Snarl (BM)
| The name or term "Snarl" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Snarl (disambiguation). |
- Snarl is a Maximal and an Autobot from the Beast Era of the Generation 1 continuity family.
A tactical genius specializing in devastating ambushes, Snarl provides the technorganic Maximals a sound mind for strategy that serves them well in their war against Megatron. He has an innate awareness of the world around him that makes him almost impossible to surprise. He considers the Vehicons beneath him as opponents and wishes to try his mind directly against the scheming Megatron.
By the Universe War, less than 3 deca-cycles after the reformatting of Cybertron, he has become a Matrix Templar, a student of Alpha Trion and servant of the will of Primus himself. His training as a templar has granted him the mystical ability to see others sparks and sense their weaknesses. Though an eager warrior for Primus his desire for battle might prove his undoing in the battle against Unicron.
Fiction
3H comics
A week after the Great Reformatting, Snarl witnessed the Quintesson invasion of Cybertron alongside his troops Longhorn and Skydive. As field commander, he sent in the signal to activate "the reserves." The Wreckers: Finale Part 1 During the surge of Sharkticon stormtroopers, Cheetor was called by the Oracle to direct his attentions elsewhere, and so Snarl was left in charge. As Cheetor left, he noticed something peculiar about Snarl for the first time, and wondered if he might be one of them.
Snarl continued to orchestrate their counteroffensive from his Beast Rider chariot, and Skydive surprised him with the report that T-Wrecks's Dinobots were taking on the eastern flank singlehandedly. Later, T-Wrecks would try to report to Snarl that Triceradon had seemingly vanished before their eyes, but Longhorn noted that Snarl had disappeared in the same manner. Wreckers: Finale Part II
One year later, Alpha Trion and Primus observed Snarl's disappearance—he and countless others had been abducted by Unicron. Abduction His form now stained by the Pit, Snarl was freed along with the others held captive in the Cauldron when a jailbreak was orchestrated by Silverbolt, Trailbreaker, and a resurrected Optimus Primal. As the abductees fled, Primal appointed Snarl in charge of leading them to safety. Snarl rallied the disparate factions under his charge together as one, rescued Grimlock and Megatron from Unicron's general Tankor, and would have succeeded his mission without incident if not for a surprising betrayal by Shadow Striker. Herself corrupted by Unicron's influence, she detonated the bridge on which Snarl and the others were escaping. Thankfully, as Snarl was a Matrix Templar, Optimus Primal was able to use him as conduit to Primus. A portal to Cybertron opened up before them, and Snarl and the rest of the abductees jumped through it to safety to Snarl's native technorganic Cybertron. Escape
Snarl accompanied Optimus Primal on a visit to the Maximal High Council, which Primal insisted on doing with overbearing immediacy, despite Snarl's pleas for a more measured approach. Unfortunately, Snarl's concerns were on the mark, and Primal was put on house arrest. Snarl was able to use his abilities to sneak Primal out without tipping off the sentries outside, and the two returned via a portal to Alpha Trion and Primus. Homecoming
Universe CD-ROM
The Autobot Snarl followed Optimus Primal in combat against Reptilion and his Decepticon forces. He and his comrades were left confused when a mysterious ship arrived, abducted all the Decepticons, and flew away. Universe CD-ROM
Beast Wars: Uprising
Snarl was a member of the Maximal Command Security Force. Along with Polar Claw, he attempted to arrest Noctorro for the charge of staring in one's reflection for too long, noting that the charge carried a ration cut. Their attempt to place stasis cuffs on Noctorro was interrupted by Lio Convoy, who, having recently had his optics opened up to the injustices of Builder-ruled society, challenged the MCSF officers' authority. Snarl and Polar Claw were amused by the seeming hero and prepared to subdue him, only to be easily trounced by the Guardian of Order, who subsequently fled. Broken Windshields
Toys
Beast Machines
- Snarl (Deluxe, 2000)
- Accessories: Tail/Ax
- Snarl transforms into a technorganic lion, and in robot mode can wield an ax formed from his tail. Both arms house gimmicks: His right arm has a geared wheel in it, allowing for ax chopping action. His left houses a spring, which launches his arm forward about half an inch for a "power punch" attack. Interestingly, he shares his gimmick (and general transformation scheme) with fellow Maximal Cheetor, but does it all better. He even stands without toppling like a house of cards. A sliding panel on his right thigh reveals a green spark crystal when moved upwards. His beast mode jaw opens when his head is turned left or right.
- In beast mode, Snarl was apparently given the molding to allow for light piping, but ultimately has painted eyes on both of his releases.
- Snarl is an atrocious example of a victim to Gold Plastic Syndrome, it seems that the longer the figures are left in sealed packages, the more brittle they are upon opening said packages... Where all manner of extremities will simply snap off, most easily among these being the ankles. A demonstration of how badly this can happen can be seen here.
Universe (2003)
- Snarl (Deluxe, 2003)
- Accessories: Tail/Ax
- Snarl was redecoed in black, red, and gold as part of the first wave of Universe Deluxe-class toys. He retains all the features of the previous version, and like many other early Universe toys, sports "Energon surge" deco down the back of his mane. The Maximal spark crystal wasn't, however, just covered up with an Autobot symbol tampograph; it was replaced entirely by, oddly enough, a Beast Machines Dinobot spark crystal, then tampographed.
Notes
"Hey, remember when you were gonna look like him?"
- Snarl had the pre-release name of Ravage.[1]
- Snarl's mold was used as the basis for an unproduced 3H Productions redeco as Alpha Trion.
- Snarl was erroneously colored in his Universe deco in his "The Wreckers: Finale Part 1" appearance. It's kind of annoying, since that means the only piece of official art of him in his Beast Machines colors is the glowy panel depicting his abduction in Universe #1.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Snarl (スナール Sunāru)
