Whirl (G1)
| This article is about the Generation 1 Autobot. For the Universe Autobot, see Whirl (Universe). |
- Whirl is an Autobot in the Generation 1 continuity family.
Vorns before Optimus Primal coined the phrase "Sometimes crazy works," Whirl was living it in action. Whirl believes that, logically speaking, insanity makes an extremely effective weapon. Enemies flee in terror before the absolutely insane maneuvers he pulls on the battlefield. His extreme maneuverability in helicopter mode lets him spin, bob, weave, dive, and bank like someone totally out of control. Or totally out of his mind. Needless to say, Whirl is a rather reckless fighter and can take damage because of it. He's okay with that, because he absolutely LOVES his job.
Whirl is a member of the elite Wreckers unit.
- French-Canadian name: Tourbillon
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
Whirl was a member of the elite Wreckers unit on Cybertron.
Dreamwave comics continuity
When the Autobots split into multiple factions after the disappearance of their leaders, Whirl joined Springer's group, known as the Wreckers. During the Dark Ages of Cybertron, he participated in an attack against Devastator. The War Within: The Dark Ages
Much later, during Shockwave's rule of Cybertron, Whirl continued with Wreckers, now a small unit of Autobots dedicated to keeping the peace wherever (and however) necessary. When Starscream released the Stunticons from their imprisonment in Cybertron's detention banks, the Wreckers were sent in to deal with the escapees. Unfortunately, both Whirl and Roadbuster were killed before Ultra Magnus brought down the Stunticons' combined form, Menasor. War and Peace
IDW comics continuity
In the pre-war era, Whirl was still serving alongside his long time pal, Roadbuster, in the Kaon Security Service. As strong and silent as ever, he was there to witness the rise of Megatron and the Decepticons, the fall of Kaon, and the defeat of Sentinel Prime. Presumably, not the best reference on his resume. Megatron Origin
Much later, as with most other continuities, Whirl is a member of the Wreckers. He helped attack Bludgeon's forces when they resurrected Thunderwing. Stormbringer issue 3
Toys
Generation 1
- Whirl (Deluxe Autobot, 1985)
- Accessories: "Null-Ray Module", "Paralyzo-Box", "Photon Beam Rifle", "Shell Cannon"
- Whirl transforms into a light blue Cybertronian attack helicopter, similar to a Bell AH-1 Cobra. In this mode, he has two wing-mounted weapons installed: a Gatling-like "Shell Cannon" and a four-tube "Photon Beam Rifle".
- In robot mode, Whirl is unusual in that he appears quite different from the other Transformers in the line at the time. He has no humanoid hands; instead, his arms end in a pair of mechanical pincers. A "Null-Ray Module" cannon can be fitted over either pincer, while his "Paralyzo-Box" weapon slides onto the fin on his right leg.
- There is a variation in the construction of his canopy; while most are smooth and featureless, some have raised "cage" outlines on the edges.
Universe
- Autobot Whirl (2004)
- It is possible that this guy's supposed to be the original Whirl. C'mon, he's a blue Autobot helicopter, man! Or not. But to be safe...
Classics
- Autobot Whirl (Legends, 2007)
- Accessories: Rotor blade
- A redeco of Legends of Cybertron Evac, Whirl transforms into a blue Eurocopter Dauphin rescue helicopter. A heavily simplified version of the Voyager-class Evac toy, his vehicle mode has a back mounted (non-firing) twin missile launcher which is carried onto his robot mode, and he is also armed with a rotor blade on his left arm which can rotate, but does not spin freely.
- Limited in articulation, he can only move his arms up and down at the shoulder, though he does have ball-jointed hips and knees.
Merchandise
3D Battle-Card Game
- Whirl (2007)
- A 30-point "rare" character in the 3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, Whirl "transforms" into a blue helicopter. He uses the same parts layout as Movie Blackout and Evac.
Trivia
- Both Deluxe Autobots were licensed from Takatoku by Hasbro for inclusion in the 1985 line, and hence were not included in the Japanese line, the cartoon, or the US Marvel comics. Whirl was originally the "Oberon Gazette" from the Armored Trooper Dorvack toyline, although the toy's dark and light blues were inverted for the Transformers release.
- In recent years, toys sporting the name "Whirl" require an additional "Autobot" prefix for trademark reasons, hence making the official name "Autobot Whirl".
