Blaster (Transformers)

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Blaster is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. The original Blaster was introduced in 1985 an an Autobot communications specialist who turned into portable radio cassette deck. In some versions he is rebuilt and becomes known as Twincast or Billy.

Transformers: Generation 1

Blaster
Transformers character
Blaster-box.jpg
Generation 1 Blaster toy
First appearance

The Transformers episode "Dinobot Island, Part 1"
Created by

Hasbro
Voiced by

Buster Jones
Japanese name

Broadcast, Twincast
Information
Species Transformer
Relatives
Abilities

Affiliation

Autobots
Alternate mode

Cybertronian stealth bomber, Cybertronian tank, Laptop computer, stereo cassette deck
Function

Communications
Motto

"When the music is rockin, I'm rolling!"
Partner

Flipsides, Lumina Hoshi, Blockrock, Steeljaw, Ramhorn, Eject
Series

Transformers: Generation 1
Transformers: Universe
Sub-group

Action Masters, Communications, Voyagers
Tech specs

ST08 IN08 SP02 EN08

RN07 CO09 FB07 SK09

Fictional biography

Profile: Blaster likes to turn it up loud. That goes for the way he does everything: fighting, talking, playing - living! If Blaster is involved, he makes his presence known. He is in the forefront of any situation. But aside from the things he normally does in the course of being an Autobot, he has a special passion: Rock 'n' Roll. His ability to monitor radio transmissions has exposed him to many Earthen musical styles, all of which he finds interesting. But it is rock music - good, hard and loud - that really sparks his circuits. He'd much rather be lost in the sound of a searing guitar solo than fight Decepticons. However, when called upon he will do what he must for the Autobot cause, albeit reluctantly at times. As Blaster likes to point out, "I hate changing channels in mid-song."

Abilities: Blaster can assume the form and shrink to the size of an AM/FM stereo cassette deck. In addition to performing the normal functions of a deck, he can receive radio signals for all frequencies. He can detect signals with power outputs as weak as a millionth of a watt. His ability to transmit radio signals up to 4000 miles makes him the communications center for the Autobots. In robot form he carries an electro-scrambler gun, which emits powerful waves of electromagnetic energy that disrupt the operations of all but the most heavily shielded electrical devices. In theory, the gun should interfere with the minute electrical impulses of the human nervous system, but Blaster has never used the gun on a human.

Weaknesses: Blaster's most obvious weakness is for rock 'n' roll. He will walk unwittingly into a trap for the promise of hearing some new tunes. Radio static has the effect of hampering his operation and even, if strong enough, knocking him out completely.

Animated series

The Transformers

Blaster's first appearance was in episode 30, "Dinobot Island, Part 1" with no particular origin, simply appearing among the Autobots. Blaster frequently spoke in rhyme resembling rap music lyrics.

He had several important appearances in season 2, most notably in "Blaster Blues", where his love of rock music and transmitting it to the other Autobots meant they were unable to respond to a Decepticon attack and prevent them from stealing a powerful decoder. He redeemed himself when he was able to transmit the location of the Decepticon base despite being captured.

In the episode "Prime Target", the big game hunter Lord Chumley captures a secret Soviet jet, leading to panic and the possibility of war. Chumley then set his sights on the ultimate trophy, the head of Optimus Prime. In order to lure Optimus in, Chumley captures the Autobots Tracks, Bumblebee, Jazz, Beachcomber, Grapple, Blaster and Inferno. Windcharger and Huffer are able to avoid being trapped. When Cosmos learns of the location chumley was keeping the captured Autobots, Optimus Prime accepts Chumley's challenge to meet him alone. Although interrupted by the Decepticons Astrotrain and Blitzwing's attempt to ally the Decepticons with Chumley, Optimus defeats the big game hunter and frees the Autobots. Chumley and the stolen jet were handed over to the Soviets by the Autobots as punishment for his actions.

He also had a prominent role in "Auto-Bop", where he faces off with his Decepticon counterpart Soundwave in a sonic duel.

In The Transformers: The Movie, set in the year 2005, Blaster was assigned to Autobot City on Earth. During the invasion by Megatron's forces, Blaster was responsible for sending a distress signal to Optimus Prime on Moonbase One. Blaster's transmission is jammed by Soundwave's cassette minions to prevent him from establishing contact with the Autobot Moonbase. For the first time we also see Blaster's own cassettes named Eject, Rewind, Ramhorn, and Steeljaw. The signal is received and Optimus Prime is able to arrive with reinforcements to defeat the Decepticons. After the attack, Blaster picked up transmissions from Moonbases One and Two. He was not seen for the rest of the film.

In episode 78, "Madman's Paradise", Spike and Carly host a banquet for a visiting ambassador. Daniel gets bored and wandered off. Grimlock follows him, and they fall into a lost chamber where Quintessons banished their criminals to other dimensions. They slipped through to the sorcerous other-dimensional realm of Menonia, and are tricked into fighting on the Red Wizard's side, only to find out that he is the Quintesson criminal, who overthrew the Golden One. Blaster, Ultra Magnus, Eject, Rewind, Ramhorn, and Steeljaw follow, and using Blaster's amplification, they help the Golden One defeat the Red Wizard. With the help of Perceptor, the Autobots and Daniel are returned to Cybertron.

He continued to appear throughout the third season. His last appearance in the US cartoon was in episode 95, "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2".

Transformers: The Headmasters

Blaster is destroyed in the Japanese Transformers: The Headmasters series during a fight with Soundwave (who also perished in the fight) and rebuilt two episodes later as Twincast, with a blue/white color scheme as opposed to the red/yellow previously. After a pivotal role in "Operation Cassette", he featured as a regular character throughout the whole series. The Twincast toy was recently re-issued by eHobby. Aside from the blue/yellow color scheme, the Twincast toy also differs from the Blaster/Broadcast toy in that the tape compartment can hold two cassette Transformers simultaneously.

Comics

Dreamwave Productions

Blaster was among the Autobot resistance during the Age of Interment, shown in the third War Within series.

In the second Generation 1 miniseries from Dreamwave Productions, Blaster is part of a resistance group led by Hot Rod. He accompanies Optimus Prime during his attack on Iacon.

IDW Publishing

Blaster was recently the subject of a Spotlight issue in 2008. The comic depicts Blaster as "The Voice", acting much like a radio DJ and bolstering Autobot morale in the war against the Decepticons. In the comic, Blaster's alternate form is a tank with a pair of large sonic cannons.

In “Spotlight: Blaster”, Blaster was badly damaged and left adrift in space, but was discovered by an alien ship who bought him back to the Autobot Command Hub under the command of Silverbolt. Having little memory of the event himself, Blaster finds that he was betrayed and nearly killed by a fellow Autobot just before his regular broadcast, in order to demoralize the Autobots just before a Decepticon attack. When the assassin tries again, Blaster eventually finds out that his attacker was Beachcomber, who was being controlled by the Decepticon Bombshell at the behest of Soundwave. Blaster manages to talk Beachcomber into resisting the control, which nearly burns out his mind. Blaster swears to get revenge on Soundwave.

Marvel Comics

In the Marvel Transformers comics Blaster originally appeared in issue #17, attempting to rescue his friend Scrounge, who was to be executed by Straxus. Blaster is captured himself and forced to watch his friend die. He is rescued by Perceptor and his Autobot group. Later, spying on Straxus' use of the Space Bridge, the Autobots decide to attack and blow it up. They discover the Space Bridge is their comrade Spanner. Blaster then battles Straxus one-on-one, seemingly destroying him. With the Space Bridge blowing itself up, Blaster has no choice but to lead his comrades (Beachcomber, Cosmos, Perceptor, Powerglide, Seaspray and Warpath) across the Bridge to Earth.[1]

Their luck didn't improve as they were attacked by Megatron and his troops on arrival, only being saved when Megatron decides to attack the Autobot bases instead. Circuit Breaker, a super-powered human whose crippling in an attack by Shockwave had left her with a pathological hatred of all Transformers, then attacks and defeated them. She mounts their heads in her Rapid Anti-Robot Attack Team headquarters. After capturing the Aerialbots as well a new problem arose. The Decepticon Battlechargers Runabout and Runamuck had been causing mayhem all across America. Using the parts from all the captured Autobots she creates a giant Autobot with herself in control, striking a deal with them that if they would co-operate she would let them go. Circuit Breaker then uses them to oppose the two Decepticons, who were attacking the Statue of Liberty. After defeating the Decepticons with Circuit Breaker the Autobots were released and rebuilt into their original forms.

After a brief side adventure in the UK comics, in which Blaster's group are attacked (and almost killed) by the insane future Decepticon Galvatron, Blaster and his men join up with the main Autobots on Earth. Soon after they join, Optimus Prime dies. Blaster delivers the eulogy at his funeral.

Jetfire, Perceptor, Blaster, Hot Spot, Ratchet and Silverbolt decide on a new Autobot leader

In issue #27, "King of the Hill!", Perceptor summons his fellow Autobots Blaster, Hot Spot, Jetfire, Omega Supreme, Ratchet and Silverbolt in order to decide who should take leadership of the Autobots. After an attack by the giant Decepticon Trypticon, Grimlock is chosen to lead them.

Blaster would soon regret this. After a mission where their cover had been blown by the Mechanic, a human, he and Goldbug, appalled by Grimlock's willingness to sacrifice humans to achieve their goals, desert. They also ran because they fear Grimlock's anger.

They had more adventures; facing the Decepticon Triple Changers and a plague of Scraplets, as well as facing off with a Decepticon strike force sent to destroy Galvatron and Ultra Magnus. Blaster (himself getting more callous) is robbed of his ally when Goldbug and the Throttlebots are betrayed by humans and captured by RAAT. He is subsequently attacked by both the Combaticons and the Protectobots, who had been sent by Grimlock to arrest him. The two combiner teams battled, with Bruticus beating Defensor. With aid from some human children Blaster takes out the giant Decepticon. As a reward, he locks Blast Off into his Decepticon shuttle mode and took them into space. There, they are attacked by Grimlock and the Ark. Surrendering to save their lives, Blaster discovers he was not alone in his discontent, especially after Grimlock had tried to have the kids executed.

Events came to a head when Fortress Maximus's group of Autobots link up with Grimlock's group, informing him that many of their group's number had been empowered by linking themselves with humans via the Headmaster and Targetmaster processes. Grimlock is not pleased, and it was quickly realized he had to be defeated. A recently-rebuilt and imprisoned Goldbug convinces Blaster to fight in Maximus' place. In the midst of their duel, Ratbat's Decepticons attacked, and the two put aside their differences to lead the Autobots to a partial victory. During the conflict, Maximus sent a unit of his troops back to Nebulos so that Prime will be resurrected via the Powermaster process. Prime soon returns and retakes command, sending Blaster to investigate the Decepticon island resort Club Con, seemingly run by Buster Witwicky. Accompanying Buster's girlfriend Jessie, he soon had his cover blown by the Seacons and was forced to flee.

Blaster encounters time-traveling Autobots who intended to deal with Galvatron, a plot detailed in the UK comics. This encounter results in Blaster being displaced to an alternate limbo realm.

He is soon freed, only to be deactivated by the Underbase powered Starscream.

Blaster was seen among the Autobots being repaired on the Ark when Optimus Prime sent Landmine and Cloudburst on their mission to obtain computer chips to repair fellow Autobots in issue #52, "Guess Who The Mechannibals Are Having For Dinner?" [2][3] Despite rescuing Sky Lynx, the two Autobots' mission ended in failure, when the pair realized the Mechannibals came by their computer chips by recycling them from other robots they ate.

Blaster's body was seen among the deactivated Autobots Ratchet is doing his best to revive in Transformers #56, "Back from the Dead".

This was not the end for Blaster; he is one of the Autobots revived by Nucleon by Grimlock and the other Dinobots. Returning to Cybertron, he battles against the coming of Unicron. After the betrayal of the Decepticons, the Autobots follow them to the planet Klo, where they were ambushed. Blaster is one of the few survivors. Then he is badly damaged by Quake's tank mode while Prowl berates Grimlock for inept strategy. He still makes the final battle along with Grimlock, Prowl and a few others. He was presnet when Optimus Prime returned with the Last Autobot and routed the Decepticon forces.

The future Blaster from the Movie continuity would also appear in the UK comics, as one of the crew of Autobot city. Arcee's unintentional dereliction of duty allows a Quintesson sneak attack to catch the city unawares, and Blaster appears to get killed trying to radio for help. His body was later strung up by the Quintessons as a taunting gesture to the other Autobots. However, he helps his comrades from "beyond the grave", allowing his cassettes Steeljaw, Eject and Ramhorn to assist in taking back the city.

It later transpires that depictions of Blaster's "death" had been greatly exaggerated; he shows up, alive and well, in the prologue to the Time Wars saga, set months after the Quintesson attack on Autobot City.

TFcon comics

Blaster appeared in the TFcon 2008 voice play "Primitive Recall."[4]

Games

Toys

  • Generation 1 Blaster (1985)
The toy that was to become the Autobot Blaster was originally released as part of the Micro Change subset of the Japanese Microman series. He was later released in 1985 by Hasbro in the U.S.[5]
  • Generation 1 Kabaya Gum Broadcast (1985)
Part of the original gum toy series by Kabaya. Each package comes with a stick of chewing gum and an easy-to-assemble kit. The completed robot looks and transforms almost the same as the larger, original Takara version, but lacks the original's eject mechanism and yellow paint applications.[6]
Generation 1 Twincast with Rhinohorn Evil Version
  • Generation 1 Twincast (1987)
A remold of Blaster available only in Japan. Blue in color and could hold 2 cassettes at once.
  • Generation 1 Action Master Blaster (1990)
Came with a back pack and weapon.
  • Binaltech Asterisk Broadblast with Lumina Hoshi (2005)
In 2005, Takara launched a sub-line from the Binaltech series, called Binaltech Asterisk, which paired Binaltech characters with female co-pilots. The third figure in the line is called Broadblast. He is paired with news reporter Lumina Hoshi. Broadblast is a silver repaint of Binaltech Skids, and does not have an equivalent in the Alternators line. Like Binaltech Skids, Broadblast is unusual among the Alternators/Binaltech toys, as he comes with a set of stickers which can be applied by the purchaser. The sticker set is similar to that supplied with Skids, but does not include Skids' characteristic red stripe stickers.[7]
  • Generation 1 Reissue Twincast with Flipsides
An ehobby exclusive. Shipped with the new cassette partner Flipsides.
  • Universe Classic Series Voyager Autobot Blaster with Blockrock (2008)
A recolor of Cybertron Soundwave was first displayed at the 2008 New York Toy Fair.[8]
A poseable Blaster figure that transforms into a Toshiba Satellite laptop that also doubles as a working 4-port USB hub. In robot mode, his chest can fit any of the Generation 1 cassette robots.
  • Universe Generation 1 Series Autobot Blaster with Steeljaw, Ramhorn and Eject (2010)
A San Diego Comic-Con International exclusive reissue of the original figure with cassettes Steeljaw, Ramhorn and Eject.[12][13]
  • Generations Platinum Edition Autobot Intel Ops (2015)
A 6-pack which includes Blaster, Eject, Perceptor, Ramhorn and Steeljaw.

Gallery


Shattered Glass

Blaster
Transformers character
Blaster-sg.jpg
Blaster in Solar Requiem
First appearance

Do Over by Fun Publications
Created by

Hasbro
Information
Species Transformer
Abilities

Affiliation

Autobots
Alternate mode

Stereo cassette deck
Partner

Ramhorn and Rewind
Series

Transformers: Timelines
Sub-group

Communications
Tech specs

ST08 IN07 SP07 EN07

RN08 CO06 FB09 SK09

This Blaster was introduced in 2009 as an evil mirror universe version of the Generation 1 character. He is evil, sadistic and speaks with a thick German accent. Ramhorn, Rewind and Steeljaw work as his minions.

Fun Publications

Blaster is one of the many Autobots aboard the Ark in Do Over by Fun Publications. The Ark launches from Cybertron for Earth under the command of Rodimus and is followed by the Decepticon ship Nemesis, under the command of Starscream. While battling over Earth it is shot down by human defense systems.[14]

Blaster is spotlighted in the story Blitzwing Bop where he is one of two Autobots who were not affected by a radio disruption broadcast by the Decepticon Blitzwing. Sent to recover Blitzwing, he plans to send the Decepticon to Cybertron on the Stellar Spanner with an amplifier which will destroy everyone on the planet, including Blitzwing! He is stopped by Soundwave and Thunderwing and thrown in to the Spanner, which ends up placing him on Earth's moon.

Blaster appeared in Solar Requiem, where he escaped Earth's moon to the Earth and confronted Soundwave.[15]

Blaster appeared in Another Light. With the Autobots captured by the Knights of Cybertron, Rodimus Prime returned to challenge Nova Prime. When Cybertron started to transform into Primus, Rodimus ordered the Autobots to abandon the planet.[16]

Toys

  • ehobby Shattered Glass Soundwave vs. Blaster (2013)
An ehobby exclusive includes recolors of the Generation 1 toys Soundblaster, Ratbat, Slugfest, Twincast, Rewind and Ramhorn in Shattered Glass colors. Also includes the new character of Solarbot, a recolor of Rewind.[17]


Fall of Cybertron

Blaster
Transformers character
Blaster-generations-box.jpg
Generations Blaster toy
Created by

Hasbro
Information
Species Transformer
Abilities

Affiliation

Autobots
Alternate mode

Cybertronian communications truck
Partner

Steeljaw
Series

Transformers: Generations
Sub-group

Voyagers
Tech specs

ST09 IN06 SP03 EN09

RN07 CO09 FB08 SK07

The Blaster from the Transformers: Fall of Cybertron line was introduced in 2012 as an update of the 1985 character.

Fictional biography

Autobot Blaster has amassed an incredible collection of music from across the galaxy. From hundreds of worlds, he's gathered the loudest, fastest, most brutal, earsplitting, guitar-shredding rock-and-roll he could find. When you charge into battle alongside Autobot Blaster, you are accompanied by a thunderous soundtrack of which even the mightiest viking would approve.

Books

Blaster appears in the novel Transformers: Retribution as part of the crew of the Ark.

Toys

  • Generations Voyager Blaster with Steeljaw (2013)

Gallery


References

  1. The Official Overstreet Comic Book Companion, 11th Edition, Page 257 by Robert M. Overstreet, 2010
  2. Seibertron.com
  3. "Transformers" #52 (May 1st, 1989)
  4. "Part 1 - TFCon2008 Voice Actor Script Reading". YouTube. 2008-06-25. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXJ-J74PsWU&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL9A3BCD122B320BD8. Retrieved 2012-08-17. 
  5. Blaster (1985) - Autobot Communications - www.tfu.info
  6. TFW2005.com - Kabaya Gum Broadcast
  7. Awesome Transformers Toys, News & Reviews - TFormers.com
  8. [Ny Toy Fair Preview] Transformers Universe Classics : News
  9. TFW2005.com - Device Label Broadcast
  10. TFW2005.com - In-Hand Look at Device Label Blaster
  11. TFW2005.com - Image Gallery of Takara Tomy Device Label Broad Blast/Blaster
  12. San Diego Comicon Exclusives, Toy Review magazine issue #213, Fall 2010, page 23
  13. "Hasbro's New Transformers for 2008". Mania.com. http://www.mania.com/hasbros-new-transformers-for-2008_article_57616.html. Retrieved 2012-08-17. 
  14. S. Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak (2009). Do Over. Illustrator Yuki Oshima. Fun Publications. 
  15. Jesse Wittenrich (2013). Solar Requiem. Illustrator Hidetsugu Yoshioka. Fun Publications. 
  16. Jesse Wittenrich & Pete Sinclair (w), Eryck Webb (p), Eryck Webb (i), Evan Gauntt (col), Jesse Wittenrich (let), Pete Sinclair (ed). "Another Light Part 6 - The Future Buried" The Transformers Collectors Club 66 (December/January 2016), Fun Publications
  17. http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/e-hobby-tfcc-shattered-glass-blaster-vs-soundwave-set-toy-image-175850/

External links

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