Caliburst (G1)
| The name or term "Caliburst" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Caliburst (disambiguation). |
- Caliburst is a Decepticon Targetmaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Like his binary bonded partner Slugslinger, Caliburst is merely putting on an act and playing the role of the cold and fearless Decepticon warrior he outwardly projects; it's just that he's generally more adept at keeping the mask up because of his former life as an actor. While not a good actor, more the kind to be found in the freezer section next to the other pork products, Caliburst does know the importance of staying in character. Given that he joined the Transformer conflict for the money because there was no one left on Nebulos that could stomach appreciate his "talent", he has an incentive to not screw up.
Slugslinger treats his partner fairly well, mostly due to the direct link between the condition of the Decepticon's backbone infrastructure in combat and the condition of his weaponry.
Caliburst's nature varies. In some universes he's an organic Nebulan; in others he's a robotic Cybertronian.
Fiction
The Transformers cartoon
- Voice actor: Johnny Haymer (English), Ken Narita (Japanese), Thomas Rau (German)
Caliburst was a member of the Hive, the secret ruling body of Nebulos who could control machines with their very thoughts, and used that power to dominate the peasants. Their sole regret was that the development of their mental powers had left the Hive's physical bodies all but useless. When the Decepticons arrived on Nebulos, the Hive's leader Zarak saw an opportunity for rebirth, and the Hive joined forces with the Decepticons in order to undergo the bio-mechanical engineering necessary for them to move once more. While some of the Hive physically linked with the Decepticons as Headmasters (as the Autobots had recently done with Nebulan rebels), Caliburst was one of the newly conceived Targetmasters who binary bonded with Decepticon blasters instead. When paired up with Slugslinger, Caliburst suggested that name for himself because he'd never missed a shot in his life. Slugslinger retorted that was because Caliburst had never fired a shot in his life. The Rebirth, Part 2
Caliburst and the Decepticon Targetmasters returned to Cybertron with the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber and Zarak's powerful new city-bot, Scorponok. Once the plasma energy was released, however, Scorponok was struck by the power and launched into deep space with Caliburst and the other Decepticons still on board. The Rebirth, Part 3
Marvel The Transformers comics
Caliburst would have been a really bad Shakespearean actor, had he been born on Earth. Once appreciated by the acting world, he eventually became known more for overplaying his parts than playing them. Looking for a venue where his craft would be appreciated, Caliburst joined the Decepticons when Lord Zarak offered to pay for his services, and underwent the Targetmaster process to binary bond him to the equally outspoken Slugslinger. Shortly after the Decepticon Targetmasters had their trial run against Fortress Maximus and his Autobots, the Decepticons of Nebulos left the planet and made their way towards Earth. Brothers in Armor!!
Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity
Transformers Legends comic
Caliburst was among the tiny non-transforming Transformers who fled Cybertron under the leadership of Fortress and settled on Master. Bonus Edition Vol. 31
The Headmasters cartoon
Caliburst and his five friends were refugees, having fled their home planet of Master when Scorponok and the Decepticons began an all-out siege on the world. They were being chased through space in their starship by the Decepticons when they came across the Battleship Maximus. Fortress gave them safe haven aboard his starship, and the Master citizens attempted to show their gratitude by removing the deadly plasma energy bombs Fortress was trying to dispose of. Their efforts came too late, however, as the plasma energy bombs exploded aboard their ship in space, bathing everyone nearby with energy. Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)
Although they survived the explosion, for Caliburst and two of his fellow refugees, the ending was not a happy one. The plasma energy somehow fused each of them to a different one of the Decepticon trio who had been attacking them, creating Targetmasters. Caliburst was now the eternal partner of Slugslinger and became a member of the Decepticon army at his side. As a Decepticon, Caliburst was forced to join in the invasion of his own planet. Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)
In a battle for the data of the Master Sword, Caliburst bonded with Slugslinger to fight the Autobots. The Master Sword Is in Danger!! Caliburst again joined his partner when the Autobot Targetmasters landed on Master to investigate the possible presence of the Decepticons. The two forces battled each other, and the Decepticons were able to wash the Autobots away in a surge of water from an elevated lake. The Decepticon Targetmasters returned to the other Decepticons to report of their triumph over the Autobot Targetmasters. When the Autobot Headmasters sneaked into the Decepticon's hidden cavern base, the Targetmasters were there to greet them. A battle ensued that the Autobot Targetmasters joined, but the Decepticons eventually retreated. The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide
Caliburst, Blowpipe, and Aimless were later assigned to watch out for any intruders, and they spotted the Autobot Targetmasters. They went off to report their presence to the other Decepticons and joined their larger partners in attacking the Autobots. During battle, the Decepticons were distracted by an aircraft sent by the natives of Master, allowing the Autobots to escape. Nevertheless, the Decepticons were soon sicced on a Master city, killing the natives. The natives fought back with aircraft, and their combined efforts with the Autobots forced the lesser Decepticons to flee into Scorponok's transtector. After a showdown between the Zarak Shield and the Master Sword, the Decepticons left Master for Earth. Operation: Destroy the Decepticons
Caliburst played part in the decisive battle with the Autobots at the North Pole. When the Final Formation put an end to Scorponok's machinations on Earth, the Decepticons retreated into space. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)
The Headmasters manga
Caliburst and the Decepticon Targetmasters attempted to disrupt the Autobots' efforts to put out a blazing fire on Earth. The Autobots' split focus left them vulnerable, until the Battleship Maximus extinguished the entire fire in one sweep. Ricochet and Artfire then turned their full attention on Caliburst and his allies, driving them from the scene. The Headmasters #7
Commercial appearances
When the Transformers' war resumed its course on Nebulon, Caliburst accompanied Slugslinger into battle alongside his fellow Decepticon Targetmasters. As they fought against their Autobot counterparts, Fortress Maximus and Scorponok grappled in the distance. Headmaster comic book commercial
Toys
Generation 1
- Slugslinger (Targetmaster, 1987)
- Japanese ID number: D-90
- Caliburst transforms into a gun with single large barrel. Caliburst's transformation, like Blowpipe's, is slightly more involved than many Targetmaster's weapons; his gun barrel is a separate piece that plugs into his back. Once his legs are folded up, the barrel has to be snapped into place where the legs were, the resulting weapon longer than many of the other first year Targetmasters.
- Caliburst could be placed in either Slugslinger's hands or on top of his vehicle mode thanks to the use of 5mm posts and holes; as his backpack uses the same sized peg, it can also be used as a hand-held blaster on its own.
United
- United Caliburst is a redeco of Power Core Combiners Backwind, transforming from a robot to a hand-held gatling gun. He was only available as a ToysЯUs promotional exclusive in Japan on March 5th, given away with the purchase of over 3000 yen worth of Transformers product as part of a Dark of the Moon "Movie Preview Campaign".
- Though his instructions only show the hand-held gun mold (held by United Scourge since there is no modern Slugslinger for him to partner with), as a Power Core Combiners Mini-Con, he also has a hook/gun armature configuration meant for use in a larger robot's vehicle mode, plus a chest-armor mode.
Generations
- Caliburst & Slugslinger (Deluxe, 2017)
| Titans Return mold: Blowpipe | ||
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Notes
- Amusingly, United Caliburst, a redeco of a Power Core Combiners Mini-Con, does not use the Power Core Combiners Mini-Con Caliburst mold.
- Caliburst's English voice seems to be patterned after Rodney Dangerfield...which is rather appropriate for an acting ham.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Caliburst (The Rebirth, カリバースト Karibāsuto), Caliburst (United, キャリバースト Kyaribāsuto)
- Russian: Calibros (Калиброс)
- Pages with image sizes containing extra px
- Articles in need of images
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- Upcoming toy releases
- Entertainers
- Generation 1 Decepticons
- Hive
- Legends Decepticons
- Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons
- Mini-Cons
- Nebulans
- Targetmasters
- The Headmasters Autobots
- The Headmasters Decepticons
- Titans Return
- United characters
