Outback (G1)
Outback is an Autobot in the Generation 1 continuity. He is also known as Fallback.
No by-the-book soldier is Outback; for him, the rules of war are the rules of Rafferty. If the beaten track winds, it's a fair bet he'll go straight. He's more comfortable out in the never never anyway, up grades as steep as 50 degrees, or kicking up willie willies at 110 mph. His insubordination gains him little respect from his mates, and often he finds no partner on his missions but Pat Malone and his trusty rooftop tank-jigger, loaded with armor-piercing shells.
Way in the back blocks of Outback's mind, however, there lurks a dark certainty. By the rules of Rafferty he lives, and by these rules, he is sure, Outback's bound to be a write off. The army's run by Wallies and the war's a no-hoper, but he's not totally clapped-out yet, so he'll give it his best whirl. It's not the best attitude, but he'll share it with anyone without reserve. Outback calls a spade a ruddy spade.
Let a mission go down the gurgler, though, and Outback's the one who'll sort it. He may be largely a mediocrity; he may be an insubordinate grizzle, but his courage is beyond reproach. By the rules of Rafferty he lives, and so far they've served him well.
French-Canadian name: Bled
Fiction
Animated continuity
Voice actors: Dan Gilvezan, Gregg Berger (US); Yoku Shioya (Japan)
Marvel Comics continuity
Surprised by a lone Decepticon killer Outback was saved from death by Optimus Prime who had accidentally returned to Cybertron to along with Megatron. He later tried to save Optimus Prime from being executed as a spy by the Wreckers due to a rumour spread by Megatron.
When Ultra Magnus refuses to believe him, Outback helped Optimus Prime to escape. The two went on the run together and pursued by the Wreckers and a squad of Guardian Droids. Outback was later seriously wounded in battle with the Guardian Droids and Optimus Prime was forced to carry him to safety.
Hiding in the Dead End of Cybertron, hoping that Outback’s would recover, Optimus Prime told him the story of what happened when he was displaced to the limbo dimension when Galvatron travelled back in time. Target 2006
Outback ultimately survived when Prime’s tale was overheard by Ultra Magnus and Emirate Xaaron, convincing them of his identity.
Dreamwave Comics continuity
Outback was among the group of new recruits who failed to take on the Auto-Combatant training drones on Cybertron after Shockwave's rule was toppled.
Timelines: Descent into Evil
Outback, having at this point renamed himself Fallback to complement his revived sense of optimism, led an Autobot strike force consisting of Chromia, Flareup and Ricochet to the planet Ceti Alpha Seven. Their target was the Insecticon cloning facility constructed there by the Decepticon general Deathsaurus. The first batch of Virulent Clones had already been completed, and the team found itself under attack before they ever reached the lab. Fallback and his team destroyed a number of clones, but, when Deathsaurus himself joined the fight, they were overwhelmed and captured. The arrival of their teammates Ironhide and Ratchet on the planet ultimately resulted in Deathsaurus' defeat and the rescue of Fallback's team.
Toys
Generation 1
- Outback (Autobot Mini Vehicle, 1986)
- Japanese ID number: C-59
- Outback is a khaki and brown retool of the 1984 Mini Vehicle Brawn. His head, arms, and chest have been changed, plus he has been equipped with a vehicle-mode gun.
Timelines
- Descent Into Evil (multi-pack, 2005)
- Available only as part of BotCon 2005's Descent into Evil set (along with Buzzclaw, Chromia, Deathsaurus, Dirge, Ironhide and Ricochet), Fallback (renamed due to trademark reasons) is a brown and tan redeco of Energon Strongarm, transforming into a jeep. He has multiple blue clear-plastic "energon" parts to form an axe.
