Spontaneous recoloration

This article is about the process of a Transformer spontaneously changing color. For other instances of color changing, see color change (disambiguation).

I AM Hot Shot, whether you like it or not.

In some cases, the extreme power surge during Powerlinking can result in temporary or even permanent discoloration of a Transformer's metallic skin."Powerlink Process", More Than Meets The Eye: Armada

Spontaneous recoloration refers to the temporary or permanent alternation of a Transformer's exostructure, usually in response to an energy surge. Usually (but not always) this external color change signifies a higher energy-state within the Transformer's body accompanied by increased (or even entirely new) abilities.

Spontaneous recoloration is similar to reformatting. Unlike reformatting, which wreaks wholesale physical alterations to the transformer's physical form, recoloring is completely cosmetic.

For unknown reasons, spontaneous recoloration does not uniformly re-tint existing surface pigments, but may result in completely different color arrangements, or even add entirely new "badass" detailing, such as flames or racing stripes.

Recoloration should not be confused with surface coatings such as electrum or a silver coat.

Temporary recoloration

People try to put us down
(spon-tan-e-ous coloration!)
cause our colors change around
(spon-tan-e-ous coloration!)

• The Autobot Brothers' Supercharge Modes
  • Prowl
  • X-Brawn
  • Side Burn
• The Green Warrior
• Crystal Rodimus
• Optimus Prime
• Optimus Prime when forming Optimus Maximus

Permanent recoloration

Super Spy Changers catalog

Characters recolored due to exposure to go-brillium:

• Super Artfire
• Super X-Car
• Super Ox
• Super Counterarrow
• Super Eaglekiller
• Super Wars

3H comics

• Ramulus (recolored due to being in proximity of Arcee's healing power)

Characters recolored due to Unicron's corrupting influence in the Cauldron

• Striker
• Triceradon
• Snarl
• Optimus Primal
• Optimus Prime (possible)
• Ultra Magnus (possible)
• Jhiaxus (possible)

Armada cartoon

Characters recolored due to a Mini-Con-supplied upgrade:

• Megatron/Galvatron
  • Leader-1
• Starscream
  • Swindle
• Demolishor
  • Blackout
• Hot Shot
• Red Alert

Dreamwave Armada comic

Characters recolored to due an upgrade from the Mini-Con Matrix:

• Optimus Prime
• Jetfire
• Sparkplug
• Comettor

Linkage

• Tailslide (recolored due to corruption from a Fixer Bug)

Energon cartoon

Characters recolored as the result of Primus's energy pulse.

Within Hasbro's toyline, many of these recolors represent different characters, rather than spontaneous recoloration.

• Cliffjumper
• Landmine
• Ironhide
• Hot Shot
• Jetfire

Characters recolored by Super Energon:

• Megatron/Galvatron (again)
• Starscream (again)

Cybertron cartoon

Recolored by the power of a Cyber Planet Key:

• Megatron (yet again)

Wings Universe

Recolored due to exposure to forestonite:

• Beachcomber
• Breakdown
• Bumblebee/Goldbug
• Fizzle/Blaze
• Flamefeather
• Hubcap
• Inferno
• Jazz
• Mirage
• Ramjet
• Seaspray
• Sideswipe
• Sparkstalker
• Streetwise

2005 IDW continuity

• Scoop (recolored due to being subjected to the Enigma of Combination)

See also

• Burning justice