Zigzag

The name or term "Zigzag" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Zigzag (disambiguation).

Zigzag is a Decepticon-allied Nebulan Targetmaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Who cares if I turn into a gun? I have a BIG KNIFE.

Zigzag (aka Zputty) is a Nebulan hovercraft mechanic whose incompetence left vehicles in worse shape than when he started on them, making him the object of derision among his co-workers. He joined the Decepticons in order to get revenge on his tormentors. Now partnered with Sunbeam and the Decepticon Needlenose, he's still the object of ridicule, but at least now he has something more convincing as a retort than just profanity.

Zigzag's nature varies. In some universes he's an organic Nebulan; in others he's a robotic Cybertronian.

Fiction

Classics

Needlenose (apparently) became a Targetmaster at some point and carried Zigzag into the fight with Nightbeat and his allies as part of the Mayhem Attack Squad. Cheap Shots

TransTech

Zigzag, a Cyberdroid from his home reality's planet Master, was an assistant to Needlenose in Axiom Nexus. Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/19

Commercial appearances

Needlenose wielded both Zigzag and Sunbeam in a battle against the three Autobot Double Targetmasters, firing them both wildly in their gun modes while chasing down his targets. Double Targetmasters commercial

Toys

The Transformers

Puzzler? Never heard of him.

• Needlenose (Targetmaster, 1988)

Part of the fifth year of The Transformers product, Zigzag transforms into a "twin elecrtostatic overloader rifle" in basically one and a half steps. As a Targetmaster, his handle is a 5 mm post, making him compatible with a lot of toys throughout the entire franchise. His base also features a 5mm post-hole, nominally used to combine him with his pack-in partner Sunbeam to form a super-rifle.

Zigzag and Sunbeam were only available with the Decepticon Targetmaster Needlenose in 1988. No version of this character or mold was released in Japan.

• More information on Zigzag at TFU.info

Combiner Wars

Have no fear! Zigzag the Grand Vizier is here!

• Needlenose (TFSS 4.0, 2016)

Combiner Wars "Zputty" (likely renamed for trademark reasons) is a redeco of Generations: Thrilling 30 Holepunch, transforming into a double-barreled blaster. He also has the ability to combine with the included Sunbeam toy to form a super-rifle, with either one forming the "front" part.

He was only available as an accessory with Needlenose, the first figure released in the Figure Subscription Service 4.0.

This mold was also used to make Timelines Cline, and Combiner Wars Shrute.

Legacy

• Needlenose (Deluxe Class, 2023)

• Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro), Ittoku Kuwazu (TakaraTomy)

Included with Legacy: Evolution Needlenose, Zigzag has no articulation and functions just like his original figure. He can transform into a blaster for Needlenose to wield, and can also combine with Sunbeam to form a larger blaster.

Notes

• According to Needlenose's Universe profile, "Zigzag" is a code name he chose for himself.
• Zigzag's Fun Publications Combiner Wars name, Zputty, is based on David Puddy, a mechanic from Seinfeld played by Patrick Warburton.