Laser Rod
- The Laser Rods are a cross-factional subgroup from the Generation 2 portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.
The Laser Rods are a quartet of warriors armed with flaming, energized, glowing swords. Though two of them are Autobots and the other two are Decepticons, on the whole, they tend to be destructive, rampaging, turbo-revving punks who spend their time tearing up streets, redlining their engines, and chopping down telephone poles.
The Laser Rods consist of:
Autobots:
Decepticons:
- European market name: Illuminators
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
Generation 2
The Laser Rods were part of a new era of Decepticon warriors, designed by Bludgeon and brought to fruition by Megatron, who stole the Creation Matrix from Optimus Prime. Volt, Jolt, and Sizzle made their debut alongside the Rotor Force on Tykos, third moon of E'Brutoc, where they liberated the density-enhancing gas Rheanimum from its factory. New Dawn
They were present when Megatron forged an alliance with the Autobots, although Sizzle noted the Decepticons were bowing out of a mission of mercy Optimus Prime insisted on pursuing. Still, once Megatron learned the Generation 2 Cybertronians were the Autobots' opponents, the Decepticons soon arrived in force to aid their "comrades". Volt was seen chopping through the Cybertronians alongside Leadfoot and Manta Ray. Escalation!
After Jhiaxus and his forces found the Autobot base on Earth, the battle was joined anew. Electro and Volt took time to admire the combination ability of the Cybertronians as they blasted them out of the sky. Total War! Jolt was later seen helping arrange the defensive perimeter before the arrival of the Swarm. Electro worked with Hot Rod as a lookout for the entity's arrival, and Sizzle was seen among the defenders firing back in vain against the Swarm. A Rage in Heaven!
Japanese G2 minicomics and story pages
Comic Bom Bom G2 manga
Generation 2: The New Battle!!
Dreamwave comics continuity
Electro and Volt were seen on Cybertron, residing in one of the Autobot complexes with the Brainmasters. Atonement
Toys
Generation 2
Metamorphin' into WARRIORS!
Electro, VOLT / Sizzle, JOLT
Fighting with lightning LASER BLADES!
...that totally doesn't rhyme.
- The Laser Rods were among the later new molds included in the Generation 2 toyline, sold individually carded. They transform into classic hot rods. They feature clear plastic swords and a small light that can peg into the bottom of the fist holding the sword to give the illusion that it is a "laser sword". In vehicle mode, the light serves to illuminate a transparent engine block.
- Their packaging advertised them as "Super Posable!"; they are among the first fully poseable Transformers. They prefigured the soon-to-be-born Beast Wars line, though they lack the ball joints that gave most Beast Wars figures their articulation. The Laser Rods are built with an elastic-and-hook waist design similar to the Action Masters (or the 1980's GI Joe line) that unfortunately rendered them rather floppy from the waist down when in robot mode. (This style of articulation was never used again.)
- The Laser Rods were particularly expensive for 1994, usually costing $15(US) each for a figure that sits between today's Scout and Deluxe scaled figures. This is likely due to the cost of electronics and the included batteries at the time.
- Related toys from the same year using the same basic gimmick were the Laser Cycles and Laser Optimus Prime, the latter of which is actually identified as a Laser Rod on his Real Action Pop-Ups 3-D Transformer Trading Card.
