Grapple (G1)
- Grapple is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Grapple is technically an architect, but in his Spark he is an artist. On Cybertron, before the war, his buildings were considered great works of art, but now his constructions are limited by the realities and needs of the war effort. It is a situation he often finds stifling. Grapple takes great pride in any work he constructs, and is prone to severe bouts of depression should his "masterworks" be destroyed in the course of combat. Grapple can usually be found hanging out with his close friend Hoist who does his best to cheer up Grapple up when his artistic temperament has him down.
French-Canadian name: Grappin
Fiction
Marvel Comic continuity
Prior to the Ark leaving Cybertron, Grapple (along with Smokescreen, Tracks, Hoist and Skids) had his memories recorded onto crystals in case Optimus Prime required more warriors during the Ark's mission. Four million years following the Ark's crash on Earth, Grapple and the others were revived in new bodies on Earth. While the other newly revived Autobots were sent out to learn more about their new home planet, Grapple was sidelined. Optimus Prime had a very special building project for Grapple. Rock and Roll-Out!
So Grapple built Omega Supreme. On his own. Command Performances!
(Note: Optimus Prime says he copied Grapple's memories in case he needed another warrior while away. Does that mean there's still the original Grapple out there somewhere?)
Animated continuity
- Voice actor: Peter Reneday (US), Kenyu Horiuchi (Japan)
Grapple designed a Solar Tower to collect solar energy for the Autobots--even built a little model of it. When Optimus Prime wouldn't let him build it, Grapple ran off to sulk and encountered the Constructicons, and naturally told them all about his awesome tower idea that got nixed because Prime didn't want the Decepticons getting their hands on it. Brilliant. They agreed to help Grapple and his buddy Hoist out, but then Megatron found out and decided to turn it into his latest evil plan. The Solar Tower was completed, but Devastator trapped Grapple and Hoist inside it, and the Autobots had to show up to save their skidplates.
Marvel Books Big Looker Storybook continuity
In Insecticon Attack, while lamenting the fact that he couldn't build beautiful buildings like he did back on Cybertron because the Decepticons would destroy them, He spotted a grasshopper and a beetle. He wished life were as simple for him as it was for those insects, who promptly violated his brain. Under Bombshell's control, Grapple attacked the resident Autobot hippie. Later, at their base, the Decepticons made Grapple their bitch. After the Autobots removed his cerebro-shell, Grapple suckerpunched Megatron and they all celebrated. Hurray!
Toys
Generation 1
- Grapple (Autobot Car, 1985)
- Japanese ID number: 47
- This mold was also used to make Artfire and Load Hauler.
Trivia
- An Autobot vehicle roughly matching Grapple's vehicle mode and refered as Hauler appears in a quick scene in the three-part mini-series pilot for the original cartoon series. Though later retconned into a unique character via an e-Hobby-exclusive redeco, it is likely that this was originally intended as the toy and character that eventually became Grapple.
External links
