Pinpointer
Pinpointer is the name of two fictional characters from the Transformers series. The original Pinpointer was the Targetmaster partner to the Autobot Crosshairs. The second Pinpointer is the evil counterpart of the original from the Shattered Glass Transformers stories.
Contents
Transformers: Generation 1
Pinpointer is the Targetmaster partner to the Autobot Crosshairs.
Biography:
In the Marvel Comics Transformers stories Nebulans are depicted as human-looking aliens, while in the animated US series they are green-skinned aliens. In the Ladybird Books stories the Nebulans are human-sized robots. In Japan the Targetmasters are not Nebulans at all, but robots from the planet Master.
Marvel Comics
Pinpointer 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 Hot Rod as his Targetmaster partner. The Autobots then fled Nebulos for Earth in an attempt to lure away the Decepticons.[1]
Although Pinpointer 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.
Animated series
Pinpointer first appeared in the Transformers episode "The Rebirth, Part 1" as a sharpshooter among the rebel Nebulan group lead by Gort. In part 2 the Autobots copy Targetmaster technology from the Decepticons and Firebolt is converted into the gun used by Hot Rod. In part 3 the Autobots and their Nebulans travel to Cybertron for the final showdown with the Decepticons. He then returns to Nebulos to rid the planet of the Hive's machines.[2]
In the Japanese series Transformers: Headmasters the events of "The Rebirth" were ignored and the Targetmasters had a different origin. In this series the six original Targetmaster partners were Transformers from the planet Master. In episode #27, "Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)" the six of them excaped their planet to get reinforcements after the planet was invaded by the Decepticons. At the time the Decepticons had planted a bomb on Earth which the Autobots were trying to safely remove from the planet. The six robots from the planet took the bomb in an attempt to save the Autobots, but it exploded in space during a battle between three Autobots and three Decepticons.[3]
In episode #28, "Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)", It was discovered that the six Autobots and Decepticons had fused with the robots from the planet Master as weapons on their hands. They were dubbed the Targetmasters. The Autobot Crosshairs was bonded with Pinpointer. The Autobot Targetmasters aided on the planet Master when Jack has hyptnotized and given a bomb to blow up the Autobot base, and then came into conflict with the Decepticon Targetmasters.[4]
In episode #29, "The Master Sword Is in Danger!!", the Autobot and Decepticon Targetmasters participated in a battle on the planet Master where Zarak first sent in the Decepticon Duocons. In this battle the Decepticons are able to obtain a computer disk that contains information on the Master Sword.[5]
In episode #30, "The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide" the Autobot Targetmasters follow Soundblaster to the planet Master where they are ambushed by the Decepticon Targetmasters. The Autobots are washed away when the Decepticons blast a dam above the Autobots during the fight. Surviving the flood the Autobot Targetmasters discover a cave entrance to the Decepticon base. Despite being discovered by the Autobots, the Decepticon are able to escape with their new weapon.[6]
3H Enterprises
Crosshairs and Pinpointer appeared in the 2001 3H Enterprises story "Departure" where they were part of the rescue team lead by Hot Spot that recovered Arcee from a horde of Nightbird clones, but was unable to save Daniel Witwicky and Wheelie.
Dreamwave Productions
Crosshairs and Pinpointer had a single page biography printed in the Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye comic series.
Toys
- Generation 1 Targetmaster Sureshot with Spoilsport (1987)
- A new mold.
Shattered Glass
Crosshairs is incredibly lazy and partner the over eager Pinpointer, but when he's forced to get off his rear bumper he can become very angry. As well as his Targetmaster weapon he has a cannon in his chest. Ricochet commands Scoop and Crosshairs. Crosshairs is partnered with the Targetmaster Pinpointer.
Crosshairs transforms into an Earth-style truck. Pinpointer transforms into a truck or a "fire and forget" missile launcher gun.
Although no toy for Crosshairs and Pinpointer was ever released they appear to be identical to the toys for Transformers movie Warpath and the Armada X-Dimension Mini-Con Draft.
Fun Publications
Pinpointer is spotlighted as a members of the Autobot Targetmasters in the story Do Over by Fun Publications. In this story the Autobot Targetmasters capture Megatron, but as Optimus Prime arrives to finish him off personally the Micromaster Predacons and Whisper arrive and free Megatron.[7]
References
- ↑ Bob Budiansky (w), Frank Springer (p), Ian Akin & Brian Garvey (i). "Headmasters" Brothers in Armor!! 4 (January 1988), Marvel Comics
- ↑ "The Rebirth, Part 1". The Transformers. First-run syndication. No. 1, season 4.
- ↑ "Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)". Transformers: The Headmasters. No. 27, season 1.
- ↑ "Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)". Transformers: The Headmasters. No. 28, season 1.
- ↑ "The Master Sword Is in Danger!!". Transformers: The Headmasters. No. 29, season 1.
- ↑ "The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide". Transformers: The Headmasters. No. 30, season 1.
- ↑ S. Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak (2009). Do Over. Illustrator Yuki Oshima. Fun Publications.
