Storm Cloud (G1)

The name or term "Stormcloud" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Stormcloud (disambiguation).

Storm Cloud is a Decepticon from the Generation 1 continuity family. He is sometimes a Micromaster.

Accept that handshake so he can punch you.

Storm Cloud is like Starscream, except with less brains, talent, self-control, or chance of success. He always announces his plans, including such brilliance as: "I'm going to replace Whisper as leader of the Air Strike Patrol!" In front of Whisper. Sigh.

However, he is an expert in electronic warfare, using electromagnetic interference to confuse enemy scanners, from a safe point high up in the sky. He's also apparently skilled as a hacker (or at least acquired some very good hacking scripts) as he is able to slip corrupted data into Autobot transmissions to disrupt them.

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.

And in the red corner...

When Roadhandler became an overnight wrestling sensation, Scorponok requested new warriors from Cybertron to counter the Autobot Micromasters' building public adulation. The Micromaster Air Strike Patrol, including Storm Cloud, subsequently arrived on Earth, donated by a Decepticon on Cybertron with an unknown, mysterious identity. Storm Cloud challenged Roadhandler in the ring, with the stipulation that if Roadhandler didn't demonstrate Autobot inferiority by throwing the match, Roadhandler's fan club would be in danger. Once the threat had been removed, Roadhandler clobbered Storm Cloud easily. The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!

Unknown to Scorponok, Storm Cloud's secret employer was Megatron, who then sent Storm Cloud and his teammates on a mission to MacDill Air Force Base. En route to the base, Nightflight and Storm Cloud indulged in some showy aerobatics, nearly crashing in the process. Admonished by Whisper, they reached the base and captured the B-204 refueling plane. Storm Cloud interrupted Whisper's ultimatum to the humans, issuing... basically the same ultimatum. When the Autobots inevitably arrived, the team contacted Scorponok to tell him that they were under attack. Back from the Dead During a brief confrontation with Optimus Prime, Storm Cloud disabled Optimus's attempt to contact the Ark and accidentally let slip part of his team's plans. With the arrival of Scorponok's Decepticons, Storm Cloud and his teammates fled, their mission completed. The Resurrection Gambit!

"Big whoop, want to fight about it!"

Storm Cloud, Nightflight, and Tailwind came to the aid of the assassin Whisper when he was chased into an Earthen jungle by the Autobot Rescue Patrol. The outcome of this battle is unknown. The Greatest Gift of All!

A news team followed the Air Strike Patrol across the southern United States, where finally the group descended on an oil refinery. When they attacked, the human civilians were defended by Hector Dialonzo, a human with extraordinary powers. While on film, Storm Cloud and his teammates met their apparent demise at Hector's hands. The Human Factor!

Marvel UK future timelines

The Air Strike Patrol took Megatron's side in a Decepticon Civil War against factions led by Scorponok and Shockwave. Near the end of that war, the Patrol chased Scorponok, alone, into a human settlement, where Storm Cloud mused that the infighting between the other three members of his team would allow him to prove himself. Scorponok manoeuvered a team of Autobots into combatting the Patrol for him, with the Autobot unit leader Hot Rod shielding Scorponok from one of Storm Cloud's strikes. The Autobot interference enabled Scorponok to escape. Aspects of Evil!

Classics

At some point, Storm Cloud rejoined the Decepticons while they were under Bludgeon's command. He was summoned by Crankcase for waste disposal after Piranacon deactivated the alleged traitor, Abominus. At Fight's End

Although not visually depicted in the above story, this was probably an appearance by the full-sized Classics Storm Cloud. Classics fiction has already shown the Headmaster and Powermaster processes can be reversed, so presumably a Micromaster can be made guzzler-size as well.

IDW comics continuity

Storm Cloud was among the legion of pint-sized soldiers employed by Jhiaxus on Gorlam Prime. He can be seen at the front of the flyers that attack Hardhead. Spotlight: Hardhead

Toys

Generation 1

• Air Strike Patrol (Micromaster Patrol, 1989)

Storm Cloud transforms into a lavender and black Dassault Rafale fighter jet. He was only available as part of a four-pack with his teammates Nightflight, Tailwind and Whisper.

This toy was sold without changes in Japan as the Autobot Star Cloud. This mold was also redecoed to make Skyhopper.

• More information on Storm Cloud at TFU.info

Universe (2008)

He'll pose at you until he's green in the face.

• Storm Cloud (Ultra, 2008)
  • Series: Classic Series
  • Accessories: Spring-loaded cannon, "interceptor" missile

A redeco of Universe Powerglide, Storm Cloud transforms into an A-10 Thunderbolt II assault plane (though the nose looks more like that of its canceled counterpart, the Northrop YA-9, probably for licensing reasons). He has light and sound gimmicks. Oh, and a heart. Hey, he can't be all bad...Okay, it's as black as the night. Storm Cloud also has "MM-89" stamped on his engine boosters, a reference to his original Micromaster status and release year.

• More information on Universe Storm Cloud at TFU.info

Notes

• Micromaster Storm Cloud is gang-molded with his teammate Whisper, and as a consequence, they share plastic colors.

Foreign names

• French: Nimbus (Canada)