Ironhide (G1)

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

• Main
• Marvel comic
• G1 cartoon
• IDW (2005)
• Toys & Merchandise
• Gallery

Ironhide is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Properly pronounced "Arn-hahhhd".

Ironhide is one of the oldest and toughest Autobots, and has been on Optimus Prime's team for a long time. "They don't make them like they used to" is an apt description of Ironhide—he's yesterday's model, but he's built to last.

Gruff and ornery, he prefers actions to words, and dislikes talk for talk's sake. (He wouldn't enjoy being paired up with Bluestreak.) But though he may be rough around the edges, he's still optimistic and upbeat. The upside to being through more than your share of trouble means trouble ain't so big a scare anymore.

Ironhide's most distinctive ability is the water gun, a weapon which can generate and shoot a liquid of virtually any type. Liquid nitrogen is historically a favorite, but there have been acids, mortar, and more.

His vehicle mode sometimes splits into his robot and a separate component.

When are we gonna start bustin' Deceptichops?Ironhide's version of diplomacy, The Transformers: The Movie

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Marvel The Transformers comics

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

HAY GUYS CAN I HAVE A CHARACTER MODEL PLEASE KTHANX

Four million years ago, when the war was still young, Optimus Prime fought an uphill battle against the Decepticons. Ironhide was beside him when Optimus Prime, despite being wounded, refused to raise the white flag, and due to their courage, the tide of the war was turned. Surrender!

Ironhide was chosen to join the Ark mission to save Cybertron from an asteroid belt—a mission that saw him stranded on Earth for four million years. Upon reactivation in 1984, Ironhide immediately began bickering with Huffer. The Transformers

Phew. There we go.

This rivalry continued when it was discovered that the human Sparkplug Witwicky had created useable fuel for the Decepticons during his kidnapping. Huffer demanded Sparkplug pay for his treason, while Ironhide suggested sympathy. However, this argument only provided a distraction for Sparkplug and his son, Buster Witwicky to escape; this attempt was aborted when Sparkplug suffered a heart attack. Soon, the Decepticons, fully refueled, came for the Ark, and Ironhide was one of just five Autobots selected to fight the invasion, using pooled fuel from his comrades. Their near-victory was robbed from them when Shockwave arrived, surprising everyone, and blasted the surviving Autobots into spare parts. The Last Stand

Ironhide was next seen being hung from the ceiling of the Ark, prepared by Shockwave to be used as spare parts for the next generation of Decepticons. The New Order Ratchet, the only surviving Autobot, returned to the Ark in secret to see this for himself; indeed, Ironhide and the others still hung deactivated. Warrior School! Ratchet managed to re-secure the Ark, and Ironhide was subsequently rebuilt. DIS-Integrated Circuits! Ironhide would be one of the first Autobots to battle the Constructicons when his team attempted to destroy a transmission from Soundwave to his Decepticon comrades back on Cybertron. The Next Best Thing to Being There! Ironhide also suffered damage at the hands of a Decepticon-controlled Optimus Prime body shortly before their fallen leader was restored to them. Prime Time!

When Ironhide's in charge, he nominates Megatron to take over. Scary, huh?

Once repaired, he worked alongside Jetfire in the Dinobot Hunt, initially distrusting and clashing with him because of his Decepticon origins. He learnt to trust him during the mission. Dinobot Hunt! He at one point broke protocol to single-handedly break a terrorist siege in Los Angeles, only to become frustrated when the police almost ruined it. ...Perchance to Dream Later on, he would be dispatched as a bodyguard for Buster Witwicky to prevent any reprisal attacks from the Decepticons—he had a more successful rematch against the Constructicons, and was also happily introduced to the wonders of demolition derbies. Devastation Derby!

When the time-travelling Galvatron arrived in 1986 and Optimus Prime, Ratchet, and Prowl were both lost in Limbo, Ironhide was one of the Autobots who battled the Decepticon. It went so poorly that the beaten and humiliated Ironhide was desperate enough to salvage the similarly-defeated Megatron and Soundwave to temporarily take command of the Autobots. Target: 2006

Ironhide would go on to fight against Ratbat's forces on the moon shortly before the crews of the Ark and the Steelhaven joined under one banner. Totaled! He was also briefly seen fighting alongside the Transformers of two eras against Galvatron during the Time Wars. Time Wars

This is the punchline. Get it?

Although not explicitly named as being among those who were taken offline by the Underbase-powered Starscream, Ironhide probably fell victim to this fate since, when he was next heard from, he was offline in a stasis aboard the Ark. In 1990, Grimlock revived him and all the other invalid Autobots with Nucleon in time to participate in the climactic battle with Unicron on Cybertron. On the Edge of Extinction! Shortly after the planet-eater's destruction, Ironhide was seen loading supplies onto one of the ships the Autobots were about to use to depart Cybertron. A Savage Circle

Earthforce

These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See Earthforce for details.

While in stasis aboard the Ark, Ironhide was hacked into by an alternate Galvatron, who was looking for potential soldiers with dark sides he could corrupt. As a result, Ironhide was reactivated and helped stop Galvatron. ...Perchance to Dream He went on to be a founding member of Earthforce, fighting against Megatron and Shockwave's rival Decepticon armies. Break-Away!

In his first mission, alongside Bumblebee, he used his knowledge of Decepticon automated defence rings and riddles to get into a Decepticon facility and end their attempts at creating a new Devastator. Desert Island Risks! Later, he was present at the Decepticon Enclave, and came up with a devious plan to stop Megatron & Shockwave from uniting their two factions. Knocking out Headstrong and using him as a patsy, Ironhide and the other Autobots faked a sniper attack on Megatron, prompting the Decepticons to shoot back at the rock cropping where they were hiding. The Autobots then dropped Headstrong off the ledge as if he'd been hit, framing him and Shockwave's army for trying to assassinate Megatron. The Enclave quickly turned into a ruckus. A brawl. A mixmas—no, wait. That one doesn't work. The Bad Guy's Ball!

Ironhide also joined Earthforce and the Survivors in taking down the Mayhem Attack Squad. Where Wolf? While fighting to protect Starscream from Decepticon assassins, in order to get a systems boost for Snarl's fading health, Ironhide had to fight against Megatron. He took several hits from the fusion cannon, going down and leaving the fight to the Dinobots. The Lesser Evil! Perhaps looking to sharpen his skills, Ironhide was next seen working out with Jazz in the Combat Room against a robot drone. Front Line!

Another Time & Place

Ironhide was part of a commando unit sent to Hydrus Four after the Dinobots. He and a small group of Autobots surprised Fangry and tore him limb from limb. Another Time & Place

Marvel Generation 2 comic

When Optimus Prime and Grimlock discovered the threat of the Cybertronian Empire, they called in Autobots scattered across the galaxy, including Ironhide. And, when Grimlock chose to disobey Prime's directives and make a tactical first strike against Jhiaxus's ships, Ironhide went with him. They were quickly found out and captured, though, leaving it to Optimus to bail them out of trouble. Devices and Desires!

Later, when Prime had the brilliant idea that Megatron would be willing to "just talk" after laying waste to much of the planet Earth, Ironhide joined the rescue party Grimlock threw together to bail him out. The Gathering Darkness He was also involved in the defense of Ethos against the Cybertronians. Ironhide took several shots to the chest while protecting that world. Escalation!

Classics

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

Ironhide came to Earth, along with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, to bolster Optimus Prime's forces as Megatron began reassembling his army. Ironhide was seen defending a human settlement from the Seekers as Megatron and the captive Ratchet watched on. At Fight's End

Ironhide was aboard the Graviton when it was pulled into the Primax -408.24 Epsilon universe and deposited near that universe's prehistoric Earth. After being shot down by the Talon, the Autobots adopted organic alternate modes to avoid the ambient Energon radiation, and though Ironhide wasn't keen on the idea, he took the form of an elephant. Shattered Time On discovering that three stasis pods were missing from the ship, the Autobots set out to find them, but after suffering a Decepticon attack on the way, they arrived to find Megatron had already activated them as Decepticons. Prowl, Silverbolt and Ironhide were blasted by Autojetter, and it was only the arrival of Depth Charge and Ultra Magnus's subsequent recovery that saved them. Shattered Expectations

The Autobots retreated across a rock bridge, and watched as Magnus faced off against Megatron, dealing their foe a temporary defeat. Back at the Graviton, Depth Charge gave the "Maximals" more of an explanation regarding his presence, though it gave Ironhide a bit of a headache. Shattered Paths When they located their missing energy purifier, the Maximals went out to fetch it. Despite the new ability of Ironhide, Prowl and Silverbolt to merge into Magnaboss, they were trounced by God Neptune. Shattered Hope Returning to the ship, the Maximals fueled up before joining Depth Charge, who had located the Matrix he was seeking. The Maximals kept a security system occupied long enough for Magnus to retrieve the Matrix in question, however a short time later they were confronted by Megatron piloting a giant mech. Shattered Balance Ironhide again took part in merging into Magnaboss, but the combiner was soundly defeated by Megatron's Gigastorm Armor. The Maximals were moments later pulled into a dimensional rift created by Ultra Magnus. Shattered Destiny

Regeneration One

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

Ironhide was part of the Autobot detachment that Optimus Prime took with him to confront Megatron on a devastated Earth in 2012. While the two leaders clashed, Ironhide and the others battled Megatron's zombie army of "Ex-Bots". Loose Ends #5

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

Ironhide firing the gun at the side of the ship that magically fired straight in front of the ship.

Ironhide was part of the bridge crew of the Autobots' spacecraft when it embarked on its fateful voyage to seek out new sources of energy beyond Cybertron four million years ago and its crash on Earth. He was reactivated in 1984, Becoming a member of Optimus Prime's Autobots, playing a key role in stopping many of the Decepticon's plots on Earth. He even came back from retirement!

Sadly, his luck came to and end when in 2005, the Decepticons boarded his shuttle en route to Autobot City. Even the old timer could not stand up when severely outnumbered, as all of his crewmates were killed, and he was executed by Megatron from point blank range.

In some other cartoons and comics, he came back from the dead (maybe).

Marvel Storybooks continuity

Ironhide was one of the thrity-five Autobots rebuilt on Earth in the form of a terrestrial vehicle. Along with Hound, Windcharger and Optimus, Ironhide once cheered so loudly that it almost made a volcano erupt. Later, he was a participant in a fight that ensued between the Autobts and the Decepticons when Megatron attempted to take millions of humans hostage in order to demand Earth's unconditional surrender to the Decepticons. Battle for Earth

Marvel coloring books

Wither Ironhide or Ratchet helped the Autobots in protecting Hoover Dam from the Decepticons. The Deadly Fuel Shortage

Ironhide was part of the Autobot convoy that followed Optimus Prime into battle when it was discovered that the Decepticons were using a molecular transfer device to steal fuel from all around the globe. After the encountered Decepticon opposition en-route, Ironhide volunteered to donate some of his fuel to the more energy-efficient Autobots so that they continue fighting without him. The Autobots utlimately succeeded in turning the Decepticons' device against them, and returned the stolen fuel to its rightful owners. Summertime Coloring Book

Big Looker storybooks continuity

When the Cybertronian civil war had yet to leave the planet, Optimus asked his Autobots to join him in leaving their home world behind and travel out into space. When Bumblebee volunteered to join Optimus, Jazz and the rest of the Autobots jumped in as well. After crash-landing on Earth and being offline for about 65 millions years, Jazz and the rest of the Autobots met Sparkplug and his son Spike. With the Decepticons still not in the know of what forms the Autobots had taken, Jazz was one of the troops that Optimus led into the desert in order to ambush their enemies. Though they successfully took by surprise a squadron of Decepticons, the Autobots had not anticipated a second group flying in from the opposite direction. Thanks to a warning from Spike and Sparkplug, the Autobots managed to fend off the Decepticons, and came to accept Earth as their new home. Battle for Cybertron

Ladybird Books continuity

While stretching his suspension, Ironhide inadvertently picked up a radio contact of Decepticons in flight, and reported it to Optimus Prime. Megatron's Fight for Power

Ironhide volunteered for grocery trip duties with Spike and Sparkplug Witwicky. Apparently, the two humans ate so much it put a strain on Ironhide's suspension. Autobots Fight Back

Ironhide was part of a battle unit assembled by Optimus Prime to stop the Decepticons from seizing control of...a single windmill. (No, really.) Laserbeak's Fury

Find Your Fate Junior

As the following stories are multipath adventures, details will vary depending on the path taken. See individual pages for information on alternate paths.

Attack of the Insecticons

Ironhide was in the process of completing a trial-run with Sparkplug's newest invention, the Sun-Pak, when the Decepticons attacked the Autobots' secret underground testing track. The ensuing fight between the two factions was skewed in favour of the Decepticons, forcing the Autobots into a series of difficult choices. In the subsequent possible scenarios, Ironhide was more in favour of bargaining with the Decepticons for the Autobots' lives, and ran into difficulties in keeping the Sun-Pak out of Decepticon hands. Attack of the Insecticons

Decepticon Poison

Ironhide was amongst the Autobots about to be topped up with their latest batch of fuel when Red Alert burst into Autobot headquarters, warning everyone about Ramjet being spotted nearby. Red Alert’s warning came in just in time, as the Autobots’ fuel had been poisoned, and Ironhide would have been left unable to transform had he ingested any of it.

In one possible scenario that ensued, Ironhide was part of the Autobots’ back-up squadron, as they attempted to defend the Autobot base against the Decepticons. In one version of the ensuing events, the Autobots were able to beat back the Decepticons, though not without receiving some grievous injuries themselves.

In another possible scenario, where Optimus followed a plan courtesy of Prowl, the Autobot leader instructed his troops to transform into vehicle mode and play dead. The Decepticons, believing the Autobots’ ruse, disarmed themselves in order to carry out the Autobots’ “carcasses.” Now with the element of surprise against unarmed opponent, the Autobots Transformed and were able to easily defeat the evil robots.

In another possible turn of events, Perceptor gave out too much of his antidote to cure each poisoned Autobot. The Autobots who received the antidote soon found themselves falling apart, leaving Ironhide and the rest outmatched against the greater number of Decepticons.

In yet another possible scenario, Optimus opted to use the tainted fuel as a weapon against an encroaching Decepticon squadron. The plan went off without a hitch, and the Autobots celebrated another victory over the Decepticons.

In a completely different scenario, Optimus decided to go on the offensive and strike back at the Decepticons after they had poisoned a good number of Autobots. Prowl quickly pointed out that the mission required brains, not muscles, pointing to Ironhide. Optimus agreed, and Ironhide could only grumble while Prowl smirked. Prick.

In one possible scenario that followed, Optimus and his squadron returned to base with the antidote and cured the poisoned Autobots. The Autobots then proceeded to stop the Decepticons in their latest plot: to poison the nearby water supply.

If Optimus led his troops back to the Decepticons’ poison lab, Ironhide was amongst the Autobot convoy that drove into action. Upon seeing the Decepticons hauling out drums of poison, Ironhide suggested the Autobots go in strong and attack them directly.

If Optimus went along with Ironhide’s plan, Ironhide, Brawn, Twin Twist and Hound were called forth by Optimus to gun down the laboratory. The laboratory then caved in on itself, signalling an Autobot victory. Decepticon Poison

Autobot Alert!

Ironhide was present at the Autobot city of Metroplex when an Autobot Alert sounded.

He and the other Autobots learned of two Decepticon plots simultaneously occurring. One of which was the theft of a coded message meant for Ultra Magnus’s eyes only. If Ultra Magnus decided to prioritize theft of the coded message, Ironhide was part of the captive audience that listened to Kup divulge information about an ancient Autobot formula. Ironhide took off towards the Autobots’ desert research centre along with a number of other Autobots. Once there, they learned from Springer that the Cybertite sphere containing the formula was discovered by humans during the 16th century. If the Decepticons had decoded Springer's message, they would be searching off the coast of California, where the ship containing the sphere had sunk. If they hadn’t decoded the message, the Decepticons would still be digging in the nearby crater.

If Ultra Magnus decided to assume that the Decepticons had already decrypted the message, he ordered his forces to split up to more efficiently address the situation. Ironhide was part of the main group of Autobot forces led by Ultra Magnus towards the California coast. Arriving at the scene, Ultra Magnus’s troops were informed by Powerglide (who had flown ahead of the land-bound group) that he had discovered the location of the sunken ship containing the cybertite sphere. Simultaneously, Blurr caught up with the group to inform them that the Decepticons were quickly approaching. The Autobots then needed to decide whether they would raise the ship themselves, or try and ambush the Decepticons after they had done so.

If Ultra Magnus decided to have his Autobots hide while the Decepticons raised the ship, Ironhide found himself in a cave with Brawn and and Grapple. The three Autobots spied Devastator retrieving the sunken ship from the water, and decided that the three of them would snatch the sphere away from the Decepticons.

If Ironhide and his team executed their plan before any other Autobots, they had Grapple reel the ship away from the Decepticons with his crane hook, while Ironhide and Brawn attempted to defend their position. The Decepticons destroyed both the ship and the cybertite sphere contained within, and then began pummelling the Autobots with their superior firepower. Trapped in their caves, the Autobts were left at the Decepticons’ mercy. Autobot Alert!

Transformers in 3-D

There's a door just to your left, Ironhide.

When a distress call from Cosmos reached Cybertron, Ironhide set off to find out why the small Autobot was so far from his assigned area. This lead him to the planet Andellor, to which Cosmos had traveled in search of the Prism of Power. Ironhide first managed to dispatch Scorponok and Cyclonus without breaking a sweat, before he, Cosmos, and the five children who needed the Prism, encountered Grogg, guardian of the ancient artifact. Though Ironhide pleaded with Grogg that they needed the Prism, Grogg insisted they answer his riddle or die. After one of the children answered the riddle, Ironhide returned with Cosmos and the children to the S.S. Exton 9 space station and defeated Razorclaw in battle. Transformers in 3-D #2

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Events from The Transformers Trilogy novels are in italics.

Before the war, Ironhide was a construction engineer, working on the bridges that connected cybertron's city states. When war broke out, he joined Grimlock's commando unit, along with Kup and Wheeljack, when they attempted to defend Altihex against the Decepticons. Though Altihex was lost, the unit survived to attend Optimus Prime's inauguration. The War Within #1 He took part in the preparations for the evacuation of Cybertron at the Central Spaceport, despite expressing his disagreement to Hound about the new Prime's decision. The pair subsequently observed Grimlock's even greater dissatisfaction and the Dinobot stormed off. The War Within #2 During a Decepticon attack, he and the rest of the unit met Grimlock on the Tri-Torus Loop, only to be surprised by Grimlock's decision to leave Iacon to the foe. Instead they traveled to the crater of the Forum of Enlightenment to look for Optimus. The War Within #4

Underground, Ironhide's sensors led the group to find the planetary turbines. Grimlock ordered him, Kup and Wheeljack to shut it down. The trio listened in on Starscream's plans, but were discovered by the Constructicons. The War Within #5 Ironhide and Kup worked to fight the Constructicons off, becoming pinned down until Grimlock arrived to lend a hand with Optimus. They kept the Decepticons distracted long enough for Wheeljack to take out the planetary engines. Though Ironhide expected Optimus to resume the evacuation, Prime announced they were staying. The War Within #6

After Prime was lost through a space bridge, and the Cybertronians fell into even more factions, Ironhide became a part of Grimlock's Lightning Strike Coalition. During an attempt by Starscream's forces to seize a couple of transporters full of energon, Ironhide and Wheeljack were able to board and fly off in the transporters while the rest of the team kept Starscream busy. Fragmentation

He was part of the Ark's original crew four million years ago, and awoke with the rest of them in 1984. After the crash of the Ark II, however, Ironhide was among the Transformers secretly acquired by Lazarus as a potential weapon of mass destruction for sale. He was tortured and heavily damaged by the Decepticons when they broke Lazarus' control over them, and was unable to immediately aid Prime and the others against Megatron. Prime Directive #3 Prime Directive #4

When Optimus Prime and Jazz returned from an alien world with the malevolent Keepers in tow, Ironhide was one of the first Autobots who joined them in the fight against the invaders. The Keepers had taken residence in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a united force of Autobots and Decepticons descended on the city in the hopes of stopping the aliens before the United States government unleashed a nuclear strike. When Optimus Prime used an energon pool to supercharge himself and the Matrix, Ironhide and the other Autobots joined their own energon with Prime to enhance his efforts. Through their combined energies, the nuclear missile was averted and the Keepers were displaced into the Void. Annihilation

Old people never stop doing it. Now try to get that out of your brain!

After the battle, Optimus Prime was forced by a debt of honor to hand over the Matrix to Megatron, a decision which didn't sit well with many of the Autobots. Ironhide did his best to defend his leader's actions against the likes of Mirage, but even he had trouble justifying the decision. Ironhide also joined the Autobots in confronting the American military in the Nevada desert, where the President attempted to have them assassinated. The military used deconstructionites, reverse-engineered Cybertronian technology in the form of tiny microchips that literally sapped away the Transformers' strength. Ironhide was the first of the Autobots to fall before this assault, and had to be hauled to safety inside Prime's trailer segment. Fusion

Sometime after Ironhide was repaired, the Autobots again confronted the Decepticons, this time over a mysterious shuttle pod that landed in Northern Canada. Skywarp got the drop on Ironhide during the fight, riddling his backside with explosive shells. The feisty security agent had to be dragged off the battlefield so that Ratchet could perform the necessary repairs back at base. New World Order In the meantime, a force of United Cybertronians arrived on Earth and demanded that Prime and his crew surrender themselves into protective custody, in order to prevent them from rekindling the war which had been over on Cybertron now for centuries. Leaving behind a skeleton crew to watch over Earth, Optimus Prime, Ironhide and the other Autobots allowed Ultra Magnus and his operatives to bring them back to their home planet. Brothers' Burden On Cybertron, Optimus Prime was separated from the other Autobots, and Ironhide's team was covertly brought by Broadside to the Autobot resistance. Many Autobots on Cybertron questioned the beneficence of their "commander", Shockwave, and had organized into several insurgency cells. Ironhide and Prowl met with Smokescreen's unit, who in turn brought them in touch with Optimus and second unit led by Hot Rod and Kup. Ironhide quickly exchanged greetings (and a few good-natured insults) with his war-buddy Kup. Passive Aggression With the Ark's crew at hand, the insurgency took to the streets, fighting back against Shockwave and his "Dark Guardians". Ironhide joined Springer and Hot Rod on the front lines during the advance. Countdown to Extinction

In the days that followed, Ironhide, Prowl and Kup attempted to coordinate things on Cybertron, but gratefully stepped aside once Ultra Magnus had finished his repair cycle. Ironhide was greatly amused when the uncharismatic Prowl attempted to make a public address at Central Hall, only to be bombarded with questions from concerned citizens. Later, he, Prowl and Kup knocked back refreshments at the Alpha Preserve and reflected upon the changing political landscape of Cybertron, and wondered if it would be best for old warriors such as themselves to leave. Skyfire With the discovery of a mysterious cloned Transformer possessing the accumulated knowledge of Vector Sigma heading towards Earth, Prowl decided that the Ark's old crew had an obligation to return there and defend their second home. Though some such as Mirage, Gears and Huffer griped, Ironhide knew that for all of their complaints, they would join the mission anyway. Atonement They returned to Earth and began construction of a new Autobot base of operations: Autobot City. The Route of All Evil

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity

Many years after the Ark had crashed on Earth, the human terrorist organization Cobra discovered it and its dormant crew. The Transformers were reprogrammed to be under Cobra's control and given new alternate modes, with Ironhide, Ratchet and Optimus Prime now turning into HISS tanks. Along with Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker, the three Autobots were forced to attack a peace summit in Washington, D.C. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1 The reprogrammed Transformers were eventually freed thanks to Wheeljack, and despite Cobra's efforts to regain control of Ironhide, the Autobot got away when Ratchet ripped their control cables out of his head. Along with Jazz and Mirage, the two then joined Optimus Prime in fighting back against both the freed Decepticons and Cobra. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4 During the battle, Ironhide didn't do much but liken the density of Decepticons on Cobra Island to that of astro ticks on Ravage's behind. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5

After defeating the Decepticons on Earth, the Autobots returned to Cybertron, which Shockwave had conquered in their absence. With the Autobots reduced to a small resistance band, Ironhide helped Optimus Prime and Jazz steal a pile of energon cubes from the Decepticons. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1 He was understandably surprised when his two friends suddenly disappeared in a flash of light. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2

Much later, when Optimus Prime was captured by Serpent O.R., Ironhide joined a team of Autobots who were waiting for a chance to free him. The Art of War #4 When Serpent O.R.'s hostages were freed and reinforcements arrived from Earth, the team attacked and ultimately defeated the Decepticon army. The Art of War #5

Transformers/G.I. Joe

Along with the other Autobots, Iron Hide [sic] lay deactivated among the Fera Islands for four million years, until one day in 1939 when G.I. Joe arrived on the archipelago to defeat Cobra. Roadblock accidentally activated the Autobots' repair drone, which awakened the Autobots and reformatted them, starting with Iron Hide, who was given the form of a human tank. The spooked humans opened fire on the metal giant, but their bullets merely bounced off, and Iron Hide politely asked them to cut it out before the ricochets hurt anyone. After things had settled down, Iron Hide supported the idea of the Autobots helping G.I. Joe, as he needed some workout after that little nap they took. Transformed

On behalf of Bumblebee, Iron Hide later asked Scarlett what she was brooding about. The human cryptically said that someone important was missing, but wouldn't explain who. Shortly afterwards, Iron Hide was shipped out on a barge to attack the Terrordrome along with Optimus Prime and Hound. Trenches During the ensuing battle, he punched out Laserbeak and offered to help Grimlock in his duel with Soundwave, but it turned out Grimlock didn't need any help. Iron Hide presumably perished when the life-giving Matrix of Leadership was shattered in order to stop Bruticus. The Iron Fist

But apparently he was intended to get better if Dreamwave hadn't folded.

Transformers Legends anthology

When a badly-damaged Starscream was brought to the Ark, Ironhide agreed with Jazz that it was probably a trap. When Starscream turned out to be amnesiac and amenable to the Autobot cause, Ironhide and Cliffjumper were assigned to him as escorts, just in case. Ironhide would later join Optimus in shielding Starscream from the Decepticons, when they turned up to retrieve their comrade, noting that as Starscream was weaponless, it would hardly seem fair to not protect him. Redemption Center

The Beast Within

Ironhide participated in a savage battle against the Decepticons, though he did not fare too well, and got tossed around like a ragdoll by Megatron. He later looked on in horror as the Dinobots merged into The Beast and began rampaging across the battlefield. The Beast Within

Later, Ironhide was carried inside Optimus Prime’s trailer as the Autobots attempted to outrun The Beast. Ironhide successfully managed to get through to Jetfire, who picked up all of the passengers within Prime’s trailer, save Skids, who was killed moments before Jetfire managed to show up. The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences

IDW Generation 1 continuity

An early Autobot and one of Optimus Prime's teachers, Ironhide ended up as part of Prowl's counter-infiltration unit on Earth. There, he aided Ratchet, Verity Carlo and Jimmy Pink in trying to discover what happened had happened to the missing Sunstreaker, and almost ended up killed from an explosion while saving the two humans with his holomatter avatar, leading to a merry chase for Hot Rod and Wheeljack to recover him against Machination's Headmasters.

After the Surge, he was part of a group of Autobots trapped on Earth, where he took a Skywatch shot meant for Hot Rod, and died...

...but not for long. Reborn one year later, albeit missing four million years of memories, on Cybertron through the machinations of Alpha Trion, he was left to finish off the Insecticon swarm infesting the planet with a crippled Sunstreaker until Hot Rod (now calling himself "Rodimus") and Wheelie recovered them. Reunited with the Autobots in time for Cybertron's rebirth, he had a vision of a peaceful time centuries in the future, which influenced him until it was apparently proven wrong with the destruction of Gorlam Prime, sending him into a deep depression for some time.

IDW Beast Wars comics

Ironhide served on the Maximal Imperium, alongside Prowl and Silverbolt. Leadership seemed to have robbed him of a bit of his gusto, although according to Big Convoy he was 'right honorable'. Ironhide, Prowl and Silverbolt sent Ikard to request a report from Big Convoy, but he refused, citing his need to investigate the Angolmois-fueled murders. The Ascending #2

Hearts of Steel

Ironhide was part of the Autobot forces who fought the Decepticons on Earth in the distant past until an incoming ice age threatened to deactivate them all. Both sides went into hiding underground, remaining in stasis until the 1860's, at which point they were accidentally awakened by humans. Hearts of Steel #1 As they resumed their war with the Decepticons, Ironhide and the others took on train modes and allied themselves with John Henry in order to pursue the Astrotrain. Hearts of Steel #3 Ironhide was the second car in the Autobot train, an artillery boxcar with his name on it. When Scourge began to attack the Autobot train from above, he partially transformed to robot mode in order to shoot him down. After the Decepticons were defeated, the Autobots went back to sleep underground. Hearts of Steel #4

By 1888, Ironhide had gotten involved with humanity again, hiding on the USS Miskatonic in the form of an gun turret. On the way to Ireland the ship was attacked by a tentacled monster from underneath the waves, forcing Ironhide to abandon it and report to the other Autobots. A week later at Port Cenotaph, he ran into additional creatures and Bonecrusher, who revealed that he and the Decepticons were now following the Elder Gods instead of Megatron. Ironhide tried to fight the empowered Decepticon, but was overcome by his eldritch tentacles. Infestation 2: The Transformers #1 As a servant of the Elder Gods, Ironhide stood guard at Port Cenotaph with the Decepticons, protecting it against an international fleet when they came to investigate the disappearance of multiple ships. Ironhide was freed from the Elder Gods' control when Optimus Prime injured the attending Elder God enough to force it back into the depths of the ocean. Infestation 2: The Transformers #2Infestation 2 #1

Descent into Evil

Amazingly not dead.

Ironhide was severely injured during a battle on Moon Base Four, but Optimus Prime used his Reconfiguration Matrix to create a new body for his old friend. Ironhide's Timelines toy bio

Years after the Autobot-Decepticon Wars ended, Ironhide and five other Autobots were sent to Ceti Alpha Seven to destroy General Deathsaurus's Insecticon clone lab and stop his planned Decepticon uprising. After a team of four (consisting of Fallback, Chromia, Flareup, and Ricochet) failed, Ironhide and Ratchet followed to help. After battling swarms of Virulent Clones and Buzzclaw, they finally met up with Deathsaurus himself. Ironhide stayed to fight the general, and Ratchet separated to find their fallen friends. However, Ironhide was shot in the back by Flamewar and he went into stasis lock. Ironhide woke up restrained inside Deathsaurus' lab with Ratchet, while Deathsaurus appeared to them on a monitor and told them he planned to destroy the lab by remote. Before the lab could detonate, Ricochet snuck in and freed them, allowing them to gather their fallen and escape. Descent into Evil

Encore toy bio

Ironhide acquired a new protective black coating to disguise himself from both Decepticons and members of the human criminal underworld, to better allow him to do his job as Optimus Prime's bodyguard. The other Autobots joke that he looks like a stereotypical "Men in Black" vehicle, but Ironhide insists he got the idea from black pickups trucks he saw around town. The coating, a composite gel metal, has made his trithyllium steel skin even more durable, allowing him to self-repair minor injuries right away, and his robot and mobile artillery forms are now 25% more maneuverable than before. 'Protect Black Ironhide' toy bio

Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic

Henkei! Henkei! #7

Ironhide, Mirage and Rodimus tracked Nightstick to a volcanic region of the planet where Cyclonus was about to unveil the awe-inspiring Galvatron to Starscream. Engaging the jets in battle, Ironhide and the Autobots successfully blocked the lava pool Galvatron was too emerge from. Their satisfaction turned to horror, however, when Galvatron blasted free from the rubble anyhow. Luckily, Galvatron was not a morning person, and was more interested in berating Cyclonus and Starscream for interrupting his nap than attacking the Autobots. Henkei! Henkei! #9

Ironhide was taking a pounding from the uncharacteristically-aggressive Octane when Mirage stepped in, meutralizing the 'Con before he was even aware of the invisible Autobot's presence. Both Ironhide and Mirage were shocked when Octane continued moving despite having his circuits disrupted, and were downright beside themselves when the ghost of Starscream emerged from within the Triple Changer. Mirage's Rebirth

Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga

To the Sea of Stars

Transformers: All Spark

Another Episode, Part 2 The Fated Rival, Once Again... To Earth Plans of the Emperor of Destruction Revenge (All Spark) The False Power Ray of Hope Great Aspirations Conclusion

Cloud

Ironhide was one of the Autobots of Metropolis, who maintained order throughout the multiverse from Cloud World. As a surveillance 'bot, Ironhide dispatched Bumblebee and other agents to particular Spacetimes in need of care, although he still pushed for field duties assignments himself from time to time. Uprising

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe

This section covers fiction that is ongoing. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by updating it.

Games

Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons

When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' Minicar troops from the Decepticons, Ironhide could come to Optimus Prime's aid, acting as a bodyguard against Decepticon attacks. Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game

The Transformers (PS2)

Voice actor: Russ Veillard (English)

Ironhide is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Autobot duplicates in the Decepticon campaign.

The Transformers

Transformers G1: Awakening

Ironhide was among the Autobots who left Cybertron aboard the Ark, and spent four million years in stasis after it was shot down over Earth by the Decepticons. As one of the more badly injured, he was placed in Metroplex until the Autobots had gathered enough energon to revive him. He was well enough to take part in a battle when the Autobots saved Grimlock from a bunch of Decepticons, and took part in the defense of the Ark when the Decepticons attempted to assault it. Transformers G1: Awakening

Transformers Legends

When Megatron challenged Optimus Prime to a duel, Ironhide was one of the few Autobots left at HQ to defend it from an attack by the Constructicons. Taking command, he attempted to organize the defense, but they were no match for the Decepticon team. Heavy Metal War - Part 1

When the Decepticons discovered a pool of Electrum and plotted to use this new discovery to annihilate the Autobots, Ironhide and the rest of Optimus's forces sneakily located the lagoon themselves and coated themselves with the substance. In the end, they Autobots forced the Decepticons to retreat, but the miraculous Electrum lagoon was destroyed. The Golden Lagoon

Ironhide took part in the defense of Autobot City during a Decepticon assault, but was unable to prevent their advance. One Shall Fall... He had better luck during an assault by Trypticon — he and Fireflight managed to retrieve Metroplex's transformation cog and fight their way through the Decepticon ranks to get Metroplex back on his feet. Monstrosity

Transformers: Battle Tactics

Hi, I turn into a leg or arm.

Ironhide is only shown in an image.

Transformers: Battle Tactics

Notes

• Bob Budiansky named Ironhide after the TV detective show, Ironside, whose titular protagonist was also a grizzled veteran of his profession.
• A 1986 Panini stickerbook sold in Belgium and the Netherlands gave Ironhide the alternate French language name "Ferro Métal". Whether this name was used in any other media made for French-speaking regions is unknown.
• While Cloud Ironhide doesn't appear in any illustrations, a photo of the Cloud Autobots together by writer Makoto Wakabayashi shows him as the Henkei! Henkei! Ironhide toy.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Ironhide (アイアンハイド Aianhaido)
• Cantonese: Tei-Paid (鐵皮, "Iron Skin", "Iron Hide")
• French: Rhino (Canada)
• Hebrew: Ór Pladá (עור פלדה, "Steel Hide")
• Hungarian: Acélfej ("Steel-head"), Vasököl (Movie, "Ironfist")
• Italian: Falco ("Hawk")
• Mandarin: Zàng Tiě (Taiwan, 藏鐵, "Hiding Iron"), Tiěpí (China, 鐵皮, "Iron Skin")
• Portuguese: Couraça (Brazil comics, "Hide"), Arma-de-Ferro (Portugal comics, "Iron Weapon")
• Russian: Bronevik (Броневик, "Armored Car")
• Ukrainian: Zaliznyak (Залізняк, "Ironer")

External links

• Ironhide's Universe profile at NTFA.net
• e-Hobby's page for Black Protect Ironhide