Mini-spy

This article is about the good and evil spies from Generation 1. For the evil informant from "Shattered Glass", see Mini Spy (SG).

Mini-spies are multi-factional Transformers from the Generation 1 continuity family.

"RUB MY BONNET!"

Mini-spies are very small Transformers, used by either faction as, well, spies. They are especially suited to this because their faction symbols are not visible without vigorous rubbing.

Fiction

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Use heat to reveal faction symbol.

When planetary society on Cybertron descended into all-consuming warfare, there were a good number of smaller Transformers who were, by their size and nature, simply not cut out to be warriors. Instead, these little robots were swept up into medical, administrative and especially espionage functions. Their proliferation in that role in particular led this smaller, simpler class of Transformer to be referred to mockingly as "Mini-spies" by their larger counterparts. Mini-spies are naturally unassuming and clever at disguising their factions, making them perfect spies for either side.

Their more sinister uses aside, it's the Mini-spies who keep Cybertron and what's left of its society running while the bigger Transformers run around blowing scrap up. More than Meets the Eye #4

Skywarp and Thundercracker received care from three Mini-spies when they relaxed in their baths. Brothers' Burden The Mini-spies were with them too when they tried to close the entrance to Shockwave's Tower to keep Optimus Prime out. It failed; Optimus Prime may or may not have killed them. Countdown to Extinction

When the Battlechargers infiltrated Shockwave's secret laboratory, Runamuck killed a Mini-spy with his friction rifle. Night of the Combaticons

Commercial appearances

"Congratulations, Cliffjumper. It's a Decepticon!"

A Mini-spy once blithely drove into Autobot Headquarters and began messing around with Teletraan I. Huffer and Cliffjumper rubbed the little robot's rubsign, revealing that he was a Decepticon. The spy fled, with the two Autobots in pursuit. Mini-spies commercial

Toys

Generation 1

File:Mini-spy toys.jpg

The Blue 'Bot Group

• Mini-spy (1985)

Mini-spy toys came packaged with Mini Vehicles in early 1985. Mini-spies were the first toys to debut with rubsigns, and the only way to determine whether a given Mini-spy toy was an Autobot or Decepticon was by rubbing the rubsign. They also use a pull-back motor to zip along smooth surfaces. They're just packed with gimmicky goodness.

There were four different Mini-spy molds, known by the unofficial names 4WD Type (or Jeep Type), Buggy Type, FX-1 Type (based on the Toyota FX-1 concept car), and Porsche Type (based on the Porsche 928). Each was available in blue, white or yellow plastic, and as either an Autobot or Decepticon, making for a total of 24 different combinations. Not only that, but each mold has a variation in its pull-back assembly: the seemingly more common version has an angled motor casing with 8-spoke rear hubcaps, while the other has a rounded casing with a much more complicated hubcap pattern (see comparison here). That's a whopping 48 Mini-spy variations!

The pre-Transformers versions of the Mini-spies were part of a Takara toyline called Mecha Warriors (メカ戦士, meka senshi), and came in blue and red variations.

Notes

• The FX-1 type is commonly called Mazda Type by fans, in spite of being based on an old Toyota concept car, right down to the FX-1 marking on the front grille. This is due in equal parts to the fact that the FX-1 is an incredibly obscure car, and that the FX-1 marking is so small, it's very easy to misinterpret it as saying "RX-7" instead.

External links

• Mini-spies at TFU.info
• Foul mouthed but admirably thorough overview of the Mini-spy concept @ X-entertainment.com