Brain module

A brain module is a part of a Transformer's anatomy from the Marvel Comics and IDW portion of the continuity family.

Goldbug's brain module. Human hand and forceps included for scale.

A Transformer's mind and personalty is housed in its brain module. The brain module is the size of a pea and located in the Transformer's head. Transplanting the brain module into another piece of machinery effectively transfers the Transformer into a new body.

They give off a distinctive odor, which can be detected by Transformers with sensitive enough olfactory sensors.

Fiction

Generation 1

Marvel Comics continuity

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

Shockwave built brain modules for each of the Constructicons. The modules had to be infused with life by the creation matrix. These modules were of a rectangular design. The Next Best Thing to Being There!

The Throttlebots were in the custody of the Intelligence and Information Institute (I.I.I.) and scheduled for termination. One of I.I.I.'s agents, Walter Barnett, became convinced that not all Transformers were the same and that the Throttlebots were on the humans' side. In order to save them, he transferred their brain modules into toy cars and snuck out of I.I.I. headquarters with them. Goldbug and Barnett went to Witwicky Auto Repair to ask for Buster's help in getting to the Ark. After the Throttlebots' empty bodies were compacted, I.I.I. headquarters was attacked by the Predacons and Ratbat. Ratbat inspected the remains of the Trottlebots and noticed their brain modules were missing. He was able to track them by scent to Witwicky Auto Repair, but Buster already left with Barnett and the Throttlebots. They stopped at a mall to get batteries for the toy cars from a Radio Shed. Ratbat and the Predacons arrived and chased the cars through the mall. Buster escaped with Goldbug, leaving Barnett and the other Throttlebots behind. They traveled to the Ark, only to find it gone with only some leftover equipment. Buster used the equipment to radio for Autobot help. Ratbat revealed himself after stowing a ride inside Buster's portable stereo. Toy Soldiers! Fortress Maximus's Autobots received the message from Nebulos and decided to travel to Earth. Brothers in Armor!! When they arrived at the location of the Ark, they found Spike, who was looking for his brother, and Goldbug, who was still a toy car. Goldbug was able to communicate by faint radio signals. Trial by Fire! Barnett revealed that after Buster left the mall with Goldbug, the Predacons broke off their pursuit. Barnett then took the remaining Throttlebots to an aircraft carrier where I.I.I. was monitoring the Decepticons on their desert island.

Brainstorm and Highbrow rebuilt Goldbug's body aboard the Steelhaven and installed his brain module. Pretender to the Throne! Optimus Prime rebuilt the Throttlebots into stronger bodies. Dark Star

Ultra Magnus, Fizzle, Guzzle, Sizzle, and their prisoner Flywheels were attacked by zombies in Kalis. Ultra Magnus theorized that without brain modules, the dormant circuitry of the deceased Transformers were being controlled by a strong computer signal. He was proven right when they were able to jam the signal and the "zombies" went dormant. City of Fear! One of the zombies was the body of Impactor, who was able to regain some sense of himself despite not having a functioning brain module. Legion of the Lost! Meltdown! Perhaps he had some residual programming on secondary hard drives. Or something.

IDW continuity

When the unstable Decepticon Phase Sixer Overlord took over the Garrus 9 facility, a number of Decepticons (including the Predators) wound up effectively trapped along with the surviving Autobots. Eventually, one of them (the Predator Stalker) became so sickened by Overlord's 'games' that he helped the former Wrecker commander Impactor to escape. He later attempted to assist the Wreckers when they arrived, but was mortally wounded. Impactor listened to his last words, then finished him off by crushing his brain module. Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4