#transformers Sunbow

[teal-blue-genesis]

I know it's been going around for a while that Bumblebee is an over utilized character. However this isn't true, in fact, I would say Bumblebee is miss utilized. Here's why...

Way back when transformers was first starting out with the Sunbow G1 comics, Bumblebee wasn't the sunshine child character who was part of the main cast. In the character profiles Bumblebee function was put as Espionage, meaning Bumblebee was a part of either the Spec Ops or as an spy(agent), or both. However, when the T.V. series of transformers was created and aired Bumblebee was put in the main cast by him having a friendship with Spike, making him popular with kids.

And since, Hasbro focuses on toy sales, Bumblebee who was the more friendly and sunshine character in the G1 T.V. series led to them having that role be the basis for Bumblebee's character.

I admit, since the Sunbow comics came out a long time ago, I don't have the full on stories. However, forums discussing and going over the comic issues have helped. In fact, while yes Bumblebee does have some issues regarding whether the team needs him, he is actually really cunning, and as one forum put it manipulative.

There were several moments in which Bumblebee and then as Goldbug showed this. Using the "Cute little autobot" act to his advantage. Such as when he exploited Blaster who wanted to get even with Grimlock. Or that time in UK "Victory" when he had shamed a broken Ultra magnus to the point that Ultra was pushed to fight Galvatron again.

Really, Bumblebee character should be one that is always wearing a mask, putting on an act, and in the background. Still having that curiosity, Courage, and need to prove himself to his fellows. However, Bumblebee character acted like they were in their 30's which suits them, not a late teenager, or type of Hot Rod/Shot character.

Bumblebee character isn't a kid. Nor is he Optimus prime's child. The characters that fit that role would be Hot Rod or Hot Shot.

Also, Bumblebee is supposed to be one of the shortest and weakest characters. Seeing a lot of the more recent continuities give the character a bigger size and alt mode, seeing tfp Bumblebee be taller than Acree had me going "wait what!?" It makes more sense for Bumblebee to be the motorcycle and Acree as the car.

Honestly, bayverse could of had the spy role for Bumblebee work a whole lot more. Especially, in how Bumblebee was the one to keep all the other autobots hidden. Or the one to infiltrate KSI to find out what was happening to the Autobots corpses.

[pluralsword]

"Aileroy was here" continues :3

[starscream-is-my-wife]

I'm having fun going through the G1 cartoon production archives, here's some of the voice audition notes that were used when casting

What's interesting is that they included ages for them, note that this isn't their "actual" ages but this is just for fun!

For Optimus they wanted a 35 year old, i'd thought that he would be 40 but alright that's pretty understandable

ALTHOUGH THEY WANTED MEGATRON 5 YEARS YOUNGER?? No wayy, Megatron is younger then Ninja from fortnite that's hilarious, also we barely get to see this personally im the cartoon wonder what the audition tape sounded like?

You know I thought that starscream would be 10 years older but I also thought the same for Megatron so yeah whatever, if Megatron is a bit younger then Ninja, then Starscream is a year younger then Mr.Beast. His voice was pretty low in the first couple of episodes too, I also wonder what the audition sounded like

Young! 😭 Most of the other bots are 25+, (Like Wheeljack was listed as a 40 year old) meaning that the only bot I'm older then is bumblebee smh, there's gotta be more bots that are in the undeveloped frontal lobe gang come on

I love that him having a "special relationship" with Optimus needed to be known for the audition 👀 he really is a swinger!

Prowl is same age as Megatron alright, he doesn't have a "special relationship" or talks to Optimus over personal comms about lube smh

HES 35???

RODIMUS IS OLDER THEN EVERYBODY ELSE EXCEPT PRIME? He's older then Megatron... that's crazy...

It's a shame they don't have one for Ratchet because I know that he was originally a young, hip, party guy, I'd place bets that he's mid to late 20s

[vynxwave]

Share your thoughts on MegaSound? It was one of my first Transformers ships and even though it's not a rarepair or anything it's oddly less popular than I'd expect, and I don't see a lot of analysis of what their relationship is actually like in various canons

I'd love to! Yeah, finding out it's not as popular as I thought was surprising. With Soundwave often depicted as loyal to Megatron, I really would've thought it'd be more popular than it is. You're definitely right about there being a lack of analyses on their relationship, so I think I'll eventually make a post analyzing their relationship in various canons. For this post I'll be going over how I see MegaSound (and from what parts of canon I derive it from) and sharing thoughts about its (lack of) popularity/prevalence.

Here I'll note the basis of canon I ship them from across various continuities where they have a positive relationship*:

Megatron likes monologuing in Soundwave's presence and talking with him (Dreamwave Generation 1 (2002) #4, Megatron Origin #4, IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #22, Prime). Considering Soundwave's continued steadfast loyalty, I'd reckon he likes hearing him talk/plan.

Soundwave is Megatron's confidant (War Within #2, Prime, IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #17, IDW 2019)

The both care for each other's continued functioning (Soundwave does so consistently in loyalist depictions, and for Megatron it depends on the continuity/writer but is often true of him too (though, Soundwave doesn't get injured often); [specifics cited later in this post])

Soundwave's loyalty even extends to when Megatron loses his marbles (WFC: Kingdom E03, Galvatron in Sunbow G1 S3E14 & Headmasters E02 & E04), but his loyalty does not extend to Megatron defecting from the Decepticons (IDW Dark Cybertron, EarthSpark) due to Soundwave's loyalty to the Decepticon Cause.

Dreamwave Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #6 Soundwave's character bio written from Megatron's perspective expressing his uncertainty of whether he can risk lending his trust and friendship to Soundwave is one of my favorite things with them.

(*this mostly excludes where Soundwave's characterized as a self-serving opportunist and where Megatron treats him as just another subordinate)

My MegaSound Thoughts

(Preface: Inspiration taken from all over, but classic Decepticon Cause and they're both as evil as typical. I ship them in various canons but here I describe a broad overview of ways I interpret this pairing and what aspects I'm interested in. I tried to avoid citing Soundwave's self-serving opportunistic depictions for the most part, but he often has a lot of character I like in them xD.)

For me their ship is built upon their longstanding mutual trust, respect, and reliability; especially compounded with the fact many of their comrades' loyalty is prone to wavering from time to time (whereas Soundwave has continuously stuck by his side). I also like to focus on Soundwave's staunch loyalty to and belief in Megatron and the Cause he embodies — and, importantly, Megatron's recognition of this.

For Megatron I like to think about what valuing someone in such a way means to a tyrant whose sights are set on control, destruction, and personal power.

I think Soundwave's competence, strength, devotion, skills, and intelligence would all be appealing to Megatron. Soundwave, with said qualities, has made himself indispensable to the Decepticons, and therefore indispensable to Megatron himself.

Perhaps one reason Megatron is drawn to Soundwave would be for the steadfast security he provides (compared to the unreliability/treachery of others).

Though, with Megatron being surrounded by the infighting/treachery of Decepticons, I think it would be natural for him to sometimes be uncertain of whether his closeness with Soundwave is as safe/secure as it seems (inspired by Dreamwave More Than Meets The Eye #6's Soundwave bio written from Megatron's perspective) due to how much sensitive information and vulnerability Soundwave's been trusted with. But any such feared betrayal would not come to pass, because Soundwave sides with him, including in his times of need.

All I've written so far assumes a wishy-washy loyalty in Megatron's other followers; for where he has other loyalists, perhaps Soundwave is just one of his oldest followers (Sunbow G1 "War Dawn", Dreamwave G1 (2004) #10, IDW 2019, Prime S1E26) and his loyalty is ultimately tried and true.

Time and time again, Soundwave is shown to care about Megatron's continued functioning/well-being (Sunbow G1 "MTMTE, Part 3" [Soundwave warning Megatron of Starscream's attack], Transformers: The Movie, War Within #6, Prime, All Hail Megatron #13, Fall of Cybertron [saddened at Megatron's death & later rebuilds him], Retribution ["And if it turned out he couldn’t save Megatron, Soundwave knew what his duty demanded. / Vengeance on everybody involved."], Transformers vs. The Terminator #2 [Soundwave repairs Megatron's optic], WFC: Kingdom E03).

In cases where Soundwave has been injured/killed, this has often been true of Megatron too (Transformers (2009) #17 [this & AHM #13 were both written by Costa — making this mutual care of each other's continued functioning intentional, I presume], Prime S2E14, Headmasters E02 & E04 if including Galvatron, WFC: Kingdom E03 [where Dinobot downs Soundwave then Megatron comes swinging]).

For Soundwave I first want to detail the basis of his character as I think it's important to recognize his beliefs and personality. His personality and how much is shown ultimately depends on the continuity and writer; and varies depending on if the writer favors the Marvel UK G1 Soundwave (self-serving opportunist) or the Sunbow G1 Soundwave (loyalist) depiction.

Soundwave believes himself to be superior to others (to other lifeforms, to Autobots, and even to fellow Decepticons) and it's not just a cool line, but an actual sentiment/belief he holds (Transformers: The Movie, Spotlight: Soundwave, Revolutionaries #3, Skybound Transformers #7, Animated S1E10 Sound and Fury), and it is continuously embodied in his actions and loyalty to the Decepticon Cause (conquest & domination). Following this, Megatron's ideals of Decepticon superiority must appeal to Soundwave greatly — as a result, their vision of the future and values are quite similar.

Soundwave has (well, if the continuity depicts it) a negative reputation among other Decepticons, with others actually being aware of his monitoring and subsequent reporting to Megatron (Prime S1E13 [among other episodes], implied in Robots in Disguise (2012) #11... I think, Earth Wars: Sea Phantom: "[...] The walls have audio receptors, if you know what I mean." / Coelagon: "Yeah, Soundwave has the place wired for sound.", Sunbow G1 "Countdown to Extinction" & "The Golden Lagoon"). Instead of such a reputation being a negative for Soundwave, it is something he has intentionally fostered for indirect power and control over the other Decepticons; and by doing this he's made Megatron hold him in high esteem (Prime, Dreamwave More Than Meets the Eye #6 [Soundwave's Bio], All Hail Megatron #10) and positioned himself securely in the Decepticon's upper ranks.

In line with his beliefs of superiority, Soundwave personality-wise is quite confident and secure. This is also true of his standing with Megatron (for reasons described above).

Following Soundwave's colder depictions, perhaps one of the bots he finds himself the most "warm" to or emotionally responsive to is Megatron, even if he may not express this the same way most others might (but I'd think Megatron would understand it, due to his perceptiveness and having known him a long time).

With Soundwave generally not being much of a conversationalist, I'd think Megatron easily makes up for this with all his talking and monologuing (they are so [eloquent] yapper x listener to me). Given Soundwave's continued loyalty, I'd like to think he quite likes hearing Megatron's voice and his ideas/plans; for Megatron I'd like to think he enjoys an intelligent and receptive audience and finds it in Soundwave (who gets to hear his words/plans unfiltered from the manipulative rhetoric he gives others), and likes Soundwave's encouragement and amoral pragmatism. As Megatron's confidant, Soundwave gets to hear him at his most honest (Dreamwave War Within #2, IDW Primacy #4, Prime).

I like to think about how them both being evil impacts what activities they find enjoyable. Moments in various canons that come to mind: All Hail Megatron #1 (where Megatron's like "Soundwave, if you will?" then >:D when Soundwave diverts the missiles), Prime S2E22 ("You should have seen Optimus Prime's face when his precious Star Saber shattered like glass [...]"), and Retribution Ch. 9 (where Soundwave really wants to show Megatron a playback of him and Ravage interrogating/torturing Decepticon traitor Axer for information that Megatron wanted). Could sharing the joy of violence be an evil love language xD?

For angst I think there's a lot of potential based in EarthSpark or Headmasters (the same is true of IDW 2005, though I won't be expanding on it here).

For EarthSpark there's S1E08 0:24 & 2:30 plus a sentence from the guidebook: "Soundwave believes that anyone who defects from the Decepticons is a traitor, and he considers Megatron the worst traitor of all!" Based on their interactions and dialogue (S1E08 Decoy "Don't make this personal, Soundwave." "It already is."), it's apparent that they used to be close before Megatron switched sides; and Soundwave's feelings impact Megatron a lot! Soundwave's recording calling out his hypocrisy invokes such a rage in him; and Soundwave calling him a traitor disheartens him, making him lower his cannon (and he would've been blasted had Optimus not intervened)!

For Headmasters Soundwave/Soundblaster would witness how much Galvatron differs from Megatron — how insane he's become, but also how distant he's become from him. (The Headmasters E04 & E10)

In general, I think there could be angst found in Megatron's favorite trope: getting put out of commission for a duration of time. Or, that trope could be bestowed upon Soundwave for a change xD (like in Transformers (2009) #17). Exploring the consequences of Megatron's hubris or lust for power could be fun too.

Favorite Moments in Various Canons

Dreamwave More Than Meets The Eye #6 Soundwave's bio:

[From the Datatracks of Megatron, Decepticon Leader] What is more valuable to a commander, loyalty or reliability? Loyalty is a luxury, but reliability is a necessity for effective military operations. Soundwave exemplifies the latter while projecting as much as the former as realistically possible. He is an indispensable lieutenant and a fierce warrior, with seemingly unshakeable loyalty to me and our cause. When I enter into combat with Soundwave beside me, I am assured that he will perform his role unerringly. I am, however, well aware of his blackmailing of other Decepticons and the fearsome retribution he takes on any who attempt cross him, safe in the knowledge that he is virtually untouchable in his current position. His flaunting of his role have caused many to turn against him, which has only strengthened his need for my favor and implicit protection. Thus far, Soundwave has been utterly faithful to my commands and risked his own life on my behalf several times. But is he only biding his time until his own power base is secure enough? Many great commanders have been undone by trust and friendship in the past… can I afford to extend these to even my most capable solider?

Dreamwave War Within #6 & Generation 1 (2004) #10 (Also, throughout Dreamwave's run Soundwave is actually visibly by Megatron's side, which I think is a pretty neat detail)

All Hail Megatron #13 & Transformers (2007) #17

I enjoyed their dynamic in IDW 2019 because of how visibly instrumental Soundwave is to the Decepticon's rise, and his subsequent importance to Megatron. (#5) (#16) (#26)

Soundwave's sheer nonchalance at getting yelled at/scolded by Megatron who was breaking things in rage (#11) was so funny to me... Soundwave knows he's too important.

In Fall of Cybertron (37:15) Soundwave reaches out sadly to Megatron's hand sticking out from beneath rubble (thanks to Megatron's hubris getting himself scrapped)

In WFC: Kingdom E03 Soundwave is concerned about Megatron and tries to caution/advise him, but it goes unheeded.

The Transformers (2003) PS2 Japan: nearly every time Soundwave and Megatron talk... ["Lord Megatron, I'm glad you're unharmed!], ["This is how a subordinate should behave!"], ["No, don't apologize. You are not to blame"], ["..."], ["high price"], [deferring to Soundwave's judgement]

I haven't actually watched Robots in Disguise (2015), but its portrayal of Soundwave's devoutness is pretty cool... specifically in S3E21 Collateral Damage what he says at the timestamp 5:49:

Soundwave: "[...] when [the transgalactic beacon generator is] activated at the highest point in the city it would transmit a signal strong enough to summon Megatron back to Earth." Sideswipe: "[...] but that much radiation won't just call Megatron it'll—" Soundwave: "—devastate the city, then spread to eradicate all life on Earth. Incidental collateral damage."

I don't know how to describe how much I love the coldness/callousness in his inconsideration for an entire planet, all for the sole purpose of getting Megatron back.

(Lack of) Popularity

I've thought about the reasons for the ship's lack of popularity/prevalence. The one that jumps out the most to me is that there's a lack of in-depth exploration into their relationship in canon despite their constant proximity and importance to each other — as in, plots hardly ever test/strain/strengthen their relationship (to elaborate, there's rarely tension between them, and when there is it's minor and carries no meaningful weight).

Well, IDW 2005 did do some things with their relationship, but it didn't feel as in-depth as other relationships because their backstory together (which occurred in phase 1 with Soundwave's self-serving opportunistic characterization) was recontextualized/retconned for phase 2's Decepticon Cause of equality origin and was there to ultimately serve their subsequent (and separate) becoming betterish arcs relevant to that origin, and then they never got a proper reconciliation together; post-Dark Cybertron Soundwave continued to keep Megatron in mind, whereas Megatron (iirc) doesn't ever think about him in any noteworthy way. (Elaboration/analysis of this will be in whenever I make that analysis post, although trying to analyze IDW 2005 is kind of a headache for me.)

Rarely does Megatron communicate how he feels about Soundwave to him beyond his usefulness/function (e.g. Megatron praising Soundwave in Prime and Sunbow G1). There's IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #22 ("Ours, Soundwave. The world shall be ours." is a cool line that expresses Megatron wanting to conquer Cybertron with Soundwave, but this scene is a retcon & flashback — it only serves phase 2 Soundwave's arc in the present).

That's not to say Megatron never expresses any thoughts/feelings about Soundwave, of course (various episodes of Prime, Headmasters E02 ["Soundwave! NGHAAAHHHHH" — Galvatron after witnessing him explode], probably some moments from The Transformers (2003) PS2 Japan).

The most explicit of Megatron recognizing Soundwave's importance to him I can think of off of the top of my head is Primacy #2.

Obviously with this post, I think a lot about their relationship can be inferred from the way they interact and talk regardless of how much or little Megatron directly expresses to him. (With this post being for the purpose of shipping, all I mention here is through a shipping potential lens xD).

Perhaps another reason for this ship's lack of popularity, related to the first, is maybe Soundwave is broadly thought of as just a loyalist without knowledge of his other qualities and so people don't think it's interesting? (I could say more on this, but I'll end this post here.)

[nazrigar]

Tranformers All-Sparks: The many aliens that call the galaxy home

Because Cybertronians and Humans aren't the only alien peoples ya know?

These are just some of the aliens who call our galaxy home alongsided humans and cybertronians, and as a space faring civilization with its own colony worlds, Cybertron has a deeply complex history with many of them.

Before the Civil War, they could be everything from trading partners to allies of convenience to very hostile worlds.

After the Great Exodus, and because Cybertron's civil war became everyone's problem, some are neutral, some are aligned with either Autobots and Decepticons.

It's largely thanks to the efforts of Optimus and Elita (and chief diplomat, Crosscut), that most, even those neutral, are more aligned with Autobot interests than the conquering Decepticons.

They need it too, because while the Autobots are tough and tenacious, the Decepticons have aggression and numbers on their side.

[puraiuddo]

THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT PITCH FOR TRANSFORMERS: JAZZ

[part 1] [part 2]

TRANSFORMERS 1984-85 BRIEFING BOOK  [X]

[see more at The Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[halloween-post-its]

Day 5 💥 Megatron - The Transformers 🤖

[elfdragon12]

Four of the most important scenes in Transformers

What makes these scenes in particular so important to the franchise for me is the emphasis on the damage of Cybertronians waging war.

Spanner was totally neutral. However, rather than being allowed to remain a pacifist, he is taken and his body mutilated, his living corpse remaining as a tool for the war. (Marvel Transformers)

A beautiful lagoon becomes a wrecked husk. Its only "crime" being the possession of a great resource. The good guys rejoice in victory with only one remembering the cost. (Sunbow cartoon)

Other races live on Cybertron thanks to Cybertronian "expansion"/imperialism/colonialism. They have never forgotten, choosing to keep prepared. This is the legacy Cybertronians have made for themselves. (2019 IDW)

Sparkplug knows what war is like. He knows that, in a war between metal giants, humanity will be the victim. He has already seen a friend die at their hands. (Energon Universe: Transformers)

[anthgange1994]

Roll for home

[kaontic]

Finally ordered myself to make just as much human Op art as I did human Megs art so (we can’t let him win anymore)—

PS: My sister thought I was drawin’ Jesus.

No (not this time hehe) but I’ll look more into the comparisons guess who I actually based him on (partially).

[transformersconfessions]

Wish more people drew more post-80s G1 continuity characters in the Sunbow or Marvel styles- I saw one really good Sunbow Pharma and a Marvel style Tarn, but man do I really really want a full Sunbow DJD somewhere out in the world.

Adding to this, I remember one or two people saying that a Sunbow Tarn's pre-Decepticon identity would be Dion from War Dawn and they're so so right

*

[transformers-mosaic]

Transformers: Mosaic #664 - "The Long Goodbye"

Originally posted on October 23rd, 2012

Story - Shaun Knowler Art - Lo Baker

deviantART | Seibertron | TFW2005 | BotTalk

wada sez: With this strip, after over two years of daily updates, the Transformers: Mosaic archive is now complete. I’ve taken the time to write up my feelings on this endeavour as a whole, which you can find in my post on the TFWiki community blog.

[solarzilla]

Was randomly rewatching The Rebirh yesterday and noticed that one of the Hive memebers sure sounds familiar

[theneptuneflytrap]

B* said I was ugly, I said, "B* where???"

"Back in the 80's,"

I said, "B* WHERE???"

[The top two are from Transformers Legends and Transformers More Than Meets the Eye (IDW) respectively. Clockwise from the top left are Transformers: The Headmasters (Toei Animation/Takara), The Transformers (Sunbow), The Transformers (Marvel US), and Transformers: The Headmasters (TV Magazine/Takara).]

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime, I know the answer to this question likely varies throughout the multiverse, but where are countries such as Carbombya, Kalistan, Trans-Carpathia, Nanzhao, Brasnya, and Benzheen located? I'm specifically looking for their locations in the IDW 2005 universe.

Dear Country Confused,

While a lot of things vary throughout the multiverse, I can confirm that most of these countries and regions are located on Earth.

[puraiuddo]

G1 Concepts & Development: Jazz

[part 1] [part 2]

TRANSFORMERS WRITER'S GUIDE [X]

TRANSFORMERS BIBLE [X]

VOICE ACTOR AUDITION SHEETS (1984-1987) [X]

TRANSFORMERS 1984 MAIN CHARACTER MODEL SHEETS [X]

COMMERCIAL BUMPERS STORYBOARDS [X]

[see more at The Sunbow Marvel Archive]