Punch (G1)
- Counterpunch is a Decepticon from the Generation 1 continuity family. His Autobot counterpart, Punch, is nearby. Real nearby.
Punch possesses a unique transformation ability that allows him to adopt a second robot mode. Using this secondary form, he poses as a Decepticon named Counterpunch, in order to infiltrate the villains' ranks and spy on them as a double agent.
On the surface, Punch is a silent, stoic individual who is able to easily take command in a crisis by virtue of the fact that his cool head keeps those around him calm by extension. But in truth, this calm, quiet personality is an act Punch puts on, and sadder still, he lies even to himself about his reasons for doing so. Although Punch would like to believe that he keeps silent because his job means that saying too much is a danger to his life, in truth, his real reason is that he is completely paranoid, distrusting everyone around him. Switching repeatedly from Punch to Counterpunch and venturing into the dark heart of the Decepticon camp has had an adverse effect on Punch, leaving him a twisted bundle of neuro-circuits. So complete a disguise has he made of the change from Autobot to Decepticon that Punch’s entire personality changes when he becomes Counterpunch. Although Counterpunch retains his Autobot sensibilities—at least enough to carry out his duties as a double agent, acquiring information for the Autobots while feeding the Decepticons just enough to maintain cover—the other aspects of his personality switch completely. The urges Punch holds in restraint all find savage, violent release as Counterpunch. Constantly walking the knife’s edge, Punch is suspicious of all those around him, seeing potential Decepticon spies where he should Autobot allies, fearing that there could be a double agent among them, operating as easily as he does among the Decepticons.
Punch is armed with a twin mortar launcher that fires highly-combustible firebombs. Conversely, as Counterpunch, he wields a photon cannon which fires a high-density stream of energy that can scramble a Transformer’s circuits. Luckily for the Autobots, all among their ranks are outfitted with damper devices that reduce the cannon’s effect, but produce enough pyrotechnics to keep Punch’s cover from being blown.
- French-Canadian name: Pugilil/Contrecoup
- Japanese name: Spacepunch/Counterpunch
- Italian name: Spy/Ultraspy
Fiction
Generation 1 cartoon
- Voice actor: John Moschitta (English)
In 2007, the Decepticons attacked Autobot City after the end of the short-lived truce. When they arrived to steal the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber, Counterpunch warned Pounce and Wingspan about his own impending attack, making a big deal about how Punch was his "Autobot counterpart" and how he "was nearby, real nearby." He was then damaged when he totally failed to stop the Decepticon clones. Genius, I tell you. He quickly recovered and was amongst the Autobots on Cybertron trying to figure out what happened to Kup and Hot Rod's group after they vanished in the Plasma Energy Chamber. The Rebirth, Part 1
The Headmasters cartoon
- Voice actor: Masaharu Satō (Japanese)
Return of the Immortal Emperor SOS from Planet Sandra Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!! Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!! Ultra Magnus Dies!!
Punch/Counterpunch was a valuable asset in the ranks of the Autobots, frequently discovering dangerous plots of both Galvatron and Scorponok. He was discovered as a double-agent by Galvatron only moments before the latter's demise. To add insult to the injury, Punch helped the Autobot Headmasters to kill the Decepticon leader by informing them that Galvatron's head was his weak point. The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg
After Zarak took the leadership of the Decepticons, Punch's role in the Decepticon hierachy diminished with the arrival of the Targetmasters and Duocons. I Risk My Life for Earth As Scorponok's plans came to fruition, Fortress Maximus met with Punch in the hopes of that the spy had information on the Decepticon giant's landing site. Unfortunately, Punch had little to offer, as he had been abandoned by Scorponok on the Straits of Gilbraltar. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1) The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)
Dreamwave comics continuity
Outwardly, Punch is the consummate undercover man, but internally, he's a nervous wreck too paranoid of exposure even to open up with his fellow Autobots. That's a problem, as Punch has been under so long, his invented persona of Counterpunch is gaining an increasing life of its own, with Punch suffering worrying blackouts during his actions while masquerading as a Decepticon. More Than Meets The Eye #5
Toys
Generation 1
- Punch/Counterpunch (Doublespy, 1987)
- Japanese ID number: C-111
- Accessories: "Twin Mortar Launcher", "Photon Cannon"
- Punch transforms into a blue Pontiac Fiero. He has two distinct robot modes, with separate guns and rubsigns for each. They have separate arms, but the backs of Punch's torso, legs, and even head are the fronts of Counterpunch's and vice versa. The top of their shared head tilts to disguise the face not currently being used.
- The transformation for Punch's robot mode depicted in the toy's instructions and animation is, in fact, not the intended transformation for the toy. Rather than extend all the way, as they do for Counterpunch, the legs are supposed to fold back at the "knee" with Counterpunch's feet folded out 180 degrees to become Punch's own (this, then, gives a purpose to the otherwise-pointless ridges on his feet, which now serve to keep the robot stable). This transformation—depicted in the toy's box art and on the front of his instruction booklet (sans feet)—creates a much smaller robot mode for Punch that serves to further distinguish him from Counterpunch.
Timelines
- Punch/Counterpunch (2010)
- This will make use of the Universe Sunstreaker mold.
Trivia
The Doublespy concept seems to have been kicking around for a while before actually being executed:
- A concept sketch exists that depicts Punch/Counterpunch as a hi-tech jet more in line with the 1986+ aesthetic which transforms in a way somewhat similar to the final car version.[1]
- Not one but two early patents were filed for a car Doublespy. The first patent depicts the car that can turn into a large robot or split straight across the middle, with the front and back ends of the car each transforming into a separate robot. It uses a car model identical to the final Punch/Counterpunch.[2]
- The second patent keeps the car as a single unit, however the car now folds along the center from the front bumper to the rear windshield. One robot mode is formed when the car is transformed normally, the other is formed when the car is transformed and folded to reveal a new head, chest, and arms. This model has an identical leg transformation to the final version.[3]
References
External links
