas was able to crawl into [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]]'s ear, whispering for him to torture his recruits. Roadbuster assumed that he was hearing the voice of [[Mortilus]] and cheerfully followed the orders of "Mortilus" to the letter, dumping the bodies of his dead recruits into a pit where Tarantulas could later recover them. The other Autobots soon found out what had happened, and intervened in time to save [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] from the fate that befell his friends. By that point Tarantulas had already fled the scene and everyone assumed that Roadbuster had suffered a debilitating mental breakdown. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}} Eventually, Tarantulas was able to turn Hubcap to his side and convince him to serve as a mole within the Autobot ranks, using his [[Outlier (group)|outlier]] powers to uncover Prowl's secrets, including the data containing Aequitas's proclamations. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Even though Tarantulas admitted having been the voice of "Mortilus" that drove Roadbuster mad, the terrified Hubcap went along with it, hoping to gain a stronger Chimeracon body for himself and seeing justice meted out against Roadbuster. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}}

[[File:SinsoftheWreckers3-Tarantulasspider.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6|''Oh, and now Meso crawls over everyone's walls'' ''And he's swingin' all over town'']]
Following the end of the war—and a series of diplomatic incidents that saw Prowl reduced to a wanted fugitive—Tarantulas sought to rekindle the relationship that he and Prowl had one enjoyed, and sought to bring the disgraced strategist back into the fold. To do so, he became the patron of the post-war anarchist cell known as [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]]; clad in Chimeracon bio-disguises, they became his private enforcers, operating from the Noisemaze and carrying out his orders. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Tarantulas ordered Mayhem to abduct Prowl shortly after the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], and had him spirited away to the Tor. There, Tarantulas suspended Prowl in his webs {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|Sins of the Wreckers #1}} and presented the [[data slug]] that contained information on the Aequitas trial, stolen from [[Verity Carlo]], as collateral for an open conversation between the two. {{Storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 2|Sins of the Wreckers #2}}

With the greatest of anticipation, Tarantulas unveiled his new form to Prowl, who was horrified at his old collaborator's metamorphosis. Prowl suspected Tarantulas intended to use the war crimes data from Aequitas to simply blackmail him, but Tarantulas revealed his ''true'' desire: he simply wished to work with his old compatriot once more, to recreate the symbiosis of their original possibly-more-than-professional relationship. When Prowl still refused, he was placed in the company of his would-be rescuers: Verity, Springer, Roadbuster, and [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]], their most shameful, damning thoughts opened bare to him thanks to Tarantulas's new invention, the guilt-extracting [[Impetus]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

[[File:K-PLUTCH.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|You or a loved one may be entitled to financial compensation.]]
Tarantulas explained to Verity that her current sickly condition was a result of exposure to the Aequitas supercomputer back on [[Garrus-9]]; when he attempted to force Prowl into Impetus, Prowl tried to talk him out of it, lying that he had killed Ostaros that day in the lab. Before a grief-stricken Tarantulas could torture Prowl any further, rescue arrived in the shape of Wrecker space station ''[[Debris]]'', its mass threatening to rip the Noisemaze apart. Tarantulas ordered the Chimeracons to counterattack and for Hubcap to transmit the Aequitas data across the galaxy, only for Hubcap to turn on his employer and free the Autobot prisoners instead. Roadbuster was briefly able to overpower him by using his vehicle mode to ram the gigantic spider out a window... but Tarantulas had survived the fall, shrinking himself and crawling into Roadbuster's head once more.

Tarantulas taunted his old victim one last time... then expanded back to his full size, blowing open Roadbuster's head from the inside out. As the surviving Wreckers regrouped at the Tor and prepared to take down the entire structure, Tarantulas revealed himself, smugly promising that he would soon do "something weird" to everyone. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}}

[[File:SinsOfTheWreckers5-springervstarantulas.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|"Quick! Someone get a giant slipper!"]]
Using his mass displacement technology to enlarge his spider mode to its maximum size, Tarantulas activated a final contingency plan: shrinking the Tor itself down to pocket size so that he could safely transport his lab out of the collapsing dimension, while revealing that he had healed Verity's illness for no other reason other than to one-up Prowl. As they battled, Tarantulas continued to grow, ranting madly about his need for revenge for Ostaros's murder, finally prompting Impactor to reveal that ''he'' had destroyed the lab on Prowl's orders. Tarantulas demanded to know what had become of Ostaros—and then made the connection between Springer's voice and the fate of his creation. Tarantulas scurried into the depths of his facility to reunite with his creation, even as Arcee sliced off his beast mode head and used it to trip the retinal scanner and halt the Tor's contraction.

Tarantulas managed to find Springer as the Autobot finished rigging the facility to blow, earning himself a punch in the face from the green Autobot. His words were garbled by the energies of the Noisemaze, preventing any kind of meaningful dialogue between creator and creation. The pair struggled with one another as Springer repeatedly stabbed Tarantulas, neither able to speak or hear each other. Escaping the Tor and reuniting with the other Autobots, Springer escaped as Impactor destroyed the Noisemaze, seemingly destroying Tarantulas with it. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}}

[[File:RequiemOfTheWreckers-hyehyehhyeh.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Only a student of Shockwave's would consider [[The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|becoming a furry while using time travel to tamper with history]].]]
Unbeknownst to the Wreckers, however, Tarantulas had survived his encounter with the Wreckers, and escaped the destruction of the Noisemaze by shrinking to miniscule size and hitching a ride on Springer as he escaped. Tarantulas spent a year hiding out in the retrofitted barn that Springer and Verity called home, using their Cybertronian transmitter to communicate with the rest of the galaxy. He established a dialogue with the rogue Decepticon [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], who had been left rudderless following his botched battle with [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] on the [[Necroworld]], and Tarantulas hatched a new plan. The pair relocated to an extinct volcano; using his knowledge of biotechnology, Tarantulas upgraded Overlord with a Chimeracon body, using samples of Verity's DNA to create a human alter-ego for Overlord: firebrand politician "Megan Guiglione", a twisted experiment so that Tarantulas could watch what happened when he introduced an irrational aggressor into Earth's political ecosystems. Using this cover identity to amass money and resources, Tarantulas began developing what he considered to be his ultimate masterstroke: the [[Timemaze]], a functional time machine that would allow him to use [[time travel]] to his advantage by repeatedly splintering the timeline by sending Overlord back in time and creating infinite new realities for him to experiment with.

When Verity inadvertently learned of Overlord's human disguise, he brought her back to the volcano to dispose of; Tarantulas, on the other hand, wanted her kept alive, in the hopes that protecting her would win him the favor of his beloved Ostaros. In the meantime, Tarantulas showed her his newest invention in between bickering with Overlord. It soon became clear that Overlord's irrational hatred of Megatron—a "temporal cornerstone"—overrode his loyalty to Tarantulas, and as Tarantulas realized his erstwhile partner would use the Timemaze to travel back in time solely for the purpose of repeatedly killing Megatron, the pair fell to fighting. When Springer did arrive, Tarantulas immediately stood down, hoping that he could make amends with his creation. Before he could do so, however, Overlord shot him in the back of the head.

[[File:RequiemOfTheWreckers-TarantulasDies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|Tarantulas' encounter with Garfield ended in tragedy.]]
When Overlord was finally defeated, Springer knelt beside Tarantulas's mangled body. Though he had been fatally wounded, Tarantulas admitted that he was happy to be reunited with his greatest creation one last time; while they couldn't be together, he was glad that, after bringing so much chaos into the universe, Springer was proof that he could leave something good behind. Having made peace with his legacy, Tarantulas died. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:TriggerWarnings Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|[[Predator (alien)|"You're one ugly mother..."]]]]
'''Tarantulas of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]''' served as chief science officer at the [[Mandala]], the headquarters of the [[Predacon Secret Police]]. Loyal only to his own scientific... curiosity... Tarantulas also moonlighted with the Predacon anarchists known as the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], providing tech support to them in exchange for hired goons when he needed them. {{storylink|Trigger Warnings}} In his downtime, he visited the same software developers' chat room as [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Identity Politics}}

A PSP deep-cover agent in the [[Maximal Command Security Force]] caught a murder case in Iacon, the death of a [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]] named [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]]. Tarantulas examined the data [[Wolfang (Predacon)|Wolfang]] provided his superiors and recognized Twirl was not a [[Micromaster]], but a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], one who had somehow survived the [[Targetmaster Extirpation|Extirpation]] a generation prior. Finding the idea of his own weapon of mass destruction appealing, Tarantulas inserted himself into the case and pinged the Mayhemists to be on alert as well.

Wolfang tracked down the Mayhemists, believing them to be responsible for the murder. He encountered Tarantulas and arrested him for conspiracy and terrorism, but Tarantulas managed to talk his way out of imprisonment when he came before [[Onyx Primal]]. Instead, he joined the PSP as they intercepted Wolfang, who had found the true murderer, another secret Targetmaster named [[Overrun]]. Fearing the idea of Tarantulas or anyone getting ahold of the power of a Targetmaster, Wolfang and Overrun died keeping him out of PSP hands. {{storylink|Trigger Warnings}}

Getting his mitts on the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] that Overrun had left behind, Tarantulas decided to play with it in [[Proximax]], with his first target being the disgraced former Resistance member [[Grimlock_(G1)|Grimlock]]. His scheme was noticed by the [[Ex-Bot_(BWU)|Ex-Bots]], who thanks to some pre-cognitive warning from [[Overshoot|Overshoot's]] ghost were able to jam the Robo-Smasher, giving Grimlock the chance to obfuscate and sabotage the Predacon's scheme. Before they could do anything with him, the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] broke out.

Tarantulas managed to disappear during the chaos, only reappearing once the Vehicons were done and dusted, at the side of Megatron, head of [[Darksyder|Darksyder, Inc.]], and one of the largest powers left on Cybertron. Tarantulas, for his part, was giddy at the thought of meeting Stiletto again. {{storylink|Derailment}}

Millennia later, historians would remember "Tarantulus", but somehow came to conflate him with Blackarachnia, and were even convinced he was [[Lio_Convoy|Lio Convoy's]] head scientist. {{storylink|Lio Convoy: Unity Through Tyranny}}

===2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic===
[[File:SavageLandingPart1-beautifuldestruction.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Tarantulas was a Predacon separatist in the employ of [[Megatron (BW)|Galavar]]; {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}} although he considered himself one of the greatest geniuses in Cybertronian history, {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 4}}, most regarded him as a wanted criminal, a treacherous mad scientist whose reputation for cruelty and indiscriminate violence had earned him infamy among the Maximals. {{storylink|Pod Part 1}}

Eventually, Galavar went rogue, changed his name to "[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]", and launched a daring heist to steal a mysterious [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] from the Maximal [[Ministry of Science|Science Ministry]]. While half of Megatron's team stole the disk, Tarantulas, [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], and [[Skold]] broke into the [[Great Shipyard]] in [[Vos (polity)|Vos]], liberated the [[Transwarp Drive|transwarp]]-capable warship ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' from its berth, and sabotaged the rest of the fleet to prevent any pursuers. Tarantulas busied himself with hacking the security protocols required to access the ship's transwarp drive, before the vessel came under assault from the nearby Maximal science vessel ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. Tarantulas successfully unlocked the transwarp drive, and followed a set of coordinates inscribed on the golden disk—a jump that took to a mysterious, primitive world. After a brief orbital dogfight with the Maximal starship, who'd followed them across time and space to this unfamiliar planet, both ships crashed on opposite sides of a lush valley. To survive high concentrations of [[energon]] radiation, the ''Darksyde'''s computer system refitted its passengers with [[beast mode]]s that would allow them to safely operate outside their ship. Upon reactivating in his new form, Tarantulas joined Megatron as the Predacon leader vowed to hunt down and dispatch any Maximals who'd survived the crash. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}}

[[File:SavageLandingPart3-TarantulasvsDinobot.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

As the Predacons settled in, Tarantulas busied himself with tracking a number of anomalous [[unspace]] signatures within the ship, and butted heads with Megatron's nominal lieutenant [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] when he ordered Tarantulas to scout out their immediate surroundings. Tarantulas snapped that, as rogue agents, he and the other Predacons answered to no one and could do as they pleased. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 2}} That evening, [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] returned with a prisoner: the Maximal flier [[Nyx]]. While Megatron interrogated their captive, Tarantulas operated the electrical torture device intended to shock her into surrendering her secrets; when Nyx refused to speak, however, Tarantulas deduced that she must be protecting other Maximal survivors, and a pleased Megatron turned Nyx over to Tarantulas to dispose of as he liked. As such, Tarantulas rigged up a public execution, using his new [[Transformation Lock Lens|transformation lock lens]] to keep his victim from fighting back or escaping. The show went as planned, until Dinobot had a crisis of conscience and abruptly turned on his allies. With the advantage of surprise on his side, Dinobot quickly incapacitated Tarantulas by kicking him in the face, then used his security clearance to remotely trip the ''Darksyde'''s lockdown protocol and trap all the other Predacons in the base while Nyx transformed and escaped. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 3}}

It took Tarantulas several hours to unscramble the ship's systems, and by the time that he succeeded both Dinobot and Nyx had disappeared into the jungle that divided the ''Darksyde'' from the crashed ''Axalon'', which necessitated a manhunt to find and dispatch the traitor. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 4}} By following Dinobot's trail, the Predacons found the crashed ''Axalon'' and devised a plan to take out both Dinobot and the Maximals in one fell swoop—while Megatron and the other Predacons launched a frontal assault, Tarantulas infiltrated the ship to bring it down from within. While sneaking around the ship's lower levels, he encountered [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]], whom he attempted to eat before Rattrap shot him in the face and escaped into the ship's vents. Frustrated, Tarantulas swore to find a way to sabotage the Maximal starship and kill everyone aboard. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 5}}

[[File:SavageLandingPart6-Dinobotstabbed.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

While searching for anything he could salvage from the ''Axalon'''s many empty laboratories, and, after accessing the ship's consist, discovered that the Maximals had been carrying a cargo of [[protoform]]s they'd ejected into orbit before the crash. Eager at the prospect of raising his own army and overthrowing Megatron, Tarantulas quickly wrote a [[shell program]] and attempted to access the stasis pod network to upload his code, but as he struggled with the ship's security systems, Rattrap used the ship's [[GCMG-Five|cargo-loading exoskeleton]] to grab the Predacon scientist and hurl him out the nearest window. Tarantulas quickly recovered, and, while Dinobot faced down the other Predacons alone outside the''Axalon'', Tarantulas ambushed the ex-Predacon, stabbed him through the chest, and joined in his comrades as they beat their former comrade to the brink of death before [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] used the Axalon's autoguns to intimidate the Predacons into leaving. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 6}}

While fruitlessly trying to contact the orbital stasis pod network from the ''Darksyde'', Tarantulas discovered that his earlier experiment had indeed paid off: his attempts to hack the Maximal pods had yielded [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], who'd taken the initiative of deorbiting the remaining stasis pods and infecting many of them with the same program Tarantulas had used to turn her into a Predacon. However, Tarantulas found that Blackarachnia was no slave, but a fiercely independent warrior who refused to take orders from anyone. {{storylink|Pod Part 2}} Tarantulas attended Megatron's celebration commemorating their new member, but quickly found himself the object of suspicion when Megatron pointedly remarked that Tarantulas had "forgotten" to inform Megatron of this new development. {{storylink|Thicker Skin}}

When Terrorsaur played a cruel prank on Skold by locking her in the ship's brig, Tarantulas and the other Predacons watched the ship's security system in shock as the little Predacon befriended and decapitated their prisoner [[Powerhug (BW)|Powerhug]]. {{storylink|Skold's No Good, Very Bad Day}} Some time later, Tarantulas and Blackarachnia worked together to construct an elaborate maze designed to trap Maximals, then used (and subsequently abandoned) Waspinator as a guinea pig to test it. When [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] blundered into their trap, he found a pre-recorded message in which the two argued over who would take the credit for the trap. {{storylink|Rhinox's Amaze-ing Adventure}}

[[File:MaximalsStrikeBackPart3-Tarantulastransforms.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

As Terrorsaur's impatience with Megatron's leadership grew, he grew bold enough to directly criticize their commander, and found himself on the receiving end of a savage beatdown. Fortunately, Tarantulas used one of his inventions to save Terrorsaur before Megatron could deliver the killing blow; the moment Megatron turned his back, he warned Terrorsaur that he'd saved him only because he'd need the spare parts one day. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 1}} When the Maximals launched a full-scale assault on the ''Darksyde'' to retrieve the Golden Disk and disable their transwarp drive, Tarantulas fetched up against Nyx once again, {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 2}} but couldn't stop her from blasting the delicate transwarp engine and permanently destroying it. A furious Tarantulas transformed to attack, but wound up immobilized by Nyx's new taser. Although Tarantulas survived the battle, not all of his comrades were as lucky: Terrorsaur perished, and while the other Predacons licked their wounds Tarantulas eagerly took custody of Terrorsaur's corpse and got to work, promising his dead comrade that he'd find new purpose beyond death. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 3}}

At some point, Rattrap took part in a skirmish over energon that ended with Cheetor getting injured. {{storylink|The Speedway of Central Consciousness}}

[[File:PrimalRage-BlackarachniaTarantulas.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Prepare for trouble! Make it double!]]

When Scorponok and Waspinator discovered a mysterious sample of red energon in the jungle, Tarantulas analyzed it and discovered that the substance possessed unusual aggression-increasing properties. He and Blackarachnia found a way to weaponize the substance into an explosive, then ambushed Optimus Primal and Dinobot while the two Maximals were alone in the jungle and escaped after planting the bomb on Dinobot's back. {{storylink|Primal Rage}}

At some point around this time, Tarantulas came into contact with the enigmatic [[Vok]], aliens who hailed from unspace and the self-appointed guardians of this world, who sought to permanently remove the Maximals and Predacons from their planet. In exchange for the secrets of the universe, Tarantulas betrayed his fellow Cybertronians; while he worked behind the scenes to undermine the tentative Maximal-Predacon alliance, {{storylink|The Beginning of the End}} he also made the direct step of locating every fallen stasis pod he could find and reprogramming the Predacons within into loyal "[[Children of the Vok (group)|Children of the Vok]]" who would serve as shock troopers in their impending assault on the Cybertronians. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}

[[File:TheBeginningOfTheEnd-TarantulasTerrorsaur.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

However, when Rhinox and Scorponok discovered that someone had used Megatron's access code to disable the ''Darksyde'''s transwarp drive, Megatron immediately realized that Tarantulas, the only other Predacon who could've known the code, had been working against them. Tarantulas tried to flee to the Vok, but Dinobot impaled the Predacon scientist with his sword and brought him back to the ''Darksyde'' for questioning. In retaliation, Tarantulas activated his hidden experiment: since taking custody of Terrorsaur's corpse, he'd rebuilt him into a monstrous, mindless, physically-enhanced [[zombie]]. "Experiment ZT-Omega" made short work of his captors, then freed Tarantulas so that he could send a message to Cybertron using the Darksyde's jury-rigged transwarp drive in the hopes that someone could send a ship to their space-time coordinates and rescue him. {{storylink|The Beginning of the End}}

As the Children of the Vok besieged the Predacon base, Tarantulas gleefully took in the chaos until Blackarachnia attacked him. However, the arrival of the Vok interrupted their fight. The inscrutable aliens had come to the conclusion that ''all'' Cybertronians were inherently violent and could not be allowed to live, and powered up a massive [[reversion device]] to scour the planet clean. Together, the Maximals and Predacons successfully weaponized transwarp technology to banish both the aliens and Megatron, and Tarantulas slipped away amidst the confusion. With Megatron gone, Blackarachnia took command of the remaining Predacons and decided that, before leaving the planet, they'd track down the treacherous scientist and kill him. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}

{{--}}

==Games==
===''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game continuity===
====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game comic====
[[File:BWgameUK-Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Some great dialog there, Tarry.]]
Upon arriving on prehistoric Earth, the dangers of Energon radiation forced the Maximals and Predacons to take on beast alternate forms. Tarantulas picked up a tarantula in his palm and scanned it. Soon, Tarantulas spotted [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] moving in on the Predacons' crash site. Swearing revenge, Tarantulas transformed and attacked, and threatened to skin the Maximal alive. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers video game advertising comic}}

====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game====
{{voiceactor|??? (English), ??? (Japanese)}}
[[File:BeastWarsPSX-Tarantulasstats.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Sadly, there's no Eat Cheetor level.]]

Many Beast Wars combatants had managed to construct personal bases, customized to their personal tastes, due to the extended duration of the war. Tarantulas still preferred to operate out of a dark, underground lair. Tarantulas joined his fellow Predacons in battling not only the persistent Maximal resistance, but the interdimensional monsters known as the [[Skriix]].

=====Maximal campaign=====
After [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] had expanded his own personal base too close to Tarantulas's own territory, creating an opening for the Predacon to infiltrate Rhinox's personal metropolis. Tarantulas overtook Rhinox's base and reprogrammed its defenses, prompting the Maximals to retake it. The Maximal's offensive push forced Tarantulas to retreat deeper and deeper into the annexed territory, until he finally returned to his own lair. While he was in control of Rhinox's forces, however, Tarantulas had gained access to sensitive information, prompting the Maximals to follow Tarantulas back to his hide-out, and eliminate him once and for all.

=====Predacon campaign=====
Rhinox's expansion into Tarantulas's territory allowed the Predacons to infiltrate the Maximal's "Urban Area" and eliminate Rhinox. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers}}

{{BW VG|Tarantulas|P}}

===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
[[File:N64 Tarantulus.jpg|thumb|left|Player 2 Has Entered His Stomach. Continue?]]
[[File:N64Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Arboreal Camouflage Tarantulas? Blue Crusader Tarantulas?]]
{{voiceactor|[[Alec Willows]] (English), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese)}}
In an alternate timeline created when Megatron sent a message through Transwarp back to his past self, Tarantulas participated in a series of all-out battles with the other beast warriors.

Eventually, Tarantulas found a way to escape prehistoric Earth and return to Cybertron. The Beast Wars progressed in his absence for a time...

Then he came back, newly promoted and with an armada of Transwarp battleships under his command, out to end the Beast Wars and enforce the Tripredacus Council's will... {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|Beast Wars Transmetals}}

{{BW fighter ending|Tarantulas|N64}}

====Move list====
{{note|This list only includes the character's unique special moves in Beast Mode, as their attacks in Robot Mode and Vehicle Mode are identical to those of every other character.}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|'''Beast Attacks'''
|-
|C-Right||Web Snare
|-
|C-Up||Seek n' Suck
|-
|C-Left||Venom Mist
|}

===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (PS)===
{{voiceactor|[[Alec Willows]] (English), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese)}}
====Maximal story====
Tarantulas joined the other Predacons in an assault on the ''Axalon''. Unfortunately for them, Optimus Primal and his team fought back, beating the Predacons all the way back to the ''Darkside''. By the time it was all over, Tarantulas had already abandoned the mission and taken off. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)}}

====Predacon story====
Tarantulas gleefully informed Megatron that their plan was already underway, and the Maximals had taken the bait and were on the approach. Mocking Rampage for not understanding the subtle intricacies of "beat up the Maximals, follow them to their base, then beat them up even more", Tarantulas joined a team of Predacons in beating them back to the ''Axalon''. On the ship's bridge, with the Maximals all but defeated, Tarantulas and the others prepared to finish them. However, Rhinox arrived at that moment and activated Sentinel's auto-guns, forcing the Preds to make a hasty retreat. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)}}

====Move list====
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|'''Robot Mode'''
!colspan=2|'''Beast Mode'''
|-
|Special attack||Multi Missiles
|Special attack||Web Pulse
|-
|Super attack||Shadow Slash
|Super attack||Shocking Snare
|}

===''Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars''===
[[File:DuelFight Tarantulas.gif|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Megatron was capable of summoning Tarantulas forth to the battlefield during his attempts to acquire the super-powerful [[Energon Quartz]]. {{storylink|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsTarantulas.jpg|thumb|400px]]
Tarantulas participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in three different bodies:
*''Tarantulas''—This Super Rare character first appeared in the "Beast Wars: Episode 2" event, and could be recruited by by collecting 250 units of Cybermetal, 75 units of Transmetal, 35 event cores, and 10 cores of this character.
*''Tarantulas''—This Epic Character was available in the August Daily Campaign and could be recruited by collecting 20 Alpha cores, 20 Beta cores, 20 Omega cores, and 10 cores of this character.
*''Tarantulas Transmetal''—This Super Rare character was available to 2500 players during the second event of the "Transmetals: Episode 3" mini events.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Tarantulas-Timelines.jpg|thumb|400px|Watch out!/Here comes the spider bike!]]
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Tarantulas-Transmetal.jpg|thumb|400px]]
{{!}}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
'''Tarantulas'''
[[File:Tarantulas EarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2.00]]

{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Ability: Life Stealing Charge''' - Rush into combat imprisoning buildings on your path for 7 seconds. The vines deal damage per second, slow down defences by 70% and heal your nearby allies by a percentage of the defence’s damage value per second.
**'''Cost''': 5 ability points, +2 for reuses.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:tarantulas Tarantulas at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Tarantulas (BW)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Tarantulas (BW)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:OptimalSituation Tarantulas insignia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Tarantulas is one of Reprolabels's best customers.]]
[[File:TMtigatronboxback2.jpg|thumb|Pew! Pew!]]

*Tarantulas's name may come from an unproduced ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' [https://www.yojoe.com/archive/unproduced/manimalart.shtml Manimal] named [https://www.yojoe.com/archive/unproduced/man95-5.shtml Tarantulus], as the ''Beast Wars'' Maximal name itself was derived from the Manimals.
*The original Tarantulas toy has ''nine'' eyes in [[beast mode]], as does the show model. This makes characters' references to him as "eight-eyes" rather... interesting.
*Tarantulas's original toy bio paints him as a really dumb ninja-like stealth assassin. His intelligence stat of 4 was maintained for his Transmetal toy and (much later) his ''Legacy'' toy. All of his other toys give him a more cartoon-accurate stat of 10.
*In the first season, Tarantulas is characterized more as a cannibalistic, psychotic gourmand who happens to be the Predacons' Science Officer than as the mad scientist and master plotter he becomes from "[[Spider's Game]]" onwards. This is to the extent that his official season one profile makes several mentions of his eating habits, describes his sole interest as being "food", and summarizes his relationship with the other Predacons as simple disdain, as he considers them to all be potential meals.
*In the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', Tarantulas retained his trademark cackle, but it was a little ''different''. His voice was very high-pitched and he shrieked almost constantly. His trademark laugh more closely resembled a wicked witch of sorts.
*From "[[Optimal Situation]]" onwards, the [[Arachnoid]]s sport a Tarantulas-themed insignia.
*Tarantulas's body in "[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]" is based on [[Ransack (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Ransack]]. His body in "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", however, is a unique design not directly based on an existing toy, unlike the rest of the show characters in the story.
*From what can be observed from the art on the back of Transmetal Tigatron's packaging, Tarantulas's vok-enhanced abilities include levitating and firing energy beams from his eye(s?) in [[robot mode]]. Neat!
*In the 2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic, Tarantulas's Cybertronian body is a stylized version of his "Mesothulas" body from the [[2005 IDW continuity]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/jcburcham/status/1357004320382668801|name=Josh Burcham|site=Twitter|quote=Tarantulas is actually based on a popular fan idea of a repaint of Cybertron Brakedown.|year=2021|month=02|day=03}}</ref>

===Character background===
Tarantulas's origins vary based on the continuity or writer. He declares in "[[Other Victories]]" that he and the [[Tripredacus Council]] do not descend from either Autobots or Decepticons, such that they would not be affected by the destruction of the ''Ark''. Megatron's line about "Unicron's spawn" in "[[Nemesis Part 1]]" was not intended by [[Bob Forward]] to be taken literally beyond being an insult; [[Larry DiTillio]] said Bob "regrets" the line and they never had a fixed idea of Tarantulas's origin. Had the show continued, the characters "might" have been descended from the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/VuUYzijtOr4/m/wZUyUuwoaPAJ|name=Larry DiTillio (via LANAMAC)|site=alt.toys.transformers|quote=Actually Bob regrets the "Unicron's spawn" line, he really wasn't thinking when he dropped that one in. We really had no set notion on the origins of the T's, but had we contineud with the show, it might very well have been that they were part of the Liege Maximo or Jhiaxus faction for the comic books.|year=1999|month=06|day=12}}</ref> A Unicronian origin also creates potential canonical issues, as Tarantulas says that "under our rule, Cybertron will conquer the universe" ("Other Victories"), whereas Unicron's goal would have been to eat Cybertron. But, much like [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]]'s line about "[[Darksyde (BW)|the dark side]]", this line developed a life of its own. Eventually, this connection was reasserted in [[3H Productions]]' ''[[Primeval Dawn]]'' storyline, initially written by... Bob Forward. Other writers have made their own takes on Tarantulas's background, variously leaning onto the Unicron connection or leaving it as a mystery.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tarans''' (タランス ''Taransu''), '''Tarantulas''' (タランチュラス ''Taranchurasu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Metal Tarantulas''' (Transmetal toy)
*''Korean:'' '''Tarantulas''' (타란튤라스 ''Talantyullaseu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Zhīzhū''' (Taiwan, 蜘蛛, "Spider"), '''Hóng Zhīzhū''' (Taiwan second and third season, 紅蜘蛛, "Red Spider"), '''Lángzhū''' (China, 狼蛛, "Tarantula")
*''Polish:'' '''Tarantulator'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Tarântulos''' (Brazil)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars combiners]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Predacons]]
[[Category:Cloud Predacons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Predacons]]
[[Category:Double agents]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]
[[Category:Legends World natives]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Predacon Secret Police]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Universe Predacons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Predacons]]

Devisiun (planet)

2024-02-25T10:00:08Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{factions|nexusprime}}
{{disambig2|the location|the character for which it is named|Devisiun (Titan)}}

[[File:Windbladeissue6- Devisiun.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"So this is what Homeworld thinks of fusion!"]]

'''Devisiun''' is one of the thirteen [[Titan (group)|Titan]] colonies. It is populated by Transformer [[twin]]s who form a [[Micromaster Combiner|single vehicle mode from a pair of robots]].

The term for things relating to Devisiun is '''Devisen'''.

==Fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:TimeWillRust-Devisiun.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Maybe it's the [[Hasbro Universe]] version of [[Hanazuki]].]]
Millions of years ago, the planet that would be christened "Devisiun" was a verdant, organic world, part of a binary star system and inhabited by a primitive civilization of [[Native Devisen|organic creatures]]. Unfortunately for those same creatures, their planet would be targeted for colonization by the inhabitants of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} encouraged by "[[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]]'s" rhetoric of [[Pax Cybertronia|galactic expansion]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Although [[Devisiun (Titan)|Devisiun]]—the Titan sent to colonize the planet in [[Nexus Prime]]'s honor—{{storylink|Ceremony}} crash-landed and subsequently perished, {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} the [[spark]]-igniting [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] he had carried escaped damage, and the surviving crew members named their new home in honor of the Titan who had brought them there. {{storylink|Ceremony}} {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} The intense gravitational forces of Devisiun's twin suns supposedly caused an unexpected mutation amongst the new sparks that emerged from the hot spot: each spark emerged with a [[twin]] sibling, where each formed half of a single [[alternate mode]], although they were not "combiners" in the true sense of the word. The bond between Devisen twins was so close that they frequently finished one another's sentences {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} and, if one died, it was impossible for the other to [[transformation|transform]]. {{storylink|The Next Day, and the Next}}

[[File:windblade_volume2_devisiun.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Adorable.]]

Ultimately, the Devisiun colonists swifly overran the native civilization; considering their planet to be a brutal, untamed world, the colonists felt the need to "help" the natives overcome their feral existence and set about [[cyberforming]] their new home by paving over the native biosphere, driving the original ecosystem—and the natives who depended on it—to the brink of extinction. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} Some 600,000 years ago, the Decepticon [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] would seed the planet with samples of [[Ore-5]] as part of his [[Regenesis]] project. {{storylink|Ceremony}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Circa [[2014]], the First Titan [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] located several colonies with his sensors, including Devisiun. {{storylink|A Long Way Down}} While merged with Metroplex's mind, [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] [[Cityspeaker]] [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] got a brief glimpse of life on Devisiun. {{storylink|Windblade issue 4|Windblade vol. 1 #4}}

[[File:UnstoppedAndUnstoppable-endofdevisiun.jpg|thumb|left|350px|It's the cutest apocalypse ever!]]

In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] made a trip to Devisiun. The natives were quite impressed by Superion's combiner technology, allowing Starscream to persuade the planet to join the growing [[Council of Worlds]]. [[Vanquish]] and [[Fireshot]] were sent to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to simultaneously represent their colony. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

As one of Cybertron's thirteen colonies, Devisiun would be targeted by [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] as the planet-eater gathered strength for his attack on Cybertron. [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] and the crew of the ''[[Peaceful Revolution]]'' followed him there, but realized that they were unable to stop him or his [[Maximal]]s from devouring the planet, and instead moved on to Unicron's next target to lay a trap for the Chaos Bringer. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Less than a hundred Devisen refugees remained on Cybertron. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}} When Unicron then destroyed Cybertron, they were teleported to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Road's End}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* Devisiun's name is a play on "division". Clever!
* The planet's name has enjoyed a rather fraught history under the pens of various authors; it has been alternately spelled '''Divisiun''' and '''Divisen''' on multiple occasions.
* Most of the inhabitants of Devisiun seem to be based on [[Micromaster Combiner]]s. Other natives seen in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #6]] include Generation 1 counterparts of ''Animated'' [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], and what might be [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] from the live action film series.
* While most Devisens are tiny 'bots, befitting their origins as Micromaster Combiners, there are some exceptions; most prominently, the Devisens [[Oiler]] and [[Slide]], as they appear in ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'', are larger-than-normal Transformers who loom over some smaller Autobots. (Maybe they're Devisiun's equivalents of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]?)
* Backmatter in [[Ceremony|''Unicron'' #6]] notes that as part of [[Regenesis]], the planet was seeded with supplies of [[Ore-5]], "Combination". Though the ''significance'' of this ore is not expounded on, it's possible that the infusion of Shockwave's ore was either the catalyst or the accelerant responsible for the mutation of the Devisen Transformers.

{{Regenesisworlds}}

[[Category:Colonies]]
[[Category:Council of Worlds]]
[[Category:Devisiun]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) planets]]

Flashbox (Armada)

2024-02-25T09:59:51Z

VoxelTheMaster:

{{disambig2|the ''Armada'' Mini-Con|his mirror-universe counterpart|Flashbox (SG)}}
{{factions|autobot|minicon}}
:''Flashbox is an [[Autobot]]-allied [[Mini-Con]] from the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family]].''
[[File:Flashbox.jpg|300px|thumb|You oughtta be in pictures.]]

Though his friend [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] left entertainment journalism at the beginning of the war, '''Flashbox''' had a different idea. He believed the press would be spared in the crossfire, but he learned soon enough that this was very untrue. Once Flashbox got too close to the story, he could not continue, and joined the [[Autobot]]s in their fight against [[Decepticon]] oppression. The impressive visual precision which served him so well in journalism now aims weaponry with deadly accuracy.<ref>Bio for Flashbox, posted 8 June 2007 on now-defunct section of the TCC site</ref>

==Fiction==
===''Armada'' cartoon===
Flashbox was manning one of the [[Axalon (Armada)|''Axalon'']]'s defense turrets during a space battle with [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s [[Hydra Cannon|starship]], trying to take down [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]]. {{storylink|Miracle (episode)|Miracle}}

==Notes==
*Flashbox was originally an unnamed [[generic]] Mini-Con seen in an episode of the [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'' cartoon]]. He was later given a name via an online bio written by [[Greg Sepelak]] for the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Cartoon-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Journalists]]

Beast Wars (Part 2)

2024-02-25T09:59:30Z

VoxelTheMaster: There can only be one.