Sonar (Transformers)

See also: Sonar

Sonar is the name of two fictional characters from the Transformers series.

Beast Wars

Transformers character
Name	Sonar
Maximal
Series	Beast Wars
Information
Alternate modes	Giant Transmetal II bat
Function	Aerial Reconnaissance
Gender	Female
Rank	4.2
Sub-group	Basic Beasts, Transmetal II

Sonar's biography does not use pronouns, leaving the character's gender rather ambiguous. 3H Enterprises, the people behind Botcon, chose to make the character into a female, which IDW followed up on in the Beast Wars Sourcebook.

Fictional biography

The dangerous cloning experiments carried out by Megatron have created another powerful ally for the heroic Maximals: Sonar. Super-acute senses provide matchless reconnaissance abilities, while bio-cyber elements allow unmatched strength and mobility. When combined with a fiery, almost uncontrollable aggression, Sonar makes a dangerous enemy and somewhat unpredictable ally. Much to his chagrin, Megatron has unintentionally created the finest early-warning system to have ever existed- the Maximal known as Sonar!

Comics

3H Enterprises

Sonar joins Primal Prime and the Wreckers on Cybertron and was killed in the explosion of the rear portion of the Wreckers' ship.

IDW Publishing

Sonar appeared in the 2006 IDW Beast Wars: The Gathering comic series. Sonar was among the Maximal protoforms from the Axalon which was recovered by Magmatron's Predacons and infected with a Predacon shell program. Unbeknownst to Magmatron, his technical expert Razorbeast was a Maximal double-agent and had managed to modify the program so a significant number of those infected emerged as Maximals. Sonar appeared among a flock of Maximal flyers along with Air Hammer, Nightglider and Prowl. After the defeat of Magmatron's Predacons the united group of Maximals awaited rescue from Cybertron.

Sonar a biography printed in the Beast Wars Sourcebook by IDW Publishing.

Sonar's gender was later established in the IDW fiction as female thanks to the Beast Wars Sourcebook series.

Games

• Hero 4th Edition role playing game character sheet for Beast Wars Sonar

Toys

• Beast Wars Sonar (1999)

There are two packaging variants for Sonar. One saying "TRANSMETALS II" on the front, and the other saying "TRANSMETALS 2".

A Chinese made knockoff of this toy was also made.

Transformers: Armada

Transformers character
Armada Air Defense Mini-Con team box
Name	Sonar
Mini-Con
Series	Transformers: Armada
Information
Alternate modes	VentureStar
Gender	Male
Motto	"Even an ace pilot is only as good as his wingbot."
Partner	Jetstorm and Runway
Rank	5
Sub-group	Air Assault Team Air Defense Team

Sonar is the name of a Mini-Con who turns into an Lockheed Martin X-33 style spacecraft. He is a member of the Air Defense and Air Asssault teams, and combines with his companions Jetstorm and Runway to form the Star Saber.

In 2003 a recolor of the Air Defense Team was released called the Air Assault Team. Dreamwave Comics explained that the Air Assault Team are the evil personalities the team takes on when their Star Saber form is wielded by a powerful evil character like Megatron, transforming the team into their evil personas.

The toy of Sonar was recolored into Shuttler in Japan and remolded into Skyboom for the Energon line. Sonar was also the Japanese name for the Mini-Con called Comettor.

Comics

3H Enterprises

Although no toy named Sonar was produced for the Transformers: Universe line, there was one very minor cameo in its fiction. In the 2003 BotCon voice actor play, Armada Megatron appeared who was wielding the Dark Saber, of which Armada Sonar was a member.

Dreamwave Productions

Sonar 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.

Dreamwave's More Than Meets The Eye series gave Sonar much needed character, describing him as the most level headed of the group. He also tends to agree with whatever Runway says. He also has the most advanced sensor capabilities of his team.

Toys

• Armada Mini-Con Air Defense Team (2002)

This toy was later remolded into Energon Skyboom and Cybertron Ramjet.

• Armada Air Assault Sonar (2003)

A recolor of the original toy.

References

• Furman, Simon (2004). Transformers: The Ultimate Guide. DK Publishing Inc.. p. 122. ISBN 1405304618.