Editing Reflector (G1)

{{factions|decepticon|cobra|deceptihog}}
{{disambig3|Reflector}}
:''Reflector is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:ReflectorG1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|It's a Kodak moment. Top down: Viewfinder, Spyglass, Spectro]]
'''Reflector''' likes to watch. He lives (they live?) to observe anything and everything, from scenery, to wildlife, to architecture. But above all else, Reflector likes to watch his (their?) comrades, learn their dark secrets, and profit from them. Reflector is also very impressed with his (their) own abilities both in the fields of observation and blackmail. 

In robot mode, Reflector is generally a hivemind composed of three bodies (individually called [[Spectro]], [[Spyglass]], and [[Viewfinder]]) which combine into the one single-lens-reflex camera [[alternate mode|altmode]] that is Reflector. 

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Chris Latta]] (English), [[Ken Sansom]] (English; "[[Divide and Conquer]]"), [[Yoku Shioya]] (Japanese), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese, "Fire in the Sky")|[[Wang Wèi]] (Chinese), [[Ulrich Bernsdorff]] (German), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1"), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "S.O.S. Dinobots"), [[Mário Monjardim]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

{{Note|At the script stage, Reflector was intended to be a singular robot who possessed the ability to split into three duplicates, identical save for the lens aperture in the chest of the robot who forms the center of their camera mode, who all act with the same mind and talk in unison, with the same voice. This ability was never shown on-screen, having apparently been consciously erased from the series: it was displayed in deleted scenes from "[[Divide and Conquer]]", [[S.O.S. Dinobots]]", and "[[War of the Dinobots]]". However, "Divide and Conquer" ''did'' show the three robots ''re-combining'', as the three components collide with one another and disappear until only one is left. Reflector was usually just seen in his triplicate state most of the time, but on rare occasions, he would appear as a single robot. His character model was also sometimes used for [[generic]] Decepticon troops.}}

[[File:MTME1 Reflector camera.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Scale]] in a camera-con? Don't be silly.]]
Reflector was among the warriors who accompanied [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] aboard the Decepticons' [[Nemesis (G1)|space cruiser]] during its assault on the Autobots' [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] four million years ago. When the Ark crashed on Earth, Reflector was entombed in stasis with the other Transformers and awoke with the other Decepticons on Earth in 1984. Withdrawing from the Ark, the Decepticons immediately set about constructing a temporary base for themselves, and Reflector and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] were assigned to patrol the perimeter. As they surveyed the desert landscape, Reflector expressed his disbelief that the Autobots had also survived the crash. Thundercracker then spotted something off in the distance, and Reflector transformed to camera mode so that Thundercracker could use him to zoom in on the mystery object. Reflector dispensed a Polaroid photograph of the truck that had caught their attention, and Thundercracker reported the intruder to Megatron as a possible Autobot (which it wasn't). {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} 

[[File:GenericDecepticons MTMTE.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Anything you need reflected? I (we?) gotcha covered.]]
Reflector later battled the Autobot forces on an offshore oil rig, {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} and joined in the Decepticons' attack on [[Sherman Dam]]. Soon after, numerous Reflector robots were seen pillaging energy all across the world and helping stack [[energon cube]]s in the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} Reflector participated in the battle royale with the Autobots shortly before the Decepticons' failed attempt at returning to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard a new space cruiser. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

While the Decepticons were in the midst of testing their new intergalactic "[[space bridge]]" transport system, Reflector took part in two battles with the Autobots when the heroic robots tried to interfere with the test run. The battle ended badly when Megatron was sucked through the space bridge and back to Cybertron, {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} but Reflector seemed unfazed by the apparent loss of his leader, as he went on to carry out orders that had previously been given to him and began staking out the laboratory of [[antimatter]] researcher [[Alcazar|Doctor Alcazar]]. Using his photographic abilities to obtain the entry code for the laboratory's security system in secret, Reflector concluded his stakeout just as Megatron returned to Earth, and he quickly reported his findings to the Decepticon leader. Reflector subsequently followed Megatron back to the lab and entered the entry code for him, allowing the villains to enter the complex stealthily. Reflector was no doubt rather cheesed off to learn that his spying had been for naught when it turned out that Alcazar had gotten rid of the antimatter formula by transmitting it to [[Chip Chase]]. When the Decepticons acquired the formula from Chip, Reflector helped charge energon cubes with the antimatter they created, and then participated in the subsequent battle with the Autobots, which ended when the antimatter cubes Megatron was using to power himself threatened to overload. {{storylink|Roll for It}}

[[File:DivideandConquer SympatheticDecepticon.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey, Reflector, want this candy bar? *tosses it to the ground and stomps on it.*]]
Reflector later worked with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] on another attempt to transport energon cubes to Cybertron via the space bridge. In addition to the normal three Reflector robots, a fourth robot sharing their body type was present for this operation, and when Starscream required a pilot for the space bridge vessel, this unfortunate warrior was selected. He begged that he not be chosen, but his words fell on deaf ears as Starscream picked him up and dropped him into the transport craft. Fortunately for this robot, his piloting skills allowed him to traverse the space bridge, and he safely arrived on Cybertron with his energon payload.

{{note|This hapless little guy was scripted to just be a generic Decepticon, but the animators substituted in a Reflector. He was voiced by [[Ken Sansom]], rather than Reflector's normal voice actor, Chris Latta.}}

[[File:ReflectorCartoon1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|I (we?) see EVERYTHING!]]
A group of Autobots soon arrived to investigate the Decepticon goings-on, but Reflector was quick to act and dazzled them with a blinding flash from his central lens. The Autobots soon got themselves together, though, and Reflector was dispatched when his duplicates were hurled into one another, causing them to recombine into one. Reflector's component selves later took part in a Decepticon attack on [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] and were fired upon by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], but the three robots were confident that the Earth germ couldn't hit all of them at once. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} 

[[File:FireintheSky Reflector formation.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Presenting... the Cirque du So-lame! ok I'll show myself out.]]
Reflector did most of the grunt work when the Decepticons sought to drain the energy of the [[Earth's core]] via a crystal shaft in the Arctic, operating machinery and gathering energon cubes. When their digging unearthed the frozen Autobot [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], Reflector tried attacking the towering robot by running at him in a sort of cheerleader-pyramid formation, only to be—unsurprisingly—knocked to the ground with a swipe of Skyfire's arm. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

Along with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], Reflector gathered valuable intelligence on the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power station, and he took part in the attack that their information-gathering helped facilitate. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} Soon after, Reflector went with the other Decepticons on a mission to Peru in another attempt to seize the power of the Earth's core. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain}} Later still, Reflector was part of the Decepticon team who tried harnessing energy from an unstable meteorite. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

When the Decepticons used their space bridge to pull Cybertron itself into Earth's orbit in order to reap the energy released by the natural disasters that would result, Reflector was at Megatron's side as the Decepticon leader watched the construction of a hydroelectric energy collector. When an unexpectedly strong tidal wave demolished the structure, Megatron and Reflector escaped aboard a transport ship, though Reflector was given pause to wonder on the fate of the Decepticons' human ally, [[Doctor Arkeville]]. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} Cybertron was soon blasted out of Earth's proximity, but some robots of Reflector's body design were seen on the planet not long after, carrying the wounded Arkeville to a medical bay. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

After taking part in another energy-raiding attempt with the help of new arrivals the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}} Reflector joined the other Decepticons in relinquishing his [[power chip rectifier]] to a machine that would transfer all of the Decepticons' special abilities to Megatron, enabling him to best [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] easily in a one-on-one duel. During the combat, Megatron employed Reflector's power to generate a brilliant flash of light to blind Optimus Prime. When Megatron's deception was exposed, Reflector and the other Decepticons were sent tumbling into a river of lava by the enraged Autobots. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} 

Learning that the Autobots had transferred Spike's mind into a robot body, Megatron had Reflector watch over Autobot Headquarters, and his spying soon bore fruit when the unstable "Autobot Spike" came bursting through a wall and flew off. Reflector followed and summoned the other Decepticons to his position. Megatron proceeded to try and turn Spike against the Autobots, but the attempt ultimately ended in failure. {{storylink|Autobot Spike}}

Following the "Autobot Spike" affair, Reflector's role in the war suddenly began to drop off; he became less and less visible on the battlefield, and he was never heard to speak again. Throughout 1985, he was glimpsed only a few times: He joined in the Decepticons' attempt to conquer [[Washington, D.C.]], {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}} he followed Megatron in an attempt to hijack a rocket, {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots}} and he clashed with the Insecticons over stolen [[electro-cell]]s. {{storylink|Traitor}} A little later, he helped battle the Autobots for control of [[korlonium crystal]]s. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}} After this, having being absent for a prolonged period, Reflector reappeared as part of a group of Decepticons on the rampage in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]], {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (episode)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}} and soon after, he was among the Decepticons who coated themselves with [[electrum]] to cause havoc. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Reflector then disappeared from the field of battle for quite some time, returning for one final appearance that year, battling the mutinous Starscream and his [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} 

Reflector put in his final, very brief appearances in 2005, when he could be spotted at both the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and the coronation of Starscream soon afterward. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Reflector’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series “[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]].”}}

{{note|The real-world reason behind Reflector's steady disappearance from the show lies with the troubled release of this toy, as discussed further down this article. In accordance with Hasbro's decision not to release the figure, the [[Production bible|series story bible]] specifically discouraged writers from use of the character after season one ended.<ref>[http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#043 Reflector's page in the series bible]</ref> Indeed, following "City of Steel", Reflector is never called for by an episode script again, and appears only in group shots of the Decepticons at the animators' discretion.}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Cloud''=====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|TFC-A01}}}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga=====
[[File:SRLF4 astrotrain snaps metroplex.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|After a long day at work, the Autobot city sat down for a beer.]]

[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] photographed the incomplete [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] with the aid of Reflector's camera mode, so that Megatron could decipher whether or not it was powerful enough to stand up to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}
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=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
Reflector was amongst the Decepticons who attacked New York City early in their conflict with the Autobots on Earth. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)#Part 1|Broadcasting on TV! Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers}}

=====Full Throttle Scramble Power!=====
The Decepticons constructed a new weapon to pursue their energy-plundering campaign on Earth, the [[Omega Whip]]. Reflector and Shockwave were charged with manning the device's control as other teams of the Decepticons would go out and attack power plants to retrieve the energy stored within them. The whole plot was foiled when [[Jenny (G1)|Jenny]], a captive of the Decepticons, managed to reprogram Starscream into blowing up the Omega Whip's controls. Reflector was sent tumbling away from his post. He then followed Megatron into battle, but was forced to flee along with the rest of the Decepticons when a massive amount of Autobot reinforcements joined the fray. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
The Reflector trio were amongst the Decepticons who attacked the ''[[Trigger]]'' as it neared completion. They took it over easily, thanks in part to the human collaborator, [[Trov]]. One human, [[Makoto (Star Gate)|Makoto]], had been overlooked by the Decepticons however, and managed to pin down Reflector and the rest of the group under Megatron’s command in the ''Trigger''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s rail room with a powerful electromagnetic field. Reflector was almost sent hurdling to the farthest side of the galaxy by the ''Trigger'', but a blast from Megatron's fusion cannon disabled the portal. Then the Autobots showed up, and the two factions began their battle aboard the space station. The Decepticons lost the fight and fled. {{storylink|First Contact (Star Gate)|First Contact}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}

The Reflector trio were "one" of fourteen [[Decepticon Warlord|Warlords]] that arose championing the Decepticon cause. His / their legion, the [[Photon]]s, were an endless series of identical Cybertronians apparently patterned after their leader. As the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Autobot Elite Guard]] began picking off the Decepticon Warlords one at a time, Reflector attended the War Councils with the other Decepticon leaders to discuss strategy. It was Reflector who suggested they pool secrets and information for the greater good of the Decepticon cause. It was also Reflector who assimilated his / their Photons into the ranks of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s Decepticons after the Warlords gave up their secrets to each other. This merger allowed him / them to avoid certain destruction when [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] sent an unwitting suicide bomber to the next council meeting, wiping out all the remaining Warlords besides Megatron. {{storylink|A Team Effort}}

As [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] breached [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s walls, Reflector was there with the rest of Megatron's forces. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}}

===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
[[File:Reflectormarvel.jpg|100px|thumb|A [[To sell toys#Hi-and-die|hi-then-die]] who didn't even get to say hi!]]
Prior to the Decepticons' departure from Cybertron, at least one member of the Reflector trio attended a presentation from [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], where the Decepticon strategist outlined how they would board the ''Ark'' and overpower its crew. {{storylink|Warrior School!}}

After failing in this strike, falling offline on [[Earth]] for eons and awakening once more, [[Spectro]], [[Spyglass]], and [[Viewfinder]] worked with the [[Decepticon medics|Decepticon medic]] to repair their fellow Decepticons. Subsequently an oddly colored Viewfinder was seen decorating the cavern floor of [[Mount St. Hilary]] after all the [[Decepticon]]s were rendered inoperable by [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'s poisoned fuel. They didn't even get to introduce themselves in [[Introdump|painfully lengthy exposition]]. Alas, Reflector was taken away from us before his prime. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}
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===''S.T.A.R.S.'' continuity===
Using the human power known as "imagination," S.T.A.R.S. recruits could perceive what it was like to be Reflector. {{storylink|You Have Been Chosen.}}

Before the construction of Autobot City on Earth, Optimus led a convoy of Autobots to find the ideal location for their new base's construction. Reflector was (maybe) amongst the Decepticons who lay in wait to ambush Optimus and the Autobots. The battle that ensued later came to be known as "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]." {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}}

Evidently, the battle went in the Decepticons' favour, as Optimus was forced to send some of his troops away to fetch reinforcements. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}} Later, Reflector discovered that the same squad of Autobots was out scouting for new energy source. {{storylink|The Autobots Are Under Attack!}}

{{note|Reflector is never seen in any of the illustrations depicting "Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction," but is implied to be involved as all other toys advertised in the flyer are participants in the battle.}}
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===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
''Reflector was part of Megatron's crew, active on Earth in the 1980s before the ''[[Ark II]]'' incident. When Megatron was snatched up by the Keepers, not all Decepticons fell into line under Starscream's maniacal command. [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and the three Reflector robots chose to make a stand against Starscream's leadership at [[Hoover Dam]], outside the Decepticon's new base in [[Las Vegas]]. Spyglass and Skywarp drew [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s electronic attention, prompting Starscream and his communications officer to make an appearance at the Dam. As Skywarp rejected Starscream's rule, the other Reflector robots leapt out of hiding to attack the usurper. The battle quickly turned against Skywarp and Reflector, though, as Soundwave's sonic attack ripped Spectro apart, sending him over the edge of the dam and into stasis lock. Once Skywarp was disabled as well, Spyglass and Viewfinder wisely chose to abdicate to Starscream. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}''

''The surviving two Reflector parts remained under Starscream's command only as long as necessary, and left Las Vegas with Megatron's splinter faction of Decepticons soon after their former leader returned to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}} After the Decepticons reunited, Reflector was instrumental in several attempts at blackmail and media manipulation against the [[President of the United States]], first recording him whimpering helplessly in Megatron's massive hand during an attack on the White House, and later sending the media outlets footage of the U.S. Armed Forces attempting to assassinate Autobots AND Decepticons in the Nevada desert. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}''

[[File:BrothersBurden Reflector.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Who added Sky-Lynx to our Skype call?!"]]
''A duplicate of'' Reflector remained on Cybertron and worked for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], monitoring the planet and its inhabitants for him from a central mainframe. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} They were destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when he broke ranks with Shockwave's command structure; using Soundwave's expertise, Starscream delayed footage of himself as he encroached on Shockwave's monitor womb, within which the Reflector trio were posted. They thus were unable to foresee Starscream sneaking up on them, and he blasted all three 'cons to death. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} ''The true Reflector, on Earth, dismissed this duplicate as an inferior copy.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

{{note|The presence of two Reflectors originally arose as a continuity error, when the ''Annihilation'' novel depicted Reflector on Earth while the concurrently published comics showed him to be on Cybertron. Like a couple of other errors in the novels, this was paved over in the third book, ''Fusion'', with the true, Earth-bound Reflector making the above "inferior copy" remark. Coincidentally, the situation echoes the body-duplication theme seen in the Generation 1 cartoon, discussed above, but regardless, what happened to the so-called true Reflector after ''The Transformers Trilogy'' remains a mystery.}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoevsTF4 Reflector.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Oh Yeah!"[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool-Aid_Man]]]
The three Reflector components were among the Transformers who crashed on Earth millions of years in the past, and upon being discovered by humans, they were reprogrammed to serve the terrorist organization [[Cobra]]. The Autobot [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] eventually restored everyone's original programming, and the angry Reflector trio broke into Cobra's control center to teach the fleshlings a thing or two about messing with their heads. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} Reflector was then ordered by Megatron to assist [[Doctor Mindbender]] and [[Firefly]] while they used the [[SPS Satellite]] to create [[energon cube]]s. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] arrived to halt their scheme, the three Reflectors attacked him, but were easily swatted aside. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

[[File:ArtofWar4 Reflector message.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|30th anniversary Viewfinder, Spyglass and Spectrum Gold Edition! Buy Now! (''while stocks last'')]]
In a dark alternate future where the Decepticons had conquered Earth, three black Reflectors guarded human slaves imprisoned near a factory, but were killed by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Tomax and Xamot]]. As this future was also full of multiple [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon swarms]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage packs]], it is possible these Reflectors were some sort of [[Cloning|clones]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

Viewfinder was present for a Decepticon gathering on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], during which [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] took control of the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} During a subsequent Decepticon assault on an Autobot peace ceremony, the Reflector trio were charged with delivering a message to Optimus Prime. After being carried to Prime in [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s palm, Viewfinder used his chest lens to project a hologram of Serpent O.R., allowing the Decepticon leader to negotiate with Prime. Reflector came under attack by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] during the negotiation, but Viewfinder managed to continue the transmission despite being injured. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

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===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
Early in the war, the Reflector trio tried to stop an Autobot prison break in the [[Citadel]] only to be blown away by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]. {{storylink|Rise}} Spectro and Spyglass were later seen aboard a Decepticon orbital outpost, terrified of walking down the same hallway as [[Sixshot]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sixshot}}

{{note|In Spotlight: Sixshot, Spyglass, and Spectro appear in their toy based character models.}}

[[File:AHM3 Reflector Rumble.jpg|thumb|275px]]
All three Reflector units (speaking entirely in unison), eventually joined Megatron on [[Earth]], and helped defeat the Autobots there. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} Following this victory, the Reflector trio help destroy [[New York City]] along with the other Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3|All Hail Megatron #3}} Spectro and Spyglass enjoyed "playing games" with the city's fleshy inhabitants, but were disappointed about how easily they came apart. Viewfinder preferred to brood by himself, while still echoing the other two's dialogue. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} Reflector stayed with Megatron when [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] rebelled against his leader {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}, and fought back against the Autobots when they returned to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Decepticons were ultimately defeated {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}} and Viewfinder and Spectro left the planet aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|All Hail Megatron #13}} Spyglass was left behind, however, and was still trying to get off the planet two years later. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

In the aftermath of the war with [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] and [[D-Void]], the trio was instructed by [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] to undertake a special mission beginning with the theft of [[Turmoil|Turmoil's]] time-sliding space cruiser. {{storylink|Night and the City}} Using the ship, they were supposed to locate [[LV-117]] and report its circumstances back to Shockwave, but were unprepared for the planet's erratic movement through time. Appearing out of nowhere right in front of them, LV-117 flung the Reflector trio over one hundred years into the past, depleting the ship's fuel supply and causing it to crash. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} 

Viewfinder was killed in the crash when a large piece of the bridge's shattered canopy impaled through his chest. Spectro and Spyglass survived and eventually they located [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who had previously crashed on the same planet and had been building an escape vessel with a [[Varta|friendly alien]]. They managed to hijack the vessel shortly before it launched by threatening to kill Wheelie's friend, but the tiny Autobot removed the safety catch from his energon converter before disembarking, causing it to explode violently shortly after takeoff, killing the last two fragments of Reflector's being. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

====''Timelines''====
[[File:BotCon2016 Reflector CardArt.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.0|Yeah! Punch that card user!]]
After the apparent death of Viewfinder, Spectro and Spyglass sought out [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to stabilize them for individualized life. However, when Viewfinder's body was recovered from LV-117, it was discovered that exposure to [[Ore-1]] would allow his spark to be reignited, and thus Reflector was reborn from this process. {{storylink|#CombinerWars|BotCon 2016 Reflector profile card}}
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===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:Reflectortrioandfriendrailway-HOS3.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|I've been working on the railroad, all the livelong Solar Cycle.]]
The Reflector trio were three of the many Decepticons under Starscream's command during Earth's industrial revolution. They helped overlook the construction of the railway that would allow The [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to reach [[New York City|New York]]. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}}

{{IDW HOS}}
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===Alternity===
[[File:Worldisflat alternity bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|"I swear to god Peppy, if you say "do a barrel roll" one more time..."]]

Three Reflector units hailing from an unknown [[universal stream]] were among the minions serving under [[Megatron (G1)#Alternity|Megatron]] during his complicated, cross-dimensional war with the Autobot [[Alternity]]. This incarnation of Reflector was a [[Pretender]], with each of his components able to disguise itself as an ordinary-sized human being.

Reflector was dispatched to [[Primax 905.0 Beta|universal stream 905.0 Beta]] to search for the source of a new dimensional flux of previously unheard type. In their Pretender guises, the trio tracked the source of the disruption to the Otsuka Museum of Art, and found that it was a strange tablet. Reflector was about to make off with the tablet when he was accosted by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Alternity|Bumblebee]] and [[Arcee (Energon)|Elita Seven]], and his components promptly dropped their Pretender forms to battle the little Autobot. Unfortunately for Reflector, he was no match for the unearthly powers of an Alternity: Bumblebee snatched the tablet away, and with a snap of his fingers, reduced Reflector to a nearly two-dimensional state. From across the dimensions, Megatron saw his minions collapse like paper, and lashed out with his tesseractal swords, destroying the museum and the tablet, and wounding Bumblebee. By the time Bumblebee came to, Reflector was long gone. {{storylink|The World Is Flat!}}
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==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===

Dubbed "[[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial]] - 115", a video of Reflector transforming in the midst of a child's birthday party reached the public through "hacked evidence" files. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Reflector rallied with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when the latter became Decepticon leader in Megatron's absence. The Autobots soon had the Decepticons defeated and Starscream's plan thwarted. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (Legends)|Countdown to Extinction}} After the Decepticons discovered a [[Crystal of Power]] in [[South America]], Starscream and Reflector were sent to steal materials for a cannon. They succeeded, despite Autobot interference, though the Autobots later managed to destroy the cannon anyway. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (Legends)|Fire on the Mountain}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
Reflector is an "Accessory" character, giving Deceptihogs he's attached to a boost to their weapon's power. This bonus can be increased with upgrades won from random-prize Crates or in the "[[King Pig|Shockwave]]'s Tower" mini-game.

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

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Deceptihog'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Rarity'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Gem Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[King Pig#As Bludgeon|Bludgeon]]
|Chest
|Epic
|650
| +10% Damage
| 
|-
|}
</center>
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file:ReflectorEarthWars.jpg|thumb|250px|Three in one, one in three, we are the ones who heal thee. ]]
Spyglass, Spectro, and Viewfinder were selected to spy on and gather intelligence on the [[Nova Power Core|Nova Core]]. They sneaked through the base's security and found the Nova Core. Unfortunately, by their own incompetence and curiosity they removed the device with the power plant still running. As soon as the reactor was set off, Reflector fled the scene. 
{{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Project Supernova}}

Reflector were out of contact while the two snipers [[Wildrider (G1)|Brake-Neck]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] fought it out. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bit of a Longshot}}

Viewfinder had absorbed most of the damage from the blast, and the other two set up a shielding unit to protect them while they complete repairs. Megatron reminded them of their mission, and Brake-Neck reminded them of Smokescreen. They naively thought they could be three less targets by transforming into camera mode. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Battle Hardened}}

Reflector soon informed Megatron they were back to being 100% operational and going to make a move to recover the Nova Core.  As the battle was taking place, they were spotted by Smokescreen. Reflector asks for Brake-Neck's cover fire, but he refused and told Spyglass it was stupid of them to be in a open field in the first place. Then Viewfinder is hit by a sniper bullet as they ran and cranked up their shields.  

As [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|First Aid]] heads to an extraction site where his Medi-bots will meet him, Brake-Neck is compromised by Smokescreen, and Reflector steals the Core and tries to take off with it. First Aid intervenes, and... unexpectedly, Spectro drops the Nova Core into... water, of all things. The Core enters critical mode, and First Aid convinces Reflector to help him shield  the energy as the Nova Core melts down. The Nova Core fades, and Viewfinder only asks that the Autobot not tell Megatron about what just happened. Then Viewfinder gets hit by Brake-Neck's bullet. Reflector is tellingly pissed. {{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars/Events| Big Bang!}}

When Reflector comes through the Spacebridge, Shockwave thought it was malfunctioning, seeing as it had multiple lifeforms coming through at once. After they made their entrance,  Starscream warns Shockwave about their meddlesome nature, in which Shockwave replies the four of them of them would get along well together. 

While Swindle was having a sale with Luca, Reflector eavesdrops on the two, and learns Luca has a "plan" for Starscream involving a box. Naturally, Reflector goes to tattle on Starscream about the ploy. Starscream destroys the box, much to Swindle's chagrin. Apparently it wasn't a trap, but in fact a gift for Starscream's Inception Day! -  Cybertron-21, a high-fidelity holographic battlefield simulator. Starscream was shocked he had just destroyed a game (in mint condition). Reflector thinks that it was a bad call to have done that, and they decide to go back to blackmailing people.

*'''Class:''' Medic
*'''Lowest Star rating''': 2 stars
*'''Weapons:''': Viewfinder uses a medi-gun of unusual make in which it shoots out health bombs, instead of one continous stream. Spectro and Spyglass both use medi-beams like Hook and Shockwave to provide 40-45% resistant shields. If any of Reflectors' components are not healing bots, they use their pistols to shoot targets. 
*'''Ability: Reflector Team Up! '''Summon Spectro and Spyglass, each with an ability to shield friendly bots blocking 40/45% of incoming damage.
**'''Cost''': 4 ability points +2 cost increase.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:reflector| Reflector at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1 Reflector toy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|We three kings of orient are... Left to right: Spectro, Viewfinder, Spyglass]]
*'''Reflector''' (Mail-away, 1986/1987; wide release in Japan, 1985)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''21'''
**''Accessories:'' Spectro's "Shutter Gun", Viewfinder's "Lens Laser", Spyglass' "Optic Blaster", flash cube/missile launcher, 3 missiles, telephoto lens.

: Reflector was first sold in Japan in 1985 as an ordinary retail item. However, [[Hasbro]] delayed selling him in the US until 1986, and only then via mail-order from a [[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:|direct-mail flyer promoting ''The Transformers: The Movie'']]''.'' (Oddly, this came just as the character was being fully phased out of the fiction.) The toy would be a common offering in [[Pack-in material|pack-in flyers]] from then on, at a cost of $10 and two [[Robot Point]]s.

: Reflector is composed of three distinct robots that combine to form a camera: Viewfinder as the central component with the lens, Spectro as the right-side component with the shutter button, and Spyglass as the left-side component with the flash. It includes a telephoto lens and old-style flashcube that doubles as a missile launcher, but of course, the Hasbro version has the spring-loaded mechanism neutered [[for safety reasons]]. Undocumented in the instructions is that the telephoto lens is supposed to fit onto Viewfinder's gun to reduce kibble.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Spectro/spectro.htm More information on (part of) Reflector at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/SpyGlass/spyglass.htm More info on another part of Reflector at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Viewfinder/viewfinder.htm More info on yet another part of Reflector at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generations===
====Thrilling 30====
 [[File:Generationstoy-SkrapnelReflector.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Didn't there used to be two more of you, you?"]]
*'''Skrapnel & Reflector''' (Legends Class, 2014)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #008'''

: Part of the sixth wave of 2012-onwards ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] toys, ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' "[[Shrapnel (G1)#Generations|Skrapnel]]" comes with Reflector, a smaller robot based on [[Viewfinder]]'s [[package art]]. Reflector can transform into a camera or a weapon modeled after Shrapnel's grenade launcher, both of which Skrapnel can wield via its [[5mm post]], or mount onto Skrapnel's back in insect mode. The only way Reflector's camera mode can be held right-side-up is loosely by the unfolded robot arms – the 5mm post is on top of the camera, and is sculpted to resemble a camera's flashcube.

: [[Stock photography]] of Reflector depicts him with his [[:File:GenerationsSkrapnelandReflectortoypromo.jpg|arms swapped, and therefore facing backwards.]] This mold was redecoed into [[Spy-Eye]] for Botcon 2015.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Decepticon/GenReflector/reflector.htm More information on ''Generations'' Reflector at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotCon2016}}
====Combiner Wars====
*'''Reflector''' (3-pack, 2016)
[[File:BotCon2016toy-Reflector.jpg|300px|right|thumb|The only camera here is a dash-cam.]]
:Released as a [[BotCon 2016]] souvenir exclusive, ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Reflector (Spectro, Spyglass, and Viewfinder) is a redeco and retool of ''Combiner Wars'' [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Shockwave]], utilizing the mold's preexisting alternate head. Reflector transforms into a spaceship based on Shockwave's Cybertronian handgun mode. Undocumented in the instructions, Reflector can transform into a gun mode for any ''Combiner Wars'' gestalt.

:Hasbro has encouraged finding ways to combine the three into a vaguely camera-shaped object, and as such there are multiple unofficial attempts. The links below are listed in order of increasing structural integrity.

:This version of the mold was also used to make BotCon 2016 [[Flash Sentry#Generations|Flash Sentry]]. This mold also served as the model for the non-toy ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' incarnation of [[Movor#Beast Wars: Uprising|Movor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Decepticon/BCReflector/reflector.htm More information on Combiner Wars Reflector at TFU.info]''

::*[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/1065216-new-botcon-2016-configuration.html Deceptigtar's instructions]
::*[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/127373-botcon-reflector-pictoral-guide-for-camera-mode/?p=3204916 Robowang's instructions]
::*[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/127373-botcon-reflector-pictoral-guide-for-camera-mode/?p=3209858 NightViper's instructions]

{{-}}{{anchor|MasterpieceGoldMegsReflector}}

===Masterpiece===
[[File:MP-05G-Reflector.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Doesn't split into three figures, doesn't transform, doesn't take photos]]
*'''Megatron Gold Ver.''' (12/2014)
**''ID number:'' '''MP-05G'''
**''Accessories:'' None
: A non-transforming Reflector comes with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MasterpieceGoldMegs|MP-05G Megatron]], the Hasbro Asia gold-chrome redeco of the MP-5 mold Megatron.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Milk Caramel===
[[File:Tfcaramel reflector.jpg|thumb|Sweet and observant, like a mother. Who takes pictures of your every action.]]
*'''Reflector''' (1985)
:A small soft-rubber figurine of Reflector (known as a ''keshigomu'' in Japan) was released as part of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' line of [[candy toy]]s. Based specifically on the Viewfinder toy, the figure was available in multiple colors and came packaged with a piece of chocolate-covered caramel.
{{-}}

===Transformers Gum===
*'''Reflector''' (1985)
**''Accessories:'' Spectro's "Shutter Gun", Viewfinder's "Lens Laser", Spyglass' "Optic Blaster", flash cube/missile launcher, missile, telephoto lens
:Essentially a downsized version of the original Reflector toy, the ''[[Transformers Gum]]'' kit is sculpted from black, red and grey plastic, features stickers rather than paint applications for details, and came with a stick of gum. 
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:ReflectorDecoy1.jpg|thumb|"HI! I'M SUPPOSED TO BE CONSPICUOUS! AM I DOING IT RIGHT? HI!"]]
*'''Destron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)
:Reflector was among the larger ''keshigomu'' developed by Takara, molded from soft purple rubber and initially sold in a multi-pack with twenty-one other Decepticon figurines. The figure, based on Reflector's animation model (unlike the earlier ''Caramel'' figure), features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Reflector's [[Tech Spec]] ratings, for use in the various simple games that could be played with the figures. Reflector was later available in a peach coloration as part of various other multi-packs.

*'''Reflector''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''52'''

: The Reflector figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number (52, in Reflector's case). Like all Decepticons Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and was, very early on in the promotion, available in an alternate red coloration that was only packed in with the Throttlebots. Unsurprisingly, this red figurine is much rarer.

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

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:PreReflector.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Say "Cheese" and die.]]
*Reflector was originally the "Camera Robo" from Takara's ''[[Micro Change]]'' sub-series of the ''[[Microman|New Microman]]'' line. The only noteworthy difference between the two releases, besides the whole missile-launcher-neuter-in-the-United-States thing, is that the ''Microman'' release has "MICROX" emblazoned on the center unit's decals instead of "REFLECTOR".

*Not so surprisingly, the Camera Robo was first designed as a single unit. Apparently, the primary designer of the final toy, and possibly this initial design, was mecha designer [[Shinji Aramaki]], who designed the robots for ''[[wikipedia:Megazone 23|Megazone 23]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Genesis Climber Mospeada|Genesis Climber Mospeada]]''.

*Reflector's role early in the cartoon makes it seem likely his toy was originally planned for inclusion in the initial 1984 line, a theory supported by the inclusion of a Hasbro product code consistent with the other 1984 toys in [[Teletraan I]]'s files on the Decepticons in "[[Heavy Metal War]]". Why Hasbro decided not to release it until so late in the game is unknown, as is the reason they later reversed that decision to make it a viable mail-away.

*In the Japanese dub of ''The Transformers'' cartoon, and in true anime fashion, Reflector announces the name of his special attack every time he uses it: "Flash Beam!"

*At [[BotCon 2010]], it was announced at the Hasbro design panel<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2010-hasbro-designers-panel-170066/</ref> that Reflector was being considered as the redeco for the ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers:]] [[Reveal the Shield]]'' [[Perceptor (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Perceptor]] toy, using a built-in [[retool#Gang-molded alternate parts|alternate "pretool" head]] for the sculpt that was designed to look like Perceptor's toy head (which does bear a passing resemblance to Viewfinder). Thus far, Hasbro [[unreleased toy|didn't follow through with this plan]], whereas TakaraTomy later used it for the [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Magnificus (G1)#Generations|Magnificus]] toy.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Reflector''' (リフレクター ''Rifurekutā'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Fǎn-shè-chìn''' (Taiwan, 反射鏡, "Reflector"), '''Zhàoxiàngjī''' (China, 照相机, "Camera")

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Alternity Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars]]
[[Category:Deceptihogs]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]