Flak (G1)

Flak is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family.

MUST...TURN...DOORKNOB!

Flak is the deep thinker of the Autobot Battle Patrol. A tactical expert, he has single-handedly crafted an enormous "playbook" of maneuvers and scenarios for the Patrol to use whenever in the field and, at Big Shot's discretion, instituted a rigorous training schedule to make sure the entire team is constantly up to date on all his latest plans. Flak is meticulous, some would say downright anal, in his planning, but only because he feels he has to be. Flak respects Big Shot's authority and decisiveness under fire, but recognizes that his commander's lack of lateral thinking can potentially get their Patrol into trouble. Because of this, Flak has taken on the burden of responsibility in making sure Big Shot's military precision always has a military strategy to back it up.

Japanese name: Powerbomb

French-Canadian name: Rafale

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.

Flak and the Battle Patrol were given the mission to break into a secure Decepticon complex by their commander, Emirate Xaaron, in order to learn of a new "secret weapon". To his credit, Flak DID ask the Decepticon nicely to step out of the way...before transforming and unleashing his full missile firepower on the hapless 'Con. The joke was ultimately on the Micros, however, as it turned out the secret weapon was them. Lord Thunderwing had leaked word of the new weapon in order to lure some Autobot Micromasters into his web and use their bodies to reverse-engineer the technology for the Decepticon cause. Flak and his teammates fought back bravely, but were ultimately captured. They were dissected by Thunderwing's scientists and, although Roadhandler and the other Micros managed to free them, the Micromaster technology was in fact reproduced by the Decepticons. A Small War!

Marvel UK future timelines

Flak and Sunrunner were among the Autobots under Rodimus Prime's command when he returned to the future after the Time Wars. Unfortunately, despite Galvatron's death in the timestorm in 1989, the timeline had rebooted itself so that Galvatron still existed in the present of 2009. While trying to rekindle an Autobot resistance movement on Cybertron, Flak and Sunrunner were caught by Galvatron and the Triggercons along with Rodimus, Kup and Arcee. As Rodimus Prime fought back against Galvatron, Flak and the others disabled the Triggercons, and the Autobots fled for safety. Aspects of Evil! The full Battle Patrol were among the 400+ Autobots who escaped to Earth with Rodimus. The Void!

Flak was drawn as a full-size Transformer during "Aspects of Evil!". By the time of their journey to Earth in "The Void!", he was rendered at his correct size by a different artist.

Zone OVA, manga and story pages

Zone version of the Battle Patrol.

When Victory Saber initiated the "Zone Project", the Battle Patrol helped rebuild planet Micro into planet Zone. To counter this threat, Violen Jiger began conquering planets in order to create his own Decepticon Zone. The Race Car Patrol and all other Micromaster teams were then sent on patrol across the galaxy, specifically to planets where their unique skills could do the most good. Zone Part 1

When Bruticus attacked the planet Feminia, the Battle Patrol were among several units of Micromasters deployed to stop him. Through teamwork, they proved triumphant. Zone Part 2

During the attack of the Nine Great Demon Generals on the Planet Zone Base, Flak (or rather, his Japanese incarnation, Powerbomb) could be seen firing his missiles at Abominus, who effortlessly fended them off with his shield, continuing his rampage. Despite Flak’s effort, the Demon Generals succeeded in capturing the Energon Z energy source. As they retreated, Flak and his fellow comrades of the Battle Team Patrol boarded Moonradar’s rocket to pursue them to Earth. There, the Battle Team Patrol, among other Microtransformers, faced off against Trypticon and Predaking, only to find themselves again at the receiving end of the beating. Luckily, Sonic Bomber and Dai Atlas arrived just in time and saved the day.

Later on, Powerbomb could be seen amongst the crowd cheering and applauding the newly appointed Autobot Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas. Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas! Transformers: Zone

When the Powered Masters flew off to the Tenth Planet for their showdown with Violen Jiger, all the Micromaster teams took command of Zone and vowed to keep it safe in their Commander's absence. Zone Part 10

In Japan, the "Micro Transformers" were uniformly depicted as precocious and childlike, with virtually no attention paid to individual personalities save a very select few characters.

Dreamwave comics continuity

Flak was a member of the Battle Patrol under Big Shot's command, but wasn't nearly as loudmouthed as his comrades, Sidetrack and Sunrunner. Destined for Nothing He and Big Shot were guarding the entrance to Autobase at one point, while their fellow Patrol-mechs were shooing the Hot Rod Patrol away at another gate. Recipe for Hate

Wings of Honor

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Toys

Generation 1

File:G1 Flak toy.jpg

One small step for bot, one giant launch for botkind.

• Battle Patrol (Micromaster Patrol, 1989)

Flak transforms into a self-propelled, artillery multiple rocket system of undetermined model. The missile battery, being his legs, can pivot up and down due to his transformation jointing, but cannot rotate.

He was only available as part of the Battle Patrol, along with his teammates Big Shot, Sidetrack and Sunrunner.

• More information on Flak at TFU.info

Zone

• Battle Patrol Team (Micro Transformer team, 1990)
  • Japanese ID number: C-332

"Powerbomb" was redecoed for his Takara release, predominantly blue with white robot-mode bits. As with the Hasbro version, he was only available in a complete set with his teammates.

Early versions of the entire Team also used yellow plastic instead of the medium-gray, giving Flak some very bright treads indeed. Later versions corrected this, and the yellow-plastic versions go for considerably more on the secondary market.

Return of Convoy

• Battle Patrol Team (Micro Trailer team, 1991)
  • Japanese ID number: C-374
  • Accessories: Micro Trailer #11

The "corrected-color" version of the Battle Patrol Team was re-released in Return of Convoy with no alterations. It did come with an extra: Micro Trailer #11.

Timelines

It's Johnny, the tackling Alzheimer's patient! "Who am I!" *crash*

• Wings of Honor (multipack, 2009)
  • Accessories: 2 missiles, gun, key

A retool of Cybertron Defense Scattorshot with a brand-new head sculpt based on the head of the original Flak, Timelines Flak transforms into a TOS-1 Buratino multiple-launch rocket system. The halves of the (non-firing) launcher end up on his arms in robot mode. In either mode, inserting a Cyber Planet Key in each half reveals a new weapon: one side has a pull-out double spring-loaded missile launcher, while the other has a flip-out non-firing blaster barrel. He also comes with an extra long hand-held rifle that can be mounted in tank mode thanks to his Mini-Con-compatible Powerlinx plugs.

He comes in the BotCon 2009 "Wings of Honor" box set along with Kup, Landshark, Thunder Clash, and a Decepticon foe, Scourge. Whether this toy is meant to be a new toy of or merely an homage to the original Flak depends on which Fun Publications spokesperson you hear from. (There likely would have been no ambiguity if the Universe Overload toy hadn't come out in near-exact Flak colors, an unfortunate coincidence that required BotCon Flak to have different colors entirely.) So until all that is sorted out for sure, this toy's entry will have fun over here on original Flak's page.

The original version of this mold was also used to make Universe Dropshot and Overload.