Thundercracker (G1)
| This article is about the Generation 1 Decepticon. For the Unicron Trilogy Decepticon, see Thundercracker (UT). |
Thundercracker is a Decepticon character in the Generation 1 continuity.
Thundercracker claims the skies as his arena. He looks down in contempt on those who cannot leave the ground -- he considers them lesser beings. He will often attack the flightless beings below him for no other reason than to satisfy his scorn.
His superiority in this realm is the only thing he is sure of. Thundercracker is not entirely committed to the Decepticon cause, and even has some sympathy for the humans they terrorize. (Humans had the resolve and ingenuity to create flying machines for themselves, after all.) Fear of retribution from Megatron and the influence of his peers is usually enough to bury these doubts. Regardless, he needs constant reassurance that he's where he needs to be. Sometimes, his heart's just not in the job.
French-Canadian name: Coup de Tonnerre
Italian name: Vampiro
Fiction
Animated continuity
Voice Actor: John Stephenson, Wally Burr (US), x (Japan)
Marvel Comics continuity
Dreamwave Comics continuity
Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs Transformers continuity
IDW Comics continuity
Toys
Generation 1
- Thundercracker (Decepticon Jet, 1984/1985/2001/2003)
- Japanese ID number: 24
- Originally a Diaclone "Jet Robo Acrobat-Type, Thundercracker transforms into an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, sharing his mold with his teammates Starscream and Skywarp. Many parts need to be removed completely from transformation from robot to jet and back, which nowadays is considered a major drawback of the toy. It is rare to find it complete, as neither mode can hold all the pieces required. There are a few minor mold variations of this toy (common for the first two years of Transformers, really), the most immediately noticable being that early versions did not have visible "clip-tabs" on the inner face of the gauntlets.
- In 2001, Thundercracker was given a short-run re-issue by Takara as a convention-exclusive item. The toy would later be more extensively released as part of the Hasbro Commemorative Series line, though due to US toy-safety regulations, his missiles were made extra-long.
- Thundercracker (Action Master) (Action Master Exo-Suit, 1991)
- Released only in European markets, once again Thundercracker was a redeco of Starscream, a non-transforming action figure that combined elements of both the character's cartoon model and toy-form. Like all Action Masters, Thundercracker was a nontransformable action figure with a transformable accessory -- in his case, a Solo Mission Jet Plane vehicle that converted into exo-suit battle armor. However, unlike most of Thundercracker's appearances, Action Master Thundercracker is not in his traditional blue and silver colors, but rather in magenta, purple, blue, gold, and two shades of green. (Oy.)
Machine Wars
- Thundercracker (Basic, 1996)
- Sharing a mold once again with Skywarp, Thundercracker transforms into a green Dassault Rafale fighter jet with spring-loaded one-step transformation from jet to robot. The two halves of his rifle store in his lower legs. Like all Machine Wars toys, Thundercracker was an exclusive to Kay-Bee stores and related stores like Toy Liquidators.
- This mold is also used by Beast Wars II Dirge and Robot Masters Wing Stun.
- (According to his tech spec bio, the mysterious "Machine Wars" were a tumultuous time for Thundercracker. At long last convinced of and commited to the truth of the Decepticon cause, Thundercracker now ironically found himself in open rebellion against Megatron's leadership. It is unknown what events lead to his change of heart about the Decepticons or to his being branded a "rebel warrior." Though not strictly fiction, this change in personality should be noted, being the only character development the character has arguably received.)
Robot Masters
- Skywarp & Thundercracker (Multi-pack, 2005)
- Robot Masters Thundercracker is a redeco of Starscream form the same series, a smaller yet more advanced version of the original toy, adding more articulation and reduing the amount of part-forming required. He was available only in a two-pack with Skywarp, which also came with a Decepticon sigil pin. This set was the very last product released in the Robot Masters line, and wasn't even strictly sold in a box from that series; instead, it used a modified e-Hobby Generation 1 reissue box, with only a small corner tab noting its Robot Masters origin from the front.
Titanium Series
- Thundercracker (War Within)
Merchandise
External Links
