Jetfire

See also: Skyfire

Jetfire is the name of seven fictional characters from the Transformer series. The first Jefire is a heroic Autobot Sky Guardian who turns into a jet. He was introduced in 1985. The second Jetfire is the second in commmand of the Autobot first introduced in Transformers: Armada in 2003.

1984 Transformers

The first Jetfire is a heroic Autobot Air Guardian introduced in 1985. He should not be confused with Skyfire, a similar Autobot.

Development

The Marvel Comics bible for the Transformers originally called Jetfire by the name Fireball.

Fictional biography

Profile: With a reckless daring that comes from being the swiftest of all the Autobots, Jetfire is the most eager of his comrades to plunge into battle. But his bravado is tempered by one overriding thought: he sincerely believes that victory over the Decepticons can only come through advancements in Autobot technology. As the first of a new generation of Autobots such a credo is perhaps only natural. Also, because he was created on Earth, Jetfire is one of the few Autobots who has no memory of his home planet. His allegiance to his cause is only matched by his devotion to scientific research.

Abilities: In jet-fighter mode, Jetfire's unique swing-wing design allows him to take off like a normal jet and then, pulling his wings back, reach speeds of up to Mach 4.2. Adding twin supersonic combustion ramjet (i.e. scramjet) engine modules along with twin liquid hydrogen fuel tanks allows Jetfire to achieve orbital velocities, or to even escape Earth's gravity altogether. With this capability, he can launch like a missile, shoot up above the atmosphere, and, at a speed of Mach 29, dive down like a blazing meteor (hence his name) half a world away only 30 minutes later. In robot and jet mode, he is equipped with four independently targetable particle beam cannons around his head and eight heat-seeking armor-piercing missiles.

Weaknesses: Jetfire's range is limited by his fuel consumption; any transatmospheric trip requires his refueling when he lands. Since he is newly constructed by the Ark, he is prone to numerous mechanical failures as the bugs in his system are worked out. Anything from a malfunctioning radio to an engine stall in deep space has been known to happen.

Animated series

Jetfire never appeared in The Transformers animated series, his place in the story taken by Skyfire. The animated form of Jetfire did appear in one toy commercial where he was described as being created by the Autobots as the ultimate robot jet.

Comics

1984 Marvel Comics

Jetfire was constructed by Shockwave on Earth to be one of his new Decepticon troops, given life through the powers of the Creation Matrix, tapped from the captive Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. However, before Shockwave could accomplish this, Prime transferred the Matrix into the mind of the Autobots' human ally, Buster Witwicky. Shockwave programmed Jetfire's lifeless shell to recover Buster, but Buster was able to use the Matrix to disassemble Jetfire before he could accomplish his goal. Buster then reconstructed Jetfire and used him to rescue Optimus Prime, who infused Jetfire with true life.

In issue 27, "King of the Hill!", Perceptor summoned his fellow Autobots Blaster, Hot Spot, Jetfire, Omega Supreme, Ratchet and Silverbolt in order to decide who should take leadership of the Autobots. After an attack by the giant Decepticon Trypticon the leader was chosen - Grimlock.

Sometime later, Jetfire was among the Transformers who attempted to defend New York from the cosmically-powered Starscream, only to be deactivated alongside everyone else.

Note: In all Marvel Comics appearances Jetfire was depicted in in the form the Skyfire animation character model.

2003 Transformers: Armada

Introduced in 2003 in Transformers: Armada, Jetfire serves as Optimus Prime's second-in-command, with a witty, cheerful personality that helps to bridge the distance between Prime as leader and his troops. The friendly nature that keeps him popular amongst the Autobots hides a strong sense of intelligent judgment that has saved his team from numerous predicaments, and means that he will even speak up and tell Prime that he is wrong to his face.

2007 Transformers

Jetfire is among the characters which first appeared in the 2007 Transformers 3D Battle Card game by Wizards of the Coast. A red and white redeco of movie Starscream, this incarnation of Jetfire is not related to the character in the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

In a USA Today online fan poll following the release of the 2007 live-action film, Jetfire was one of the 10 Transformers that the fans wanted in the sequel, coming in 4th with 11% of the votes.

Transformers Animated

Concept art for an Animated rendition of Jetfire, as well as Jetstorm, was shown at BotCon 2008, revealing Jetfire to be a yellowish-colored robot and Jetstorm to be a blue-colored robot. They both have goggle-like pieces on their foreheads and they both transform into jets. Jetstorm and his brother Jetfire are Autobot twins who have been fitted with technology scanned from Starscream while he was in Elite Guard captivity.

2008 Shattered Glass

In 2008 an evil negative universe version of Generation 1 Jetfire was introduced for the Shattered Glass series.

Development

Hasbro Pulse announced Commander Class Shattered Glass Jetfire in July 2021.

Fictional biography

With conflicted loyalties to the Decepticon cause, Jetfire defected, joining the Autobots and the quest for universal conquest.

Comics

2005 Fun Publications

Long ago, Ultra Magnus started a coup against his brother Optimus. It ended badly, with Stepper and Jetfire holding Magnus down while Optimus Prime ripped off his face.

Games

Shattered Glass Jetfire appeared in the 2016 mobile game Transformers: Earth Wars.

Both Generation 1 and Shattered Glass Jetfire had cards in the Magic: The Gathering Brothers' War card game in 2022.

Toys

• Takara Gentei! Gentei! C-06 Voyager Dark Skyfire (2010)

A recolor of Robots in Disguise Classic Voyager Jetfire.

This toy was repurposed into Shattered Glass Jetfire.

• Hasbro Transformers: Generations Shattered Glass Commander Jetfire (2022)

• Blokees Defender Shattered Glass Jetfire (2025)

Transformers: Prime

Jetfire is a member of the Aerialbots, but does not seem to make up any part of Superion. He was formerly a neutral Scientist until Starscream betrayed him and joined the Decepticons; in retaliation, Jetfire joined the Autobots.