Aggressive depigmentation

50 Shades of Thunderclash

Aggressive depigmentation refers to the loss of colour that occurs in the sentio metallico of a Cybertronian after suffering traumatic damage or losing one's natural Spark. In some instances, the natural color of a Transformer will fade, leaving the body various shades of gray.

Fiction

2005 IDW continuity

Aggressive depigmentation set in almost instantly after a Spark expired. Rage, Rage Sardines

During World War II, Centurion slew "Shockwave", the latter's corpse turning grey upon his demise. Strange Visitors

After the initial Expansion, Nemesis Prime's body turned grey upon his essence returning to the Dead Universe. Black Planet Topspin's body underwent aggressive depigmentation after he voluntarily sacrificed his Spark to unlock Aequitas. Last Stand of the Wreckers #4

A NAIL protester who transformed himself to death demonstrated both aggressive depigmentation and rigor morphis. How to Say Goodbye and Mean It Aggressive depigmentation could sometimes set in prior to death; when fatally wounded by an infestation of personality ticks, a dying Thunderclash was drained of colour and also succumbed to rigor morphis until the ticks were defeated, restoring his health and palette. The Frail Gaze

Skids's body lost its colours upon his demise. Rage, Rage

While travelling back to the Lost Light aboard Skip, Ratchet inexplicably succumbed to aggressive depigmentation despite being alive. Sardines It was later revealed however that, as part of their master plan, the Omega Guardians were slowly teleporting Ratchet to make it seem as though he was dying. The Unremembering

While not all deceased Transformers necessarily experienced aggressive depigmentation on death, those Cybertronians exposed to the corrosive effects of magic were more prone to displaying the condition. Both Centurion Ghost in the Machine and Kup depigmented after death, while Breakdown's arm experienced similar effects immediately after coming into contact with magical energy. Schismatic Wheeljack's analysis of magic however allowed him to devise a counter-frequency that returned Breakdown's arm to normal. Temporarily at least. Desperate Measures

After being at ground zero in an explosion, Alpha Trion perished, his corpse succumbing to aggressive depigmentation. Another Mine

When Scorponok had been slain by the Grand Architect, Farsickness his corpse experienced a notable, though not total, desaturation of its colours. The Return of the King

Trivia

• Aggressive depigmentation is, of course, a fancy name for the long tradition of Transformers turning grey upon death.