Protoform
- Protoforms are part of a Transformer's life cycle in many Transformers continuities.
A protoform is the first stage in a Transformer's life cycle. Consisting of an unspecified freeflowing metallic matter layered over basic robotic systems. The protoform only awaits a life-giving Spark and the alt-form information necessary to transform it into a fully-functional, alive Transformer being.
Protoforms are often contained within stasis pods and dropped into unexplored worlds.
Japanese name: Sentou-in (Beast Wars II)
Generation 1
Beast Wars
Beast Wars II
Predacon 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 planet Gaia's past, they then fed the information into the protoforms via energy waves. The protoforms were then altered into the Autorollers. (Given that the Autorollers were apparently pre-existant veterans this would be a case similar to that of Airazor where an already living Cybertronian had been downloaded into a new protoform body. )
Dreamwave comics continuity
Dreamwave first applied the existence of protoforms backwards into the Generation 1 era and established them as the first step in most (if not all) Transformer life.
Robots in Disguise
Unicron Trilogy
Cybertron
Protoforms are established as the first stage of Transformer life, it is usually followed by Primary Programing.
Dreamworks Movie 2007
Here protoforms are portrayed as temporary intermediate forms, with comet-like alt-modes, that Transformers shift to for interplanetary travel. Upon arriving/crash-landing on a new world the Transformer then usually alters himself (in some yet unrevealed manner) to change into a locally-based alt-form. He then ceases to be a protoform.
Trivia
- A traditional Cybertronian song features the lines: "Protoform/ Protoform/ What will you be?" [1]
Footnotes
- ↑ Dark Horizon, Part 1, G.I. Joe vs. Transformers Volume 4
