Kick-Off (G1)
| This article is about the Autobot Action Master from Generation 1. For the Autobot from Transformers Animated, see Kick-Off (Animated). |
- Kick-Off is an Autobot Action Master from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Kick-Off spent nearly a full vorn inside a Decepticon prison in Polyhex, where he was forced by his captors to fight his own teammates in brutal gladiatorial combat. Kick-Off did everything he could to survive... and everything he could to learn the inner workings of the Decepticons' security measures. After his rescue from the grease pits, he put this knowledge to good use as a member of the Autobots.
However, having been forced to injure his teammates has left Kick-Off a very bitter robot, who prefers to work alone. He also tends to get too worked up when it comes to enacting revenge on his former captors for his own good. Still, his skills are unquestionable, both in planning raids against Decepticon strongholds and on the battlefield, where he can kick skidplate with ranged weapons or his own fists and feet.
Fiction
The Battle of the Star Gate
Kick-Off was one of dozens of Autobots sent into high orbit to stop the Decepticons from taking over the Trigger space station. Things didn't go so well for him (or anyone else, really) after Starscream and his own time-displaced ghost from the future fused with the Trigger to form a colossal robot thing. When the Starscreams' giant body exploded thanks to the combined power of Megatron and Optimus Prime (further augmented by the Matrix of Leadership), Kick-Off was sent hurtling to Earth along with virtually all of the other Cybertronians involved in the massive battle. The Battle of the Star Gate
IDW Generation 1 comics
Kick-Off was stationed on-board the Autobot Orbital Command Hub. Stormbringer #1 He was also present on the Hub when Ku'arn returned Blaster to the Autobots. Spotlight: Blaster
Very soon thereafter, Kick-Off picked up a new duty assignment under the command of Fortress Maximus at the Garrus-9 penitentiary, overseeing security matters. As a guard, he was one of the few who treated the prisoners with respect. Last Stand of the Wreckers #3 During the sudden attack by Banzai-Tron's Decepticon Secret Services, Kick-Off was ordered by Maximus to activate the autoguns and mobilize their security teams. Spotlight: Arcee
When every Autobot outpost's security codes fell into the hands of the Decepticons, initiating a galaxy-wide massacre, Kick-Off suspected an inside job. But his boss, Fortress Maximus, was the only keeper of Garrus-9's security codes, so they were confident that they could keep out Skyquake's Decepticons. And they did, until Overlord killed Skyquake and took command of the assault on Garrus-9. Instead of turning over the facilities to Megatron, Overlord decided to make the world his.
Three years later, Overlord was still running Garrus-9 as he saw fit. He especially enjoyed setting loose Autobots so his Decepticons could hunt them down, or pitting Autobots against others in gladiator-like fights for his own entertainment. Kick-Off was one of these fighters, and he proved himself one of the more proficient among them, racking up eleven kills. By the time of his twelfth bout, with the Decepticon Borehole, he had become violent and savage, and brutally murdered his opponent by ripping off his head. In accordance with Overlord's rules, Kick-Off was taken to the Decepticon's quarters and offered a reward in exchange for twelve successful kills. Last Stand of the Wreckers #1
Little did Kick-Off suspect that this "reward" was actually a choice: to commit suicide, or to battle Overlord himself. Last Stand of the Wreckers #4 Judging by the state of Kick-Off's dead body when it was later was found by the Wreckers during their invasion of Garrus 9, the deceased Autobot likely had the ball bearings to opt for the latter. Last Stand of the Wreckers #3
Classics
Toys
Generation 1
- Kick-Off with Turbo-Pack (Action Master, 1990)
- Accessories: Turbo-Pack, "Sonic Blaster" rifle
- As an Action Master, Kick-Off is a non-transforming action figure, though his design shows evidence of a vehicle mode, possibly an off-road vehicle. He came with the Turbo-Pack accessory, which attaches to his back and features a spring-loaded, over-shoulder (non-firing) cannon. His "Sonic Blaster" rifle can be held by any Action Master, or attached to any Action Master partner/accessory.
Timelines
- Kick-Off (Deluxe, 2012)
Notes
- Kick-Off is the only new-character carded Action Master Autobot to come with an accessory rather than an "animal/robot" partner. Whether or not he was originally intended to have his wave-mate Snarl's partner, Tyrannitron, is unknown.
- Kick-Off appears on the 1990 box-back art, miscolored in yellow, brown and blue, right next to a similarly miscolored Skyfall.
Foreign names
- French: Démarreur (Canada, "Starter")
