Sideswipe (Transformers)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the tricking move, see Sideswipe.
Sideswipe (Lambor in Japan, Frérot in Canada, Freccia in Italy) is the name of three different characters in the Transformers Universes. Currently, the name is spelled "Side Swipe" with a space because Hasbro wants to use a trademark that's easier to legally defend.
Contents |
[edit] Transformers: Generation 1 (1984)
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Sideswipe (Lambor) | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot  |
| Sub-Group | Autobot Cars |
| Function | Warrior |
| Motto | "I don't break rules, I just bend them - a lot." |
| Alternate Modes | Cybertronian Car Lamborghini Countach Lamborghini Diablo Dodge Viper Cobra Stinger |
| Series | Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Generation 2 Transformers: Universe Transformers: Alternators Transformers: Titanium |
| Voiced by | Michael Bell (English) |
Sideswipe's toy was originally part of a Takara toyline called Diaclone before Hasbro took some of the toys to use for Transformers. Sideswipe was one of the first Transformers to be released. Because they were both Lamborghinis, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were characterised as fraternal twins. Although Sideswipe was repainted to use for other characters, such as Red Alert, he is not considered to be related in fiction to those characters.
The mold used for the original Sideswipe also used for the first Generation 2 Sideswipe, and the Japanese-exclusive Autobots Tigertrack, Clampdown and Deep Cover. The Japanese variants are based on original variants used in the Diaclone line. The police car that became Clampdown was the basis for the fire escort Red Alert.
In Japan a miniature version of Sideswipe was released as part of the Worlds Smallest Transformers line. The original Sideswipe toy was reissued in 2005.
Sideswipe is described as a brave but often rash warrior. He is almost as skilled as his brother Sunstreaker in combat, but is less ruthless. He enjoys a good fight, but his impetuousness can often lead to his being injured.
Oddly, the Tech Specs and TF: Universe profiles for Sideswipe describe the Sunstreaker toy. The rocket backpack describes Sunstreaker's engine, which is on his upper back in robot mode, and the sholder mounted flares refer to the two yellow pods that mount on Sunstreaker's sholders. The mix-up may have been due to the Diaclone toy decos. The toy used for Sideswipe had three Diaclone versions: red, yellow, and police, while the Sunstreaker mold was released only in red and police decos. This might also explain the red stickers behind Sunstreaker's rear wheels.
[edit] Animated series
Towards the end of 1985, Sideswipe was a semi-regular in the series, and is among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the Stunticons. Penetrating the Decepticons’ camp, the Autobots ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, trying to prove their identities by forming Menasor. With a combination of Windcharger’s magnetic powers and Mirage’s illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too, but the deception was soon revealed, though they were still able to thwart the Decepticons’ plans.
In The Transformers: The Movie, the dead body of a robot many fans believe to be Sideswipe appears in the left corner of the frame as Springer attempts to move a torpedo launcher into place during the Battle of Autobot City. However, this is incorrect; the robot in question is actually Wheeljack (whose body appears next to Windcharger's a few seconds later into the scene), mistakenly colored like Sideswipe (The storyboards in this scene show Smokescreen's body and not Wheeljack's). In fact, Sideswipe does not appear at all in the movie, nor does he appear in any post-movie episodes of the Transformers television series. However, there was a scene planned where he, Red Alert and Tracks hop off Ultra Magnus to attack Devastator, but they all flee and Red Alert is shot in the back and killed. Whether or not Sideswipe was intended to be killed himself is unknown.
[edit] Marvel Comics
In the original Marvel Transformers comics Sideswipe's role was largely similar to that of the animated series, serving as a loyal warrior under Optimus Prime, then staying with the Autobots under Grimlock's leadership. Despite not being deactivated by the Underbase powered Starscream he was not seen again after issue #50 of the US comic. He appeared again in the Generation 2 comics as part of a raiding party under Grimlock that was outthought and captured by the forces of Jhiaxus. He was freed by Prime, and later appeared battlng the Swarm. His fate is unknown.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
Before the civil war between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Sideswipe was a merchant. After the war broke out he joined the Autobots. When Optimus Prime disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobots splintered into smaller factions. Sideswipe stayed with the main Autobot force, now under the leadership of Prowl.
With the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were testing a new mobile command base at the Praetorus Wharf, Sideswipe was part of a small investigation team led by Prowl. They discovered the mobile command base to be Trypticon and were forced to battle with little chance of success until the giant Decepticon was ordered to leave.
Some time after being reawokened on Earth four million years later, Sideswipe was aboard a ship named 'The Ark II' created by the Autobots and their human allies to end the war on Earth and return to Cybertron. However, the ship was sabotaged and exploded shortly after take-off. The human allies were killed, but Sideswipe and other Autobots were lost in the ocean. Sideswipe and the other lost Autobots were later found by Optimus Prime who used the Matrix to revive them. Sideswipe fought in the battle against the Decepticons in San Francisco, attacking Soundwave with Sunstreaker.
When Ultra Magnus came to Earth claiming that the Earth-based Autobots were Cybertonian criminals; Optimus Prime surrendered and returned to Cybertron with half of his force. Sideswipe was amongst those ordered to stay behind, now under the command of Jazz.
Sideswipe and the other Autobots who remained on Earth were attacked by Starscream and Bruticus. Sideswipe fell in this battle and was later repaired by the Earth Defense Command.
As part of a small group led by Jazz and Marissa Faireborn of the Earth Defense Command to search for missing soldiers and solve the mystery of the deserted city, Sideswipe found and battled the Insecticons along with his twin brother Sunstreaker. After defeating the Insecticons, the Autobots rejoined the other Autobots and were led by Prowl to the site of the future Autobot City: Earth.
[edit] Devil's Due Publishing
In this reimagining 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 Sideswipe and Sunstreaker both turned into Cobra Stingers. [1] Destro attempted to use them in a battle against G.I. Joe, but the two of them were temporarily put out of commission by Wheeljack. They were later seen fighting the Decepticons on Cobra Island.
Sideswipe reappeared in the third crossover series as part of the combined Autobot/G.I. Joe force trying to rescue Optimus Prime. Sideswipe returned in the fourth crossover as part of a group led by Prowl working with former G.I. Joe leader Hawk to stop the spread of Cybertronian technology on Earth. After failing to apprehend Destro, the group relaxed on their ship - only to be attacked by the Monster Pretenders, with Sideswipe being incapacitated. The story is ongoing.
[edit] 3H Enterprises
Sideswipe returned in the pages of the BotCon exclusive Transformers: Universe comics.
Sideswipe was amongst the Autobot heroes of the Great War welcomed back back to Cybertron. However, all of them were transported away by Unicron. Reformatted into a new body, he was forced to fight for Unicron's amusement (and unbeknownst to all, so that the Spark energy from fallen combatants could revitalize his own shattered frame), Sideswipe duelled his own brother. All were subsequently freed by the resurrected Optimus Primal,and Sideswipe went on to serve him as part of the new Autobot faction.
Although Universe ended at issue #3, the flashback of Optimus Prime would reveal what happened. In the final battle between the forces of Optimus Primal and Unicron, the Chaos-Bringer had disappeared (due to the events of Transformers: Energon), with Primal's forces barely making it out. Sideswipe was among those seen escaping.
[edit] IDW Publishing
According to a forum post by writer Simon Furman, Sideswipe will appear in both the upcoming Spotlight issue on Galvatron and The Transformers: Devastation [1].
[edit] Toys
- Generation 1 Deluxe Car Sideswipe (1984)
- Generation 1 Action Master Sideswipe (1991)
- As part of Europe's continuing exclusive Transformer toys, Sideswipe returned as an Action Master, along with his new partner - the battle droid Vanguard. Vanguard transformed into a backpack for Sideswipe to wear which came equipped with a protective double-barrelled helmet.
- His function is still Warrior and his motto is still "I don't break rules, I bend them - a lot."
- Generation 2 Sideswipe (1993)
- Slightly remolded and recolored black, Sideswipe was re-released in the Transformers: Generation Two toy line.
- Sideswipe was released a second time in Generation Two as a blue Lamborghini Diablo, a recolor of an Autobot named Firecracker as part of the Go-Bots line. His motto was still "I don't break rules, I just bend them - a lot."
- Transformers: Universe Sideswipe (2003)
- After a long absence, the original Sideswipe returns with a new toy. This time it is a convention exclusive, a remold of the Robots in Disguise toy Prowl. He came packaged with his now identical twin Sunstreaker. Both turned into Lamborghini Diablos.
- Transformers: Alternators Sideswipe (2003)
- Side Swipe (with a space for trademark reasons) was the second Transformer to be released in the Alternators/Binaltech toyline by Hasbro/Takara. In the Binaltech line, Side Swipe is named Lambor, for simplicity's sake he is referred to as Side Swipe for this article. Side Swipe's alternate mode is a Dodge Viper SRT-10.
- Side Swipe has been remolded as Dead End, and Sunstreaker
- Titanium Sideswipe
- A three inch tall non-transforming toy based on his Alternators form.
[edit] Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001)
As a release of an unused Generation 2 Go-Bots mold, the name Sideswipe is reused for the first time on an unrelated toy to the original. This toy did not receive any characterisation and did not appear in the show or any other fiction.
[edit] Transformers: Armada (2003)
Originally called Stepper in the Japanese series "Micron Legend", he was renamed Sideswipe when Hasbro released the series in America. Transforming into a blue Nissan Skyline, Sideswipe's alternate mode is as realistic as an Armada toy can get to an actual vehicle. However, his robot mode is considered by many to be very poorly designed and is the subject of much ridicule.
[edit] Animated series
In the animated series it was revealed that he had been saved from Decepticon execution by Blurr, and had travelled to Earth to join him. Instead, he ended up linking up with Hot Shot. Initially unwilling to put up with him, Hot Shot soon had little choice when his former friend Wheeljack arrived and took Side Swipe prisoner. Hot Shot immediately raced to his rescue, starting a fire that threatened to consume all three. Hot Shot abandoned the fight to save Side Swipe, successfully getting him out in time. After this Side Swipe hero worshipped his new friend, much to Hot Shot's bemusement, and served as his most loyal soldier when Hot Shot briefly took command of the Autobots after Optimus Prime's death.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
Side Swipe also appeared in Dreamwave's Transformers: Armada comic, with a much lesser role. He was one of a team of Autobots under Jetfire who investigated odd Space Bridge activity at the Decepticon HQ - unaware it had been taken over by the Heralds of Unicron. Bludgeon was still present, and stalked Jetfire's team. Side Swipe survived relatively unscathed - unlike Blurr and Dropshot - and helped to eventually destroy the samurai Decepticon.
[edit] Toys
Armada Sideswipe was remolded into Universe Treadshot and Universe Oil Slick.
Although no character named Sideswipe appeared in the Cybertron series, the mold used for Armada Side Swipe was remolded into the Decepticon Runamuck (Runabout in Japan).
