Landmine (Transformers)
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Landmine is the name to two different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.
Contents |
[edit] Transformers: Generation 1
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Landmine (Lander) | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot  |
| Sub-Group | Pretenders |
| Rank | 6 |
| Function | Asteroid Miner |
| Motto | "The greatest treasures are found in the darkest places!" |
| Alternate Modes | Cybertronian Exploration Vehicle |
| Series | Transformers: Generation 1 |
| Voiced by | Ryouichi Tanaka (Japanese) |
Landmine is one of the first Autobot Pretenders to be created. The Autobot Pretenders are Transformers who have an armored shell usually resembling a humanoid. As with many Pretenders, Landmine did not appear in a cartoon shown in the U.S.; his only appearance was in the Marvel comics.
[edit] Animated series
In Transformers: Masterforce series, Landmine was called Lander and was a different character completely to his U.S. counterpart. He was one of the Cybertron Pretenders under Metalhawk. Lander was depicted as being able to drive over water and sideways on buildings. In robot mode his left hand could retract and launch knock-out gas.
Lander is very well adapted to his life as a human, and seems to enjoy fitting in as one. He wears glasses, even though he probably doesn't need them, collects wine, goes on dates to concerts, and seems to revel in being a human more than any other Pretender.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
Although Landmine did get a full character profile in Dreamwave's More Than Meets The Eye series, he didn't appear in their comic stories before the company closed.
Landmine craves adventure, and sometimes even the epic Autobot/Decepticon conflict isn't enough for him. He's a true hero in the romantic sense: He wants to daringly rescue innocents from the clutches of nefarious villains and then ride off into the sunset, or explore dark caverns for the long-lost artifacts of ancient civilisations. Although he's a dreamer who runs hot, he's still a hard-working and dedicated Autobot, well known for his perfectionism and desire to get things done right. He often functions as field commander of the loose-knot Pretender unit.
Landmine is immensely strong and highly intelligent. He is a Pretender whose shell is composed of a high-density alloy impervious to most weapons. It is designed for deep space mining operations. Shell is armed with a large metal saber with a laser cutting edge and an astro blaster that fires incendiary explosives (also useable in robot and vehicle modes). Inner robot transforms into an all-terrain exploration vehicle with magnetic wheels that allow it to lock onto the asteroids he's mining. Landmine possesses radiation, chemical, electromagnetic, thermal and sonic sensors to aid in detecting valuable materials.
Landmine's dreams of adventure sometimes distract him from the work at hand.
[edit] Marvel Comics
Although not seen or mentioned directly, Landmine was among the Autobots who joined Fortress Maximus in leaving Cybertron for the planet Nebulos (Transformers: Headmasters #1).
Followed to Nebulos by the Decepticons under Scorponok, Fortress Maximus's band left Nebulos for the planet Earth (Transformers: Headmasters #4).
When Brainstorm needed subjects to duplicate the Decepticon Pretender experiment, Landmine and five other Autobots volunteered and became the Autobot Pretenders. They fought the Decepticon Pretenders with the help of Optimus Prime and Goldbug (Transformers #40).
Landmine was present when Grimlock fought Blaster for leadership of the Autobots on Earth's moon. The Autobots were then attacked by the Decepticons lead by Ratbat (Transformers #41).
His most notable appearance was in issues #52-#53, where he and Cloudburst were sent by Optimus Prime to deep space on a quest to purchase new microchips to fix the Autobots killed or injured during the Underbase saga. The quest eventually led Landmine and Cloudburst to a planet called Femax, ruled exclusively by women. The women forced Landmine and Cloudburst to fight in gladiatorial combat.
Landmine last appeared in issue 76 of the U.S. Marvel Comics series.
[edit] Trivia
One of the hotels in Walt Disney World is called the Pop Century, which has different buildings from different decades of the later half of the 1900's. In the lobby are a series of shadow boxes with memorbelia from each decade. In the one from the 1980's are various items including a Transformers Landmine robot.
[edit] Transformers: Energon
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Landmine | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Sub-Group | Ultra Vehicles (Energon) Deluxe Vehicles (Cybertron) |
| Function | Soldier (Energon) Traffic guard (Superlink) Warrior (Cybertron) Aggressor (Galaxy Force) |
| Partner | Dirt Boss (Cybertron only) |
| Motto | "My fists are deadlier than your guns." (Energon) "My wheel track averages out any fight." (Superlink) "I will give the public peace and desire." (Galaxy Force) |
| Alternate Modes | Semi-truck with plow and crane trailer. (Energon) Scoop Loader (Cybertron) |
| Series | Transformers: Energon Transformers: Cybertron |
| Voiced by | Ward Perry (Energon) Kenta Miyake (Superlink) Paul Dobson (Cybertron) Tomoyuki Shimura (Galaxy Force) |
Landmine is one of the most powerful soldiers under the leadership of Rodimus. He and Prowl were Rodimus's most loyal followers, going everywhere with him without question. Landmine turns into a powerful construction vehicle with an enormous crane platform. Landmine can powerlink with his weapons pack to become Landmine "Brute Mode".
Landmine is one of the most powerful soldiers under the leadership of Optimus Prime. His giant fists award him the strongest punch of all the Autobots. Many Decepticons have learned never to challenge him to one-on-one combat. In vehicle mode, he is a powerful construction vehicle with an enormous crane platform capable of lifting ten times his weight. Landmine's crane platform can attach to his cab in robot mode to form a super combination Brute Mode. This Brute Mode is the secret behind his powerful punch.
Takara says he prepares to take out numerous enemies with his Grand Shaver. An experienced soldier, who gets through many rough battles. Has the special ability to power up and unite with his crane platform, in this mode he exceeds the punching power of all the Cybertrons.
[edit] Animated series
Landmine first appeared in Transformers: Energon episode 11 "The Legend Of Rodimus".
Landmine was later upgraded into his Landquake color scheme, but retained the same name, in Japan. In the U.S. toy bios, Landquake was supposed to be his brother. In both versions of the television series, Landmine was repainted into those colors and no brother was mentioned.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
Landmine first appeared in Transformers: Energon #24 "Aftershock" and also appeared in issue #27.
Landmine is extremely powerful, wielding the strongest punch of all the Autobots. He is also very loyal to Optimus Prime and the Autobot cause. He originally went with Rodimus to help create a peaceful existence, but is very happy under the command of Optimus Prime. He wants to defend his fellow Autobots, and the humans alike, from the machinations of Megatron and the Decepticons. Landmine shares basically the same physical characteristics with his brother Landquake. While Landquake prefers to stay away from combat, Landmine enjoys it. He will take on any Decepticon at any moment, crushing them in his huge claws. The Decepticons have learned never to challenge him to one-on-one combat. Landmine really enjoys harsh conditions such as blizzards and hurricanes. He is very well suited for such environments and they give him an advantage during battle. Landmine's alternate mode is a standard cab truck with four wheel drive and a v-shaped plow on the front. A removable construction platform in the rear that includes tracks, a crane, claws, and a missile launcher. This platform can transform into a gunnery station or powerlinx with Landmine to become what he calls his "Brute mode", which is the secret behind his powerful punch.
With his platform attached in vehicle mode, he becomes a half-track able to traverse any terrain. His crane is able to lift ten times his own weight. Once detached, the platform can be remotely operated by Landmine. Landmine was awarded the red spark of combination which means he can powerlinx with his construction platform. In this mode, he can use his winch to grab opponents and bring them closer to his huge fists which he can use to punch or crush them. His rocket launcher is also brought to shoulder-mount to help sight in his enemies.
Landmine relies on his giant fists too often in battle and can be taken down from a distance. Also, when one of his many mechanical attachments becomes worn or broken, it is difficult for him to get them fixed.
[edit] Transformers: Cybertron
Landmine is the American name to Guard Shell who appears in the Japanese series Transformers: Galaxy Force. Although Landmine is said to be the same character as the Landmine from Energon, Galaxy Force is not written to be a sequel in Japan and Guard Shell is a completely original character. After being sold by itself, Landmine's toy was later packaged with the Mini-Con Dirt Boss and a Tiny-Tin as a promotion at Walmart stores.
With a wisdom born of experience, and a tactical knowledge unmatched among the Autobot ranks, Landmine is a soldier other 'bots follow without reservation. He suffered heavy injuries in the final fight with Unicron. After a crash-landing on Earth, he was repaired by the new human allies of the Autobots. An excellent battlefield commander, he's determined to prevent the Decepticons from gaining an edge by recovering the Earth Cyber Planet Key.
Takara says despite his strong appearance, he has a kind heart to humans. Because peace in the universe is being threatened, Guardshell rushes to battle, protecting his comrades. Transforms to an earthen bulldozer, and secretly protects humans from the Transformers battle.
A quiet and devoted warrior, Landmine eventually cared deeply for his adopted homeworld and determined to protect it from Decepticons while searching for Earth's Cyber Planet Key. He uses a Cyber Key to activate his Cyber Tempest weapon.
Landmine was a mentor to Mudflap and helped in beinging his old friend back to the Autobots after Mudflap's brief stint as a Decepticon.
In the episode 14, Hero, Red Alert contacted the Autobots on Earth and asked for Optimus Prime to join then on Velocitron. Ransack and Crumplezone tricked Hot Shot and Dirt Boss into believing that a race between them would determine which of them would be allowed to race Override for the Planet Cup. During the race Ransack and Crumplezone caused a rockslide that buried Hot Shot, but he was saved when Optimus Prime, Vector Prime and Landmine arrived. Optimus was upset that Hot Shot had become involved with the locals. Clocker and Brakedown were eager to help the Autobots. After being unable to obtain the Planet Cup from Override himself, Optimus Prime endorsed Hot Shot's plan to win the cup in a race, with the other Autobots aiding him. Ransack and Crumplezone were contacted by Megatron and were told to keep on eye on things, so they too decided to enter the race, either to win the cup, or at least cause as much damage as they could to the other racers. The qualification round started with Override, Dirt Boss, Ransack, Crumplezone, Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, Red Alert, Landmine, Clocker and Brakedown participating.
Landmine briefly gained gigantic size increased powers thanks to a Cyber Planet Key on the Giant Planet, turning him into a giant which could defeat a similarly enhanced Starscream. Landmine is also said to be one of the Autobots who originally trained Optimus Prime, and honor shared only with the Armada character Scavenger.
