Skywarp (G1)
| The name or term "Skywarp" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Skywarp (disambiguation). |
- Skywarp is a Decepticon from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Teleportation is a dangerous tool in the hands of a capable adversary. Thankfully for the Autobots, Skywarp is the Decepticon who possesses that ability. Skywarp's not so bright, so without supervision he's worthless as a warrior. He mostly uses his teleportation power for immature pranks on both friend and foe. He takes a charmingly puerile angle at thuggery, so his pranks are well-received amongst his Decepticon peers (excepting the victim, of course).
Because, come on, a surprise push down a staircase is hilarious.
- French-Canadian name: Fraudeur ("Cheater" or "Evader" or "Smuggler")
- Hungarian name: Égretörő ("Sky-springer")
- Italian name: Corvo ("Crow")
- Portuguese name (Portugal comics): Espião Celeste
- Portuguese name (Brazil comics): Viajante
- Chinese name (Taiwan): Tīen Wān (天彎, "Sky Warp")
- Chinese name (China): Nao Fan Tian (鬧翻天, "Extreme Ruckus")
- Russian TV dub name: Deformer
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
Generation 1
Skywarp was one of Megatron's troops who attacked the Ark during its mission to clear a path for Cybertron through an asteroid field. He was deactivated when it crashed on Earth, and he lay dormant for four million years. When he and his fellow Decepticons awoke, Skywarp was given a new altmode, that of an Earth jet. The Transformers He aided the Decepticons in their building of their new base constructed of parts from Harrison Nuclear Power Plant and joined in their attack on Sparkplug Witwicky's auto repair shop. After the successful abduction of Sparkplug Witwicky, Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Starscream defended their base from Autobots, though Gears and Spider-Man were able to sneak through and rescue Sparkplug. Prisoner of War!
When Starscream fired upon his teammate Ravage for eavesdropping on his plot to overthrow Megatron, Skywarp and the other Decepticons sought deadly revenge on the Decepticon Air Commander. The Enemy Within! Though Starscream escaped, the Decepticons soon regrouped to attack the Ark, but their battle was ended prematurely when Auntie, the Ark's computer system, magnetized the walls, immobilizing both factions. Raiders of the Last Ark On another occasion, he and Thundercracker made a strafing run on two Autobot spies, Jazz and Sunstreaker. Jazz was deafened and blasted off the road, but Sunstreaker led them into a human military zone, prompting Megatron to call them back to base. Perchance to Dream Skywarp also traveled with the Decepticons to the United Kingdom, where he and his teammates attempted to learn about a mysterious Autobot rescue ship buried under a castle. An initial attack on the Autobots left Skywarp seriously wounded by a bomb from Bluestreak. Man of Iron!
Though Sparkplug Witwicky was able to devise a way for the Decepticons to convert Earth fuel into a usable substance, he also poisoned the result, so Skywarp and his fellow Decepticons were immobilized at the climax of their would-be final battle with the Autobots. The Last Stand The Decepticon Shockwave took command of the Decepticons and the Ark shortly thereafter and nursed Skywarp and his comrades back to full health. Skywarp may have helped Shockwave attempt to capture and brainwash Bumblebee into a Decepticon, or it may have been Thundercracker without red stripes. It's hard to tell. Plight of the Bumblebee!
He served the Decepticon cause up until he was deactivated while battling Omega Supreme and placed in prison stasis at Autobot headquarters. Command Performances!
When Galvatron traveled back from the year 2006 to build a super-weapon to destroy Unicron, Skywarp was a key player in the defeat of the mad Decepticon. Sorta.
The Autobots took Skywarp out of stasis, painted him to look like Starscream, and sent him stumbling toward Galvatron with a tape-recorder of Starscream's voice on his back. Galvatron, still sore about Starscream tossing him out of Astrotrain during his Megatron days, shot and presumably killed Skywarp. Galvatron then realized that if he killed Starscream in the past then there'd be no way he could have killed Starscream in the future (never mind that killing Skywarp now opens up that whole issue of Cyclonus' identity). Believing he was in an alternate past and thus nothing he did there would affect his personal timeline, Galvatron hurried back to his proper time. Way to take one for the team, Skywarp. Target: 2006
During a massive battle between the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth's moon, Skywarp and the other Decepticons held in stasis aboard the Ark were liberated by the Constructicons and subsequently brought back online. Totaled! During the first Decepticon Civil War, Skywarp battled with Ratbat's Decepticons against Scorponok's Decepticons. Skywarp surprised Bugly with his teleportation powers and blasted him, temporarily stunning him. However, Bugly successfully returned fire, striking where he guessed Skywarp would next teleport. Cold War! Skywarp was repaired in time to face an Underbase-powered Starscream in Tokyo, but both he and Thundercracker were destroyed by their former flying partner. Dark Star
Generation 2
The Autobots and the Decepticons had just agreed to make an alliance against the Cybertronian Empire, but the Decepticons disagreed about aiding other planets' people. When the Autobots went alone to fight the Cybertronians, they almost were defeated, until Skywarp (yes, this article is about him) suddenly appeared, followed by the rest of the Decepticon army, to aid the Autobots.
And you just know he mocked the Aerialbots he saved. Relentlessly. Escalation!
Classics
His broken body rescued from Tokyo, Skywarp was rebuilt using Shockwave's upgraded Seeker schematics. He was told that it was Starscream, driven mad with the power of the Underbase, who did him in. Skywarp's okay with that. After all, the traitor's going to have to let down his guard sometime. [citation needed]
After the appearance of the mysterious crossdimensional Decepticon Landquake, Skywarp and the other rebuilt Decepticons under Megatron's command traveled to South America to investigate an equally mysterious power source that seemed to share traits with Landquake. En route, they were attacked by Walter Barnett's RUNT squad. Crossing Over, Part 2 Skywarp managed to shake off these interlopers just before Optimus Prime and his Autobots arrived in search of this same power source, and a new battle between the factions began in the jungles surrounding the power source. Crossing Over: Part 3 As the battle escalated, Skywarp and Starscream fought Jetfire across the skies, Crossing Over: Part 5 but ultimately, Megatron was forced to call for a withdrawal. Crossing Over: Part 6
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Transformers cartoon
- Voice actor: Frank Welker (English), Masashi Ebara (Japanese)
In the early days of the Decepticon rebellion, Skywarp and Thundercracker both faced the powerful protectors of Cybertron's cities, the Guardian Robots. Even millions of years later, the powerful Guardians struck fear into Skywarp's spark. War Dawn
Skywarp was one of the elite Decepticons that served Megatron on Cybertron four million years ago. Skywarp and his fellow Seekers came across the Autobots Wheeljack and Bumblebee pilfering energy conductors, and tried to eliminate the Auto-jerks. Once Wheeljack broke through their defenses, Skywarp and Thundercracker transformed to their tetrajet modes and followed the Autobots. They managed to get a good shot in against Bumblebee, but soon both Autobots escaped termination by taking the chase underground. Skywarp later joined Megatron in attacking and boarding the Autobot ship on their search for energy. After crash-landing on Earth, the Decepticons and Autobots laid dormant for four million years, until volcanic activity stirred the ship's computer back to life. Skywarp was the first of the ship's Transformers to be reformatted and awakened by Teletraan I, in the form of an Earthen F-15 fighter jet. Once active, Skywarp immediately dragged his master Megatron's body into the reformatting rays of the Ark's computer, and soon all the Decepticons were revived. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1
Since the Decepticons were so badly short-staffed during their early days on Earth, Skywarp was usually involved in whatever crazy plot for universal domination Megatron was hatching. This included attacks on an off-shore oil rig, Sherman Dam and the ruby crystal mines of Burma. On the last raid, Skywarp and Thundercracker caught a pair of snoops -- Bumblebee and the human, Sparkplug Witwicky. They were knocking the little Autobot around for fun, and pondering how to giftwrap him for Megatron, when an explosion caused the mine to cave in around them. More than Meets the Eye, Part 2 When the Decepticons escaped the Burma operation with a cache of energon cubes, Skywarp requested permission from Megatron to teleport in order to scare off Autobot pursuers. Teleporting behind the strangely airborne duo of Ironhide and Bluestreak, Skywarp pasted the ornery old Autobot with a heat-seeking missile, knocking him out of the sky that he probably shouldn't have been able to fly around in anyway. More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
When Bumblebee was caught spying on the Decepticons' new Space Bridge, Skywarp and Starscream captured him for Megatron. After Bumblebee was reprogrammed to led the Autobots into a trap, Skywarp biffed Prowl from behind, causing him to fall down in an almost pushing-down-stairs-like fashion. Transport to Oblivion After the Decepticons acquired the antimatter formula, they were en route to the Ark when Sunstreaker and Sideswipe intercepted them, practicing their jet judo maneuvers. Skywarp was being thrown off-course by Sideswipe's antics until Starscream knocked the Autobot warrior loose. During the battle, Megatron charged himself up with the Decepticons' new toy, and transformed into an "anti-matter gun" to obliterate the Autobots. After Starscream had his turn with the gun, Skywarp got ready to blow some Autobots away too. Before he could start, however, Spike Witwicky attacked his leg with a jackhammer. He scooped up the puny fleshling and was about to blast him with the anti-matter gun (and, incidentally, probably blow his own hand off in the process) when Chip Chase attached a computer override device invented by Wheeljack, which allowed Teletraan I to take brief control of his body. Skywarp started firing Megatron's anti-matter power at the other Decepticons, overheating the unstable power supply and forcing the Decepticons to retreat. Roll for It
| “ | You little fool... You're no match for Skywarp! | ” |
—Skywarp announces his superiority to a teenage fleshling and a kid in a wheelchair., "Roll for It" | ||
Skywarp was later part of a Decepticon raid on a factory, apparently in a very playful mood with his teleporting power. First he 'ported behind some human guards to taunt them before making them scatter with laser fire. Then, when Thundercracker blased open some power lines to begin filling his energon cubes, Skywarp "cut in line" by teleporting between Thundercracker and the energy to fill his own cube first. When Optimus Prime showed up to stop them, Skywarp fired a heat-seeking missile at him, only for Prime to deflect it with a punch. The Autobot was eventually defeated, and Skywarp ran off with some energon cubes. Divide and Conquer
When the Decepticons began draining heat energy out of Earth's core using a crystal shaft in the Arctic, Skywarp got a bit bored at the lack of real action. He was in the middle of taunting Rumble when the two of them accidentally caused a miniature avalanche in one of the caves. By sheer happenstance, this led to the Decepticons recovering the long-lost Skyfire from an icy tomb. Skywarp helped perform repairs on the giant flier, though it was probably better for all concerned if somebody with actual knowledge had performed these repairs. Fire in the Sky
During a battle at Great Falls hydroelectric power facility, the newly-constructed Dinobots arrived to rescue the beleagured Autobots, who had been captured by the Decepticons. Skywarp foolishly attempted to beat the flamethrowing Slag with a mere pair of heat-seeking missiles, and ended up being grabbed out of the air by the mighty jaws of Grimlock, who chomped on his wing and threw Skywarp into his fellow Megatron loyalist Soundwave. S.O.S. Dinobots Soon afterwards, during an operation in Peru, Skywarp got to be Megatron's favorite Seeker for the day after Starscream and Thundercracker stole poor-quality steel for their latest super-weapon. He had fun taunting the egotistic 'Screamer when Megatron called him to battle, leaving the other Seekers behind on mere guard duty. Fire on the Mountain Later, Skywarp helped Megatron steal a giant meteor, although its unstable power proved too dangerous to use for energon cubes. War of the Dinobots
Skywarp was in a playful mood during the Decepticons' raid of a solar power plant in India, cracking wise and hoping to play a game of catch...with the rajah as the ball. He had even more fun in a quick free-for-all with the Autobots, a distraction so that the Decepticons could kidnap one of the Autobots' fleshling friends as a guinea pig for Doctor Arkeville's mind-control experiments. Skywarp enjoyed himself so much, he got in a fight with Starscream on the way back to headquarters about how brilliant Megatron's plan was. Thundercracker had to jump out of the way while the two of them roughhoused in the elevator. The Ultimate Doom, Part 1 Thanks in part to Arkeville's hypno-chip slaves, the Decepticons were able to bring Cybertron into Earth's orbit, creating massive environmental disturbances that produced millions of energon cubes. What's more, transporting energon to Cybertron was now just a short flight away. Unfortunately, the devastation was greater than Megatron had anticipated. While Skywarp was on a return flight from Cybertron, a tidal wave broke off the access tower to the Decepticons' undersea base, flooding it. The Ultimate Doom, Part 2 Skywarp was present at the final battle before the Autobots knocked Cybertron out of orbit, and fled when Megatron abandoned his troops to escape with the energon cubes. The Ultimate Doom, Part 3 With Megatron seemingly destroyed as his star cruiser exploded with the cubes on-board, the Decepticons were left rudderless. While working on repairs for their undersea base, tempers flared as Skywarp picked a fight with his favorite target, Rumble, and his pint-sized partner, Frenzy. Skywarp bit off more than he could chew, however, as Frenzy's surprising strength overcame Skywarp as he tried to crush the mini-cassette beneath his heel. Thundercracker and Soundwave started to get involved in the fracas too, but Megatron soon arrived to put his house back in order. Countdown to Extinction
Like all Decepticons, Skywarp provided his power chip rectifier to Megatron for his single combat with Optimus Prime. Heavy Metal War When the Decepticons attacked another rocket base, Skywarp and Thundercracker attempted to double-team Optimus Prime, but only succeeded in destroying the very rockets they came to plunder. Autobot Spike Later, the Decepticons attacked a mining camp to lure the Autobots out into the open, and Skywarp stood guard over the humans being used as bait. After they used the opportunity to kidnap Gears for his special circuit board, Skywarp later helped fill the energon cubes from Megatron's Solar Needle. Changing Gears As the Decepticons took over New York to create the city of New Cybertron, Skywarp was seen loading cars into Mixmaster's drum for reconstruction. He and Thundercracker were later damaged after trying to take some potshots at Optimus Prime, only to miss and crash straight through a building in the process. City of Steel He also served in a later assault on the Ark, distracting the Autobots long enough for Megatron to sneak inside and mess with their recharging chambers. Attack of the Autobots
Rather stoic in recent weeks, Skywarp was back to his cheery but malicious self when he and Starscream went after some electro-cells at the Experimental Energy Research Laboratory. While breaking through the roof of the installation, Skywarp merrily remarked on the joy of opening presents. During a fight with the Autobot named Mirage, one of Skywarp's insignia was ripped off, and later planted to help turn the Insecticons against the Decepticons. Traitor During a battle with the Autobots over the immobilizer, Skywarp unleashed his new toy: a bouncer bomb. This weapon ricocheted through the trees, explosively bouncing from one side of the battlefield to another. Unfortunately, the Decepticons were also subject to its "friendly fire" until Megatron shot the blasted thing down. The Immobilizer
Skywarp's teleportation power did come in useful when he was needed to sneak up on the Autobots with the Transfixatron. One quick zap and they were all frozen in vehicle mode. However, he failed to zap ALL the Autobots, which ultimately led to the undoing of Megatron's scheme. The Autobot Run Skywarp was present during the Decepticon alliance with Sub-Atlantica, and was part of their attack on Washington D.C. He and Thundercracker strafed the Autobots while in battle on the Great Lawn. Atlantis, Arise! When the Decepticons stole the ninja robot Nightbird, Skywarp used his grapples to pull the roof off of the demonstration ampitheater, allowing Starscream and Thundercracker to swoop in and grab the robot. Enter the Nightbird
Skywarp and his flying buddies once attempted to triple-team Optimus Prime in battle, but failed to do more than provide Optimus with a chance to toss a good quip. Strangely, Skywarp was later seen throwing what looking like a standard pineapple grenade at the Autobots. It was effective enough, but looked as out of place as an AK or a tommygun in Transformer hands. A Prime Problem When the Decepticons made yet another attempt at harnessing some sort of power from the Earth's core, Skywarp defended their drilling operation from the Autobots. He and the Seekers attempted to bomb the Autobots from the air, but a scattering of explosive missiles from Bluestreak's shoulder launchers took them out of the fight. The Core
During the assault on Iron Mountain, Skywarp was briefly taken over by Bombshell's cerebro-shells during a tiff between Megatron and the Insecticons. The Insecticon Syndrome He also joined the Decepticon expedition to Dinobot Island, to loot and plunder its various sources of energy. Skywarp was eager to do battle with the Dinobots when they arrived to defend their new home...which just goes to show Skywarp's kinda stupid. Dinobot Island, Part 1 When the Autobots eventually arrived to help drive the Decepticons off of Dinobot Island, they were aided by a band of dinosaurs themselves, prodded onwards by Grimlock. Skywarp and Thundercracker found their lasers ineffective against the charging brutes, and were forced to retreat with the rest of their army. Dinobot Island, Part 2
During some aerial dogfighting with the Autobot ace, Powerglide, Skywarp took a nasty hit to the wing. He must have managed to limp back to base, because he was present for Megatron's interrogation of the Constructicons a short while later. The Master Builders When the Decepticons went after Wheeljack's latest super-weapon, the Negavator, Skywarp and the Seekers strafed the Autobot convoy in a box canyon. Their efforts were blocked by Smokescreen's disruptor beams and magnetic smoke, which left the Seekers unable to see or navigate in any way. Skywarp and Thrust ended up in a three-way collision with each other and a canyon wall. Auto Berserk Once, the Decepticons were pre-emptively celebrating the destruction of the Autobots after Megatron acquired the Heart of Cybertron. They got over-energized on energon cubes and passed out in the desert. Five'll get you ten, whoever passed out closest to Skywarp woke up with a Scraplet drawn on their face in permanent marker. Microbots
Skywarp was a participant in the ultimate prank against the Autobots. Using Autobot costumes left over from last Halloween, Skywarp and some others raided an oil refinery for fuel, only to be driven off when the "heroic" Decepticons arrived to stop the "evil" Autobots. The entire scene was filmed by Shawn Berger and used to smear the Autobots' good name so severely that they were forced to abandon Earth entirely in a rocket cruiser. Ha HA! Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1 The fleshlings didn't appreciate the joke when they found out the punchline, but Skywarp and the Decepticons were too busy enslaving Central City to care. As bad luck would have it, though, the Autobots managed to make their way back to Earth, and drive off the Decepticon occupation. Killjoys. Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2
When the Decepticons set up a temporary base of operations at the airport, Optimus Prime sent in the Dinobots to clear them out. Skywarp and the other jets were caught off-guard initially, but the Decepticons had learned from previous encounters that the Dinobots were more vulnerable in their robot modes. By feigning defeat, Skywarp and the others lured the Dinobots into a false sense of security, and they transformed back to robot mode. Skywarp and Megatron then unleashed a barrage of energy, igniting the jumbo jets on the tarmac and causing the Dinobots tremendous damage. The Decepticons finally scored a decent victory against the Dinos, and they owed it all to a dirty underhanded sneak attack. It was a good day to be Skywarp. Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1
Like most of the Decepticons, Skywarp was rendered temporarily invulnerable due to exposure to electrum. Invincibility didn't make him any better a prison guard, though, as even Beachcomber was able to overpower him and escape from the Decepticons' undersea headquarters. The Golden Lagoon
In 2005, Skywarp was part of a massive Decepticon attack on Autobot City on Earth. He was badly damaged during the battle, but managed to escape with the rest of his comrades aboard Astrotrain. However, en route to Cybertron he was tossed out into space with other badly damaged Decepticons so that the rest would be able to make it home. Skywarp's body was gathered by Unicron and, among others, used to make Galvatron's new warriors. The Transformers: The Movie
Robot Masters online comic
3H comics
After the Decepticons lost the Great War and Maximals and Predacons claimed the planet, another Megatron subjugated nearly every Transformer alive with a transformation-lock virus and an army of Vehicons. Skywarp was one of the handful of Transformers who had slipped through Megatron's fingers, and eventually he and Cyclonus joined up with the legendary strike team, the Wreckers. Given a mission by the Oracle, the Wreckers fought through an army of Vehicons to steal an Autobot shuttle in order to get off-planet. Departure
Betrayal Disclosure Wreckers: Finale Part II
Under undisclosed circumstances, Skywarp betrayed his fellow Wreckers and joined Razorclaw's Minions of Unicron during the Universe conflict. During the final battle within the Pit, he was defeated by Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. Revelations Part 2
Dreamwave comics continuity
Skywarp was one of Megatron's earliest recruits for the Decepticons, gathered to his inner circle after word spread about treachery in the Council of Elders. He served under the primary Decepticon faction for millennia, under Megatron and for a time under Shockwave in the Dark Ages. His teleporting power enabled him to get the best of Bludgeon during The Fallen's ceremony at the Well of All Sparks. The War Within: The Dark Ages
Skywarp was one of several Decepticon invaders on board the Ark when it crashed into Earth four million years ago while the Autobot ship was clearing an asteroid in the path of Cybertron.
In 2002, he was one of the Transformers who survived the disastrous launch of the sabotaged Ark II, and was later captured and reprogrammed by arms dealer Adam "Lazarus" Rook, who intended to rent out the services of the enslaved robots to various terrorist groups. After Megatron reactivated himself, he freed his Decepticon subordinates in order to put forward his plans to infect Earth with a metallic virus of doom. To pass the time while this happened, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp busied themselves by tearing apart the Autobot Minicar team. Prime Directive issue 3
Skywarp later participated in Megatron's attack on San Francisco, where he followed Starscream's orders to maintain formation and drop cluster bombs on the Autobot giant Superion, forcing the Aerialbots to split into their separate robot forms. Prime Directive issue 4
Skywarp presumably stood watch over the defeated Autobots while Megatron tried to persuade Optimus Prime to help the Decepticons conquer Earth. After some human firefighters distracted the Decepticons long enough for Optimus Prime to free the Autobots, Skywarp was presumably beaten up and escaped when Superion sacrificed himself to stop a nuclear missile launched by rogue US General Robert Hallo.
When Megatron was kidnapped by the Keepers, and Decepticon leadership was up for grabs, Skywarp began acting more serious and ambitious than his regular "lunatic prankster" persona would suggest. One of the few Decepticons who aggressively refused to follow Starscream in Megatron's absence, Skywarp teamed up with the Reflector trio in an attempt to seize power for himself. He lured Starscream into leaving his new kingdom in Las Vegas and travelling to Hoover Dam. Once there, Skywarp challenged Starscream directly for leadership of the Decepticons. He failed miserably, however—Starscream dealt Skywarp severe damage using his null bolts at close range, then tossed his former wingman over the falls. Skywarp was in stasis lock for some time thereafter, and begrudgingly chose to serve under Starscream after his repair cycle aboard the Nemesis was completed. Hardwired
When Grimlock and his private army of humans attacked Las Vegas, along with Prowl and Bumblebee, Skywarp was among the Decepticons who charged out to meet them in battle along the Strip. As Thundercracker and Soundwave kept the rampaging Dinobot's attention, Skywarp prepared a delicious, under-handed sneak attack. Diving at Grimlock at full speed, Skywarp planned on unleashing his heat-seeking missiles at near point-blank range for maximum devastation. Luckily for Grimlock, the little Autobot Bumblebee was willing to sacrifice his functionality in order to keep the more powerful Autobot warrior in play, and took the full impact of the missiles at the last second. Enraged, Grimlock struck Skywarp with enough force to send him flying miles away into the desert, and out of the fight for the immediate future.
Curiously, Skywarp chose NOT to leave Las Vegas with Megatron once the former Decepticon leader returned to Earth. Damaged after his time with the Keepers, Megatron lost a fight with Starscream and was forced to relinquish his leadership to the Aerospace Commander. Still, Megatron refused to serve under Starscream, and led a revolt of several Decepticons into exile. For whatever reason, Skywarp remained at Starscream's side until the Keepers attacked, possessing Starscream as a host body and caging the rest of the Decepticons still in Las Vegas inside a dome of impenetrable energy. Skywarp assumed command of the remaining Decepticons in Starscream's absence, and directed the Constructicons into not attacking the dome directly as Devastator, but digging beneath the energy field to forge a tunnel they could exit through. He also made contact with Megatron's forces outside the city, and agreed to wait patiently until the time was right for all the Transformers to assault the Keepers as one.
When the time came, Skywarp "allowed" his Decepticons to join forces with Megatron's, because it was the only "logical" thing to do. During the fight, he blasted the Bluestreak-Keeper with an explosive gamma radiation blast. The attack was effective, but proved moot when the Bluestreak-Keeper fused with the Starscream-Keeper, creating one massive and deformed robotic god figure. In the end, it was Optimus Prime and the power of the Matrix which finally ended the war with the Keepers, diverting the force of a nuclear missile launched by the American government. In the aftermath, Starscream's scrap was salvaged and rebuilt, but Megatron chose to make Skywarp his new second-in-command for a time, mostly just to piss Starscream off. Still, Skywarp certainly saw it as the most "logical" thing to do. Annihilation
In Washington D.C., Megatron and the Decepticons stormed the White House to show their displeasure to the President for trying to wipe them out with a nuclear strike. Megatron assigned Skywarp to deal with the SWAT teams in the streets, then sent him into the skies to join Starscream in shooting down the air support called in by the military. Final tally—Starscream: 12, Skywarp: 5. Sometime later, Skywarp was present in the Nevada desert when the Autobots and Decepticons confronted the United States military. Thanks to their airborne tactics, Thundercracker and Skywarp did significant injury to the troops and survived the deconstructionite assault virtually unscathed. After the Keepers were finally defeated and Starscream had been restored to his normal irascible self, Megatron chose to restore the status quo and replaced Skywarp with Starscream as his second-in-command yet again. Fusion
When Shockwave arrived on Earth with his new army, he quickly disposed of Megatron and demanded loyalty from Skywarp and the others. Somewhat begrudgingly, they assented and accompanied him back to Cybertron. Back on their home planet, Skywarp and Thundercracker were amazed at what Shockwave had accomplished in their absence and were planning to sign on for the duration. Brothers' Burden After getting run down and beaten up by Optimus Prime on his way to Shockwave, though, the Seekers took an offer from Starscream and Soundwave to abandon the rising conflict on Cybertron and return to Earth for some good ol' fashioned looting. Revelation
On Earth, Skywarp was part of Starscream's initial salvo against the Ark, a decoy to be deliberately taken prisoner in order to draw out the remaining Autobots where the newly reformatted Combaticons could get at them. Night of the Combaticons After decimating the Autobots' ranks, Bruticus freed the fallen Decepticons, and they were about ready to terminate their opponents when the awe-inspiring clone known as Sunstorm emerged from fold-space, looking to have words with Starscream. Sunstorm's "purifying light" induced an energon overload in their systems, knocking them into stasis lock. Black Sunshine Skywarp and the others remained Autobot prisoners until Starscream negotiated a deal for their release in exchange for his aid against Sunstorm. Skyfire
Skywarp fell back under Megatron's command once the former leader arrived on Earth and forced Starscream back under his thumb. The Route of All Evil
Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers comics
Skywarp was one of the Transformers reprogrammed to serve the terrorist organization Cobra and was, along with Thundercracker, rebuilt to transform into a Rattler aircraft in the process. Their first mission was to show off Cobra's power by assaulting a peace ceremony in Washington, D.C., and either Skywarp or Thundercracker was the first to reveal his robot mode to the shocked Air Force before wrecking Ace's jet with a single punch. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1
When Wheeljack undid Cobra's reprogramming of the Transformers, Skywarp waited on the runway in Rattler mode until Major Bludd, unaware of the plane's true identity, decided to use him as his ticket off Cobra Island. Skywarp responded that he kinda felt like walking today, before crushing Bludd to death with his moving innards as he transformed. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4 He then joined Thundercracker in fighting Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Cliffjumper, who had also been freed from Cobra's control. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5 Unfortunately, the two Seekers were later caught in the SPS Satellite's rain of energy beams and deactivated. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6
IDW comics continuity
Skywarp, Thundercracker and Starscream were early recruits for Megatron, helping sow terror across Cybertron and kidnap Senator Decimus just prior to the Great War and founding of the Decepticons. Megatron Origin issue 3 At one point he was part of a squad intent on assassinating Zeta Prime, but the plan was thwarted when Blurr warned the Autobot leader (tackling Skywarp in the back on the way). Spotlight: Blurr
In the modern era, Skywarp is part of a Decepticon infiltration unit that has operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, working to destabilize Earth's governing organizations and create global anarchy. Infiltration issue 3 His alternate form is an F-22 Raptor fighter jet, and his main job seems to be using his teleporting powers to transport his comrades to places.
Starscream assigned him and Blitzwing to destroy all traces of the Nebraska operation, but after demolishing the abandoned Nebraska command bunker, he was severely damaged by Megatron, who, unfortunately for Skywarp, had been inside at the time. Infiltration issue 5 Megatron was apparently not one to hold grudges, and he soon had Skywarp repaired and functioning again, under the understanding that there would be no further second chances. Escalation issue 1 While on a mission to destabilize Middle Eastern energy supplies, Skywarp confessed to Thundercracker that he believed Megatron had it in for all of them, especially himself, though his fellow Decepticon pointed out the fact that Megatron did have him repaired. Escalation issue 2 Skywarp participated in the operation at Brasnya where he injured Hot Rod and evacuated Megatron before the Autobots could destroy him. Escalation issue 6
When Ramjet began his coup, he first contacted Skywarp in an effort to get a viable ally. Skywarp thought it was a big load of crap, but said that if Ramjet could get some results in one day, they'd talk. However, Skywarp did mention that he always "bets on the leader." This turned out to be a prudent decision. Spotlight: Ramjet
Skywarp was among the concerned Decepticons who feared that Megatron had lost all sense of reason when he deployed Sixshot on Earth. They conspired to bring Starscream back into the fold to talk some sense into their leader. Devastation issue 1 Emboldened by Starscream's lone stand against the Reapers, the Decepticons attacked and eventually the alien invaders, with Skywarp participating in the destruction of their starship. Devastation issue 6
A year later, Megatron had somehow regained Skywarp's confidence, with the Seeker bigging him up to Starscream during the Decepticon attack on New York City. During that attack, Skywarp got to make stuff go boom and kill a lotta folks, and it was the best day out ever. All Hail Megatron issue 1
After taking out several military helicopters, Skywarp was assigned to accompany Soundwave, Hook and Astrotrain as they took Frenzy to deal with a large ground force. Hook voiced his doubt that the tiny Decepticon had a chance against such a huge number of enemies, but Skywarp, enjoying a chance for a dig at the new guy, simply told him to make sure he kept his distance. All Hail Megatron issue 2
All the fun of smashing things and killing millions of people soon soured though, as Skywarp started clashing with the uppity Insecticons and getting lonely now Thundercracker was being mopey and Starscream wasn't around much. Even mindlessly killing eight million people in China couldn't perk him up. All Hail Megatron issue 6
Hearts of Steel
Skywarp listened to Starscream discussing his plans for conquering Earth and was ordered to fly ahead of the Astrotrain, leading the way towards New York City. His altmode is the same as Starscream's one-engine-per-wing body. Hearts of Steel issue 2
3D Battle-Card Game
Skywarp serves under Megatron as one of his Decepticon soldiers, battling Optimus Primal's many Autobot allies in what might possibly have been an inter-universe battle. Energon Wars Expansion Set
Commercial appearances
Skywarp's history of commercial appearances includes:
- The very first Transformers animation, a commercial for Issue #1 of Marvel's The Transformers comic book. On Earth, he flies across the desert with Starscream and Thundercracker to attack a power plant.
- He is briefly seen battling in the desert against Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr, until Cyclonus and Scourge (!!) swoop in to counterattack.
- Skywarp attacks an Autobot power station along with Thrust and Starscream in a commercial for Ultra Magnus.
- He can be very briefly glimpsed swooping into battle alongside Galvatron (!!) on Earth in a subsequent commercial for Ultra Magnus and Galvatron.
- Along with his original Seeker wingmates, he gets barreled over by the Dinobots in a commercial for the Predacons.
- A commercial for Transformers reflective iron-on patches advertised the "Prizes in Disguise" competition. When the iron-on patch was used, it was possible to find instead an instant win ticket for a Transformers voice changer (of the Enemy variety)—or to have a party with "life-size" Transformers! Among the "life-size" Transformers shown were Jazz and Skywarp. In all likelihood, you did not party with them.
Toys
Generation 1
- Skywarp (Decepticon Jet, 1984/1985/2001/2003/2008)
- Japanese ID number: 23
- Accessories: 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles, 2 "Machine Guns", 2 wings (left & right), 2 rudders (left & right), 2 tailfins (left & right), 2 fists (left & right), front landing gear
- The only 1984 Seeker with a deco not used previously in Takara's Diaclone line, Skywarp transforms into an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, sharing his mold with his teammates Starscream and Thundercracker. Many parts need to be removed completely for 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 noticeable being that early versions did not have visible "clip-tabs" on the inner face of the gauntlets.
- Early Hasbro stock photos of Skywarp show him with a plastic purple nosecone. This was changed to a soft, black rubber nosecone when the toy was actually released. However, a Mexican variant retained the purple plastic nosecone. The same stock photos also show him with purple launchers with black triggers and muzzle rings, black feet, black shins, black outer arm panels, purple horizontal stabilizers, and both sets of purple missiles. These stock photos were also later used to promote Takara's 2001 reissue.
- In 2001, Skywarp was given a short-run reissue (limited to only 1,000 pieces) by Takara as a convention-exclusive item, bundled together with Thundercracker as "Collector's Edition" Set C. The toy would later be more extensively released in 2003 as part of Hasbro's Commemorative Series series IV, though due to US toy-safety regulations, his missiles were made extra-long since his spring-loaded launchers were now fully-functional.
- In August, 2008, Skywarp was released with Thundercracker as number 11 in Takara's Transformers Encore line. For this release Skywarp's Decepticon symbols were painted and his purple stickers were changed to a much bluer shade of purple. Curiously, Skywarp's wing stripes in this release are factory-applied stickers, instead of the tampographs on his two-pack buddy.
- For some reason, the stats on Skywarp's, Starscream's and Thundercracker's tech specs were switched around. Skywarp's box was given Starscream's numbers, which explains his high intelligence and rank. The actual specs intended for this toy, but accidentally given to Thundercracker, are presented here. Hasbro's Commemorative Series Skywarp reissue had his bio rewritten to explain his higher stats.
Machine Wars
- Skywarp (Basic, 1997)
- Accessories: 2 rifle halves
- Sharing a mold once again with Thundercracker, Skywarp transforms into a white 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, Skywarp was an exclusive to Kay-Bee stores and related stores like Toy Liquidators.
- This mold is also used by Beast Wars II Dirge, Robots in Disguise Skyfire, Robot Masters Wingstun and Timelines Waspinator.
Universe (2003)
- Skywarp (Deluxe, 2003)
- Accessories: 2 missiles
- Universe Skywarp is a redeco of Beast Machines Jetstorm in his Generation 1 colors. He transforms into a Cybertronic fighter jet, armed with two spring-loaded projectile launchers that can fire orange "energon" bolts. These launchers end up in his arms in robot mode. He has a third robot mode that collapses the legs around the cockpit (oh hush), with flip-out panels revealing an extra pair of thrusters. His spark crystal, revealed by flipping the purple hatch on his back, has a Decepticon insignia tampographed on top of it.
- Skywarp was also used to make Beast Machines Sonic Attack Jet, Robots in Disguise Storm Jet, and Robots in Disguise Jhiaxus.
Smallest Transforming Transformers
- Skywarp (2003)
- Japanese ID number: GTF X-1
- Smallest Transforming Transformers Skywarp was a very small-scale simplification of the original Generation 1 Seeker toy, retaining most of its functionality and accessories, except for his long null-rays. Skywarp was one of two chase figures from the first wave of the line.
- This mold was redecoed from Starscream, then re-redecoed into Thundercracker, and finally retooled to make Thrust.
Robot Masters
- Skywarp & Thundercracker (Multi-pack, 2005)
- Accessories: 2 "Machine Guns"
- Robot Masters Skywarp is a redeco of Starscream from the same series, a smaller yet more advanced version of the original toy, adding more articulation and reducing the amount of part-forming required. He was available only in a two-pack with Thundercracker, which also came with a Decepticon sigil pin and chromed missile pods. 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 an e-Hobby Generation 1 reissue box, with a small Robot Masters sticker in the corner tab noting its origin from the front.
Classics (2006)
- Ultra Magnus vs Skywarp: Battle For Autobot City (Multi-pack, 2006)
- Accessories: Left & right missile launchers, 2 missiles
- Classics Skywarp is a slight retool of the Classics Starscream mold, transforming into an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, though with a canopy like that of an F-14 Tomcat. He comes with a pair of spring-loaded missile launchers that can be mounted on his biceps or used as hand-held weapons in robot mode and can attach under his wings in vehicle mode. As with most Classics toys, he also features a heat-sensitive rubsign.
- Skywarp was slightly retooled from the earlier Starscream figures. The retool is present in the jet intake area. The slope of his shoulders was decreased from Starscream's, and a rectangle added to the vertical area, making the number now five instead of four. This retooled version was used for all subsequent releases of the mold: Classics Ramjet, Thundercracker, Thrust, and Dirge, as well as Acid Storm from Universe. At the end of Classics Starscream's production run, he too used this version of the mold.
- He was only available as part of a Target stores exclusive two-pack with Ultra Magnus. The set's price was $19.99, despite including both a Voyager-class and Deluxe-class mold in it, which was approximately $30 worth of toys if they'd been sold separately. He was also available in Woolworth stores throughout the United Kingdom.
- Stock photos of Classics Skywarp showed a more detailed color scheme than the actual released figure. Much like Classics Ultra Magnus, the changes were most likely due to an overabundance of paint applications. This more detailed version was shown at BotCon 2006 and at least one sample found its way to a collector's hands. The sample also used the original Starscream mold, and not the retooled version used for every version of the mold since and even including Starscream.
Masterpiece
- Masterpiece Skywarp (2007)
- Japanese ID number: MP-6
- Accessories: 2 "Machine Guns", 2 AIM missile racks, Doctor Arkeville pilot, Megatron Gun clasp, display stand
- Masterpiece Skywarp was released in Japan in September of 2007. He is a redeco of the Masterpiece Starscream mold in black, gray, silver, and purple, though the purple and silver are more minimal than usual. Skywarp is able to switch between a minimally retooled stoic face and a new snarly face, retooled from Starscream's previous smirk. The tiny Doctor Arkeville pilot figurine (this time molded black) is also included, as well as a clasp for jet-mode Skywarp to hold the gun-mode Megatron that came with Masterpiece Convoy/20th Anniversary Optimus Prime.
- The sticker sheet includes Skywarp-esque stripes, as well as several whimsical squadron markings.
- The second pressing of Masterpiece Skywarp (released in October 2008) features an assembly error: his left and right pectorals are flipped. This misassembly does not affect transformation at all, and is really only noticeable when compared to prior Masterpiece Seekers. The September 2007 pressing of Masterpiece Skywarp is assembled correctly. Masterpiece Thundercracker is misassembled as well.
Attacktix
- Skywarp
 Proceed on your way to oblivion. |
Titanium Series
- War Within Skywarp (San Diego Comic-Con 2008 exclusive)
- Titanium Series War Within Skywarp is a redeco of Thundercracker, transforming into a Cybertronian "tetrajet" as reimagined by Don Figueroa. As with all 6-inch Titanium Cybertron Heroes, he is constructed mostly of fully painted die-cast metal. He was available only at Hasbro Toy Shop after the Titanium line had already been cancelled, and also Hasbro Toy Shop's booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2008.
- This mold was also used to make War Within Starscream, Sunstorm and Thrust.
Henkei! Henkei!
- Skywarp (Deluxe, 2008)
- Accessories: 2 missile launchers (left and right), 2 missiles
- Henkei! Henkei! Skywarp is a redeco of Henkei! Henkei! Starscream. He features a colour scheme similar to his Generation 1 cartoon appearance. Henkei Skywarp and his fellow Seeker Henkei! Henkei! Thundercracker were released in September, 2008 as an exclusive through Toy Hobby Market.
- Soon after release, there were numerous complaints from both Japanese and Western collectors about the poor quality control for both Thundercracker and Skywarp. Skywarp's most common fault was missing paint for one of his shoulders. Some reported both toys suffering misassembly issues such as having two left or two right thighs.
- Several minor changes were made to this mold for this release. The holes for his missile launchers in his arms were widened, as were the launcher's insertion pegs. The wing's missile launcher insertion points were lengthened and are now curved at the end. The last rectangle on his air intakes, was further modified from the Classics version this time the bottom most rectangle goes completely across the air intake's surface rather than just the center. Henkei Thundercracker and Universe Starscream also saw most of these changes.
Universe (2008)
- Masterpiece Skywarp (2009)
- Accessories: 2 "Machine Guns", 2 AIM missile racks, Doctor Arkeville pilot, Megatron Gun clasp, display stand
- A Wal-Mart exclusive redeco of the Takara version, featuring a more G1 toy styled scheme. It uses the two Starscream faces rather than those of the Takara Skywarp due to Hasbro feeling Starscream's smirk face fit him more than Takara Skywarp's snarl.
Merchandise
Decoy
- Skywarp (1986)
- Decoy Skywarp is a tiny, purple, soft-rubber figurine randomly packed with smaller toys at the time. To differentiate him from Starscream and Thundercracker, Skywarp is sculpted holding his arms above his head in a cheering pose.
Heroes of Cybertron
- Skywarp (2002)
- Released in the first wave of the Heroes of Cybertron line, Skywarp was a non-transforming action figure redecoed (of course) from Heroes of Cybertron Starscream. As with the rest of the line, Skywarp was composed of transparent red plastic that was entirely painted over, giving him "light-up" eyes.
- The Japanese SCF version was to be limited to 200 pieces and was one of two prizes offered from the original run of the Transformers Generations book (the other being a mostly clear reissue Starscream, distinct from the Ghost Starscream version). Due to the bankruptcy of the Transformers: Generations publisher, Keibunsha, it is unknown whether the Japanese version of Skywarp was ever actually sent out.
- Skywarp (2003)
- Same as the American version above, but part of an OTFCC 2003-exclusive six-pack of figures which also included Starscream, Thundercracker, and three Air Warriors. It featured a more metallic paint job from the normal release and slightly different paint details.[citation needed]
Legends of Cybertron
- Skywarp (2004, unreleased)
- A redeco of Mega Super Figure Collection G1 Starscream (minus the extra coronation accessories, open-palm hands, and the hand wielding Megatron in gun mode), Skywarp was to be among the first of the fan club exclusives offered by OTFCC as well as the first in their Legends of Cybertron line. The figure was delayed and never saw a full release due to 3H Enterprises losing the license to run the official Transformers fan club. At least a couple of sample versions were produced.
Proceed on your way to oblivion. |
Palisades
- Skywarp (Palisades, 2005)
- A SmallBluePlanet-exclusive redeco of the Starscream statue, Skywarp is a six inch tall polystone statue with articulated head and arms. He can stand normally or use a stand to take on a "hovering" pose. Skywarp was limited to 300 pieces, and sculpted by 3L Creation Group from a design by George Tremarco.
Robot Heroes
- Decepticon Sneak Attack (2007)
- Skywarp is one of the five exclusive figures in Wal-Mart's "Decepticon Sneak Attack" set, alongside Cliffjumper, holographic Mirage and "Supermetal Finish" versions of Optimus Prime and Megatron. He's a black and purple redeco of Starscream, yes. His left hand's for pushing you down stairs, his right fist's for pumping the air in victory. Sweet, sweet stair-based victory.
3D Battle-Card Game
- Skywarp (2007)
- A 25-point "uncommon" character in the 3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, Skywarp "transforms" into a black and purple jet. He uses the same parts layout as Movie Starscream and Dreadwing.
Trivia
- Skywarp's one-line characterization in the original Transformers production bible was "sneaky but dumb". Hee hee. [1] In a more peculiar note, his longer write-up in the production bible noted that he was colored olive drab. [2] This error isn't as unusual as one might first think, as Skywarp was the only first-year jet whose colors didn't originate in Diaclone—thus, they simply may not have been decided upon when the production bible was written.
- In a possible fit of madness, a triple changer was proposed that would switch between Skywarp (possibly mistaken for Starscream), Megatron, and Skywarp's jet mode.
- Character bios written by unknown persons for the Australian (Madman) DVD release of The Transformers: The Movie definitely claim that Skywarp became Cyclonus. Basically, nobody considers that weighty "evidence".
- Skywarp is the only Seeker with wing stripes that are not red.
- For such a popular character, Skywarp doesn't DO much of anything in the original show.
External links
- Pages using duplicate arguments in template calls
- Articles needing citations
- Pages with image sizes containing extra px
- Character stubs missing fiction
- Pages with broken file links
- Unreleased toys
- Character stubs missing toys
- Attacktix
- Beast Machines characters
- Classics characters
- Convention exclusives
- Decepticons
- Exclusives
- Generation 1 characters
- Generation 2 characters
- Henkei! Henkei! characters
- Machine Wars characters
- Robot Heroes
- 3D Battle-Cards
- Robot Masters characters
- Seekers
- Target exclusives
- Universe characters
- Wreckers
