Overload (G1)

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

Overload is an Autobot Micromaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.

KAPOW!!!

Overload gazed too long into the abyss. His desire to be the best battlefield tactician led to an obsessive interest in understanding how Decepticons think. His superiors decided this was unhealthy. (Given how most Decepticons think, they probably decided it was unhealthy for themselves.) Overload was thus reassigned to the transport division. Despite this non-combat posting, he'll often break away from cargo-hauling missions to join the battlefield and use his hard-won tactical genius on the front lines.

Fiction

Zone story pages

When the ocean-covered world of Wall was attacked by Aquatic General King Poseidon and Saurian General Trypticon, Victory Saber charged into battle, but was quickly overwhelmed. Luckily, the four commanders, Overload, Erector, Missile Bull, and Skywave arrived to save him. Commanding the Off Road, Jet, and Race Car Patrol Teams, they arrived in time to save the drowning citizens of Wall, rescue Victory Saber and beat back the Decepticons. Zone Part 3

2005 IDW continuity

Rewind once told Chromedome a story about Overload, but his name was misheard as "Overlord" by nearby security cameras programmed to listen out for anyone mentioning said name. Remembrance Day

Commercials

Overload was included in an army of Micromaster Autobots who swarmed and overwhelmed a Giant Decepticon Soldier. He was also part of a vast Micromaster city/society that could fit in the palm of Powermaster Optimus Prime's hand. Micromaster transports commercial

Toys

Generation 1

Transforms from truck to deadly Battle Toboggan™!

• Overload (Micromaster Transport, 1989)
  • Accessories: Trailer/jet

Overload transforms into a blue semi cab pulling a grey and red car carrier trailer. Overall, the colour scheme is quite similar to that of the Diaclone Powered Convoy toy that was later redecoed into Generation 1 Ultra Magnus. The similarities continue, as Overload's robot mode bears more than a passing resemblance to Optimus Prime, whilst his trailer even includes the iconic stripe down the side, albeit as a molded detail rather than a decal. The ramp/gate at the back of the trailer folds down, allowing one to transport up to two smaller Micromasters inside, and two more on the top deck. The trailer unfolds into a jet which Overload can ride in the back of.

• More information on Overload at TFU.info

Zone

• Roadjet (Micro TF DX, 1990)
• Japanese ID number: C-337
  • Accessories: Trailer/jet

The Overload toy was sold in Japan a year later as "Roadjet". This Takara release replaces the black paint on the truck grill with silver, but is otherwise identical to the Hasbro release.

Notes

• Bizarrely, the unreleased Kre-O "Mini-Con Combiner" Optimus Prime set has one Mini-Con limb-bot apparently based on Overload! We don't know, folks. We just report this stuff.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Roadjet (ロードジェット Rōdojetto)
• French: Surchargé
• Italian: Bomber