Mainframe (G1)

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

Mainframe is an Autobot Action Master from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Code Monkey like Fritos. Code Monkey like Tab and Mountain Dew. Code Monkey very simple man with big warm fuzzy secret heart: Code Monkey like you.

Mainframe is a dork. A computer dork, to be precise. (Both in that he is a computer that is a dork, and a dork about computers.) He'd rather tackle complex mathematical problems than join the inconvenient galactic conflict with the Decepticons. Despite his distaste for combat, he won't shirk his duties when called upon. If anything, he hopes that if he simply must fight, that he'll have the chance to use his considerable brainpower to end things quickly.

Alas, his partner, Push-Button, would rather convert to a piston rifle and blow stuff up than be stuck debugging Mainframe's programs. Naturally, the two don't especially get along.

Fiction

IDW Generation 1 continuity

Mainframe was one of the survivors of the Kimia Facility massacre. He got away aboard an escape pod piloted by Chromedome and Brainstorm. Kings The pod was picked up by Arcee, who told the survivors of D-Void's plan to destroy the universe and brought them all to Cybertron to stop it. Genesis

Spoiler warning: Plot details for Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon follow. Spoilers expire in 26 days

When the Lost Light departed for unknown space to search for the Knights of Cybertron, Mainframe was part of the bridge crew. How to Say Goodbye and Mean It He was present among the assembled Autobots after their tumble through quantum space as Rodimus addressed the troops. Hangers On When crew member Ultra Magnus left on a stolen shuttle, Mainframe helped track it down. The Fecund Moon

Classics

Template:Classicsnote Mainframe was overlooking the Ironworks with Rad when Overlord attacked the base with his squad of Decepticons. Invasion Prologue He argued with Rollout while rebuilding Ironworks. When the Junkions attacked, he was captured and turned into one. Invasion (issue)

Toys

Generation 1

It figures a computer dork would want a BFG.

• Mainframe (Action Master, 1990)
  • Accessories: "Vibro Pulverizer" rifle, Push-Button partner

As an Action Master, Mainframe is a non-transforming action figure of a robot with an indeterminate alternate mode, but chances are he turns into one of those huge computers you see in those movies from the 70s and 80s, you know, the ones the size of refrigerators with the reel-to-reel magnetic tape. He is compatible with any Action Master vehicle or weapon. He was part of the second assortment of basic carded figures, and came with his partner-robot Push-Button.

• More information on Mainframe at TFU.info

Notes

• Mainframe is inexplicably on the cover of the 1990 Family Home Entertainment VHS release of the "Five Faces of Darkness" mini-series... a cartoon produced about four years before Mainframe's toy was released.

• According to his tech specs he is equipped to store 200,000 Megabytes of data. Which is really impressive unless you have $100 to spend on a USB hard drive.

Foreign names

• French: Ordinateur (Canada)
• Italian: Cronos