Laserbeak (G1)

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

This article is a featured article, and considered to be one of the most informative on this wiki.

Laserbeak is a Decepticon Mini-Cassette and a Predacon from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Recognizable as the one who does not cannon-blast Omega Supreme.

Laserbeak is not usually found on the front lines of battle. His chosen role is that of the spy, lurking in unseen corners and inconspicuous perches, snatching up any useful information he can to relay to his superiors. He has also been known to serve as an interrogator, using his lasers to carve up helpless prisoners to extract anything and everything they know. On occasion he's even played the role of assassin, striking quickly at unsuspecting (and particularly vulnerable) targets, and vanishing in a flash in the chaos following the attack.

He much prefers this "hide and sneak" tactic, as to his core, Laserbeak is a coward. Should his weapon's energy reserves start running dry, he starts running for the hills. A sufficiently big threat will also send him screaming off for the horizon at top speed. His self-preservation habit even dictates his attitude towards Decepticon leadership power-shifts: he basically allies himself with whoever's in charge at the moment, a loyalty that can vanish almost instantly once the reins of power change.

“	Lens-headed sneak!	”
—Starscream, The Transformers

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Generation 1

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

Laserbeak can talk, but he just prefers to avoid moments like these.

Four million years ago, Megatron and a group of Decepticons (which included Laserbeak) attempted to hijack the Ark, only to fail and fall into deactivation sleep for four million years. In 1984, the detonation of the volcano, Mount St. Hilary, reactivated the Autobots and Decepticons, unleashing their war on Earth. Laserbeak was sent to spy on the Autobots, and located a group of them during an outing to a drive-in movie theater. With this information, the Decepticons attacked. The Transformers Soon after, Laserbeak participated in a raid on Harrison Nuclear Power Plant and helped use their bounty to build a new headquarters atop a cliffside. After construction's completion, Megatron learned of the location of a human who could help the Decepticons convert Earth fuel to a form they could consume, and their leader sent Laserbeak and the others to S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service to retrieve him. However, the Autobots were waiting for them and Optimus Prime easily repelled Laserbeak's attacks. Power Play! Laserbeak returned with the Decepticons to their headquarters with their target, Sparkplug Witwicky. Prisoner of War!

Pride comes before a fowl.

It was discovered that after the Autobots crash-landed on Earth, a rescue ship was sent after them which was buried somewhere in England. Laserbeak was among the Decepticons who flocked to the ship in an effort to seize it, but he was fired upon by an Ark shuttlecraft cannon and ultimately fled with his peers. Man of Iron

After Starscream betrayed Ravage, Laserbeak was among the Decepticons who Megatron assembled to take the traitor down. The Enemy Within! Later, Megatron staged a full-scale assault on the crashlanded Ark. After boasting loudly, Laserbeak was the first casualty, having been blown to bits by Optimus Prime. Raiders of the Last Ark

The Decepticons' captive, Sparkplug Witwicky, succeeded in converting Earth fuel into a digestible form for the Decepticons, and with Megatron's forces fully charged, they attacked the Ark once again. Laserbeak and Buzzsaw were the first to burst through the Ark's hull, but Laserbeak's glory was shortlived. Mirage duped him with a visual trick, and the condor fled in fear. Laserbeak was not seen for the duration of the battle. The Last Stand Despite Sparkplug Witwicky's assistance, he'd secretly poisoned the Decepticons' converted fuel, resulting in a coup by Shockwave who nursed the fallen Decepticons back to health and subjugated Megatron. Either Laserbeak or Buzzsaw was present during this time.The Worse of Two Evils!

Laserbeak is Soundwave's bitch.

During Shockwave's rule, the new Decepticon leader sent Soundwave (with Laserbeak stowed) to infiltrate Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One, where they were carried inside in cassette deck mode by plant workers Ferdy and Gabe. Once inside, the two quickly besieged the plant's controls and enslaved its workers. Warrior School! Laserbeak served many functions during the Decepticons' occupation of this plant, such as squawking, heating up the workers' pizzas, and delivering recorded messages to the human military poised outside. Brainstorm! Laserbeak later accompanied Soundwave and a few of the other cassette-tape Decepticons to aid their impostor Optimus Prime's ambush of the Autobots, though all of them were easily defeated once the real Optimus Prime was restored. Prime Time!

Bumblebee, who was chasing an escaped Ravage, was surrounded by Decepticons in the wilderness. Laserbeak brought the Autobots a memento of their captured friend... an arm! The condor teased the shocked Autobots, telling them that if they wanted the rest of their friend, they knew where to find him. Sensing that there was a trap set for the Autobots, Optimus Prime insisted on springing Bumblebee on his own. Optimus traveled to the Decepticons' hideout, punched Laserbeak in the jaw, and freed Bumblebee. Crisis of Command! During the Dinobot Hunt, Laserbeak was charged with watching the progress of the Autobots as they tried to subdue Snarl and Slag. He was ordered to not engage his enemies, and after a skirmish he was buried under some rubble. Acting commander Soundwave eventually uncovered him. Dinobot Hunt!

Autobots pass the Matrix, Decepticons pass the Laserbeak.

Unlike the Decepticon Planes, Soundwave, Laserbeak, and the other animal cassettes remained more loyal to Megatron than to Shockwave, and so when the former Decepticon leader was discovered in a coal mine, they arrived swiftly to refuel and reclaim him. I, Robot-Master! One of Megatron's first acts upon returning to the Decepticons was to send Laserbeak and Buzzsaw to retrieve Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp. However, he got an irritating surprise when Shockwave decided to accompany the jets. The Bridge to Nowhere! Soon, Megatron attacked the Ark while seemingly all of the Autobots were attacking the Decepticon base, and he took the Seekers and all of the cassette Decepticons (minus Ravage) with him. Unfortunately, the Ark was now defended by the newly-built Omega Supreme. All of the attacking Decepticons except for Laserbeak and Megatron were obliterated, and it was only thanks to the wounded Laserbeak that he and the Decepticon leader escaped with their lives. When they returned to the Decepticon base, Laserbeak perched not on Megatron's shoulder, but Shockwave's, silently acknowledging their true leader. Shockwave rebuked Megatron for his poor command, but Megatron surprised him with a rationalization for his actions. As Shockwave again submitted to Megatron's leadership, Laserbeak exchanged perching positions, signifying the transfer of command. Command Performances!

Laserbeak's job was a lot easier back before the Internet.

Journalist Joy Meadows was gathering evidence that the purported supervillain Robot-Master was in fact a fraud initiated by the United States government, but Laserbeak compiled all her evidence and destroyed it. In the National Interest When Galvatron traveled back in time and defeated Megatron it was once again Laserbeak who signified the transfer of Decepticon command in this manner. After Galvatron returned to the future Laserbeak promptly dug Megatron out from under the ruins of Galvatron's weapon and perched on the restored Decepticon commander. Target: 2006 Laserbeak sat on Megatron's shoulder when the Decepticon leader ordered the Battlechargers to deliver a message to Optimus Prime. The bird flew off when Megatron attacked Soundwave with a makeshift metal scepter for questioning his methods. Decepticon Graffiti!

Laserbeak was the one to alert Shockwave and Soundwave to the approach of a human military column on the Decepticons' Wyoming base. Gone but Not Forgotten! In response, the Decepticons transferred operations to their new island headquarters, and soon after, following the theft of Power Station Alpha, Laserbeak turned out with the other Decepticons to welcome the forces of Cobra there. Ashes, Ashes... When G.I. Joe and the Autobots assaulted the island to recover the power station, Laserbeak was among the Decepticons ordered into battle by Shockwave, though true to form, he seemed to chicken out, as he wasn't anywhere to be seen during the fight. ...All Fall Down!

When Ratbat came to Earth, Laserbeak aided him in overseeing his Wash and Roll car wash empire. Both were chased away when their hypnotized human subjects were shaken free of their programming by Buster Witwicky. Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom

The bitch hierarchy: Soundwave > Laserbeak > Jetfire

Years later, after Ratbat had assumed command in the absence of both Megatron and Shockwave, the Decepticons ambushed the Autobots on the Moon while Grimlock and Blaster were dueling for leadership. Laserbeak counted Jetfire among his victories, but he and the others were called back to their ship to retreat once Blaster and Grimlock disabled its guidance systems. Totaled!

Ratbat's troops soon met up with Scorponok's troops, which resulted in a Decepticon civil war. Laserbeak and the others were called off the attack, however, when it was revealed that the civil war was instigated by Starscream to divert attention away from his grab for the Underbase. After a false start, an unprecedented Autobot/Decepticon alliance was formed to stop Starscream, and Laserbeak was assigned to a team headed by both Fortress Maximus and Soundwave. Confronting the Underbase-enhanced Starscream in Buenos Aires, Laserbeak met his doom. Dark Star

In 2009, one possible future saw the Decepticons with control over all of North America and only a handful of Autobots and humans to oppose them. During a last-ditch Autobot/human raid on their New York stronghold, Laserbeak was instrumental in diverting Crossblades, first disabling the Autobot and then ordering his comrades to blow him out of the sky. Rhythms of Darkness!

Classics

Classics continues from the Marvel US series, and does not include the UK stories or any subsequently published stories.

When Megatron reactivated on Earth and began building a power base again, Soundwave naturally returned to his side, and Laserbeak naturally came with him. During a battle with the Autobots over a mysterious energy signature, Laserbeak and Ravage were dispatched by Soundwave to follow Cliffjumper, Skyfall and Landquake into the subterranean chamber from whence the signature was emanating. Crossing Over: Part 3 The two cassettes launched an attack as soon as they caught up to their quarry, but a volley of return fire clipped Laserbeak and sent him crashing into the pool of Rarified Energon that was the very energy source that had drawn them there. Ravage escaped; Laserbeak's fate was unrevealed. Crossing Over: Part 4

Regeneration One

Template:Noterg1 In 2012 Laserbeak had been brought back to some semblance of life as part of Megatron's lobotomised zombie army. Ambushing the Wreckers, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw shot down Sandstorm. Loose Ends, Part 4

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The Transformers cartoon

Voice actor: Frank Welker (English), Ken Yamaguchi (Japanese)

Lasers? Check. Beak? Check.

Laserbeak was the first of the cassette Transformers. Secret Files of Teletraan II Prior to his arrival on Earth, Laserbeak had less of an avian shape, resembling instead a stylized jet with an ovoid silhouette and a hooked nosecone. He still transformed into a cassette, which is kind of strange when you consider his "carrier" transformed into a lamp-post and not necessarily any device that played cassettes. But anyway, this Laserbeak often carried out spy missions, able to sneak into places the larger Soundwave could not manage, including Iacon, the Autobots' headquarters. There, Laserbeak learned of the Autobot mission to seek out new sources of energy away from Cybertron, which prompted a Decepticon interception mission in turn. This led to the whole lot of these spacefaring Transformers crashlanding on Earth and taking a four million-year dirtnap in the heart of a spastic volcano.

"Please flip the bird...er, tape to Side B."

In the year 1984, the Transformers were awakened by volcanic activity, and Laserbeak was reformatted with terrestrial aesthetics in both robot and altmode. His altmode was an audiocassette, while his robot mode was that of a vulture. His missions, though, were largely unchanged, and he continued to serve as a spy.

Laserbeak was the first Decepticon to tangle with Autobots on Earth when he was dispatched by Soundwave and Megatron to chase down two snooping Autobot spies, Hound and Cliffjumper. The Autobots tried to scurry away, splitting up so that Laserbeak couldn't follow both of them. He had the last laugh (or squawk) on them, as he launched one of his laser cannons to follow Cliffjumper remotely while he continued to hound Hound, at least until Cliffjumper gas-bombed the drone. Laserbeak fared better than his cannon, and managed to blast the Autobot snoop off the road. Continuing with his scouting missions, Laserbeak uncovered the oil refinery which served as the Decepticons' first major strike against Earth, and their first battle with the Autobots on our planet.

Floating above the main battle, Laserbeak saw a safe chance to be useful, and flew between Megatron and Prime, pecking at Optimus's face long enough for Laserbeak's glorious leader to take to the skies. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1 When the Autobots attacked the Decepticons' new space cruiser before it could depart, Laserbeak was ejected for warfare (for a change) along with his fellow Cassettes. Being the coward that he is, though, Laserbeak managed to be conspicuously absent throughout the battle, besides a single strafing run from the safety of the air. More than Meets the Eye, Part 3

Laserbeak, symbol of Decepticon leadership.

Once the Decepticons dug their space cruiser out of the briny deep, they resumed their attacks on a nearby solar power station. While the others engaged the larger Autobots, Laserbeak kept to squawking around Bumblebee's head. Later, Laserbeak spied on the Autobots to ensure they took the bait for a trap Megatron had set for them. He tried to help in the cave trap later on, but Ratchet trapped him instead inside a tiny net. Transport to Oblivion After Megatron was accidentally sent to Cybertron following an early space bridge test, Laserbeak and Rumble were present to greet Megatron on his return. Laserbeak perched on Megatron's arm, signifying Megatron's resumption of command of the Earthbound Decepticons. Once the Decepticons set their sights on the antimatter formula, Laserbeak attempted to steal it from Chip Chase and Bumblebee, but to no avail. Roll for It

All Brawn and no brains.

After Starscream's strike team blasted Optimus Prime something fierce, Megatron assigned Laserbeak to infiltrate the Ark and ascertain the Autobot leader's true condition. For once, Laserbeak demonstrated his cowardice in Megatron's presence, but reluctantly went forth on his mission. Perhaps looking to prove himself after showing his yellow streak, Laserbeak took some extreme risks. First, he transformed into cassette mode and landed right on the powerhouse Brawn's shoulder to enter the Autobot base. Then, at Megatron's prodding, he flew down in full sight of the entire Autobot team and fired laser beams straight into Prime's exposed chest cavity. This exacerbated the damage and made the Autobot mission to find a replacement cosmitron for Prime of great priority. Divide and Conquer

On another scouting mission in the Arctic Circle, Laserbeak alerted Megatron to Starscream's bumbling execution of some Autobot prisoners using a weird Morse Code signal. Fire in the Sky Later, he joined Soundwave and Reflector in gathering information on the Great Falls. S.O.S. Dinobots

When the Decepticons were on a mission in South America, they were temporarily interrupted by an attack from Brawn and Windcharger. Windcharger soon realized the duo were outclassed fighting so many Decepticons at once, and directed Brawn to pull back. Well, bless his cowardly tin-plated heart, Laserbeak waited until after Windcharger sounded the retreat to get involved, showing great "courage" as he shot the Autobots in the back as they were driving away. Still, never let it be said that Laserbeak doesn't have his uses. When Brawn later returned and stole Megatron's fusion cannon, blasting the Decepticon leader with his own weapon, it was Laserbeak who flew in to retrieve the cannon for his master. Of course, he naturally flew in from behind Brawn for maximum safety, but really, who could blame him? Fire on the Mountain

One afternoon, while the Seekers engaged in yet another grab for energy, Soundwave and the Cassettes carried out Operation: Guinea Pig at the Ark. As his partners Rumble and Ravage created a distraction for the present Autobots, Laserbeak swooped in and carried off one of their human comrades, Sparkplug Witwicky. Laserbeak delivered the human to Megatron and Doctor Arkeville for testing of their new hypno-chip. The Ultimate Doom, Part 1 After a successful test, Laserbeak flew out to collect more potential slaves for the Decepticons. He also took advantage of a well-placed earthquake to kidnap Spike Witwicky as well, while Bumblebee was dangling over a crevace. Unfortunately for the beryllium buzzard, Bluestreak was on the scene. His sharpshooting ability blasted Spike right out of Laserbeak's clutches, and drove off the Decepticon spy. The Ultimate Doom, Part 2 After the plot to change Cybertron's orbit failed, Laserbeak reported to Megatron about the treachery of Starscream and Doctor Arkeville. Seeking out the traitors, Megatron and the Decepticons ran afoul of the Autobots along the way. To deter pursuit, Megatron led the Autobot cars into a valley of quicksand, hoping they would sink out of his way forever. He left Laserbeak behind to monitor their demise. When Ironhide started to get his hand free, Laserbeak tried to divebomb the Autobot, only to be blasted by Mirage's rocket launcher. Stunned, the Decepticon reverted to his cassette mode, and was captured by Jazz. Once the Autobots got free, Jazz used his own audio system to replay Laserbeak's findings, alerting the Autobots to the Decepticons' destination at Arkeville's secret lab. Countdown to Extinction

On a routine scouting mission, Laserbeak uncovered information about giant robotic insects in Bali, and relayed the info to Megatron. A Plague of Insecticons When Megatron arranged a bout of single combat between himself and Optimus Prime, Soundwave ejected Laserbeak to watch the festivities along with the rest of the two armies. Heavy Metal War

Proving once again that he spends more time at the Ark than with the Decepticons, Laserbeak happened to be on the scene to learn Spike Witwicky was mentally unstable and possessing the powerful "spare" Autobot called Autobot X. Autobot Spike On his next mission, Laserbeak attacked a group of innocent gold prospectors. After he had his fun, though, Soundwave put him back in his cage for awhile. He popped out again later on to take potshots at his favorite weak target, Bumblebee. Changing Gears When the Decepticons moved their operations to New York City, Laserbeak was put on Autobot patrol, and alerted Megatron to their enemies' rendez-vous in Central Park. He was also joined by his flying buddy, Buzzsaw, for the first time in this battle. City of Steel In an attack on the Ark, Laserbeak and the Decepticons were charged with distracting the Autobots while Megatron and Starscream snuck inside to sabotage the Autobots' equipment. Laserbeak bit off more than he could handle with Prowl, though, and ended up being lassoed to the Autobot's rifle. It was a stand-off as Laserbeak fired at Prowl from the air while Prowl tried to drag him to the ground, until Megatron sounded the retreat. Laserbeak cut the wire with his blasts and took off as fast as his little wings could carry him. Attack of the Autobots

Laserbeak's next patrol duty was around the desert laboratory where Megatron was testing his stolen electro-cells. He alerted Soundwave the moment he sighted Autobot intruders, then hid inside his cozy chest cavity. Traitor When the human girl named Carly attempted to raid Decepticon headquarters on her own, Soundwave sent Laserbeak up to the surface to capture her. He succeeded, proving once again that he is occasionally strong enough to defeat a single human. He did, however, fail to recapture the Immobilizer for the Decepticons soon thereafter. The Immobilizer Returning to his spying duties, Laserbeak learned of Spike and Chip's plan for an Autobot road rally for charity. The Autobot Run

Laserbeak and Buzzsaw discovered the city of Sub-Atlantica on the bottom of the ocean floor, which led to an uneasy alliance between the Sub-Atlanticans and the Decepticons, and the subsequent attack of both parties on Washington, D.C. In D.C., Laserbeak popped out of Soundwave and was almost immediately shot down by Hound. By the time he was back in the air, the Dinobots had broken through the Decepticon defenses and Swoop took out Laserbeak and Buzzsaw with missiles moments after arriving at the battle. Some days it just doesn't pay to come out of the tapedeck. Atlantis, Arise!

In order to gain control over the super-computer TORQ III, Laserbeak was joined by Megatron and Soundwave in his infiltration of the defense compound where the computer was housed. Laser blasting their way to the core, Megatron was able to reprogram the computer to serve only him. Using TORQ to guide them, Megatron arranged for countless oil tankers to converge on Decepticon headquarters. An Autobot scouting party attempting to thwart his plans at the site, but Laserbeak swiped Spike Witwicky in the middle of battle and forced the Autobots to lay down their arms.

Luckily, another contingent of Autobots confronted TORQ directly, deactivating the computer, and made their way to Megatron's refinery, freeing their friends. Day of the Machines At the unveiling of Doctor Fujiyama's robot ninja, Nightbird, Laserbeak stormed the ceremony with Rumble and Frenzy, causing considerable chaos. Enter the Nightbird

Despite his well-documented cowardice, Laserbeak is sometimes surprisingly effective in combat. Immediately after Optimus Prime single-handedly disarmed Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp at once in battle, Laserbeak swooped out of the sky and managed to incapacitate Prime just as easily with a hail of laser beams. At Megatron's direction, however, he did not finish the job. Instead, Laserbeak used his recording equipment to create a fully-body holographic scan of the Autobot leader, allowing Megatron to manufacture a perfect duplicate of Optimus Prime for his plans. Later on, he also easily overpowered Starscream and unceremoniously dragged him back to Megatron in his talons. Clearly, Laserbeak had been eating some top notch birdfeed that week. A Prime Problem

Laserbeak observed the Autobots observing the Constructicons deep core drilling project. He alerted Megatron to the spies, and the Decepticons rose to the surface to drive off the snoops. The Core When the Decepticons assaulted the Nova Power Plant, Soundwave released Laserbeak and Buzzsaw to torment the Autobots. Instead, Inferno and Jazz were overjoyed at being part of an "overgrown turkey shoot", and they blasted Laserbeak out of the sky. Laserbeak was also briefly taken over by Bombshell's cerebro-shells when the Insecticons were at odds with Megatron, but soon recovered. The Insecticon Syndrome

Stationed outside the Autobot base, Soundwave learned of the prehistoric Dinobot Island and its potential for rich sources of energy. At Megatron's behest, he dispatched Laserbeak to follow Powerglide and the Dinobots to the island and observe. Dinobot Island, Part 1 One time, he got "over-energized" and crashed beak-first into a sand dune. Did a nice loop-the-loop, though. Microbots

Megatron's next plan involved some masterful manipulation of the power-hungry human named Shawn Berger. Laserbeak snuck himself into Burger's office in cassette mode, then retrieved the human for a friendly chat with Megatron on a nearby hillside. Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1

When the Decepticons' plan to turn the people of Earth against the Autobots succeeded, they briefly acted as "friends of the Earth" for Megatron's amusement. Laserbeak and the cassettes went to a local teen dance with Soundwave to mingle with the fleshlings. One of the kids asked if "Laserbeak wanna cracker". Never has a giant, speechless robot bird conveyed so much raw hatred with a single look. Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2

When the Decepticons got involved in a massive scheme with the Insecticons, the Autobots attempted to acquire some robotic insecticide to use against the enemy. Laserbeak reported their search back to Megatron, who became interested in acquiring the insecticide himself, in case the Insecticons ever proved troublesome. Quest for Survival After receiving a distress signal from Deceptitran, the Decepticons arrived to help stop the revolt of the Tlalakans. Laserbeak performed some reconnaissance, and uncovered the Autobot allies of the Tlalakans. He also located the secret city of the Tlalakans after a raiding party hit Deceptitran's temple. Sea Change

Laserbeak's keen observational skills failed him when the Autobots disguised themselves as Stunticons in order to get close to Megatron and his latest scheme. His sensors were unable to penetrate the camouflage paint they used to hide their true identities. Masquerade After Megatron infected the Autobots with the cosmic rust virus, Laserbeak infiltrated the Ark to bring back visuals of their enemies' suffering. Cosmic Rust When Starscream finally mouthed off one time too many, Megatron finally kicked him out of the house. Soundwave sent Laserbeak to unceremoniously drop Starscream on an island near Guadalcanal. Starscream's Brigade

Maybe if Autobot Command didn't have so many open windows...

One of Laserbeak's greatest claims to fame was that he was partly responsible for the Battle of Autobot City in 2005. By that point, the Decepticons had succeeded in conquering Cybertron, but the Autobots retained two of its moons and a large force on Autobot City. Laserbeak was dispatched to spy on Moonbase One, where he overheard Optimus Prime order a supply ship to acquire energon for an upcoming assault. Laserbeak took the information back to Megatron, who hijacked the shuttle and used it to attack Autobot City. The battle ultimately resulted in the fatal wounding of Megatron, who was cast adrift in space on the Decepticons' return trip to Cybertron; when the Decepticons began arguing among themselves over who should become the next leader, Soundwave ejected Laserbeak and his other cassettes to fight for his honor. The Transformers: The Movie

Later in 2005, during the Decepticons' attempt to prevent a replacement transforming cog to the Autobot city of Metroplex, Laserbeak was deployed alongside Thrust from within the Decepticons' own city-bot, Trypticon, to investigate the crash site of the cog's courier, Sky Lynx. They discovered that Sky Lynx and his passengers had survived, and Laserbeak swooped in to take out the cog's carrier Blurr, only to be foiled by a bit of lateral passing. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5

In 2006, when Motormaster and Swindle threatened to mutiny over the continued insane leadership of Galvatron, Laserbeak sided with the would-be rebels. Forced into action by their threats, Cyclonus sought psychiatric aid for Galvatron on Torkulon. The therapy did nothing to improve Galvatron's demeanour, but nevertheless, the mutiny never happened. Webworld

Japanese cartoon continuity

The events of American cartoon continuity, as detailed above, occur in the Japanese timeline, except the events of 2006 are pushed back to 2010. The Japanese continuity proceeds to insert many new storylines and events in, around, before and after the events of the Generation 1 cartoon, as covered below.

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers comic

In Japan, Soundwave and his Cassettes made an attack on the lone Autobot scout, Bumblebee. Bumblebee dodged their first attack, and so Laserbeak and his partners went chasing after him. Bumblebee circled back, however, damaging Soundwave's chest compartment so the Cassettes couldn't hide. Laserbeak got caught trying to re-enter his boss, and Cliffjumper ripped out his magnetic tape instead. Harsh. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2

Full Throttle Scramble Power!

When the Decepticons wreaked havoc across the Earth with their new Omega Whip cannon, Laserbeak was among the Decepticons out and about gathering up energy the devastation had created.Full Throttle Scramble Power!

Being that this manga is black and white, it could conceivably be Buzzsaw, but really, what're the odds?

The Headmasters cartoon

Voice actor: Ken Yamaguchi (Japanese), Roberto Alexander (Spanish)

Such devotion.

In the year 2011, when Hot Rod was searching the Earth for the missing Matrix of Leadership, Soundwave ambushed him at the North Pole and deployed Laserbeak and Buzzsaw to draw his fire while he attempted to shoot the Autobot in the back. Blaster and his cassettes intervened, and in the ensuing battle, Soundwave and Blaster destroyed each other. Laserbeak swooped in to recover Soundwave's head, while the other airborne cassettes recovered as many of his pieces as they could, taking them back to Chaar. The Mystery of Planet Master

The Decepticon Headmaster leader Scorponok used the technology of planet Master to restore Soundwave to life as Soundblaster; Laserbeak and all the other cassettes watched over the reconstruction process, and cheered at their master's revival. Soundblaster was immediately put to work remote-controlling the magnetic Madmachine, and when Blaster—now rebuilt as Twincast—arrived to try and stop him, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ratbat attempted to fend him off. Twincast sent out his own cassettes to keep them busy as he successfully saw his mission through. The Great Cassette Operation

Laserbeak later spied on the Autobot base on Athenia, observing as the Autobots Headmasters headed off to Earth to deal with an erupting volcano. He and Soundblaster presented this information to Scorponok, who considered it all part of his plan. The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts Soundblaster's standing in the intelligence game proceeded to slip a bit, however, as the new recruit Counterpunch suddenly started providing enemy intel that neither Laserbeak nor any of Soundblaster's cassettes could dig up a trace of. Suitably miffed at the whole affair, Laserbeak and Ravage spied on a meeting between Scorponok and Counterpunch, and went to kick up a fuss with Soundblaster about the matter. Laserbeak advocated getting straight to work trying to put the newbie in his place by upstaging him, and the team all headed to Earth to try to dig up some new info. Return of the Immortal Emperor

Laserbeak and the other cassettes later patrolled the area around the Decepticon base on Master, alongside a few Decepticon Targetmaster partners. Operation: Destroy the Decepticons

The Headmasters comic

After Soundblaster crash-landed following his encounter with Chromedome's "Master Chrome Hurricane-Throw to the End of Hell" attack, Laserbeak and the other animal cassettes (minus Slugfest and Overkill) stood stoicly over his groggy form while Rumble and Frenzy panicked at the approach of Sixshot. The Headmasters #8

Big Looker Storybooks

Laserbeak was part of a particularly ferocious battle that left both Autobots and Decepticon badly damaged and low on fuel. Following the fight's end, Laserbeak was among the airborne Decepticons who used what little strength they had left to buzz the Autobots' headquarters, intending to distract them from the hijack of an oil truck that their fellow Decepticons were carrying out nearby. The plan was foiled by space-borne Autobot Shooting Star, who clued the Autobots into the deception. Decepticon Hijack

Ladybird Books

A bird in the hand...

Laserbeak spied upon the Autobots when they were in the midst of a large construction project, but for all his observations, he was unable to deduce what the large mast that the heroic robots were building actually was. He took his findings back to Megatron, but he couldn't make anything of them, and so had Laserbeak lead Soundwave back to the mast for further study. Even the master communicator couldn't make heads or tails of the structure, so Laserbeak was posted to watch for some sign of Autobot activity that might reveal its purpose. Discovering that an Autobot installation had been built inside the mountain beneath the mas, Laserbeak alerted the other Decepticons, who immediately attacked. Unfortunately for them, it turned out that the mast was a lightning rod, which channeled the electricity of the thunderstorm currently raging right into the mountain chamber, frying the Decepticons and forcing them to retreat, leaving the Autobots none the wiser. Autobots' Lightning Strike

Seeking to learn more about humanity in order to exploit the Autobots' concern for them, Megatron had Laserbeak sent to study human settlements and behavioural patterns. Following a car into a small village, Laserbeak was intruiged by a windmill on a neaby hill, but when he attempted to investigate, he accidentally collided with some high-voltage power lines, which short-circuited his transformation systems and trapped him in cassette mode. He was found the next morning by the engineers who arrived to repair the power lines, but was promptly discarded when they found that the "cassette" contained no music. A young boy found him soon after and brought him home, where the boy's mother added him to a box of cassettes that were taken to a disco at the town hall that night. There, upon insertion into the disc jockey's tape deck, Laserbeak drained the energy from the sound system and re-energized his systems, allowing him to explode from the machinery in bird-form once again. With a mob of villagers hot on his heels, Laserbeak returned to the nearby windmill, which had in his absence become a battleground for the Autobots and Decepticons. In the midst of the battle, Laserbeak was struck by one of the windmills sails. The conflict ended with the windmill's destruction, but the villagers never learned of the Transformers' involvement—the bigger news story on the front page of the Paprika Plains Informer the next day was that of the "Winged Demon" at the disco! Laserbeak's Fury

The Transformers Adventure Game Books

Upon the discovery of a buried flying saucer beneath the new Wizard's Cave attraction, Laserbeak and Ravage went to Disneyland to try and salvage any advanced technology. Unfortunately they hadn't counted on you activating a time-sphere, transporting them four million years back in time. There, they decided to destroy the Autobots lying in stasis aboard the Ark, and, after tangling with the Dinobots Sludge and Swoop, Laserbeak located the flying saucer containing the time-sphere.

"Dinobot War" is a multipath adventure, so Laserbeak can look forward a number of potential endings:

• Laserbeak killed one of the time-travelling aliens, but the other transported him and Ravage away into the time-stream.
• Laserbeak was transported back to the present day where he escaped, or was possibly lost in time.
• Laserbeak shoots you with his ruby lasers. Without you to stop them, the Decepticons presumably carried out their plan and went on to conquer the Earth. Dinobot War

The Battle for Planet Earth

Voice actor: Peter Marinker (English)

Thanks to Laserbeak's spying, the Decepticons were alerted to the Autobots searching for energy in South America. Once the other Decepticons arrived there, they tried to attack the Autobots atop Mount Sheelah. The volcano erupted, burying all but Laserbeak with lava, and Laserbeak had to return to base to get help. Terror of Mount Sheelah He was at the Decepticon base, taking advantage of the human slave labor they had kidnapped, when Bumblebee infiltrated the base. Bumblebee to the Rescue Laserbeak was left behind to guard the base while the other Decepticons went to attack Stanley Lake dam. Menace at the Dam He was among the Decepticons consulted by Megatron for ideas on getting back at the Autobots. After Starscream successfully infiltrated the Autobots by pretending to defect, he sent the Decepticons to Mount Levram to destroy an Autobot super-weapon, but when Laserbeak and the others returned to their base, it had been destroyed by the Autobots. Espionage!!!!!

Kids' Comic Special

Laserbeak joined Soundwave in stealing energy from the town of Midville. When a team of Autobots showed up to foil their plot, both Decepticons retreated and Laserbeak shot down a nearby tree in to block the ground-based Autobots and give themselves leeway to escape. The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas

Find Your Fate Junior

Laserbeak snores when he sleeps. It sounds like a little chainsaw! Decepticon Poison Also, he can talk. The Invisibility Factor

Transformers in 3-D

Laserbeak scouted out the situation on Tau-Ursa, locating a demonstration of Monitorus's new invention, and bringing in a full Decepticon attack force. The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3

The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual

Day of the Decepticons

The Dinobots!

Dreamwave Generation One comics

Events from The Transformers Trilogy novels are in italics.

Around 8.2 million years ago, on Cybertron, shortly after Optimus Prime became the new Autobot leader, Laserbeak performed an aerial recon of Iacon, discovering that Prime's first command had been for the Autobots to prepare a fleet of starships to evacuate the planet. The War Within #2 Not long after, when Starscream briefly usurped command of the Decepticons, he had every scrap of information in Laserbeak's systems forcibly downloaded, in order to learn more about Megatron's plans for Cybertron. The War Within #4 Megatron soon returned and put Starscream in his place, but then, around 1.2 million years later, the Decepticon leader vanished in a space bridge accident, and control of the Decepticons split into several smaller factions. Laserbeak and the other Cassettes remained with Soundwave, under the command of Shockwave in the primary Decepticon faction. War Within: The Dark Ages

After the crash of the Nemesis, Laserbeak was reactivated on Earth in 1984 and fought alongside the Decepticons in that pocket version of the greater war. Believed dead after the explosion of the Ark II, Laserbeak and most of the other Transformers were in fact salvaged and reprogrammed by the human named Lazarus, with the intention of selling them on the black market as weapons of mass destruction. As a demonstration for potential buyers, he had a group of Transformers assault the Smitco Oil Refinery, and had Laserbeak record the images to be played back during the auction. Unfortunately for Lazarus, it was during that selfsame auction that Megatron broke free of his control. Prime Directive #2 Megatron subsequently liberated the other Decepticons, and Laserbeak was stationed as lookout at the perimeter of Lazarus's captured Arctic base. Before long, he reported on the approach of Optimus Prime and several other Autobots who had escaped capture by Lazarus. Prime Directive #3 Laserbeak subsequently joined the Decepticons for a massive attack on San Francisco. Prime Directive #4

After Megatron was kidnapped into deep space by the Keepers and Starscream assumed control of the Decepticons, Laserbeak accepted his rule along with Soundwave and the other Cassettes. They set up a new base of operation in the human city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Taking a new tactic, Starscream arranged to work with the humans instead of against them, offering the residents of Sin City fame and fortune, while helping the Las Vegas PD coordinate their anti-crime efforts more effectively. Laserbeak performed constant reconnaissance patrols, reporting to Soundwave when human police officers were needed to perform "preventative maintenance" at potential crisis sites. Hardwired

Once Megatron returned, the Decepticons were broken into two factions under his and Starscream's control. Remarkably, Laserbeak chose to remain in Las Vegas with Starscream while Megatron and Soundwave left the city with their faction. He was taken prisoner with Starscream's other soldiers by the Keepers once they made Las Vegas their base of operations, and was trapped behind a massive force field. They eventually escaped thanks to the Constructicons, and joined a united force of Autobots and Decepticons in assaulting the Keepers' position. Laserbeak joined Thundercracker and Wheeljack in performing aerial sweeps and strafing runs during the battle. Annihilation Later, during a battle with the American military in the Nevada desert, Laserbeak was struck down by deconstructionite rounds and had to be carried to safety by the Omega Sentinel. Fusion

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers

Laserbeak was one of the many Transformers recovered from the crashed Ark by Cobra. He was repaired and retrofitted by Doctor Mindbender, who proudly displayed him, Soundwave, and his fellow Mini-Cassettes to Destro. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2 Laserbeak was released by Soundwave, along with Rumble, Frenzy, Ratbat, and Ravage, during an attack on the SPS Center. Laserbeak managed to escape the first wave of G.I. Joe defenders and enter the building, gunning down Gung-Ho and Clutch. Shortly afterwards, he was decapitated by Snake-Eyes. His body was taken into custody by the Joes. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3

Transformers/G.I. Joe

Laserbeak was among the Decepticons who lay deactivated on the Fera Islands for several million years, until Cobra awakened them and took control of them in 1938. One year later, after Cobra had used the Decepticons to ravage most of Europe, Laserbeak was sent to the spy on how the United States would react. He witnessed the creation of G.I. Joe, although Duke spotted the spy and opened fire on him. Laserbeak made the human drop his gun by firing a precision laser through his hand, before escaping and reporting his findings to Soundwave. The Line

When G.I. Joe teamed up with the Autobots and attacked the Cobra Terrordrome, Laserbeak was punched by Iron Hide [sic]. If he survived the battle, he most likely died anyway when the Matrix was destroyed. The Iron Fist

The Beast Within

When the Beast formed, Starscream ordered the Seekers to attack the behemoth. Laserbeak, thinking that he was a Seeker, joined them, and was smacked along with Skywarp and Thundercracker, blowing up as a result. He blew up real good. The Beast Within His corpse would later be one of many that littered the battlefield as Autobot survivors tried to escape the Beast. The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences

Transformers Legends

Laserbeak and Ravage spied on Starscream after the Seeker's latest falling out with Megatron, and watched Starscream fall off a mountain. After reporting back to Soundwave, they spied some more and got footage of Starscream acting chummy with the Autobots. It was only after he spotted Laserbeak, that the amnesiac Starscream finally regained his memory. Redemption Center

Laserbeak was sent by Soundwave to spy on Swindle, who it turned out had been selling Decepticon weapons to Carbombia. Laserbeak reported back to base with a recording of Swindle doing a deal, much to Megatron's rage. Two for the Price of One

IDW Generation 1 continuity

Prior to the outbreak of war on Cybertron, Soundwave and his cassettes were dispatched by Senator Ratbat to approach the infamous underground gladiator Megatron with the prospect of an alliance. Upon detecting that Autobot spies Bumper and Fastback were observing the meeting, Soundwave deployed Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ravage to deal with them. Laserbeak pinned Bumper so Soundwave could read his mind. Megatron Origin #2 As time passed, Soundwave's loyalties shifted and he truly sided with Megatron when he founded the Decepticon faction and began the civil war. In the uprising that began the conflict, Laserbeak accompanied Soundwave and his other cassettes in executing the Senate members in Kaon. Megatron Origin #4 Some time later, he spied on Orion Pax's arrest of Swindle in Nyon. Law and Disorder During a meeting with Orion Pax, Megatron had Laserbeak replay Soundwave's recording of Zeta Prime's plans to drain energy from Nyon's population. Cause and Effect

At a later point in the war, Laserbeak charged the Autobot position with Soundwave and a horde of Decepticons, in a vain attempt to keep them from interfering with an energon convoy headed for Megatron's troops. The Iron Age

Bye-bye, birdie.

Four million years later, in 1984, Laserbeak accompanied Soundwave and Ravage to Earth to remotely spy on Bludgeon's mysterious activities on the planet. Following a pair of facsimile constructs, Laserbeak discovered Bludgeon's headquarters within Mount St. Helens, and quickly brought Soundwave there. Unfortunately, during the battle, a katana-slash from Bludgeon took Laserbeak down, and both he, Soundwave and Ravage were entombed in lava when Bludgeon caused the volcano to erupt to cover his escape. A year later, Laserbeak and Ravage were dug up by a mysterious government organization known as Skywatch. Spotlight: Soundwave

Over the following twenty years, Laserbeak and Ravage were reprogrammed by Skywatch to seek out other Transformers. Escalation #6 After a sudden surge in Transformer activity on Earth, they were released on their first hunt, only for Soundwave—trapped his cassette player mode and in the possession of a human named Jimmy—to detect their presence and block Skywatch's control signal, freeing his subordinates. Devastation #4 Locating their master, Laserbeak and Ravage broke into Jimmy's home and carried Soundwave away, but were unable to do anything to repair him. Fortunately, Shockwave soon met with them and negotiated a deal to restore Soundwave to his true form. Maximum Dinobots #4 As part of the plan, Laserbeak and Ravage were left lying dormant in a forest to be recaptured by Skywatch, only to awaken and murder their would-be captors as soon as Shockwave freed Soundwave from his condition. Maximum Dinobots #5

Laserbeak returned to Soundwave, who in turn returned to Megatron, and a year later the Decepticons attacked New York City. During the battle, Laserbeak helped destroy some human jets. All Hail Megatron #1 After some scouting, he learned that the humans were sending ground forces at them, then reported to Soundwave and perched on his shoulder. All Hail Megatron #2 He was still on said shoulder when Megatron told Starscream that Soundwave and Laserbeak had been keeping their eyes on the Seeker as he planned his revolt. All Hail Megatron #10 After the Autobots beat up Megatron, Laserbeak and the other Decepticons fled the planet. All Hail Megatron #12

Three years later, Laserbeak was seen perching on Soundwave's shoulder as he and Shockwave rebuilt Megatron. Altered Carbon He was among the Decepticons captured and fitted with inhibitor/deterrence chips by the Autobots once the war ended. The Autonomy Lesson Soundwave and most of the cassettes were later captured by Arcee and brought to Prowl's Black Room The End of the Beginning of the World where they were upgraded, with Laserbeak receiving a new data disc alternate mode. The Verge Together with Buzzsaw and Ravage he helped capture Bumblebee and Metalhawk, then joined the rest of the Decepticons in their conquest of Cybertron. Before the Dawn When the Dinobots joined the fray, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw fought with Swoop in the air. Plan for Everything He was later blasted out of the sky by the turncoat Dirge. Heavy Is the Head

Beast Wars continuity

Dawn of Future's Past

Iron birds of fortune.

At the end of the great war most Decepticons granted amnesty simply retired and vanished from public life. So too would have been the fate of Laserbeak if not for the intervention of the Predacon Divebomb. Divebomb granted Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, and Ravage a new lease on life, rebuilding them into members of the new faction of Predacons.

Predacon Megatron's theft of the Golden Disk was closely watched by Divebomb, who sent Laserbeak and Buzzsaw to ensure Megatron and his rogues reached their destination. Their ship intercepted the Axalon, pummelling it with missiles. Before it could come back for another pass, it was fired upon by the Chromia 10, giving the Axalon enough time to restore enough power to return fire and completely destroy Laserbeak and Buzzsaw's ship, with the pair inside. Dawn of Future's Past

Recordicons

While in a bar with Buzzsaw, Laserbeak complained that the bartender had spelled his name with a 'z', which made him look like an illiterate loser. Lazorbeak, sitting nearby, looked unhappy. Recordicons #16

Games

Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons

When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' Minicar troops from the Decepticons, Laserbeak could hinder Optimus Prime's progress, by giving him a flat tire, thus stalling him briefly. Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game

Transformers: Mystery of Convoy

Lazerbeak was amongst the numerous Decepticons seeking Ultra Magnus's destruction in order the halt the Autobot's quest. Transformers: Mystery of Convoy

The Transformers (Commodore 64)

Laserbeak is the vague collection of pixels that don't resemble a pipe.

"Lazerbreak" [sic] was among the Decepticons who tried to prevent the Autobots from recovering the scattered pieces of their Energon cubes. Created by the power of Robo-Cloning, innumerable duplicate copies of Lazerbreak bedevilled the Autobots on their quest. The Transformers

The Transformers (PS2)

“	Laserbeak is a good and faithful servant. He may share with a certain somebody the ability to fly, and the red body and black face too, but that's where the similarities end.	”
—Megatron, The Transformers

Decepticon story

Laserbeak found the Autobots guarding the Ranpas geothermal plant and reported it to Megatron. He also snitched on Starscream, who was pilfering the energon cubes the Decepticons had obtained from the following adventure. Later, he found the UFO. The Transformers

Sector Seven game

In a strange world where Transformers are a government secret that inspired toys, a cartoon, a film and more, a robot resembling Laserbeak was captured on film by some civilians when he transformed out of his alternate mode as a flash card into a vaguely draconian avian robot mode, remaining at the same diminutive size, and flew away. The footage fell into the hands of Sector Seven, who classified this robot "N.B.E. 57". Sector Seven

Toys

Generation 1

Sure, Soundwave comes with that other guy, but you know you want me.

• Frenzy & Laserbeak (Cassette 2-pack, 1984/1985)
  • Accessories: Left and right laser guns

Originally a Microchange "Micro Cassette Robo Condor", Laserbeak transforms into a microcassette that can fit into the tape door of the Soundwave and Blaster toys. He was released in a two-pack with Frenzy in Hasbro markets across 1984 and 1985; in the latter year, a heat-sensitive rubsign was added to the figure. His chromed thruster-blaster add-ons have some very minor mold variations to them, like several other early Transformers toys... which we're frankly not going to try and catalog which later reissues have which versions because argh.

This mold was also used to make Buzzsaw, Garboil and Sundor.

• More information on Laserbeak at TFU.info

• Condor (Cassettron, 1985/1986/1987)
  • ID number: 20 (1985), D-60 (1986), D-105 (1987)
  • Accessories: Left and right laser guns, tape case

1985 saw Takara release Laserbeak (AKA "Condor") in Japan, all on his lonesome. Like all his cassette contemporaries, he was packaged in a small box, came with a clear tape case he could be "stored" in. He was re-released in Japan in 1986, this time on a blister card, with a new ID number and without his case, and then again in 1987, with his original packaging and case reinstated, with yet another ID number.

• More information on Laserbeak at TFU.info

The Transformers Collection

• Soundwave (2003)
  • ID number: 10
  • Accessories: Left and right laser guns, tape case

The original Laserbeak toy was reissued for the first time as part of Takara's Transformers Collection series, coming with a reissue of Soundwave. The set included the tape case from his original Japanese release, but featured noticeably lighter orange stickers in tape mode.

Titanium Series

• Soundwave (6" Cybertron Heroes)

Among the smallest of all Transformers, Titanium Laserbeak is a tiny 1" wide rendition of his cassette form, though without the holes normally seen on tapes. Like the larger Soundwave figure he comes with, his design deviates somewhat from his original design, instead being black with red stripes. He also does not come with his jet pack.

• More information on Titanium Laserbeak at TFU.info

Timelines

• Laserbeak and Buzzsaw (BotCon souvenir set, 2006)
  • Accessories: Left and right Energon blades, Energon star

A redeco of the Energon Terrorcon Divebomb, Laserbeak transforms from a humanoid robot to a robotic bird of prey. He came with a pair of clear-blue blades that can combine to form a large energon weapon, plus a blue Decepticon-style energon chip. He was available only as a poly-bagged set with his mold-mate Buzzsaw, sold as an "at the show" souvenir set at BotCon 2006, limited to 500 pieces.

This mold was also used to make the Terrorcon Blackout.

• More information on Timelines Laserbeak at TFU.info

Classics

• Soundwave (Commemorative Edition, 2007)
  • Accessories: Left and right laser guns, tape cases

Hasbro's first reissue of the original Laserbeak toy came packaged with Soundwave and "Battle" Ravage. The set was originally intended to be part of their Commemorative Series of Generation 1 reissues, but when that line was cancelled, it was instead released as part of the Classics toyline. The phrase "Commemorative Edition" is prominently displayed on the front and sides of the box, though, and it remains exclusive to Toys"R"Us, as all Commemorative Edition toys were. Laserbeak features slightly more orangey-red paint on his body than normal, and comes with a tape case for the first time in Hasbro markets. He and Ravage can now both fit inside Soundwave at the same time, as this edition marked the first Hasbro release of Soundwave with the double-wide chest-door created for his Japanese Soundblaster retooling in 1987.

Encore

• Soundwave (2007)
  • ID number: 03
  • Accessories: Left and right laser guns, tape case

TakaraTomy made the original Laserbeak figure available again as part of their new Encore series of reissues. As with his Transformers Collection reissue, Encore Laserbeak features lighter orange labels.

• Great Cassette Operation vol.3 (2009)
  • ID number: 19
  • Accessories: Left and right laser guns, tape case

A second Encore reissue of Laserbeak came in the third in a series of cassette multi-packs, together with Frenzy, Overkill and Rumble. This version was the first Japanese reissue to reinstate the darker orange stickers of original figure, but now features the more reddish-orange paint seen on Hasbro's Classics reissue. As with all the cassettes in the set, he came with his now-familiar clear cassette case.

Universe (2008)

• Soundwave (2009)
  • Accessories: Left and right laser guns, tape case

In 2009, Laserbeak was included with yet another reissue of Soundwave as part of the Universe line, this time as a Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive that was prominently offered at San Diego Comic-Con 2009. Laserbeak still sports his more orangey-red paint job, and comes with his weapons and his own cassette case.

Generations

Now when he perches on Megatron's shoulder, everyone topples over.

• Laserbeak (Scout 2012)
  • Accessories: Left and right axes

Laserbeak is a black, silver, and red redeco of Revenge of the Fallen Skystalker. He transforms from a robot into a flying-wing-style stealth jet drone similar to the BAE Corax, with large engine intakes on both sides of the fuselage that resemble those of a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit and sculpted zigzag patterns like those found on an F-22 Raptor. Undocumented in the instructions, the two axes that peg into his palms as weapons for his robot mode can also clip directly to his forearms (giving them a superficial similarity to tonfa). For vehicle mode, they integrate into the stealth jet's wings. The robot mode feet are spring-loaded so the heels and toes collapse down and together when the feet are lifted off the ground. Laserbeak's head has been decoed in a way reminiscent of Laserbeak's pre-Earth form seen in Sunbow's The Transformers TV series.

Laserbeak was first released to Asian markets with entirely English Generations packaging, but later was released also in North America in Generations packaging that was in both English and Chinese to lampshade the toy's origin.

This mold was also used to make Sunspot and Tokyo Toy Show exclusive Generation 2 Smokescreen.

• More information on Generations Laserbeak at TFU.info

• Soundwave (Voyager, 2012)
  • Series / number: 1 / 001

• Japanese ID number: TG13

Laserbeak was repurposed from Laserbeak.

Part of the first wave of Generations Fall of Cybertron Voyager Class toys, Soundwave comes with Legends Class Laserbeak, who transforms from a "data disc" into a robotic bird. He is capable of storing in and launching out of Soundwave's chest compartment, and features a fully automatic, spring-loaded transformation to bird mode that is triggered when a button on his underside is pressed.

This mold was redecoed into Buzzsaw and Sunder, and was also retooled into Ratbat.

• More information on Generations Laserbeak at TFU.info

Masterpiece

• Masterpiece Soundwave (2012)

Included with the Masterpiece release of Soundwave is a Masterpiece Laserbeak. The cassette is the same size of the G1 version, but features a very different transformation sequence that gives him a fully show-accurate design. Differently from the original version, the jet thrusters are not separate kibble, but are rather included in the mold. A small tab on his head hides the camera he used in the 1986 film.

This mold was later redecoed as Masterpiece Buzzsaw.

Commemorative Series

• G1 Soundwave with Ravage & Laserbeak (2012)
  • Accessories: Left and right laser guns

The next reissue of Laserbeak.

Merchandise

Transformers Milk Caramel

• Condor (1985)

A small, soft-rubber figurine of Laserbeak—known in Japan as a keshigomu—was available as part of the first wave of Kabaya's Transformers Milk Caramel line of candy toys. He was available in a variety of colours, including white, blue, sky blue, yellow, green and orange, and as a candy toy, came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies.

Transformers Choco

• Condor (1985)

A solid-color, snap-together model kit of Laserbeak was released by Kabaya as part of their Transformers Choco line of candy toys. It was available in various colors, came with candy-coated chocolates, and could fit inside the chest of the larger Transformers Gum model kit of Soundwave.

Decoy

• Destron Hero Collection 22 (multi-pack, 1986)

Laserbeak was among the many characters released by Takara as part of their own larger series of keshigomu figures. Like all the Decepticons in the series, he was molded in soft purple rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his Tech Specs, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines. Laserbeak was available as part of a 22-piece box set of Decepticon figures, and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets.

Laserbeak is notable for being the only one of Takara's original 52 keshigomu who was not imported by Hasbro as part of their "Decoy" promotion. Or at least, he is not included on the checklist packaged with the figures; collectors Jon and Karl Hartman believe it to be possible that Laserbeak was released by Hasbro, so if you have proof of Laserbeak on a Hasbro card, contact them!

Super Collection Figure

File:SCF HOC megatron laserbeak.jpg

• Megatron w/ Condor (2001)

Released in the fourth wave of Takara's Super Collection Figure series of PVC figurines, this retool of the first SCF Megatron figure featured Laserbeak perching on his left arm. Like all the figures in the fourth wave, the pair were available in both standard full color and metallic silver "pewter" versions, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve blindpacked figures. In eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version came packaged with the right arm of the collectable Metroplex build-a-figure.

Heroes of Cybertron

• Megatron with Laserbeak (2003)

The Super Collection Figure version of Megatron and Laserbeak was later imported by Hasbro as part of their Heroes of Cybertron line. Unlike the Japanese figure, they were cast entirely in translucent red plastic and then painted over, save for a spot on Megatron's head that allowed for a light-piping effect, and came in blister packaging with a profile card. In a moment of alignment with the Japanese version, rare in Heroes of Cybertron, this version of the figure also came with the right arm of the wave's Metroplex build-a-figure.

• More information on Heroes of Cybertron Megatron and Laserbeak at TFU.info

Mega Super Collection Figure

• Megatron (2002)
  • ID number: 03

A PVC figurine of Laserbeak was included with this five-inch tall Megatron figure. Laserbeak was redoced into Buzzsaw for inclusion with the exclusive metallic redeco of the set available at Hobby Expo 2002 and Wonderfest 2002.

Q-Robo Collection

• Soundwave (2003)
  • Accessories: Laserbeak

A super-deformed PVC of Laserbeak was included as an acecssory with the Q-Robo Collection version of Soundwave, which could fit into his chest as if in mid-ejection. Like all the figures in the series, it was sold blindpacked in a plastic capsule, and was also available in a translucent purple color scheme.

• More information on the Q-Robo Collection at Autobase Aichi

Generation 1 Figure-Collection

• Soundwave (2003)
  • Japanese ID number: C-3
  • Accessories: Display base

Laserbeak sits perched on the shoulder of this Soundwave "bottlecap" figurine, so named because its display base is the size of a bottlecap. It was one of fourteen blindpacked figures available in Kabaya's Transformers Generation 1 Figure-Collection, rendered in a "retro" black and white color scheme, which came packaged with a leaflet personalized with cartoon screen captures.

• More information on the Generation 1 collection at Autobase Aichi

Palisades Toys

• Laserbeak Polystone Mini Statue (Action Figure Xpress exclusive, 2005)
  • Accessories: Display base

Palisades Toys produced a mini-statue of Laserbeak designed to interact with their 6" Soundwave statue release the previous year. Available exclusively through Action Figure Xpress and limited to only 750 pieces worldwide, Laserbeak could perch on Soundwave's outstretched arm, and came with his own small base to stand on so he could be displayed separately.

• More information on Laserbeak at Action Figure Xpress

Transformers - Wall Plaque

• Soundwave (Diamond Select, 2006)

Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2006, Soundwave was sculpted by Art Asylum and limited to 1,000 pieces. He is seen emerging from the space bridge with Rumble, Laserbeak, and Ravage in tow.

Transformers - Mini Bust

An elegant but succinct summation.

• Soundwave (Diamond Select, 2007)

Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2007, Soundwave was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1,000 pieces. The sculpt features both his concussion blaster gun and shoulder cannon with Laserbeak perched on his left shoulder. His tape deck altmode is sculpted on the base of the bust.

Attacktix

• Laserbeak

Attacktix Laserbeak is a 10-point Trooper-type piece featuring a firing missile launcher on his back. The piece's base is shaped like Soundwave's arm, where Laserbeak rests while not in use. He is attached to the arm with a string, allowing him to take flight and get better shots at enemy pieces.

While Hasbro showed off Laserbeak at some conventions, he was ultimately never released. Most of his in-game stats and abilities are as such unknown.

Game over. This Attacktix item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Robot Heroes

CAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWnceled.

• Prowl vs Laserbeak (canceled)

Seemingly captured in the middle of a wild take, this super-deformed Robot Heroes version of Laserbeak —sporting a distinctive orange beak inspired by his original package art—would have come packaged with Prowl, but was regrettably canceled before release. This two-pack was not the only tail-end Robot Heroes set to meet this fate, but it was one of only a few to actually be advertised on the packaging of toys that did make it to the store shelf.

Your bargaining posture is highly dubious. Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

G.I. Joe and the Transformers

• Shockwave H.I.S.S. Tank with two figures & Energon (2012)

An exclusive release for San Diego Comic-Con 2012, this toy is a redeco of the 2012 new-mold G.I. Joe: Retaliation HISS tank meant to represent Shockwave. It includes the Cobras James McCullen Destro XXIV and a Battle Android Trooper with a trolley for carrying Energon cubes.

Destro's accessories include Soundwave in the form of a non-transforming tape deck and three micro-casettes capable of being placed within the Soundwave toy; red, orange, and gold cassettes that represent Ravage, Laserbeak, and Ratbat. Just who is meant to be who is unclear.

Notes

• Laserbeak had the preliminary name Slazer.
• Though Laserbeak is portrayed as a normal audio cassette in the various fictions, his original toy was a microcassette. (Likewise, Soundwave's toy was a microcassette recorder, rather than the "stereo cassette deck" he's stated to be elsewhere.)

• Buzzsaw's toy was sold with Soundwave. Consequently, Buzzsaw had a much lower profile in the cartoon and his Tech Spec function of "spy" was open for the taking. Laserbeak was given this role, presumably because he would have more opportunity to spy than to use his own (non-kid-friendly) function of "interrogation".
• Although the Laserbeak and Buzzsaw toys had a standard cassette deco on one side, the cartoon chose to show the bird side in its depictions of their alternate modes, effectively making either side accurate.
• The title screen to Ocean's Transformers game for the Commodore 64 (see right) depicts either a Laserbeak or a Buzzsaw that is primarily red with gold wings. Get on it, e-HOBBY!
• It's possible that Beast Wars Lazorbeak was intended to be a new form for Laserbeak. Lazorbeak's on-package bio reads, "Lazorbeak upholds his motto of believing the only good point he likes about the Maximals is their melting point", a reference to Laserbeak's original motto. Also, both use laser weapons which frequently run out of energy.
• The Real Gear Robot Booster X10 is a Laserbeak homage.
• According to Fun Pub's The Transformers Menagerie Part:1 Cassette Technology Laserbeak was the first Recordicon and was altered from a normal Cryo-Condor to a full Transformer capable of changing into a standard Datatrax wafer.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Condor (コンドル Kondoru)
• French: Vautour (Canada, "Vulture")
• Hebrew: Keren Laser (קרן לייזר, "Laser Beam")
• Hungarian: Lézercsőr
• Italian: Gufo ("Owl")
• Mandarin: Léi-shè Yīng (Taiwan, 雷射鷹, "Laser Hawk"), Léi-shè Nǐau (Taiwan, 雷射鳥, "Laser Bird"), Jīgūang Nǐao (China, 激光鳥, "Laser Bird")
• Portuguese: Lança-Laser (Portugal comics, "Lance Laser"), Bicolaser (Brazil comics, "Nozzle Laser")
• Swedish: Laserspanare (More Than Meets The Eye parts 1-3, "Laser scout") Lasernäbb (cartoon, "Laser beak")
• Russian: Lazernik (Лазерник)

External links

• Laserbeak's Universe profile at NTFA.net