Hardhead (G1)
| This article is about the Headmaster from Generation 1. For the Predacon from Beast Wars Neo, see Hardhead (BWN). |
- Hardhead is an Autobot Headmaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Hardhead is a soldier to his core. A soldier with a stubborn streak a megamile wide. He's stubborn to the point of rejecting outright any path but his own, any idea that goes against his natural instinct or inclination (namely fighting), and any advice he didn't come up with himself. He doesn't talk much, and when he does, it tends to be blunt and terse, if not outright rude. A soldier doesn't waste time on social niceties when there's a war to fight.
Perhaps surprisingly, given his limited social aptitude, Hardhead has found a good companion in Duros, his binary-bonded Nebulan partner, who enjoys warfare just as much as Hardhead does. The two mesh so well, it's been said that theirs may be the best match among all the Autobot-Nebulan teams.
Fiction
The Transformers cartoon
- Voice actor: Stephen Keener (English), Eiji Itō (Japan)
After the resurrection of Optimus Prime, the Decepticons practically disappeared for a time. On Cybertron, Brainstorm used this reprieve to experiment on pairing Transformers with human partners, though his efforts did not convince Hardhead or Chromedome. Shortly after the exercise, Optimus Prime contacted them, notifying them of the Decepticons' return. They had stolen the Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber and were on their way to the chamber itself on Cybertron. Unfortunately, the chamber's activation would destroy Cybertron. Hardhead and several other Autobots commandeered a ship to head off Scourge and Cyclonus before they could reach the Plasma Energy Chamber, and they managed to retrieve the Key, but an energy surge smacked the Autobot ship out of Cybertron's orbit and far into space.
Hardhead and the others crash-landed on a strange planet named Nebulos and were quickly taken captive by an underground resistance movement that believed the Autobots were machines controlled by the Hive, who ruled Nebulos. The Rebirth, Part 1
Japanese cartoon continuity
The Great Transformer War comic
While significant Transformer battles were being waged on Earth and across space, Hardhead and the other Headmasters were battling their Decepticon counterparts on the planet Master. Thinking that the three Decepticons had escaped them by leaping into a chasm, Hardhead began raging, and nearly wound up fighting with Brainstorm when the other Headmaster told him to calm down. Luckily, he was able to direct his anger back upon the Decepticons when they came bursting out of the ground beneath the Autobots' feet. The Decepticons didn't fare terribly well in the battle, which abruptly ended when the Decepticon ninja Sixshot arrived and instructed them to follow him back to Chaar. The Decepticons fled into space, but Hardhead and his fellow Autobot Headmasters quickly gave chase aboard the battleship Maximus, heading for Cybertron rejoin the larger Transformer war. The Great Transformer War #3
The Headmasters cartoon
- Voice actor: Masato Hirano (Japanese)
Four million years ago, Hardhead was among a group of diminutive Cybertronians who departed Cybertron under the leadership of Fortress, seeking to escape the eternal war that had consumed the planet. The Mystery of Planet Master Alas, engine trouble caused their craft to crash land on the planet Master, an inhospitable world whose murderous environments and wildly changeable atmospheric conditions threatened the lives of the Cybertronians almost as soon as they stepped off their ship and were caught in a desert of sinking sands. Fighting against the odds, the Cybertronians made several technological quantum leaps to survive on Master, including the creation of larger, lifeless Transformer bodies called Transtectors. Hardhead and many of his comrades underwent rigorous physical and mental training to master the art of transformation, learning to transform into heads that connected to the Transtectors and placed them under their control. The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery Hardhead was one of ten warriors who became one of these "Headmasters", but unfortunately, half their number soon rebelled against Fortress's leadership and sided with a traitor named Scorponok against him. Via the Decepticon ninja Sixshot, Scorponok soon forged an alliance with the Decepticon leader, Galvatron. The Mystery of Planet Master
In the year 2011, when Galvatron launched his latest attack on Cybertron with the added power of his new Decepticon Headmasters, Hardhead and his fellow Autobot Headmasters travelled to the planet to help their comrades defend their homeworld. Four Warriors Come out of the Sky
Hardhead can't hold his energon wine very well. One drink and he wants to karaoke! The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok
The Headmasters comic
The Headmasters #1 Great Decisive Battle of Planet Beast! The Headmasters #2 The Headmasters #3 The Headmasters #4 The Headmasters #5 The Headmasters #6 The Headmasters #7
Super-God Masterforce comic
Several years after the end of the Headmasters' war on Earth, a new Autobot Supreme Commander named Ginrai was appointed, and flown to Athenia for his coronation. Hardhead was present for the ceremony, and then helped to fight off a Decepticon attack upon the planet. The Battle Begins! The United Earth-Space Troops Soon after, when the Decepticon BlackZarak made his way to Earth, Hardhead, the other Autobot Headmasters and Raiden pursued him, but were defeated in battle in Earth's orbit. God Ginrai's Amazing Super-God Combination!
Marvel Comics continuity
A long time ago, on Cybertron, Hardhead was part of an Autobot strike unit led by Fortress Maximus. This unit operated out of a cave dug into the Manganese Mountains, and often worked to foil the schemes of their primary nemesis, Scorponok. Their last major mission on Cybertron was to upset a slave march to the smelting pools. After that, however, Fortress Maximus revealed to the Autobots that he had grown sick of warfare, and planned to escape the endless ring of hate by immigrating to a new world altogether: Nebulos. Initially, Hardhead was outraged and accused Maximus of cowardice for even conceiving of leaving the war before it was finished, but he was quickly chastized when Highbrow reminded him of how valiantly their leader had fought on the battlefield that day, and every day prior for countless vorns. With some convincing, Hardhead and many others chose to join Fortress Maximus on his quest for peace. Peace is rarely an Autobot's lot, though, as an innocent mishap combined with some xenophobia among a few of the Nebulan rulers to bring war to the Autobot camp's doorstep. Hardened warriors like Hardhead and Kup immediately fell into old habits and started fighting back, but Fortress Maximus abruptly ended their gunplay and ordered an all-out retreat.
Despite these setbacks, Fortress Maximus was determined to wage peace, not war. He brought an envoy of Autobots, including Hardhead, to the Nebulan capitol of Koraja to once again plead for peace. When the Nebulans still were not totally swayed after he and his Autobots disarmed, Maximus removed his own head from his shoulders, leaving his body deactivated and inoperable in the Nebulans' care. Hardhead and three other Autobots joined their leader in his gesture. It was this gesture which finally ushered in a cease fire with the Nebulans. Ring of Hate!
Fortress Maximus, Hardhead and the others had their separate heads and bodies detained inside a bunker outside Koraja, as so-called "prisoners of peace", while the Nebulan leaders conversed with them and also the remaining Autobots (under Kup's supervision) in the Folassian Forest beyond the city. Maximus had successfully convinced Galen, head of the World Watchers, of his good intentions, but the paranoid Lord Zarak distrusted the Autobots at every turn, and was committed to removing them from Nebulos even if he had to fake their crimes in order to do it. He even went so far as to summon the Decepticons to Nebulos, hoping that they would rid the planet of their Autobot problem. (So he's not that bright. Give him a break, he's in politics!)
The Decepticon arrival was everything you would expect, as Scorponok and his henchmen began to lay siege to Koraja, trying to get at the inoperative Fortress Maximus and his men. Galen and Council Guard Commander Duros arrived at the Autobots' bunker to rapidly consult them on options. Several potential strategies were discarded in short order, and the allies finally settled on a radical solution involving bio-mechanical engineering — Galen and several other volunteers were bionically reconstructed to transform into duplicates of the Autobots' severed heads, allowing them to binary bond with the Autobots' bodies and share both physical control and tactical analysis with the original Autobot personalities. Duros was one of the first volunteers for the Headmaster process, and was binary bonded to Hardhead. Duros quickly adjusted to the raw power and military might of his new body, using Hardhead's laser-guided cannon against the Decepticon aggressors. Broken Glass!
Their status as the saviors of Koraja made Duros and the others an instant hit among the populace, but Nebulos's rulers were still wary of the Transformers, especially now that their presence had led Nebulans themselves to wage war for the first time in over 10,000 years. Galen and his men did their best to assuage the fears of the Council of Peers. When the Horrorcons and Terrorcons attacked the Splendora resort, Hardhead and Brainstorm joined their Autobot comrades, the Technobots, in fending off Abominus and zapping Apeface and Snapdragon into submission. The devastation left in the wake of their battle did little to discourage the Council's antipathy, however. When the Autobot Headmasters went on a rescue mission to recover Lord Zarak and his followers (who had been prisoners of the Decepticons since their arrival), a detachment of Council members insisted on accompanying them. Unfortunately, Zarak had entered into a bargain with Scorponok, and by the time Hardhead and the others reached the Plains of Thok, the Decepticon Headmasters had been born. Although Zarak / Scorponok endangered the council members by using them as a diversion to gun down the Autobots, Mindwipe's hypnotic gaze had scrambled the other Nebulans' minds so much that Zarak was able to convince them that Galen's men were the evil ones, and he manipulated the Decepticons into becoming Nebulos's new "champions". Love and Steel!
Duros and the other Nebulan Headmasters were held captive by Zarak in Koraja, alongside their disabled Autobot counterparts. Despite his hunger for power and growing battle-lust, however, Zarak still ultimately wanted what was best for Nebulos. Realizing how a continued war between the Autobots and Decepticons would truly affect the planet he loved, Zarak freed Duros and the Autobot Headmasters, sending them back to their comrades in the forest. Galen had reached the same conclusions as Zarak, and gathered his men back aboard the Autobot ship Steelhaven, to leave Nebulos behind to rebuild in their absence. Sure enough, Zarak / Scorponok and the Decepticons chose to follow the Autobots into space. Brothers in Armor!!
Before they left, however, the Autobot Headmasters had another encounter with their Decepticon opposite numbers. After the Targetmasters were captured by the Decepticons for analysis and dissection, Hardhead and the Headmasters went out looking for them, only to run into the Decepticon Headmasters on the way. Hardhead was nearly knocked off the road when Mindwipe's hypnotic stare sent Brainstorm crashing into him. Despite being shaken by the impact, Hardhead still managed to defeat both Weirdwolf and Skullcruncher by himself. The Autobots regrouped to follow Mindwipe, the last of their attackers, who was apparently fleeing for safety. After entering the Decepticons' Fortress of Despair, however, Hardhead and the others realized they had been led into a trap, and were confronted by the might Scorponok and the Decepticon Targetmasters. In order to help even the odds, Hardhead freed the Autobot Targetmasters who were being held prisoner. With their help, the Autobots eventually overcame the Decepticons and fled back to base. Worlds Apart!
After leaving Nebulos, Hardhead and the crew of Steelhaven followed an Autobot distress call to the planet called Earth. During the long journey, they had Fortress Maximus heavily upgraded into a larger, more powerful body. Even the militaristic Duros was a bit unsettled by the new war-like outlook of their leader, Galen, but he insisted he was merely changing to fit the circumstances they had been dealt. Upon arrival, Fortress Maximus, Hardhead and the other Headmasters took a shuttle down to Earth's surface, and located the caves in Mount St. Hilary where the distress call had first been broadcast. They also found the broadcaster himself, an Autobot named Goldbug whose brain module had been retrofitted into a tiny electronic toy car. Long story. Scorponok and the Decepticon Headmasters had also come to Earth after the distress call, however, and a battle broke out. The battle proved costly, as Galen died protecting an Earthen from Scorponok. He passed on his control helmet to this boy, Spike Witwicky, leaving Fortress Maximus and the Autobots in his hands. It was Hardhead who first suggested that Spike was the group's new leader. Trial by Fire!
In the weeks that followed, Steelhaven's crew united with the other Autobots on board the Ark. Hardhead was present on the moon when two members of the Ark's crew, Grimlock and Blaster, engaged in ritual combat to settle their differences. Totaled!
During the Time Wars, Hardhead was among the Autobot strike team gathered by Optimus Prime, Grimlock and Fortress Maximus to engage Galvatron for the fate of two time periods, several associated planets, and the universe at large. Unfortunately, the future Autobots of 2009 arrived before the battle began, and the mass-substitution effect created by time travel shunted Hardhead into Limbo for the duration. Time Wars
Hardhead was next seen on Cybertron for the final united battle against Unicron. Working with the Decepticon Pretender, Bomb-Burst, he was in the process of moving a surface-to-air missile battery into position when Unicron touched down on the planet's surface. The Planet-Eater's massive foot indiscriminately crushed Autobot, Decepticon, and weapon flat. On the Edge of Extinction!
IDW comics continuity
Hardhead was a career soldier, intended as a problem solver who got things done fast. To him, this meant he had no future, as some day the war will end, and he would be a walking reminder of it, something to be quietly done away with. Spotlight: Hardhead
Prior to the Brasnya incident, Hardhead was ordered by Optimus Prime to Earth on the Ark-32, along with Hot Rod. Escalation #3 The two arrived right in the middle of the battle, although Hot Rod sped away after the facsimile before Hardhead could stop him to report their presence. He engaged in battle with Astrotrain, Escalation #4 causing severe damage to the shuttle Triple Changer and continued to hound him to such an extent that Skywarp had to call in reinforcements. Escalation #5 When Megatron seemingly defeated Optimus Prime, Hardhead attempted (futilely) to damage him with repeated cannon blasts. Escalation #6
Hardhead would eventually regroup with his teammates after the battle and was among them during Sixshot's surprise assault on the Ark-19. He bravely (if futilely) attacked Sixshot, along with the rest of the Autobots before being beamed back to the Ark-32. Devastation #4 Due to injuries and separate missions, Hardhead found himself to be the only active Autobot besides Prowl — and neither were happy to hear that Optimus was withdrawing them from Earth to Garrus-9. Devastation #5 Hardhead went to retrieve Hot Rod and the others, blowing up a Headmaster that was attacking Hot Rod. Hot Rod refused to go though, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go and took Wheeljack and Ironhide back with him. Devastation #6
Soon, Nightbeat discovered that he logged a message during his visit to Gorlam Prime — of which he had no recollection — and asked Hardhead for help. Spotlight: Cyclonus
Before leaving for Gorlam Prime, Nightbeat told Hardhead of his fears that he may be compromised, and that if he threatened Hardhead or anyone else, he should terminate Nightbeat. Arriving on Gorlam Prime, Nightbeat and Hardhead discovered virtually the entire planet's population had frozen in a chrysalis-like state and were in the midst of undergoing some kind of evolutionary cycle. Before they could explore further, however, they were beset upon by dozens of Micromasters, all of whom immediately targeted Hardhead.
Escaping from their attackers, the two Autobots fled deep underground. Once they neared the portal to the Dead Universe, Jhiaxus took remote-control of Nightbeat and tried to kill Hardhead with a point-blank shot between the optics. Fortunately, Hardhead lived up to his name and took the shot with minimal damage. As Nightbeat was joined by more Micromasters, Hardhead took the opportunity to retreat deeper into Gorlam Prime's underground caverns.
There, he discovered the portal to the Dead Universe. As the mind-controlled Nightbeat caught up with him, Hardhead realized he had nowhere else to fall back to. When told to surrender, Hardhead responded by shooting Nightbeat through the head with a pinpoint shot and then plunged through the portal, ready to face whatever dangers lay on the other side. Spotlight: Hardhead
Having become a permanent resident of the Dead Universe, Hardhead did not resurface until Jhiaxus's plans were well underway. However, he did manage to catch the Cybertronian scientist who was fleeing the onslaught of Arcee. Preventing the madman's escape, he explained to the hyperviolent Autobot that Jhiaxus couldn't truly die here on the threshold between the material world and the Dead Universe. That suited Arcee fine, as it let her indulge her revenge fantasies to their utmost. Spotlight: Sideswipe
Hardhead remained at Arcee's side as she happily killed Jhiaxus over and over again, though he was more interested in investigating some ancient catacombs discovered in the depths of Gorlam Prime. After some time had passed, the portal to the Dead Universe began to act strangely, luring the inhabitants of the planet into wandering through it. Seemingly due to his connection to the Dead Universe, Hardhead was immune to this apparent hypnosis, and he pinned Arcee down to keep her from following the others. Once the entire population of Gorlam Prime was gone, the portal emitted a flash of light and changed shape, knocking Hardhead and Arcee out cold. After they awoke, they left to investigate the catacombs and figure out what happened. Heart of Darkness issue 2 Eventually, they detected Galvatron and his troops entering the portal's chamber and attacked them. Heart of Darkness issue 1
Hardhead took on Cyclonus and Scourge, defeating both of them, but was brought down by Galvatron, who was drawing on power from the Dead Universe. He urged Arcee to flee and warn the Autobots, and was then captured by Galvatron, who invaded his mind and read his memories. Heart of Darkness issue 2
Later, he accompanied Galvatron, Cyclonus, and a generic or two to the planet Dykayra to scout out a sight of an incursion of D-Void from the Dead Universe (presumably, he was still under Galvatron's control).Heart of Darkness issue 3
Games
Transformers: The Headmasters
Hardhead was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on the Jail planet by Menasor. He was rescued by Chromedome and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Hardhead and the others met with Fortress Maximus for the last battle against Scorponok. Transformers: The Headmasters
The Transformers (PS2)
Toys
Generation 1
- Hardhead (Headmaster, 1987)
- Japanese ID number: C-102
- Accessories: "Duros" Headmaster partner "Tank Commander", 2 "Shatterblasters"
- Hardhead transforms into a Cybertronian self-propelled artillery gun. Like many Transformers of this era, he can store his rifles in 5mm peg holes in his vehicle mode, and his Headmaster partner, Duros, can ride inside his cockpit. Duros transforms into his head, which, when attached to Hardhead's robot mode, activates a simplified, spring-loaded Tech Spec meter hidden under a panel on his chest. This gimmick works with any other Headmaster "pilot" figure.
- In robot mode, Hardhead is unusually tall for a toy of his price point, as the tank basically flips on end and extends to transform. As to be expected, Hardhead has rather limited articulation.
Universe (2008)
Generation 1 Series
- Hardhead (Ultra Class, 2009)
- Accessories: Shield
- Hardhead is a mostly green Walmart-exclusive redeco of Universe Ultra-class Onslaught, transforming into a six-wheeled SWAT assault truck. Instead of blending in with the rest of his colors, his shield stands out entirely black with a messily painted "no" sign on top of a similarly made Decepticon symbol and seven tally marks below it. He doesn't seem to come with Duros in any form, which might explain the shield.
- Hardhead uses the later version of Onslaught's electronics that doesn't cut off quickly.
Notes
- In the television commercial for Marvel Comics' Headmasters limited series, the Autobot and Decepticon Headmasters are shown having different head designs than the ones their Nebulan partners would later turn into. These designs were seemingly never used in any other piece of Transformers media. The models for most of them, however, turned up in the excellent Transformers Generations guidebook.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Ros (ロス Rosu), Hardhead (ハードヘッド Hādoheddo)
- Italian: Blindobot ("Armoredbot")
- French: Tête-Dure (Canada, "Hard-Head")
- Mandarin: Tǐeh Tóu (Taiwan, 鐵頭, "Hard Head", literally "Iron Head"), Lao Wangu (China, 老顽固, "Old Stubborn")
