Protoform
- Protoforms are part of a Transformer's life cycle in many Transformers continuities.
Protoforms consist of an unspecified, free-flowing, metallic matter layered over basic robotic systems. In many universes, a protoform is the first stage in a Transformer's life cycle. These protoforms only await a life-giving spark and the alt-form information necessary to transform them into fully functional, living Transformer beings. Often, protoform modes are used to transport Transformers on intergalactic journeys.
Protoforms are transported or stored in stasis lock, in which state they look like smooth, robotic humanoids. When not in stasis lock, protoforms are a roiling mass of liquid metal around their internal frame.<ref>Protoform states seen in "The Spark".</ref>
In some universes, existing Transformers can place their sparks in a newly created protoform in order to assume a new form, or to recreate their old one. This is one way of rapidly repairing even the most extreme damage, by virtue of totally replacing the body.
Fiction
Beast Wars cartoon
Protoforms are often contained within stasis pods and dropped into unexplored worlds. The Axalon carried many such stasis pods for exploration reasons, and also Protoform X, a failed attempt to create an immortal spark, which was intended for dumping somewhere barren. When the ship was shot down over prehistoric Earth, Optimus Primal ordered the protoforms on board ejected into space. Beast Wars (Part 1) A while later, when the first stasis pod crashed to the ground, Dinobot was able to use a laser link to activate the pod's DNA scanner, allowing it to scan for compatible life-forms and reformat the protoform inside into Tigatron. Fallen Comrades
While Blackarachnia was in her protoform state, Tarantulas was able to install a Predacon shell program, turning her against the Maximals. Double Jeopardy On a later occasion, Rhinox worked frantically to save another protoform and the spark it contained, ultimately succeeding and bringing forth Airazor. The Spark Another attempt on Tarantulas's part to create a third spider Predacon failed when it turned out that the stasis pod had already scanned a life form, and metamorphosed the protoform into Inferno. Spider's Game
The destruction of the Vok Planet Buster knocked the remaining stasis pods out of orbit. Two were damaged on impact, reformatting the protoforms within into Fuzors. A third pod found by the Maximals contained a "blank" — a protoform with no spark. Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1) Rhinox was able to bring back Optimus Primal from the dead using the blank protoform. Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2) Protoform X also turned up, crashed in a swamp, and was able to be converted into a Predacon by Megatron. Bad Spark One protoform was twisted by a badly malfunctioning pod into the being which became known as Transmutate. Transmutate
A blank protoform was used by Megatron in a grand experiment, the ultimate fruit of which was a Transmetal 2 recreation of Dinobot. Feral Scream Part 1
Beast Wars II cartoon
Predacon warriors, who look like protoforms, were shown moving about the Predacon warship using their own power, though they were not shown to speak or have any kind of personality. After the Predacons had gathered enough information about the machines of Gaea's past, they then fed the information into the protoforms via energy waves. The protoforms were then altered into the Autorollers. White Lion, Run!
The atmosphere of the Planet Gaea could have caused the protoforms to rust. The New Forces Arrive! Despite this, a protoform was seen on the bridge of the Galvaburg II well into their visit to the planet. The Insect Corps Arrive
Robots in Disguise cartoon
Autobots (and possibly Predacons) can change into a protoform state during long journeys, presumably to conserve energy. Attributes of an Autobot's original form remain in whatever new form the being takes. For instance, Scourge retained the ability to detect O-Parts.
A downside to the protoform process is that it leaves the Autobots vulnerable to tampering. Megatron was able to use his spark's energy to turn Autobot protoforms into malevolent entities. The Decepticons
Dreamwave Generation One comics
Protoforms are the first step in most (if not all) Transformer life. Convicted criminals are sometimes reduced to Protoform state, such as the Combaticons. Revelation
G.I. Joe vs the Transformers
A traditional Cybertronian song features the lines "Protoform/ Protoform/ What will you be?" Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2
Cybertron cartoon
Protoforms are the first stage of Transformer life, which is usually followed by primary programming.
Live-action films
Protoforms grow and survive by feeding inside energon wombs. Revenge of the Fallen Protoforms are more than just the first stage of a Transformer's life, they are the "base" form that exists inside each robot. Protoforms are made of an ultra-dense, liquid metal material and are extremely hard to damage.
In the rare case they are not actively practicing their natural proclivity for chameleon-like disguise (usually only when engaged in interstellar travel), Transformers shed their exo-structure and return to their protoform state. This protoform is capable of transforming into its transition form: an armored, cometary shape capable of interstellar travel. Upon landing on a new world and transforming back into a protoform, the Transformer immediately begins trans-scanning for new alternate forms to adopt. When one is chosen, the protoform draws on its own ultra-dense substance and any extraneous matter nearby to generate a new exostructure disguise. Transformers: The Movie Guide
Starscream's attempts to breed a new army were met with failure because of low energon supplies, and the "hatchlings", as they were affectionately termed, were dying. When many Decepticons arrived on Earth with The Fallen to claim the Sun, they did not bother assuming alternate modes, and remained in their protoforms. Revenge of the Fallen
Animated cartoon
Protoforms are created from "proto-matter", mined from Cybertron's Sonic Canyons. The AllSpark Almanac II In their pre-life state, they resemble featureless grey mannequins, and are stored in pods that line the walls of the secret Matrix Chamber hidden in the dojo of their assigned protectors, the venerable Autobot Cyber-Ninja Corps. Five Servos of Doom Customarily, prior to being brought on line, protoforms are placed into "moulds", pre-built robot shells, which their proto-matter expands to fill. Endgame, Part I Following this, either the AllSpark or the mega-computer Vector Sigma is used to bestow them with a spark. The AllSpark Almanac II It is possible, however, to forego the use of a mould and place a spark in a protoform directly. Five Servos of Doom The same basic mould can be used for multiple protoforms, leading to similarities in body-type and transformation schemes; the 65356-9292-346 type is particularly popular and widely-used. Autoboot Camp Where humans would describe themselves as being "born", Transformers are "protoformed". Additionally, "protoform" is sometimes used pejoratively in Cybertronian society as a mocking name for the young or inexperienced.
In the closing stages of the Great War, Cyber-Ninja sensei Yoketron revealed the Matrix Chamber and its legion of protoforms to his student Prowl, lamenting that while they should be Cybertron's next great generation, they would wind up being used as an army of last resort if Project Omega failed to bring the war to an end. Subsequently, while Prowl was absent on a quest to commune with the AllSpark, Lockdown, another former student of Yoketron's, attacked the dojo and stole nearly all of the protoforms for Megatron. Five Servos of Doom As luck would have it, Project Omega did succeed in ending the war, and when the Decepticons were exiled from the planet, they secretly took the stolen protoforms with them. However, without the AllSpark, (which had been launched into space by the Autobots to keep it out of his clutches), Megatron had no means of bringing the protoforms to life, and so they remained in storage aboard the space cruiser Nemesis for millions of years. Endgame, Part I
Some time in the 22nd century, a protoform which had been granted a spark through means unknown, in a highly atypical foetus-like form, somehow materialized on Earth, in the laboratory of human scientist Isaac Sumdac. When Sumdac touched the protoform, it scanned his DNA, and reconfigured itself into a techno-organic form resembling a human baby. Sumdac "adopted" the strange little creature, naming it Sari, and raising her as his daughter, never telling her of her true origins. TransWarped
Eight years after Sumdac found Sari, the quest for the AllSpark brought the Transformers' war to Earth, and Sari and her father became allies of Optimus Prime's Autobots. To forge a power base for himself, treacherous Decepticon lieutenant Starscream set up base in the Nemesis (which he had crashed on Earth's moon), using the protoforms that still remained in its hold to create an army of clones of himself. A Fistful of Energon Starscream himself had previously died, but was being sustained through a sliver of the AllSpark wedged in his forehead, and so by breaking off tiny chips of it, he was able to give his clones—Skywarp, Slipstream, Sunstorm, Thundercracker, and Ramjet—the spark of life. A Bridge Too Close, Part I
Later, Megatron followed Starscream's example, using three protoforms and three AllSpark fragments to create giant cross-breed clones of Lugnut and Omega Supreme, the Lugnut Supremes. While Megatron readied his new war machines, Starscream—who had by this point spent a protracted period of time as a decapitated head—used a protoform to create a new body for himself, but it didn't last long: to prevent Starscream from betraying him again, Megatron destroyed his new body, and all the remaining protoforms, save three. Endgame, Part I These three protoforms were then recovered by Optimus Prime's Autobots during their battle with the Lugnut Supremes. Sari believed that she was originally one of the protoforms who had been aboard the Nemesis, but her unusual shape and form while in protoform state, and the unanswered question of how she wound up in her father's lab, left the matter lacking in a definitive resolution. Endgame, Part II
Prime
Protoforms were created by the AllSpark in the Well of All Sparks. In the past protoforms would escape from the Underworld to the Cybertronian surface, but in the era of the caste system they would be taught to transform, assume their most natural alternate mode and be put to work. Protoforms remained the standard name for one's robot mode. Transformers: Exodus
Toys
Toys representing transitional protoform modes have been made for several characters from the live-action Movie universe:
Transformers (2007)
- Protoform Optimus Prime (Deluxe Class, 2007), later redecorated as Protoform Optimus Prime Fusion Cluster Edition. This form is usually Optimus Prime's pre-Earth body in IDW Publishing's Transformers movie prequel comics.
- Protoform Starscream (Deluxe, 2007), later redecorated as Protoform Starscream Fusion Cluster Edition. This form is usually Starscream's pre-Earth body in IDW's Transformers movie prequel comics.
- Trans Scanning Bumblebee (2008)
- Trans Scanning Optimus Prime (2008)
- Both Trans-Scanning Bumblebee and Optimus Prime feature a highly articulated protoform robot mode that can transform into its comet-like transition mode. Snap-on armour based on their Earth robot and vehicle modes represent the characters after they have trans-scanned vehicles.
Robot Heroes
Notes
- Optimus Prime's Cybertronian form depicted in Transformers Movie comics and toys greatly resembles a protoform, presumably because it was Hasbro's only reference for an alien Autobot appearance.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Protoform (プロトフォーム Purotofōmu), Cyberdrone (Car Robots)
References
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