Ransack (Transformers)
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Ransack is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. Ransack was first created in 1985 as one of the Insecticons. Since then the name was used for a variety of other Transformers characters.
Contents
Transformers: Generation 1
Ransack is a Decepticon warrior and a member of the Insecticons who turns into a locust.[1]
Dreamwave Productions
In Dreamwave's The War Within series Venom, Chopshop and Ransack were members of Ratbat's Ultracons faction. In the third series, The Age of Wrath, they accompanied Ratbat to the peace talks with Shockwave's Decepticons and Ultra Magnus' Autobots. When the conference was attacked by Starscream's Predacons, the Deluxe Insecticons helped fight them off. After Megatron's reappearance, the Deluxe Insecticons were reabsorbed into the Decepticons.
The Deluxe Insecticons later appeared in the Dreamwave comics Micromasters series as the main antagonists.
3H Enterprises
Generation 1 Ransack appeared among the many prisoners of Unicron who escaped with the help of Optimus Primal in Transformers: Universe #2.
IDW Publishing
Ransack made a brief appearance in the Spotlight issue on Sixshot, as one of the Decepticons manning the consoles as Sixshot enters the control room in the Decepticon base.
Arcee, Bludgeon, Longtooth, Ransack, Repugnus and Skyjack were among those incarcerated in an Autobot Penetentiary on Garrus-9 in Spotlight: Arcee.
Books
Ransack appeared in the 1985 novel called "Transformers Battle Drive".[2]
Toys
- Generation 1 Deluxe Insecticon Ransack (1985)
- During the original toyline, Ransack was one of four Deluxe Insecticons featured in the second year in the line. The Deluxe Insecticons were built by Bandai, and imported to United States via Hasbro.[3] Due to an arrangement with Takara (the Japanese toy company who built the toys originally intended to be Transformers), they never appeared on TV in anything more than animated commercials. This was so the television series could be shown in Japan, where Bandai still owned the images of the characters.[4][5]
- In the 1980s Transformers were such a success that Hasbro wanted to get as much product out on the shelves with the Transformers name on it as possible. Since they were running out of old Takara molds to use, they obtained licences to use the molds of other companies' robot toys in the Transformers line. Shockwave, Jetfire, Omega Supreme, Roadbuster, Whirl, Chop Shop, Venom, Barrage and Ransack were among those molds. With the licences to those toys now expired Hasbro and Takara no longer have legal rights to those figures and cannot reissue them.
- The same toy was imported in the Convertors toy line in the 1980s as the Insectors Morphus.
Transformers: Generation 2
In the Generation 2 relaunch/continuation of the original Transformers series, there was a different Decepticon character of the name Ransack. This Ransack transformed into an airplane and was part of the Rotor Force. His tech spec indicates that he is one of the Decepticons' best at aerial reconnaissance, with stealth capabilities as well. He is also a fierce fighter if he lands in enemy territory.[6]
Some versions of Ransack came with a black blade, others with an orange one.
Marvel Comics
Ransack appeared in the Marvel Generation 2 comics.
Bludgeon, current leader of the Decepticons planned to create an army of Decepticons, so he constructed the bodies of the Rotor Force and Laser Rods. When Megatron killed Bludgeon and took back leadership of the Decepticons, one of his first actions was to steal the Matrix from Optimus Prime. The Matrix was then used to bring the new Decepticons to life.
Ransack first appeared in issue 6 as one of the lifeless Decepticon bodies. In issue 7 Rotor Force (Leadfoot, Manta Ray, Powerdive and Ransack) and the Laser Rods (Electro, Jolt, Sizzle and Volt) were sent to steal Rheanimum, a potent substance Megatron intended to use in his quest for power, from the planet Tykos.
They would appear again in the Autobot-Decepticon alliance, battling against first the forces of Jhiaxus, and then the Swarm.
Fun Publications
Ransack was among the troops under the command of Clench on Earth.[7]
Toys
- Generation 2 Rotor Force Ransack (1994)
- In Europe the Rotor Force were called Rotorbots and Ransack was called Blitz. In Europe his motto was "There is nowhere they can hide, that I won't find them."
Transformers: Armada
Ransack in Transformers: Armada is leader of the Mini-Con Adventure Team. He features a working winch with a hook on a string. Ransack was packaged with Dune Runner and Iceberg.
Dreamwave Productions
Ransack first appeared in issue 9 of the Transformers: Armada comic by Dreamwave Productions.
In Transformers: Armada #9-11 by Dreamwave Productions the Adventure Team were among the Mini-Cons survived crashing on Earth's moon. Under the leadership of Dualor they built a fortress there and defended it from an attack by Megatron, Starscream, Thrust and Cyclonus. Once Megatron overpowered the base the Mini-Cons escaped to Earth.
Ransack appeared among the Mini-Cons in issue #18 of the Transformers: Armada comic book who aided Over-Run using the Mini-Con Matrix in the defeat of Unicron.
The team leader of the Adventure Team, his love of challenges means his first in line to volunteer for dangerous missions - much to Dune Runner and Iceberg's dismay. Unable to understand this, Ransack tries to include them in his missions as often as possible, which usually leads to even greater friction. He is also a communications expert.
Toys
- Armada Mini-Con Ransack (2003)
- Armada Ransack was recolored as Armada Cliffjumper, Japanese exclusive Torque and Cybertron Payload.
- This toy was repackaged in a 6 pack of Mini-Cons for Transformers: Energon, but the toy was unchanged.
Transformers: Universe
Ransack is the name of a Decepticon who was sold with the Autobot Smokescreen in a "Battle in a Box" versus set. This Ransack, a purple recolor of Armada Hoist transforms into a backhoe and is partnered with the Mini-Con Refute.
The official Hasbro website listed Ransack under the name Bonecrusher.[8] It is unknown why the name changed.
The original Insecticon Ransack made a brief cameo as one of the captives of Unicron in the Transformers: Universe comic book. How this relates to the Universe Ransack toy is unknown. Since the Transformers: Universe comic series was cut short after 3 issues, it was never revealed if the characters were connected.
Toys
- Universe Deluxe Ransack with Refute (2004)
- A recolor of Armada Hoist, this toy was later remolded into Cybertron Longrack, then into Timelines Dinobot.
Transformers: Cybertron
Ransack is a character from the Transformers: Cybertron toy line and television series.
Cyber Key Power - (Ransack Trasher Beam/Exhaust Shot) Fires a powered shot from his double-barreled weapon; (Exhaust Boost) His blaster's barrels flip out in vehicle mode, serving as speed boosters.
The Ransack toy came with a Cyber Key with the code sc92 on it. When typed in on the official Transformers web site this code reveals that he has a secret crush on Speed Planet Leader Override and has unsuccessfully tried to ask her out many times.
Animated series
Ransack is a Transformer native to the planet Velocitron (Speedia). The smaller and most intelligent member of the "partners in grime" with his buddy Crumplezone. Ransack makes up for his small size in nimbleness, agility, fairly quick wits, and the fact that he has a bigger partner.
Ransack and Crumplezone were recruited by Megatron when he first arrived on Velocitron. Immediately sent to uncover the location of the planet's Cyber Planet Key. Eventually uncovering that it was the Planet Cup. The two entered the race, allying with Dirt Boss to win. Despite cheating their way through to the last race the two were beaten by Hot Shot and Override, forcing Megatron to personally intervene.
Ransack and Crumplezone followed Megatron to the Planets Earth and Animatros.
In episode #31, "United", Scourge, Mudflap, Crumplezone, Ransack and Thundercracker followed Megatron on the Space Bridge to Cybertron. They were joined by Thunderblast, who claimed she'd rather work form Megatron than Starscream.
They followed Megatron to Gigantion in his quest for the Cyber Planet Keys. However this nearly proved their undoing when Starscream betrayed Megatron and sealed him, Ransack, Thundercracker and Mudflap in a steel globe. Eventually freed by Scourge Ransack would be involved in many of the battles against both the Autobots and Starscream's army of ancient Decepticons.
When Galvatron (Megatron's new form) needed the Decepticons to distract the Autobots while he used the power of the Cyber Planet Keys to control the Grand Black Hole, he used the power of the keys to turn Dark Crumplezone, Ransack, Thunderblast and Thundercracker into giants, allowing them to hold off the army of Autobots long enough for Galvatron to escape. After the fight the Decepticons returned to normal size.
After realising that Galvatron had no intentions of helping his minions escape the black hole disaster in the first place, Ransack, Dark Crumplezone and the remaining Decepticons abandoned their allegiance to Galvatron and considered themselves free.
When the Autobots attempted to use a gigantic rocket to move the Animatros back into its orbit, Galvatron attacked, damaging the rocket. The jungle planet threatened to crash into Cybertron. Surprisingly Ransack, Crumplezone, Thundercracker and Thunderblast helped to move the booster back into place.
In the finale of Cybertron Ransack was part of the "Speedia 500" race to determine who would be the leader of Velocitron alongside Crumplezone, Hot Shot, Dirt Boss, Brakedown and Clocker after Override left to join the Space Bridge project. Hot Shot won. Angered by his inability to fit in anywhere Ransack, Crumplezone, Thunderblast and a reluctant Thundercracker formed a new Decepticon army and left to find a new leader. Predictably, the hapless group didn't get far: the credits montage that closed the series showed they had crashed on what appeared to be Mars.
Ransack is portrayed with a Brooklyn sounding accent.
Comics
Fun Publications
Ransack appears in the BotCon 2015 exclusive comic story Cybertron's Most Wanted as a member of the Axiom Nexus security forces who arrest Batteltrap, Boombox, Heavyweight, Megatron, Nebulan, Scalpel and Stepper. In this story he has the colors of his Galaxy Force Gasket Police Type toy.
Toys
- Cybertron Scout Ransack (2005)
- Like most toys sold in the Galaxy Force toy line by Takara, then later in the Cybertron toy line by Hasbro, there are small paint differences between the two versions of the toy. The Hasbro version has a code number on the back of his Cyber Key, while the Takara version has no number on his Force Chip.
- Ransack was repainted as BotCon 2006 Rattrap. Ransack is the Beast Wars character Rattrap before he came to Earth and was reformatted as a rat.
- Galaxy Force Scout Gasket Police Type
- In Japan the toy of Gasket was repainted white and sold as "Gasket Police Type".
- Cybertron Scout Ransack GTS
- Hasbro made Ransack a toy-line specific "upgrade" called "Ransack GTS", much like how they released Override GTS and Brakedown GTS.
- The Ransack GTS toy came with a Cyber Key with the code s2w5 on it. When typed in on the official Transformers web site this code reveals that, rather bizarrely, he is a keen stand-up comedian trying to get on "Velocitron Idol", looking at this as a way to stop his life of war. He seems determined not to let the fact that he isn't any good put him off.
- In 2006 a special edition of Ransack GTS was available in Walmart stores which contained a DVD with the episode "Cybertron" as a promotional item - despite the fact that he wasn't in that episode as Ransack GTS.
- This toy was later repackaged as part of a 3 pack of Cybertron Scouts for the Universe line.
- This toy was repurposed as Shattered Glass Groove.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Ransack is a biplane. He is described as an old Decepticon who was one of the first to gain the ability to fly.[10][11]
Books
In the novelization of Revenge of the Fallen, Ransack is one of the ancient Seekers, a Decepticon that worked with Jetfire. When he discovers that Jetfire is awake, he goes to take him out, only for the old bot to promptly step on Ransack, destroying him with ease. It should be noted that this scene was not present in the final film.
Toys
- Revenge of the Fallen Scout Ransack (2009)
Transformers: Universe
Part of a Transformers: Universe Armada series 10-pack.[14]
Transformers Animated
The Ransack in the Animated line is a homage to Cybertron Ransack, although he is depicted as an Autobot. His tech spec appeared on the lithograph sold at Botcon 2011.
Transformers: Prime
Ransack hails from the planet Velocitron.
Books
Appears in Transformers: Exiles, where he pledges alligence to Megatron.
Shattered Glass
Shattered Glass Ransack is a heroic Insecticon.
References
- ↑ Alvarez, J.E. (2001). The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition. Schiffer Publishing Ltd.. p. 26. ISBN 0-7643-1364-9.
- ↑ Transformers: Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel, Scott Siegel - 1985
- ↑ Schroeder's Collectible Toys: Antique to Modern Guide by Sharon Huxford, Bob Huxford - 1995
- ↑ http://www.unicron.us/tf1985/figures/ransack.htm
- ↑ Lee's Guide to Loose 1985 Transformers: The Decepticons. Lee's Toy Review magazine, issue #201, August 2009
- ↑ Brereton, Erin (2006). Transformers: The Fantasy, The Fun, The Future. Triumph Books. p. 22. ISBN 1-57243-983-1.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20080822070353/http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=Collectors/Checklist
- ↑ Lenburg, Jeff (2009). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Third Edition. Infobase Publishing. p. 657. ISBN 978-0-8160-6599-8.
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-toys--products-30/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen-ransack-and-depthcharge-in-package-images-167017/
- ↑ http://www.oafe.net/yo/tfm2_rans.php
- ↑ http://mastercollector.com/articles/reviews/ransack-review.htm
- ↑ http://www.oafe.net/yo/tfm2_rans.php
- ↑ http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/240766-rotf-arcee-bio-new-universe-minicon-10-pack.html
- Furman, Simon (2004). Transformers: The Ultimate Guide. DK Publishing Inc.. p. 122. ISBN 1-4053-0461-8.
