Beachcomber (Transformers)
Beachcomber is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. The original Beachomber was a main character introduced in the second season of the Transformers animated series, voiced by Alan Oppenheimer. All versions of this character are Autobots who turn into dune buggies.
Contents
Transformers: Generation 1
Beachcomber's bio presented him as somewhat of a pacifist. He hates fighting, and prefers the solitude of just driving through Earth's scenery, like coastal areas and deserts. This is not to say he's a coward - he'll fight when required, but simply hates doing it. His personality is very cool and collected. [2]
The cool-headed peace seeker, Beachcomber (Déferlo in French Canada, Pulce in Italy) was a blue dune buggy in vehicle mode. To apparently reflect this vehicle's association with nature his character was as pacifistic as any Autobot could come. He seemed to have an almost magical connection to nature.
Marvel Comics
Beachcomber was originally part of an Autobot group in the "Dead End" region of Cybertron. He was part of the group that went to save the captive scientist Spanner. Accompanying the others to blow up the Decepticon base, they were horrified to discover that the Decepticons had built Spanner into the Space Bridge itself. Destroying the Bridge as a mercy-killing, Beachcomber and his comrades (Cosmos, Blaster, Warpath, Perceptor, Seaspray and Powerglide), with no chance of escaping to Cybertron, crossed the bridge to Earth.[3]
They were captured by Circuit Breaker and her Rapid Anti-Robot Attack Team, taken to her lab and then dissected. After capturing the Aerialbots she encountered a new problem - the Decepticon Battlechargers Runabout and Runamuck were causing mayhem across America. Using the parts from all the captured Autobots, she created 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 used them to battle the two Decepticons, who were attacking the Statue of Liberty. After defeating the Decepticons with Circuit Breaker the Autobots were released.
After a side-adventure in the UK comics in which they encountered (and were almost killed by) the future Decepticon Galvatron, Beachcomber's group linked up with the main Autobots - only to learn of the death of Optimus Prime.
From then on Beachcomber would appear less as more characters were introduced. He was one of those deactivated during the Underbase-powered Starscream's rampage.
Animated series
Beachcomber first appeared in the television series episode "The Insecticon Syndrome", and continued to appear throughout the second season.
His most prominent appearance was in "The Golden Lagoon", he inadvertently brought fighting to a hidden lagoon full of electrum, which had an invulnerability property discovered when the Decepticon Thrust coated himself in the golden liquid. This sparked a battle for control over the Lagoon that left the secret forested area a charred wasteland. Beachcomber, who showed his sensitivity for this once peaceful oasis was crest-fallen by the destruction that now laid out in front of him. As his Autobot comrades celebrated another victory over the Decepticons, he closed the episode, sadly looking over the destruction they helped to cause, saying to himself, "We won...".[4]
In the episode "Prime Target", the big game hunter Lord Cholmondeley captured a secret Soviet jet, leading to panic of possibly war. Cholmondeley then set his sights on the ultimate trophy, the head of Optimus Prime. In order to lure Optimus in Cholmondeley captured the Autobots Tracks, Bumblebee, Jazz, Beachcomber, Grapple, Blaster and Inferno. When Cosmos learned of the location Cholmondeley was keeping the captured Autobots Optimus Prime accepted Cholmondeley's challenge to meet him alone. Although interrupted by the Decepticons Astrotrain and Blitzwing who attempted to ally with Cholmondeley, Optimus defeated the big game hunter and freed the Autobots. Cholmondeley and the stolen jet were given over the Soviets by the Autobots as punishment for his actions.
In The Transformers: The Movie, there is a scene where Daniel Witwicky is trying to save his dad Spike from the acid pool deep within the planet-eating robot Unicron. A robot is apparently dropped into the acid just before Spike, and, although the shot is too far away to tell definitively, it appears as though it could be Beachcomber. Since he made an appearance later in the series, it is likely he had survived. However, it is much more likely that a generic robot who shared Beachcomber's color scheme was used in the movie, as opposed to a conscious decision by the producers and animators to include Beachcomber in the film.
His last animated appearance was in episode #70, "The Five Faces of Darkness Part 5" where he was part of the team defending the Ark against Trypticon.
Dreamwave Productions
Beachcomber did not make any major appearance in Dreamwave comics. However, an Autobot that resembles Beachcomber was shown in the Autobot base in Generation 1: War and Peace.
IDW Publishing
Beachcomber made his first appearance in IDW's Transformers comics in the Spotlight issue on Blaster. Captured by Soundwave, he was implanted with a cerebro-shell by Bombshell, turning him into an unwilling traitor, who ejected Blaster into space. After Blaster was recovered, Beachcomber tried to kill him twice more, but was exposed by Blaster. The truth came out and Blaster gave Beachcomber the strength to resist. The price was high though - Beachcomber's cerebral processor was burnt out, leaving it unclear if he would recover.
Beachcomber appeared in Spotlight: Doubledealer where he was among the Autobots fighting Thunderwing on the planet Corata-Vaz.
Fun Publications
Beachcomber was among the troops under the command of Spark on Earth.[5]
Toys
- Generation 1 Mini-Bot Beachcomber (1985)
- A new mold that turned into a dune buggy.[6]
- Generation 2 Mini-Bot Beachcomber
- Beachcomber was recolored metallic green and released in Generation 2. Except for recoloring, he was the same as the Generation 1 toy.[7][8]
- Universe Generation 1 Series Legends Beachcomber (2008)
Transformers: Armada
Beachcomber, along with Generation 1 Targetmaster Crosshairs made brief cameos in the first episode of Transformers: Armada, since then neither characters have appeared in any of the following episodes.
Transformers: Energon
The Beachcomber name appeared again in Transformers: Energon. Beachcomber is a recolor of Energon Cliffjumper. While the animated series treated this recolor of Cliffjumper as his upgrade, the toy line and Dreamwave comics treated it as new character.
Appropriately for his name, Beachcomber was described as responsible for seaside patrol around Ocean City. While nominally good at his job, Beachcomber is still a light hearted practical joker.
Animated series
Although Beachcomber never appeared in the animated Energon series, Cliffjumper first appeared in this color in the Energon episode #38, "Optimus Supreme".
Dreamwave Productions
Beachcomber also appeared in Dreamwave's Energon comic, as one of the Autobots volunteering to head to Earth to battle the Terrorcon invasion.
Perhaps in order to keep him separate from Cliffjumper, Beachcomber was rendered with a very different head in the Energon comic than his toy, which is identical to Cliffjumper.
Toys
- Energon Ultra Beachcomber
- A redeco of Energon Cliffjumper. He came with two missiles and missile launchers. This toy was never sold in Japan.[11][12]
Transformers: Animated
Beachcomber appears as an Autobot in season 3 of Transformers: Animated. He is a homage to his Generation 1 namesake. According to Derrick J. Wyatt, Tom Kenny recorded some lines for Beachcomber, but it was cut due to time limits.
Animated Series
Beachcomber first appeared in a crowd scene in the episode "Decepticon Air".
Transformers: Timelines
This Beachcomber is an evil mirror universe version of Generation 1 character. He is insane and always talks in song lyrics. He turns into a military dune buggy.
Fun Publications
In the story Dungeons & Dinobots by Fun Publications Rodimus describes Cliffjumper as being "Like, extra crazy... Beachcomber crazy..."
Although not depicted directly, Beachcomber was one of the many Autobots aboard the Ark in Do Over by Fun Publications. The Ark launched from Cybertron for Earth under the command of Rodimus and was followed by the Decepticon ship Nemesis, under the command of Starscream. While battling over Earth it was shot down by human defense systems.[13]
Beachcomber was among the Autobots who crashed on Earth. He joined up with a small group lead by Goldbug who later discovered Rodimus was alive on Earth.[14]
"Cats in the cradle! And the silver spoon! Now’s your time to burn your mind!" - Beachcomber
Beachcomber is spotlighted in the story Blitzwing Bop where he is one of two Autobots who are not affected by a disruption broadcast by the Decepticon Blitzwing. It seems that his insanity made him mostly immune to Blitzwing's influence. He is sent by Rodimus Prime to attack the Decepticon base while most of the Autobots and Decepticons are in stasis lock. He faces the Decepticon automatic defenses and their human companions, but is delayed long enough for the signal to be dampened so the Decepticons can come out of stasis. Once faced with the entire Decepticon army in their own base Beachcomber flees. He may be crazy, but he isn't that crazy!
Toys
Although no toy for this Beachcomber was ever made the author claims he appears nearly identical to the toy for Hardtop in the 2007 Transformers film toy line.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
There was a time when Beachcomber was interested in warfare. Beachcomber spent his time exploring the barren wilderness of remote planets. Now, however, the war has drawn him into its grip.[15]
Beachcomber transforms into a Desert Patrol Vehicle.
Toys
- Revenge of the Fallen Scout Beachcomber (2010)
- A redeco of scout Dune Runner. First images appeared on the internet on October 29, 2009. He is part of a 2-pack with his rival the Decepticon Deadlift.[16]
References
- ↑ http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Alan-Oppenheimer/
- ↑ Transformers and Philosophy by John R. Shook
- ↑ The Official Overstreet Comic Book Companion, 11th Edition, Page 257 by Robert M. Overstreet, 2010
- ↑ http://www.tv.com/transformers/golden-lagoon/episode/76006/summary.html
- ↑ Greg Sepelak & Trent Troop (w), Robby Musso (p), Robby Musso & Frank Milkovich (i). "Generation 2: Redux" Transformers Timelines v2, 5 (Summer, 2010), Fort Worth, Texas: Fun Publications
- ↑ Alvarez, J.E. (2001). The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition. Schiffer Publishing Ltd.. p. 23. ISBN 0764313649.
- ↑ http://www.mastercollector.com/articles/reviews/review100305.htm
- ↑ Brereton, Erin (2006). Transformers: The Fantasy, The Fun, The Future. Triumph Books. p. 22. ISBN 1572439831.
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attachment.php?do=fullview&attachmentid=8785
- ↑ http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/universe2/legends/beachcomber
- ↑ http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/unicrontrilogy/energon/beachcomber
- ↑ http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Transformers_Energon_Beachcomber.pdf
- ↑ S. Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak (2009). Do Over. Illustrator Yuki Oshima. Fun Publications.
- ↑ Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak (May 1, 2009). Eye in the Sky. Fun Publications.
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-toys--products-30/revenge-of-the-fallen-scout-class-slap-dash-trenchmouth-beachcomber--deadlift-package-shots-168745/
- ↑ http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/rotf/scout/roadrival
