Skywarp and Thundercracker

Skywarp and Thundercracker, are two of the original Decepticon characters who first appeared in the Transformers cartoon and comics. They also continue to appear in the Transformers franchise.

Skywarp

Skywarp, like his name suggests, is able to teleport at will.

Transformers: Generation 1

Skywarp
‘Transformers: Generation 1 Machine Wars Smallest Transformers Transformers: Robot Masters Transformers: Universe Transformers: Classics Smallest Transformers Transformers: Masterpiece Transformers: Alternity‘ character
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

Skywarp’s original tech spec bio indicated that he was a master of sneak attacks, using his teleportation abilities to cause mayhem amongst the Autobots—and his fellow Decepticons when playing malicious pranks. However, his arrogance and relative lack of intelligence means he needs to be constantly monitored by his superiors Megatron and Starscream, or else he would be useless.

According to original tech spec notes written by Bob Budiansky, found at Iacon One in 2006, the tech spec numbers were swapped for Starscream and Skywarp, but Thundercracker’s were correct. Additionally, it was originally planned for Skywarp to have an Intelligence rating of 4 (changed to 7), but when Skywarp and Starscream’s specs were swapped, Skywarp was given a rating of 9, in complete opposition to his tech spec which said he was not very smart.^[1]

Marvel Comics

Skywarp was amongst those Decepticons ordered by Megatron to greet the new Decepticon arrivals from Cybertron. However, the arrivals ended up being Blaster and his team of Autobots. Megatron was about to attack when he heard a plea from Soundwave and Shockwave who were being attacked by Optimus Prime. Ignoring their cry for aid, Megatron instead led his Decepticons to the Ark which he believed to be defenseless. It was not—the Autobots’ “secret weapon,” Omega Supreme was guarding their headquarters and soundly defeated the Decepticons, destroying Skywarp first. Losing Skywarp and the other Decepticons meant nothing to Megatron, who said they could easily be replaced.

During Galvatron‘s first trip from the future to the year 1986 (to defeat Unicron), Skywarp played a part in the future Autobots’ plans to trick Galvatron into returning: Skywarp was still deactivated from his previous battle and was lying in the Ark along with the other defeated Decepticons. However, his body was painted to resemble Starscream and set up to be operated under remote control by the Autobots to trick Galvatron into thinking that Starscream had destroyed his machinery. A furious Galvatron destroyed what he believed was Starscream in a blind rage, but because Starscream played a role in Galvatron’s creation, Galvatron believed that whatever actions he performed in the past would have no effect on his or Unicron’s future and subsequently returned to his own time, unaware that he was tricked.

Skywarp was presumably rebuilt at some point, placed back into cold-storage and eventually rescued, along with the other captured Decepticons, by the Constructicons, who used a distraction to break into the Ark for that purpose. Skywarp (and Thundercracker) were ultimately destroyed by the Underbase-powered Starscream and was never seen again in the G1 comic. However, the Transformers: Generation 2 comic showed a black Decepticon jet using teleportation powers. It is unknown if this jet was a repaired Skywarp.

Skywarp’s expanded Transformers Universe biography describes him as having a cruel sense of humor and that he loves to play practical jokes on his fellow Decepticons, usually involving his teleportation abilities. The bio also states that he’s “not too bright and would be totally useless without the supervision of Megatron.”

Animated series

Skywarp was the first Transformer to awaken on Earth in 1984, and he helped bring Megatron and the other Decepticons back online. After laying dormant for four million years, he was reformatted to share the same Earthen appearance (an F-15 Eagle) as Starscream and Thundercracker, and was usually allied with them during attacks. During his first days on Earth, he soon showed his teleporting power to battle with Ironhide and Bluestreak.

Although a popular character in the Transformers universe, Skywarp seldom showed much function other than being a loyal Decepticon soldier, although he did seem to take a perverse joy in praising Megatron’s brilliance as a leader in front of Starscream. Skywarp also appears to be the least-known Decepticon amongst the Autobots; while Starscream addresses him by name in “Roll for It”, Optimus Prime only calls him by name in “Divide and Conquer”.

Despite having very few functions, those few were a key part in those episodes. Examples include when he lost self-control because of Chip Chase while holding super energized Megatron (“Roll for It”); when guarding the Andes Mountain he left to aid the other Decepticons in stealing the steel they needed, leaving Starscream and Thundercracker alone to guard the mountain (“Fire in the Sky”); he used his teleporting ability to teleport over the Autobots when racing in the Autobot Run and successfully hit them with the laser, forcing them to remain in vehicle mode (“The Autobot Run”); and when he was forced by Starscream to teleport him to Cybertron with the spacebridge, so that he could steal imprisoned personalities to create the Combaticons (“Starscream’s Brigade”).

In multiple episodes Skywarp is seen along with Thundercracker and Starscream to successfully attack Earth military in dogfights while in jet mode.

In the episode, “The Immobilizer”, Skywarp attacked the Autobots with his “Bouncer Bomb,” but it went wild and had to be destroyed by Megatron in pistol mode. This is the only time this ability has ever been seen in Transformers fiction.

In 2005, Skywarp was among those who were thrown into space after receiving heavy blows and also was shot down during the aerial assault during the battle for Autobot City. Adrift with Megatron and other wounded Decepticons, Skywarp encountered Unicron. Unicron used Skywarp’s battered body to create one of Galvatron’s new warriors. Either Skywarp or Bombshell became Cyclonus, the loyal second in command of Galvatron, although there is controversy about this due to animation inconsistencies.^[2]

Skywarp made a cameo in the pilot of the Transformers: Animated series on a historical video being viewed by Optimus Prime. This historical video was stock footage from the original animated series.

Books

Skywarp appears in the following books:

The 1984 sticker and story book Return to Cybertron written by Suzanne Weyn and published by Marvel Books.
The 1984 sticker and story book The Revenge of the Decepticons written by Suzanne Weyn and published by Marvel Books.
The 1985 audio book Sun Raid.

Dreamwave Productions

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Events from The Transformers Trilogy novels are in italics.

You know the Seekers are in trouble when Skywarp is the brains of the outfit.

Skywarp was one of Megatron’s “inner circle” in the early days of war on Cybertron, with standing high enough that he was among those who stood at the Decepticon leader’s side as he delivered speeches to his burgeoning army. The Route of All Evil

Some time into the war, on the eve of the appointment of the Autobots’ new Prime, Skywarp and Thundercracker were sent to blow up a building full of pesky neutrals in Altihex. Skywarp confided to his partner that he had spent some time debating whether or not it was the right thing to do—not because it was morally wrong or anything, but because it was too easy—but had concluded that, hey, of course it was, and promply murdered the neutrals. The War Within #1 Some time later, the two came with Starscream when he tried to sway Grimlock into joining the Decepticons. Skywarp tried to stop Starscream from spilling the beans about the Seekers’ next mission at Sector Zero-Six, but was told to shut up. When the trio later carried out said mission, they found that Grimlock had evacuated the area and placed a bomb to welcome them. Skywarp barely had time to teleport himself and his comrades away before the place went up in flames. The War Within Preview When Starscream decided to blame Megatron for what happened, Skywarp snapped and pointed out that it was all his fault for telling the enemy about their mission, then took off with Thundercracker back to Kolkular. The War Within #3

Prankster trumps samurai.

Following the disappearance of Megatron in a space bridge accident, the Decepticons split into several splinter groups, but Skywarp stayed with the main faction under the command of Shockwave. He participated in an attack on the minions of The Fallen in Protihex, where his teleporting power enabled him to get the best of Bludgeon and gun him down. Conflagration Skywarp was also present with the Decepticons at the peace treaty signing at Tyger Pax, which would have put an end to Cybertron’s civil war if not for Megatron’s dramatic return mid-ceremony. The Age of Wrath

Skywarp was part of the original crew of the Decepticon flagship the Nemesis who attacked and boarded the Autobots’ Ark when it departed Cybertron on a quest for energy. The craft crashed on Earth, entombing all occupants for four million years, until they awoke in 1984 to continue their war. More than Meets the Eye #8 The war reached its climax in 1999, when the Autobots and their human allies defeated the Decepticons. Skywarp and the other prisoners were loaded aboard the spacecraft Ark II with the intent that they be returned to Cybertron, but the vessel had been sabotaged by arms dealer Adam “Lazarus” Rook, and exploded mid-flight. Lazarus recovered the bodies of Skywarp and the other Decepticons, and spent the next several years reprogramming them in order to sell them to foreign powers. Prime Directive #5

Skywarp and the Seekers care not for following intended Play pattern for their new toys.

In 2002, Megatron was finally able to overcome Lazarus’s programming, and proceeded to free his Decepticon subordinates in order to put forward his plans to infect Earth with a metallic virus. To pass the time while preparations for this plan were being put into motion, Skywarp, Starscream and Thundercracker occupied themselves by tearing apart the small Autobots that had also been captured by Lazarus. Prime Directive #3 Once the virus had been unleashed, Skywarp participated in Megatron’s attack on San Francisco, where he and his fellow Seekers blew Superion into his component Aerialbots with a cluster bomb barrage. Prime Directive #4

When Megatron was kidnapped by the Keepers and Decepticon leadership was up for grabs, Skywarp began acting more serious and ambitious than his regular “lunatic prankster” persona would suggest. One of the few Decepticons who aggressively refused to follow Starscream in Megatron’s absence, Skywarp teamed up with the Reflector trio in an attempt to seize power for himself. He lured Starscream into leaving his new kingdom in Las Vegas and travelling to Hoover Dam. Once there, Skywarp challenged Starscream directly for leadership of the Decepticons. He failed miserably, however; Starscream dealt Skywarp severe damage using his null bolts at close range, then tossed his former wingman over the falls. Skywarp was in stasis lock for some time thereafter, and he begrudgingly chose to serve under Starscream after his repair cycle aboard the Nemesis was completed. Hardwired

When Grimlock and his private army of humans attacked Las Vegas, along with Prowl and Bumblebee, Skywarp was among the Decepticons who charged out to meet them in battle along the Strip. As Thundercracker and Soundwave kept the rampaging Dinobot‘s attention, Skywarp prepared a delicious, underhanded sneak attack. Diving at Grimlock at full speed, Skywarp planned on unleashing his heat-seeking missiles at near point-blank range for maximum devastation. Luckily for Grimlock, the little Autobot Bumblebee was willing to sacrifice his functionality in order to keep the more powerful Autobot warrior in play and took the full impact of the missiles at the last second. Enraged, Grimlock struck Skywarp with enough force to send him flying miles away into the desert and out of the fight for the immediate future.

Curiously, Skywarp chose NOT to leave Las Vegas with Megatron once the former Decepticon leader returned to Earth. Damaged after his time with the Keepers, Megatron lost a fight with Starscream and was forced to relinquish his leadership to the Aerospace Commander. Still, Megatron refused to serve under Starscream, and he led a revolt of several Decepticons into exile. For whatever reason, Skywarp remained at Starscream’s side until the Keepers attacked, possessing Starscream as a host body and caging the rest of the Decepticons still in Las Vegas inside a dome of impenetrable energy. Skywarp assumed command of the remaining Decepticons in Starscream’s absence and directed the Constructicons into not attacking the dome directly as Devastator, but digging beneath the energy field to forge a tunnel they could exit through. He also made contact with Megatron’s forces outside the city and agreed to wait patiently until the time was right for all the Transformers to assault the Keepers as one.

When the time came, Skywarp “allowed” his Decepticons to join forces with Megatron’s, because it was the only “logical” thing to do. During the fight, he blasted the Bluestreak-Keeper with an explosive gamma radiation blast. The attack was effective, but proved moot when the Bluestreak-Keeper fused with the Starscream-Keeper, creating one massive and deformed robotic god figure. In the end, it was Optimus Prime and the power of the Matrix which finally ended the war with the Keepers, diverting the force of a nuclear missile launched by the American government. In the aftermath, Starscream’s scrap was salvaged and rebuilt, but Megatron chose to make Skywarp his new second-in-command for a time, mostly just to piss Starscream off. Still, Skywarp certainly saw it as the most “logical” thing to do. Annihilation

In Washington D.C., Megatron and the Decepticons stormed the White House to show their displeasure to the President for trying to wipe them out with a nuclear strike. Megatron assigned Skywarp to deal with the SWAT teams in the streets, then sent him into the skies to join Starscream in shooting down the air support called in by the military. Final tally—Starscream: 12, Skywarp: 5. Sometime later, Skywarp was present in the Nevada desert when the Autobots and Decepticons confronted the United States military. Thanks to their airborne tactics, Thundercracker and Skywarp did significant injury to the troops and survived the deconstructionite assault virtually unscathed. After the Keepers were finally defeated and Starscream had been restored to his normal, irascible self, Megatron chose to restore the status quo and replaced Skywarp with Starscream as his second-in-command yet again. Fusion

Although it’s hard to see how, the author(s) of The Transformers Trilogy may have confused Skywarp with Shockwave, or at least combined their roles and personalities into one character. Throughout the Trilogy, Skywarp made repeated references to the “logical” course of action, and once made an oblique reference to his gift over the electromagnetic spectrum. Whether there was actual confusion involved, or if the pick-up writer David Cian was forcing Skywarp to fit a role once Dreamwave’s comics made using Shockwave off-limits, is unknown.

…so, wait, is he being supervised now, like, in the bath?

When the Decepticons clashed with the Autobots over a crashed Autobot vessel discovered in the Arctic, Skywarp engaged Ironhide, dodging the old Autobot’s blasts with his teleporting ability and shooting him in the back. This battle was soon interrupted by the arrival of Shockwave and his army of Triple Changers, who had come from Cybertron to bring the planet’s errant sons home. He quickly disposed of Megatron and demanded that Skywarp and the others submit to him. New World Order The Decepticons somewhat begrudgingly assented to return to Cybertron, but upon arrival Skywarp and Thundercracker were amazed at what Shockwave had accomplished in their absence. While relaxing in an energon bath, they debated how to proceed; Thundercracker believed it would not be long before Shockwave demanded they pledge themselves to his cause, but Skywarp didn’t care much, advocating they do what they always did and pick the side with the biggest guns. Brothers’ Burden

Shouldn’t he be able to use those air intakes to – oh, nevermind.

Their tune soon changed, however, when Shockwave’s dark schemes were uncovered by Optimus Prime; the two Seekers tried to shut the blast door to the command centre before the Autobot leader could make it through, but they failed, and Prime throttled Skywarp until he coughed up Shockwave’s location. Countdown to Extinction Skywarp and Thundercracker then both played possum to avoid fighting further. Starscream passed them on his way to the shuttle bay, intending to escape the planet and return to Earth, and he ordered Skywarp and Thundercracker to accompany him. They complied, and helped him load up the inactive Combaticons aboard a shuttle they hijacked. Revelation

Back on Earth, the Decepticons made it back to the Nemesis and set about scavenging parts to restore the ship to working order. Black Sunshine To this end, Skywarp was part of Starscream’s initial salvo against the Autobot base, a decoy to be deliberately taken prisoner in order to draw out the remaining Autobots where the newly reformatted Combaticons could get at them. Night of the Combaticons After decimating the Autobots’ ranks, Bruticus freed the fallen Decepticons, and they were about ready to terminate their opponents when the awe-inspiring clone known as Sunstorm emerged from fold-space, looking to have words with Starscream. Sunstorm’s “purifying light” induced an energon overload in the Decepticons’ systems, knocking them into stasis lock. Black Sunshine Skywarp and the others remained Autobot prisoners until Starscream negotiated a deal for their release in exchange for his aid against Sunstorm. Skyfire

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers

Skywarp finally plays an actual prank within official fiction!

Skywarp was one of the Transformers reprogrammed to serve the terrorist organization Cobra and was, along with Thundercracker, rebuilt to transform into a Rattler aircraft in the process. Their first mission was to show off Cobra’s power by assaulting a peace ceremony in Washington, D.C., and either Skywarp or Thundercracker was the first to reveal his robot mode to the shocked Air Force before wrecking Ace‘s jet with a single punch. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1

When Wheeljack undid Cobra’s reprogramming of the Transformers, Skywarp waited on the runway in Rattler mode until Major Bludd, unaware of the plane’s true identity, decided to use him as his ticket off Cobra Island. After causing Bludd some stress by refusing to start his engines, Skywarp revealed himself and told him that he’d rather walk, then transformed, crushing the human to death with his moving innards in the process. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4 He then joined Thundercracker in fighting Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Cliffjumper, who had also been freed from Cobra’s control. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5 Unfortunately, the two Seekers were later caught in the SPS Satellite‘s rain of energy beams and deactivated. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6

As Skywarp’s coloration is identical to Thundercracker’s in this series, it’s possible that it was actually Thundercracker who killed Major Bludd. However, it feels more like something Skywarp would do.

Devil’s Due Publishing

In this re-imagining of the Generation One story, the Ark was discovered by the terrorist Cobra Organization, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles, remotely controlled by the Televipers. In this storyline, Skywarp’s alternate mode was a Cobra Rattler jet. When the Transformers broke free, Skywarp killed his pilot, Major Bludd, by transforming while Major Bludd was in his chest cockpit area, crushing him. This was supported previously in the comic when Doctor Mindbender informed Destro that the results of attempts to modify the transformers so that soldiers could remain in the cockpits during transformation were “messy” and that Major Bludd was seen in the cockpit as the controls and seat begin to fold into their positions during robot mode. Also, the cockpit was closed in the next panel and Major Bludd’s final scream came from inside. Skywarp battled the Autobots, but was eventually killed by a malfunctioning satellite system.

IDW Publishing

After Dreamwave’s closure, the rights to the Transformers comics were awarded to IDW Publishing. The rebooted Generation One continuity borrowed from many previous sources, included the animated series, as well as the Marvel and Dreamwave comic books, but also featured many new and unexplored ideas and origins. Chronologically, Skywarp made his first appearance in The Transformers: Megatron Origin, joining the criminal gladiator, Megatron. He, along with his fellow Seekers, played a role in Megatron’s plan to cause a rash of terror throughout Cybertron. Skywarp soon became a member of the Decepticons. Much later, chronologically, in The Transformers: Infiltration, Starscream appears to be in command of a small group of Decepticons on Earth, including Skywarp, Thundercracker’s, Blitzwing, Astrotrain and the Battlechargers Runabout and Runamuck. Starscream had discovered an ore on Earth that was the Transformer equivalent of steroids, making him bold enough to advance their infiltration phase ahead of schedule. However, it seems that humans have somehow obtained evidence of the Transformers’ existence, which would derail Starscream’s plans. Skywarp has thus far appeared as part of Starscream’s elimination squad, disposing of any evidence of their operation on Earth. While bombing the Decepticons’ abandoned base on Earth to destroy evidence of it, Skywarp battled Bumblebee, using his teleportation ability to stay a step ahead of the Autobot. However, Bumblebee managed to predict where he would emerge next and shot him down temporarily. Unfortunately for Skywarp though, after the destruction of the base was complete, Megatron had learned of Starscream’s attempts for power on Earth and arrived, seriously wounding him before making off to destroy Starscream. Skywarp survived, though, as Megatron placed him and Blitzwing in CR chambers, as revealed in The Transformers: Escalation. He submitted to Megatron’s authority, accepting no further mistakes would be tolerated. He and Thundercracker were sent to bomb a desert power plant, escalating tensions amongst the humans in the area. Accompanying Megatron to the disputed Soviet border state of Brasnya, Skywarp was sent to wait in case back-up was needed—and it was as Optimus Prime appeared leading a team of Autobots to stop the Decepticons. Skywarp and Astrotrain attacked using Skywarp’s teleporting power, running interference for the human facsimile they were using. Despite his teleporting powers Jazz and Wheeljack quickly cottoned on and anticipated his moves. Skywarp then disappeared, promising to return with reinforcements. He returned with Thundercracker, damaging Hot Rod severely and killing the facsimile. However, they were forced to flee when Megatron called for pickup after his Ore-13 was expended. His alternate mode here is that of an F-22 Raptor, the successor to his original Generation One F-15 alternate jet mode.

G.I. Joe

Skywarp is a member of the G.I. Joe International Peacekeeping Initiative in issue one of IDW’s G.I. Joe comic released in December 2016. His appearance is short, but gives a lot of quick information. Another member of the Joe’s, Rock ‘N Roll, apparently saved his life as well as stole his weapons systems, including his ability to teleport. Whether Skywarp owes him a “life debt” or simply wants to be complete isn’t clear, but his personality hasn’t changed much. He still has some level of defiance since Rock ‘N Roll is leery about calling for air support in the first place and Skywarp soon after refuses to let him in his cockpit. Whether he is becoming a good guy himself or whether this all will backfire on the Joe’s remains to be seen.

Evolutions: Hearts of Steel

Skywarp and the other Seekers also appeared in the mini-series, The Transformers: Evolutions: Hearts of Steel. Skywarp was the first Decepticon to appear, seemingly wakened by Muldoon’s sunken submarine. Sent to scout ahead of the Decepticon Astrotrain, he was presumably destroyed when Bumblebee and John Henry managed to send the entire Decepticon rail convoy into a chasm.^[3]

3H Enterprises

In the BotCon Wreckers comic series by 3H Enterprises, Skywarp returned after tricking the second Megatron into giving him a new body. Strangely, Skywarp joins the Wreckers alongside Cyclonus. This may indicate that the Transformers: Universe comics believe that it was the Insecticon Bombshell, not Skywarp, who became Cyclonus (according to artist Dan Khanna). This may, in fact be a continuity error: even if Skywarp did not become Cyclonus, he was transformed into a Cyclonus-type robot and his personality lost. However, as there is no explanation in the comic, the relationship between the two remains unclear. This toy was a recolor of Beast Machines Deluxe Jetstorm.

After the end of the Great War 300 years in the future, a Predacon named Megatron conquered Cybertron with his Vehicon army. Megatron attempted to use Skywarp’s spark to create a Vehicon to use against the few Maximals who opposed him, but Skywarp broke free and joined up with the Wreckers under the command of Primal Prime, along with several other Generation One survivors, such as Cyclonus, Arcee and Devcon, staying with the Wreckers after Cyclonus’ betrayal.

According to the script for the unreleased issue #4 of Transformers: Universe – The Wreckers the Wreckers returned to Cybertron where they helped repel an invasion by the Quintessons. Skywarp was then thought to have been left by Cyclonus as an agent to turn against the Wreckers, but Skywarp then revealed that he had hated Cyclonus ever since the two of them had been reformatted by Unicron and turned on his former commander.

Fun Publications

Based on the Transformers Classics toy line, the Timelines 2007 story is set 15 years after the end of the Marvel Comics continuity, though ignoring all events of the Marvel U.K. and Generation 2 comics. Megatron survived the crash of the Ark on Earth, reformatted himself into a new form and now leads Skywarp, along with Ramjet, Soundwave, Starscream and the Constructicons. Optimus Prime has also returned to Earth, commanding Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Grimlock, Jetfire, Mirage and Rodimus (formerly Hot Rod).

In the first story, Crossing Over, when the Cybertronians Skyfall and Landquake arrive on Earth unexpectedly, Megatron attempts to destroy them, but Optimus Prime and his Autobots are able to drive Megatron away.

In Transformers: Timelines volume 2 #2, “Games of Deception”, Megatron detects the arrival of Bug-Bite‘s ship on Earth and sends Starscream, Skywarp and Ramjet to investigate.

Snarl, Skywarp, Tap-Out and Triceratron appeared in the story Wreckers: Finale Part 2 by the Transformers Collectors Club in 2007. Despite his dislike for the other Wreckers Skywarp remained loyal to them in order to take out vengeance on Cyclonus. During the invasion of Cybertron by the Quintessons all four vanished, taken captive by Unicron’s transport beam.

Skywarp was seen in the service of Unicron as part of the Chaos-Bringer’s army during Optimus Prime‘s recollections in issue #8 of the Cybertron Club comic.^[4]

Skywarp was among Megatron’s troops when Megatron attacked Iacon with his new weapon, Devastator.^[5]

Toys

Illustration of the patent for the toy that became Starscream and his many repaints

Generation 1 Seeker Skywarp (1984)

The mold used for the Skywarp toy was originally part of the Japanese Diaclone toy line, and was imported to become part of the Transformers toy line by Hasbro in 1984. In jet mode, the toy is 21cm long (a scale of 1:93, suggesting that Skywarp 14cm robot mode would be about 13m tall). In what is considered to be a major drawback to the toy, the majority of its parts must be removed for transformation, and it is rare to find a totally complete one, since no single mode can hold all the parts.^[6]

Skywarp shared a mold with Starscream and Thundercracker, and later Sunstorm. The same mold with some wing modifications was used for Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust.

Machine Wars Basic Skywarp (1997)

Skywarp was one of the six Decepticons which appeared in this sub-line. Sharing the same mold as Thundercracker, Skywarp is now a white jet. His Machine Wars appearance is considered to be set in an alternate reality which replaces the entire G1 storyline, although no official story has been released. Skywarp’s is based on an unused Generation Two flip-changing jet mold. It was later used for Beast Wars Second Dirge.

His bio is much the same as his G1 bio, indicating he loves using his teleporting for practical jokes—but lacks the intelligence to really exploit it, resulting in mid-air collisions. He can convert between alternate modes instantly.^[7]

Smallest Transformers Skywarp (2003)

This black redeco of Smallest Transformers Starscream was only released as a chase item (one in a case of 48) in wave 1 of the toy line. Despite the small size (roughly 2 inches in robot height), the toy is virtually faithful to the original G1 toy’s design and transformation.^[8] Third-party reproductions of this toy have been made in a slightly different deco.

Universe Deluxe Skywarp (2004)

The Skywarp repaint of the Deluxe Jetstorm mold was originally intended to be a BotCon exclusive. Painted mockups were seen, but it was never released. When the Transformers: Universe toy line came out, a nearly identical Skywarp was released to the general public.^[9]

Robot Masters Deluxe Skywarp (2005)

Skywarp was sold in a two-pack with Thundercracker by the Japanese online store e-Hobby; both Decepticons are repaints of the Transformers: Robot Masters Starscream toy in their classic color schemes. A Decepticon pin-badge was also included.

Universe Legends Skywarp (2006)

A promotional toy called Skywarp was given away at the San Diego ComicCon; it was a black and purple recolor of the micro-sized Cybertron Starscream toy. Oddly this toy had no Decepticon symbol and included a black Autobot Cyber Planet Key. However, the manufacturer stated that he was indeed a Decepticon, and that the key was a separate promotional item placed in the same bag. Note that although seemingly a part of the Transformers: Cybertron line, according to the Hasbro web site this toy was actually in the Universe line.^[10]

Classics Battle for Autobot City Deluxe Skywarp (2007)

A black redeco of Classics Deluxe Starscream, bundled with Voyager Ultra Magnus (a white redeco of Optimus Prime) in a gift set sold exclusively at Target in the U.S. and Woolworths in the UK.^[11] Skywarp’s biography was featured in Transformers Collectors Club magazine #14.

Masterpiece Skywarp (2007)

A black and purple recolor of the MP-03 Masterpiece Starscream has been released with the title of MP-06 Skywarp. Masterpiece Skywarp has a different alternate face from Starscream, one with a normal expression (the lips and nose are different from Starscream) and the other face with a snarling expression (opposed to Starscream’s smirk).

Transformers 3D Battle-Card Game Skywarp (2007)

A redeco of 3D Battle Cards Starscream in the colors of Generation 1 Skywarp.

Titanium 6 inch War Within Skywarp (2008)

A redeco of 6 inch Titanium Thundercracker. This toy was initially announced then canceled. It was later made an SDCC 2008 convention exclusive, later sold on the Hasbro Toy Shop web site.

Henkei! Henkei! Deluxe Skywarp (2008)

The Japanese version of the Classics Deluxe figure by Takara Tomy was sold as a Toy Hobby Market and Ganbo Store exclusive. The packaging used a black and white picture of the Starscream figure in front and reused Henkei Starscream’s card for the back.^[12]

”Universe Masterpiece Skywarp (2009)

A Walmart exclusive repaint of the 2007 Masterpiece figure in colors more consistent with the animated series.

Alternity Skywarp (2010)

A purple redeco of Alternity Starscream with a new head sculpt, which transforms into a Mitsuoka Orochi. Features opening doors, hood and trunk, as well as retractable wings under the rear wheels (similar to the Generation 1 Tracks toy).^[13]

Beast Wars Second

Skywarp
‘Beast Wars II‘ character
In-universe information
Affiliation	Maximal

The second character to be named Skywarp is a Maximal who is able to transform into a bald eagle, and along with his team-mates Santon and Lio Junior, can combine to form Magnaboss. He provided the brains of the group, balancing Lio Junior’s immaturity.

In the story, Skywarp is an aerial combat instructor dispatched from Seibertron as a reinforcement for Leo Prime‘s troops. While strict, he has more consideration than anyone else for young Cybertron warriors. Part of his wings become Wing Caliber Swords and he has super-oscillation generators in his wing tips. Combining these with his sonic booms, he clears the ground around him. In addition, he can fold over his wings and fire his Sky Missiles.

Animated series

Lio Junior, Santon and Skywarp are regulars in the Beast Wars Second series after their introduction in episode #26 “Enter Lio Junior!” In this episode Santon and Skywarp arrive from Cybertron in time to combine with Lio Junior, who confronts Galvatron. The fight continues into episode #27, “Megastorm Reborn”, where Galvatron is injured and escapes Magnaboss. Megastorm, enhanced into his new Gigastorm form attacks the Maximals, but the combined missiles of Magnaboss and Leo Prime are able to defeat him by blowing the rocks out from under him and dumping the Predacon into a pool of angolmois energy.

Skywarp appeared in the Beast Wars Second movie, “Lio Convoy Crisis”.

IDW Publishing

Skywarp had a biography printed in the Beast Wars Sourcebook by IDW Publishing.^[14]

Toys

Beast Wars Second Deluxe Skywarp (1998)

Skywarp is a slight repaint of Beast Wars Silverbolt with a new color head. This toy is a Takara exclusive.

Transformers: Armada

Skywarp
‘Transformers: Armada‘ character
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

Skywarp was a Hasbro exclusive in the Transformers: Armada toy line that did not receive a biography, but was later expanded upon by Dreamwave Productions.^[15]

Dreamwave Productions

Dreamwave‘s Transformers Armada: More Than Meets the Eye series established that Skywarp is related to Starscream and is a grim and dangerous combatant with a near-perfect aim and an array of martial techniques. However, unlike his treacherous relative, he is loyal to Megatron; in fact the snide remarks from the other Decepticons about him getting his rank through his loyalty are the only thing that genuinely angers Skywarp. Also, Skywarp is friends with Scavenger—a friendship complicated by the fact that, unbeknownst to Skywarp, Scavenger is actually a spy for the Autobots.

Skywarp would be briefly seen in issue #12 of the Armada comic, guarding Megatron’s latest secret weapon alongside Wheeljack and Sideways. He would later be seen at the end of the Armada comic celebrating Unicron‘s defeat.

Armada Skywarp made his only Energon appearance in a flashback in Transformers: Energon #30, where we would see Scorponok leading Wheeljack, Predacon, Terrorsaur and Skywarp against the Autobots in an unidentified battle on Cybertron. Skywarp also was set to appear in the unreleased issue #31 of the Energon comic series.

Toys

Armada Skywarp (2003)

The Armada version of Skywarp is an homage to the G1 character with his familiar black and purple color scheme. However, unlike the original Skywarp, the toy is a remold of Armada Starscream, rather than being a mere repaint. His Mini-Con partner was Thunderclash.

Armada Skywarp was later redecoed into Transformers: Universe Ramjet, and included a redeco of Thunderclash along with and three additional Mini-Cons—the Air Military Team.

Transformers: Cybertron

Skywarp
‘Transformers: Cybertron‘ character
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

It is unknown if Hasbro intended this character to be an upgrade of Armada Skywarp or a different character, as his biography indicated that his personality and abilities are closer to that of his Generation 1 namesake—using his teleportation activities to cause mayhem, although his stupidity required him to be closely monitored by his commander, Starscream.

Animated series

Because Skywarp was a U.S.-exclusive toy and the television series was produced in Japan prior to the toy’s conception, the character made no appearances in the Cybertron animated series.

Fun Publications

Skywarp, along with the Cybertron versions of Runamuck, Brushguard and Buzzsaw appeared among Cannonball‘s troops in the Transformers Collector’s Club exclusive story The Dark Heart of Sandokan, written by Benson Yee.

Toys

Cybertron Deluxe Skywarp (2006)

A redeco of Cybertron Thundercracker.

Cybertron Deluxe Skywarp is 18 centimeters long, but a real Su-37 Terminator is 2218 centimeters long. This gives us a scale of 1/123. Since his robot mode stands 13.5 centimeters tall, this means Cybertron Skywarp should stand 54 feet tall.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Skywarp
‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Transformers: Dark of the Moon‘ character
The F-22 Raptor
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

According to an interview with producer Tom DeSanto published in issue #15 of the Transformers Collectors’ Club magazine, the original lineup pitched for the Decepticons in the live action Transformers film was Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble, Skywarp and Shockwave. In the Revenge of the Fallen comics, it is said that Skywarp was a loyal follower of Megatron who preferred to stay away from the war and create limitless inventions for the Decepticons. He is highly intelligent, and can outdo Starscream in battle if chosen to. If Skywarp is forced to engage in combat, he would prepare a high amount of strategies before hand, unlike Thundercracker, Skywarp can rival Starscream for the position as second in command of the Decepticons. That is unlikely to happen, for Skywarp and Starscream are supposedly good friends in the movie adaptation comics. It is also known that Skywarp lead the Constructicons through battles during the war on Cybertron, which led to a result of many deaths in the autobot army.

IDW Publishing

In Transformers: Defiance the planet Cybertron is invaded by aliens from the Eshems Nebula and a black jet (who may be Skywarp or Overcast) is among the defenders in the city of Metrotitan, near the temple at Simfur.

Toys

All toys of this character are officially licensed from Lockheed Martin.

Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Skywarp (2009)

A Walmart exclusive redeco of the 2007 Voyager Starscream figure (with the head sculpt originally used for the G1-style Starscream and Thundercracker redecos) in Skywarp’s G1 colors.

Dark of the Moon Deluxe Skywarp (Takara Tomy) (not yet released)

A Japan-only black redeco of Deluxe Starscream with silver and purple stripes that pay homage to his G1 incarnation.^[16]

Transformers Animated

Skywarp
‘Transformers Animated‘ character
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

In Transformers Animated, Skywarp is a clone of Starscream who embodies his cowardice.^[17] According to his biography on the toy box, he can teleport much like his Generation 1 incarnation.

Animated Series

Using the Allspark fragment embedded in his forehead, Starscream brought life to numerous clones, who took distinct aspects of his personality. Skywarp received the coward side of Starscream and thus is utterly spineless in nature, fearing everything and everyone. During the battle between the Clones, the Autobots, and Megatron, he was ambushed by Blurr and put in stasis cuffs, immobilizing him. Thundercracker, who had been encased in cement by Mixmaster, accidentally collided with them, and all three were sent through the Space Bridge to an unknown part of the galaxy. Bulkhead tried to bring them back, but to no avail, as he never set the target coordinates. The trio were later seen on a desolated planet. Thundercracker shattered the cement, and chased Blurr into space. Skywarp, however, was still immobilized by the stasis cuffs. He, Thundercracker, Swindle and Team Chaar are the remaining Decepticons in space.

Toys

Animated Voyager Skywarp (2008)

A black/purple repaint of Voyager Class Starscream.

Animated TA-23 Voyager Skywarp (Takara Tomy) (2010)

The 2010 Japan release version by Takara Tomy.^[18]

Animated Activators Skywarp (Takara Tomy) (2010)

A FamilyMart Japan exclusive black/purple redeco of Activators Starscream offered as a lottery draw item.^[19]

Transformers: Prime

Skywarp
‘Transformers: War for Cybertron‘ character
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

Books

Skywarp appears in the novels Transformers: Exodus, Transformers: Exiles, and Transformers: Retribution.^[20] As in most series, he is one of the Seekers under the command of Starscream, and previously served in Sentinel Prime‘s bodyguard before joining the Decepticons. Starscream is constantly fearful that Skywarp and the other Decepticons would choose Megatron over him in a confrontation. Retribution features Skywarp with slightly more prominence than the other novels, as he is sent by Starscream to attempt an assassination of Optimus Prime (and Megatron, though he is unaware of this). Much to his dismay, the bomb provided by Starscream is already triggered when he sets it in place, and he is forced to make a random teleport in order to survive. He is then used as a “witness” in a trial set up by the Quintessons, and is caught up in the fighting between the Transformer factions and their alien foes.

Video games

Skywarp is a playable Decepticon character in the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron. In the Decepticon campaign, he is a part of the Decepticons’ flying squad known as the “Seekers” – alongside Starscream and Thundercracker. Unable to have teleportation as an ability in the game, Skywarp gained the Cloaking ability to turn near invisible-so that when using the skill and appearing between enemies, they will think as he “warped” from nowhere describing his name.

Toys

Prime Deluxe Skywarp (not yet released)^[21]

Thundercracker

Thundercracker is one of the original Decepticon Seekers from the first year of the series.

Thundercracker is a fictional character appearing in the multimedia franchise Transformers, created by Hasbro. Part of the original Generation 1 toyline, the character was created by comic book writer Bob Budiansky in 1984.

Following his creation, Thundercracker appeared within the same year in both the The Transformers cartoon by Sunbow Entertainment and Marvel Productions, as well as the similarly titled comic book by Marvel Comics. Since then, the character has appeared in multiple other animated series, comic books, films, and video games. In most of his appearances, Thundercracker is depicted as a blue-colored Decepticon and member of the Seekers, a group of Decepticons capable of turning into jet fighters.

Outside of the Generation One continuity, Thundercracker had major roles in the anime series Transformers: Cyberverse (2005)–the third part of the Unicron Trilogy, as well as the cartoons Transformers: Animated (2007—2009), and Transformers: Cyberverse (2018—present). The character made his live-action debut in Bumblebee (2018), the sixth installment in the live-action film series.

a drawing of a robot that is standing up

Transformers: Generation 1

Thundercracker
‘Transformers: Generation 1 Machine Wars Smallest Transformers Transformers: Robot Masters Transformers: Titanium Transformers: Timelines Transformers: Masterpiece Transformers: Alternity “Transformers: Generations“ character
Voiced by	John Stephenson (Television series) Wally Burr (War Dawn only) André Sogliuzzo (Transformers: Devastation) Yutaka Shimaka (Japan television series) Kenjiro Tsuda (Q Transformers: Mystery of Convoy)
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon: Action Masters, Basic Vehicles, Deluxe Vehicles, Seekers
Significant others	Starscream, Skywarp, Dirge, Bug Bite, Dreadwind, Motormaster, and Thrust

Thundercracker is one of the original Decepticon Seekers from the first year of the series.

Marvel Comics

In the Marvel comics series, Thundercracker was depicted as one of Starscream’s lieutenants, along with fellow Seeker Skywarp. (This point was driven home by the fact that while Thundercracker’s colors were noticeably different from both Starscream and Skywarp, in the comics he was colored a dark, almost black shade of blue with only the colors of their wing stripes—when drawn in—made the two look different.) Frequently in the early issues, Thundercracker is seen fighting alongside Skywarp, although Thundercracker was shown to be a smarter fighter.

One of the original ten Decepticons that fell to Earth in the Ark. Thundercracker was reactivated and given the Earth mode of an F-15 jet. He would participate in many of the early battles against the Autobots – until a disastrous raid by Megatron led to Thundercracker, along with Starscream, Skywarp, Buzzsaw, Rumble, and Frenzy, getting deactivated by Omega Supreme. In the U.S. continuity Thundercracker was eventually rescued along with the other captive Decepticons, by Ratbat‘s forces, although he returned much earlier in the UK comics, where he was displaced to a limbo dimension by the arrival of future Autobots alongside Frenzy and Shockwave, where they had to work with Optimus Prime, Prowl and Ratchet to survive. He would then participate in the battles against Scorponok‘s Decepticons and then against the Autobots using their united force. None realized, however, that it was all a ruse by Starscream to gain the power of the Underbase for himself. The Autobots and Decepticons would then unite to stop him, but Starscream’s power was too great, and Thundercracker was one of those deactivated by his former wingmate. He was not seen again until the G2 comic, where he seemingly took command of the Decepticon aerial contingent against the forces of Jhiaxus.

According to his expanded Transformers Universe biography, Thundercracker is unique among his fellow Decepticons in that he has a certain amount of pity for the humans they continually endanger or kill. He does not see the point of killing humans just to kill them, although he is very careful not to reveal this. No matter what small amount of sympathy Thundercracker feels for humans, his sense of self-preservation (and fear of what Megatron would do if he found out) outweighs it.

Animated series

Thundercracker was one of the first Decepticons to awaken on Earth in 1984. After laying dormant for four million years, he shared the same Earthen appearance as Starscream and Skywarp and is usually allied with them during attacks.

Despite being one of the original Decepticons and appearing in many battles during 1984 and 1985, Thundercracker had few prominent roles.

Often chafing under Starscream’s self-importance and glory-seeking, he seemed to dislike Starscream and exploited reasons to undermine his authority, such as letting the Autobot Skyfire destroy one of their secret weapons merely so Starscream would get the blame.

In the year 2005, Thundercracker was present during the battle for Autobot City, and was gunned down by Optimus Prime and earlier Kup. With the subsequent defeat of their leader, Megatron, the Decepticons were forced to retreat. However, there were too many Decepticons aboard Astrotrain (who served as an impromptu escape vehicle), and Thundercracker was among those few Decepticons too weakened to put up a fight to stay on board. Being cast out into space, the damaged Decepticons drifted into the path of Unicron, and Thundercracker’s body was used to create Scourge, one of Galvatron‘s new warriors.

In the season 3 episode, “Starscream’s Ghost“, Thundercracker appears to have a grave—or at least a commemorative marker—in the Decepticon crypt.

Thundercracker made a cameo in the pilot of the Transformers: Animated television series on a historical video being viewed by Optimus Prime. This historical video was stock footage from the original animated series.

Books

Thundercracker appeared in the 1984 sticker and story book Return to Cybertron written by Suzanne Weyn and published by Marvel Books.^[22]

Thundercracker appeared in the 1984 sticker and story book The Revenge of the Decepticons written by Suzanne Weyn and published by Marvel Books.^[23]

Thundercracker was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.^[24]

Dreamwave Productions

Thundercracker could always fly, even before joining the Decepticons. He was recruited as a Decepticon under the leadership of Megatron in his war against the Autobots on the planet Cybertron. Thundercracker became a member of the elite Seekers under Aerospace Commander Starscream. He often worked with fellow Seeker Skywarp.

Skywarp and Thundercracker launched an attack against the city of Altihex, where they killed the Autobot named Overhaul and routed Grimlock and his group of Autobots. Later, Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker attacked the city of Protihex under the orders of Megatron, but this time Grimlock launched a successful counterattack. If not for Skywarp’s ability to teleport to safety, the Decepticons may have not escaped alive. After Megatron’s disappearance, Thundercracker remained loyal to the Decepticons.

Because he was part of Megatron’s loyal inner circle, Thundercracker was chosen as a member of the crew of the Nemesis when Megatron launched it to attack the Ark, an Autobot ship. Both ships fought, and after the Decepticons boarded the Ark, it crashed on the planet Earth. All on board were placed in emergency stasis lock for millions of years.

In the Earth year 1984, a volcanic explosion awakened the Ark. The Ark‘s computer, Teletran One, reformatted all on board to be able to assume the forms of Earth machines. Thundercracker, like Starscream and Skywarp, was given the form of an F-15 fighter jet. Eventually the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth, and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. A ship called the Ark II was built to take the Cybertonians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertonians were lost in the ocean, again in stasis lock.

After being awoken again Thundercracker and the other Decepticons on Earth returned to Cybertron with Shockwave, but he later returned to Earth under the command of Starscream. He was captured along with Soundwave and Skywarp by the Autobots and locked in cells on board the Ark. They escaped when the Ark was attacked by Bruticus (Transformers: Generation One III #1).

Devil’s Due Publishing

In this re-imagining of the Transformers: Generation One story, the Autobot ship Ark was discovered by the terrorist Cobra organization. All the Transformers inside were formatted into Cobra vehicles and were to be remotely controlled by the Televipers, Cobra soldiers proficient in communication systems. Thundercraker, who in this continuity, transformed into a Cobra Rattler, was going to be piloted by Major Bludd during an Autobot invasion. Thundercracker had ideas of his own. Changing into robot mode, Bludd is crushed to death inside his cockpit. Thundercracker made no further appearances.

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Events from The Transformers Trilogy novels are in italics.

Sitting quietly in the background while other characters actually do things—Thundercracker’s entire resume until IDW came along.

Thundercracker was one of the first Decepticons recruited by Megatron, part of his “inner circle” with standing high enough that he was among those who stood at the Decepticon leader’s side as he delivered speeches to his burgeoning army in the early days of war. The Route of All Evil

Some time into the war, on the eve of the appointment of the Autobots’ new Prime, Thundercracker and Skywarp were charged with massacring a building’s worth of pesky neutrals in Altihex. The War Within #1 Some time later, he was sent to destroy an Autobot base in Sector Zero-Six alongside Skywarp and Starscream, but on the way Starscream leaked the plan to Grimlock in an attempt to bait him into joining the Decepticons. It didn’t exactly work out like that: when the Seekers arrived, Grimlock had evacuated the base and planted a bomb to greet them. The War Within Preview Once Skywarp was done berating Starscream for being an idiot, he and Thundercracker returned to base without him. The War Within #3

When Megatron and Optimus Prime were granted a vision of the future by the Matrix of Leadership, Thundercracker was among the Transformers they saw battling on Earth. The War Within #5 In the years that followed this vision, the two leaders disappeared, heralding the beginning of the Dark Ages. During this time Thundercracker served under Shockwave, and was one of the troops sent to the Well of All Sparks to put a stop to The Fallen‘s plans. Conflagration

Thundercracker was one of several Decepticon invaders who attacked the Ark when it left Cybertron to search for energon on other planets, and wound up entombed within the vessel for four million years when it crashed on Earth. More than Meets the Eye #8 He was reactivated in 1984 with the rest of the Transformers, and fought at Megatron’s side until the Decepticons were ultimately defeated in 1999. Thundercracker and the other Decepticons were loaded aboard the spacecraft Ark II with the intent that they be returned to Cybertron, but the vessel had been sabotaged and exploded mid-flight. Scheming arms dealer Adam “Lazarus” Rook, recovered the bodies of Thundercracker and the other Decepticons, and spent the next several years reprogramming them in order to sell them to foreign powers. Prime Directive #5

In 2002, in a demonstration of the Transformers’ power for a group of prospective clients, Lazarus had Thundercracker participate in an attack on the Arctic division of the Smitco Oil Refinery. Prime Directive #2 Everything went wrong for Lazarus soon after, however, when Megatron succeeded in breaking free of his control, then liberated his Decepticon subordinates. Megatron began a plan to cyberform the Earth with a metallic virus, and to pass the time during the preparations, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp busied themselves by tearing apart the Autobot Mini Vehicle team. Prime Directive #3 Once the virus was deployed, the Decepticons launched an attack on San Francisco in which Thundercracker took part, joining his fellow fliers in a bombing run on the Autobot giant Superion, forcing the combiner to split into his component Aerialbots. Prime Directive #4 The Decepticons triumphed over the Autobots, and Thundercracker stood watch over their defeated foes while Megatron tried to persuade Optimus Prime to help the Decepticons conquer Earth. Prime Directive #5 Ultimately, though, the Decepticons’ plans were foiled thanks to human interference, and the sacrifice of Superion. Prime Directive #6

When the Decepticons were left leaderless after Megatron was abducted by the mysterious aliens known as the Keepers, Thundercracker, oddly enough, turned to weapons smuggling, working with Mexican arms dealers south of the border. He was moored at Atahulpa Aeropuerto de Mesa Verde, getting his cargo hold loaded with guns, when Prowl and Bumblebee sieged the tiny airport. As his human allies scattered, Thundercracker transformed and engaged the Autobots with his drone missile launchers. One of the guided projectiles nearly blasted Prowl in the back, but Bumblebee knocked it off course… right into a tanker filled with jet fuel. The resulting explosion was catastrophic, and threw the Autobots for a loop. Thundercracker was prepared to finish off Prowl when the renegade Dinobot Grimlock arrived on the scene. Fresh for battle, Grimlock easily defeated Thundercracker, battering him from head to toe before knocking him into the airport terminal. Hardwired

Thundercracker’s smuggling operation may have been connected to Starscream supplying advanced weapons technology to his human servants in Las Vegas, but this was never made clear.

Recovering from his injuries, Thundercracker joined up with Starscream and his forces in Las Vegas (renamed “New Centurion” by Starscream following his takeover of the city). He got another chance at Prowl and Bumblebee while fighting on the Strip, but the Autobots were better prepared this time and Thundercracker was brought down by Prowl’s wire-guided missiles and crashed in front of Caesar’s Palace. He revived in time to join Soundwave in double-teaming Grimlock, who had also come in the assault on Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Thundercracker once again fell before the Dinobot’s superior might after only a few blows. He stayed under Starscream’s command after Megatron returned, remaining in Las Vegas while the former Decepticon leader and those loyal to him quit the city. This only led to Thundercracker being captured with the rest of Starscream’s Decepticons when their leader was killed by the Keepers and reanimated as a host body for their awesome power. Thundercracker, Skywarp and the others were trapped beneath a massive energy field, like mice in a cage to the god-like aliens.

The Constructicons eventually dug a tunnel to freedom, and Thundercracker’s group of Decepticons reunited with Megatron, working with the Autobots against the Keepers. Thundercracker joined Laserbeak and the Autobot Wheeljack on air patrol during the fight with the Keepers, strafing the aliens and their puppets, Bluestreak and Starscream. He survived the battle with the Keepers (not to mention the nuclear missile launched by the American government) thanks to Optimus Prime super-charging the Matrix with a pool of newly discovered energon. Annihilation

Thundercracker began working for Megatron again, and was present in the Nevada desert when the Autobots and Decepticons confronted the United States military. Thanks to their airborne tactics, Thundercracker and Skywarp did significant injury to the troops and survived the deconstructionite assault virtually unscathed. Fusion

When the Decepticons clashed with the Autobots over a crashed Autobot vessel discovered in the Arctic, Thundercracker took a beating from Mirage. This battle was soon interrupted by the arrival of Shockwave and his army of Triple Changers, who had come from Cybertron to bring the planet’s errant sons home. He quickly disposed of Megatron and demanded that Thundercracker and the others submit to him. New World Order The Decepticons somewhat begrudgingly assented to return to Cybertron, but upon arrival Thundercracker and Skywarp were amazed at what Shockwave had accomplished in their absence. While relaxing in an energon bath, they debated how to proceed; Thundercracker believed it would not be long before Shockwave demanded they pledge themselves to his cause, but Skywarp didn’t care much, advocating they do what they always did and pick the side with the biggest guns. Brothers’ Burden Their tune soon changed, however, when Shockwave’s dark schemes were uncovered by Optimus Prime; the two Seekers tried to shut the blast door to the command centre before the Autobot leader could make it through, but they failed, and Prime forced Shockwave’s location from them. Countdown to Extinction Thundercracker and Skywarp then both played possum to avoid fighting further. Starscream passed them on his way to the shuttle bay, intending to escape the planet and return to Earth, and he ordered Thundercracker and Skywarp to accompany him. They complied, and helped him load up the inactive Combaticons aboard a shuttle they hijacked. Revelation

Back on Earth, the Decepticons made it back to the Nemesis and set about scavenging parts to restore the ship to working order. Black Sunshine To this end, they attacked the Ark. Thundercracker was part of Starscream’s initial salvo against the Autobot base, a decoy to be deliberately taken prisoner in order to draw out the remaining Autobots where the newly reformatted Combaticons could get at them. Night of the Combaticons After decimating the Autobots’ ranks, Bruticus freed the fallen Decepticons, and they were about ready to terminate their opponents when the awe-inspiring clone known as Sunstorm emerged from fold-space, looking to have words with Starscream. Sunstorm’s “purifying light” induced an energon overload in the Decepticons’ systems, knocking them into stasis lock. Black Sunshine Skywarp and the others remained Autobot prisoners until Starscream negotiated a deal for their release in exchange for his aid against Sunstorm. They were only given half-power, though, and had to stumble out of the Autobot camp in an extremely weakened condition. Skyfire

IDW Publishing

Thundercracker reappeared in The Transformers: Escalation, warned by Megatron that no further treachery would be tolerated. Thundercracker then accompanied a repaired Skywarp on a bombing mission to stir up trouble between the humans. Later, he returned to Brasnya with Skywarp after his wingmate had been damaged by Autobots, damaging Hot Rod severely. However, they were forced to flee when Megatron called for pickup after his Ore-13 was expended. His alternate mode here is that of an F-22 Raptor, the successor to his original Generation One F-15 Eagle alternate jet mode.

The Transformers: All Hail Megatron

The 16-part series follows on from Escalation. In the latter half of this series the Seekers’ alternate mode once again becomes an F-15 Eagle, and their robot modes resemble their counterparts in the Transformers Masterpiece toy series by Takara.

In the last edition of this series Thundercracker is seen betraying the Decepticons. He saves the North American Eastern Seaboard from a nuclear attack by flying the bomb into space and destroying it. The Autobots are seen rejoicing at Thundercracker’s act. Thundercracker did not believe that there was any honor in allowing the humans to die for the sake of it. He believed that a Decepticon was forged by combat, not slaughter. Upon discovery of what he had done, Skywarp shot Thundercracker in the face at point blank range.

Eventually Thundercracker was found by other Decepticons left behind and was rebuilt. None of those left behind were aware of Thundercracker’s apparent betrayal, and looked to him to lead them. However, Thundercracker sought solitude instead. For a time he sat alone and watched television, learning about humanity and life on Earth. In time, he came to respect the beauty of life and human culture. While the Autobots went on to seek out other Cybertronians on Earth together with the United States Government, Thundercracker was recruited by Autobot leader Bumblebee to assist in bringing in the Combaticons (allied with North Korea and Predacons (allied with China).

The Transformers: Evolutions: Hearts of Steel

Thundercracker and the other Seekers also appeared in the mini-series The Transformers: Evolutions: Hearts of Steel. In this alternate reality tale, Thundercracker served as Starscream’s right-hand ‘bot. He was presumably destroyed when Bumblebee and John Henry managed to send the entire Decepticon rail convoy into a chasm. Like his fellow Seekers, Thundercracker originally had a beast alternate mode and was later reformatted to an 18th Century flying machine.^[25]

Fun Publications

Thundercracker is rebuilt on Earth by Megatron to serve as one of his troops. In the Transformers: Timelines story “Games of Deception” Thundercracker appears among Megatron’s troops.

Thundercracker appears among Megatron’s troops in the story “At Fight’s End” by Fun Publications.

Thundercracker also makes an unusual cameo in “Wreckers: Finale Part II”. In the story the Quintessons invade the recently reformatted technorganic Cybertron. Several mechs claiming to be former Decepticons whose sparks were liberated when Optimus Primal reformatted Cybertron live in one of the few technological cites on the planet. These mechs defend the city from the Quintesson Overseer Rexian and his troops. Several of these mechs claim to formerly be the Decepticon warrior Thundercracker, now in a new body. In order to settle their dispute as to which is the real Thundercracker they decide that the one of them that destroys the most Sharkticons can claim the name Thundercracker, and the runner-up can be Dirge.

Thundercracker was among Megatron’s troops when Megatron attacked Iacon with his new weapon, Devastator.^[5]

Other Media

Thundercracker appeared in the Robot Chicken episode “Junk in the Trunk”. He was seen with the other Decepticons using a dam to stock-pile energon cubes until the Autobots attacked.

Toys

Illustration of the patent for the toy that became Starscream and his many repaints

Generation 1 Jet Thundercracker (1984)

The original Thundercracker toy was originally part of the Japanese Diaclone toyline, and was imported to become part of the Transformers toyline by Hasbro in 1984.^[26] In jet mode, the toy is 21cm long. In what is considered to be a major drawback to the toy, the majority of its parts have to be removed for transformation, and it is rare to find a totally complete one, since no single mode can hold all the parts.^[27]

Generation 1 Action Master Thundercracker (1991)

A repaint of Action Master Starscream with new accessories, this toy was only released in Europe. The color scheme does not resemble the original. Thundercracker comes with a jet which he can ride or wear as armor when it is transformed. This version of Thundercracker does not appear in any official Transformers fiction. His bio was much the same as the original toy bio, portraying him as a vicious flyer who enjoys taking his enemies apart by causing them to crash – either by shooting them down, or by nosediving and pulling up at the last second, letting his foes slam into the ground.^[28]

Machine Wars Thundercracker (1997)

A basic sized flip changer. Sharing the same mold as fellow Decepticon Skywarp, Thundercracker was a “flip-changer” jet where if the toy’s nosecone was pressed down, the toy would automatically transform to robot mode. It is difficult to determine where the Machine Wars characters are placed within the overall Transformers storyline as there was no fictional material other than their tech specs. Machine Wars characters are usually considered future or alternate reality versions of the main G1/G2 characters which was never expanded upon.^[29]

His tech spec was similar to his original G1 bio in that Thundercracker believed in the Decepticon cause, still possessed of a fierce independent streak. Believing himself superior to anything that cannot fly Thundercracker uses terror-causing tactics and his traditional sonic boom attack to destroy his enemies.

Smallest Transformers Thundercracker (2004)

This blue redeco of Smallest Transformers Starscream was only released as a chase item (one in a case of 48) in the line’s final wave. Despite the small size (roughly 2 inches in robot height), the toy is virtually faithful to the original G1 toy’s design and transformation.:^[30] This toy was also released in high numbers by third party toy makes in a variety of variants, such as metallic, clear and glow-in-the-dark.

Robot Masters Thundercracker (2005)

Thundercracker is a repaint of Robot Masters Starscream and was released in a package with Robot Masters Skywarp. Apart from his new chest missiles, he is the exact same character as his original appearance, only with a red stripe in his abdomen and more black in jet mode. Thundercracker did not appear in any Robot Masters fiction.

Titanium 6 inch War Within Thundercracker (2006)

A new 6″ Thundercracker toy based on his ‘The War Within’ design. A day later the pictures were taken down at the request of Hasbro. This version of Thundercracker seems to be based on his appearance in the Dreamwave War Within comics series.^[31]

This toy was later repainted as a War Within Starscream.

Titanium 3 inch Thundercracker (2006)

A second Titanium Thundercracker, a 3 inch one based on his Generation 1 form was released. This one is a repaint of the 3 inch Starscream.

Timelines Deluxe Thundercracker (2007)

A BotCon 2007 exclusive Thundercracker figure was announced and released at the end of June 2007 along with four other figures (including two additional Seekers, Dirge and Thrust). Thundercracker is a straight redeco of Classics Starscream and Skywarp. Thundercracker is in his G1 cartoon colors, which is a slightly lighter blue than the G1 Thundercracker toy.

Henkei! Henkei! Deluxe Thundercracker (2008)

A blue redeco of Classics Deluxe Starscream by Takara Tomy in Japan, sold as a Toy Hobby Market and Ganbo Store exclusive. The packaging used a black and white picture of the Starscream figure in front and reused Henkei Starscream’s card for the back. The paint scheme is close to the original G1 toy, but differs from the Timelines version.^[32]

Masterpiece MP-07 Thundercracker (2008)

A repaint of Masterpiece Starscream, Masterpiece Thundercracker was released at the end of 2008. Number MP-07 in the Masterpiece series, it is based on his G1-animation deco, albeit designed to look a lot more realistic. A common problem on most, if not all, Masterpiece Thundercracker is that in production the two chest thrusters were switched around. This mistake has no effects on transformation, however.

Generations Deluxe Thundercracker (2011)

A recoloration of the Classics Starscream, very similar to the Timelines Thundercracker sold at Botcon 2007.^[33]

Alternity Mitsuoka Orochi featuring Thundercracker (2010)

A redeco of the Alternity Mitsuoka Orochi, which is also used for Banzai-Tron, Starscream, and Skywarp.

Unicron Trilogy

Thundercracker
‘Transformers: Armada Transformers: Cybertron Transformers: Universe‘ character
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot/Decepticon

Thundercracker, only mentioned off-screen in Transformers: Armada, finally made his appearance on screen in Transformers: Cybertron. Originally released alone, Thundercracker was later packaged with a Mini-Con partner as a Wal-Mart-exclusive but is unable to powerlinx with the Mini-Con. Although Armada Thundercracker did appear in the Dreamwave comics, he was portrayed very differently from the Cybertron character.

As a character, Thundercracker is a Deception highly distinguished for his love of battle. He speaks with a distinctive southern “drawl” accent. This excessive blood-lust affects the entire Decepticon group. What he lacks in skills, Megatron recognizes Thundercracker’s talent for encouraging the troop’s fighting spirit. He always has his sights on target in either robot or jet mode. Unfortunately, he cannot concentrate on a target, and accuracy is not his style. He also comes up with special attacks that prove ineffective against his foes, most particularly Jetfire in a battle for sky supremacy, but when reinforcements arrive, he is usually the first to be defeated.

Thundercracker’s tech specs by both Hasbro and Takara revealed more about him. The Takara bio noted that he was excessively eager to go into battle, in turn inspiring the Decepticons who fought with him—which is why Megatron keeps him around. His Hasbro bio is indicates that, like the original G1 Thundercracker, his main power is his ability to create deafening sonic booms in combat. Rather oddly, the unlockable content on Hasbro’s website indicates he is also somewhat of a practical joker. The non-flying Decepticons often ride on him.

The Wal-Mart-exclusive Mini-Con pack would explain how Thundercracker got his Mini-Con partner Downshift, snatching him from under the Autobot’s noses in one of his trademark fear causing missions. What he did not realize was that Downshift was as dedicated to creating chaos as him, and the two formed an alliance to terrorize the Autobots on Earth.

In 2006, a Target store exclusive 2-pack called the “Ground to Air Blast Pack” included Cybertron Crosswise and Thundercracker. The toys were identical to their original ones, and the front included a brief mention of how the Autobot Bounty Hunter was hunting the Decepticon criminal Thundercracker. His tech spec indicates that his desire to blast Autobots is not out of any sort of sadism—it simply keeps him out of Megatron’s way when the Decepticon leader is looking for someone to take his frustration out on.

Animated series

Armada

In Transformers: Armada, Thundercracker’s colors were used in the television show as Starscream‘s Super Mode colors, instead of as a separate character as originally intended. When Starscream gets the upgrade he quotes: “I look like Thundercracker.”

Cybertron

In Transformers: Cybertron, Thundercracker originally appeared as one of the Decepticons under Megatron, Thundercracker was paired with Starscream to search for the Omega Lock on Earth, using his Earthen alternate mode to great advantage.^[34] He scanned an aircraft and transforms into the Su-37 and attacked Landmine. He had a rivalry with the Autobot Jetfire over who was the superior flyer. However, he was unaware that his wingmate harbored ambitions of his own. When Starscream gave Megatron a Planet Map to search for the remaining Cyber Planet Keys, the map turned out to be a fake and Thundercracker, along with Megatron, Ransack and Mudflap were trapped in a steel globe until they were freed by Scourge.

In episode 31, “United”, Scourge, Mudflap, Crumplezone, Ransack and Thundercracker followed Megatron on the Space Bridge to Cybertron. They were joined by Thunderblast, who claimed she’d rather work form Megatron than Starscream.

Subsequently, Thundercracker was present for many more battles against both the Autobots and Starscream’s ancient Decepticons. On one occasion, when Galvatron (a recreated Megatron) needed the Decepticons to distract the Autobots while he used the power of the Cyber Planet Keys to control the Grand Black Hole, he used the power of the keys to turn Dark Crumplezone, Ransack, Thunderblast and Thundercracker into giants, rivaling the size of the Giant Planet Transformers. Thundercracker even took on Optimus Prime himself, but was jumped by Hot Shot and Jetfire, distracting him long enough for Prime to pursue Galvatron. After the fight, the Decepticons returned to normal size.

After Galvatron’s defeat and the closing of the black hole, his minions realized that Galvatron had never had any intentions of helping his minions escape the Black Hole disaster in the first place. Thundercracker and the remaining Decepticons abandoned their allegiance to Galvatron and considered themselves free.

When the Autobots attempted to use a gigantic rocket to move the Jungle Planet back into its orbit, Galvatron attacked and damaged the rocket. The Jungle Planet threatened to crash into Cybertron. Much to the Autobots’ surprise, the four Decepticons helped Scourge and the Autobots to move the rocket boosters back into place.

After Galvatron’s death, Thundercracker, in an attempt to continue being active, allied himself with the Autobots by taking part in construction work on Earth. He wanted to be an Autobot and never lose (even though he did not know how to make the Autobot symbol appear on his body he just put on a badly drawn one). He was forced back to the Decepticon ranks by Thunderblast, Dark Crumplezone and Ransack, who self-declared themselves as the new Decepticon army. Predictably, the hapless group did not get far: the credits montage that closed the series showed they had crashed on what appeared to be Mars.

Toys

Armada Thundercracker

A repaint of Armada Starscream. Mini-Con Zapmaster is a repaint of Swindle.^[35]^[36]

Cybertron Deluxe Thundercracker (2005)

The deluxe sized toy of Thundercracker was sold by itself in 2005, as well as packaged with the Mini-Con Downshift and a Tiny-Tin as a promotion at Wal-Mart stores, then again packaged with the Autobot Crosswise as a Target exclusive. The original deluxe sized Thundercracker was recolored into Cybertron Skywarp.^[37]

A value 2-pack repackaging Cybertron Excellion and Thundercracker in Transformers: Universe packaging was first seen online in September 2007, called “Opposites Attack”.

Cybertron Deluxe Thundercracker is 18 centimeters long, but a real Su-37 Terminator is 2218 centimeters long. This gives us a scale of 1/123. Since his robot mode stands 13.5 centimeters tall, this means Cybertron Thundercracker should stand 54 feet tall. He is not depicted as being this big in the animated series, standing as big as most Deluxe sized toys, a bit over 20 feet tall.

Cybertron Legends Thundercracker

Besides his original release as a Deluxe-sized figure, a Micro-class Thundercracker was released in wave 4 of the Legends of Cybertron line. This figure improved on some of the flaws of the Deluxe sized figure, giving Thundercracker a full sized left arm and larger feet that he can better balance on.

This toy was later repainted as Micro-class Jetfire. A double sized knockoff of this toy was made in China and packaged in a box the Deluxe sized Excellion toy.^[38]

Transformers

Thundercracker
‘Transformers Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Transformers: Dark of the Moon‘ character
The F-22 Raptor Thundercracker is based on
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

Thundercracker lives on fear. Special materials in his vehicle body allow him to emit controlled sonic detonations that can be heard 200 miles away. Cruising along at Mach 6, he wants his enemies to hear him before they see him. He wants them to know he’s coming, and cower in fear at their impending doom.^[39]

Thundercracker’s design is also the basis for a series of Decepticon drones.

IDW Publishing

In Transformers: Defiance the planet Cybertron is invaded by aliens from the Eshems Nebula and Thundercracker is among the defenders in the city of Metrotitan, near the temple at Simfur. In issue #2 he sides with Megatron in his decision to counter-attack Cybertron’s invaders and is among the fleet that attacks their ships. In issue #3 Thundercracker iss among the troops under the command of Starscream ordered by Megatron to bring in Optimus and kill his companions.

Thundercracker also appears in Reign of Starscream comic book series. He is a blue colored Decepticon looking a great deal like Starscream’s Cybertronian form. He was left aboard the Nemesis on Mars when the Decepticons attacked Earth in the 2007 movie. Starscream left Earth after and returned to Mars to recreate the Allspark. Thundercacker is loyal to Starscream by helping him recover after his journey to Mars. He addresses Starscream as Lord Starscream, or Commander Starscream. Starscream mentions that Thundercracker is a Seeker, just like himself. Thundercracker seems smart by asking Starscream about Earth, and predicts their vehicles are like their own on Cybertron. In issue #5 Starscream sacrificed the sparks of Crankcase, Elita One, Grindcore, Signal Flare, and Warpath to bring his new Allspark Cube online. Although the cube failed to function Starscream did not have time to find out why as Dreadwing made his bid to overthrow the Decepticons using his army of drones. While Ramjet and Divebomb sided with Dreadwing, Thundercracker remained loyal to his leader along with Stockade. After Starscream vanished through the space bridge, Thundercracker departed Cybertron in hopes of finding him.

In Tales of the Fallen #6 Arcee is taken by Thundercracker and given to the Decepticon medic Flatline, who experiments on her. Upon waking up she discovers Skids and Mudflap are also captives of the Decepticons.^[40]

Note: Thundercracker’s appearance in the IDW Publishing comics varies from the toy quite a bit because he never assumes an Earth vehicle alternate mode, instead staying in Cybertronian form. His robot mode more closely resembles the toy for Protoform Starscream in Thundercracker’s colors, while his vehicle mode more closely resembles the vehicle mode of Megatron’s Cybertronian jet.

Titan Magazines

Thundercracker style drones were seen attacking a NATO fleet in Twilight’s Last Gleaming part 2.

Video games

Thundercracker also has a small role in the Transformers: The Game video game, most of all on the PSP version, in which one can play as the character in multi-player mode. He speaks a few lines.

Thundercracker is a minion of Shockwave, and spends most of his time transporting the Decepticon from place to place. He also meets Blackout and Shockwave after the Decepticons attack the base in Qatar. Later, he assists Shockwave and Dreadwing to find frozen Decpticon leader Megatron in the Arctic Circle, but they only find information on a launch of a satellite. The Autobots attempt to destroy the base, but Thundercracker and Shockwave escape, leaving Dreadwing dead. He then flies Shockwave to the launch site, and places the signal there awhile Shockwave distracts security. He then rescues Shockwave. After that, Thundercracker alone attempts to stop the Autobots from approaching Hoover Dam, the location of Megatron and the AllSpark, but is killed by Autobot Ironhide. Shockwave does not discover this, but finds that the Autobots have transmitted a virus to the signal, foiling their plot.

Note: In the game, Thundercracker’s appearance is based on Dreadwing with a new head, not Starscream.

Toys

All toys of this character are officially licensed from Lockheed Martin.

Transformers Voyager Thundercracker (2007)

A light-blue recolor of Voyager Class Starscream, featuring an alternate head sculpt.^[41] In vehicle mode, the toy is 21 centimeters long. Since a real F-22 is 1890 centimeters long, this toy has a scale of about 1/90 scale and Thundercracker would stand about 55 feet (17 m) tall.

Transformers 3D Battle Card Game Movie Thundercracker (2007)

Thundercracker is among the characters which appeared in the 1st wave of Transformers 3D Battle Card Game by Wizards of the Coast. He is a redeco of movie Starscream.

Revenge of the Fallen Legends Thundercracker (2009)

A redeco of Legends Starscream. This was available in a Kmart store exclusive 4 pack with his partner Spinister.

Dark of the Moon Deluxe Thundercracker (2011)

A blue redeco of Deluxe Starscream with silver and red stripes that pay homage to his G1 incarnation. Unlike Starscream, Thundercracker comes with two Mech Tech weapons: half of Starscream’s sword and a blue redeco of Roadbuster‘s chainsaw blaster.^[42]

Transformers Animated

Thundercracker
‘Transformers Animated‘ character
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

In Transformers Animated, Thundercracker is a clone of Starscream, and embodies the egomaniacal side of his personality.^[43]

Animated series

Using the Allspark fragment embedded in his forehead, Starscream brought life to numerous clones, who took distinct aspects of his personality. Thundercracker received the egomaniac side of Starscream and thus is extremely prideful in his abilities and refuses to acknowledge that he has limits. He participated in the clones’ assault on Megatron‘s stronghold, but was caught up in Mixmaster’s cement along with Skywarp and Blurr and ended up being sent through the space bridge, to an unknown destination where Thundercracker managed to break Skywarp and Blurr out of their confinement, only to unsuccessfully attack the latter. Blurr managed to escape, humiliating Thundercracker by using him as a springboard to race his way across the galaxy. Thundercracker’s ultimate fate is unknown, as the series ended without him appearing again. He, Skywarp, Swindle, and Team Chaar are the remaining Decepticons in space.

Thundercracker was never called by name in the run of the animated series.

Toys

Animated Activators Thundercracker (2008)

A dark blue redeco of Animated Activators Starscream.^[44]

Animated Voyager Thundercracker (unreleased)

A blue redeco of Voyager Class Starscream. Though pre-production units have been shown online, the figure has yet to be released on retail.^{[citation needed]}

Animated TA-24 Activators Thundercracker (Takara Tomy) (2010)

The 2010 Japan release version by Takara Tomy is virtually identical to the Hasbro version, with the exception of purple Decepticon emblems.^[18]

Transformers: Timelines (Shattered Glass)

Thundercracker
‘Transformers: Timelines‘ character
The F-15 Jet Thundercracker is based on.
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

A mirror-universe version of Thundercracker appeared in the Transformers: Timelines fiction. He is one of the heroic Decepticons. Thundercracker has the ability to completely deaden all sound in an area with his engines. He is painted in his Generation 1 Action Master toy colors.

Fun Publications

Thundercracker appears in the 2008 April Fool’s comic Shattered Expectations by Fun Publications as part of the Mayhem Suppression Squad called in by the Decepticons against the Autobots Goldbug, Grimlock and Jazz.

Thundercracker also appears in the fiction Dungeons & Dinobots, a text based story from Fun Publications. In the story, he defends the Arch-Ayr fuel dump from an Autobot attack.^[45]

Toys

Timelines Deluxe Shattered Glass Thundercracker (2011)

A BotCon 2011 exclusive red/purple/green redeco of the Classics/Universe 2.0 Deluxe Starscream figure. Bundled with Timelines Voyager Galvatron.

Aligned continuity

Thundercracker
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

Books

Thundercracker appears in the novel Transformers: Exodus.^[20]

Games

Thundercracker is a playable Decepticon character in the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron. In the Decepticon campaign, he is a part of the Decepticons’ flying squad known as the “Seekers” – Alongside Starscream and Skywarp. Thundercracker despises those that cannot take flight and views himself as being superior to those that cannot. He sometimes questions the Decepticon cause, but a fear of Megatron‘s wrath quiets his discontent.

Toys

Arms Micron Deluxe Thundercracker

Transformers: Cyberverse

Thundercracker
In-universe information
Affiliation	Decepticon

Books

Furman, Simon (2004). Transformers: The Ultimate Guide. DK Publishing Inc. p. 27. ISBN 1-4053-0461-8.

References

^ New Info about G1 discovered at Iacon One
^ “THE CYCLONUS PROJECT (preview)”. groups.google.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
^ IDW Publishing
^ Forest Lee, Dan Khanna (April–May 2006). “Revelations Part 2”. Transformers Collectors Club Magazine. 1 (8): 11–16.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Pete Sinclair & Jesse Wittenrich (October–November 2011). “Battle Lines Part 5”. Transformers Collectors Club Magazine. 1 (41): 3.
^ Skywarp
^ Machine Wars: Skywarp
^ TFW2005.com – WST Skywarp
^ TF: Universe Skywarp
^ http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/transformers-universe-classics-20-261/tread-bolt-1889/
^ TFW2005.com – Classics Skywarp
^ TFW2005.com – Henkei Skywarp
^ “Alternity Skywarp Image Gallery”. TFW2005.com. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
^ http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/comics/news/article_1343405.php/Creators_of_Transformers_Beast_Wars_The_Gathering_are_back
^ Skywarp with Thunderclash
^ TFW2005.com – Official Images of Japan-Exclusive DOTM Skywarp
^ Jim Sorenson & Bill Forster (August 15, 2009). Transformers Animated: The Allspark Almanac. Idea & Design Works Llc. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-60010-487-9.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b TFW2005.com – Official High Resolution Images of June 2010 Japanese Transformers Animated Releases
^ TFW2005.com – Japanese Transformers Autobot Alliance Altered Decos and FamilyMart Lottery Draws
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Alexander C. Irvine (2010). Transformers: Exodus – The Official History of the War for Cybertron. Del Rey Books. ISBN 978-0-345-52252-8.
^ [1]
^ http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/books/sticker/return/return.html
^ http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/books/sticker/revenge/revenge.html
^ http://www.gamebooks.org/fyf_tran.htm
^ [2]
^ Thundercracker (1984) – Decepticon Warrior – www.tfu.info
^ boy toys, Lancaster New Era; August 10, 2007; by Laura Knowles
^ Cobra Island Toys – Transformer Archive
^ Cobra Island Toys – Transformer Archive
^ TFW2005.com – WST Thundercracker
^ TRANSFORMERS TITANIUM SERIES Die-Cast THUNDERCRACKER Figure- Product Detail
^ TFW2005.com – Henkei Thundercracker
^ http://mastercollector.com/articles/reviews/tcrackr-review.html
^ “Transformers – Galaxy Force Secret Special DVD!”. TV Magazine. February 2006.
^ Cobra Island Toys – Transformer Archive
^ Transformer Armada, Herald News, The; April 15, 2004
^ TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON Deluxe Class: THUNDERCRACKER Figure- Product Detail
^ Wilson’s Collections: Transformers Cybertron Legends Thundercracker
^ TFW2005.com – Thundercracker
^ http://chrismowry.blogspot.com/2010/01/arcee-5-pages.html
^ Transformers Movie Voyager – Thundercracker
^ TFW2005.com – Dark of the Moon Thundercracker Revealed
^ Jim Sorenson & Bill Forster (August 15, 2009). Transformers Animated: The Allspark Almanac. Idea & Design Works Llc. p. 84. ISBN 978-1-60010-487-9.
^ TFW2005.com – Animated Thundercracker
^ S. Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak (2008). Dungeons & Dinobots. Illustrator Evan Gauntt. Fun Publications.

hide

Transformers

Toy lines

Predecessors	Microman Diaclone
Unicron Trilogy	Armada Energon Cybertron
Crossovers	Built to Rule Attacktix Star Wars Transformers Kre-O
Related	Gobots Rock Lords Battle Beasts

Media

Video games

Generation 1	The Transformers Battle to Save the Earth Mystery of Convoy G1: Awakening Devastation
Other	Beast Wars Beast Wars Transmetals Armada: Prelude to Energon Animated: The Game Prime – The Game
Cybertron series	War for Cybertron DS version Cybertron Adventures Fall of Cybertron Rise of the Dark Spark
Crossovers	DreamMix TV World Fighters Smite Angry Birds Transformers

Characters

Autobots	Optimus Prime Bumblebee Arcee Cliffjumper Grimlock Jazz Jetfire Sideswipe Smokescreen Ultra Magnus Windblade
Decepticons	Megatron Starscream Soundwave
Other	Dinobot (Beast Wars) The Fallen (Megatronus) Unicron

Fan engagement

Category

Categories:

Skywarp and Thundercracker

Skywarp

Transformers: Generation 1

Marvel Comics

Animated series

Books

Dreamwave Productions

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers

Devil’s Due Publishing

IDW Publishing

G.I. Joe

Evolutions: Hearts of Steel

3H Enterprises

Fun Publications

Toys

Beast Wars Second

Animated series

IDW Publishing

Toys

Transformers: Armada

Dreamwave Productions

Toys

Transformers: Cybertron

Animated series

Fun Publications

Toys

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

IDW Publishing

Toys

Transformers Animated

Animated Series

Toys

Transformers: Prime

Books

Video games

Toys

Thundercracker

Transformers: Generation 1

Marvel Comics

Animated series

Books

Dreamwave Productions

Devil’s Due Publishing

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

IDW Publishing

The Transformers: All Hail Megatron

The Transformers: Evolutions: Hearts of Steel

Fun Publications

Other Media

Toys

Unicron Trilogy

Animated series

Armada

Cybertron

Toys

Transformers

IDW Publishing

Titan Magazines

Video games

Toys

Transformers Animated

Animated series

Toys

Transformers: Timelines (Shattered Glass)

Fun Publications

Toys

Aligned continuity

Books

Games

Toys

Transformers: Cyberverse

Books

References

Leave a Reply Cancel reply