Mainframe (G1): Difference between revisions
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**''Accessories'': "Vibro Pulverizer" rifle, Push-Button partner | **''Accessories'': "Vibro Pulverizer" rifle, Push-Button partner | ||
:As an [[Action Master]], Mainframe is a non-transforming action figure of a robot with an indeterminate [[alternate mode]]. Before being exposed to Nucleon, Mainframe probably transformed into a camera. This would explain the flashbulb on his head, the lens | :As an [[Action Master]], Mainframe is a non-transforming action figure of a robot with an indeterminate [[alternate mode]]. Before being exposed to Nucleon, Mainframe probably transformed into a camera. This would explain the flashbulb on his head, the lens in his chest, the film compartment on his back, the grips near his knees and the buttons on his ankles. Another theory is that he transforms into one of those huge computers you see in those movies from the 70's and 80's. (You know, the ones the size of refrigerators with reel-to-reel magnetic tapes.) He is compatible with any Action Master vehicle or weapon. He was part of the second assortment of basic carded figures, and came with his [[Action Master partner|partner]]-robot [[Push-Button]]. | ||
:Note that his weapon bears a strong resemblance to the machine guns from the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G. I. Joe]] [http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/89/arcticblast/ Arctic Blast] vehicle. | :Note that his weapon bears a strong resemblance to the machine guns from the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G. I. Joe]] [http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/89/arcticblast/ Arctic Blast] vehicle. | ||
Revision as of 05:06, 25 October 2019
| The name or term "Mainframe" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Mainframe (disambiguation). |
- Mainframe is an Autobot Action Master from the Generation 1 continuity family.
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Mainframe is a dork. A computer dork, to be precise. (Both in that he is a computer that is a dork, and a dork about computers.) He'd rather tackle complex mathematical problems than join the inconvenient galactic conflict with the Decepticons. Despite his distaste for combat, he won't shirk his duties when called upon. If anything, he hopes that if he simply must fight, that he'll have the chance to use his considerable brainpower to end things quickly.
Alas, his partner, Push-Button, would rather convert to a piston rifle and blow stuff up than be stuck debugging Mainframe's programs. Naturally, the two don't especially get along.
Fiction
2005 IDW continuity
- First appearance: Transformers vol. 1 #28
At some point in history, Rewind acquired footage of Mainframe. The Gloaming
Mainframe was one of the survivors of the Kimia Facility massacre. He got away aboard an escape pod piloted by Chromedome and Brainstorm. Kings The pod was picked up by Arcee, who told the survivors of D-Void's plan to destroy the universe and brought them all to Cybertron to stop it. Genesis
When the Lost Light departed for unknown space to search for the Knights of Cybertron, Mainframe was part of the bridge crew. How to Say Goodbye and Mean It He was present among the assembled Autobots after their tumble through quantum space as Rodimus addressed the troops. Hangers On
When crew member Ultra Magnus left on a stolen shuttle, Mainframe helped track it down. The Fecund Moon They followed Magnus to Luna 1, where the ship was invaded by Chief Justice Tyrest's Legislators and the crew subdued. The Divided Self Having been constructed cold, Mainframe was among those nearly killed by Tyrest's universal killswitch. Arm the Lonely
Mainframe piloted the Lost Light into the right position for launching Rodimus, Orion Pax, and others through a portal to the Dead Universe. Black Metal In search for Metroplex he then navigated the ship to a watery planet Winners & Losers where they were attacked by a lot of Ammonites. 2026[1] of them, according to Mainframe's estimation. Into the Abyss After finding Metroplex, the crew used the Titan's space bridge to teleport him and the Lost Light back to Cybertron, where Mainframe lost control of the ship and crash-landed. Finis Temporis Cybertron was subsequently invaded by another army of Ammonites, forcing Mainframe to get the ship airborne and away from the attackers. Black Planet His contribution to the battle was contacting Chromia before the Lost Light rammed Monstructor, telling her to clean up the remains in a flowery, dramatic fashion too vague for her to understand. ...And the Damage Done
Once Cybertron was saved, Mainframe went for drinks in Swerve's where he was approached by Getaway and Atomizer, who asked him here he would stand if they were to stage a coup against Rodimus. No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases He then continued to serve on the Lost Light as it returned to its journey with a new captain: a reformed Megatron. Towards Peace He helped a plastered Jackpot to the medbay, running into Tailgate on the way. Words Hang in the Air
Mainframe was also a member of the crew on a quantum duplicate version of the Lost Light. Then the Decepticon Justice Division showed up, and Mainframe had his head torn off. slaughterhouse His corpse presumably vanished with the rest of his Lost Light when the main Lost Light crew shut down the duplicate ship's quantum engines. The Road Not Taken
While the Lost Light was disappearing piece by piece, Mainframe was seen evacuating the ship alongside Jackpot. Predestination: A Beginner's Guide After the Lost Light reappeared, Mainframe along with Bluestreak, First Aid, and Trailcutter landed on Ofsted XVII while awaiting further orders from Rodimus. Mainframe explained to Bluestreak who was curious that the planet was experiencing a lot of warp gates appearing after a massive battle between Black Block Consortia and the Galactic Council with a few mechs over a ravaged ship in orbit. After First Aid called Bluestreak from a lecture theater, he and Mainframe went to meet up with him. They discovered a fatally wounded Cybertronian lying around in the wrecked room. Mainframe and Bluestreak decided to find out if the Cybertronian was an Autobot or Decepticon. After First Aid and Trailcutter returned with medical supplies, First Aid became furious with Mainframe and Bluestreak for moving the injured bot, giving him less time to live. Mainframe became unsure of donating some of his fuel when he mentioned the risks of donating too much energon. Next, Mainframe found a translator lying around and activated it. However, Bluestreak discovered the Cybertronian's face and discovered that with a switch on it, releasing spikes. Mainframe was now convinced that the injured bot wasn't an Autobot, and he and Bluestreak back out from donating their fuel and left the lecture theater. After the bot was revealed to the Vos, a member of the D.J.D. and attacked Trailcutter, First Aid went to go find Mainframe and Bluestreak to help. Mainframe was present when the three bots discovered that Kaon had murdered Trailcutter, and watched helplessly as Kaon crushed Trailcutter's brain module. Births, Deaths, and Interventions Afterwards, Mainframe and the others were nearly killed by the D.J.D. after they tried to blow up their shuttle and was soon rescued. The Custom-Made Now
Shortly after Thunderclash's pre-wake and recovery from near-death, Mainframe was called to Swerve's by Getaway and Atomizer and asked if he would stand by the two in a mutiny against Megatron with the lonely navigator eventually agreeing. Filling in the Blanks
Mainframe acted as shuttle pilot for Rodimus and the crew when they located the Necrobot's port-of-call. In trying to decide whether to approach by stealth or storm, Mainframe found Rodimus's sarcasm and flippancy indecipherable, as do we all from time to time. The Not Knowing
When certain members of the crew were psychically attacked, Mainframe and Blaster traced the source to Necroworld but concealed the location from Team Rodimus so as to bait them off-ship. As Rodimus, Magnus, Megatron and the affected crewmembers prepared to leave in the Rodpod to investigate, Mainframe took the team's doctor Velocity aside and suggested that she should take Whirl along as some extra muscle. Once the crew had liberated Getaway, Mainframe stood alongside him on the ship's bridge as he informed Rodimus that they were being stranded on the Necrobot's planet and to expect "visitors". The shocked bridge crew demanded Getaway explain himself who revealed he'd bargained with the Galactic Council to have them seize Megatron but assured the safety of their fellow Autobots. Three weeks later, the bridge crew discussed the Warren and the map to Cyberutopia before a transmission came in from Rodimus informing the crew that he and his entourage were facing the Decepticon Justice Division prompting Mainframe to despair at his role in the mutiny. Like all aboard, Mainframe's memories were remotely altered by Sunder so as to make him think Team Rodimus had left of their own volition and that Getaway was the bee's knees. How Bright Their Frail Deeds Filling in the Blanks
"...He was a zombie?"
When the Protectobots finally caught up to the ship, Mainframe was in "Visages" where he joined a group in catching up First Aid on the changes aboard ship. Full Circle After a trip through the Warren, Mainframe cycled the engines into their recharge state. He was shocked when Blaster ordered a detour, noting how close they were to their goal. Another jump through the Warren took the ship directly to Cyberutopia. Journey's End
The promised land however turned out to be nothing more than the ancient medical moon of Mederi, fuelled by telepathic aliens. Soon after arriving the Lost Light came under assault by the forces of the Grand Architect whom Getaway swore fealty to, allowing Scorponok to turn the crew into sparkeaters to prove his loyalty. Lūstrāre The mutated crew members were then set loose on Team Rodimus and the Scavengers, You Are Here where Mainframe was unceremoniously hacked to pieces by Grimlock. A Dance Before Dying
Classics
Mainframe was overlooking the Ironworks with Rad when Overlord attacked the base with his squad of Decepticons. Invasion Prologue He argued with Rollout while rebuilding Ironworks. When the Junkions attacked, he was captured and turned into one. Invasion
IDW Beast Wars comics
At the tail-end of the Great War, Mainframe was sent out to accompany Tigatron in an attempt to broker peace-talks between the Autobots and Decepticons, hoping to end the war without further carnage. Unfortunately, the first enemy camp they approached was headed by the renegade soldier Megatron, who sicced Predaking on them. Mainframe fled before the gestalt could cut him down. Dawn of the Predacus
Of Masters and Mayhem
Mainframe was one of the many casualties of Toxitron's attack on the Ark's launch facility. The Toxic Transformer
Toys
Generation 1
- Mainframe (Action Master, 1990)
- Accessories: "Vibro Pulverizer" rifle, Push-Button partner
- As an Action Master, Mainframe is a non-transforming action figure of a robot with an indeterminate alternate mode. Before being exposed to Nucleon, Mainframe probably transformed into a camera. This would explain the flashbulb on his head, the lens in his chest, the film compartment on his back, the grips near his knees and the buttons on his ankles. Another theory is that he transforms into one of those huge computers you see in those movies from the 70's and 80's. (You know, the ones the size of refrigerators with reel-to-reel magnetic tapes.) He is compatible with any Action Master vehicle or weapon. He was part of the second assortment of basic carded figures, and came with his partner-robot Push-Button.
- Note that his weapon bears a strong resemblance to the machine guns from the G. I. Joe Arctic Blast vehicle.
Notes
- According to his Tech Specs, he is equipped to store 200,000 megabytes of data. At the time his toy was released, this was actually pretty impressive, as most hard drives then could barely hold 1,000 MB. Nowadays, of course, this is not exactly a big deal, since you can get a 4 terabyte (4,000,000 MB) portable USB drive for a little over $100.
- Mainframe is inexplicably on the cover of the 1990 Family Home Entertainment VHS release of the "Five Faces of Darkness" mini-series... a cartoon produced about four years before Mainframe's toy was released.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Mainframe (メインフレーム Meinfurēmu)
- French: Ordinateur (Canada)
- Italian: Omicron
References
- ↑ The Ammonites' number was changed to 819 in the Hasbro exclusive cover variant of the issue available with the Transformers: Generations Deluxe Class Mini-Con Assault Team.
