Firebolt (G1)
- Firebolt is a Nebulan Targetmaster partnered with the Autobot Hot Rod. He is also known as Sparks.
Firebolt was once a quiet scholar on the pacifistic planet of Nebulos, where he was renowned as one of its top atomic physicists. Beneath his meek and reserved exterior, however, young Firebolt yearned for a life of action and excitement. His dreams of adventure might never have come true, if not for the intervention of the Decepticons. When the call went out for Nebulans who would be willing to take up arms in defense of their planet, Firebolt was amongst the first to volunteer. Undergoing the extensive and painful procedure known as Binary bonding, Firebolt was given a special suit of black and grey armour and granted the power to transform himself into a powerful double-barreled weapon called an "electrostatic discharge rifle".
Although eager for the chance to make a difference and have some fun, Firebolt soon found that his own exuberance paled in comparison to his Targetmaster partner: a young Autobot named Hot Rod. Firebolt's opinion of this situation is what could be described as 'cautiously optimistic' - he is excited by all the action and adventure of being a Targetmaster, but he is also very nervous at some of the risks that Hot Rod insists on taking at times.
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
Leaving his home planet in search of adventure, Firebolt traveled with Hot Rod for many years and fought the Decepticons at every opportunity. Brothers in Armor!! Sadly, at some point before Hot Rod became Rodimus Prime in the alternate future of Earth-120185, Firebolt was killed on Earth while battling their Decepticon foes. Headhunt
Generation 1 cartoon
- Voice actor: Dick Gautier (English), Masaki Aikawa (Japanese)
Firebolt was one of a group of Nebulan rebels who captured a team of Autobots, and was the one who selected the magnetic bombs with which they'd do away with the suspected Hive machines. He bluntly told Highbrow to shut up when the Autobot complained about the Nebulans jumping to conclusions. Fortunately before the executions could be carried out, the Decepticons attacked, and the Nebulan rebels realised that the Autobots weren't so bad. Firebolt helped Arcana to treat Daniel Witwicky, who'd been injured seriously by Snapdragon during the attack, and the pair managed to stabilise the boy's condition. The Rebirth, Part 1
When the Autobots stole Targetmaster technology from the Decepticons, Firebolt was partnered with Hot Rod. He and the other Nebulans greeted Optimus Prime on his arrival to their planet, proudly demonstrating his abilities and introducing Prime to the Targetmasters. The Rebirth, Part 2 He was still partnered with Hot Rod during their battles with the Hive, and participated in the battle against Scorponok which eventually earned Cybertron a new lease on life. The Rebirth, Part 3
Dreamwave comics continuity
8.2 million years ago, a young Optimus Prime and Megatron were shown several glimpses into a number of potential futures. Amongst the many possible timelines they viewed was one in which Hot Rod battled the Decepticons, with Firebolt fighting proudly by his side (or in his hand, as the case may be). The War Within issue 4
Toys
Generation 1
- Hot Rod with Firebolt (Targetmaster, 1987/2004)
- Japanese ID number: C-110, TFC-13
- Firebolt was first released in 1987, boxed with the Targetmaster version of Hot Rod. Like most Targetmaster weapons, his transformation is simple: simply fold his legs up and the barrels of his gun form are revealed. Firebolt could be placed in either of Hot Rod's hands or on top of his engine mount in vehicle mode. This resulted in a noticeable difference between Hot Rod's Targetmaster mold and his earlier release: both his hands and his engine needed to be retooled to have the pegholes made larger to accommodate Firebolt.
- Firebolt was later re-released in 2004 along with Targetmaster Hot Rod by Takara as part of an "ultimate" version of the toy. This was the first time the Targetmaster version of Hot Rod and Firebolt had been normally available in Japan.
