Mirage (RID)
| The name or term "Mirage" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Mirage (disambiguation). |
- Mirage is an Autobot from the 2001 Robots in Disguise continuity family.
Mirage is one of the elite Spy Changers, and is their best marksman. As a Spy Changer, he has the ability to drive on almost any surface, and can also cloak himself and thereby render himself invisible. Though he's generally a loner who prefers to work alone (which really grinds W.A.R.S.'s gears), he and his team-mate Ironhide go way back.
He should not be confused with Mirage GT, presumably.
Fiction
2001 Robots in Disguise cartoon
- Voice actor: Wally Wingert (English), Ryō Naitō (Japanese), Wan-gyeong Seong (Korean)
When the Predacons stole a plutonium energy generator and attempted to escape along a beach, Mirage along with Ironhide and W.A.R.S. cut them off by driving across the water. He climbed into Ironhide's truck bed for some "cyber-jousting". The Predacons eventually escaped with a fake generator which the Spy Changers had swapped for the real one. Spychangers to the Rescue
After Optimus was captured and tortured by Megatron, the Spy Changers joined the Autobot Brothers in rescuing their leader and seeing off the Predacons. Sideburn's Obsession
Later, the team tried to protect a ruby from Predacon theft, but the mission failed - partly because of Mirage's unwillingness to fire at the Predacons and risk hitting a chemical tank. Mirage would not explain himself, and "left" the Spy Changers because he felt they should trust his motives, but when his friend Ironhide tried to convince him to come to his senses, he became aware that he was carrying a transmitter created by Gas Skunk. Mirage used this to his advantage, and deceptively alienated Ironhide, while at the same time deceiving the Predacons that he could be a potential ally. Ultimately, he carried the ruse to its full extent, leading his fellow Spy Changers to the laser weapon the Predacons had created. Using hand signals, he helped them to understand his plan, and they successfully destroyed the weapon with help from T-AI and the Global Space Bridge. Mirage's Betrayal
The Spy Changers also took part in the International Grand Prix in an attempt to find Skid-Z and were blinded by Megatron a short time into the race. Skid Z's Choice On another occasion, the Spy Changers were called back to base to watch footage of various battles, but had to wrap up a fight with the Predacons first. Mirage rode on Ironhide again. Hope for the Future
The Spy Changers accompanied Optimus Prime to Montrose Island where Predacon activity was causing the volcano to become violent. They attempted to keep Scourge and Sky-Byte busy while Optimus went to use his blizzard storm on the volcano. Hot Shot ordered Mirage to keep Scourge away from Optimus, but the Decepticon simply took a flying leap over the Spy Changer. When the volcano was ruptured and lava threatened the nearby resort, the Spy Changers used their Inferno Blast to divert its path. Mirage gave some encouraging words when Crosswise was concerned his engine was overheating. Volcano
Sent to stop the Decepticons from finding Fortress Maximus, the Spy Changers jumped out in front of the foe and were soundly trounced by Armorhide and Rollbar. Fortress Maximus
The Spy Changers took part in the ambush of the Decepticons after the Autobot base was discovered. They marveled at the firepower of the Megastar, and didn't really contribute much for the rest of the battle. Surprise Attack! After Galvatron's defeat, they celebrated by racing with Skid-Z. The Final Battle
Super Spy Changers catalog
With Ultra Magnus having departed Earth aboard Fortress Maximus, the Autobots were unable to call upon his power when a new menace, Chainsaw and his Mutants, suddenly arose to challenge them. In order to combat this threat, a plan was put into motion to upgrade the Spy Changers with Spark Engines, granting them Super Modes.
Super Counter Arrow gained immense speed, to the point of being able to produce "images" and nobody being able to match his quickslinging.[1][2] He used this to defeat Jackhammer when he attacked Antarctica. Later, when Chainsaw and the rest of his Mutants attempted to overrun the Autobot base, he helped repulse them. Using the power of teamwork, the Super Spy Changers defeated and captured the villains. Though the Go-Brillium which powered them was used up and they were no longer Super, they retained new color schemes.
Toys
Robots in Disguise (2001)
- Counter Arrow (Spy Changer, 2000)
- Japanese ID number: C-010
- A redeco of the Generation 2 Go-Bots Double Clutch mold, Counter Arrow transforms into a Lola T94 Indy car. The black portion of his hood has heat-sensitive paint that reveals an Autobot insignia, in a method similar to the original rubsigns.
- Spy Changer Deluxe 6 Set (Multi-pack, 2000)
- Japanese ID number: C-011
- All six Spy Changers were not only sold as individuals in Japan, but in a six-piece gift set as well.
- Counter Arrow clear version (Spy Changer, 2000)
- An exclusive redeco of Counter Arrow in clear-blue and clear-green plastics, this version was only available from JUSCO stores in Japan as a direct-mail premium to members of their "Peppy Kids Republic" (元気キッズ共和国, Genki Kidzu Kyōwakoku), a sort of subsidiary/offshoot for selling baby goods and children's clothing. Since membership was open only to kids 12 and under and this version was shipped blind-packed, getting the entire set of six was extremely difficult.
- Ironhide / Mirage (Basic, 2001)
- Available only in a two-pack with Ironhide, the Hasbro version of Mirage adds more paint applications, mainly red highlights. The heat-sensitive insignia was replaced with a normal Autobot insignia tampograph.
- The initial releases of this set have Ironhide packaged in robot mode with Mirage in vehicle mode, pointed straight upward. Later releases have both toys in vehicle mode, tilted to a 1 o'clock position.
- Mirage (Spy Changer, 2002)
- All six original Spy Changers were redecoed in colorless-clear plastics (keeping their normal paint applications, though), and released on individual cards through KB Toys chains.
- Mirage (Tiny Tins, 2002)
- The normal Hasbro version of Mirage was released as part of the first assortment of Tiny Tins Transformers, coming with a carrying tin.
- Super Counter Arrow (Spy Changer, 2003)
- Long after the Car Robots line ended in Japan, Takara put out individually-boxed redecoes of the Spy Changers. Counter Arrow was given a red and black deco.
- In each case of twelve Super Spy changers, two were all-clear-plastic versions (but keeping their paint applications). All six Spy Changers had a clear variant.
- Mirage (Spy Changer, 2003)
- A second round of KB Toys exclusive Spy Changers was released on individual cards. This time around, he was done in clear-green and clear-blue, a seeming reversal of the JUSCO exclusive deco.
- This exact toy was later re-released as Universe Mirage.
Notes
Foreign names
- Japanese: Counterarrow (カウンターアロー Kauntāarō)
- Korean: Countarrow (카운트아로 Kaunteuaro)
