Thundercracker: Difference between revisions

Line 127:

The Wal-Mart-exclusive Mini-Con pack would explain how Thundercracker got his Mini-Con partner Downshift, snatching him from under the Autobot's noses in one of his trademark fear causing missions. What he did not realize was that Downshift was as dedicated to creating chaos as him, and the two formed an alliance to terrorize the Autobots on Earth.

==Unicron Trilogy==

{{Infobox character|

name =Thundercracker

|image =

|caption =

|affiliation =Autobot/Decepticon

|subgroup =[[Seekers (Transformers)|Seekers]], Deluxe Vehicles

|function =Airman

|partner = Zapmaster, Downshift

|motto ="''Taste the cruel bite of my vicious weaponry.''" (Armada)<br> "''You see my strength?''" (Galaxy Force)

|alternatemodes =Cybertronian Jet fighter, [[Sukhoi Su-37]]

|series =''[[Transformers: Armada]]''<br>''[[Transformers: Cybertron]]''<br>''[[Transformers: Universe]]''

|engvoice =[[Mark Oliver]]

|japanvoice =[[Kazunari Tanaka]]

}}

Thundercracker, only mentioned off-screen in ''[[Transformers: Armada]]'', finally made his appearance on screen in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron]]''. Originally released alone, Thundercracker was later packaged with a Mini-Con partner as a [[Wal-Mart]]-exclusive but is unable to powerlinx with the Mini-Con. Although ''Armada'' Thundercracker did appear in the Dreamwave comics, he was portrayed very differently from the Cybertron character.

As a character, Thundercracker is a Deception highly distinguished for his love of battle. He speaks with a distinctive southern "drawl" accent. This excessive blood-lust affects the entire Decepticon group. What he lacks in skills, Megatron recognizes Thundercracker's talent for encouraging the troop's fighting spirit. He always has his sights on target in either robot or jet mode. Unfortunately, he cannot concentrate on a target, and accuracy is not his style. He also comes up with special attacks that prove ineffective against his foes, most particularly Jetfire in a battle for sky supremacy, but when reinforcements arrive, he is usually the first to be defeated.

Thundercracker's tech specs by both Hasbro and Takara revealed more about him. The Takara bio noted that he was excessively eager to go into battle, in turn inspiring the Decepticons who fought with him—which is why Megatron keeps him around. His Hasbro bio is indicates that, like the original G1 Thundercracker, his main power is his ability to create deafening sonic booms in combat. Rather oddly, the unlockable content on Hasbro's website indicates he is also somewhat of a practical joker. The non-flying Decepticons often ride on him.

The Wal-Mart-exclusive Mini-Con pack would explain how Thundercracker got his Mini-Con partner Downshift, snatching him from under the Autobot's noses in one of his trademark fear causing missions. What he did not realize was that Downshift was as dedicated to creating chaos as him, and the two formed an alliance to terrorize the Autobots on Earth.

In 2006, a Target store exclusive 2-pack called the "Ground to Air Blast Pack" included Cybertron [[Crosswise]] and Thundercracker. The toys were identical to their original ones, and the front included a brief mention of how the Autobot Bounty Hunter was hunting the Decepticon criminal Thundercracker. His tech spec indicates that his desire to blast Autobots is not out of any sort of sadism—it simply keeps him out of Megatron's way when the Decepticon leader is looking for someone to take his frustration out on.

===Animated series===

===Armada===

In ''[[Transformers: Armada]]'', Thundercracker's colors were used in the television show as [[Starscream (Unicron Trilogy)|Starscream]]'s Super Mode colors, instead of as a separate character as originally intended. When Starscream gets the upgrade he quotes: "I look like Thundercracker."

===Cybertron===

In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron]]'', Thundercracker originally appeared as one of the Decepticons under Megatron, Thundercracker was paired with Starscream to search for the [[Omega Lock]] on Earth, using his Earthen alternate mode to great advantage.<ref>{{Cite journal | author = | title = Transformers - Galaxy Force Secret Special DVD!| journal = TV Magazine| volume = | issue = | pages= |date = February 2006 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvsjngLBR54}}</ref> He scanned an aircraft and transforms into the [[Su-37]] and attacked [[Landmine (Transformers)|Landmine]]. He had a rivalry with the Autobot [[Jetfire]] over who was the superior flyer. However, he was unaware that his wingmate harbored ambitions of his own. When Starscream gave Megatron a Planet Map to search for the remaining [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, the map turned out to be a fake and Thundercracker, along with Megatron, [[Ransack]] and [[Mudflap (Transformers)|Mudflap]] were trapped in a steel globe until they were freed by [[Scourge (Transformers)|Scourge]].

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.

Subsequently, Thundercracker was present for many more battles against both the Autobots and Starscream's ancient Decepticons. On one occasion, when [[Galvatron#Unicron Trilogy|Galvatron]] (a recreated Megatron) 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, rivaling the size of the Giant Planet Transformers. Thundercracker even took on [[Optimus Prime (Unicron Trilogy)|Optimus Prime]] himself, but was jumped by [[Hot Shot (Transformers)|Hot Shot]] and Jetfire, distracting him long enough for Prime to pursue Galvatron. After the fight, the Decepticons returned to normal size.

After Galvatron's defeat and the closing of the black hole, his minions realized that Galvatron had never had any intentions of helping his minions escape the Black Hole disaster in the first place. Thundercracker 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 [[Jungle Planet]] back into its orbit, Galvatron attacked and damaged the rocket. The Jungle Planet threatened to crash into Cybertron. Much to the Autobots' surprise, the four Decepticons helped Scourge and the Autobots to move the rocket boosters back into place.

After Galvatron's death, Thundercracker, in an attempt to continue being active, allied himself with the Autobots by taking part in construction work on Earth. He wanted to be an Autobot and never lose (even though he did not know how to make the Autobot symbol appear on his body he just put on a badly drawn one). He was forced back to the Decepticon ranks by Thunderblast, Dark Crumplezone and Ransack, who self-declared themselves as the new Decepticon army. Predictably, the hapless group did not get far: the credits montage that closed the series showed they had crashed on what appeared to be [[Mars]].

===Dreamwave Productions===

Thundercracker's only fictional appearance was in a flashback scene in the ''Transformers: Energon'' comic #30 and #31, as one of the Decepticons being led into battle by [[Scorponok]].

While not much was known about Thundercracker, the [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''More Than Meets the Eye'' biography series filled in some of the gaps. It reveals that Thundercracker was one of [[Megatron (Unicron Trilogy)|Megatron]]'s elite aerial troops, and was responsible for training [[Starscream (Unicron Trilogy)|Starscream]] and [[Skywarp]]. Eventually he grew disenchanted with Megatron and disappeared. Resurfacing shortly before the battles on Earth, and now with a Mini-Con partner, he seemed to become a [[mercenary]].

Like Starscream, Thundercracker can use one of his wings as an Energon blade and is a lethal martial fighter. However, in seeming reference to his original Marvel bio, his only weakness is his self-doubt.

===Toys===

* '''''Armada'' Thundercracker'''

:A repaint of ''Armada'' Starscream. Mini-Con Zapmaster is a repaint of Swindle.<ref>[http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/2003/thundercracker-armada.html Cobra Island Toys - Transformer Archive]</ref><ref>Transformer Armada, Herald News, The; April 15, 2004</ref>

* '''''Cybertron'' Deluxe Thundercracker''' (2005)

:The deluxe sized toy of Thundercracker was sold by itself in 2005, as well as packaged with the Mini-Con [[Transformers|Downshift]] and a Tiny-Tin as a promotion at [[Wal-Mart]] stores, then again packaged with the Autobot [[Crosswise]] as a [[Target Corporation|Target]] exclusive. The original deluxe sized Thundercracker was recolored into Cybertron [[Skywarp]].<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ps_results&product_id=16544 TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON Deluxe Class: THUNDERCRACKER Figure- Product Detail]</ref>

:A value 2-pack repackaging ''Cybertron'' Excellion and Thundercracker in ''Transformers: Universe'' packaging was first seen online in September 2007, called "Opposites Attack".

:Cybertron Deluxe Thundercracker 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 Cybertron Thundercracker should stand 54 feet tall. He is not depicted as being this big in the animated series, standing as big as most Deluxe sized toys, a bit over 20 feet tall.

* '''''Cybertron'' Legends Thundercracker'''

:Besides his original release as a Deluxe-sized figure, a Micro-class Thundercracker was released in wave 4 of the ''Legends of Cybertron'' line. This figure improved on some of the flaws of the Deluxe sized figure, giving Thundercracker a full sized left arm and larger feet that he can better balance on.

:This toy was later repainted as Micro-class [[Jetfire]]. A double sized knockoff of this toy was made in China and packaged in a box the Deluxe sized Excellion toy.

==2007 Transformers==

@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 The Wal-Mart-exclusive Mini-Con pack would explain how Thundercracker got his Mini-Con partner Downshift, snatching him from under the Autobot's noses in one of his trademark fear causing missions. What he did not realize was that Downshift was as dedicated to creating chaos as him, and the two formed an alliance to terrorize the Autobots on Earth.
 {{-}}
+==Unicron Trilogy==
+{{Infobox character|
+ name =Thundercracker
+|image =
+|caption =
+|affiliation =Autobot/Decepticon
+|subgroup =[[Seekers (Transformers)|Seekers]], Deluxe Vehicles
+|function =Airman
+|partner = Zapmaster, Downshift
+|motto ="''Taste the cruel bite of my vicious weaponry.''" (Armada)<br> "''You see my strength?''" (Galaxy Force)
+|alternatemodes =Cybertronian Jet fighter, [[Sukhoi Su-37]]
+|series =''[[Transformers: Armada]]''<br>''[[Transformers: Cybertron]]''<br>''[[Transformers: Universe]]''
+|engvoice =[[Mark Oliver]]
+|japanvoice =[[Kazunari Tanaka]]
+}}
+Thundercracker, only mentioned off-screen in ''[[Transformers: Armada]]'', finally made his appearance on screen in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron]]''. Originally released alone, Thundercracker was later packaged with a Mini-Con partner as a [[Wal-Mart]]-exclusive but is unable to powerlinx with the Mini-Con. Although ''Armada'' Thundercracker did appear in the Dreamwave comics, he was portrayed very differently from the Cybertron character.
+As a character, Thundercracker is a Deception highly distinguished for his love of battle. He speaks with a distinctive southern "drawl" accent. This excessive blood-lust affects the entire Decepticon group. What he lacks in skills, Megatron recognizes Thundercracker's talent for encouraging the troop's fighting spirit. He always has his sights on target in either robot or jet mode. Unfortunately, he cannot concentrate on a target, and accuracy is not his style. He also comes up with special attacks that prove ineffective against his foes, most particularly Jetfire in a battle for sky supremacy, but when reinforcements arrive, he is usually the first to be defeated.
+Thundercracker's tech specs by both Hasbro and Takara revealed more about him. The Takara bio noted that he was excessively eager to go into battle, in turn inspiring the Decepticons who fought with him—which is why Megatron keeps him around. His Hasbro bio is indicates that, like the original G1 Thundercracker, his main power is his ability to create deafening sonic booms in combat. Rather oddly, the unlockable content on Hasbro's website indicates he is also somewhat of a practical joker. The non-flying Decepticons often ride on him.
+The Wal-Mart-exclusive Mini-Con pack would explain how Thundercracker got his Mini-Con partner Downshift, snatching him from under the Autobot's noses in one of his trademark fear causing missions. What he did not realize was that Downshift was as dedicated to creating chaos as him, and the two formed an alliance to terrorize the Autobots on Earth.
+In 2006, a Target store exclusive 2-pack called the "Ground to Air Blast Pack" included Cybertron [[Crosswise]] and Thundercracker. The toys were identical to their original ones, and the front included a brief mention of how the Autobot Bounty Hunter was hunting the Decepticon criminal Thundercracker. His tech spec indicates that his desire to blast Autobots is not out of any sort of sadism—it simply keeps him out of Megatron's way when the Decepticon leader is looking for someone to take his frustration out on.
+===Animated series===
+===Armada===
+In ''[[Transformers: Armada]]'', Thundercracker's colors were used in the television show as [[Starscream (Unicron Trilogy)|Starscream]]'s Super Mode colors, instead of as a separate character as originally intended. When Starscream gets the upgrade he quotes: "I look like Thundercracker."
+===Cybertron===
+In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron]]'', Thundercracker originally appeared as one of the Decepticons under Megatron, Thundercracker was paired with Starscream to search for the [[Omega Lock]] on Earth, using his Earthen alternate mode to great advantage.<ref>{{Cite journal | author = | title = Transformers - Galaxy Force Secret Special DVD!| journal = TV Magazine| volume = | issue = | pages= |date = February 2006 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvsjngLBR54}}</ref> He scanned an aircraft and transforms into the [[Su-37]] and attacked [[Landmine (Transformers)|Landmine]]. He had a rivalry with the Autobot [[Jetfire]] over who was the superior flyer. However, he was unaware that his wingmate harbored ambitions of his own. When Starscream gave Megatron a Planet Map to search for the remaining [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, the map turned out to be a fake and Thundercracker, along with Megatron, [[Ransack]] and [[Mudflap (Transformers)|Mudflap]] were trapped in a steel globe until they were freed by [[Scourge (Transformers)|Scourge]].
+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.
+Subsequently, Thundercracker was present for many more battles against both the Autobots and Starscream's ancient Decepticons. On one occasion, when [[Galvatron#Unicron Trilogy|Galvatron]] (a recreated Megatron) 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, rivaling the size of the Giant Planet Transformers. Thundercracker even took on [[Optimus Prime (Unicron Trilogy)|Optimus Prime]] himself, but was jumped by [[Hot Shot (Transformers)|Hot Shot]] and Jetfire, distracting him long enough for Prime to pursue Galvatron. After the fight, the Decepticons returned to normal size.
+After Galvatron's defeat and the closing of the black hole, his minions realized that Galvatron had never had any intentions of helping his minions escape the Black Hole disaster in the first place. Thundercracker 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 [[Jungle Planet]] back into its orbit, Galvatron attacked and damaged the rocket. The Jungle Planet threatened to crash into Cybertron. Much to the Autobots' surprise, the four Decepticons helped Scourge and the Autobots to move the rocket boosters back into place.
+After Galvatron's death, Thundercracker, in an attempt to continue being active, allied himself with the Autobots by taking part in construction work on Earth. He wanted to be an Autobot and never lose (even though he did not know how to make the Autobot symbol appear on his body he just put on a badly drawn one). He was forced back to the Decepticon ranks by Thunderblast, Dark Crumplezone and Ransack, who self-declared themselves as the new Decepticon army. Predictably, the hapless group did not get far: the credits montage that closed the series showed they had crashed on what appeared to be [[Mars]].
+===Dreamwave Productions===
+Thundercracker's only fictional appearance was in a flashback scene in the ''Transformers: Energon'' comic #30 and #31, as one of the Decepticons being led into battle by [[Scorponok]].
+While not much was known about Thundercracker, the [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''More Than Meets the Eye'' biography series filled in some of the gaps. It reveals that Thundercracker was one of [[Megatron (Unicron Trilogy)|Megatron]]'s elite aerial troops, and was responsible for training [[Starscream (Unicron Trilogy)|Starscream]] and [[Skywarp]]. Eventually he grew disenchanted with Megatron and disappeared. Resurfacing shortly before the battles on Earth, and now with a Mini-Con partner, he seemed to become a [[mercenary]].
+Like Starscream, Thundercracker can use one of his wings as an Energon blade and is a lethal martial fighter. However, in seeming reference to his original Marvel bio, his only weakness is his self-doubt.
+===Toys===
+* '''''Armada'' Thundercracker'''
+:A repaint of ''Armada'' Starscream. Mini-Con Zapmaster is a repaint of Swindle.<ref>[http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/2003/thundercracker-armada.html Cobra Island Toys - Transformer Archive<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>Transformer Armada, Herald News, The; April 15, 2004</ref>
+* '''''Cybertron'' Deluxe Thundercracker''' (2005)
+:The deluxe sized toy of Thundercracker was sold by itself in 2005, as well as packaged with the Mini-Con [[Transformers|Downshift]] and a Tiny-Tin as a promotion at [[Wal-Mart]] stores, then again packaged with the Autobot [[Crosswise]] as a [[Target Corporation|Target]] exclusive. The original deluxe sized Thundercracker was recolored into Cybertron [[Skywarp]].<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ps_results&product_id=16544 TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON Deluxe Class: THUNDERCRACKER Figure- Product Detail<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
+:A value 2-pack repackaging ''Cybertron'' Excellion and Thundercracker in ''Transformers: Universe'' packaging was first seen online in September 2007, called "Opposites Attack".
+:Cybertron Deluxe Thundercracker 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 Cybertron Thundercracker should stand 54 feet tall. He is not depicted as being this big in the animated series, standing as big as most Deluxe sized toys, a bit over 20 feet tall.
+* '''''Cybertron'' Legends Thundercracker'''
+:Besides his original release as a Deluxe-sized figure, a Micro-class Thundercracker was released in wave 4 of the ''Legends of Cybertron'' line. This figure improved on some of the flaws of the Deluxe sized figure, giving Thundercracker a full sized left arm and larger feet that he can better balance on.
+:This toy was later repainted as Micro-class [[Jetfire]]. A double sized knockoff of this toy was made in China and packaged in a box the Deluxe sized Excellion toy.<!--<ref>[http://wilson-ng.blogspot.com/2007/05/transformers-cybertron-legends_22.html Wilson's Collections: Transformers Cybertron Legends Thundercracker<!-- Bot generated title ]</ref>-->
 ==2007 Transformers==