Dreadwing (Movie)
| The name or term "Dreadwing" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Dreadwing (disambiguation). |
- Dreadwing is a Decepticon from the 2007 movie franchise in the live-action film continuity family and ALSO a bunch of mass-produced drones on both sides.
Dreadwing isn't particularly smart, which makes people wonder where he got the technology that allows him to teleport. He obviously didn't invent it himself, and no one else on either side of the war has the ability, so all signs point toward him having stolen it. He's not really liked by his fellow Decepticons, because of his penchant to perform nasty pranks on them as often as he does it on Autobots. As such, most of his time is spent alone, plotting his nasty schemes and spiking other robots' gas tanks with sugar. He's not the first one to pull off stunts like that.
Dreadwing commands an army of identical drones, all bearing his design, and all controlled by him. This gives him a lot of pull with the 'Cons, due to the sheer number of warriors he can call in.
Fiction
IDW Transformers movie comics
A fleet of Dreadwing drones were present at the Battle of Tyger Pax. They shot some Autobots, killing one. Most followed Bumblebee's and Arcee's squad down into the AllSpark chamber, but were presumably destroyed when the Autobots brought the place crashing down. Prime Directive #1
The real Dreadwing spotted the All Spark and Megatron pursuing it, and reported it to Starscream. Before the Nemesis could reach them, however, the Autobot Ark appeared and released an explosive concussion chain, which badly damaged both Dreadwing and the Decepticon ship. The Reign of Starscream issue 1 Fully repaired in the intervening years, Dreadwing was among those present to welcome Starscream on his return to Cybertron. Dreadwing offered to transfer the data from Frenzy's databanks and deliver it to Starscream, and also checked on Starscream's well-being after hearing an explosion. The Reign of Starscream issue 3
When Starscream's Allspark failed, Dreadwing revealed he had used his massive drone army to take over the Cybertronian Decepticons, and, seemingly resentful of having been left behind when the Nemesis was launched, tried to use his troops to take down Starscream's team. However, Starscream and his loyal soldiers proved a challenge, and when the Autobots managed to deactivate the drones, Dreadwing made a run for his ship. Starscream followed, and Dreadwing tried to kill him using the transwarp energy from the space bridge. The ship arrived at the Mars terminal, destroyed, but with Dreadwing still intact. Unfortunately, so was Starscream, who ripped out his spark core and crushed it. The Reign of Starscream issue 5
Starscream kept Dreadwing's head as a trophy. Alliance issue 1. Upon arriving on Mars, Soundwave examined his head, before tossing it aside. Alliance issue 2
Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics
Grey Dreadwing drones were sent in their dozens in constant attacks on Optimus Prime. He was able to shoot at them whilst simultaneously punching the head off another drone because he's bloody hard. Poor Dreadwing. Prelude: Optimus Prime
Purple Dreadwing drones patrol the skies of the conquered United States of America.
There was also a sentient non-drone Dreadwing, coloured in a blue-grey camo pattern. He was one of Megatron's main troops, on equal rank with Starscream, and able to command Decepticon drone units in battle. Alongside Starscream, he was dispatched to prevent a NATO nuclear strike. Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1 They and their Thundercracker troops managed to wipe out the NATO fleet within ten minutes, and then Dreadwing carried out his primary goal - the obliteration of the French government and NATO chiefs in Paris. Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2
When Starscream assumed power, Dreadwing assisted him in bombing valuable infrastructure in the liberated United States Aftermath Part 1 and later with Thundercracker in trying to secure an energon field. Dark Spark
Dreadwing got to help bomb Optimus! It was great fun for all (except Optimus) until an Autobot sonic attack knocked everyone out of the sky. The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself
Games
Battle for the Allspark online game
There were also lots of Autobot Dreadwings. While the Decepticon Dreadwings had camera lens-like faces, the Autobot Dreadwings had heads with faceplates. The Autobot versions also had slightly different bellies. Dreadwings of both sides have equal of Attack and Speed abilities, with little defence. Battle for the Allspark
Transformers The Game (console)
Dreadwings appearred as solo attackers for both the Autobot and Decepticon armies. Aside from the faceplate differences, Decepticon Dreadwings had a gray camo deco, while the Autobot versions had blue and yellow "Blue Angels" markings. Both were shielded against artillery in robot mode.
Their main weapon was a deadly flamethrower built into each arm. It had limited range, but hoo doggies does it hurt. They were also capable of creating a burning ring of fire by launching into the air then coming down slowly in robot form. They couldn't be hit with melee attacks while their flame throwers were in use. The only way to stop the flame throwers was to throw something at them, which would leave them vulnerable to melee attacks.
Autobot versions of the drone commonly accosted Starscream while he completed his objectives at a military airfield. Both sides used them as backups during the final showdown in Mission City.
During the final battle at Mission City, Jazz encountered two Decepticon versions individually. He beat the two of them, as well as Starscream and Blackout. Transformers The Game (console)
Toys
Transformers (2007)
- Dreadwing (Deluxe, 2007)
- Japanese ID number: MD-15
- Accessories: 2 "flame" missiles
- Dreadwing transforms into a modified MiG-29 "Fulcrum" fighter jet (with a VTOL fan and what looks like to be an undercarriage sensor pod). He's the Decepticon version.
- His exhaust flames serve dual purpose as firing missiles in both modes. In robot mode, these represent the flamethrower attack from the video game. His chest also has a spring-loaded Automorph gimmick, opening up and revealing more robot parts.
- This mold was later used to make Overcast.
Merchandise
3D Battle-Card Game
- Dreadwing (3D Battle Card, 2007)
- Dreadwing's card is the same as Starscream, Thundercracker,and Jetfire, but is grey. His card art was done by Lucio Parrillo.
Trivia
- The drone units resembling Dreadwing are known as "Class Alpha drone units." This is indicated in the Cast Bios section of The Reign of Starscream (only available in the comprehensive graphic novel version of this series).
- Dreadwing himself was once a Class Alpha drone unit who, by unknown means, developed into a sentient Decepticon warrior and was put in charge of the entire Decepticon drone army. Also referenced in the Cast Bios section of The Reign of Starscream.
- The subtle differences between Dreadwing and the Class Alpha drone units are an appearance of purple bits on the drone commander, more spiky head chevrons, and something resembling eyebrow articulation that is absent in the drones. One must be able to express all those emotions when thinking and independent, apparently.
