Predacon (G1)
| The name or term "Predacon" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Predacon (disambiguation). |
The Predacons were a Decepticon subgroup in the Generation 1 continuity.
The Predacons are a subgroup of Decepticons who transform into powerful, savage animals. The subgroup comprises the cheerful Divebomb, the stubborn Headstrong, the easily-distracted Rampage, the wrathful Tantrum, and the ever-patient Razorclaw, their leader. They combine to form the deadly Predaking.
Fiction
Generation 1 Cartoon
The Predacons debuted under the command of Galvatron, having been deployed to try to retrieve Metroplex's Transformation Cog from Blurr, Wheelie, and Skylynx on the moon of Io. Oddly, despite being constantly touted as the most fearsome and vicious warriors in the galaxy, the Predacons were beaten off fairly easily by this small band of Autobots, with even the terrifying Predaking unable to do anything to so much as harm their human ally Marissa Faireborn. This would prove to be the start of a trend: more than most gestalts, Predaking would rarely be the given the chance to do anything useful before being driven off in a hail of gunfire soon after combining.
The Predacons appeared in many of Galvatrons schemes in the ensuing year, ranging from oppressing the people of Paradron, to mining Death Crystals, and even meeting the creator of Unicron. They were also among those who were infected by the Hate Plague, and were moments from destroying the still-healthy Galvatron when, having formed Predaking, they were quickly shooed away by some passing Autobots.
Marvel Comics
(Note: Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.)
Summoned to Earth by Megatron to help him hunt down and destroy an isolated and vulnerable Optimus Prime, the Predacons travelled across the Space Bridge and (after showing off their skills by doing some target shooting on Motormaster) were quickly approved of by their new employer. Before leaving on their mission, however, they were approached by Shockwave, who convinced them to turn on Megatron and destroy him instead. Their attempt at treachery would result in both Megatron and Optimus being transported to Cybertron and believed dead by their respective teams for some time.
At the bequest of Shockwave, who was seeking to rid himself of an addled and insane Megatron (driven mad by the recent death of Optimus Prime), contacted the Predacons and hired them to ambush and kill the Decepticon leader. (It was explained to the Predacons, who were understandably concerned about having to deal with Megatron yet again, that their target had recently lost his memory, and thus would not recall meeting them before, or their subsequent betrayal of him.) The Predacons eagerly agreed to the mission, seeing it as a possible challenge for their skills, and disguised themselves as Autobots in order to convince Megatron that Optimus Prime was not only still alive, but had been the one who sent them.
Unlike most of their contemporaries, the Predacons appeared to be an elite group of hunters, who seemed to exist as mercenaries outside of the usual Decepticon hierarchy - they had no qualms about trying to murder their supposed leader, so long as it seemed challenging and the money was right. Their legendary skill was so well-known that even Shockwave remembered them as the greatest hunters on Cybertron, despite having been buried in a swamp for several millenia!
Deciding to stay on Earth, the Predacons quickly grew bored with the lack of any real sport there. Their previous encounters with Optimus and Megatron had been so exciting that they had expected to find the planet a little more challenging. While rampaging randomly across the country, they soon encountered the Dinobots, and found them to be worthy opponents. Both teams were closely matched in terms of power, and were strongly devoted to "looking after their own". Furthermore, it was revealed that Divebomb and Swoop were actually old enemies from their days back on Cybertron. As the battle ended, the Predacons looked forward to causing their new rivals no end of trouble in the future.
Dreamwave Generation 1 Comics
Megatron tracked down the exiled Predacons on the planet Beest. With the aid of three members of the Aerospace Elimination Squadron, Megatron subdued and rebuilt them, allowing them to combine into the fearsome Predaking.
Devil's Due Comics
Timelines
After the end of the Great War the remaining Predacons formed the new Predacon faction. Divebomb is known to have recruited several ex-Decepticons for the faction.
