Editing Galvatron (G1)

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron}}
{{disambig3.5|the Galvatron that appeared in most [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] media|the alternate-future Galvatron who played a more prominent role in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]]|Galvatron II|Galvatron}}{{suite}}
:''Galvatron is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Galvatrong1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Bwaaaaah! Kneepad of Dooooom!]]
Born from the fires of [[Unicron]] himself, '''Galvatron''' is a focal point of power and madness given form. He is blind to all but his lust for power; his whims and desires can be sacrificed in a moment's rage. Not even his own subordinates are safe. Though he is not beyond the capacity for long-term goals, it is his unpredictability and his casual disregard for any and all life that strike such horror in friend and foe alike. Truly, the [[Decepticon leader]] is without any sense of empathy.  

Galvatron was once [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but was reborn from his death throes in a Faustian pact with Unicron. He retains the memories and spark of Megatron, but his personality was significantly altered after the near-death experience, massive physical upgrade, and reprogramming; just ask [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] about the difference.  And all that was ''before'' he went insane. The cause and extent of Galvatron's madness varies between [[Multiverse|different timelines,]] as does his physical power. Sometimes he's all but invincible. 

{{bigquote|Please, meet your end with dignity. I despise whiners.|Galvatron, allowing one of his [[Sweep|own troops]] to die|"[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3]]"}}

{{bigquote|Before a society can move forward, everyone must agree on the rules.  Now '''kneel!'''|Galvatron|"[[Fight or Flee]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
{{Main|Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
[[Image:FFOD2 Galvatron sparks.JPG|right|thumb|300px|The sparks mean he's going to shoot you.  No sparks also means he's going to shoot you.]]

Following Optimus Prime's death, Megatron was rebuilt by Unicron into Galvatron. Though Galvatron at first proved to be a potently cunning Decepticon leader, he suffered brain damage following his defeat at the hands of Rodimus Prime. Galvatron was now a screaming, unpredictable madman who would turn on his own soldiers as readily as his enemies.  

Diverging timelines took Galvatron in two paths. In one, Galvatron fled to space with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] following a failure to blow up the sun, Earth, and Cybertron. In another, Galvatron became buried under ice by the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and eventually returned as Super Megatron with the aid of [[Dark Nova]].
{{-}}

===''Scramble City'' diorama===
{{note|This fifteen-minute, stop-motion, extended toy advert retells the story of the original ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'' OVA with the addition of Galvatron. Created before the Japanese production staff were aware that Galvatron was a recreated Megatron, this OVA features the infamous gaffe that presents Galvatron and Megatron as separate characters. It ain't in continuity with jack, yo.}}

[[Image:ScrambleCityToysGalvatronvsMagnus01.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Galvatron shoots silly string of doom.]]

During a massive brawl between the Autobot and Decepticon [[Combiner|combiners]], Megatron took the upper hand. To counter this, Optimus Prime ordered [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to enter the fray. Metroplex rolled onto the scene and towered over his enemies, with City Commander Ultra Magnus in tow. Not to be outdone, Megatron ordered his ''own'' [[City Commander]] to enter battle. Beaming down from the sky on a ball of light, the silent and menacing Galvatron stormed the battle. Transforming into cannon mode, Galvatron fired a blast of energy at Ultra Magnus, who quickly transformed to robot mode and engaged his foe in hand-to-hand combat. As the fight seemed evenly matched, City Commander Galvatron's ''city'' finally arrived to tip the odds: [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]! {{storylink|Scramble City (diorama)|Scramble City}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{note|There were multiple Galvatrons from various alternate futures who often time-jumped to give the Autobots trouble. Their precise number — and even their precise pre-Unicron character of origin — remains inconclusive, due to the brevity of some stories, the confusing effects of serial time travel, and the [[retcon]] being worked into the Marvel comics at about the same time that would eventually reveal the "Megatron" in many of these stories to have actually been a clone vessel for [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]].}}
{{noteukonly}}

====Galvatron I====
[[Image:Target 2006 Prologue Galvatron, Scourge & Cyclonus.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Darn that Soundwave.]]
''Cast out of Astrotrain on the journey back to Cybertron after a failed attack on Autobot City in 2006, the wounded and dying Megatron was found by Unicron and recreated as Galvatron.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}} ''Immediately after destroying Starscream and reclaiming leadership of the Decepticons, Galvatron watched as Unicron consumed one of the Cybertron's moons, and furiously announced that they belonged to him. Unicron responded by psychically torturing Galvatron, reminding him that he was his master.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}} ''Immediately resolving to free himself from the shackles he was unaware he had donned, Galvatron formed a plan to use Autobot [[time-jump mechanism|time-travel technology]] to send himself and his lieutenants Cyclonus and Scourge back in time to the year 1986, thereby putting himself beyond Unicron's reach. Once in the past, Galvatron planned to create a superweapon with the power to destroy Unicron, which would be left hidden on the planet, to be activated upon his return to the future.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[Image:2006-1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Sure glad these guys don't have a [[Pathblaster]]!]]

''Upon Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge's arrival in 1986, the laws of space and time caused them to [[mass substitution|mass-displace]] [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] to [[limbo]], immediately removing some of the greatest obstructions to Galvatron's scheme. Seeking an alliance with his past self to expedite his plan, Galvatron traveled to the [[Wyoming base|Decepticon base]] in [[Wyoming]] and shared his story with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], carefully leaving out the fact that they were the same individual. Naturally, Megatron didn't buy into the time-traveller's story and attacked him, but Galvatron was more than a match for his past self, who he left unconscious and entombed under a mountain of rubble. Taking control of the Decepticons, Galvatron put the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to work building the colossal cannon he would use to destroy Unicron, but soon found himself forced to alter his plan when news came in that Ultra Magnus had come to Earth. Capturing [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who had been spying on the Decepticon construction project, Galvatron lured the Autobots into a battle which he used to prove his superiority, taking every shot they fired and utterly dominating them with his Unicron-borne strength.''

''Realizing they were helpless against Galvatron, the Autobots were forced to unearth the buried Megatron and strike a deal with him, hoping his talent for warfare would help them defeat their future enemy. Alas, this plan fared little better, until a trio of Autobots—Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr—arrived from the future to help (who had, unbeknownst to anyone, actually been sent back in time by Unicron to curb his rebellious creation). Ultra Magnus engaged Galvatron in a furious travelling battle, drawing the future Decepticon away from the cannon construction site so that the Autobots could set up their plan. Although he fought bravely, Magnus was ultimately defeated, and Galvatron returned to the cannon site, only for the weapon to be suddenly destroyed in a huge explosion set by the Autobots. Galvatron emerged from the wreckage to see what he thought was the architect of the explosion, Starscream (but was, in fact, an unconscious [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] painted to look like the air commander by Hot Rod's team), and in a fit of anger, blew him up. After a moment, Galvatron realizing something was amiss: if he had now destroyed Starscream in the past, how then could he go on to destroy him in the future? Coming to the conclusion that he had accidentally travelled back into an alternate timeline, and thus, no action taken then would affect his future, Galvatron and his troops returned to their proper time—just as the Autobots had planned.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[Image:FallenAngel-Unicron.jpg|left|thumb|250px|No wonder he's nigh-invincible!  He's denser than Unicron's skin!]]

''Upon his return to 2006, Galvatron was tortured back into submission by Unicron and sent on a quest to steal the Creation Matrix. Accomplishing this goal, Galvatron then tried to use the power of the Matrix against Unicron himself, but found he was unable to open the talisman. Unicron consumed Galvatron for his treachery, and it was there, within the chaos-bringer's body, that Galvatron was soon confronted in climactic battle by Hot Rod. During their fight, Hot Rod reclaimed the Matrix and was transformed into Rodimus Prime, then used his new strength to hurl Galvatron through Unicron's hide and into the void of space.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}} ''What nobody knew, however, was that Galvatron had kept the [[time-jump trigger device]] he had used to control his return from 1986, and he was able to save himself by using it to send himself back into the past once more, this time with the intent to stay. Arriving in 1987, he materialized above Earth and proceeded to crash down to the planet's surface like a meteor, catching the attention of a group of Autobots who had just arrived on Earth themselves. His mind unhinged by the terminal velocity impact, madness began to creep over Galvatron, and he easily bested the Autobots, believing himself to battling the hated Rodimus Prime. A contingent of nearby Decepticons led by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] were drawn to the battle, and Shockwave concluded based on past reports that Galvatron posed a threat to his leadership, ordering his troops to aid the Autobots. This had something of a calming effect on Galvatron, who retreated on the basis that he could not destroy the Decepticons, as then he would have no army to command in the future.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel|Fallen Angel}}

[[Image:Galvatrons Power Siphon.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Galvatron! We have finally completed your hot tub!]]
''Galvatron's escape to 1987 went unnoticed by all, save one: the bounty hunter [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], who sought to claim the reward Rodimus Prime had rashly placed on the Decepticon leader's head.'' {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} ''Death's Head arrived in 1987 just has Galvatron's latest plan was nearing fruition: he had constructed a [[Power siphon|massive magma tap]] that would siphon the energy of an erupting volcano, [[Mount Verona]], into his own body, making him as powerful as a god.'' {{storylink|Burning Sky!}} ''In addition to the bounty hunter, Ultra Magnus, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], and several Autobots who had travelled back from Galvatron's own era all stood together to disrupt his plans. Rodimus Prime attempted to manipulate Galvatron's time-jump device to send them all back to the future, but when he and the other Autobots slingshoted back to 2008, Galvatron inexplicably remained behind.'' {{storylink|Fire on High!}} ''Believing himself incapable of beating Galvatron, Ultra Magnus bowed out of the fight, leaving Goldbug to fight alone, but naturally, he soon returned to aid his friend in the impossible combat. Insanity once again washing over Galvatron in the heat of battle, and the Decepticon tore a portion of his magma tap's control equipment loose, causing the machine's control of the volcano to be lost. Magnus held the deranged Galvatron back while Goldbug escaped, and both combatants were entombed in lava as Mount Verona erupted.'' {{storylink|Vicious Circle!}}

''But while Galvatron was trapped, encased in a tomb of his own making, he was also very much alive. This instigated then-Decepticon leader Shockwave to send the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to rig the volcano with bombs and blow up Galvatron. Unfortunately, this would mean killing Ultra Magnus as well. Of course, the Decepticons did not mind, and the Throttlebots also could not care less, but one particular [[Cindy Newell|fleshling]] was not so content to let Magnus be destroyed, and with help from [[Joy Meadows]] and [[Susan Hoffman]], blew the Combaticons around for a bit with explosives. Of course, the heroic Autobots were then forced to interfere, and the Combaticons were driven off, and as Soundwave prepared to blow the two prisoners up, his signal was blocked by the [[Blaster (G1)|other tape guy]]. Unfortunately, the Autobots' decision would cost them dear, as from within the volcano, disturbed by the explosives, a certain invincible Cybertronian began to stir...'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night}}

[[Image:Enemy action seacons.JPG|thumb|left|200px]]
''Galvatron eventually escaped and planned to take control of the Decepticons away from [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. The nigh invincible Decepticon opened his plan by menacingly approaching the Decepticon base, scaring sea life and compelling Shockwave, who'd fairly recently [[Fallen Angel|slighted him]], to decide against an alliance. Instead, Shockwave sent the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] against the mad Decepticon from the future. The team put up the best fight they could, even succeeding in paralyzing their powerful foe's arm. However, as the battle progressed it became increasingly clear that Galvatron was having little trouble thrashing the heck out of them, prompting their leader [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] to play one last card—the Seacons merged to form the mighty [[combiner]], [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]! Galvatron was impressed by this new foe, grateful for some worthy opposition! However, as powerful as Piranacon was, even the gestalt was clearly outclassed, with 'the most powerful Decepticon in all creation' raining shattering blow after shattering blow unto him. Shockwave was getting increasingly worried, now that even Piranacon was getting steamrolled. Eventually, the battle was concluded with a single blast of Galvatron's arm cannon that shattered the combiner. ([[Gone but Not Forgotten!|Deja vu?]]) Shockwave swiftly rallied his troops for combat against Galvatron, knowing they'd trust him over the stranger. But after Galvatron tore through the base's defences with his bare hands, he gave Shockwave a most shocking revelation. In fact, the Decepticon had come in peace! He had only wanted to make talks with Shockwave about a potential beneficial alliance and meant him no harm!''

''Galvatron's true intent was to alienate Shockwave's troops by making it seem he had instigated a powerful adversary. He knew all to well that if he took over one-eye by force, he would receive no favors from his future troops, who clearly trusted Shockwave more. Satisfied at his success, Galvatron left the base, leaving Shockwave to fend off angered glances from his own troops. As he contemplated future plans with a smug grin on his face, Galvatron suddenly spotted one [[Fizzle|flash-fried autobot]] at the seabed, and for some reason decided to carry him to the surface, where he met both his [[Sparkabot|comrades]] and [[Firecon|assailants]]. The Decepticons were most eager to send him to Cybertron here they would arrange a joint leadership, but Galvatron, having avoided one alliance, was certainly not going to form up with those bozos. Amused, he was then confronted by Fizzle, who courageously told him that as Autobots, they would put him down!

[[Image:Magnus V Galvatron "Salvage!".jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
''Galvatron replied by swatting him aside like a bug and sending him crashing into a pine tree. Leaving the other Sparkabots and Firecons to stand there dumbstruck, he left to fulfill other plans.'' {{storylink|Enemy Action!}} ''Getting outwitted a complete madman prompted Shockwave to concoct a plan- to use Megatron as a weapon against Galvatron. While Shockwave finished his own designs, Galvatron stalked Ultra Magnus and the Sparkabots, the former recently rescued from Mount Verona. Galvatron quickly attacked the Sparkabots with relish, knowing Magnus was helpless to stop him, demoralised from the psychological scars cut from repeated [[Target: 2006|de]][[Burning Sky!|fe]][[Fire on High!|ats]] at the hands of the future Decepticons. As Galvatron pretty much beat the crap out of the Sparkabots, Magnus finally managed to get his act together, taking Galvatron by surprise. With a few powerful punches (and one heck of a kick), Magnus managed to sent Galvatron into retreat, defeating Galvatron at last!'' {{storylink|Salvage!}}

[[Image:Galvatron wrecking havoc marvel uk 173.jpg|thumb|left|150px]]
''Soon after, Galvatron sought out his ex-lieutenants Cyclonus and Scourge, using one rather freaked out [[human|fleshling]] as transport into the city, in hopes they would once more serve under him, in exchange for the [[Time-jump trigger device|trigger device]] which would send them back to 2008 where they [[The Legacy of Unicron!|reigned supreme]]. However, there was a small catch—they would have to swear complete loyalty and be totally subservient to him. Naturally, the two Unicronian Decepticons refused, instead deciding to wrest the control device from the mad future Decepticon's hands by force. Naturally, Galvatron was only too happy to oblige. However, before any sort of battle could begin, the three Decepticons were interrupted by the [[Wrecker]]s, who had got the jump on their target, Galvatron, with a dimensional portal. The joke was on them though, as Galvatron had chosen his meeting point in a densely populated area, and like all good Autobots, the Wreckers feared they would bring any form of harm to its inhabitants!''

''While Cyclonus faced of against [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and Scourge battled the [[Jumpstarter]]s, Galvatron was locked in combat with Broadside and [[Rack'n'Ruin|the most laughable wrecker(s?) of them all]]. This very laughable Wrecker also managed to blow a very sizeable hole in the powerful Decepticon's chest, allowing Broadside to body-slam him. However, it also allowed Galvatron to fly into a rage, and he effortlessly bashed aside the [[Triple Changer]] and deflected Rack n' Ruin's subsequent blasts, before tossing Broadside onto him. As the battle raged on, Springer miraculously subdued Cyclonus and leapt onto Galvatron, knocking the big purple off his feet. With that, he simply fled{{m-}}all the while proclaiming he had stolen the time trigger device, effectively luring away the dimwitted Cyclonus and Scourge. Galvatron thus only had to deal with the remaining Wreckers, which he did not by battle, but by reminding them that Cyclonus and Scourge would more than likely kill Springer once they captured him. The Wreckers opted to go rescue their leader and by the time they returned, the future Decepticon had already escaped. However, Springer declared that the Wreckers would battle Galvatron again and defeat him.'' {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}}
 
[[Image:TimeWars-frakamm.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Oh no, look out, c-string characters!]]

''Galvatron's time-travelling (along with that of the other Autobots and Decepticons) eventually caused a rift in time and space that threatened both the present and the future, opening a timestorm at both ends of the timeline that consumed the planet [[Quintessa]] in 2008.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

[[Image:MarvelUKTimeRift.jpg|left|200px|thumb|[[Simon Furman|Furman]] liked Galvatron, he just liked [[death|killing characters]] more.]]

''[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] unleashed his [[Straxus (G1)|brainwashed Megatron]] on Galvatron, in the hopes of eliminating one or both of his rivals. Unfortunately, Galvatron managed to appeal to the suppressed personality within Megatron, and the two joined forces. {{storylink|Altered Image!}} Megatron and Galvatron forged an alliance and launched an assault against the combined forces of the present-day Autobot and Decepticons, the future Autobots and Decepticons, and the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] and [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. By this stage, Galvatron was consumed by madness, reliving memories of the same battle ''as Megatron'' and unable to stand that things were going differently ''this'' time round. In his fury, he was able to overcome all resistance: even a direct [[Pathblaster]] to the face and single combat with Powermaster Optimus Prime failed to stop him completely. His threat was only truly ended when the time rift itself lashed out at Galvatron, ripping him apart.'' {{storylink|Time Wars|Time Wars}}

In an alternate future of 2006, Galvatron was leader of the Decepticons on their home base of [[Chaar]]. [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] tried to tell him about some strange activity on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], but he wouldn't listen. Meanwhile, the events on Junkion caused a hypnotic signal to be broadcast out into space, which affected Galvatron while he was watching his [[bubbling pool]]. The signal compelled him to travel to Junkion, where he was led to believe he could "be a winner". He was followed by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]].

Once on Junkion, they were soon joined by Autobots. Galvatron immediately attacked [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], and the two battled to a stalemate. The other Autobots worked to disrupt the hypnotic signal, which cleared Galvatron's mind long enough to blast the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]' television, which he recognized as influencing his mind. This broke the spell on everyone, including the Junkions, who then added their power to the Autobots' and forced the Decepticons to retreat in [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. 

In the course of this battle, his defeat at the hands of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] while inside [[Unicron]] was alluded to. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

{{note|In the UK version of the story, the events of "The Big Broadcast of 2006" are a fabrication invented by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]].}}

====Galvatron II====
{{main|Galvatron II}}

====Other====
[[Image:MarvelUK224 Head Toss.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"Now ''HEADS'' up!  Ha, I'm on a roll today!"]]
''In the year 2356 of an alternate future, a geriatric Rodimus Prime recounted tales of his exploits to [[Student|a curious youth]] from his deathbed. In that timeline, the Time Wars had reset history: now the newly-created Galvatron ''hadn't'' time-traveled to 1987 Earth, and instead had remained in the 21st-century and conquered Cybertron. This "reset" Galvatron tried to enrage Rodimus—even going so far as throwing [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]'s severed head at him—so that the Autobot leader's vengeful thoughts would corrupt the Matrix itself.  This Galvatron was last seen in a flashback to Unicron's third coming in the year 2010 (of that timeline): as Galvatron was left buried under rubble and Transformer corpses, Rodimus noted that on this occasion Unicron had no need for minions.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers PD Type''===
[[Image:PDTypeBlackball1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]

After taking to wearing four [[Blackball]]s around his neck as a necklace, Galvatron spotted Rodimus Prime, who'd found another of the precious artifacts. He attempted to throttle the Autobot, only for a brilliant light to shine directly at him. Galvatron fled, believing it to be the power of the Blackball, only for Rodimus to reveal it was just a flashlight... {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##11 "Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!"|Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!}}

Galvatron later led an attack on Battleship Maximus, {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##12 "Bigger than Life! Fortress Maximus!"|Bigger than Life! Fortress Maximus!}} was knocked flat by [[Ginrai|God Ginrai]], {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##13 "Now! Deliver the Finishing Blow! God Ginrai!!"|Now! Deliver the Finishing Blow! God Ginrai!!}} and he and his men were sent scrambling as Fortress Maximus and [[Scorponok (G1)|Mega Zarak]] traded blows. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##14 "Watch Out! Mega Zarak!"|Watch Out! Mega Zarak!}} When Ultra Magnus found the final Blackball, Galvatron blew the defiant Autobot apart in order to obtain it. As he was enjoying his victory, he was suddenly bowled over — by Ultra Magnus's head. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##16 "Improve Yourself! Ultra Magnus!"|Improve Yourself! Ultra Magnus!}}

Galvatron's insanity finally out of control, [[Sixshot]], [[Liokaiser]] and the other Decepticons were left with no choice but to bound their leader in rope and try to rationally explain to him that he was too crazy to be left free any longer. Galvatron then reminded them that unless they made his detainment more comfortable, such as providing a futon among other luxuries, he would surely destroy them all. Frightened by his looney faces, the Decepticons quickly brought him a hot cup of tea. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##19 "Two in One! Lord Galvatron"|Two in One! Lord Galvatron}}

When a Blackball landed somewhere in a field of tall grass, Galvatron sent Liokaiser to fetch it. Bitter with the menial task, Liokaiser began muttering unflattering remarks under his breath. He was then left to nervously explain himself to Galvatron, who was in earshot the whole time. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##20 "Find the Bright Day! Liokaiser!!"|Find the Bright Day! Liokaiser!!}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
Galvatron took to talking to [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], as the cassette perched mutely on his shoulder. He was also even more abusive than usual towards his men. He was pleased when a potential new source of [[Energon|energon]] was discovered on an asteroid, but particularly ''dis''pleased when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] returned with a [[Observer|small alien]]. After exhaustive tests by a violently coerced Cyclonus, positive results were found, and Galvatron rubbed his hands together in glee before sending out Ratbat to find more of the aliens. Instead, they discovered that the Autobots were also on the asteroid, and Galvatron was more than happy to start inflicting violence on the enemy rather than waste time on small organics. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

In search of slaves for the Decepticon energy research laboratory, Galvatron took [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to attack the space station [[Exton-9]]. The Decepticons used their new [[suspension-ray beam]] to paralyze the humans, and sat back to wait for the containment ship to turn up. When they detected [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] leaving the station, Galvatron ordered Ratbat to contact Cybertron for reinforcements. Unfortunately Cosmos's mission was a success, helping some children to return with the [[Prism of Power]]. Galvatron demanded the children surrender and turn over the Prism, threatening to kill them unless they complied, but Cosmos was able to distract him long enough for [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] to finish off Razorclaw and blast the Decepticon leader. {{storylink|Transformers in 3-D issue 2|Transformers in 3-D #2}}

Alerted to the existence of the Intergon Device, Galvatron led a strike force to [[Tau-Ursa]] and successfully seized the device from its inventor, [[Monitorus]], before razing the city to the ground. Building the device into the "[[Nullification Cannon]]", Galvatron used it to attack the Autobots' energon plant on Cybertron, rendering its contents useless. While Optimus Prime was distracted by [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]], Galvatron left, announcing as he did so that the Autobots would now have no choice but to surrender.  Returning to the ancient, burned-out destroyer which the Decepticons were using as a base, Galvatron was informed by the [[Clone (subgroup)|Clone]]s that the Autobots were searching for [[Metascan Alpha]], the planet of the [[Logicon]]s that also contained a bounty of energon. While he was ruminating about the implications, Galvatron was forcefully reminded by Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] that the Nebulan now led the [[Decepticon]]s. A short time later, Optimus Prime attacked their location, fighting Galvatron. Before Galvatron could stop him, Scorponok swung a claw at the Autobot leader and struck the cannon instead, destroying it. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

{{note|[[Blackthorne Publishing]]'s bankruptcy effectively ended the story at this point.}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
Galvatron killed [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]].

When Starscream's immortal [[spark]] travelled to prehistoric Earth and possessed [[Waspinator]], the Decepticon claimed to the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] that he was killed trying to defend Galvatron from Unicron. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], having a better grasp of history than Starscream expected, later pointed out in private with Starscream that she knew that he was actually destroyed by Galvatron for being a traitor. {{storylink|Possession}}

====IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics====
Galvatron's ultimate fate was unknown. Some said he was defeated by four Autobot warriors and buried under ice on [[Earth]]. Others said he was pulled to another universe by [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}

[[Galvatron (BWII)|A Predacon]] named himself after Galvatron. The paranoid [[Killer Punch]] believed that Galvatron was still active and plotting the destruction of the [[Maximal Imperium]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook 2}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
[[Image:WorldsCollide3_MegatronVsGalvatron.jpg|thumb|200px|]]
An alternate version of Galvatron travelled into this reality as one of [[Unicron]]'s heralds, along with alternate versions of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], to prepare the way for their master's arrival. While the others defeated the Decepticon forces on Cybertron and took control of the [[space bridge]] Nexus, Galvatron was headed to [[Earth]] to track down [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]], a [[Mini-Con]] refugee from a Cybertron that Unicron was in the process of consuming. Over-Run was carrying the [[Mini-Con Matrix]], which contained the essence of all the Mini-Cons from his reality, and might be a means to defeat Unicron. When Galvatron arrived in [[San Francisco]], he was distracted by several Transformers on this planet, including [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], but easily bested them all. However, they managed to distract him long enough for Over-Run to escape. {{Storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} 

When the [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] of this reality launched his attack on the local Autobots on Earth, Galvatron arrived to destroy him, {{Storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} declaring that he had killed "many" Megatrons in other alternate realities. Despite his putting up a valiant struggle, Megatron was pummelled within an inch of his life, but before Galvatron could finish him off, the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] intervened, forming the mighty [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. This allowed Megatron to overwhelm and eventually destroy Galvatron. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} The gloating Megatron subsequently hacked Galvatron's corpse to pieces. {{Storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
{{note|Galvatron in the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]] is an ancient Cybertronian who has no links to Megatron nor Unicron.''}}
[[Image:SpotlightGalvatron Galvytransforms.jpg|left|300px|thumb|My cannon knows where to go because IT FEARS ME!!!]]
Galvatron was a crew member on the first ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', launched during Cybertron's [[Golden Age]] as part of [[Nova Prime]]'s dream of expanding Cybertronian domination throughout the cosmos. However, Galvatron and the crew were lost when he plunged the ship into the mysterious anomaly in the [[Benzuli Expanse]], a selfish act that killed the rest of the crew. Undead, Galvatron became the herald for Nova, now known as Nemesis Prime, ruler of the [[Dead Universe]]. Millions of years later, Galvatron was sent on two missions in the living Universe: to destroy an alien starship conducting research on the anomaly in the Expanse, and to return to Cybertron to secure the inactive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]. After killing [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] by touch alone, Galvatron shrugged off attacks by the Autobot squad under [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s command and then shocked them when he got up after having half of his head blown off by [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. In a small act of defiance to his master, he merely incapacitated the Autobots and returned with Thunderwing's body to [[Gorlam Prime]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} 

[[Image:GalvatronVReaper.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bouncers are taking it pretty far these days.]]
After [[Sixshot]]'s deployment to [[Earth]], Nemesis Prime sent Galvatron there as well to make sure nothing would forestall their second coming. {{storylink|Devastation issue 3|Devastation #3}} From a hidden vantage point, Galvatron observed the Decepticons' desperate fight against the powerful alien army known as the [[Reaper|Reapers]]. As Nemesis Prime's plans required Earth to survive, at least for a while, Galvatron took steps to prevent the Reapers from taking over and laying waste to the planet. After blasting an attacking bird-like Ravenous Reaper, Galvatron approached the Reapers' leader, [[Deathbringer (species)|Deathbringer]], and unleashed the power of death that was his to command, turning the Reaper into living decay who spread death and disintegration to his fellow Reapers on contact. This turned the tide of battle considerably, and the Decepticons won the day. Galvatron then returned to the Dead Universe to await new orders. However, Nemesis Prime remarked to [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] that he suspected that Galvatron had his own plans... {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

After [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] secured the [[Nega-Core]] and activated its guardian, Galvatron initiated the [[Expansion]] with Nemesis Prime and the rest of the [[Dead Universe]] crew. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} Galvatron was paired with Cyclonus to patrol the Benzuli Expanse, charged with destroying anything that might interrupt the Expansion. He let his partner have dibs on destroying [[Cloudburst]] and his crew on the ''[[Mirror-Manifold]]''. {{storylink| Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

[[Image:PrimekillsGalvatron.jpg|left|200px|thumb|No arguments!  It is time for your bath, young man!]]
Heading to Garrus-9, Galvatron watched the battle of the Primes, waiting for Nemesis to become completely focused on Optimus, before taking his chance and shooting the Prime in the back. When Nemesis fell, the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]] jumped to Optimus. As the Autobot leader tried to resist, Galvatron gave him a choice: kill himself in the nearby solar pool or allow the Darkness to pass on to its ''rightful'' owner. Prime reached out for Galvatron, but as the Darkness crossed between them, Optimus grabbed Galvatron's hand, and hurled him into the solar pool, destroying both the Darkness and its would-be host.

Or not. Some time later, as the Autobots were recuperating from a series of upheavals, Galvatron's hand burst from the solar pool. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}} The Darkness had consumed him whole! However, both it and he were changed, and Galvatron decided that all that exploration had taught him that [[To sell toys|change]] was the one constant in the universe... and now, he and his men were going to ''force'' change! 

He arrived on [[Gorlam Prime]], where Cyclonus and Scourge were the last surviving members of the Dead Universe crew, and began babbling his intentions at them while throwing Scourge into a smelting pool... causing it to resurrect him, and create [[Sweep|a clone army]]! He then used the Darkness to bring Cyclonus back to life, telling him his spirit had always refused to die anyway, and led his army off to fulfill his mission! (The army thinks he might be a bit loopy.) {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 14|Rebirth}}

On Gorlam Prime, they discovered that the entire population of the planet had vanished and set out to solve this mystery. Returning to the site of the portal to the Dead Universe, they found numerous dead Micromasters, presumably the ones killed by Arcee. The whole time Galvatron displayed mood swings, sudden irrational anger, and incredible strength, all of which disturbed Cyclonus, who worried what would happen if Galvatron turned against them. Discovering the ruined body of Jhiaxus, Galvatron restored him to his old self using the power of the Heart of Darkness, and the group discovered a clear silver sphere that acted as a portal into the Dead Universe. As Galvatron was about to use the portal to enter the Dead Universe, however, they were suddenly ambushed by [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and Hardhead. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}}

Initially overwhelmed by the attack, Galvatron channeled more power from the Dead Universe into himself, easily dispatching Hardhead and causing Arcee to flee, coldly noting that he was the only future that mattered. While Cyclonus and Scourge were sent to capture or kill the fleeing Arcee, Galvatrona and Jhiaxus tortured Hardhead for information, with Galavtron reaching into his mind and forcing him to tell him what had happened. Once he had learned how the entire population of  Gorlam had marched, seemingly hypnotized, into the Dead Universe, he used the Darkness to brainwash Hardhead into serving him, seeing him as a useful servant before deciding to journey into the Dead Universe himself. Once there, he was confronted by a monstrous being called [[D-Void|D-Void]] who fed on the life-spark of robotic life. Narrowly escaping and returning to Gorlan Prime, he informed the others that they would need to gather an army to fight what was coming. Both Cyclonus and Arcee believed that "D-Void" only existed in Galvatron's mind and that he was insane. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}} 

Recruiting numerous fallen Autobots and Decepticons resurrected through the power of the Heart of Darkness and other robotic life forms who would be susceptible to attack from D-Void, Galvatron and his crew used the new space bridge that Jhiaxus had created to journey to the planet Dykarra, where Galvatron sensed the presence of D-Void. There they found numerous dead Autobots and Decepticons that Galvatron claimed he could not resurrect, something Cyclonus was skeptical of. They also discovered evidence that an ancient race that had once occupied Gorlam Prime had also occupied Dykarra, and Galvatron speculated that somehow they were connected to D-Void and perhaps manipulating events unnoticed.  Discovering a second portal into the Dead Universe, Galvatron was shocked as Nemesis Prime stepped from it, returned to life by D-Void and anxious for revenge on Galvatron.{{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 3}}  
Initially, Galvatron had the upper hand as the two old allies battled.  However, D-Void appeared to take control of Nemesis Prime, nearly killing Galvatron before Galvatron's army launched a full attack. forcing D-Void back into the sphere and seemingly killing him. However Galvatron declared the threat was not over and decided that, to be ready for D-Void, they would need to conquer Cybertron.{{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4}}

Galvatron and crew discovered a frozen mass of organic and metal in space and brought the strange blob aboard their ship to investigate.  The blob thawed, revealing a swarm of [[zombie]]s and robots from another universe.  The zombie leader, [[Britt]], used the power of suggestion to make the crew think she was actually one of their own named Bayonet, while she sabotaged the engines to bring the ship crashing to [[Earth]]. There, Galvatron tried to enlist the help of Optimus Prime and his Autobots, but they rebuffed him until he was subdued by [[Skywatch]] devices.  Galvatron finally convinced Prime they should be fighting this menace on the same side, while [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] broke Britt's cover.  Kup was compromised though, and to stop Britt and the zombie horde from ravaging Cybertron of the past, Galvatron gave the coordinates to Prowl, who used Kup, to send the whole shebang to the very beginning of the Dead Universe.  The Earth and Cybertron saved for now, Galvatron again offered his leadership to the Autobots, who of course refused, and Galvatron and crew swore they would be enemies when they next met. {{storylink|Infestation (IDW)|Transformers: Infestation}}
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When [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], believing Cybertron to still be, well, ''habitable'', brought [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and their new alien friend [[Garnak| Garnak]] to Cybertron, they discovered not only [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and their new pet Insecticon [[Bob (IDW)|Bob]], but also Galvatron and an army of Sweeps, who had conquered the entire planet. Fleeing back to Earth, the group warned Optimus Prime of what had happened, fearing that Galvatron was a threat to them all. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet}}

This proved to be true as, shortly after conquering Cybertron he sent Cyclonus to attack the [[Kimia Facility|Kimia Facility]] with a group of Sweeps. Though the Autobots there tried to fight back, Cyclonus and the Sweeps slaughtered them all. Informing Galvatron that the weapons facility was now theirs, Galvatron congratulated Cyclonus on his good work and commanded him to return to Cybertron with it, where he was waiting along with his army of Sweeps.

When Optimus and his fellow Autobots arrived on Cybertron, Galvatron had his entire army fire into the air to send a message in binary telling the Autobots to meet with him; this doubled as a display of power, showing the sheer size of his army. Optimus took Ironhide, [[Drift (G1)|Drift]], Sunstreaker, Bob, and Rodimus to the surface to meet with Galvatron.  There, the ancient Cybertronian gave them a simple ultimatum: the Autobots could either join his forces or be destroyed. Optimus, not impressed by Galvatron's threats or his refusal to reveal his long term plans for Cybertron, said that the Autobots would not be his slaves, but if his intentions were peaceful they wouldn't harm him. Galvatron replied by trying to kill them all, claiming that anyone who wasn't with him was against him and that if the Autobots wouldn't serve him they would die. They managed to fight back against his army of Sweeps, but Cyclonus arrived to pull Galvatron away from the fight. 

Clyconus then revealed to Galvatron that Kimia was now above Cybertron and Galvatron.  Galvatron, pleased, ordered Scourge and his sweeps to begin its transformation. It turned out that Kimia was not just a weapons facility but could ''transform into'' a weapon.  Galvatron ordered Scourge to fire the giant laser at Cybertron. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}}

However, his target was not the Autobots, but Cybertron itself, and he gave the order for Kimia to focus its beam on the planet, doing horrific damage that threatened to destroy it. As a Sweep reported to Galvatron of an attack on Kimia conducted by flight-capable Autobots, they were interrupted when Wheelie shot the Sweep in the head with his sniper rifle. Enraged, Galvatron ordered his Sweeps to kill the Autobots. 

After the two surviving [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] managed to destroy Kimia from within, Galvatron was even more furious, grabbing Jhiaxus and commanding him to follow to the spot which the beam had struck, hoping that the damage it had already done was enough. He was unaware that Optimus and Ironhide had spotted him leaving and followed him, Optimus sensing something within Galvatron that he believed the Matrix would be needed to stop. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}}

===Generation 1 toy bio===
Galvatron is an arrogant, compassionless, cold-hearted robotic villain. He is a [[City Commander]], but sets his determination toward nothing less than the leadership of Decepticons. He plots against his own allies, which weakens his position in the Decepticon cause.

{{note|Galvatron's toy bio establishes him as a new character with a rank of 9 and the function "City Commander" who covets the leadership of the Decepticons. No mention is made of him having once been Megatron. Given the omission of similar details from Rodimus Prime's bio, it is likely that this was done to avoid spoiling the surprise of Galvatron's origin in the movie.''}}

===''Universe'' Classic Series toy bio===
At a time when the Decepticons were a scattered confederation of assassins and warlords, Galvatron arrived from parts unknown and quickly asserted his dominance.  Crushing all who opposed him, he united the Decepticons into a powerful army "capable of threatening the entire universe". Rumors about his past were plentiful, but facts were hard to come by.  Mostly the Decepticons simply cowered before his might, their fear preventing them from even ''thinking'' about following anyone else.  Those few who dared to conceive otherwise, simply hoped that one day a rival would emerge who could best the tyrant.
{{note|It is unclear where this story fits in continuity, or even which Galvatron is being referred to. If one assumes the "Classic Series" bios to be an extension of the ''[[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Classics'' comic book]], then he is likely "[[Galvatron II]]", as that is the only Galvatron established in that continuity. However, if one assumes that the "Classic Series" bios are not tied to any particular continuity, then the identity of this Galvatron becomes likewise open-ended.}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
[[Image:Henkei_galvatron_pack_in.jpg|right|thumb]]
Upon being cornered with his supply of [[Energon cube|energon cubes]] by the Autobots, Megatron took a bite out of one cube, transforming into Galvatron, who easily pulverized the Autobots.  Ironhide tried to come to the rescue, but his attempt to attack Galvatron with his blade only ended in it being caught between Galvatron's teeth. But as Galvatron was about to fire upon Ironhide, an explosion occurred, revealing a weakened Megatron, who was then subsequently attacked by Ironhide.  {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 7}}

Once Megatron learned he had the ability to "power up" and become Galvatron, he later sought the chance to do this again by immersing himself in a pool of molten lava.  [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], accompanied by Starscream and [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], watched and gloated in anticipation of the re-emergence of their unstoppable leader.  However, the Autobots arrived, and during the subsequent battle, the lava pool was shot and collapsed.  Galvatron did emerge after all...but all he did was berate his defeated troops for having allowed him to be awoken too early, while Cyclonus weakly attempted to protest.  {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9}}
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===''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' comic===
[[Image:Henkei8_enter_galvatron.jpg|left|thumb|275px|Holy ''freaking'' '''''yikes'''''.]]

Badly wounded in battle by [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]]'s energon sword, the defeated and barely functional [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Megatron]] was carried from the battlefield by [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Cyclonus]]. Brought to a subterranean network of volcanic caves, Megatron was immersed in a "bath" of molten [[energon cube]]s to restore his strength. {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} While Megatron was recuperating, [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Starscream]] led Optimus Prime and [[Bumblebee (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Bumblebee]] to his location, in hopes that they would destroy him so that he could take his throne. As Starscream and Cyclonus battled in the air, Prime approached Megatron, and without hesitation, plunged his energon sword into the Decepticon leader's chest and broke the blade off within his body. Megatron howled in pain and fury, and the energon cubes around him began to react, rising to whirl around him and surround his body with their glow. The maddened Megatron seized one of the cubes and bit into it deeply, causing a huge energon explosion. As the light from the blast faded, Megatron stood restored, renewed and reformatted... now, he was Galvatron! {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}}

[[Image:Henkei9_galvatron_fires.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Cue the "oh slag" moment.]]

The hulking, slavering form of Galvatron immediately lunged for Optimus Prime, displaying a strength far greater than Megatron ever had when he punched Prime so hard that he shattered his [[mouthplate]]. Before Galvatron could destroy the fallen Prime, he was attacked from above by Starscream, but easily shrugged off the treacherous Air Commander's attacks. After seizing Starscream and slamming him into the rocks below, Galvatron unleashed the power of his cannon and apparently obliterated Starscream with a single colossal shot. This distraction gave Prime the time he needed to recover, but when he charged at Galvatron with his [[energon-axe]], Galvatron countered it with a dagger-like blade of energy projected from his hand. Next, Galvatron used his cannon to collapse a chunk of the cavern ceiling, hoping to crush Prime, but when Prime evaded the debris by transforming to truck mode, Galvatron shifted to tank mode and pursued him, blasting all the way. Eventually, Galvatron caught up to Prime and pinned him against a wall...by which stage, the other Autobots had arrived to back their leader up! {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}} At first, the combined might of the Autobots seemed to be a match for Galvatron, but with terrifying ease, the reformatted Emperor of Destruction tore through their ranks, defeating each and every one of them. His foes bested, Galvatron then turned his attention to the Autobots' ally [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]], a human born with the power to control [[Energon|energon]]. Wataru used his powers to create a forcefield to keep himself safe from Galvatron, and another threat soon appeared to occupy Galvatron's attention: Starscream was not quite defeated yet! His body broken and crippled, Starscream still pressed his attack against his former leader, and Wataru leant him a hand, providing a forcefield and boosted weapon power. Before being taken down, Starscream was able to hit Galvatron with one well-placed power-shot, re-opening the gash Optimus had originally torn in Megatron's shoulder with his energon sword. Seeing an opening, Optimus repeated the tactic, thrusting his sword into the wound and tearing Galvatron wide open. The resulted was a catastrophic release of energy from Galvatron's body, which caused the caves to collapse. The Autobots were able to escape to safety, but all the Decepticons were buried. {{storylink|Revenge (issue)|Revenge}}

[[Image:Henkei11_not_dead_yet.jpg|left|thumb|215px|Is that how you treat someone after the first date?!]]

Although badly damaged, Cyclonus was able to survive the cave-in, and recovered the apparently-deceased body of Galvatron. After bringing the "corpse" back to the Decepticons' underwater base, Cyclonus discovered that Galvatron was not yet dead when the twisted cadaver of his leader lurched back into life and seized him about the throat, howling Optimus Prime's name...

[[Image:Henkei12_galvatron_possession.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Now he's copying his [[Starscream (G1)|subordinate]]. And they say mimicry is the highest form of flattery.]]

A little later, the Autobots were shocked to discover Galvatron going on a ''very'' public rampage in the middle of [[Hoshinochō]], and were forced to abandon any hope of hiding their presence from the humans in order to stop him. Even more of a monster than before and still bleeding destructive energy from his wound, Galvatron tore through both the human military and Autobot ranks, resisting even Wataru's boosted attacks. When Galvatron dived for the boy, Optimus Prime threw himself into his enemy's path, and Galvatron's claws smashed their way clean through Prime's chest, knocking the Autobot leader out. Unexpectedly, the Autobots' salvation was revealed by Galvatron's actions: Optimus Prime's [[Matrix of Leadership]] now stood revealed within his shattered chest. Responding to Wataru's powers, the Matrix surged to life and restored Prime, who struck Galvatron with an enormously powerful blow. As the Decepticon reeled, the energy bleeding from him shifted, and the Autobots discovered they were not fighting Galvatron at all, but Cyclonus...possessed by Galvatron's [[spark]]! {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} 

[[Image:Henkei12_galvatron_lives.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Comes with power windows (not quite necessary), USB slot for the music collection (unless lacking a USB), adjustable seats with temperature settings (must have!), and the most important one: a cup holder for that wonderful (yet stolen) energon!]]

His true nature revealed, Galvatron unleashed the full extent of his bizarre powers, raking the cityscape with wild, unrestrained bolts of energy. Charging through the heart of the maelstrom, Prime summoned up the energy of the Matrix and struck Cyclonus's body with one almighty Matrix-powered punch. Cyclonus was atomized, and Galvatron's bodiless spirit flowed over Prime, dissipating into the ether.

The Autobots celebrated the apparent destruction of their eternal enemy, formally revealing themselves to the people of Earth and rounding up the remaining Decepticons hidden on the planet. Just as things seemed their brightest, Prime revealed the terrible truth: before disappearing, Galvatron's spark had revealed to him that he was not yet dead. In truth, before his rampage, Galvatron had his body placed in a small spaceship, which was then launched into space, on a course heading back to Cybertron. With a new group of Autobots appointed protectors of Earth, Prime and his team left the planet, hot on Galvatron's trail... {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}

===''Wings Universe''===
Following the rebirth of Cybertron's [[Golden Age]], Galvatron and Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] led their Decepticon forces away from Earth and Cybertron. They attacked Zarak's homeworld of [[Nebulos]] and many other planets in deep space, with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots in hot pursuit of them through the cosmos. By 2010, Galvatron had become aware of a new generation of 'Cons having arisen on Earth, and sent a small group of followers back to make contact with this [[Decepticon Syndicate]]. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

==Controversy over identity==
[[Image:MarvelUK-202.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Yeah, this'll ''really'' help with the whole insanity thing.]]
{{bigquote|Well, they were the same guy.|[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s thoughts on the subject|"[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"}}
As the above media summaries show, Galvatron has had wildly differing origins across numerous continuities.  Some of this was the result of Galvatron's "intended" identity, popularized in the 1986 movie, having not been known in advance by all the creators of all the international franchise branches at once.  However, other cases represent later creators deliberately starting from scratch.  Since the conceptual existence of multiple dimensional variants of Galvatron predates — by about 17 years — the development of multiple dimensions of Transformers storytelling within a [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|multiverse]], it can be especially hard to neatly separate all his appearances into "main" and "peripheral" storylines / personifications.        

Even when focusing strictly on Galvatron's most well-known incarnation — the G1 animated series — there has been considerable debate through the years.  Some fans believe Galvatron is a psychologically distinct and discontinuous entity from Megatron, almost, or equally, as much as [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], who demonstrate no continuity of memory or personality with their former Decepticon selves. This remains a topic of heated debate in some circles, in spite of a fairly unambiguous canon.

===Generation 1 cartoon===
In the Generation 1 cartoon continuity, Galvatron evidently still self-identifies as being the same person as Megatron, albeit with greater power and a new name. Although not seen to be making a point of revealing this former identity to his troops at large, Galvatron makes his sense of self clear when Starscream asks "Megatron? Is that you?" to which he replies, "Here's a hint", before obliterating him.<ref>Some fans claim the "Here's a hint" line is a point in favor of Galvatron ''not'' being Megatron, instead of the far more likely intended affirmation, since Megatron "would never kill Starscream". However most fans would probably agree that Starscream had simply never pissed off Megatron enough to actually kill him before. Or, more cynically, Starscream never pissed off Megatron [[Death|in a movie]] before.</ref>  Later in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' when Galvatron is poised to crush [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s neck, he boasts: "First Prime, then Ultra Magnus, and now you. It's a pity you Autobots die so easily, or I might have a sense of satisfaction now." Again, Galvatron is obviously speaking with no sense of discontinuity of identity or personality as he refers to past and current acts as both Megatron and Galvatron without qualification or distinction. Some might contrast this statement with his earlier line, "I, Galvatron, shall crush you, just as Megatron crushed Prime", interpreting that such a statement implies a disconnect from his former life.

Early story notes for the movie state that Galvatron is "''a deadlier version of Megatron. Less bluster, more ruthless action''". Further, in an early draft of the script, Galvatron reveals his "true" name—Megatron—to Hot Rod at the film's climax, with the implication that Megatron has merely been playing along with Ingestor's (the early version of Unicron) plans and has only pretended to be his willing servant, while in fact retaining his original identity and plans for conquest. The final version of the film leaves this a bit more ambiguous. Although, as noted, it seems fairly clear in the film that Megatron is playing the role of "Galvatron" that has been imposed upon him (even for his own troops) until such time as he can betray Unicron.

During season three, Galvatron makes little or no further references to his past life as Megatron. Upon meeting the resurrected Optimus Prime in "The Return of Optimus Prime", Galvatron behaves as though simply picking up where he left off with his old nemesis from his Megatron days, as does Prime, saying that he knows Galvatron "all too well". This indicates that the Autobot leader is capable of recognising his former adversary despite the change in name and appearance. Furthermore, in "Five Faces of Darkness", Astrotrain states that Megatron and Galvatron are "the same guy", implying that the other Decepticons (or, at the very least, Astrotrain) figured out what was going on or were simply always aware of Galvatron's identity.

Despite all that, a memorial of Megatron can be seen prominently in the [[Decepticon Crypt]] in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]", implying that the Decepticons who built it considered Megatron to be dead. This could possibly be explained by presuming the Decepticons built the marker before Galvatron returned and seized command, though their window of opportunity to do so was rather slim.

===Japanese fiction===
[[Image:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|I hope you enjoyed that shining wizard, Magnus, because it's a very long way down.]]
Early advertisements for the Galvatron toy presented the character as an altogether separate being from Megatron, and in some cases, even being Megatron's ''underling''. The second "[[Scramble City (diorama)|Scramble City]]" OVA was a remake of the original animated version, albeit including the Galvatron toy for promotion. Galvatron appears to fight his nemesis, Ultra Magnus, as Megatron barks orders from the background. This is likely due to Takara wishing to advertise the toy as quickly as possible, without full knowledge of the character's history. To maintain Galvatron's mystique, he was given the function of "City Commander", with no indication that he was an upgraded Megatron. Continuing this trend of unintentional disassociation, very early promotional artwork featured in ''[[TV Magazine]]'' and ''[[Comic Bom Bom]]'' also presented Galvatron as a separate character.

However, this era was very short-lived. In all official Japanese fiction, including the [[manga]] and the Japanese-exclusive cartoons, Galvatron is locked in as an upgrade of Megatron.  A [[retcon]] was created by writer [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] for [[E-Hobby]] in order to explain away the bizarreness of some of these early [[Story page|story pages]], detailing that the Galvatron seen there was actually a dimension-travelling [[Galvatron II]].

===Marvel Comics===
In the US and UK Marvel comics, the various time-hopping Galvatrons all demonstrate an awareness of having previously been Megatron with no strong indicators of a break in psychological identification. Indeed, at one point, a Galvatron says outright, "Like Megatron? No—I AM Megatron!" The closest that these Galvatrons come to identity crisis are incidents in which a time-displaced Galvatron is confronted by Megatrons (or copies thereof) and does battle with his former self. Although in these instances Galvatron experiences trains of thought that suggest he sees Megatron as a separate being and/or the source of his madness that needs to be destroyed, these are not the musings of a calm, rational mind. In these instances, Galvatron is in the grips of a psychotic episode, which he generally snaps out of by realising that he and his opponent are indeed the same person. 

However, things are complicated by many appearances by Megatron being retconned as a ''clone'' of Megatron. There was no hint the clone was a clone until "[[Two Megatrons!]]", so naturally "Megatron" and Galvatron were written as being past and future versions of themselves. Galvatron even remembers events that happened ''to the clone'', and the clone [[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire|goes on]] to plot his schemes under the knowledge that he will become Galvatron one day. The memories do not fit with Galvatron's known backstory ''at all''. ([http://www.tf.to2k.co.uk/fiction/whogalvatron.html One theory] is that ''this'' Galvatron wasn't the same one as in "Target: 2006" but a different one formed from the clone.)

A possible explanation for why (any version of) Galvatron retains psychological continuity with Megatron, while his fellow Unicron-creations do not, may be that [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], et al. were apparently already dead or in total stasis lock at the time of their reformatting, and thus it is widely speculated that only their bodies were used to create Cyclonus and company. Whether this indicates that they retained their life-essences—or sparks, if you adopt the popular [[retcon]]—and merely suffered total mind-wipes (either as the result of recent death or by Unicron's doing), or if Unicron actually infused their reformatted bodies with new life-forces is unknown. (On the other hand, none of the other Unicron-created Decepticons have faced their past selves or deeds the way Galvatron has.) Megatron, by comparison, was clearly alive and awake at the time of his reformatting and struck a bargain with Unicron for "a new body", a deal which implied that his mind would remain his own.

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
When the Decepticons captured some of the Autobots' greatest warriors, Galvatron and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] stood guard over [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] on Cybertron. They were defeated and their prisoners were rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and the other freed Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[image:TF PS2 Galvatron.jpg|thumb|250px]]
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jeff Manning]]

Galvatron appeared in a valley where the Autobots had detected an SOS signal. He materialized in front of the Autobots and mistakenly believed that the Rodimus Prime was among them. He berated Rodimus for thinking that he could vanish and get help from the Autobots of the current time period. He then realized his mistake and was momentarily startled by the sight of Optimus Prime before realizing that Optimus was not killed yet in this time period. He introduced himself to the Autobots and then contemplated aloud if he should say that is was nice to meet them before realizing that he already knew Optimus very well. Galvatron decided to fight Optimus, deciding that Rodimus was a worthless opponent, and warned Optimus that he would feel the power of the future Decepticons. He summoned his troops and charged the Autobot squad. The Autobots severely damaged Galvatron, but this only angered him. Galvatron transformed to his turret form and blasted the Autobots, disorientating them. Galvatron decided to use this chance to flee and commanded his forces to retreat. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
{{main|Galvatron (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Galvatron (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[Image:DiamondStickerbookGalvagun.jpg|thumb|250px|Why can't I see the sailboat???]]
* According to the 1986 [[Diamond]] ''Transformers: The Movie'' stickerbook, Galvatron transforms into "a Galvagun". The sentence describing this is phrased somewhat oddly, and seems to insinuate that a "Galvagun" is a kind of common object. Of course, it '''is''' just a stickerbook...

* Marvel UK artist [[Lee Sullivan]] based his rendition of Galvatron on actor Jack Nicholson!<ref>[http://leesullivanart.co.uk/LEE/transformers.htm Lee Sullivan Art]</ref>

* According to [[Teletraan II]]'s [[Secret Files of Teletraan II|secret files]], Galvatron was reformed from Megatron by Unicron in an attempt to bolster the Decepticon's strength and to lead the Decepticons into a new era. The fact that this information conflicts with the events as depicted in the movie may say something about the quality of the Autobots' intelligence regarding the Decepticon cause.

* A Galvatron [[Action Master]] was planned at one point, but apparently went no further than a concept sketch. It is only vaguely similar to Galvatron's normal appearance and may possibly have been a "powered up" Galvatron of some sort.

[[Image:Megalvatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This toy IS a time paradox.]]
* A triple changer was proposed which would switch between a very awkward Galvatron, Megatron, and a Walther P-38 handgun with added futuristic silencer and laser sight. It is notable that the strange "Reverse Megatron" design has a mild resemblance to the also unproduced Galvatron Action Master, especially in the chest design.

[[Image:Wrecking Havoc Galvatron is a tiny gun.jpg|200px|right|thumb|]]
* The Galvatron toy's gun mode's only fictional appearances were in the UK comics "[[Target: 2006]]" and "[[Wrecking Havoc]]", which featured it as a shrunken, human-scaled weapon, and a form that he assumed merely so that he could easily be conveyed by other parties, but never wielded as a weapon. It was also referenced in Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile of Galvatron, which [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] describes as a weapon "none are worthy to wield".

* Galvatron's toy's [[instructions|instruction sheet]] names the big orange weapon a "laser" which, according to the toy [[bio]], "emits chemically-produced, direct-current electricity". While this is a rather strange thing for a laser to do, it is a neat pun on his name. A ''[[Wikipedia:Galvanic cell|galvanic cell]]'', named after [[Wikipedia:Luigi Galvani|Luigi Galvani]], is a certain type of chemical voltage source. Though Galvatron's toy's batteries are not galvanic cells, they do produce DC electricity chemically, making his toy one of the more fiction-accurate in the Generation 1 line. 

* The UK comics generally referred to Galvatron's big orange weapon as a [[Particle cannon|particle (or particle-accelerator) cannon]], in comparison to Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. That seems to jibe with the DC-electricity laser description above. The 2008 ''Universe'' Galvatron toy has a "firing particle cannon" callout on the packaging, adding weight to that being the correct name of the weapon.

* In the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (manga)|''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga]], [[Makoto (FSRL)|Makoto]] has a transforming Galvatron [[Wrist-communicator|wristwatch]] that was first available in Japan during the 1980s. However, at the time of the story, Galvatron did not yet exist in-continuity. The circumstances behind this are best not thought about.

* When asked about Galvatron's design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "But about Galvatron, my inspiration for him are those 'stupid people'."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> ...Ooookay.

* Galvatron's design went through at least seven versions, with the final version being a simplified version of one depicting Galvatron as having mostly exposed mechanical components.<ref>[http://hometown.aol.com/kuest12/grp.html The Making of the Transformers Visual Universe: Galvatron, Rodimus Prime]</ref>

* Just as Megatron's fusion cannon was sometimes shown in commercials to have a handle, Galvatron's particle cannon had a trigger on at least one occasion (during "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]"). Galvatron apparently doesn't need to ''use'' the trigger; however, several times in season three, he behaved as if he was, holding his cannon with his fist vertically, rather than horizontally, while having one finger in front of the others... go figure.

* The brand director in 1989 who had to approve Transformers comics content, [[Vinnie D'Alleva]], was the victim of an April Fool's Day joke when he was given a story draft and cover layout featuring Galvatron "killing people and eating sheep!"  ...That seems pretty plausible, actually.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p2</ref>

* In the [[Toy Fair 1986|1986 Hasbro Pre-Toy Fair catalog]], Galvatron's orange cannon is colored dark (either black or a dark purple).

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Galvatron''' (ガルバトロン ''Garubatoron'')
*''Mandarin'' '''Jing Po Tian''' (China, 惊破天, "Sky-breaking Awe"), '''Jjīa Bó Wáng''' (Taiwan, 加博王, "King Galva")
*''Russian:'' '''Galvatron''' (Гальватрон ''Gal'vatron'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Zan Rás'''<ref>Used in early Spanish-dubbed episodes of ''The Headmasters'', this name seems based on/intended to be "[[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deszaras]]".</ref>

==External links==
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Galvatron Galvatron's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
* [http://www.tf.to2k.co.uk/fiction/whogalvatron.html ''Who Was Galvatron?'' at Transformers Omniverse]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Emperors]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]