Firebolt (G1)

This subject of this article goes by multiple names that apply to other articles as well. See Firebolt (disambiguation), Spark (disambiguation){{#if:Offshoot (disambiguation)|, Offshoot (disambiguation)|}}{{#if:Firedrive|, Firedrive|}}{{#if:|, [[{{{5}}}]]|}}{{#if:|, [[{{{6}}}]]|}}{{#if:|, [[{{{7}}}]]|}}{{#if:|, [[{{{8}}}]]|}}{{#if:|, [[{{{9}}}]]|}}{{#if:|, [[{{{10}}}]]|}}.
Firebolt is an Autobot-allied Nebulan Targetmaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Accio Firebolt!

Firebolt (aka Sparks,<ref name="sparks">"Sparks" was Firebolt's name in the original comic series by Marvel Comics, mostly limited to the ongoing US title and the Headmasters limited series he debuted in, although that name wasn't always used consistently. The original stories published by Marvel UK typically named him "Firebolt", and Marvel UK's reprints of the US stories usually had the dialogue edited to keep the name consistent, though a few instances slipped through.</ref> Offshoot,<ref name="offshoot">"Offshoot" was Hasbro's substitute name for Firebolt when that name wasn't available to them as a trademark, and was only used for the Targetmaster companion figure for Hasbro's Masterpiece Rodimus Prime toy, released in 2011.</ref> or Firedrive<ref name="firedrive">"Firedrive" was another substitute name used by Hasbro for trademark reasons, this time for the Prime Master figure available with the 2016 Titans Return Autobot Hot Rod toy and again for the Battle Master from War for Cybertron: Siege.</ref>) was once a quiet scholar on the pacifistic planet of Nebulos, where he was renowned as one of its top atomic physicists. Beneath his meek and reserved exterior, however, young Firebolt yearned for a life of action and excitement. His dreams of adventure might never have come true, if not for the intervention of the Decepticons. When the call went out for Nebulans who would be willing to take up arms in defense of their planet, Firebolt was amongst the first to volunteer. Undergoing the extensive and painful procedure known as binary bonding, Firebolt was given a special suit of black and grey armor and granted the power to transform himself into a powerful double-barreled weapon called an electrostatic discharger rifle.

Although eager for the chance to make a difference and have some fun, Firebolt soon found that his own exuberance paled in comparison to his Targetmaster partner: a young Autobot named Hot Rod. Firebolt's opinion of this situation is what could be described as cautiously optimistic. He is excited by all the action and adventure of being a Targetmaster, but he is also very nervous at some of the risks that Hot Rod insists on taking at times.

Fiction

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Marvel The Transformers comics

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Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.
Firebolt/Sparks is the guy in the middle.

In one account, Nebulan minds were duplicated and installed into transformable Nebulan-sized robots, creating the Targetmasters. The Final Conflict

Sparks was one of six Nebulan dissidents who were ostracized by the political tides of their home planet for sympathizing with the Autobots. He believed so strongly in the righteousness of these alien invaders that he allowed himself to be bio-engineered into a transforming humanoid that could become an Autobots' weapon. He was partnered with Hot Rod. News reached the Autobots that the Nursery was under threat from the Decepticons, and so the newly binary bonded group went ahead to secure the facility.

Sparks and fellow Nebulans were getting a guided tour of the place from head botanist Selani when Scorponok arrived with the Terrorcons in tow. The six Nebulans transformed to their new weapon forms, and the Autobot Targetmasters unleashed their new firepower. Though the group fared well enough, the Autobots ended up retreating to spare the Nursery utter destruction from the battle. In time, the Autobots realized that their war could only bring more destruction to the Nebulons' homeworld, and left the planet behind for Earth. Brothers in Armor!!Worlds Apart!

The Targetmasters' first mission on Earth was aiding Fortress Maximus and his Headmaster partner Spike Witwicky find the latter's brother, who had recently been kidnapped by the Decepticons. Sparks and the others introduced themselves to Spike's father, Sparkplug Witwicky, but he was a little too shellshocked to be very friendly. Fortress Maximus and the Targetmasters traced the Decepticons to their island base in the Caribbean Sea, but were quickly defeated by its automated defences. The Desert Island of Space!

Marvel UK future timelines

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Artificial resuscitation usually involves blowing into the mouth, Hot Rod.

At some point before Hot Rod became Rodimus Prime, Firebolt was killed on Earth while battling their Decepticon foes. Headhunt

Classics

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Classics continues from the Marvel US series, and does not include the UK stories or any subsequently published stories.

At some point, Hot Rod (now calling himself "Rodimus") lost contact with Sparks. The loss of his Targetmaster partner greatly affected his offensive capabilities. The Autobot's new weapon, a photon laser blaster, was modelled after Sparks' weapon mode. Classics Rodimus profile

The Transformers cartoon

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Voice actor: Dick Gautier (English), Eiji Yanagisawa (Japanese){{#if: Georges Atlas (European French)|, Georges Atlas (European French)}}
 {{#if:Who's got one thumb and never appears in gun mode? This Guy!|
Who's got one thumb and never appears in gun mode? This Guy!
}}

Firebolt was one of a group of Nebulan rebels who captured a team of Autobots, and was the one who selected the magnetic bombs with which they'd do away with the suspected Hive machines. He bluntly told Highbrow to shut up when the Autobot complained about the Nebulans jumping to conclusions. Fortunately before the executions could be carried out, the Decepticons attacked, and the Nebulan rebels realised that the Autobots weren't so bad. Firebolt helped Arcana to treat Daniel Witwicky, who'd been injured seriously by Snapdragon during the attack, and the pair managed to stabilise the boy's condition. The Rebirth, Part 1

When the Autobots stole Targetmaster technology from the Decepticons, Firebolt was partnered with Hot Rod. He and the other Nebulans greeted Optimus Prime on his arrival to their planet, proudly demonstrating his abilities and introducing Prime to the Targetmasters. The Rebirth, Part 2 He was still partnered with Hot Rod during their battles with the Hive, and participated in the battle against Scorponok which eventually earned Cybertron a new lease on life. The Rebirth, Part 3

Toy pack-in material

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When Optimus became stranded on Cybertron's hemisphere of darkness with his memory damaged, Firebolt joined a small strike force of Autobots called H.O.P.E. (Help Optimus Prime Escape) to retrieve him. Optimus Prime Is Back

Desert of Danger

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The following summarizes one or more multipath adventures. Details vary depending on the paths taken in-story. See the book's page for information on alternate paths.

Working out of his laboratory on Nebulos, the mechanical Professor Sparks suspected the Decepticons were attempting reinforce their position in spite of a local treaty in place to limit their numbers so he had Hot Rod delivered by freight to help him investigate. With your help they traced the Decepticons to the Wolf at the Door nightclub, an oil bar for Nebulan miners run by Monzo, and discovered that Weirdwolf, Skullcruncher, and Mindwipe were importing Attack Squad robots from Cybertron and awakening them from cryogenic suspension with a catalytic stimulant disguised as Sirian brandy.

You and Professor Sparks managed to take Mindwipe out of action and the Decepticons were ultimately defeated. Though the Headmasters had to be released under the terms of the treaty, the Attack Squad robots were destroyed. Desert of Danger

Ladybird Books continuity

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Whose gun is ridiculously tall? Say it to my face!

While partnered with Sparks, Hot Rod grew out of his immaturity and became a sensible warrior and a team leader. During the early stages of the war on Nebulos, Hot Rod was Autobot commander against Cyclonus's Decepticons before the return of Optimus Prime. At one point, they prevented the Decepticons causing Nebulos' destruction via cosmic radiation. Decepticons at the Pole

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

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8.2 million years before the war on Earth, a young Optimus Prime and Megatron were shown several glimpses into a number of potential futures. Amongst the many possible timelines they viewed was one in which Hot Rod battled the Decepticons, with Firebolt fighting proudly by his side (or in his hand, as the case may be). The War Within #5

Titans Return marketing material

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An ancient Titan Master, Firedrive grants his partner Hot Rod the ability to disable the systems of enemy targets with an electrostatic fire blast.<ref>Titans Return Firedrive/Hot Rod packaging bio</ref>

Legends comic

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As an agent of the Universal Peace Alliance, Shaoshao Li was equipped with Master-Braces that let her use Masterforce to transform into a Targetmaster form and fire blasts of Jinchōkon Power.

War for Cybertron Trilogy marketing material

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During the war for Cybertron, Firedrive was a Ground Command Artillery Private. Siege toy packaging

Games

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Transformers: Earth Wars

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Toys

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The Transformers

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Released in the fourth year of the Hasbro US The Transformers line (third year in Europe), Firebolt is an armored humanoid that transforms into a dual-barreled pistol with a 5 mm post grip.
He was only available packed in with the retooled Targetmaster version of Hot Rod. The larger Autobot's fist-holes and the screw-hole in his engine were all widened to allow him to use Firebolt in robot and vehicle modes.
This toy was only released in the Hasbro lines; Takara skipped all five of the retooled Targetmaster bots.

The Transformers Collection

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  • Hot Rodimus (Cybertron, 2004)
  • ID number: 13
Firebolt was re-released in 2004 along with Targetmaster Hot Rod by Takara, as part of an "ultimate" version of the toy. This was the first time the Targetmaster version of Hot Rod and Firebolt had been normally available in Japan.
Near as can be told, there are no notable differences between this release and the original.

Transformers (2010)

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He knew being Hot Rod's buddy would pay off eventually!
  • Masterpiece Rodimus Prime (Masterpiece, 2011)
Unique to the North American release of Masterpiece Rodimus Prime, "Offshoot" (renamed for trademark reasons) is a much larger, more elaborate Targetmaster partner. Offshoot transforms from robot to gun and back, and he can either be held in Rodimus Prime's hand or plugged into a hidden port in his hot rod engine. Thanks to his larger size, he now sports a fair range of robot-mode articulation.
Offshoot is also compatible with the second Masterpiece Hot Rod figure... which did in fact come with a redeco of Offshoot (see below).
This toy also doubles as the independent Beast Wars: Uprising character Offshoot.

Transformers (campaign item)

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The actual-factual Takara Firebolt, not just Hasbro Pinpoint. No, really.
  • Autobot Firebolt Clear Yellow Version (Arms Micron, 2012)
This version of Firebolt is identical to the Power Core Combiners Mini-Con Pinpoint. He transforms into a double-barreled cannon that can be held by any figure with a 5 mm post-hole in their hand; this configuration is different from Pinpoint's.
Though not mentioned in his instructions, he naturally retains the ability to transform into an engine block that can be mounted on a 5 mm post, as well as armor for any Power Core Combiners Commander mold when in their super-robot torso mode.
He was given away free to children attending the World Hobby Fair in Osaka on January 15, 2012. He was later also given away at TakaraTomy's booth at the Next Generation World Hobby Fair Summer '12 in Fukuoka, Japan, on June 30 and July 1, a bonus with the early combined purchase of the Prime AMW-series Microns Gabu, Baru, and Dai. Firebolt was also one of three possible preorder bonus gifts for Cloud Roadbuster. Whew!
This mold was also used to make United Sparks.


He'd bend over backwards for Optimus! Literally. Ow.
  • Autobot Firebolt (Arms Micron, 2012)
An opaque gray and black redeco of Firebolt was later made available in Japan as a bonus for those who pre-ordered Prime AM01 Optimus Prime online from March 1st through March 30th 2012, through one of four different web sites: Amazon Japan, Toys"R"Us, Bic Camera, and Yodobashi Camera.
It seems highly likely that the Pinpoint/Firebolt mold's engine configuration is the reason for the retooling of United Rodimus Prime to have a 5 mm post on his engine block and a hole under his arm

Titans Return

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Not even a head cannon, what rubbish.
  • Firedrive & Autobot Hot Rod (Deluxe Class, 2016)
Released in the third wave of Titans Return Deluxes, "Firedrive" (renamed again for trademark reasons) transforms from a robot based on Firebolt's "Rebirth" animation model into Hot Rod's head. He is compatible with basically every other toy in the line, either as a head for Deluxe-and-up bodies, or as a pilot for Legends toys in vehicles mode and Titan Master-Class vehicles/beasts/weapons.
Naturally, he was only available packaged with Deluxe Autobot Hot Rod.
This toy also doubles as the independent Beast Wars: Uprising character Firedrive. This mold was redecoed in Japan to make the small Headmaster stage of Legends Targetmaster Hot Rodimus.

Legends

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  • Targetmaster Hot Rodimus (Targetmaster Hot Rod) (Deluxe, 2017)
Released in the twenty-first wave of TakaraTomy's Legends toyline, this iteration of Firebolt is another all-new mold, transforming into a double-barreled gun based on the original Firebolt toy. Compared to previous Firebolts, the toy's deco appears to be based on this scene, where he is miscolored as silver and gray rather than black.
He was only available packed in with Targetmaster Hot Rodimus.
In fiction, this toy represents Shaoshao Li in "Firebolt" Targetmaster armor, but is kept on this page for informative purposes.

Masterpiece

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Wait, you got the Hasbro version already?
  • Targetmaster Hot Rodimus (Masterpiece, 2018)
Masterpiece Firebolt is a redeco of the above Masterpiece Offshoot toy, marking the mold's first release in the Japanese Masterpiece line. He is available with Targetmaster Hot Rodimus, a version of the second Masterpiece Hot Rod mold retooled so that Firebolt can attach to his engine block in vehicle mode.
In terms of deco, the plastic coloration on Firebolt's legs, cannons, and arm joint parts is completely swapped from Offshoot. Firebolt also omits the chest, leg, and cannon paint operations, and his face features a more animation-accurate deco.

War for Cybertron: Siege

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  • Firedrive (Battle Master, 2019)
Part of the first wave of Siege Battle Masters, Firedrive is a new mold specifically based on the above Legends toy which transforms from robot to "Duo-Charge Electrostatic Photon Cannon" in five steps. As a part of the C.O.M.B.A.T. System, he includes two "Fire Blast" effect pieces that can be used to simulate his blaster mode firing, and can slot onto the various hardpoints found on other figures and weaponry from the same subline to simulate blaster fire or explosions. The outer peg of the effect parts can also attach to 5 mm ports. The actual gun barrel piece can detach from the back, revealing a 3 mm peg, and connect to his arm like a cannon. Due to the size of the piece compared to Firebolt, attaching Fire Blast parts to his barrels will cause the figure to become too unbalanced to stand. If you choose, you can pair him with any version of Hot Rod with 5mm fists.
Unlike most of the Firebolt toys, his arms are off-white (unpaintable) plastic instead of black, due to the fact that his limbs are molded with the cannon. The white plastic is also a much softer plastic than the black plastic that makes up the body, with most instances of the white plastic hinges being forced out of shape by the much harder black plastic until it no longer reliably holds together.
Firedrive became a notorious shelfwarmer after his initial release. He remained plentiful in stores throughout the entire Siege line, and could still be found clogging multiple pegs well into the Earthrise line. Along with the other Battle Masters, he appeared at discounter Five Below in late 2021.
Firedrive was redecoed into a handful of other Battle Master toys, sometimes with different Fire Blast effects. A full list of how Firedrive and his parts were redecoed can be found below. Meanwhile, in fiction, this toy doubles as a form of Shaoshao Li's Firebolt suit and an upgraded form of Nebulon.
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{{#if:Siege accessory|Siege accessory mold:|}} Firedrive's Fire Blast effects

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Merchandise

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Transformers Trading Card Game

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  • Private Firedrive, Ground Command-Artillery/Duo-Charge Electrostatic Photon Cannon (2019)
    • Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I
    • Rarity: UT
    • Card Number: T13/T48
    • Stars: 7
Private Firedrive, Ground Command-Artillery is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of the Transformers Trading Card Game, War for Cybertron: Siege I. As a Battle Master, Private Firedrive, Ground Command-Artillery begins the game in Bot Mode. Instead of being sent to the KO Area once his Health drops to zero, the card is flipped to the Upgrade side, becoming the Duo-Charge Electrostatic Photon Cannon, and equipped in the Weapons slot of another character on the player's side of the battlefield . In order to represent Firedrive's size as a Battle Master, the card is the size of a battle card, about half the size of a normal character card.
The artwork for Bot Mode is reused from the Siege Firedrive toy's packaging art. The Duo-Charge Electrostatic Photo Cannon received original artwork, with line-art by Dan Khanna and colors by Alex Tarca.

Notes

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  • Firebolt had the working name of Spark which ended up being used in his Marvel appearances.

Foreign names

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  • Japanese: Firebolt (ファイアーボルト Faiāboruto), Firedrive (ファイヤードライブ Faiyādoraibu)
  • Russian: Forsazhnik (Форсажник, "Afterburner")

References

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<references />
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