Pointblank (Transformers)
Pointblank is a fictional character from the Transformers series. He is an Autobot Targetmaster who turns into a car.
Contents
Transformers: Generation 1
Pointblank is an Autobot character in the Transformers fiction. He turns into a car and has a partner named Peacemaker who turns into a gun that Pointblank can use.
In the Japanese series Blanker, as he was known, was leader of the Cybertron Targetmasters. Peacemaker was called Peaceman in Japan.[1]
Fictional biography
Profile: Pointblank knows the horrors of war all too well. He's fought in one for millions of years. Whatever romance or glory it once held for him has long since vanished... as has the cheerful adventurer he once was. Today, Pointblank is a somber, no-nonsense soldier whose every utterance creaks with weariness. He joined Fortress Maximus's recent expedition to the planet Nebulos hoping to find peace. Instead, the war followed him and his fellow Autobots to their sanctuary. Pointblank came to the bitter realization that he could not hope to escape the war, he could only help to end it. Now he fights on, more determined than ever to defeat the Decepticons... and more convinced that an end to the war is nowhere in sight. But he's fairly quiet about his pessimistic outlook. "Words are what got us into this mess in the first place," he grumbles. "They do more harm than weapons."Pointblank's disposition improved a bit when he was paired with Peacemaker, a Nebulan law enforcement officer whose optimistic attitude is almost contagious. But so far Pointblank has displayed immunity to the Nebulan's best efforts to cheer him. Pointblank appreciates the attempt, but disapproves of the source. Although he understands the reasons behind the Autobot-Nebulan alliance, he does not accept them. The thought of spreading the war to another planet and people is anathema to the dour Autobot. Despite this, Peacemaker enjoys the challenge of loosening up his partner. He is a very patient man who believes that a positive outlook ultimately leads to success. And, as the partner of the sullen Pointblank, he's learned that patience is more than a virtue... it's a necessity.
Abilities: Peacemaker is bio-engineered to transform into a stereophonic sonic blaster. His maximum power output is an audio module-shattering 160 decibels, enough to splinter a cubic yard of solid steel into shrapnel. Pointblank can transform into a rocket-powered ground vehicle, with a maximum speed of 320 mph and a range of 800 miles. In both robot and vehicle modes, Pointblank can wield weapon mode Peacemaker.
Weaknesses: Pointblank is prone to tire blow outs at high speeds in vehicle mode. In weapon mode, Peacemaker sometimes comes loose from his moorings on vehicle mode Pointblank.
Animated series
The Transformers
Pointblank was featured in the US season 4 episode "The Rebirth", He was amongst the Autobots marooned on planet Nebulos when their starship's engines were overloaded by the Plasma Energy Chamber. While on Nebulos, he is kidnapped with the other future-Targetmasters. The Headmasters rescue them and Brainstorm modifies their weapons as exosuits for the Nebulans.
Transformers: The Headmasters
Pointblank was featured in the Japanese series Transformers: Headmasters, where he was called Blanker. The concept of the Targetmasters in this series was somewhat similar. Instead of Nebulans the Targetmaster partners were small Transformers from the planet Master. After being bonded to their partners the Targetmasters developed a telepathic link with their companions. The weapons replaced the robot's hands rather than held by them.
In the world of Transformers: Headmasters, there are no Nebulons - the Headmasters and Targetmasters themselves are simply small Transformers, who, having settled on the planet Master, learned to transform into heads and connect to lifeless larger bodies named Transtectors. It was to Master that the Decepticon forces returned after the Autobots forced them to flee Earth, and consequently, a ship was dispatched by the planet's inhabitants to alert the Earth-bound Autobots to the Decepticon invasion. At the same time, the youthful Autobot, Wheelie, had summoned three of his old superior officers - Pointblank (Blanker), Sureshot and Crosshairs - to Earth to aid in the clean-up operation currently going on, when Autobot Headmaster Chromedome accidentally activated one of the plasma bombs the Decepticons had left behind. Heading out into space so that the bomb might harmlessly explode out in the void, the Autobots then crossed paths with the approaching Master ship, which was being pursued by the Decepticon Sixshot and three new troops - Slugslinger, Misfire and Triggerhappy. As Pointblank and his men tangled with the Decepticons, the Master refugees offered their help by transporting away the plasma bombs, only to have the bombs detonate in the middle of the battlefield. Recovering from the explosion, Pointblank, Crosshairs and Sureshot discovered that the six Master refugees had been fused to their arms. Although Fortress was able to surgically remove them, a bond now existed between the larger Transformers and the Master refugees, who could now freely attach and detach to their wrists as guns. Unfortunately for these new Targetmasters, the same had happened to Slugslinger and his fellows. The Targetmasters joined up with Fortress's crew on the mission to Master, but quickly clashed with the Headmasters - Pointblank and his men were hard, experienced warriors who thought little of the Headmasters, and Pointblank spent a good deal of time attempting to soothe Chromedome's fiery temper to improve his battle ability.
Comics
Dreamwave Productions
Pointblank and Peacemaker had a biography printed in the Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye comic series.
IDW Publishing
Pointblank was one of the Autobots battling in Transformers: Stormbringer. He was only mentioned offscreen.
Pointblank was among the Autobots who took Omega Supreme for repairs after he was injured by Monstructor in Spotlight: Optimus Prime.
Marvel Comics
Note: Events exclusive to the Marvel UK Transformers comics appear in italics.
Pointblank first appeared in issue #4 of the Marvel Comics Headmasters comic in a story called "Brothers in Armor!!" where he volunteered to be binary bonded to Peacemaker as his Targetmaster partner. The Autobots then fled Nebulos for Earth in an attempt to lure away the Decepticons.[2]
In the Marvel UK Transformers story "Worlds Apart", set during issue #4 of the Headmasters comic, Crosshairs, Pointblank and Sureshot are captured by the Decepticons and used as bait to capture the Autobot Headmasters. Hardhead is able to free the Autobot Targetmasters and even the odds against the Decepticons.
Although Peacemaker is not depicted, in issue #38 of The Transformers the Autobots and Decepticons from Nebulos arrive on Earth.
In issue #39 Spike Witwicky introduces Fortress Maximus and the Autobot Targetmasters to his father Sparkplug.
Transformers: Mosaic
Pointblank appeared in the Transformers: Mosaic story "Once Was" by Martin Fisher.[3]
Toys
- Generation 1 Targetmaster Pointblank with Peacemaker (1987)
- A new mold. Pointblank turns from robot to car. Peacemaker turns from robot to gun.
Gallery
Crusaders with Crosshairs, Sureshot and Point Blank
Generations Pointblack with Up Close
References
- ↑ Jim Sorenson & Bill Forster (July 22, 2008). Transformers: The Ark II. IDW Publishing. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-1-60010-180-9.
- ↑ Bob Budiansky (w), Frank Springer (p), Ian Akin & Brian Garvey (i). "Headmasters" Brothers in Armor!! 4 (January 1988), Marvel Comics
- ↑ http://transformers-mosaic.deviantart.com/art/ONCE-WAS-94471285
