Rollout (Armada)

The name or term "Rollout" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Rollout (disambiguation).

Rollout is an Mini-Con from the Armada portion of the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

Here I am, like a real character.

Using an upgraded version of Autobot Headmaster technology, Rollout transforms into the head and "central core" of Overload. When combined, he's part of one of Cybertron's most powerful warriors; when separate, he can extinguish a fire from five miles away.

Fiction

Pack-in mini-comics

Say hello to my little me.

After Galvatron was defeated, he was held prisoner in the Cybertronian Autobot base. Overload and Rollout (each speaking as a separate entity, together) accompanied Optimus Prime near Galvatron's cell, though Optimus cautioned them about a possible Decepticon attack. As Galvatron ranted loudly and at length, Rollout noted that Overload was ready and willing to shut him up forcefully at Prime's say-so.

True to Prime's warnings, Tidal Wave attacked the base. When the giant Decepticon warrior freed Galvatron and combined with him, even Overload in weapon mode piloted by Rollout wasn't enough to stop the Decepticons' advance.

None of this mattered when Unicron suddenly appeared over Cybertron. Volume 4

Armada cartoon continuity

I'm very important.

Rollout was never seen by himself, only briefly appearing as the chest of his bulk, Overload, in a joint meeting between the Autobots and Decepticons. Overload stood silently and mostly out-of-the-way as the newly forged alliance discussed how to defeat Unicron. Union

Cheesebot Spam-a-lot.

Overload, flanked by Tidal Wave (who happens to form extra artillery for the Decepticon leader), engaged the forces of Unicron with some heavy Powerlinx artillery, using Prowl and Kingbolt in their pistol modes, plus Quench in his missile launcher mode. Linkage Part 13

Overload (and Rollout, as an extension) was never given an introduction into the series and never had any lines, so it is a mystery as to where exactly he came from.

Toys

Armada

• Overload with Rollout (Maxcon, 2003)
  • Japanese ID number: MC-14

Overload is a red and black carrier truck capable of carrying Jetfire in his vehicle mode. His robot mode, in which his Mini-Con, Rollout, acts as his head, is a heavily armed robot with a vague resemblance to Generation 1's Ultra Magnus (thus the Japanese name), such as in the transformation pattern and look of his shoulders. However, according to the designer, it actually has more details from the Action Master Rollout. Overload can be pulled by Rollout in his alt mode or by Optimus Prime's cab, or be attached to Optimus's trailer to form a double trailer. Overload can also transform into a dual spring-loaded missile-firing cannon pack for Optimus Prime's super mode or for Prime's trailer in its "base" mode. Rollout can also transform into a double-barreled gun to be wielded by Optimus & Overload's combined form (or any Transformer with standard fist holes), making him both a Headmaster and a Targetmaster.

Inserting Rollout into Overload's chest cavity and pushing it into position to form the chest/head will press against a button, activating the Generation 1 transformation sound effect.

The Japanese version features slightly more intricate paint applications and a silver face on Overload.

The Overload and Rollout molds were reused for Energon Ultra Magnus and Knock Out, and were retooled by OTFCC for Universe Sentinel Maximus and Hyperlinq with new heads.

• Magna Convoy DX Set (Multi-pack, 2003)

Overload and Rollout were cast in colored-clear plastics (dubbed "Ultra Magnus Special Clear Version"), and made available only in a Japanese Toys "R" Us exclusive multi-pack, coming with Optimus Prime in his "Final Battle Color Version" (aka Powerlinx colors), Corona Sparkplug, and an X-Dimension redeco of the Street Action Mini-Con Team.

• Special Ultra Magnus (Max-Con, 2003)

100 samples of this "sky blue" redeco of Overload and Rollout were given away as prizes in a contest from the Japanese Tele-V Magazine in October 2003.

Energon

• Optimus Prime with Mini-Con Corona Sparkplug & Overload with Mini-Con Rollout (Multi-pack, 2004)

For this Costco-exclusive set, Overload (and Rollout) was redecoed into a predominantly yellow scheme with burgundy accents. He came with a new-deco version of Armada Optimus Prime and Sparkplug (who, despite his larger partner's new duds, remained pretty much the same).

External links

• Overload at TFU.info