Crankcase (Transformers)

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Crankcase is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes series.

Transformers: Generation 1

Transformers character
Name Crankcase
Decepticon
Series Transformers: Generation 1
Information
Alternate modes Jeep Wrangler
Function Data Collector
Motto "Things are never as good as they seem."
Rank 7
Sub-group Triggercons

Crankcase is a wheezing, whining ingrate, only happy when things are bad. He also has an amazing data storage capacity. He is armed with two laser weapons.[1]

Comics

Dreamwave Productions

Although Crankcase had a biography printed in Dreamwave Productions More Than Meets The Eye series he did not appear in any of that company's fiction.

IDW Publishing

Crankcase appeared in Stormbringer #2 by IDW Publishing where he was part of the Decepticon infiltration unit on Nebulos commanded by Darkwing. They recorded the arrival of Thunderwing. In issue #3 he among the Decepticon troops fighting Thunderwing.

Fun Publications

Crankcase, Ruckus and Needlenose were supposedly referenced in Around Cybertron by Fun Publications where they attacked a waste depot that they mistook for an energon refinery in Axion Nexus.

Battletrap, Crankcase, Gutcruncher and Stormcloud appear among Bludgeon's troops in the story At War's End by Fun Publications. They help remove Abominus after the Terrorcon combiner had been defeated by Piranacon when it is believed that Hun-Gurrr sold out Bludgeon to Megatron.

Marvel Comics

Crankcase first appeared in issue #48 of the Marvel Transformers comics, in a story called "The Flames of Boltax!" In this issue we see a flashback to millions of years ago on Cybertron where Megatron commanded Crankcase, Ruckus and Windsweeper in an attempt to capture the Underbase from Boltax. They were unsuccessful and the Underbase was lost in space.[2]

Crankcase appeared in issues #64 "Matrix Quest Part 1: Bird of Brey", #71 "The Void!", #77 "Exodus!", #79 "The Last Autobot?" and #80 "End of the Road!"

Crankcase made an appearance in the Decepticon forces under the command of Megatron in issue #7 of the Marvel Generation 2 comic series, in a story called "New Dawn." Megatron lead his Decepticons against Jhiaxus' second generation Cybertronians near the moon of Tykos. The Decepticons were defeated and Megatron left injured, presumed dead, but swearing revenge.[3]

Crankcase appeared among the Decepticons under the command of Galvatron in the alternate future story "Aspects of Evil 2" from Marvel U.K. Transformers #224. In this story Rodimus Prime remembered how Galvatron, Crankcase, Ruckus and Windsweeper killed Blurr and then attacked Rodimus Prime, Kup, Arcee and the Battle Patrol. Enraged, Rodimus nearly Galvatron, but to keep the Matrix from being contaminated by hatred he relented. Oddly the Micromaster Battle Patrol was depicted as being full sized Autobots in this story. [4]

Toys

  • Generation 1 Triggercon Crankcase (1988)
A new mold.[5][6]


Transformers

Transformers character
Name Crankcase
Decepticon
Series Transformers
Information
Alternate modes 2005 Dodge Magnum
Sub-group Deluxe Vehicles

Crankcase is one of two different Decepticons in the Transformers live-action film series. The first version is an homage to the Generation 1 character.

Fictional biography

Crankcase doesn't really care about Megatron; he just joined the Decepticons because he was in a bad mood, and it's pretty much lasted. As far as he's concerned, everything is pointless and stupid. He sees no reason why anyone else should be enjoying things when he's so miserable. That's why he spends his time grumpily ruining things for Autobots and Decepticons alike. He's not much of a warrior, so he specializes in just being inconvenient. His blaster arm causes metal to rust instantly.

Comics

IDW Publishing

In issue #3 of Transformers: Defiance, Crankcase is among the troops under the command of Starscream ordered by Megatron to bring in Optimus and kill his companions.

Crankcase appears on Cybertron in the Reign of Starscream series where he is killed in an attempt to bring a duplicate of the Allspark cube online.

Titan Magazines

Note: Information in italics occure in the alternate storyline where Megatron won the battle for the Allspark.

Crankcase would return in issue #22 of the Titan Transformers Magazine series in a story called "The Decepticon who Haunted Himself."

Toys

  • Transformers Deluxe Crankcase (2008)
A Walmart exclusive redeco of Cybertron Red Alert and Cannonball. The figure was later remolded into Timelines Kup for BotCon 2009.
According to Hasbro officials at Botcon 2008, the Walmart exclusive redeco toys were originally planned to be sold under the Transformers: Universe label, but Walmart requested them be part of the movie toy line; thus, they were repackaged in movie style packaging. This means this toy was originally intended to be an updated form for the Generation 1 character.


Transformers: Power Core Combiners

Crankcase
Transformers character
Crankcast-pcc-box.jpg
Power Core Combiners Crankcase in box
Created by

Hasbro
Information
Species Transformer
Abilities

Affiliation

Decepticon
Alternate mode

Semi truck cab
Partner

Armored Car Drone, Combat Helicopter Drone, Missile Carrier Drone, Recon Plane Drone
Series

Transformers: Power Core Combiners
Sub-group

Destrons, Power Core Combiners, Scouts
Tech specs

ST07 IN06 SP06 EN09

RN03 CO05 FB10 SK04

Crankcase is a Decepticon in the Transformers: Power Core Combiners toy line.[7][8] Where Power Core Combiners fits in Transformers fiction is vague, although it has some connections with the 2007 live action Transformer movie series.

Fictional biography

Crankcase didn't start off as a bully. He started off bitter, mean and small-minded, and the strength granted by the Power Core process made him capable of taking his misery out on others. His few moments of happiness all occur when he uses his incredible might against someone unable to fight back. Then he's right back to being miserable.

Toys

  • Power Core Combiners Crankcase with Destrons (2010)
A black redeco of Power Core Combiners Huffer. Comes with four drone vehicles: an armored car, a missile carrier, a gunship and a radome-equipped Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II - all of which combine with Crankcase to form a larger robot.
The Armored Car and Missile Carrier Drones are redecos of those from Bombshock with Combaticons, while the Combat Helicopter and Recon Plane Drones are redecos of those from Skyburst with Aerialbots.[9]


Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Transformers character
Name Crankcase
Decepticon
Series Transformers: Dark of the Moon
English voice actor Unknown
Information
Alternate modes Chevrolet Suburban emergency vehicle[10]
Motto "You'll never see me coming."
Rank 8
Sub-group Cyberverse Legion, Deluxe Vehicles ,Dreads

Crankcase is one of two different Decepticons in the Transformers live-action film series. The latest on the leader of the Dreads.

Development

Film concept art of Sentinel Prime by artist Josh Nizzi named the chatacter who would become Crankcase as "Dreadwing".[11]

Books

Crankcase appears as a character in the Transformers: Dark of the Moon The Junior Novel.[12]

Films

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Crowbar, Hatchet and Crankcase are among the Decepticons hidden on the Moon in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. When the Autobots investigate the crashed ship on the moon containing Sentinel Prime the three Decepticons secretly return with the Autobots. Once on Earth they take on the disguise of Earth vehicles. The three Dreads chase the Autobots on a highway while they escort Sentinel Prime to NEST. Hatchet dies at the hands of Dino/Mirage and Bumblebee, while Crankcase and Crowbar survive and make their way to Ironhide. After a stand off, the Dreads attack Ironhide and Sideswipe. Crowbar is shot in the head by Ironhide while Crankcase is stabbed with an explosive dart and killed.

Games

Crankcase is among the characters who appear in the TRANSFORMERS CVBERVERSE Battle Builder Game.[13] He also appears in Transformers dark of the moon (video game) as a playable character in multiplayer only. Crankcase had his name swapped with Crowbar, so instead of calling him Crankcase he is called Crowbar. It caused confusion between the two.

Toys

All toys of this character are officially licensed from General Motors.

  • Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Legion Crankcase (2011)
An all-new Legion (formerly Legends) mold of Crankcase.[14]
  • Dark of the Moon Deluxe Crankcase (2011)
An all-new Deluxe mold of Crankcase, which transforms into a Chevrolet Suburban emergency vehicle. Comes with Mech Tech weapon that mounts on the roof of vehicle mode.


References

  1. Seibertron.com - Crankcase
  2. "Transformers" #48 (January 1989)
  3. Seibertron.com
  4. Seibertron.com
  5. Cobra Island Toys - Crankcase
  6. Alvarez, J.E. (2001). The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition. Schiffer Publishing Ltd.. p. 75. ISBN 0-7643-1364-9. 
  7. http://www.oafe.net/yo/tfpcc_crank.php
  8. Hasbro Showcases its Iconic Brands at San Diego Comic-Con. Business Wire; July 20, 2010
  9. TFW2005.com - Crankcase with Destrons
  10. http://automodifiedesign.com/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-transformers-3-cars-list.html
  11. http://gods-of-art.com/transformers-3-concept-art
  12. Michael Kelly (2011). Transformers: Dark of the Moon The Junior Novel. Ballantine Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0-316-18629-2. 
  13. http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=E4651B16-5056-900B-1074-AA6D591357D5:en_US
  14. MTV Geek News - Toy Fair 2011

External links