Treadshot (G1)
| The name or term "Treadshot" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Treadshot (disambiguation). |
- Treadshot is a Decepticon Action Master from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Treadshot is the best gunman - or man-gun - the Decepticons have. Armed with his particle-blasting pardner Catgut, this on-target owlhoot is the gunslinger Decepticons call on when they want someone to sleep with the turbofoxes.
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
After the battle with Unicron, Treadshot attends a meeting of the combined Autobot/Decepticon forces at their headquarters, standing between Soundwave and Crankcase. He witnesses the report by Blaster that their world is falling apart, and Prowl's ensuing declaration that the Transformers must evacuate Cybertron.
Treadshot is later seen with Soundwave and Crankcase again, apparently clearing debris with them. They were interrupted by Grimlock punching Fangry through the window of a nearby building, which caught the attention of the newly-arrived Bludgeon and Krok as well.
While Fangry briefly had the upper hand, Grimlock's Nucleon-powered body enabled him to administer a savage beat down to the Decepticon. This caused Treadshot and Soundwave to react angrily, though neither one stepped forward to help their blustery comrade. After Prowl stopped the attack, Treadshot watched as Bludgeon manipulated Prowl into revealing the Autobots' unagreeably peaceful post-exodus plans. Exodus!
Though not seen again, Treadshot was presumably involved in all subsequent Decepticon group activities, such as departing Cybertron in a space cruiser, assaulting the planet Klo, and fleeing said planet with the remaining Decepticons to plot another day.
(Note: Treadshot's status as actually being an Action Master in the comics is questionable.)
Television commercials
Treadshot, Megatron and Krok blasted through a wall together. They somehow steal "the power" (presumably Nucleon) from the Autobots, which allows the Decepticons to become Action Masters, too!
Treadshot is later seen in battle with Rad, who, having lifted Treadshot over his head, proceeded to toss him bodily.
(Note: Though difficult to see, Treadshot, Megatron and Krok begin in the commercial as animated figures, which then "flash" and become the toys.)
IDW Comics Continuity
Treadshot has been seen working along side Squawkbox, Ransack, and either Wingspan or Pounce. Little is known of his role and/or duties.
(Note: It is unclear from the artwork which Decepticon clone was featured.)
Toys
Generation 1
- Treadshot w/ Catgut (Action Master, 1990)
- As an Action Master, Treadshot is a non-transforming action figure, though his design shows that he turns into a Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum. He was sold on an individual card with his transforming partner Catgut. He is compatible with any other Action Master weapon or vehicle.
Trivia
- Unlike the other new-character Action Masters, Treadshot appears to be based on a pre-existing toy - strikingly, a toy perhaps not designed by Takara! Originally manufactured by Sunmayor Ohkawa (サンマーヤ大川) Co., Ltd., as the "357 Magnum Robo" (357マグナムロボ), this robot transformed into a Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum with scope attachments. It was later called the "Highway Patrol Robo" and released in GiG's Trasformer line in Italy. Information on this toy is scant... but, strangely, it shows up in Takara's SF Land toy book, which only further complicates the mystery of its origins.
