Windcharger (G1)
| This article is about the Generation 1 Autobot. For the Energon Mini-Con combiner robot, see Windcharger (UT). |
Windcharger is an Autobot in the Generation 1 continuity.
Of all the Ark's crew that crash-landed on Earth, Windcharger is unquestionably the fastest on the ground, at least for short distances. Of all Autobots living or deactivated he is among the quickest; he can go from zero to 60 MPH virtually instantly, limited only by the traction of the surface his tires are on. Frequently, after tearing away with a neck-snapping jerk, he will just as rapidly squeal to a halt to investigate something that caught his eye, for Windcharger is impulsive, as well as impatient, both in mind and in body.
Naturally, such quick starts require a huge burst of energy from Windcharger's power systems. He can also use this energy in another way. In robot mode, he can energize his arms and make them the poles of a precisely controllable electromagnet, powerful enough to levitate ten tons of steel 700 feet away. With care, he can draw objects gently toward him or hurl them violently away. Also, as the long-suffering laws of physics dictate, this field is extremely strong near Windcharger; at close range, he can tear magnetic objects to shreds.
Unfortunately for Windcharger, his power supply, biased as it is toward a brief, heavy overload, is prone to failure if the overload is too severe or too long-lasting. Even worse, his impulsive nature makes him hardly willing to exercise the mental control he needs to avoid overusing his power. As a result, Windcharger often finds himself stumbling home, reeking of ozone and burned insulation, and needing medical attention and a nice, tall, chilled glass of dielectric oil.
Preliminary name: Sprint
South American name: Camaro
Japanese name: Charger
Spanish Name: Rapido
Fiction
Animated continuity
Voice actor: John Stephenson (US), Keiichi Nanba (Japan)
Although Windcharger appears in the three-part pilot, he is not namechecked and does not speak, making him unique on both counts among the Autobot contingent. Nor does he use his special power. He later makes another non-speaking appearance as a corpse during the attack on Autobot City.
Marvel Comics continuity
Find Your Fate
Dinobots Strike Back
When Bombshell uses a Cerebro Shell to control the Dinobots and send them on a violent rampage, it is up to Windcharger to use his magnetic powers to remove the shells from a distance. But how far away should he stand? If he stands too close, he may rip the Dinobots to shreds! If he stands too far away, his powers may have no effect and everyone will die. Choose, little boy, choose.
Dreamwave Comics continuity
Toys
Generation 1
- Windcharger (Mini Vehicle, 1984/2003)
- Japanese ID number: 12
- Released in the first year of Transformers in the same color as its Microchange version, Wincharger transforms into a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am sports car. The Microchange toyline was meant to depict robots that turn into toy cars, which attests to the somewhat cartoonish proportions of Windcharger's Trans Am mode. This mold was also used to make Camaro, and was retooled to make Tailgate.
- In 2003, toy company Fun4All made four different keychains, based on four of the original Generation 1 Mini Vehicle molds, Windcharger among them. This version is almost identical to the original, only it has a ring on the front bumper to attach the chain portion to. (And no face paint.) This version of the toy was redecoed into the BotCon Europe exclusive Rook. In Japan, all four keychains were released in blind-packed boxes, and were also made as all-black "chase" versions.
Alternators
- Windcharger (Alternator, 2004)
- Originally designed to be an updated version of the Omnibot Overdrive, Hasbro ended up changing his name to Windcharger after being unable to obtain the trademark for Overdrive. (The toy was released as Overdrive as part of the Japanese Binaltech line, however.) He transforms into a 1:24-scale licensed Honda S2000 sports car with a removable "ragtop" roof.
- Aside from the lack of die-cast metal, the major difference between Windcharger and Overdrive is that Windcharger lacks the long drive-shaft/barrel for his engine/rifle accessory, which was even called a "shield" on the packaging. This was at the request of Honda's USA branch, who didn't like the idea of "their" toy toting a gun around.
- This mold was retooled into Decepticharge, which was planned to be released in Japan as Blackarachnia but ultimately scrapped.
External Links
