Headmaster (technology)
| The name or term "Headmaster" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Headmaster (disambiguation). |
Headmasters are a type of symbiotic variation on the Transformer lifeform where a smaller sentient being, frequently but not exclusively organic, Transforms into the head of a larger robot. The process by which this is accomplished varies by continuity. In conversation, the term "Headmaster" can apply to both the primary partner (the head), and their significant other (the body).
Headmaster bonding in most continuities occurs between two sentient beings, but there have been cases where the head (such as Cerebros in the G1 Cartoon) or the body (such as the Transectors in the Japanese anime, or the Sunstreaker clones in the IDW comics) are non-sentient constructs controlled entirely by the other partner.
When it occurs between two sentient beings, the benefits of the Headmster procedure are many: the partner gains control of a larger, more powerful body, and the Transformer gains an extra perspective on the battlefield, the psychic Binary bonding involved allowing him to draw on both his own ideas, tactics, and instincts as well as those of his partner as quickly as if they were coming from his own head (since they are).
Fiction
Marvel Comics
The Headmaster technology was primarily the invention of the Nebulan scientist Arcana and was designed originally to let Nebulans utilize the bodies of Autobots to defend their world (something they did not trust the Autobots enough to let them do on their own.)
In this continuity all Headmaster partnerships seen are human/nebulan-Transformer. The organic half of the pair is able to transform by use of a special suit of Headmaster armour and a control helmet that interfaces with bio-cybernetic augmentation in the surgically altered humanoid. It IS possible for an organic to control/communicate with the larger robots form with only the control helmet even if they have not undergone the binary bonding/augmentation process to let them transform into a head and likewise an altered/binary bonded organic remains perminently psychically connected to his partner regardless of whether he retains the helmet or armor.
The main weakness in the design comes from conflicts of personality. Since there was never meant to be an equal partnership in the original Headmaster concept, very little attention was paid to how the Transformer and their partner would interact during the original bonding. As the prototypes of the binary bonding idea, the Headmasters suffered from a lack of knowledge on how important this interaction would be. Many early Headmasters simply did not get along with their own bodies, and vice-versa. Because of this, partners would often disagree or be at odds with each other, resulting in confusion in the Transformer as the voices in his head had extended arguments over what to do. Depending on the compatibility and personalities of the partners their minds tend to merge to different extents and their joint psyche manifests in unique ways for each individual. (For instance, in the comic, Spike and Fort Max were two separate minds sharring one body, with each dominant in their own form and the other submissive, while Lord Zarak and Scorponok seemed to reach some sort of fusion where he was both beings merged into one.)
(Note: this was not an unexpected problem for the Transformers. Early combiner teams had similar issues, with the resulting gestalt being much simpler and less intelligent than the sum of its parts, often because the parts did not get along. However, since the Nebulans failed to ask before starting the Headmaster plan, they were not able to avoid this problem)
Headmaster partners are unique amongst their brethren (the Targetmasters and Powermasters) in that they have the power to take full control over the body they are connected to, often against that Transformer's will. However, over time, both the Headmasters and their Transformer partners realised that they worked better when both sides had a say in things (two heads being better than one), and the relationship between them evolved from master/slave into a more equal partnership. In that cooperation lies the real strenght of the Headmaster process.
Generation 1 Cartoon
In this Cartoon the Headmaster process seems much less invasive for the organic humanoid involved. No surgical alteration is apparently needed on their part and the process seems to consist mainly of altering the Transformers head to 1) have a control center for a partner to sit at inside and 2) to transform around the partner into a fancy exo-suit. While some who have undergone it have commented at feeling a closer bond there is no reason to believe there is any true psychic connection between them as in the binary bonding of other continuities.
Headmasters/Masterforce (Japan Only)
In Japanese continuities Headmasters hail from the planet Master and generally used Transtectors, robotic bodies that were devoid of sparks and non-sentient(therefore avoiding the messy argument over whether Headmastering was ethical by not partnering with living Transformers). A Headmaster is born when one of the miniture denizens of Master (Roughly a little bit larger than a human, save for Scorponok) proves his worth in combat, and is rewarded with his very own Transtector, in order to be able to fight more efficiently among the Master's larger brethren. These Headmasters have the ability to use another Headmaster's Transecters in order to utilize new powers (This is a nod to the Headmaster's toys who had Tech Specs meters that changed depending on what Headmaster was used).
Dreamwave comics
Though only glimpsed in profile art the Heasmaster heads here seem to be larger "mecha" that the human partners pilot.
Energon Cartoon
IDW Comics continuity
The Headmaster technology is a product of the shadowy organization known as the Machination, possibly using technology developed by Scorponok on the planet Nebulos. Following a tip offered to him by Swindle, Ultra Magnus found schematics for enhancing a biological entity with Cybertronian technology, in effect producing a "transformable man." Magnus was able to determine that Nebulan businessman Mo Zarak had been subjected to this process, shortly before Scorponok fled the premises.
Soon after, the Machination captured Sunstreaker and Hunter O'Nion. They dismantled Sunstreaker, and subjected Hunter to an extensive regimen of surgery and implants. Subsequently they attempted to brainwash him into one of their soldiers. Thus far, all Headmasters in the IDW technology have been non-sentient, guided by their human pilots. As well, all of them have been replicas of Sunstreaker.
Limitations
Without their head, a Transformer Headmaster is at a severe disadvantage. Most Autobots and Decepticons are shown entering a kind of stasis lock when their heads disconnect from their robot modes, often seeming sluggish and able to perform only the most basic of functions. In their alternate modes, however, a Headmaster seems no different from any other Transformer: if, perhaps, a little more dangerous. With another intelligent being to help with the task of driving, flying, or shooting, the Headmaster is able to focus more clearly on tactics, strategy, or just the task at hand, freeing up considerable processing power from more mundane requirements. This makes a Headmaster capable of extreme multi-tasking and amazingly rapid decision-making, if the two partners have similar attitudes and mindsets.
