Divebomb
Divebomb is the name of three fictional characters in the various Transformers series. The original Divebomb was introduced in 1986, and was voiced by Laurie Faso in the The Transformers animated series. Since then other characters have been given the name Divebomb.
Contents
Transformers: Generation 1
Divebomb was a member of the Predacons made up of Razorclaw, Divebomb, Rampage, Headstrong, and Tantrum.
His original bio: "He's like a kid at a candy store-always delighted by all the targets he has to choose from. Builds mecha-nests atop tall buildings and mountains; composed of late model sports cars, wings of jets and theater marquees. Back-mounted rocket thrusters allows speed of 300 mph, 2000 mile range. Can see a dime from 10,000 feet. Has particle-beam rifle with infrared light, and laser guided sword. Magnetism inhibits flying ability. With fellow Predacons, forms Predaking."[1] [2]
Marvel Comics
Although Divebomb would most often appear as part of the Predacons, one special story would highlight his background in the U.K. Transformers strip #135-136. In it, it was revealed that Divebomb had been a rival of the Dinobot Swoop (then known as Divebomb) when the two were still on Cybertron, with Divebomb not only besting Swoop but stealing his name as well, with Swoop only being saved by the intervention of Optimus Prime. [3]
Much later, after the Transformer war had spread to Earth, a bored Divebomb, tired of terrorizing humans, was confronted by his old adversary. The two engaged in a rematch but were interrupted by the other Predacons and Dinobots (much to both combatants' annoyance, as they had both wanted a one-on-one duel), who promptly battled. In the midst of this Divebomb again beat Swoop, who tricked him into attacking Grimlock, who pummelled him. Swoop intervened, promising that he and Divebomb would battle again fairly in the future.
Animated series
The Predacons made their dramatic debut in the year 2005, as the Decepticon/Quintesson alliance began its attack on the Autobots on both Earth and Cybertron. With the Autobots Blurr and Wheelie and the human Marissa Faireborn stranded on Io, one of Jupiter's moons, while attempting to deliver the transformation cog that would allow the Autobot battle station, Metroplex, to transform and fight back, communications officer Blaster attempted to contact Cybertron for reinforcements, revealing his allies' plight. The transmission was intercepted by the Quintessons, however, and upon learning the location of the cog, they dispatched the Predacons to Io to ensure it would not reach Earth. After an initially poor showing in their individual robot and animal modes, the team merged to form Predaking, but were confronted by the massive Autobot Sky Lynx and bested, leading to an enmity between the two.
The Predacons were in their element for their first mission in 2006, operating in the wilds of the planet Dredd, where they again battled Sky Lynx and several other Autobots, but were defeated when they were buried in an avalanche created by the planet's native Chaos monster. Later, they participated in the invasion of Paradron, with Divebomb pursuing escapee Sandstorm and Razorclaw co-ordinating the shooting down of the Autobot reinforcement vessel he returned with.
While en route to Chaar at a later date, Predaking intercepted an unusual Quintesson signal and tracked it to a jungle planet, where they came upon a group of Autobots who had done the same and discovered an electronic journal recording Quintesson military transactions. The team merged into Predaking, who immediately targeted Sky Lynx among the group, seeking revenge for his past defeats; Sky Lynx out-manoeuvered the Decepticon, but, rather than best him in combat, had to get his fellow Autobots to safety. When the Decepticons then acquired the journal, Predaking was reluctant to retreat until having finished off Sky Lynx, but stood down in the face of Galvatron's wrath.
When the ancient genius Primacron unleashed his energy-absorbing creation, Tornedron, on the universe, Primacron's assistant sought to foil his former mentor by amassing a team of "Primitives" - Transformers with animal instincts that could hopefully thwart Primacron's complexities. The Predacons were among the Transformers summoned from a battle on Earth's moon to a dead world at the center of the universe, where Tornedron confronted them. Refusing to run from him, the Predacons formed Predaking and battled Tornedron, who took the shape of a giant warrior, absorbing all energy Predaking threw at them until he had been drained of life. Of all the Primitives, only Grimlock survived, and was subsequently able to stop Tornedron and Primacron, restoring the Predacons and the others to life.
After participating in the Decepticon attack on Japan, the Predacons were among the Transformers infected when the madness-inducing Hate Plague swept the universe. The animosity bred by the plague did not prevent the Predacons from combining into Predaking and pursuing the uncontaminated Galvatron, however, only to be forced to retreat by a squad of uninfected Autobots led by Optimus Prime. When Prime subsequently released the power of the Matrix, the plague was cured.
The Predacons continued to put in short appearances in 1987's Japanese-exclusive spinoff series, Transformers: Headmasters, usually fighting alongside and against the other combiner teams in various battles.
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions' 21st century re-imagining of the original universe had little time to focus on the Predacons before the company's closure. It was revealed that Divebomb and the other Predacons were once warlords on Cybertron who were cast into exile in space. Settling on Planet Beest, home of the Battle Beasts, the Predacons sank into a feral state, and lived as inhabitants of that world for untold years, until Megatron arrived. He defeated all the Predacons, and reengineered them to combine as Predaking. They then headed to Earth, defeating Bruticus - but Dreamwave went into bankruptcy from there.
Devil's Due Publishing
Divebomb returned in the third G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers crossover from Devil's Due Publishing. As part of the Predacons, he battled the Seacons until interrupted by Serpentor. He had an argument with Terrorcon leader Hun-Grr about signing on with the new Decepticon army. As part of his army he took down Omega Supreme as part of Predaking, and was assigned as a guard to watch the various Autobot and G.I. Joe prisoners. He was seen listening to Rampage talk about hunting down humans - but both were taken out by Grimlock.
IDW Publishing
In the miniseries The Transformers: Stormbringer Divebomb is the head of a Decepticon team dispatched by Razorclaw to assist the beleaguered Wreckers against Thunderwing after seeing their bravery. Divebomb and the other Decepticons fought bravely, but pulled out when Razorclaw prepared to blitz Cybertron from orbit, although Thunderwing was stopped by Optimus Prime. Divebomb implies that he fought against Thunderwing originally. His alternate mode here is that of a Cybertronian jet.
Fun Publications
According to the Tech Spec of Botcon '06 exclusive Laserbeak, Divebomb was the one who reformatted Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, and Ravage into Predacons, in exchange for their loyalty for an enigmatic project (though hints given indicate that the 'project' was the quiet staging for a Predacon rebellion against the ruling Maximal class and their own peace-accepting brethren); it is known that Ravage would grow disenchanted with his role, and leave to set up his role as an agent for the Tripredacus Council.
Divebomb appeared prominently in the accompanying comic "Dawns of Futures Past", where it was revealed that he was prominent in facilitating the escape of Megatron's Darksyde crew after they had stolen the Golden Disc, presumably as he had learned of the rogue Predacon's plan to alter history. He sent Laserbeak and Buzzsaw to destroy all pursuit, but they were themselves destroyed by the Axalon. Much later, after the conclusion of Beast Machines, Divebomb was seen reporting to his true master - Razorclaw.
Toys
- Generation 1 Divebomb
- Timelines Divebomb (unreleased)
- There were plans to make a Timelines Divebomb toy, a repaint of Transformers: Cybertron Brimstone, but the toy was never released.
- Generation 1 reissue Predacon Predaking (not released yet)
- A Takara reissue of the five Predacons in metallic finish. [6]
Transformers: Energon
Divebomb was a Terrorcon and transformed into a hawk.
Animated series
Like the other Terrorcons, Divebomb was not an individual entity, but an army of drones which formerly existed as the inhabitants of the doomed Planet Q, consumed by Unicron and recreated from him by the planet's deranged ruler, Alpha Q using the power of Energon. Possessed of no true intelligent thought and only very rarely transforming into robot mode, the Divebomb swarms are fragile, exploding under minimal artillery fire, but will swarm over their objective like insects, usually managing to tear down opposition through sheer numbers. The Divebomb Terrorcons were often seen carrying the Battle Ravage and Cruellock drones to their targets during battle.
Dreamwave Productions
Divebomb would first appear in Energon #19, as part of a group meeting of the Terrorcons gatecrashed by Starscream, who was promptly disposed of by Scorponok. Divebomb had a different background here - he was a renegade Decepticon unhappy with the peace that had come over Cybertron since the defeat of Unicron ten years previously. Divebomb and the other Terrorcons were enhanced by Unicron in return for finding him energon. The Terrorcons headed to Earth to plunder its energon but were beaten back by its Autobot defenders. Frustrated, Unicron teleported them away and sent them back with a new trick - the ability to mass-produce clones of themselves. Divebomb would attack Toronto only to be beaten back by an unexpected foe - Megatron, who decimated Divebomb's clones and forced him to retreat.
Pack in comics
In the second Transformers: Energon pack in comic Prowl, Inferno and Landmine discover some hills on Earth that are rich with energon and call in to Optimus Prime that they should put an energon tower up. Optimus warns the Autobots that Decepticon activity has been scanned nearby. Megatron attacks with a horde of Divebomb Terrorcon clones. The Autobots attempt by fight back by having Mirage and Inferno Powerlinx while Landmine goes into brute mode, but they are overwhelmed when Insecticon Terrorcon hordes join in the attack. The Autobots retreat and Megatron takes the energon for himself.
Toys
- Energon Basic Divebomb
- This toy was later redecoed into Timelines Laserbeak and Buzzsaw.[7]
Transformers: Classics
A third character name Divebomb appeared as a Mini-Con in the Transformers: Classics line. This Divebomb is allied with the Autobots, turns into a helicopter and is part of the Mini-Con Night Rescue Team.
Like all the Classics Mini-Cons, these characters were originally intended to be part of the Cybertron line. Divebomb was originally to be part of a Mini-Con vs. set as a Decepticon, with is opponent being the Autobot-Mini-Con Tracks. In his Cybertron bio he is described as being a member of the Mini-Con Council of Sages and an expert in using secrets and blackmail to get his way.
In the biography by the Transformers Collectors Club Divebomb is characterized as a proud bot of action who loves his ability to fly in either form. He is the leader of the Night Rescue team simply by being the most eager of the group. [8]
Fun Publications
Divebomb's sole appearance in fiction so far was as a Mini-Con on Cybertron in the text story The New World. He aided in the rescue of Mini-Cons in the explosion that killed Modus Prime. He later sided with the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons against Broadside's attempt to take control of Cybertron.
Toys
- Classics Mini-Con Divebomb (2007)
- A Mini-Con packaged with Strongarm and Firebot. Like all Classic Mini-Cons, Divebomb was originally going to be part of the Transformers: Cybertron line, but when it was late for release, they made him part of the Classics line.
Transformers
In December 2007, images appeared on the internet of a redeco of Cybertron Thundercracker in yellow and brown. Divebomb is said to be a skilled warrior, but no one wants to be around him since he leaks radiation which short-circuits other robots.[9]
According to the biography printed in the collected Reign of Starscream book he was an aerial surveyor before the war who hated his job. Once the war broke out he joined the Decepticons. He likes to perch high up for days, waiting for an unsuspecting Autobot to swoop down on and attack.[10]
Another version of Divebomb appears in the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line. This version of Divebomb transforms into a red biplane that resembles Ransack's vehicle mode. His bio says that used this alternate mode to mimic Ransack as the most famous of the old warriors known as the Seekers. Unfortunately, he's now learing quickly with the limitations with the vehicle he chose now he paired with Skystalker to fight Scattorshot, the autobot anti - aircraft specialist.
IDW Publishing
In "The Reign of Starscream part 3" Divebomb appears among the Decepticon troops on Cybertron. In issue #5 Starscream sacrificed the sparks of Crankcase, Elita One, Grindcore, Signal Flare, and Warpath to bring his new Allspark Cube online. Although the cube fails to function Starscream does not have time to find out why as Dreadwing makes his bid to overthrow the Decepticons using his army of drones. Most Decepticons side with Dreadwing, except Thundercracker, who remains loyal to his leader. Crosshairs beheads Ramjet and the Autobots were able to deactivate the drones as Starscream overcomes Dreadwing's remaining forces, including Divebomb.
Note - The appearance of Divebomb is modified in the IDW Publishing stories so that his head more resembles movie style's alien-bug-thingie style than the movie toy and he has a Cybertronian alternate mode.
In California the Autobots set a trap for Starscream's minions Divebomb, Fearswoop and Skystalker by having Theodore Galloway pose as an arms dealer attempting to purchase Cybertronian technology. The trap is uncovered and the Autobots send in Arcee, Chromia, Elita-One, Ironhide, Mudflap and Skids. Divebomb and Skystalker are killed while Fearswoop is captured by the Autobots and taken back to the NEST base on Diego Garcia.[11]
Titan Magazines
Divebomb appeared in issue #17 of the Titan Transformers Magazine, in a story called "Return to Cybertron: Part 1." He is part of the "New Decepticons" on Cybertron lead by Stockade.
Toys
- Transformers Deluxe Divebomb (2008)
- This toy is a Walmart store exclusive.[12]
- Movie Deluxe Divebomb is 18 centimeters long, but a real Su-37 Terminator is 2218 centimeters long. This gives us a scale of 1/123. Since his robot mode stands 13.5 centimeters tall, this means Divebomb should stand 54 feet tall.
- According to Hasbro officials at Botcon 2008 the Walmart exclusive redeco toys were originally to be sold under the Transformers: Universe label, but Walmart requested its exclusives be part of the movie toy line, so they were repackage in movie style packaging.
- Revenge of the Fallen Scout Divebomb (2010)
Transformers: Timelines
A Botcon 2008 exclusive toy, Divebomb is a member of the heroic Decepticon forces who oppose the evil Autobots.
Divebomb was a daydreamer who would often come up with brilliant theories as he stared happily at the sky. When the war came, his only escape from its horrors would be to dream of a better time, both in the past and future, when destruction would not be a part of his every day existence. There is a deep sadness inside Divebomb's Ember that he masks with a cheerful exterior. He understands his importance in the Decepticon/Autobot conflict and never wants his personal sorrow to affect anyone else. The only time he will let his true feelings show are when he is alone, soaring above the world in the sky that he could once only dream about touching. Divebomb excellent vision, able to clearly see distant objects that other Decepticons can barely make out.
Although he is a redeco of the Mini-Con mold, this character was never called a Mini-Con in his biography, and it was stated on the Transformers Collectors Club message board that the Shattered Glass Predacons were actually Micromasters.
Fun Publications
Razorclaw appeared in the 2008 April Fool's comic Shattered Expectations by Fun Publications.
Divebomb appeared as a member of Megatron's forces in the Transformers: Timelines story "Shattered Glass." Starscream, Divebomb and Whisper dropped Glass Gas bombs on the Ark launch platform to make it vulnerable to attack. During Megatron's attack on the Autobot Ark the Predacons teamed up to attack Grimlock.[14]
In Do Over the Predacons and Whisper were sent to rescue Megatron when he had been captured by the Autobot Targetmasters Ricochet, Scoop and Crosshairs. The Predacons fought Ricochet, Crosshairs and Optimus Prime.[15]
Toys
- Timelines Divebomb (2008)
References
- ↑ Alvarez, J.E. (2001). The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition. Schiffer Publishing Ltd.. p. 48. ISBN 0764313649.
- ↑ "Screening Room". GameAxis Unwired (Hardware Zone): 99-100. July 2007. http://books.google.com/books?id=sOoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA99&dq=predacon+transformers&hl=en&ei=C7BATda_DoL58AbvoaH8Aw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CEwQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false.
- ↑ Marvel graphic novels and related publications: an annotated guide to comics By Robert G. Weiner page 92
- ↑ Furman, Simon (2004). Transformers: The Ultimate Guide. DK Publishing Inc.. p. 131. ISBN 1405304618.
- ↑ Alvarez, J.E. (2001). The Unofficial Guide to Japanese and International Transformers. Schiffer Publishing Ltd.. p. 23. ISBN 0764312820.
- ↑ Figure King magazine issue 150 page 24
- ↑ http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/80226_TF_Divebomb.pdf
- ↑ "The Classicverse Mini-Cons". Transformers Collectors Club magazine (Fun Publications): p. 6. December/January, 2008.
- ↑ Transformers Toys News and Reviews G1 to Movie - TFormers.com
- ↑ http://www.parrygamepreserve.com/toys/transformers/movie2007/walmartExcDivebomb.php
- ↑ John Barber (w), Carlos Magno (p), Aburtov and Graphiksslava (i). Transformers: Rising Storm 1 (February 2011), IDW Publishing
- ↑ More New Wal-Mart Excl "Allspark Power" Figures: Jolt, Grindcore & Divebomb
- ↑ http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/rotf/scout/divebomb
- ↑ Pete Sinclair & Benson Yee (w), Don Figueroa (p), Don Figueroa (i), Espen Grundetjern (col), Jesse Wittenrich (let), Pete Sinclair & Brian Savage (ed). "Shattered Glass" Transformers Timelines v2, 3 (Botcon 2008), Fun Publications
- ↑ S. Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak (2009). Do Over. Illustrator Yuki Oshima. Fun Publications.
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/convention-exclusives-246/divebomb-1842/
