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{{short description|Transformers character}} | |||
{{Otheruses4|the fictional character|DJ Starscream|Sid Wilson}}<!-- This is Supost to be an article on the G1 inarnation. If you feel the changes I've made don't belong, go up to this article's discussion page and explain why. Thank you. --> | |||
{{Multiple issues| | |||
{{Transformers character | |||
{{Fanpov|date=April 2023}} | |||
| name = Starscream | |||
{{Context|date=April 2023}} | |||
| image = Starscream.jpg | |||
{{Sources exist|date=June 2023}} | |||
| caption = | |||
}} | |||
| affiliation = Decepticon | |||
{{Infobox character | |||
| subgroup = ], ], ], Deluxe Vehicles, Predacons | |||
| name = Starscream | |||
| rank = 5 (but should have been 9, see text)<BR>9 (Masterpiece Starscream) | |||
| series = ] | |||
| function = Air Commander, Air Warrior | |||
| image = Starscream (Transformers).jpg | |||
| partner = ] | |||
| alt = | |||
| motto = "''Conquest is made of the ashes of one's enemies.''" | |||
| caption = ''Generation 1'' Starscream art by ] | |||
| alternatemodes = Cybertronian Jet, ], Cobra Night Raven, ] | |||
| first = ''Transformers'' #1 by Marvel Comics 4 | |||
| series = ], ], ], Robot Masters, ], ], ] | |||
| last = | |||
| engvoice = ] (''The Transformers'')<br/>] (''Beast Wars'')<br/> | |||
| voice = | |||
| japanvoice = ] (''The Transformers'')<br/>] (''Beast Wars'') | |||
'''English''': | |||
}}'''''Starscream''''' is the name of the ] in the series ]. Due to his treachery and personality, he has become a fan favorite and has had many future characters within the franchise to bear his name, some of which share his desire to become leader of the Decepticons. | |||
{{ubl | |||
| ] ('']'') | |||
| ] ('']'') | |||
| ] (''Unicron Trilogy'') | |||
| Jack Merluzzi (])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maru-z.com/Maru_Z/Narration.html|title=Narration|website=maru-z.com|access-date=August 13, 2017|archive-date=July 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731152658/http://www.maru-z.com/Maru_Z/Narration.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| ] (]) | |||
| ] (''Animated'') | |||
| ] (''Prime''/''Robots in Disguise'', ''Earthspark'') | |||
| ] (''War for Cybertron''/''Fall of Cybertron''/''Rise of the Dark Spark'') | |||
| Billy Bob Thompson (''Cyberverse'') | |||
| ] ('']'') | |||
| Frank Todaro (''Combiner Wars''/''Titans Return''/''Power of the Primes''/''War for Cybertron:Siege '') | |||
| ] ('']'') | |||
}} | |||
'''Japanese''': | |||
{{ubl | |||
| ] (''The Transformers'') | |||
| ] (''Beast Wars'') | |||
| ] (''Beast Wars II'') | |||
| ] (''Armada'')(''Animated'') | |||
| ] (''Energon'' Japanese role name:Nightscream) | |||
| ] (''Cybertron'') | |||
| ] (''Transformers'' film) | |||
| ] (''Prime'')(''Cyberverse'') | |||
| ] (''Robots in Disguise'' 2015) | |||
| ] ('']'') | |||
| ] (''War for Cybertron Trilogy'')(''EarthSpark'')(''Transformers One'') | |||
}} | |||
| affiliation = Decepticon | |||
| lbl21 = Sub-group | |||
| data21 = Commander, ] | |||
| lbl22 = Function | |||
| data22 = {{ubl|Second In Command|Commander of Aerospace|Air and Sky Commander}} | |||
| lbl23 = Rank | |||
| data23 = 9 | |||
| lbl31 = Partner | |||
| data31 = ], ], ] | |||
| lbl32 = Motto | |||
| data32 = "Conquest is made of the ashes of one's enemies." | |||
| lbl33 = Alternate modes | |||
| data33 = Cybertronian Fighter Jet, ] (G1/Cyberverse)<br />Cybertronian Fighter Jet resembling a ] (Armada)<br />Modified ] Jet Fighter (Energon) ] in Movie series]<br />] (Cybertron)<br />] ('']'') | |||
}} | |||
'''Starscream''' is a <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.-->character in the '']'' media franchise produced by the American toy company ] and the Japanese toy company ]. He is the ] of the ]s, a villainous faction of alien robots that seeks to conquer their home planet of Cybertron and the rest of the known universe. As with all Cybertronians, Starscream can disguise himself by transforming into vehicles, in his case a ], and he is usually portrayed as a treacherous and cowardly air commander who seeks to overthrow his leader ] and assume control of the Decepticons. | |||
==Transformers: Generation 1== | |||
Starscream makes no secret of his ambition to overthrow ] as Decepticon leader. He is more intelligent than the average Decepticon, ruthless, and cruel, but he is also unlikely to directly act on his ultimate ambition without assurance of conditions favorable to his ascension. He considers himself vastly superior to other Decepticons, and looks down on Megatron for being antiquated in his military strategy and tactics. Starscream believes that the Decepticons should rely more on guile and speed rather than brute destructive force to defeat the ]s, though, even when given the chance to strike out on his own, he is equally as successful as Megatron. Megatron frequently overlooks the potential threat that Starscream represents. However, Starscream often exhausts Megatron's patience quickly; violent-yet-brief verbal and/or physical conflicts are not uncommon between the two. Usually, these result in Megatron treating Starscream in a humiliatingly dismissive manner and in two cases actually resulted in his banishment: once to ] in the South Pacific and once to an desolate ] in deep space. | |||
The original suggestion for the character's name was '''Ulchtar''', which was a factitious name with no meaning. ] convinced Hasbro to name the character as Starscream instead.<ref>'''', ''ScreenRant'' 23 February 2017. Accessed on 26 May 2023.</ref> | |||
=== Abilities === | |||
Starscream can turn into an ] and serves as the Decepticon Air Commander, leading the other Decepticon ] jets, many of whom share his physical design. According to his technical specifications, he can reach speeds up to ] 2.8, and can climb up to sub-orbital altitudes of {{convert|52|mi|km|0}} and nose-dive down to ground level in minutes (the real aircraft has a top speed of Mach 2.5 with an altitude ceiling of {{convert|65000|ft|m|-2}}, or 12.3 miles). His arm is mounted with launchers (mounted under his wings in jet mode), which can launch two types of weaponry — ]s, each of which can level an area {{convert|10000|sqft|m2|-2}}, and his signature weapon, the null ray, which can disrupt the flow of electricity in any circuitry it hits for brief periods, effectively rendering any electronic device or machine (including Transformers) temporarily inoperable. | |||
== Character biography == | |||
Starscream has the ambition to overthrow Megatron as the Decepticons' leader. He has gained the control he craves on several occasions, but he eventually suffers defeat. Starscream is ruthless, cruel, bloodthirsty, and more intelligent than the average Decepticon, but also, unlikely to act directly on these aspirations without first securing conditions favorable to his ascension. He considers himself vastly superior to other Decepticons and finds Megatron contemptible for his antiquated military strategies and tactics. | |||
Starscream was formerly a ] and ], working with the Autobot Skyfire (]), during the Golden Age of ], shortly before the Autobot/Decepticon war re-erupted. Following the disappearance of Skyfire when the two were exploring a prehistoric Earth, Starscream returned to Cybertron and soon abandoned his scientific pursuits, becoming a warrior in Megatron's Decepticon army as the civil war exploded, considering it "far more exciting". | |||
Starscream believes the Decepticons should employ guile and speed more readily than brute force to defeat the Autobots. However, given the chance to lead, he is often less successful in this than Megatron. While Megatron frequently overlooks him as a threat, authors suggest such reasons for Megatron's tolerance of Starscream's presence as a grudging respect for his scheming nature and precautionary observation.<ref>McCarthy, Shane. The Transformers: All Hail Megatron. Vol. 11, IDW, 2009, p. 9, 16 vols.</ref> Others suggest that Starscream's treacherous nature is welcomed; that without a threat to his command, Megatron believes he would become soft and overconfident, or that he even found his transgressions amusing.<ref>Roche, Nick. Transformers Spotlight: Megatron. IDW, 2013, p. 23.</ref> Even so, Starscream often quickly exhausts Megatron's patience; violent-yet-brief verbal and/or physical conflicts between the two are not uncommon. As such, there have been times when Megatron has been close to killing Starscream.<ref>The Transformers: The Movie. Written by Ron Friedman, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, 1986.</ref> | |||
Acting as second-in-command of the elite troops Megatron took with him aboard the '']'', Starscream was among the Transformers trapped in stasis on Earth for four million years after the Decepticons attacked the Autobot craft, ], causing it to crash on the planet. When the ship's computer, ], was reactivated by a volcanic explosion in 1984, the Decepticons were the first to be reactivated and were restored with new Earthly alternate modes. Before departing, Starscream shot at the Ark as a petty parting gesture, causing a small tremor that knocked ] into the path of the reconstruction beam, allowing the Autobots to be restored, and the war to continue on Earth. | |||
Starscream’s first appearance is in the 1983 ] toy catalog, in which he is introduced as one of two colorations for a toy called “JetRobo” that transforms into a ].<ref>Kōjin, Ōno. 1983: Translated by Ben Weier, TransformersLand, 1983, pp. 9-10. Accessed 17 May 2023.</ref> Later when Hasbro purchased this toy mold, along with several others in 1984, he was introduced and given the name Starscream in the Generation 1 animated series and the adjacent Marvel Comics series. As Decepticon Air Commander, he leads the other Decepticon ] jets, many of whom share his physical design. His technical specifications indicate top speed as ] 2.8 and altitude ceiling as {{convert|52|mi|km|0}}. Launchers mounted on his arm (under his wings in jet mode) can deliver ] capable of leveling a {{convert|10000|sqft|m2|-2}} area and fire his signature null ray, which for brief periods disrupts the flow of electricity in any circuitry it contacts. This action temporarily renders inoperable any electronic device or machine, including Transformers.<ref> "More Than Meets The Eye: Part One." Written by George A. Bloom, The Transformers, First-run syndication, 17 Sept. 1984. | |||
As the war continued, Starscream's old friend Skyfire was discovered frozen in the Arctic Circle, and Megatron noted how concerned Starscream was to see Skyfire rescued; Starscream even took control of the revival process and successfully re-awakened his old friend. It was this friendship that initially led Skyfire to join the Decepticons, but when the latter refused to hurt humans, both Megatron and Starscream voiced their disgust. Not long after, several Autobots came to investigate the Decepticon activity and were subsequently captured; Starscream prepared to execute them and Starscream offered to forgive Skyfire if the latter would accept the first shot. Skyfire, disillusioned by his old friend's new warlike ways, joined the Autobots instead, and Starscream no longer gave him a second thought. | |||
</ref>{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
== Animated series == | |||
During the cataclysmic events that ensued when Megatron transported Cybertron into Earth's orbit, Starscream attempted to use the Decepticons' human ally, ], for his own purposes. Starscream forced him to take him to his secret lab, where he destabilized Arkeville's exponential generator, which, when it reached critical mass, would destroy the Earth. Starscream then fled with Arkeville to Cybertron, where Starscream intended to collect the energy released in Earth's destruction. When Optimus Prime and Megatron were forced to work together to stop Starscream's plan, Starscream returned to Earth to investigate why the generator had not exploded. Meanwhile, to remove the threat of the generator, Prime loaded it into Megatron's gun barrel and fired it into space — blasting Starscream out of the air in the process, causing him to fall to Earth and into a vengeful Megatron's clutches. | |||
Starscream was a prominent figure in most of Megatron's schemes over the next year, but also made several further plays for power — teaming up with the ]s ] and ] to betray Megatron, only to be double-crossed himself; duping the paranoiac Autobot, ] into allowing him to acquire the Autobots' Negavator weapon; destroying Megatron's ] robot to maintain his own position of power; getting drunk on ], and more. Ironically, given his invariably treacherous nature, he was the first to sniff out Nurgill's treachery when the Decepticons united with the underwater residents of Sub-Atlantica to take over the world. Generally, almost every time that (the virtually indestructible) Megatron sustained even the slightest damage in a battle, Starscream would claim that Megatron had "fallen", and frantically urge the Decepticons to immediately follow himself as their new leader. | |||
=== Generation 1 === | |||
Starscream would make use of his old scientist profession in the future, particularly when he and several other Decepticons were temporarily displaced in time to ] ]. When the weapons of the time-displaced transformers ceased functioning, Starscream knew how to use available materials to create ] as a substitute for himself and the other Decepticons. He was also able create an electric ] to replenish their depleted energy.<ref>] ]</ref> | |||
Starscream was formerly a scientist and explorer, working with the future Autobot ], during the Golden Age of Cybertron, shortly before the Autobot/Decepticon war re-erupted. Following the disappearance of Skyfire when the two were exploring a prehistoric Earth,<ref>{{Citation|title=Transformers: Generation 1 - The Skyfire Story {{!}} Transformers Official|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0-CMVx8xHc|language=en|access-date=2021-09-06}}</ref> Starscream returned to Cybertron and soon abandoned his scientific pursuits, becoming a warrior in ]'s Decepticon army as the ] exploded. Starscream attended the Cybertron War Academy, mentioned in the episode "A Prime Problem".<ref>{{Citation |title=Generation 1 - 27 - A Prime Problem 2/3 HD |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP1fHDcja1g |language=en |access-date=2023-01-27}}</ref> | |||
Starscream makes use of his old scientific profession in a few episodes. For example, in "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court", when he and several other Decepticons were temporarily displaced in time to medieval England, the weapons of the Transformers ceased functioning; Starscream knew how to use available materials to create gunpowder as a substitute for himself and the other Decepticons.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/transformers/a-decepticon-raider-in-king-arthurs-court-76001/|access-date=26 September 2014|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518204618/http://www.tv.com/shows/transformers/a-decepticon-raider-in-king-arthurs-court-76001/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
In "Starscream's Brigade", he attempts—in what was then only his latest in a series of attempts—to overthrow Megatron as the leader of the Decepticons. After being defeated and exiled in ], Starscream finds the remains of some ] military vehicles, which inspire him to create an army of his own. He travels to Cybertron using the Space Bridge, forcing the guards and eluding ] to do so. He breaks into the Decepticon Detention Center and steals the five personality components of Renegade Decepticons, then installs them into five wrecked military vehicles and they become the ].<ref>{{Citation |title=Transformers birth of the Combaticons |url=https://www.bitchute.com/video/eTgVI9GEFEqU/ |language=en |access-date=2022-05-02}}</ref> The Combaticons (who combine to form ]) and Starscream then capture four Transformers. When Megatron rallies his troops (except the ]) against Starscream and the Combaticons, he deploys ] to fight Bruticus, but Devastator is defeated. Megatron attempts to retreat, however Starscream orders Bruticus to capture Megatron and hold him while he gloats and humiliates him. While this is going on, the Stunticons arrive, combine into ] and defeat Bruticus. Megatron then orders ] to exile Starscream and the Combaticons to a distant asteroid. In the next episode, "The Revenge of Bruticus", the Combaticons blame Starscream for their punishment. They imprison him on Cybertron after he abandons them, and plan a devastating revenge on Megatron by pulling the Earth towards the Sun using Cybertron's controls. After proving his worth in helping Megatron and ] (who teamed up to prevent the Earth from destruction) stop the deranged Bruticus, Starscream gets restored to Decepticon ranks. | |||
In 1985, Starscream was responsible for the creation of the ] by liberating their imprisoned personality components from a detention center on Cybertron and installing them into five ] vehicles left over from the ]. He changed them into more modern vehicular forms (for example, he made Vortex the helicopter out of a crashed World War II fixed-wing aircraft). He intended them to be his own private army after he was exiled from the Decepticons for attempting to betray Megatron one too many times. Although the Combaticons had defeated Devastator and had Megatron relinquish control of the Decepticons to Starscream using their combined form, ], they were defeated by an intervening ]. | |||
In '']'', Starscream and many other Decepticons participate in the battle of ], leaving several Autobots killed. After the Decepticons' defeat, they retreat to Astrotrain. In order to reduce Astrotrain's mass, the Decepticons were left with no choice but to jettison the heavily damaged ], ], and ] into space, and Starscream tosses a mortally wounded Megatron out of Astrotrain. After that, he nominates himself as the new leader of the Decepticons.<ref>{{Citation|title=Transformers G1 The Movie Decepticon Leadership Battle|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rAWYOXobp0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/6rAWYOXobp0 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-09-06}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, during a grandiose coronation ceremony, Megatron, who has been reborn as ] alongside ], ] and the Sweeps, arrives and declares the coronation a "bad comedy". Starscream realizes that Galvatron was once Megatron, and Galvatron transforms into laser cannon mode, obliterating Starscream with a single shot.<ref>{{Citation|title=Transformers The Death of Starscream|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHWRkR2n6Lo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/SHWRkR2n6Lo |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-09-06}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
Megatron subsequently had Astrotrain relocate Starscream and his giant ally Bruticus to an asteroid in deep space. Finding himself once again in exile, Starscream vowed revenge. | |||
However, while Starscream's body has disintegrated, his "spark" remains as a ghost and returns later. In "Starscream's Ghost", he encounters his old friend ] in the Decepticon Crypt<ref>{{Citation|title=Transformers G1 77 Starscream's Ghost 2|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meN_1_PRY-0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/meN_1_PRY-0 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-10-10}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and conspires with him to hand Galvatron over to ], the new leader of the Autobots. Starscream possesses Cyclonus's body and tricks Galvatron into being captured by the Autobots. Galvatron escapes and later shoots Cyclonus when he realizes that Starscream's ghost is possessing his second-in-command. The ] easily escapes and re-appears in an additional episode, "Ghost in the Machine". In the episode, he first appears to possess Scourge and reactivates the head of ]. Starscream then makes a deal with Unicron to restore the latter's sight and body by stealing the eyes of ] and transformation cog of ], and wiring Unicron's head to Cybertron. Starscream successfully accomplishes most of this, however, when he can no longer possess Scourge, he demands that Unicron restore his own, original body so that he can complete the connections. Unicron complies and again demands that Starscream complete the connections, only to have Starscream ] him and tell him to "do it himself". At this point, the Autobots set off an explosion that blows Unicron's head and Starscream out into space. As Starscream tumbles out of control, he encounters the Decepticons who unleash all of their firepowers on him, damaging him and pushing him farther into space.<ref>{{Citation|title=Transformers - Starscreams Ghost pt.6|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYA0AypAZNs|language=en|access-date=2021-09-06}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> Starscream is not encountered again in G1. | |||
Despite the promises of revenge on Megatron from his creations, Starscream abandoned the Combaticons, blaming them for his failure to take over the Decepticons (where in reality they had helped him succeed). In mix of cabin fever and boredom, took his chances venturing intro outer space. Ironically, the Combaticons ended up taking control of Cybertron and altered the space bridge to push the Earth into sun, achieving revenge on Megatron, the Autobots, the Decepticons, and the Earth. Starscream arrived on Cybertron and tried to reclaim his leadership over his creations, but was imprisoned by the Combaticons along with Shockwave. | |||
=== ''Beast Wars'' === | |||
The Combaticon take over forced another uneasy alliance between the Autobots and Decepticons, who fought Bruticus and ultimately defeated him thanks to a weak spot revealed by Starscream in exchange for Megatron not killing him on the spot. | |||
The G1 incarnation of Starscream returns in '']'', voiced by Doug Parker. In the episode "Possession", He takes control of Waspinator's body while a lightning storm occurs. The Predacons recognize him as Air Commander Starscream of the Decepticons. Starscream claims that he had been killed in battle defending Galvatron from Unicron, and pledges his allegiance to the Predacon leader Megatron. In reality, he was destroyed by Galvatron, and plots to usurp Megatron and take control of the Predacons. He captures the Maximal base, and later holds Optimus Primal and Dinobot hostage, ordering the Maximals to attack the Predacon base in exchange for their safety. He is defeated by the combined efforts of Optimus Primal and Blackarachnia, freeing Waspinator's body, and sending Starscream's ghost hurtling back into the depths of space. In "The Agenda", Starscream makes a cameo appearance aboard the Ark, frozen in a stasis lock. | |||
=== ''Beast Wars II'' === | |||
] (1986)]] | |||
In the Japanese-exclusive animated series, '']'', a character named '''Starscream''' was one of ]'s most loyal minions. Like the Decepticon air commander who came before him, Starscream is both ambitious and deadly. He makes up for his lack of size with unmatched speed and maneuverability. He hopes to one day dethrone Galvatron as the Predacon emperor of destruction and rule the universe himself. He is also slightly effeminate, often laughing and gesturing in a shaky way. When transformed Starscream becomes a ] capable of soaring at very high speed. In fighter mode, he can use the "Formation Scream" and combine it with his loyal partner ] to become a powerful air fighter, in which Starscream forms the rear of the combination. In robot mode, his attack of choice is his "Screamwinder Missiles" which are strong enough to vaporize most opponents.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} Starscream tries to undermine his equally treacherous rival Megastorm. Starscream, during an assassination attempt, accidentally turned Megastorm into Gigastorm. Gigastorm paid Starscream and BB back in kind, but exposure to Angalmosis energy turned them into '''Hellscream''' and '''Max B'''. As Hellscream, he has the beast mode of a cyborg shark, whilst Max B transforms into a cyborg wolf. Hellscream is last seen escaping the exploding Nemesis with Max B and Gigastorm. They do reappear in '']'', where they and the rest of the Maximals and Predacons from best series, help rebuild Cybertron after the defeat of Unicron. | |||
In "2005", (the storyline year for the events of the 1986 release '']''), Starscream finally got his long-awaited chance to dispose of Megatron — who was severely damaged following his final battle with Optimus Prime — by jettisoning him from ], into the endless void of deep-space. After this, Starscream won the surviving Decepticons' battle to decide a new leader. Starscream's long-dreamt-of reign didn't last long, however — as he was crowning himself leader/king of the Decepticons, ] arrived, deriding Starscream's coronation as "bad comedy." Just as Starscream realized that Galvatron was actually ] in a new, more powerful body (provided by ]), Galvatron obliterated him, literally turning Starscream's body to ashes with a single blast while in his cannon mode. | |||
=== Unicron Trilogy === | |||
Starscream's spark (the core of each Cybertronian that contains their soul/consciousness — referred to as a "laser core" in the original animated series) survived, however, apparently confined to the Decepticon crypt on Cybertron, and he continued to exist in a ghost-like form. When the Decepticon turncoat, ], sought refuge from his pursuers in the crypt, Starscream's ghost seized control of ]'s body, and worked with Octane to turn Galvatron over to the Autobots and take leadership of the Decepticons for themselves. Galvatron evaded capture, and returned to blast Starscream (literally) out of Cyclonus -- only for the ghostly Decepticon to quietly take up residence in a ]. A short time later, he possessed Scourge and entered into a bargain with Unicron, performing three labors for the planet-eater in exchange for getting his body back. Acquiring the eyes of ] and the Transforming Cog of ], Starscream's body was restored so that he could comprise the final connection between Unicron's head and Cybertron, allowing the planet to become the chaos-bringer's new body. However, now that he had what he wanted, Starscream reneged on the agreement. At that point, an explosion instigated by the Autobots hurled Starscream and Unicron's head off into space. Starscream was last seen tumbling out of control through space, as Galvatron opened fire on him which pushed Starscream far into space. | |||
] comics.]] | |||
Starscream appears in ''Transformers: Armada'' as a young arrogant warrior who desperately wished to gain the approval and respect of his leader Megatron (in contrast to his G1 counterpart), but started to become confused as he began to hate both himself and his commander for the abuse heaped upon him as well as being disgusted with his leader's lack of honor and respect over his troops. He originally came to Earth as part of Megatron's expedition to gain the power of the Mini-Cons alongside Demolishor and ]. However, Starscream's frustration over having been made the last of the Decepticons to gain his partner Mini-Con led him to be manipulated by ] into battling with Megatron, which he lost. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} His hatred for Megatron eventually led to him siding with the Autobots so he could bring his former leader down once and for all. During his time with the Autobots, he formed a surprisingly close friendship with the human Alexis. However, Thrust eventually manipulated Starscream into rejoining the Decepticons, though Starscream still vowed to destroy Megatron. | |||
After the animated series ended in the U.S., Starscream appeared in animated form in the commercial for the Classic Pretenders. | |||
During the Unicron Battles, Starscream was one of the five Cybertronians who received a power boost from the Mini-Cons, giving him a new blue color scheme that makes him look like Thundercracker. Despite having the original G1 Thundercracker color scheme, Starscream was never renamed into the fellow seeker but had stated "I look like Thundercracker" when he gained the new body colors. When Thrust was ousted as a servant of Unicron, Starscream reunited with Alexis and gave chase, though he ultimately failed to catch him. When Megatron, now calling himself "Galvatron", refused to acknowledge the existence of Unicron and the potential threat he carried, Starscream challenged his leader to a duel and allowed him to stab him in the chest with the Star Saber. After a final sendoff with Galvatron, the seeker pulled the Star Saber out of his chest, exposing his spark, and fired on Unicron directly, only for the Chaos Bringer to fire a bolt of lightning that completely disintegrated Starscream, killing him. Starscream's death ultimately convinced Galvatron of Unicron's existence and he allied the Decepticons with the Autobots to end the threat. | |||
The precise reason for Starscream's ability to survive after death was never revealed in the original animated series, but would later be covered in '']''. (see below) | |||
In ''Energon'', set ten years later, Alpha Q revives Starscream and wipes all memories of his old life to use him as his personal assassin. However, Megatron eventually gets a hold of Starscream, using his newfound connection with Unicron to brainwash him into his loyal second-in-command. Later in the series, he is exposed to a pool of super energon, making his armor impervious to laser fire as well as recoloring it, making him resemble his original G1 colors. In the final episode, Starscream, along with Mirage, follows Galvatron into an energon sun, Galvatron having done so to break Unicron's hold over him. | |||
=== Marvel Comics === | |||
Again serving as one of Megatron's elite troops in the attack on the Ark, the ] incarnation of Starscream possessed the desire to take leadership of the Decepticons, but in the early days of the war on Earth, he limited his actions to making snide remarks about Megatron's capabilities, and did not accomplish any notable acts apart from nearly getting scrapped by Megatron after one snide comment too many. When he participated in an attack on the Ark with several of his fellow Decepticons, Starscream was deactivated by ], and sealed in a stasis pod in the '']'' for a prolonged period of time. | |||
Starscream returned again in ''Cybertron'' as a darker, more ruthless character. While he appears to be loyal to Megatron like he was in ''Energon'', he secretly prepares a coup against him to become the leader of the Decepticons. This results in a fracturing of the group, with Starscream discovering a group of ancient Decepticons, including two named Thunderblast and Lugnutz; he also recruits neutral Transformers Sideways and Soundwave. After several encounters, Starscream and Galvatron have one final battle which ends with Starscream, Soundwave, and Sideways being transported into another dimension. He is later located by Wing Saber, who teams up with Landmine and Mudflap to go after him. | |||
Meanwhile, however, on the other side of the Atlantic, the ] offices of Marvel Comics were producing their own storylines which were interspliced throughout the U.S. material. Here, Starscream came into his own under writer ], who portrayed the character's scheming and ambition with more subtlety than the animated series, making Starscream more intelligent and cunning than clownish. As one of the more interesting Decepticon characters, he was often the focus of his own stories, including a notable ] special based around Starscream's misery at being stranded on Earth. In this story and in many others penned by Furman, Starscream had a noticeably British sense of humor, often coming across as wry and sarcastic. He was one of the most formidable warriors in the Decepticon army and adversaries were often shown to be visibly intimidated by him before he had even begun to fight. At different points in the series, he has been shown to best fellow high ranking Decepticons ] and ] in combat, as well as the Autobot ]. | |||
=== ''Transformers: Animated'' === | |||
In these U.K. tales, Starscream was briefly revived from his stasis prison to participate in the events of the '']'' mega-serial, where he teamed up with future Decepticon leader ]. Galvatron tolerated his service with amusement, aware of the irony in the situation — Starscream thought that working with Galvatron would ensure his future, but thanks to Galvatron, Starscream had no future, since he was destined to die at his hands in 2006 (in the comic's alternate-future rendition of ''The Transformers: The Movie''). When Autobots from the future duped Galvatron into turning against Starscream, a repainted ] stood in for Starscream, who Galvatron then blasted. Believing that he had altered his timeline by killing "Starscream", Galvatron returned to his future, while the future Autobots returned the true Starscream to stasis. | |||
Starscream appears in the ], voiced by ]. He transforms into a futuristic harrier jet (sporting a notable similarity to the ] Fighters of '']'' fame in his transformation sequence) and resembles his ''Generation 1'' counterpart in both design, personality, and ambitions. He flies at high speeds in both modes and wields his trademark null-rays, though these function simply as powerful lasers. He's unintentionally comical in this incarnation displaying occasional incompetence. However, this incarnation displays a resolute tenacity towards his objective, shown by his flying around in a brutally damaged ''Nemesis'' to track down the Allspark's energy signature for 50 years by himself. Although slightly cowardly, Starscream is an excellent warrior, since he almost single-handedly took down ''all'' of the Autobots in a battle over the Allspark. He is also more ] than most incarnations of the character, frequently congratulating and praising himself, his plans, and his looks, with absolute glee. | |||
In Season 1, Starscream betrays and tries to kill Megatron in the first episode. Megatron learns about this soon after and kills Starscream in the season finale. In Season 2, a battle between Autobots and Decepticons destroys the Allspark, but Starscream is resurrected by a shard of the Allspark that had been embedded on his forehead. Throughout the season, Starscream continues to try and eliminate Megatron, but his plans fail every time. One attempt includes Starscream's creation of a squadron of clones of himself, each one of which embodies a side of his personality. Unfortunately for Starscream, these clones (except Thundercracker and Skywarp, who are sucked into space) eventually betray him and join Megatron. In the season finale, Starscream's body is destroyed, reducing him to nothing more than his head. In Season 3, Starscream "teams up" with Megatron to conquer Cybertron and destroy the Autobots, only to betray him again after regaining his body in the season finale. However, he is stopped by Lugnut and dies after the Allspark fragment keeping him alive is removed from his forehead. | |||
] | |||
Some time later, back in the U.S. stories, Starscream was liberated from his imprisonment by the new Decepticon leader, ], who appointed him second-in-command of his operations — a foolish move, as Starscream would immediately return to form, learning of Ratbat's plan to acquire the power of the ], and orchestrating a massive battle between the Autobot and Decepticon forces that allowed him to seize the colossal information bank's energy. Now imbued with the ], Starscream immediately turned his attention to Earth, and deactivated scores of Transformers who attempted to stand against him. As he steadily mutated into a gigantic being, Starscream was stopped by Optimus Prime, who tricked him into absorbing more of the Underbase's energy — more than his body could handle, destroying him. | |||
=== Aligned series === | |||
At this point, ] began penning the U.S comic book as well as its U.K. counterpart, and quickly returned Starscream to the fold. In the UK comics, Megatron had ] locate Starscream's shattered body, only to find that it still possessed some of the Underbase's power, and drained it away by their ] partners, leaving the body lifeless. Megatron then had Autobot surgeon ] reconstruct Starscream as a ], and had him attack Optimus Prime and ]'s forces on Earth. Ratchet disobeyed Megatron's request to reprogram his mind, however, and Starscream's original cowardly personality soon re-emerged. | |||
{{Infobox character | |||
| name = Starscream | |||
| series = ] | |||
| image = | |||
| alt = | |||
| caption = Starscream (right) confronted by Megatron (left) | |||
| voice = {{ubl | |||
| ] (''War for Cybertron'' video game) | |||
| ] (''Prime'' TV series) | |||
}} | |||
| affiliation = Decepticon | |||
| lbl21 = Sub-group | |||
| data21 = Deluxe Vehicles | |||
| lbl22 = Function | |||
| data22 = Decepticon Second-in-command and First Lieutenant, Energon Seeker Air Commander | |||
| lbl23 = Rank | |||
| data23 = 9 (10 for the majority of the first season of ''Prime'') | |||
| lbl31 = Partner | |||
| data31 = Megatron, Soundwave, Knock Out, Shockwave | |||
| lbl32 = Motto | |||
| data32 = "I, Megatron's true heir, Lord Starscream! Emperor of Destruction!" | |||
| lbl33 = Alternate modes | |||
| data33 = Cybertronian Jet, ] | |||
}} | |||
Starscream is part of the main group of Decepticons in the 2010 animated series '']''. This version is depicted as a much darker character, constantly plotting his rise to becoming the Decepticon leader and mercilessly killing Autobots, as evidenced when he terminates ] in the series premiere. He displays contempt for Decepticons who do not choose a flying alternate mode, such as ]. Although he may look weak, he possesses lethal weapons such as his missiles and sharp claws and has been shown to be a master manipulator. | |||
Throughout the first half of season one, Starscream serves as the Decepticons' leader after Megatron is critically injured and placed on life support (aided in his injuries by Starscream's attempt to assassinate him). However, once Megatron revives, Starscream is beaten and punished, returning to his position as second-in-command. Following Megatron's attempt to destroy Starscream, as well as his further humiliation at the hands of the Decepticon Airachnid, Starscream attempts to defect to the Autobots, only to be almost killed by ] after she discovers he is the one who murdered Cliffjumper, her former partner. He subsequently decides to go independent, seeking revenge against both the Autobots and Megatron. | |||
The U.K. comics then began a breakaway storyline that diverged the continuities, centering around the exploits of the Earthforce, the Earth-based Autobot sub-team. Through a team-up with Soundwave, Starscream succeeded in deposing Megatron and ] briefly, before they returned seeking vengeance. Starscream, however, had some unlikely protectors — the Autobots needed him alive so that his compatible systems could boost those of the ] ], who was dying from the rusting disease, Corrodia Gravis. | |||
In season two, Starscream makes several attempts to get back at the Autobots and Megatron, such as siding with the human terrorist organization M.E.C.H. and creating several clones of himself, but these all end in failure (and even result in him losing his ability to transform for most of the season), and he becomes more comedic in his ineptitude. He eventually gains a powerful Iacon relic known as the Apex Armor and also manages to obtain speed-enhancing red energon, though he loses the former to the Autobot Smokescreen. After learning of the Omega Keys, powerful Cybertronian relics that can be used to revive Cybertron, Starscream decides to steal them from the Autobots and give them to Megatron as a peace offering, wishing to rejoin the Decepticons. He succeeds and soon regains his old position as Megatron's first lieutenant after his current second-in-command, ], is killed. Starscream is later instrumental in the kidnapping of the Autobots' human allies, the creation of the Decepticon fortress Darkmount on Earth, and the destruction of the Autobot base. | |||
Issue #279 of the Marvel U.K. Transformers comic featured a story called "Divide and Conquer!" where Soundwave lead the bulk of the Decepticon forces on Earth against the Autobot Earthforce headquarters while Starscream attacked an oil tanker. Sent into battle by Prowl, the Dinobots routed the main Decepticon forces while Springer lead the Autobot Survivors, Broadside, Inferno, Skids, and Carnivac to defeat Starscream. | |||
In season three, Starscream is forced to share his high-ranking position with ] and tries to earn Megatron's respect by finding the Autobots before his rival, which results in an outbreak of energon vampires when he foolishly combines Dark Energon with unstable Synthetic Energon, resulting in the loss of over half of the Decepticon forces and the Insecticons Hive. Starscream is also distrustful of ], the ] cloned by Shockwave to hunt down the Autobots, a feeling which is proven correct when Predaking shows he is sentient and capable of transforming. It is also he who suggests terminating the Predacon soldiers they have been creating, including Predaking, and blames it on the Autobots, later causing Predaking to turn against them after he learns the truth. In the season finale, "Deadlock", Starscream helps the other Decepticons fight the Autobots when they board the ''Nemesis'', and later witnesses ] slay Megatron with the Star Saber, before escaping with Shockwave to go into hiding. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
In the U.S. comics, Starscream went on from his rebirth as a Pretender to join up with ] in instigating the Decepticon Civil War, and was transported to Cybertron along with all the other Transformers in preparation for the battle against ]. Following the Transformers' victory, Starscream and Shockwave fled the planet in a restored ''Ark''. On the way the two discovered some unlikely company — Megatron and Ratchet, both restored by ]. Starscream found Ratchet and prepared to kill him. However, in a fit of rage at Starscream's casual attitude to murder, Ratchet defeated the Decepticon. In order to prevent Megatron and Galvatron escaping to threaten the universe once more, Ratchet crashed the ''Ark'' on Earth. | |||
In the TV movie '']'', which functions as the finale to ''Transformers: Prime'', Starscream and Shockwave are the only remaining Decepticons on Cybertron, as the others have either been taken prisoners or joined the Autobots, forcing the pair to constantly move labs to avoid detection. Starscream helps Shockwave clone two Predacons, Skylynx and ], as part of their plan to rebuild the Decepticon army, and is later witness with Shockwave to the arrival of ] (possessing Megatron's upgraded and resurrected body), who plans to destroy his brother Primus, who forms Cybertron's core. Believing Unicron cannot be stopped, Starscream frees the captive Decepticons, including Knock Out, and attempts to take command of the ''Nemesis'' and flee Cybertron, but is stopped after Knock Out betrays him and sides with the Autobots. Starscream is then imprisoned along with the other Decepticons, though he eventually escapes and returns to Megatron after the latter is freed from Unicron's control. Starscream is eager to rejoin him, but Megatron rebuffs, saying that he has lost his taste for inflicting oppression and that the Decepticons are no more. Starscream then eagerly attempts to reinstate himself as leader of the Decepticons but is confronted by Predaking, Skylynx, and Darksteel, who are intent on revenge for their cruel treatment at his hands. Starscream is last seen fleeing terrified by Skylynx and Darksteel. | |||
==== Generation 2 ==== | |||
Starscream had been deactivated in the crash of the ''Ark'', but Megatron, who had also been on board, was the only survivor and over the next few years restored the Ark, entering into a deal with the human terrorist organization, ], which helped him obtain a new body and weapons. Desperate for troops and in spite of his own misgivings about doing so, Megatron then reactivated Starscream (Considering his only other choice was Shockwave, Megatron still felt he had made a good decision). Starscream served Megatron with at least a semblance of loyalty, ferrying him to his showdown with ]. But when he realized Megatron was going to eliminate him after his new Matrix-created army was up and running, he (predictably) betrayed him by alerting the forces of the Cybertronian general ] to the location of the joint Autobot/Decepticon base. | |||
In the sequel series '']'', it is revealed that Starscream survived his encounter with the Predacons, having inadvertently killed Skylynx and Darksteel by setting off a room full of weapons. After reformatting his body, he hid until he could regain his full power, tracking seven Minicons Megatron had been experimenting on to give himself greater power than even a Prime.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Mini-Con Madness |series=] (2015 TV series) |date=8 October 2016}}</ref> This led the Autobots to believe he was dead and allowed him to operate incognito. Eventually, Starscream was able to find the Minicons on Earth and hired an Insecticon and two mercenaries named Roughedge and Shadelock to retrieve them for him. He also came into possession of Megatron's Dark Star Saber and promptly took control of it, though the sword rejected him and he could not access its full power. Nevertheless, he still desired the Minicons' power as part of his plans for revenge and galactic conquest. | |||
Starscream was subsequently able to acquire the ] (previously stolen from Optimus Prime by Megatron), and used it merge himself with the Decepticon craft, the ], turning himself into a living weapon. However, Starscream found his mind affected by the innate goodness of the Matrix, and rejected it in order to preserve his own personality. | |||
After the Autobots Fixit, Jetstorm and Slipstream are captured during the hunt for the Minicons, Starscream has them brought to him. Upon learning that his old enemy, Bumblebee, is also on Earth, he threatens to terminate the Minicons unless Bumblebee surrenders to him. Bumblebee promptly does so in order to secure their release, and Starscream merges with six of the seven Minicons. Unfortunately for Starscream, Optimus Prime arrives and merges with the seventh Minicon before defeating Starscream with the help of Bumblebee's team. After being separated from the Minicons, Starscream falls comatose and is loaded onto Optimus's ship for transport back to Cybertron where he will face justice for his crimes.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Mighty Big Trouble |series=] (2015 TV series) |date=1 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
Starscream appeared in his ''Generation 2'' form in the short lived U.K. ''Generation 2'' comic series. This series also printed a bio for Starscream where he had the new motto "''I have a code of conduct — victory at all costs!''" | |||
In the 2022 show '']'', Starscream served under Megatron during the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, until Megatron's defection to the Autobots sometime after their arrival on Earth. He partook in the Battle of the Spacebridge, unsuccessfully trying to prevent the former Decepticon leader from hurling the AllSpark through the spacebridge back to Cybertron. Optimus Prime's destruction of the spacebridge, as well as the loss of the AllSpark, brought the war to a swift end. | |||
=== Fun Publications === | |||
Based on the Transformers Classics toy line, the Timelines 2007 story is set 15 years after the end of the Marvel Comics story (ignoring all events of the Marvel U.K. and Generation 2 comics). ] survived the crash of the ] on Earth, reformatted himself into a new form and now leads ], ], ], Starscream and the ]. ] has also returned to Earth commanding ], ], ], ], ] and ] (formerly Hot Rod). | |||
Fifteen years later, Starscream had been captured and imprisoned in a secret G.H.O.S.T. detention facility. Undeterred, he watched with glee as recent inmate Soundwave released Ravage into the facility to perform recon. Decoy While still a prisoner, Starscream glared angrily as he watched Skullcruncher be experimented on by G.H.O.S.T. | |||
In Transformers: Timelines volume 2 #2, "Games of Deception" Megatron detects the arrival of Bugbite's ship on Earth and sends Starscream, Skywarp and Ramjet to investigate. The three Seekers are then taken over by ]'s cerebro shells (with Starscream swearing to painfully dismember Bugbite for it). When the Autobots eventually jam the shells to facilitate their own rescue of ], Starscream is freed and battles Bugbite's faction. Whether he survived the battle is unknown. He seems to retain his usual second-in-command status in this story. | |||
Starscream, Nova Storm and Skywarp managed to escape G.H.O.S.T. HQ into an old cave system, where they encountered the Malto kids and were menaced by a Dweller. To his surprise, Starscream found a sympathetic ear in Hashtag, who listened to his stories of abuse at the hands of Megatron, and when the kids came up with a plan to trap the Dweller, Starscream talked the other Seekers into helping. During the attempt, they encountered Megatron, who had come into the caves in search of Starscream, and during the ensuing fight, Starscream and Hashtag were carried off by the beast. Starscream was willing to sacrifice himself to allow Hashtag to escape, but Hashtag managed to defeat the Dweller and save him. In the aftermath, Megatron offered Starscream a safe place to go, but Starscream turned him down, teleporting away with Nova Storm and Skywarp. | |||
=== Transformers Battle Circuit === | |||
The Classic line appeared in a simple ]-based video game on the Hasbro web site. In this one-on-one fighting game you press the right and left arrow keys to try to overpower your opponent. In the game you can play Rodimus, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Jetfire, Starscream, Astrotrain, Trypticon or Menasor. Optimus Prime and Megatron each appear as the ] you must defeat to win the game. <ref></ref> | |||
Learning of Mandroid's plan to wipe out all Cybertronian life, Starscream, Nova Storm and Skywarp returned to aid efforts to stop the mad scientist. Starscream gleefully took the opportunity for some payback on Megatron, whom Mandroid had mind-controlled to protect the superweapon he'd created. Ultimately Mandroid activated the weapon, causing Starscream and Megatron to drop lifeless from the sky, however, the pair were brought back online a short time later when Robby and Mo used their cyber-sleeves to reverse the effects. | |||
=== Books === | |||
] | |||
Starscream was featured in the 1985 Transformers audio books ], ], ] and Laserbeak's Fury, as well as Galvatron's Air Attack from the 1986 series. | |||
== Books == | |||
Starscream appeared in the 1986 story and coloring book '']'' by Marvel Books. | |||
Starscream appears in the following books: | |||
* The 1984 sticker and story book '']'' written by ] and published by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/books/sticker/return/return.html |title=Marvel Books- Transformers Sticker Book: Return to Cybertron |publisher=Physics. ohio-state.edu |access-date=2010-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722103816/http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/books/sticker/return/return.html |archive-date=2010-07-22 }}</ref> | |||
* The 1984 sticker and story book '']'' written by Suzanne Weyn and published by Marvel Books.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/books/sticker/revenge/revenge.html|title=The Revenge of the Decepticons|access-date=26 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812084616/http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/books/sticker/revenge/revenge.html|archive-date=12 August 2010}}</ref> | |||
* The 1985 ] Junior book called '']'' by Barbara Siegel and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamebooks.org/fyf_tran.htm |title=Find Your Fate Junior – The Transformers |publisher=Gamebooks.org |access-date=2010-04-27}}</ref> | |||
* The 1985 Transformers audio books '']'', '']'', '']'' and ''Laserbeak's Fury'', as well as ''Galvatron's Air Attack'' from the 1986 series.<ref>{{cite book| isbn=0-7214-0942-3|last=Grant|first=John|title=Autobots Fight Back|publisher=Ladybird Books| year=1985}}</ref> | |||
* The 1985 audio book ''Sun Raid''. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
* The 1986 story and coloring book '']'' by Marvel Books. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
* Starscream was featured in the 1993 ''Transformers: Generation 2'' coloring book "Decepticon Madness" by Bud Simpson.<ref>{{cite book|last=Simpson|first=Bud|isbn=1-56144-346-8|title=Decepticon Madness|publisher=Modern Publishing|year=1993}}</ref> | |||
Starscream appears in the novel '']'',<ref>{{cite book|isbn=978-0-345-52252-8 |title=Transformers: Exodus - The Official History of the War for Cybertron |publisher=Del Rey Books |year=2010 |author=Alexander C. Irvine}}</ref> and its sequels; '']'' and '']''. Here he and the Seekers were the bodyguards of Sentinel Prime, but captured him and pledged their allegiance to Megatron when the war between Autobots and Decepticons broke out. Starscream proved to be a treacherous subordinate as usual, looking for every opportunity to play both sides to his advantage so that his circumstances would be favorable regardless of the outcome. In an attempt to see Megatron destroyed, he released Sentinel Prime so that the deposed leader could eliminate the leader of the Decepticons, only to see Sentinel Prime fall. Starscream attacked Megatron himself but proved unable to defeat the Decepticon leader and was forced to submit to his authority again. He would join the crew of the '']'', and continue to seek Megatron's overthrow through a bargain with the Quintessons. | |||
===Beast Wars=== | |||
] | |||
Although the 1990s Transformers series, ''],'' officially occurred in a universe/continuity that contained aspects of both of the Generation 1 animated series ''and'' Marvel comic, the show most commonly displayed its lineage with references to the animated series. To that end, Starscream's ghost made a brief but memorable appearance in the first season episode, "Possession". His spark wandered to prehistoric Earth (probably through the same transwarp gate the ] and ] traveled through, although the exact details remain unknown) and ended up in the '']'''s computer console. Taking control of ]'s body with ] watching, Starscream went about his standard backstabbing ways, acquiring the trust of Predacon leader ], telling him that he was defending ] against ] and was destroyed, with his ] enduring. In reality, he was planning to overthrow Megatron. When his true intent was discovered by ], who knew he was really scrapped by Galvatron for betraying him, Starscream took her under his wing to teach her the ways of treachery —inevitably (and somewhat ironically) resulting in her betraying him. Caught in an ] explosion engineered by ], Starscream's spark was forced out of Waspinator's body and set adrift in space once more, vowing vengeance on both sides. In the episode, Starscream was voiced by ]. | |||
== Comics == | |||
At the time "Possession" was written, the idea that ''Beast Wars'' took place in the past had not been cemented, hence it was not precisely explained how Starscream's spark was able to travel back in time, aside from a qualifier in the form of Starscream's indistinct claim that his spark was "''...beyond the reach of time itself''". Although no specifics were intended by the writer, fans generally speculate that his spark hails from a point in time that post-dates his final appearance in the Generation 1 animated series, since he was last seen tumbling through space — a predicament he is also in, sans his body, at the beginning of "Possession". Starscream, successfully commandeering the ''Axalon'', was the first male to be attracted by ]. | |||
=== Marvel Comics === | |||
In the second season of ''Beast Wars'', the reason for Starscream's ability to survive beyond death was revealed — a mutation in his spark had rendered it indestructible. Maximal experiments to replicate this effect resulted in the creation of the insane monster Protoform X, later called ]. | |||
Serving as one of Megatron's elite troops in the attack on the Ark, the ] incarnation of Starscream possessed the desire to take leadership of the Decepticons, but in the early days of the war on Earth, he did not accomplish any notable acts apart from nearly getting scrapped by Megatron after one snide comment. When he participated in an attack on the Ark with several of his fellow Decepticons, Starscream was deactivated by ], and sealed in a stasis pod in the '']'' for a prolonged period of time. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
At the same time, the ] offices of Marvel Comics were producing their own storylines which were interspersed throughout the U.S. material. ] portrayed the character's scheming and ambition with more subtlety than the animated series, making Starscream more intelligent and cunning. He was often the focus of his own stories, including a Christmas special based around Starscream's misery at being stranded on Earth. In this story and in many others written by Furman, Starscream often came across as wry and sarcastic. He was one of the most formidable warriors in the Decepticon army and adversaries were often shown to be visibly intimidated by him. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
Starscream's original body was seen, lying in stasis lock, in the last episode of season two when Megatron entered the '']''. | |||
<BR CLEAR="ALL"> | |||
Starscream made an appearance in the Decepticon forces under the command of Megatron in issue #7 of the Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic series; in a story called "New Dawn" Megatron led his Decepticons against ]' second generation Cybertronians near the moon of Tykos. The Decepticons were defeated and Megatron was left injured, presumed dead, but swearing revenge.<ref>{{cite web|author=Seibertron.com |url=http://www.seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=113 |title=Transformers: Generation 2 #7: "New Dawn" |publisher=Seibertron.com |date=1994-05-01 |access-date=2010-04-27}} {{Better source needed|reason=]|date=December 2022}}</ref> | |||
=== Image Comics === | |||
''Genesis: The Art of Transformers,'' while by no means a primary source of story information, does contain several illustrations of Starscream. One of them is perhaps the only official illustration of his ] form besides the toy's box-art. Machine Wars Starscream is seen standing on a dais, wearing a purple cape and holding ]'s torn-off cannon.<ref> on </ref> The artist, Matt Kuphaldt, based the setting on the coronation scene from "]," only golden to indicate a post-"Rebirth" timeframe. Kuphaldt intended the illustration to be a sequel to his ] of Starscream's ghost possessing the body of a fallen Decepticon and becoming his Machine Wars self on a similarly-golden battlefield.<ref></ref> | |||
=== |
=== Fun Publications === | ||
Based on the Transformers Classics toy line, the Timelines 2007 story is set 15 years after the end of the Marvel Comics story (ignoring all events of the ] and Generation 2 comics). ] survived the crash of the ] on Earth. He is joined by Starscream, who realized he needed a leader. In Transformers: Timelines volume 2 #2, "Games of Deception" Megatron detects the arrival of Bugbite's ship on Earth and sends Starscream, Skywarp and Ramjet to investigate. The three Seekers are then taken over by ]'s cerebro shells (with Starscream swearing to painfully dismember Bugbite for it). When the Autobots eventually jam the shells to facilitate their own rescue of ], Starscream is freed and battles Bugbite's faction. Whether he survived the battle is unknown. He seems to retain his usual second-in-command status in this story. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} Starscream reported to Deathsaurus on the success of the Combaticons' attack on the Autobot Elite Guard.<ref>{{Cite journal | first = Pete | last = Sinclair| title = Battle Lines Part 1 | journal = Transformers Collectors Club Magazine| volume = 1 | issue = 37 | pages= 9–14 |date = February–March 2011}}</ref> | |||
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] --> | |||
In the 21st century reimagining of the Generation One universe by the comics company ], Starscream remained his treacherous, power-hungry self. In the early days of the war on Cybertron, he devastated Iacon with a ] process, and went on to form his own faction called the ] when Megatron vanished in a spacebridge experiment. When the other splinter factions attempted to reconcile their differences, Starscream's Predacons attacked the ceremony, although their bombing occurred concurrently with the return of Megatron, who immediately subjected Starscream to physical torture for stealing his glory. | |||
==== Shattered Glass ==== | |||
Winding up in stasis aboard the Autobot spacecraft, the ''Ark'', along with the other Decepticons when it crashed on prehistoric Earth, Starscream was reactivated in 1984 with the other Transformers. When the Autobots succeeded in defeating the Decepticons in 1999 and they all attempted to return to Cybertron aboard the ''Ark II'', the ship exploded as it exited Earth's atmosphere, and the Transformers were believed destroyed. In actuality, many of their bodies were appropriated by the terrorist, Lazarus, including Starscream's. ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and Starscream were forced to attack the Smitco oil refinery in the ] to display their power for sale to the highest bidder <ref> ''Transformers: Generation One'' #2 </ref>. | |||
{{Infobox character | |||
| name = Starscream | |||
| series = ] | |||
| image = | |||
| alt = | |||
| affiliation = Decepticon | |||
| lbl21 = Sub-group | |||
| data21 = Convention Exclusives, Voyagers | |||
| lbl22 = Function | |||
| data22 = Lieutenant Commander | |||
| lbl23 = Rank | |||
| data23 = 9 | |||
| lbl31 = Partner | |||
| data31 = Razorclaw | |||
| lbl32 = Motto | |||
| data32 = "''Among the mysteries of science lies the key to victory. ''" | |||
| lbl33 = Alternate modes | |||
| data33 = Cybertronian Jet | |||
}} | |||
This Starscream is a morally good version of the ''Generation 1'' character from the ] exclusive "''Shattered Glass''" comic, in which the Decepticons are on the side of good and the Autobots on the side of evil. This version is loyal to Megatron, as opposed to his normally treacherous portrayal. He longs to return to his life as a scientist. Also, Megatron treats Starscream with far more respect and considers him a genius. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
Starscream appears in the 2008 April Fool's comic ''Shattered Expectations'' by ]. He and Razorclaw confront his world's ], ] and ]. When the Autobots refuse to surrender the Decepticons call in the Mayhem Suppression Squad. | |||
When Megatron liberated himself from Lazarus's control in 2002, the other Decepticons were soon freed, and Starscream and the other Decepticon jets passed some time by dismembering the Autobot Mini-Bots before joining in an attack on ], during which they attacked ], forcing him to separate. | |||
Starscream then appears in the BotCon 2008 Timelines comic ''Transformers: Timelines'' story "]" as one of the troops of the heroic Decepticon Megatron. Starscream, Divebomb and ] drop "glass gas" bombs on the Autobot's Ark launch platform to make it vulnerable to attack.<ref>{{cite comic |colorist=Espen Grundetjern |date=Botcon 2008 |editor=Pete Sinclair & Brian Savage |inker=] |issue=3 |letterer=Jesse Wittenrich |penciller=Don Figueroa |publisher=Fun Publications |story=Shattered Glass |title=Transformers Timelines |volume=2 |writer=Pete Sinclair & Benson Yee}}</ref> | |||
The following year, Starscream was offered the opportunity to return to type when ] — who had unified Cybertron in their absence — arrived on Earth to arrest Prime and Megatron as war criminals. Seizing an opportunity to remove his main obstacle to power, Starscream blasted open the cargo hold of the ship taking them back to Cybertron, setting Megatron's damaged body adrift in space. | |||
Starscream appears in the fiction '']'', a text-based story from Fun Publications. He defends the Arch-Ayr fuel dump from an Autobot attack.<ref>{{cite book|author=S. Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak|title=Dungeons & Dinobots|publisher=]|others= Illustrator Evan Gauntt|year=2008}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
With the aid of Soundwave, he subsequently liberated the ] from imprisonment, and returned with them to Earth, where they attacked the ''Ark'' in an attempt to acquire parts to make the Decepticons' space cruiser flight-worthy. With Bruticus defeated by the arrival of Starscream's Shockwave-spawned, super-powered clone, ], Starscream fled and brought online ], who the Decepticons had previously uncovered frozen in ice. Operating together, they deduced Sunstorm's ] nature, and fashioned a power siphon to drain his energy; but Starscream turned the tables on everyone by freeing Sunstorm, who then took him to a mysterious Cybertronian seal beneath the ocean's surface. Sunstorm claimed that only Starscream could open the seal, which he proceeded to do, unlocking an underground reservoir of a powerful, energy-rich liquid, which Sunstorm planned to use to empower his "brother," so that they could achieve his goals together. Starscream turned on Sunstorm, who fell into the liquid, which reacted with his own powers and destroyed both him and Jetfire. | |||
The toy for the heroic Starscream is a redeco of the ''Cybertron'' Voyager Starscream and was available only in the 2008 ]. His color scheme is an homage to the ''Generation 1'' Autobot ]. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
Starscream escaped the conflagration and returned to the Decepticon base, only to discover that Megatron and Shockwave had returned in his absence, and to receive the beating he had earned from his former leader. Starscream hinted that he had discovered some of the secrets in the Transformers' history that Megatron and Shockwave had learned in the past, but unfortunately, Dreamwave went bankrupt and closed its doors before resolution to this storyline could be offered. | |||
==== |
==== Transtech ==== | ||
Another incarnation of Starscream works in civil intelligence on Transtech Cybertron.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers' Collectors Club|url=http://transformersclub.com/_images/TFmag15.pdf|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> This Starscream appeared in the ] story "Transcendent", where he reported his findings on ] and Landquake to ]. Prowl and Starscream had a biographies printed by ].<ref>{{Cite journal | title = The World of... Transtech| journal = Transformers Collectors Club Magazine| volume = 1 | issue = 23 | pages= 8–9 |date = October–November 2008|url=http://transformersclub.com/_images/TFmag15.pdf}}</ref> | |||
Starscream also appeared in Dreamwave's Transformers/] miniseries, set during ], plotting with ] to overthrow Megatron and ] using a fusion of ] and Decepticon technology called Bruticus. However, he was himself betrayed and destroyed by Destro and the ]. In this series, Starscream and the other seekers had alternate modes based on ]s. He reappeared in a second G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover set in continuity with the first, but over 40 years later. Here, he had his familiar alternate mode of an ]. His ultimate purpose was left unknown, as Dreamwave's closure meant the series was left unfinished after just one issue. | |||
{{-}} | |||
=== |
=== Dreamwave Productions === | ||
In the 21st-century re-imagining of the Generation One universe by the comics company ], Starscream remained his treacherous, power-hungry self. In the early days of the war on Cybertron, he devastated Iacon with a ] process and went on to form his own faction called the Predacons when Megatron vanished in a space-bridge experiment. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
] | |||
In this crossover from ], the ''Ark'' was discovered by the terrorist Cobra Organization, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles remotely controlled by the Televipers. In this storyline, Starscream turned into a Cobra Nightraven and was used as Cobra Commander's personal transport. Predictably attempting to betray Megatron when the Transformers broke free of Cobra's control, an animosity developed between Starscream and G.I. Joe member ]. Starscream (controlled by Cobra Commander) was responsible for Snake-Eyes disfigurement in the initial Cobra attack. Snake-Eyes got his revenge when he confronted Starscream in the final issue, cut out Starscream's eye with his sword and shoved a hand-grenade in the empty socket. When the first series ended Starscream ended up making a deal with Cobra Commander to remove the grenade (which hadn't exploded) from his eye socket in return for transport to safety. | |||
Dreamwave Productions produced a companion comic for the G1 toyline just as Marvel Comics produced, it was different from the animated continuity. In these comics, the ''Armada'' incarnation of Starscream had a much smaller role but was written in a fashion much closer to the original treacherous G1 character - a trait that would ultimately lead to his seeming demise when the ''Energon'' comic book began. He still possessed elements of the animated Armada Starscream, such as an unwillingness to shy away from the battle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cybertron war spreads as robots invade Earth|website = ]|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/jun/18/20040618-080728-9794r/?page=all|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
The second series from Devil's Due involved a plot by Starscream and Cobra Commander to get technology from Cybertron by breaking into their space bridge system. However, the intervention of both ]' Autobots and Shockwave's Decepticons complicated this plan, forcing Cobra and G.I. Joe (inadvertently teleported with them) to make a hasty truce to defeat the machinations of Shockwave and recover time-displaced Autobots and Decepticons, including Optimus Prime and the ]. As Starscream tried to weasel his way out of being destroyed by Shockwave, he was instead eliminated when Cobra Commander activated his parting gift: 45 pounds of ]s he had secretly placed in Starscream's housing during repairs. | |||
Starscream would appear in many of Megatron's subsequent schemes, including capturing ], attempting to capture Mini-Cons for his own use, and launching an attack on the Mini-Con base on the Moon. His next appearance would be 10 years after ]'s defeat. When Starscream gatecrashed a meeting of the ]s – renegade Decepticons who were unhappy with the peace between Autobot and Decepticon that had emerged in the wake of Unicron's defeat – at an energon plant, his mistake soon became apparent when he discovered that they had struck a deal with Unicron and gained new "Hyper Mode" powers. When their leader, Scorponok, arrived, Starscream was unable to talk himself out of trouble and was blasted into the plant's machinery by Scorponok, seemingly dying. But Starscream survived. The raw energon in the plant reacted in some mysterious way, giving him a ghostly body of pure energon (like the cartoon ''Energon'' version, this was also a homage to the ghost form of the original Starscream). In this form, he ended up attacking Demolishor and draining him of his energy. Due to the collapse of Dreamwave, the series was stopped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=787 |title=Transformers: Energon #33: "Transformers: Energon" |publisher=Seibertron.com |date=2012-08-09 |access-date=2012-08-17}} {{Better source needed|reason=]|date=December 2022}}</ref> | |||
===Transformers: Robot Masters=== | |||
Starscream also appeared in the Japanese exclusive '']'' series. When Megatron disappeared, Starscream quickly seized command, only to be forcibly dethroned by a time-lost newcomer — ]. Plotting all the while behind his new leader's back, Starscream nonetheless served him against the Autobots, battling another time-lost Transformer, ], and losing, before destroying a large chunk of ] to uncover solitarium. He was shot down by the mysterious Reverse Convoy — who quickly revealed himself as Megatron in a new body. | |||
=== Devil's Due Publishing === | |||
In this crossover from ], the Ark was discovered by the terrorist Cobra Organization, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles remotely controlled by the Televipers. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
=== IDW Publishing === | === IDW Publishing === | ||
{{Expand section|date=May 2016}} | |||
After Dreamwave's closure, the rights to the Transformers comics were taken up by ]. Their version of the Generation One universe begins with a miniseries called '']''. His alternate mode here is that of an ], foreshadowing the events of the 2007 live action movie. | |||
After Dreamwave's closure, the rights to the Transformers comics were taken up by ]. Their version of the Generation One universe begins with a miniseries called '']''. His alternate mode here is that of an ], foreshadowing the events of the 2007 live-action movie. <ref>Furman, Simon. The Transformers: Infiltration. Vol. 6, IDW, 2006, pp. 14-16.</ref> | |||
''Beast Wars Second'' Starscream had a biography printed in the ''Beast Wars Sourcebook'' by ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Creators of Transformers: Beast Wars: The Gathering are back|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/comics/news/article_1343405.php/Creators_of_Transformers_Beast_Wars_The_Gathering_are_back|access-date=26 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232701/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/comics/news/article_1343405.php/Creators_of_Transformers_Beast_Wars_The_Gathering_are_back|archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> IDW also published a one-shot ''Transformers'' story as part of their ''Deviations'' series that heavily featured Starscream: "'Til All Are One." | |||
Chronologically, Starscream first appears in #3 of '']'' series, which details the rise of the Decepticons. He is specifically sent to Megatron by Soundwave due to his flight capabilities; pledging complete allegiance, he is sent to launch a terrorist attack on Autobot Senator Decimus. It is later revealed that Megatron has asked him to carry out a task, one Starscream doesn't understand the purpose of but is told it is to "send a message". Shortly afterward, the Decepticons are captured by the Autobots. As part of Megatron's plan, Starscream swiftly becomes an Autobot informant. Starscream informs the senators they bear responsibility for the current situation; afterward, he and Soundwave massacre the Senate. After freeing Megatron and the prisoners, Starscream gives Megatron his fusion cannon, helping the Decepticon leader in his battle against ]. Although his robot mode is different and bears more resemblance to his original G1 incarnation, his alternate jet mode is the same as that seen in ''The War Within''. It was also revealed in '']'' that Starscream also spent some time as Megatron's bodyguard. | |||
In this story, an alternate version of events from ''The Transformers: The Movie'', Starscream took over leadership of the Decepticons after Optimus Prime killed Megatron. Thus, it was Starscream who first encountered Unicron and allied the Decepticons to him, after being upgraded by Unicron's power into the mighty '''Megascream'''. He briefly hunted the Autobots in an effort to destroy the ], but later turned against his benefactor when Unicron devoured one of Cybertron's moons, which Starscream saw as his own. When Unicron attacked Cybertron itself and Optimus Prime arrived to try and stop him, Megascream demanded that he hand over the Matrix, and combined with ], ], Ramjet, and Dirge into a massive new form. However, ] soon arrived to rescue Optimus, and unleashed the power of the Matrix, resulting in Unicron's demise as well as that of Megascream and himself. | |||
By the time of ''Infiltration'', Starscream is in command of a small group of Decepticons on Earth, including ], ], ], ] and the Battlechargers ] and ]. Megatron, as stated in #6, believes the two of them have grown past the backstabbing and posturing of their mutual past. However, on Earth Starscream discovered a variant ore of ] on Earth that was the Transformer equivalent of steroids, making him bold enough to advance their infiltration phase ahead of schedule. As a result, the humans seemingly obtain evidence of the Transformers' existence, causing Starscream to desperately bump off everyone who has seen the evidence. (The evidence-gathering turns out to be a plot by the Machination to locate a Transformer base. <ref>Revealed in previews of ''Devastation'' #1, printed in ''Spotlight: Optimus Prime''</ref>) | |||
=== Combiner Wars === | |||
Learning of this though, Megatron comes to Earth and duels with Starscream, battling physically and verbally. Even Starscream's supercharged power isn't enough, and Megatron ends the duel with the statement, "You're going to take your punishment like a Decepticon" before blowing a hole clean through Starscream's torso with a blast of his arm cannon at point blank range. Despite the immense damage he took, Megatron's commands to Runabout and Runamuck indicate that Starscream had survived. In issue #1 of '']'', Megatron's increasing instability forces the other Decepticons, led by ], to consider reviving Starscream, who is seen in a stasis tank repaired. He makes his return during the midst of a pitched battle between the Reapers (an army of living weapons) and ]. Sixshot, upon seeing Starscream, defects to the Reapers, but Starscream takes him out with a shut-off code learned during his time as Megatron's bodyguard. He then attacks the Reapers single-handedly, forcing Megatron to lead the other Decepticons in assisting him. The two managed to put their differences aside, with Starscream stating that he was still loyal to the Decepticon cause, and the Decepticons defeated the Reapers (unknowingly aided by ]). | |||
In conjunction with the Combiner Wars (Unite Warriors in Japan) line, ] released a comic detailing how the '''Galvatronus''' combiner came to be. Following his defeat at the conclusion of ''The Headmasters'', Galvatron's icy tomb was discovered by Cyclonus, whose body Galvatron modified to accommodate his own head in the chest compartment. Seeking a more fitting form, Galvatron directed Cyclonus to approach the disembodied head of Unicron, who was convinced to help Galvatron attain a combiner form with Cyclonus as its core. To accomplish this, Unicron used his power to open dimensional rifts in order to bring Curse Armada Thrust, ], and ] into their world. To Cyclonus' surprise, Starscream then made an appearance, expressing interest in joining this new alliance. Unicron promptly granted Starscream a new physical form, though half-alive-half-dead to ensure loyalty, and Galvatron's head took control of his new minions to take on his new form of Galvatronus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810864769/|title=おもちゃ・グッズ通販│タカラトミー公式通販サイト「タカラトミーモール」|website=takaratomymall.jp|access-date=18 June 2018}}</ref> | |||
== Video games == | |||
G1 Starscream and G1 Pretender Starscream received a cameo on the cover of Spotlight: Galvatron. G1 Starscream, standing with his back towards the reader, can be seen with a hole in his stomach (similar to that in Infiltration) among the creatures that attacked Galvatron. Starscream's pretender shell can be seen beside him. A Sharkticon can also be seen. | |||
Starscream appears as a playable character in Hasbro's ] fighting game ''Transformers Battle Universe''. Although other playable Transformers have several incarnations featured, the only playable incarnation of Starscream is the Generation 1 version. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} He is also featured a ] in the 2004 '']'' video game for the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Atari Begins the ''Ultimate Conflict'' with Worldwide Release of 'TRANSFORMERS' Video Game.|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Atari+Begins+the+%60%60Ultimate+Conflict%27%27+with+Worldwide+Release+of...-a0116487088|access-date=26 September 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032937/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Atari+Begins+the+%60%60Ultimate+Conflict%27%27+with+Worldwide+Release+of...-a0116487088|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
Starscream appears in Activision's '']'', based on the 2007 live-action film. He is voiced by ]. In the Autobot campaign, Starscream appears as a boss in the second mission of the fourth chapter, where he is defeated by ]. In the Decepticon campaign, Starscream acts as Decepticon leader until Megatron's resurrection and is playable in the third chapter. A color scheme for Starscream inspired by the Generation 1 version of the character can be unlocked by completing the Decepticon campaign. In the ] version of the game, '']'', Starscream serves as a boss at the end of the Arctic levels, trying and failing to kill Ironhide. In '']'', Starscream initially serves as leader of the Decepticon forces on Earth and Create-A-Bot's mentor but secretly plots to seize the AllSpark for himself. After killing Bumblebee, Starscream takes the AllSpark, kills Megatron loyalist Blackout and Barricade, and battles Megatron and his disillusioned apprentice. He is eventually defeated by Create-A-Bot and then executed by Megatron for his treason. The G1 Starscream color scheme also appears as an unlockable bonus form for Create-A-Bot. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
==== Evolutions: Hearts of Steel ==== | |||
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] --> | |||
Starscream is also a major player in the mini-series '']'', which takes place in an out-of-continuity 19th century. Starscream and the other Seekers are reconfigured as ]-esque early aircraft and Starscream plans the familiar concepts of taking over Earth and destroying Megatron. This version of Starscream is less impetuous and has thought his plans through, even using humans to help. Unfortunately his plan was still thwarted by ] and ], who were able to redirect the railway so that the Decepticon train convoy was dropped into a chasm <ref></ref>. | |||
In the sequel '']'', itself based on the film's sequel, Starscream acts as leader of the Decepticons following Megatron's death, though he returns to his old position as second-in-command once Megatron is resurrected. He is playable in several levels of the Decepticon campaign, and appears as a boss, alongside Megatron, in one of the final levels of the Autobot campaign. In '']'', which acts as a prequel to the film of the same name, Starscream (voiced by ]) is playable in the fifth level, where he intercepts and destroys a weapons transport mid-flight, battling the Aerialbots in the process. He also appears in the ] and ] versions of the game, though he is reduced to a minor supporting role.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
=== Kiss Players♥ ===<!-- Please do not remove the heart as Takara recognizes it in their product fine print for the series. --> | |||
The Japanese-exclusive '']'' toy line features the somewhat unusual concept of Transformers who attain power-ups through being kissed by young women, in a universe that branches off from the original animated series. Set in 2006 (one year after Starscream's death in '']'', but four years before the third season of the show, which in Japan occurred in 2010), the ''Kiss Players'' radio drama sees Starscream's ghost possess Earth Defense Command (EDC) operative Atari Hitotonari, and forced her to seek out his old ally, ]. Arkeville constructed a new body for Starscream (meant to represent his Masterpiece toy) out of a stolen fighter jet, and Atari transferred his spark into it with a kiss. Transforming into his new robot mode, Starscream was only able to enjoy it for a few minutes before EDC Autotrooper robots blew it up and sent his spark flying back into space. | |||
Starscream appears in '']''. He serves as a boss in the third and eleventh levels of the single-player campaign, fighting ] on both occasions and is playable in the multiplayer mode.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
=== Other media === | |||
* Starscream appears in the '']'' episode "Junk in the Trunk". He was seen at a dam piling up with Energon cubes with his fellow Decepticons until the Autobots arrived and attacked them. Starscream is the only Decepticon who appears to survive the attack, but then receives a severe beating from the Autobots. | |||
*Starscream appears on the '']'' episode "]" when ] fears that the Tooth Fairy will attack him so he put toys around him as bodyguards. One of the toys was Starscream, though his coloring makes him look like ]. | |||
*In the song "]" by rapper ], there is a lyric that goes "Cuz you got jealousy in your voice like Starscream" | |||
=== |
=== Cybertron series === | ||
Starscream appears in the 2010 video game '']'', voiced by ]. He appears as an enemy in the level "Dark Energon", as a playable character in the level "Starscream's Brigade", and as a boss in the level "Defend Iacon". He is also playable in the game's escalation mode, and his body type is available to use for the player's multiplayer custom Decepticon scientist. Starscream also appears as a level boss in the ] version of the game, '']''. | |||
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: ] --> | |||
*'''Generation 1 Starscream''' (1984) | |||
:The original Starscream toy was originally part of the Japanese ] toy line and was imported to become part of the ''Transformers'' toy line by ] in 1984. In jet mode, the toy is 21 cm long (a scale of 1:93, suggesting that Starscream's 14 cm robot mode would be about 13 m tall). In what is considered to be a major drawback to the toy, the majority of its parts have to be removed for transformation, and it is rare to find a totally complete one, since neither mode can hold all the parts. The toy was later re-issued in Japan in 2001, with black-and-gold and translucent "ghost" variants, and again in 2003, redecorated into a more cartoon-accurate color scheme. He was also reissued in the west in 2003, with extended missiles to comply with safety regulations. Japan re-released Starscream once again in 2007 for their "Encore Series". <ref>http://www.google.com/patents?id=akIpAAAAEBAJ&dq=reconfigurable+toy</ref> | |||
Starscream is initially depicted as an Autobot Sky Commander who, following a demotion by the Autobot leader Zeta Prime, was appointed guardian of an ancient space station dedicated to creating Dark Energon. When Megatron and his Decepticons attack the station, hoping to use Dark Energon to gain an advantage over the Autobots, Starscream tries to stop them but fails. Megatron then tempts Starscream with power and, after proving capable of wielding Dark Energon, convinces him to join the Decepticons. Starscream and his fellow Seekers, Thundercracker and Skywarp, are then ordered by Megatron to reactivate an old Energon Bridge to allow the manufacture of more Dark Energon. The trio succeeds, and Starscream is later shown leading the Decepticons' aerial squadrons during Megatron's invasion of Iacon City, the Autobots' capital. When Megatron orders the deployment of Dark Energon bombers, Starscream refuses, feeling they would be wasted, but Megatron overrides his refusal. Later, when Megatron is presumed dead while fighting Omega Supreme, Starscream wastes no time to declare himself Decepticon leader, only for Megatron to quickly confirm he is still alive and order Starscream to attack Omega Supreme as a distraction tactic. Shortly after, when the battle seems lost, Starscream is ready to sound a retreat, which Megatron overrides by threatening to execute any retreating Decepticon. In the Autobot Campaign, which directly follows the Decepticon Campaign, Starscream battles his former allies ] and ], and attacks ], ], and ] in the Decagon Plaza. However, he is forced to retreat after being injured by Optimus's axe. | |||
:The Starscream mold was redecorated to create ] and ] and released concurrently alongside them, but a production errors saw the ] numbers for Starscream and ] swapped,<ref></ref> incorrectly suggesting that Skywarp was higher in rank and intelligence than Starscream (the Japanese version of the toy always included the higher rank, but featured a lower skill). Some packages had an attempt at a correction where Starscream instead had Thundercracker's tech spec numbers which also incorrectly indicated the rank and intelligence of the character. On the profiles of most subsequent releases of Starscream figures, it is these inaccurate numbers which are used due to the manufacturers simply copying the old profile without realizing there was an error. The mold was later modified to create the 1985 jets, ], ] and ], and much later, recolored into the 2002 ] exclusive ]. | |||
Starscream returns in the 2012 sequel '']'', where, after Megatron is killed by ], he assumes command of the Decepticons. However, Starscream proves to be a poor leader, using most of the Decepticons' energy supplies to further his own ego, resulting in many Decepticons becoming distrustful of him. After the Autobots harvest the Energon from a destroyed Space Bridge, Starscream plans to ambush the Autobot transport carrying it and steal it for himself, but rebuffs ]' warnings about the transport's anti-aircraft cannons, resulting in most of the Decepticon aerial squadron being destroyed. Starscream orders a retreat, but the rebellious Combaticons disobey him and manage to capture the transport, albeit losing half of the Energon supply. Starscream promptly has them arrested for treachery, along with all those who defied his reign. Later, as Starscream decides to have a coronation to celebrate him becoming leader of the Decepticons (in an homage to the ]), he is confronted by a revived Megatron. Megatron assumes leadership once again while Starscream is forced to flee, becoming a wanted fugitive. Starscream is playable in the level "Starscream's Betrayal", where he infiltrates ]'s lab to sabotage his experiments as part of his revenge plan against Megatron, and encounters a captured ]. He offers the Autobot freedom in exchange for his ], but Grimlock instead grabs Starscream and throws him into a control panel, freeing himself and leaving Starscream unconscious. | |||
*'''Generation 1 Pretender Classic Starscream''' (1989) | |||
:Starscream was shrunken and redesigned for his rebirth as a ], with twin guns that became his tailfins in jet mode. His tech spec numbers remained much the same, but with slightly decreased speed. | |||
Starscream also appears in the 2014 game '']'', set between the events of ''War for Cybertron'' and ''Fall of Cybertron''. He, Shockwave, and ] are ordered by Megatron to search the abandoned Crystal City for a powerful artifact called the Dark Spark, which could secure the Decepticons' victory in the war. Although they manage to find it, and even secure the loyalty of a swarm of Insecticons along the way, the Dark Spark is grabbed by the Autobots first, who escape with it. Starscream follows them, trying to recover the Dark Spark, but is attacked by the Insecticons and is unable to prevent the Autobots from boarding a train. Fortunately for the Decepticons, Shockwave rigged the train with explosives, and he and Sharpshot are able to recover the Dark Spark from the Autobots. | |||
] | |||
*'''Generation 1 Legends Starscream''' (1989) | |||
:The Pretender figure was released without his shell at ] retailers in the U.S. as '''Legends Starscream''' and in Japan as part of a subline called "Legends". | |||
== Transformers Cinematic Universe == | |||
*'''Generation 1 Action Master Starscream''' (1990) | |||
{{Infobox character | |||
:Starscream's non-transforming ] figure was nominally supposed to bring the toy closer in appearance to the animation incarnation, but was actually based on his Pretender figure, yielding a rather inaccurate color scheme, lacking the defining shoulder-wings. His toy included a "Turbo Jet", which transformed into a battle station. In keeping with tradition, the Action Master Starscream figure was later redecorated into the ]an-exclusive Action Master Thundercracker in 1991. | |||
| name = Starscream | |||
| series = ] | |||
| image = Starscream_2007.png | |||
| alt = | |||
| caption = | |||
| voice = | |||
'''English''': | |||
{{ubl | |||
| ] (films, ], ]) | |||
| ] (]) | |||
| ] (]) | |||
| Bronco O. Jackson (Cyber Missions) | |||
| ] (]) | |||
| ] (Transformers One) | |||
}} | |||
'''Japanese''': | |||
{{ubl | |||
| ] | |||
}} | |||
| affiliation = Decepticon | |||
| lbl21 = Sub-group | |||
| data21 = Fast Action Battlers, Micro Vehicles, Deluxe, Voyagers, Leaders | |||
| lbl22 = Function | |||
| data22 = Hunter | |||
| lbl23 = Rank | |||
| data23 = 9 | |||
| lbl31 = Partner | |||
| data31 = ], Blackout, Grindor, Barricade, ], Bonecrusher, ], Rampage, and Sentinel Prime, ], Thundercracker, Skywarp | |||
| lbl32 = Motto | |||
| data32 = "''Truly the universe favors those who persist. '' "''Sometimes, cowards do survive. '' | |||
| lbl33 = Alternate modes | |||
| data33 = Entry mode protoform, Cybertronian Jet Fighter, ] | |||
}} | |||
During the production of ], writer ] stated that Starscream would not stray from his treacherous roots as he seeks to overthrow ], and frequently engages in arguments with him. In the first film, he is seen vehemently pledging his allegiance to Megatron when the latter breaks free from the ], but unlike the other Decepticons, he is not killed in the final battle and leaves Earth at the end of the movie. Starscream transforms into a ]. Starscream is armed with a rotary cannon, rocket launchers, and a saw. When in jet mode, he can simulate the presence of a human pilot, the same holographic model (referred to as "Mustache Man" on-set and in the credits) that "pilots" Blackout and "drives" Barricade. The actor is ] Major Brian Reece, a helicopter pilot instructor at ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kirtland Air Force Base pilot's icy stare earned him a spot in 'Transformers' movie |url=http://abqtrib.com/news/2007/jun/30/kirtland-air-force-base-pilots-icy-stare-earned-hi/ |access-date=26 September 2014 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022163948/http://abqtrib.com/news/2007/jun/30/kirtland-air-force-base-pilots-icy-stare-earned-hi/ |archive-date=October 22, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
], the jet Starscream is based on in the films]] | |||
*'''Generation 2 Starscream''' (1993) | |||
=== Role in the films === | |||
:For the '']'' toy line, Starscream's original 1984 toy was re-released, now redecorated in gray and salmon pink, with the addition of spring-loaded missile launchers and an electronic sound pack that mounted on the figure's back. As before, the toy was also remolded into ]. Oddly, the new ''Generation 2'' character ], leader of the Sky Scorchers, was a new jet that sported Starscream's original colors. | |||
{{Main|Bumblebee (film)|Transformers (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen|Transformers: Dark of the Moon|Transformers: Age of Extinction|Transformers: The Last Knight}} | |||
In 2007’s "]", Starscream rallies the other Decepticons to battle once Frenzy alerts them to the AllSpark's location. Starscream disguises as an F-22 Raptor providing cover for humans in Mission City and severely injures Bumblebee. After flying through the city, Starscream attempts to take the AllSpark from Sam but is later attacked by both Ironhide and Ratchet. Ironhide takes the most damage, while Ratchet was able to hold his ground against Starscream's attacks. He transforms back into jet mode and flies away, leaving Ironhide and Ratchet damaged. He then assists Megatron in going after the AllSpark by shooting down the helicopter that was going to extract the Cube from Sam. Later, he attacks several F-22 Raptors flying through Mission City. Due to him transforming into a Raptor himself, Starscream was able to escape the jets as they were firing back at him. After Megatron was killed by Sam, Starscream retreats into deep space. | |||
In 2009’s "]", Starscream is first seen aboard the '']'' shipwreck and is confronted by a returning Megatron, angry that Starscream left him to die. Starscream explains that he and ] engineered a new army of Decepticons, but reveals to Megatron that without sufficient energon levels to feed them, the hatchlings destined to become the new army will keep dying. Later in a factory near Sam's college, Starscream watches as Megatron plans to cut out Sam's brain and later Optimus Prime and Bumblebee arrive. Starscream joins Megatron and Grindor in a battle against Optimus Prime in the forest, which resulted in Optimus cutting off Starscream's right arm and ripping Grindor's head in half, however Megatron managed to kill Optimus by stabbing him in the back and shooting his spark out. Megatron and Starscream retreat as the Autobots arrive to save Sam. Megatron berates Starscream again after failing to capture the human. During the battle in Egypt, Starscream informs Megatron about the NEST soldiers and the Autobots planning to resurrect Optimus with the Matrix of Leadership. Starscream then leads the Decepticons on the hunt for Sam and Mikaela, sends Rampage after them, and leads the assault against the Autobots and NEST. After the Fallen was killed by super-mode Optimus Prime and Megatron was badly damaged, Starscream advises his leader to escape. | |||
*'''Generation 2 ATB Megatron and Starscream''' (unreleased) | |||
:Starscream was originally intended to receive one further ''Generation 2'' toy, in the form of a repaint of the Advanced Tactical Bomber Decepticon, ] — the Dreadwing toy itself would have been ], while the partner figure, ] would have become Starscream. The figure was not released, but later became the new characters ''BB and Starscream'' for the Japanese series '']'' in 1997. | |||
In 2011’s "]", Starscream first appears alongside Megatron, ], and ] in Africa. He gloats about Megatron's weakened state, which angers his master. In Washington DC, after Sentinel Prime betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream both witnessed Sentinel Prime bring an army of Decepticons to Earth from the Moon. He later shoots down the Autobot spaceship, the Xantium, after they have been exiled by the U.S. government. After the Autobots are thought to be dead, Megatron, Starscream, and Sentinel witness the city of Chicago is being invaded and attacked by a massive Decepticon army. During the battle in Chicago, he meets Sam again and mocked him. Sam uses a grappling glove that was given to him by Que/Wheeljack to take out Starscream's right eye. Starscream then panics and sends Sam flying through the air than through a window of a nearby building. NEST soldiers led by Lennox arrive and they attack Starscream. Sam finally kills him using a boomstick given by Que/Wheeljack and stabs him in the other eye, blinding him and eventually blowing his head up. | |||
] | |||
*'''Machine Wars Starscream''' (1997) | |||
:A redecorated version of the European figure ] in grays and blacks, ''Machine Wars'' Starscream was, like the rest of the toy line, available only through ] in 1997. Armed with vast amounts of launching missiles, the figure was later recolored into ''']'' for '']'' in 2004. | |||
In 2014’s ''"]"'', a photo of Starscream appears with a red X indicating his death. | |||
*'''Smallest Transformers Starscream''' (2003) | |||
:The first figure representing the original G1 Starscream in years, the "Smallest Transformer" incarnation of the character is simply a shrunken version of his original 1984 toy, and was remolded to create Smallest Thrust. | |||
In 2017’s ''"]"'', Starscream's rebuilt head is brought by Daytrader to Cade Yeager with Daytrader puppeting Starscream's mouth. Unamused, Cade knocks Starscream's head aside. It is later found by Megatron who briefly laments to it before abandoning the head in Cade's junkyard. | |||
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*'''Robot Masters Starscream''' (2004) | |||
:Starscream's original body finally received an upgrade with modern toy-design technology to create a more poseable figure with less removable parts for the Japanese-exclusive '']'' toy line. Armed with clip-on, non-functional, chest-mounted missile launchers, tradition saw the figure redecorated as Skywarp and Thundercracker, released together in a two-pack. | |||
In 2018’s ''"]"'', Starscream appears during the battle on Cybertron in a non-speaking cameo and is commanded by Soundwave to attack the Autobots. Due to the film being a reboot and ignoring the events of the previous films, Starscream was redesigned based on his G1 incarnation and does not share any traits with the previous live-action character. | |||
*'''Titanium 3-inch Starscream''' (2006) | |||
:Starscream received two different toys in the '']'' line. The first was a three-inch tall non-transforming representation of him in robot mode from Generation 1.<ref></ref> | |||
In 2024’s ''"]"'', where he is voiced by ], Starscream was a High Guard leader who was hiding on the surface of Cybertron after Sentinel Prime's betrayal. Starscream’s forces captured miners Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, and Elita-1 after they escaped an ambush by Sentinel Prime. Starscream interrogated the miners until D-16 attacked and eventually subdued him, causing the High Guard to follow D-16. Shortly after, they were found and attacked by the forces of Sentinel Prime, where Starscream was captured after attempting to flee. After D-16 became Megatron, Starscream and the other High Guard immediately pledged loyalty to him. In a post-credit scene of Transformers One, it is revealed that Starscream became a Decepticon, standing by Megatron as a powerful transformer. Like in ''Bumblebee'', Starscream's appearance was based on his original Generation 1 counterpart and doesn't share any traits with the previous incarnation from the Michael Bay films. | |||
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: ] --> | |||
*'''Classics Starscream''' (2006) | |||
:Starscream's original body received another re-imagining with modern technology in the first wave of the '']'' toy line. His appearance is loyal to the original figure, but his transformation is similar to the ''Robot Masters'' version, without the need to remove as many parts as his Generation 1 counterpart. This toy was initially sold by itself, and later in a value pack with Classics ]. | |||
:This version of Starscream again had his tech spec stats switched with Skywarp. | |||
:Although close to the original Starscream's animated shape, the details were slightly different, leading to fan-made sticker sets being created to make this the most show-accurate Starscream toy made to date. {{Fact|date=September 2007}} This toy was later repainted as Classics Skywarp and Thundercracker. <ref></ref> | |||
:A Chinese made knockoff of this toy was released in 2008 under the name Blaze Warrior. | |||
===Other media=== | |||
*'''Atari-Scream''' (2006) | |||
==== Books ==== | |||
:A slight redecoration of the ] figure of Atari Hitotonari from the '']'' line, this figure has a black uniform and a Decepticon symbol on its armband. Exclusive to Dengeki Hobby magazine, it represents a Starscream-possessed Atari. | |||
In the prequel novel '']'', it is revealed that Starscream is the leader of the Decepticons following Megatron's disappearance during his search for the Allspark. He and a crew of Decepticons travel aboard the '']'' to search for the Allspark and Megatron, although Starscream is more focused on finding the cube then his lost master. Blackout opposes him at every turn (rightly not trusting Starscream and thinking that he would prefer that they never find Megatron), while Barricade tolerates it only as a means of finding Megatron. Encountering ''Ghost-1'', a human craft of Cybertronian design, Starscream manipulates them into revealing that Megatron and the Allspark are on Earth, then betrays them. After winning a fierce duel with Blackout for leadership, he launches a full-scale assault on the Autobots. Just as he and ] almost kill Optimus Prime, Starscream is severely injured by ''Ghost-1''. In retaliation, he destroys the human craft before retreating.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Dean Foster | first = Alan | author-link = Alan Dean Foster |author2=David Cian | title = ''Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday'' | publisher = Del Ray | year = 2007 | page = 286 | isbn = 978-0-345-49798-7}}</ref> | |||
Starscream returns in ''Transformers: The Veiled Threat''. With Megatron dead, Starscream eventually returns to Earth around ], where he gains control over local rebel groups by using his internal synthesizers to create gold coins. | |||
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*'''Masterpiece Starscream (MP-3)''' (2006) | |||
:This Japanese-exclusive product by Takara Japan and designed by Shoji Kawamori, part of the same line as the Masterpiece ] (MP-1), is a highly-detailed, intricately designed version of the character which represents his new body from the ''Kiss Players'' radio drama. To date, it is the closest to the real world ]. It transforms into his classic jet and robot modes, with a new, flatter color scheme to more accurately represent the F-15 Eagle. It includes a stand that can support the figure in mid-air, with additional spots to clip any unused accessories. Although fairly close in appearance to the G1 Starscream, the toy was even more like the character in its earlier design stages, until it was later modified in ways that created differences, such as the mounting of the jet-mode tailfins on the robot-mode hips. The head also has two interchangeable faces - a standard face and one that has Starscream smirking. | |||
==== IDW Publishing ==== | |||
*'''Titanium 6-inch Starscream''' (2007) | |||
The back story of the Transformers on ancient Cybertron is told in ''Transformers: Defiance''. In this story, Starscream returns to Cybertron after encountering an enemy scout ship in the Eshems Nebula. After being repaired for minor damage by Ratchet, Starscream and Ironhide report to Optimus Prime and Megatron.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comics Continuum: IDW Publishing First Looks|url=http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0901/15/idwfirsts.htm|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> Later, the planet is invaded by aliens from the Eshems Nebula and Starscream is among the defenders in the city of Metrotitan, near the temple at Simfur. In issue #2, he sides with Megatron in his decision to counterattack Cybertron's invaders and is among the fleet that attacks their ships. | |||
:Starscream received two different toys in the '']'' line. The second was a transforming 6-inch tall representation of him in his '']'' Cybertronian mode, and was repaint of the 6-inch ''War Within'' Thundercracker toy. <ref name=autogenerated1></ref> The mold was also repainted as Sunstorm. | |||
Starscream also appears at the end of issue #3 of '']'', where he, Blackout and Barricade destroy the Mars ''Beagle'' probe. In issue 4, he travels to Earth, gaining his F-22 alternate mode by scanning an experimental Raptor before shooting it down. | |||
*'''Masterpiece Starscream''' (2007) | |||
:This redecoration of the Takara Masterpiece Starscream is repainted in accurate Generation 1 colors with Classics-style packaging. His tech spec actually reflects his correct tech specs, not those swapped with Skywarp. Though highly praised by fans for being true to the original G1 style, Masterpiece Starscream was criticized for a lackluster weathered effect and a silver nose cone that did not match the overall color scheme. It was revealed, however, that the nosecone was actually molded in blue; thus, stripping the silver paint off the nose cone has been a popular alteration on this toy. An additional criticism of this toy is related to a weakness in the joints that allow the wings to fold up onto the robot mode's back. These joints are prone to breaking and should be treated delicately.<ref></ref> | |||
He appears in the official movie sequel comic called "'']''".<ref>{{cite web|title=From the Tip: Rain of Starscream Part Deux|date=3 April 2008 |url=http://fromthetip.blogspot.in/2008/04/rain-of-starscream-part-deux.html|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] --> | |||
*'''Henkei Starscream''' (2008) | |||
:A repaint of Classics Starscream in G1-accurate colors, this version of Starscream is possibly the most accurate representation of G1 Starscream in terms of design and deco. .<ref>http://www.seibertron.com/images/news/gfx/1200627259_starscream.jpg</ref> | |||
In ''Transformers: Rising Storm'', it is shown that Starscream has broken away from Megatron's rule, and formed his own army - '''Club Starscream''' - with Barricade and some others under his command. However, after blasting his way past Ruination and Deadlift, Shockwave tells Starscream that Megatron requires his services. Shockwave then sends Starscream to recover the drone called ].<ref>{{Cite comic| writer = John Barber| penciller = Carlos Magno| inker = Aburtov and Graphiksslava| story = | title = Transformers: Rising Storm| volume = 1| issue = 1| date = February 2011| publisher = IDW Publishing| location = | page = | panel = | id =}}</ref> | |||
*'''Universe Starscream''' (2008) | |||
:A redeco of ''Cybertron'' Legends Thundercracker was first displayed at the 2008 New York Toy Fair. | |||
==== Titan Magazine ==== | |||
== Other incarnations of Starscream == | |||
In "Twilight's Last Greaming" part 3, Starscream and Scorponok attack the Autobots Arcee, ], Elita One, Longarm, ] and ] on the moon. Starscream would return in issue #22 of the Titan Transformers Magazine series in a story called "The Decepticon who Haunted Himself". {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
As the Transformers franchise has grown, more continuities separate from the original series and its subsidiaries have come into existence, with some continuities featuring a unique version of the ruthless Decepticon Starscream, see: | |||
==== Video games ==== | |||
:] for the Starscream of '']'', '']'' and '']''. | |||
In the Nintendo DS '']'' game voiced by ], Starscream would kill Barricade and Blackout (and perhaps Brawl, who disappears after killing Ironhide), steal the Allspark, and betray Megatron. Starscream is fought by Megatron as the final boss after he is heavily damaged and loses the AllSpark to Create-A-Con. After being defeated, Megatron kills Starscream for being a traitor, as well as Create-A-Con for being weak. In ], he is a simple boss who ambushes Ironhide and the Autobot Create-A-Bot in the Arctic but retreats after a long battle and does not reappear or heard of again. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
Starscream is among the playable characters in the 2009 '']'' video game by Activision. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
:] for the Starscreams from various Transformer continuities. | |||
In the ] game, '']'', Starscream was the temporary leader of the Decepticons until The Fallen forces him to revive Megatron. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
Starscream appears in the 2011 ''Dark of the Moon'' video game. As a Hunter, he can be played on Xbox Campaigne and multiplayer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6jzNjUyYGQ&feature=player_embedded |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/E6jzNjUyYGQ |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Game Preview |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2012-08-17}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
== External links == | |||
* {{imdb character|0003345}} | |||
* | |||
Starscream is among the characters who appear in the ''TRANSFORMERS CYBERVERSE Battle Builder Game''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=E4651B16-5056-900B-1074-AA6D591357D5:en_US |title=TRANSFORMERS CYBERVERSE Battle Builder Game |publisher=HASBRO |access-date=2012-08-17}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
] | |||
== Toys == | |||
] | |||
The original Starscream toy was originally part of the Japanese ] toy line and was designed by ] in the early eighties. It was imported to become part of the ''Transformers'' toy line by ] in 1984. The toy was later re-issued in Japan in 2001, with black-and-gold and translucent "ghost" variants, and again in 2003, redecorated into a more cartoon-accurate color scheme. He was also reissued in the west in 2003, with extended missiles to comply with safety regulations. Japan re-released Starscream once again in 2007 for their "Encore Series".<ref>{{cite web|title=Reconfigurable Toy Plane|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/USD279804.pdf|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> A highly prized collectable, the original Starscream toy has sold over $2000 on eBay.<ref>{{cite news|title=Transforming Toys to Dollars|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TRANSFORMING+TOYS+TO+DOLLARS+ORIGINAL+HASBRO+FIGURINES+OF+ROBOTS...-a0166304087|access-date=25 September 2014|date=July 11, 2007|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305060254/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TRANSFORMING+TOYS+TO+DOLLARS+ORIGINAL+HASBRO+FIGURINES+OF+ROBOTS...-a0166304087|url-status=dead}}</ref> The original Starscream toy was altered somewhat and an electronic sound maker was added for the ''Generation 2'' toy line.<ref name="Scott2010">{{cite book|author=Sharon M. Scott|title=Toys and American Culture: An Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mbTUorcuXkoC&pg=PA321|year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-35111-2|pages=321}}</ref> | |||
''Beast Wars Second'' Starscream had two toys produced exclusively in Japan. In 1997 he was released as a black redeco of ''Generation 2'' ]. This same toy was recolored into ''Robot Masters'' Smokesniper. In 1998 he was released as "Hellscream", a remold of ''Beast Wars'' ]. This second toy was eventually released with a slight color change in the US as ''Universe'' Overbite. Hellscream was voted the ninth strangest Transformers Beast Wars figure by Topless Robots.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 12 Strangest Transformers Beast Wars Figures|date=8 July 2009 |url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/07/the_12_strangest_transformers_beast_wars_figures.php|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
The ''Armada'' toy was the first new-mould Starscream figure since 1990, and it clung to tradition with a jet alternate mode and a robot form featuring many callbacks to the original Starscream figure, such as shoulder-wings, air intakes on the shoulders, a cockpit in the chest, and a head-sculpt designed to look like the original animated character. When the Mini-Con port on his backpack is pulled back and held, an electronic jet-take off noise is made. Attaching his Mini-Con partner ] to this port, however, unlocks his shoulder-mounted null laser cannons, and changes the sound to a repeating laser blast. Swindle can also mount under the jet-mode nosecone – by pressing the cockpit, Swindle is dropped to the ground with an accompanying electronic noise, while a press without Swindle attached yields more noises. In robot mode, Starscream's left wing can detach and unfold into a sword for him to wield.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starscream with Swindle|url=http://www.unicron.us/tf2002/toypix/starscream.htm|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
Starscream for the 2007 and 2009 movie had numerous toys released. He was one of two promotional figures released long before the 2007 movie as a "protoform". During the 2007 film release he was sold in various size classes as a licensed F-22 Raptor replica. These toys were recolored and released as fellow Decepticons Ramjet, Skywarp, and Thundercracker. During the 2009 film, he was released as both redecos of the 2007 film toys as well as new molds. All toys of this character are officially licensed from ]. | |||
''Animated'' Starscream also received numerous toys in many size classes during the run of the ''Animated'' toy line. Many of the Starscream toys were recolored as his clones Skywarp, Thundercracker, Ramjet, Dirge and Sunstorm. In 2008 a ] ] was produced with a simple transforming Starscream toy inside to promote the series. This Starscream was also released in the ''Universe'' toy as a small Legends figure, shipping with a whole wave of tiny ''Animated'' characters. In Japan the Starscream figures were released in metallic finish by Takara.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} | |||
===Prime=== | |||
* Prime First Edition Deluxe Starscream (2011): An all-new mold of Starscream from the ''Prime'' animated series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starscream Tech Specs|date=10 November 2010 |url=http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/tf-prime-fe-decepticons-505/starscream-5269/|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
* Prime Cyberverse Commander Starscream (2012): A smaller-scaled version of Starscream with translucent red arm cannons. | |||
* Prime Robots in Disguise Revealers Deluxe Bumblebee vs. Deluxe Starscream Entertainment Pack (2012) | |||
* Prime Voyager Starscream: A Voyager Class figure of Starscream with missiles and a null ray blaster.<ref>{{cite web|title=Starscream (Voyager) Tech Specs|date=8 June 2011 |url=http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/tf-prime-decepticons-458/starscream-voyager-5770/|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
* Generations Cybertronian Starscream (Deluxe, 2013) | |||
* Prime: Beast Hunters Deluxe Class Starscream with Clenching Thunder Talon(2013)<ref>{{cite web|title=Beast Hunters Deluxe Starscream|date=7 January 2013 |url=http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/beast-hunters-deluxe-starscream-176612/|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
== References == | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
{{Transformers}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 06:44, 26 December 2024
Transformers characterThis article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Starscream | |
---|---|
Transformers character | |
Generation 1 Starscream art by IDW Publishing | |
First appearance | Transformers #1 by Marvel Comics 4 |
Voiced by | English:
Japanese:
|
In-universe information | |
Affiliation | Decepticon |
Sub-group | Commander, Seekers |
Function |
|
Rank | 9 |
Partner | Megatron, Skywarp, Thundercracker |
Motto | "Conquest is made of the ashes of one's enemies." |
Alternate modes | Cybertronian Fighter Jet, F-15 Eagle (G1/Cyberverse) Cybertronian Fighter Jet resembling a Sukhoi Su-35 (Armada) Modified F-22 Raptor Jet Fighter (Energon) Cybertronian Space Jet (Cybertron) F-16 Fighting Falcon (Transformers: Prime) |
Starscream is a character in the Transformers media franchise produced by the American toy company Hasbro and the Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. He is the second-in-command of the Decepticons, a villainous faction of alien robots that seeks to conquer their home planet of Cybertron and the rest of the known universe. As with all Cybertronians, Starscream can disguise himself by transforming into vehicles, in his case a fighter jet, and he is usually portrayed as a treacherous and cowardly air commander who seeks to overthrow his leader Megatron and assume control of the Decepticons.
The original suggestion for the character's name was Ulchtar, which was a factitious name with no meaning. Bob Budiansky convinced Hasbro to name the character as Starscream instead.
Character biography
Starscream has the ambition to overthrow Megatron as the Decepticons' leader. He has gained the control he craves on several occasions, but he eventually suffers defeat. Starscream is ruthless, cruel, bloodthirsty, and more intelligent than the average Decepticon, but also, unlikely to act directly on these aspirations without first securing conditions favorable to his ascension. He considers himself vastly superior to other Decepticons and finds Megatron contemptible for his antiquated military strategies and tactics.
Starscream believes the Decepticons should employ guile and speed more readily than brute force to defeat the Autobots. However, given the chance to lead, he is often less successful in this than Megatron. While Megatron frequently overlooks him as a threat, authors suggest such reasons for Megatron's tolerance of Starscream's presence as a grudging respect for his scheming nature and precautionary observation. Others suggest that Starscream's treacherous nature is welcomed; that without a threat to his command, Megatron believes he would become soft and overconfident, or that he even found his transgressions amusing. Even so, Starscream often quickly exhausts Megatron's patience; violent-yet-brief verbal and/or physical conflicts between the two are not uncommon. As such, there have been times when Megatron has been close to killing Starscream.
Starscream’s first appearance is in the 1983 Diaclone toy catalog, in which he is introduced as one of two colorations for a toy called “JetRobo” that transforms into a McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. Later when Hasbro purchased this toy mold, along with several others in 1984, he was introduced and given the name Starscream in the Generation 1 animated series and the adjacent Marvel Comics series. As Decepticon Air Commander, he leads the other Decepticon Seeker jets, many of whom share his physical design. His technical specifications indicate top speed as Mach 2.8 and altitude ceiling as 52 miles (84 km). Launchers mounted on his arm (under his wings in jet mode) can deliver cluster bombs capable of leveling a 10,000 square feet (900 m) area and fire his signature null ray, which for brief periods disrupts the flow of electricity in any circuitry it contacts. This action temporarily renders inoperable any electronic device or machine, including Transformers.
Animated series
Generation 1
Starscream was formerly a scientist and explorer, working with the future Autobot Skyfire, during the Golden Age of Cybertron, shortly before the Autobot/Decepticon war re-erupted. Following the disappearance of Skyfire when the two were exploring a prehistoric Earth, Starscream returned to Cybertron and soon abandoned his scientific pursuits, becoming a warrior in Megatron's Decepticon army as the civil war exploded. Starscream attended the Cybertron War Academy, mentioned in the episode "A Prime Problem". Starscream makes use of his old scientific profession in a few episodes. For example, in "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court", when he and several other Decepticons were temporarily displaced in time to medieval England, the weapons of the Transformers ceased functioning; Starscream knew how to use available materials to create gunpowder as a substitute for himself and the other Decepticons.
In "Starscream's Brigade", he attempts—in what was then only his latest in a series of attempts—to overthrow Megatron as the leader of the Decepticons. After being defeated and exiled in Guadalcanal, Starscream finds the remains of some World War II military vehicles, which inspire him to create an army of his own. He travels to Cybertron using the Space Bridge, forcing the guards and eluding Shockwave to do so. He breaks into the Decepticon Detention Center and steals the five personality components of Renegade Decepticons, then installs them into five wrecked military vehicles and they become the Combaticons. The Combaticons (who combine to form Bruticus) and Starscream then capture four Transformers. When Megatron rallies his troops (except the Stunticons) against Starscream and the Combaticons, he deploys Devastator to fight Bruticus, but Devastator is defeated. Megatron attempts to retreat, however Starscream orders Bruticus to capture Megatron and hold him while he gloats and humiliates him. While this is going on, the Stunticons arrive, combine into Menasor and defeat Bruticus. Megatron then orders Astrotrain to exile Starscream and the Combaticons to a distant asteroid. In the next episode, "The Revenge of Bruticus", the Combaticons blame Starscream for their punishment. They imprison him on Cybertron after he abandons them, and plan a devastating revenge on Megatron by pulling the Earth towards the Sun using Cybertron's controls. After proving his worth in helping Megatron and Optimus Prime (who teamed up to prevent the Earth from destruction) stop the deranged Bruticus, Starscream gets restored to Decepticon ranks.
In The Transformers: The Movie, Starscream and many other Decepticons participate in the battle of Autobot City, leaving several Autobots killed. After the Decepticons' defeat, they retreat to Astrotrain. In order to reduce Astrotrain's mass, the Decepticons were left with no choice but to jettison the heavily damaged Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Insecticons into space, and Starscream tosses a mortally wounded Megatron out of Astrotrain. After that, he nominates himself as the new leader of the Decepticons. However, during a grandiose coronation ceremony, Megatron, who has been reborn as Galvatron alongside Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps, arrives and declares the coronation a "bad comedy". Starscream realizes that Galvatron was once Megatron, and Galvatron transforms into laser cannon mode, obliterating Starscream with a single shot.
However, while Starscream's body has disintegrated, his "spark" remains as a ghost and returns later. In "Starscream's Ghost", he encounters his old friend Octane in the Decepticon Crypt and conspires with him to hand Galvatron over to Rodimus Prime, the new leader of the Autobots. Starscream possesses Cyclonus's body and tricks Galvatron into being captured by the Autobots. Galvatron escapes and later shoots Cyclonus when he realizes that Starscream's ghost is possessing his second-in-command. The vengeful ghost easily escapes and re-appears in an additional episode, "Ghost in the Machine". In the episode, he first appears to possess Scourge and reactivates the head of Unicron. Starscream then makes a deal with Unicron to restore the latter's sight and body by stealing the eyes of Metroplex and transformation cog of Trypticon, and wiring Unicron's head to Cybertron. Starscream successfully accomplishes most of this, however, when he can no longer possess Scourge, he demands that Unicron restore his own, original body so that he can complete the connections. Unicron complies and again demands that Starscream complete the connections, only to have Starscream double-cross him and tell him to "do it himself". At this point, the Autobots set off an explosion that blows Unicron's head and Starscream out into space. As Starscream tumbles out of control, he encounters the Decepticons who unleash all of their firepowers on him, damaging him and pushing him farther into space. Starscream is not encountered again in G1.
Beast Wars
The G1 incarnation of Starscream returns in Beast Wars: Transformers, voiced by Doug Parker. In the episode "Possession", He takes control of Waspinator's body while a lightning storm occurs. The Predacons recognize him as Air Commander Starscream of the Decepticons. Starscream claims that he had been killed in battle defending Galvatron from Unicron, and pledges his allegiance to the Predacon leader Megatron. In reality, he was destroyed by Galvatron, and plots to usurp Megatron and take control of the Predacons. He captures the Maximal base, and later holds Optimus Primal and Dinobot hostage, ordering the Maximals to attack the Predacon base in exchange for their safety. He is defeated by the combined efforts of Optimus Primal and Blackarachnia, freeing Waspinator's body, and sending Starscream's ghost hurtling back into the depths of space. In "The Agenda", Starscream makes a cameo appearance aboard the Ark, frozen in a stasis lock.
Beast Wars II
In the Japanese-exclusive animated series, Beast Wars II, a character named Starscream was one of Galvatron's most loyal minions. Like the Decepticon air commander who came before him, Starscream is both ambitious and deadly. He makes up for his lack of size with unmatched speed and maneuverability. He hopes to one day dethrone Galvatron as the Predacon emperor of destruction and rule the universe himself. He is also slightly effeminate, often laughing and gesturing in a shaky way. When transformed Starscream becomes a stealth fighter capable of soaring at very high speed. In fighter mode, he can use the "Formation Scream" and combine it with his loyal partner BB to become a powerful air fighter, in which Starscream forms the rear of the combination. In robot mode, his attack of choice is his "Screamwinder Missiles" which are strong enough to vaporize most opponents. Starscream tries to undermine his equally treacherous rival Megastorm. Starscream, during an assassination attempt, accidentally turned Megastorm into Gigastorm. Gigastorm paid Starscream and BB back in kind, but exposure to Angalmosis energy turned them into Hellscream and Max B. As Hellscream, he has the beast mode of a cyborg shark, whilst Max B transforms into a cyborg wolf. Hellscream is last seen escaping the exploding Nemesis with Max B and Gigastorm. They do reappear in Beast Wars Neo, where they and the rest of the Maximals and Predacons from best series, help rebuild Cybertron after the defeat of Unicron.
Unicron Trilogy
Starscream appears in Transformers: Armada as a young arrogant warrior who desperately wished to gain the approval and respect of his leader Megatron (in contrast to his G1 counterpart), but started to become confused as he began to hate both himself and his commander for the abuse heaped upon him as well as being disgusted with his leader's lack of honor and respect over his troops. He originally came to Earth as part of Megatron's expedition to gain the power of the Mini-Cons alongside Demolishor and Cyclonus. However, Starscream's frustration over having been made the last of the Decepticons to gain his partner Mini-Con led him to be manipulated by Sideways into battling with Megatron, which he lost. His hatred for Megatron eventually led to him siding with the Autobots so he could bring his former leader down once and for all. During his time with the Autobots, he formed a surprisingly close friendship with the human Alexis. However, Thrust eventually manipulated Starscream into rejoining the Decepticons, though Starscream still vowed to destroy Megatron.
During the Unicron Battles, Starscream was one of the five Cybertronians who received a power boost from the Mini-Cons, giving him a new blue color scheme that makes him look like Thundercracker. Despite having the original G1 Thundercracker color scheme, Starscream was never renamed into the fellow seeker but had stated "I look like Thundercracker" when he gained the new body colors. When Thrust was ousted as a servant of Unicron, Starscream reunited with Alexis and gave chase, though he ultimately failed to catch him. When Megatron, now calling himself "Galvatron", refused to acknowledge the existence of Unicron and the potential threat he carried, Starscream challenged his leader to a duel and allowed him to stab him in the chest with the Star Saber. After a final sendoff with Galvatron, the seeker pulled the Star Saber out of his chest, exposing his spark, and fired on Unicron directly, only for the Chaos Bringer to fire a bolt of lightning that completely disintegrated Starscream, killing him. Starscream's death ultimately convinced Galvatron of Unicron's existence and he allied the Decepticons with the Autobots to end the threat.
In Energon, set ten years later, Alpha Q revives Starscream and wipes all memories of his old life to use him as his personal assassin. However, Megatron eventually gets a hold of Starscream, using his newfound connection with Unicron to brainwash him into his loyal second-in-command. Later in the series, he is exposed to a pool of super energon, making his armor impervious to laser fire as well as recoloring it, making him resemble his original G1 colors. In the final episode, Starscream, along with Mirage, follows Galvatron into an energon sun, Galvatron having done so to break Unicron's hold over him.
Starscream returned again in Cybertron as a darker, more ruthless character. While he appears to be loyal to Megatron like he was in Energon, he secretly prepares a coup against him to become the leader of the Decepticons. This results in a fracturing of the group, with Starscream discovering a group of ancient Decepticons, including two named Thunderblast and Lugnutz; he also recruits neutral Transformers Sideways and Soundwave. After several encounters, Starscream and Galvatron have one final battle which ends with Starscream, Soundwave, and Sideways being transported into another dimension. He is later located by Wing Saber, who teams up with Landmine and Mudflap to go after him.
Transformers: Animated
Starscream appears in the 2007 animated series, voiced by Tom Kenny. He transforms into a futuristic harrier jet (sporting a notable similarity to the Variable Fighters of Macross fame in his transformation sequence) and resembles his Generation 1 counterpart in both design, personality, and ambitions. He flies at high speeds in both modes and wields his trademark null-rays, though these function simply as powerful lasers. He's unintentionally comical in this incarnation displaying occasional incompetence. However, this incarnation displays a resolute tenacity towards his objective, shown by his flying around in a brutally damaged Nemesis to track down the Allspark's energy signature for 50 years by himself. Although slightly cowardly, Starscream is an excellent warrior, since he almost single-handedly took down all of the Autobots in a battle over the Allspark. He is also more narcissistic than most incarnations of the character, frequently congratulating and praising himself, his plans, and his looks, with absolute glee.
In Season 1, Starscream betrays and tries to kill Megatron in the first episode. Megatron learns about this soon after and kills Starscream in the season finale. In Season 2, a battle between Autobots and Decepticons destroys the Allspark, but Starscream is resurrected by a shard of the Allspark that had been embedded on his forehead. Throughout the season, Starscream continues to try and eliminate Megatron, but his plans fail every time. One attempt includes Starscream's creation of a squadron of clones of himself, each one of which embodies a side of his personality. Unfortunately for Starscream, these clones (except Thundercracker and Skywarp, who are sucked into space) eventually betray him and join Megatron. In the season finale, Starscream's body is destroyed, reducing him to nothing more than his head. In Season 3, Starscream "teams up" with Megatron to conquer Cybertron and destroy the Autobots, only to betray him again after regaining his body in the season finale. However, he is stopped by Lugnut and dies after the Allspark fragment keeping him alive is removed from his forehead.
Aligned series
Fictional characterStarscream | |
---|---|
Transformers character | |
Voiced by |
|
In-universe information | |
Affiliation | Decepticon |
Sub-group | Deluxe Vehicles |
Function | Decepticon Second-in-command and First Lieutenant, Energon Seeker Air Commander |
Rank | 9 (10 for the majority of the first season of Prime) |
Partner | Megatron, Soundwave, Knock Out, Shockwave |
Motto | "I, Megatron's true heir, Lord Starscream! Emperor of Destruction!" |
Alternate modes | Cybertronian Jet, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon |
Starscream is part of the main group of Decepticons in the 2010 animated series Transformers: Prime. This version is depicted as a much darker character, constantly plotting his rise to becoming the Decepticon leader and mercilessly killing Autobots, as evidenced when he terminates Cliffjumper in the series premiere. He displays contempt for Decepticons who do not choose a flying alternate mode, such as Knock Out. Although he may look weak, he possesses lethal weapons such as his missiles and sharp claws and has been shown to be a master manipulator.
Throughout the first half of season one, Starscream serves as the Decepticons' leader after Megatron is critically injured and placed on life support (aided in his injuries by Starscream's attempt to assassinate him). However, once Megatron revives, Starscream is beaten and punished, returning to his position as second-in-command. Following Megatron's attempt to destroy Starscream, as well as his further humiliation at the hands of the Decepticon Airachnid, Starscream attempts to defect to the Autobots, only to be almost killed by Arcee after she discovers he is the one who murdered Cliffjumper, her former partner. He subsequently decides to go independent, seeking revenge against both the Autobots and Megatron.
In season two, Starscream makes several attempts to get back at the Autobots and Megatron, such as siding with the human terrorist organization M.E.C.H. and creating several clones of himself, but these all end in failure (and even result in him losing his ability to transform for most of the season), and he becomes more comedic in his ineptitude. He eventually gains a powerful Iacon relic known as the Apex Armor and also manages to obtain speed-enhancing red energon, though he loses the former to the Autobot Smokescreen. After learning of the Omega Keys, powerful Cybertronian relics that can be used to revive Cybertron, Starscream decides to steal them from the Autobots and give them to Megatron as a peace offering, wishing to rejoin the Decepticons. He succeeds and soon regains his old position as Megatron's first lieutenant after his current second-in-command, Dreadwing, is killed. Starscream is later instrumental in the kidnapping of the Autobots' human allies, the creation of the Decepticon fortress Darkmount on Earth, and the destruction of the Autobot base.
In season three, Starscream is forced to share his high-ranking position with Shockwave and tries to earn Megatron's respect by finding the Autobots before his rival, which results in an outbreak of energon vampires when he foolishly combines Dark Energon with unstable Synthetic Energon, resulting in the loss of over half of the Decepticon forces and the Insecticons Hive. Starscream is also distrustful of Predaking, the Predacon cloned by Shockwave to hunt down the Autobots, a feeling which is proven correct when Predaking shows he is sentient and capable of transforming. It is also he who suggests terminating the Predacon soldiers they have been creating, including Predaking, and blames it on the Autobots, later causing Predaking to turn against them after he learns the truth. In the season finale, "Deadlock", Starscream helps the other Decepticons fight the Autobots when they board the Nemesis, and later witnesses Bumblebee slay Megatron with the Star Saber, before escaping with Shockwave to go into hiding.
In the TV movie Predacons Rising, which functions as the finale to Transformers: Prime, Starscream and Shockwave are the only remaining Decepticons on Cybertron, as the others have either been taken prisoners or joined the Autobots, forcing the pair to constantly move labs to avoid detection. Starscream helps Shockwave clone two Predacons, Skylynx and Darksteel, as part of their plan to rebuild the Decepticon army, and is later witness with Shockwave to the arrival of Unicron (possessing Megatron's upgraded and resurrected body), who plans to destroy his brother Primus, who forms Cybertron's core. Believing Unicron cannot be stopped, Starscream frees the captive Decepticons, including Knock Out, and attempts to take command of the Nemesis and flee Cybertron, but is stopped after Knock Out betrays him and sides with the Autobots. Starscream is then imprisoned along with the other Decepticons, though he eventually escapes and returns to Megatron after the latter is freed from Unicron's control. Starscream is eager to rejoin him, but Megatron rebuffs, saying that he has lost his taste for inflicting oppression and that the Decepticons are no more. Starscream then eagerly attempts to reinstate himself as leader of the Decepticons but is confronted by Predaking, Skylynx, and Darksteel, who are intent on revenge for their cruel treatment at his hands. Starscream is last seen fleeing terrified by Skylynx and Darksteel.
In the sequel series Transformers: Robots in Disguise, it is revealed that Starscream survived his encounter with the Predacons, having inadvertently killed Skylynx and Darksteel by setting off a room full of weapons. After reformatting his body, he hid until he could regain his full power, tracking seven Minicons Megatron had been experimenting on to give himself greater power than even a Prime. This led the Autobots to believe he was dead and allowed him to operate incognito. Eventually, Starscream was able to find the Minicons on Earth and hired an Insecticon and two mercenaries named Roughedge and Shadelock to retrieve them for him. He also came into possession of Megatron's Dark Star Saber and promptly took control of it, though the sword rejected him and he could not access its full power. Nevertheless, he still desired the Minicons' power as part of his plans for revenge and galactic conquest.
After the Autobots Fixit, Jetstorm and Slipstream are captured during the hunt for the Minicons, Starscream has them brought to him. Upon learning that his old enemy, Bumblebee, is also on Earth, he threatens to terminate the Minicons unless Bumblebee surrenders to him. Bumblebee promptly does so in order to secure their release, and Starscream merges with six of the seven Minicons. Unfortunately for Starscream, Optimus Prime arrives and merges with the seventh Minicon before defeating Starscream with the help of Bumblebee's team. After being separated from the Minicons, Starscream falls comatose and is loaded onto Optimus's ship for transport back to Cybertron where he will face justice for his crimes.
In the 2022 show Transformers: EarthSpark, Starscream served under Megatron during the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, until Megatron's defection to the Autobots sometime after their arrival on Earth. He partook in the Battle of the Spacebridge, unsuccessfully trying to prevent the former Decepticon leader from hurling the AllSpark through the spacebridge back to Cybertron. Optimus Prime's destruction of the spacebridge, as well as the loss of the AllSpark, brought the war to a swift end.
Fifteen years later, Starscream had been captured and imprisoned in a secret G.H.O.S.T. detention facility. Undeterred, he watched with glee as recent inmate Soundwave released Ravage into the facility to perform recon. Decoy While still a prisoner, Starscream glared angrily as he watched Skullcruncher be experimented on by G.H.O.S.T.
Starscream, Nova Storm and Skywarp managed to escape G.H.O.S.T. HQ into an old cave system, where they encountered the Malto kids and were menaced by a Dweller. To his surprise, Starscream found a sympathetic ear in Hashtag, who listened to his stories of abuse at the hands of Megatron, and when the kids came up with a plan to trap the Dweller, Starscream talked the other Seekers into helping. During the attempt, they encountered Megatron, who had come into the caves in search of Starscream, and during the ensuing fight, Starscream and Hashtag were carried off by the beast. Starscream was willing to sacrifice himself to allow Hashtag to escape, but Hashtag managed to defeat the Dweller and save him. In the aftermath, Megatron offered Starscream a safe place to go, but Starscream turned him down, teleporting away with Nova Storm and Skywarp.
Learning of Mandroid's plan to wipe out all Cybertronian life, Starscream, Nova Storm and Skywarp returned to aid efforts to stop the mad scientist. Starscream gleefully took the opportunity for some payback on Megatron, whom Mandroid had mind-controlled to protect the superweapon he'd created. Ultimately Mandroid activated the weapon, causing Starscream and Megatron to drop lifeless from the sky, however, the pair were brought back online a short time later when Robby and Mo used their cyber-sleeves to reverse the effects.
Books
Starscream appears in the following books:
- The 1984 sticker and story book Return to Cybertron written by Suzanne Weyn and published by Marvel Books.
- The 1984 sticker and story book The Revenge of the Decepticons written by Suzanne Weyn and published by Marvel Books.
- The 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.
- The 1985 Transformers audio books Autobots' Lightning Strike, Megatron's Fight For Power, Autobots Fight Back and Laserbeak's Fury, as well as Galvatron's Air Attack from the 1986 series.
- The 1985 audio book Sun Raid.
- The 1986 story and coloring book The Lost Treasure of Cybertron by Marvel Books.
- Starscream was featured in the 1993 Transformers: Generation 2 coloring book "Decepticon Madness" by Bud Simpson.
Starscream appears in the novel Transformers: Exodus, and its sequels; Transformers: Exiles and Transformers: Retribution. Here he and the Seekers were the bodyguards of Sentinel Prime, but captured him and pledged their allegiance to Megatron when the war between Autobots and Decepticons broke out. Starscream proved to be a treacherous subordinate as usual, looking for every opportunity to play both sides to his advantage so that his circumstances would be favorable regardless of the outcome. In an attempt to see Megatron destroyed, he released Sentinel Prime so that the deposed leader could eliminate the leader of the Decepticons, only to see Sentinel Prime fall. Starscream attacked Megatron himself but proved unable to defeat the Decepticon leader and was forced to submit to his authority again. He would join the crew of the Nemesis, and continue to seek Megatron's overthrow through a bargain with the Quintessons.
Comics
Marvel Comics
Serving as one of Megatron's elite troops in the attack on the Ark, the Marvel Comics incarnation of Starscream possessed the desire to take leadership of the Decepticons, but in the early days of the war on Earth, he did not accomplish any notable acts apart from nearly getting scrapped by Megatron after one snide comment. When he participated in an attack on the Ark with several of his fellow Decepticons, Starscream was deactivated by Omega Supreme, and sealed in a stasis pod in the Ark for a prolonged period of time.
At the same time, the U. K. offices of Marvel Comics were producing their own storylines which were interspersed throughout the U.S. material. Simon Furman portrayed the character's scheming and ambition with more subtlety than the animated series, making Starscream more intelligent and cunning. He was often the focus of his own stories, including a Christmas special based around Starscream's misery at being stranded on Earth. In this story and in many others written by Furman, Starscream often came across as wry and sarcastic. He was one of the most formidable warriors in the Decepticon army and adversaries were often shown to be visibly intimidated by him.
Starscream made an appearance in the Decepticon forces under the command of Megatron in issue #7 of the Marvel Generation 2 comic series; in a story called "New Dawn" Megatron led his Decepticons against Jhiaxus' second generation Cybertronians near the moon of Tykos. The Decepticons were defeated and Megatron was left injured, presumed dead, but swearing revenge.
Fun Publications
Based on the Transformers Classics toy line, the Timelines 2007 story is set 15 years after the end of the Marvel Comics story (ignoring all events of the Marvel U.K. and Generation 2 comics). Megatron survived the crash of the Ark on Earth. He is joined by Starscream, who realized he needed a leader. In Transformers: Timelines volume 2 #2, "Games of Deception" Megatron detects the arrival of Bugbite's ship on Earth and sends Starscream, Skywarp and Ramjet to investigate. The three Seekers are then taken over by Bugbite's cerebro shells (with Starscream swearing to painfully dismember Bugbite for it). When the Autobots eventually jam the shells to facilitate their own rescue of Mirage, Starscream is freed and battles Bugbite's faction. Whether he survived the battle is unknown. He seems to retain his usual second-in-command status in this story. Starscream reported to Deathsaurus on the success of the Combaticons' attack on the Autobot Elite Guard.
Shattered Glass
Fictional characterStarscream | |
---|---|
Transformers character | |
In-universe information | |
Affiliation | Decepticon |
Sub-group | Convention Exclusives, Voyagers |
Function | Lieutenant Commander |
Rank | 9 |
Partner | Razorclaw |
Motto | "Among the mysteries of science lies the key to victory. " |
Alternate modes | Cybertronian Jet |
This Starscream is a morally good version of the Generation 1 character from the BotCon exclusive "Shattered Glass" comic, in which the Decepticons are on the side of good and the Autobots on the side of evil. This version is loyal to Megatron, as opposed to his normally treacherous portrayal. He longs to return to his life as a scientist. Also, Megatron treats Starscream with far more respect and considers him a genius.
Starscream appears in the 2008 April Fool's comic Shattered Expectations by Fun Publications. He and Razorclaw confront his world's Goldbug, Grimlock and Jazz. When the Autobots refuse to surrender the Decepticons call in the Mayhem Suppression Squad.
Starscream then appears in the BotCon 2008 Timelines comic Transformers: Timelines story "Shattered Glass" as one of the troops of the heroic Decepticon Megatron. Starscream, Divebomb and Whisper drop "glass gas" bombs on the Autobot's Ark launch platform to make it vulnerable to attack.
Starscream appears in the fiction Dungeons & Dinobots, a text-based story from Fun Publications. He defends the Arch-Ayr fuel dump from an Autobot attack.
The toy for the heroic Starscream is a redeco of the Cybertron Voyager Starscream and was available only in the 2008 BotCon. His color scheme is an homage to the Generation 1 Autobot Jetfire.
Transtech
Another incarnation of Starscream works in civil intelligence on Transtech Cybertron. This Starscream appeared in the Fun Publications story "Transcendent", where he reported his findings on Skyfall and Landquake to Optimus Prime. Prowl and Starscream had a biographies printed by Fun Publications.
Dreamwave Productions
In the 21st-century re-imagining of the Generation One universe by the comics company Dreamwave Productions, Starscream remained his treacherous, power-hungry self. In the early days of the war on Cybertron, he devastated Iacon with a terraforming process and went on to form his own faction called the Predacons when Megatron vanished in a space-bridge experiment.
Dreamwave Productions produced a companion comic for the G1 toyline just as Marvel Comics produced, it was different from the animated continuity. In these comics, the Armada incarnation of Starscream had a much smaller role but was written in a fashion much closer to the original treacherous G1 character - a trait that would ultimately lead to his seeming demise when the Energon comic book began. He still possessed elements of the animated Armada Starscream, such as an unwillingness to shy away from the battle.
Starscream would appear in many of Megatron's subsequent schemes, including capturing Swindle, attempting to capture Mini-Cons for his own use, and launching an attack on the Mini-Con base on the Moon. His next appearance would be 10 years after Unicron's defeat. When Starscream gatecrashed a meeting of the Terrorcons – renegade Decepticons who were unhappy with the peace between Autobot and Decepticon that had emerged in the wake of Unicron's defeat – at an energon plant, his mistake soon became apparent when he discovered that they had struck a deal with Unicron and gained new "Hyper Mode" powers. When their leader, Scorponok, arrived, Starscream was unable to talk himself out of trouble and was blasted into the plant's machinery by Scorponok, seemingly dying. But Starscream survived. The raw energon in the plant reacted in some mysterious way, giving him a ghostly body of pure energon (like the cartoon Energon version, this was also a homage to the ghost form of the original Starscream). In this form, he ended up attacking Demolishor and draining him of his energy. Due to the collapse of Dreamwave, the series was stopped.
Devil's Due Publishing
In this crossover from Devil's Due Publishing, the Ark was discovered by the terrorist Cobra Organization, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles remotely controlled by the Televipers.
IDW Publishing
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After Dreamwave's closure, the rights to the Transformers comics were taken up by IDW Publishing. Their version of the Generation One universe begins with a miniseries called The Transformers: Infiltration. His alternate mode here is that of an F-22 Raptor, foreshadowing the events of the 2007 live-action movie.
Beast Wars Second Starscream had a biography printed in the Beast Wars Sourcebook by IDW Publishing. IDW also published a one-shot Transformers story as part of their Deviations series that heavily featured Starscream: "'Til All Are One."
In this story, an alternate version of events from The Transformers: The Movie, Starscream took over leadership of the Decepticons after Optimus Prime killed Megatron. Thus, it was Starscream who first encountered Unicron and allied the Decepticons to him, after being upgraded by Unicron's power into the mighty Megascream. He briefly hunted the Autobots in an effort to destroy the Matrix of Leadership, but later turned against his benefactor when Unicron devoured one of Cybertron's moons, which Starscream saw as his own. When Unicron attacked Cybertron itself and Optimus Prime arrived to try and stop him, Megascream demanded that he hand over the Matrix, and combined with Astrotrain, Soundwave, Ramjet, and Dirge into a massive new form. However, Hot Rod soon arrived to rescue Optimus, and unleashed the power of the Matrix, resulting in Unicron's demise as well as that of Megascream and himself.
Combiner Wars
In conjunction with the Combiner Wars (Unite Warriors in Japan) line, Takara Tomy released a comic detailing how the Galvatronus combiner came to be. Following his defeat at the conclusion of The Headmasters, Galvatron's icy tomb was discovered by Cyclonus, whose body Galvatron modified to accommodate his own head in the chest compartment. Seeking a more fitting form, Galvatron directed Cyclonus to approach the disembodied head of Unicron, who was convinced to help Galvatron attain a combiner form with Cyclonus as its core. To accomplish this, Unicron used his power to open dimensional rifts in order to bring Curse Armada Thrust, Zombie War Breakdown, and Wandering Roller into their world. To Cyclonus' surprise, Starscream then made an appearance, expressing interest in joining this new alliance. Unicron promptly granted Starscream a new physical form, though half-alive-half-dead to ensure loyalty, and Galvatron's head took control of his new minions to take on his new form of Galvatronus.
Video games
Starscream appears as a playable character in Hasbro's Net Jet fighting game Transformers Battle Universe. Although other playable Transformers have several incarnations featured, the only playable incarnation of Starscream is the Generation 1 version. He is also featured a boss in the 2004 Transformers video game for the PlayStation 2.
Starscream appears in Activision's Transformers: The Game, based on the 2007 live-action film. He is voiced by Daniel Ross. In the Autobot campaign, Starscream appears as a boss in the second mission of the fourth chapter, where he is defeated by Jazz. In the Decepticon campaign, Starscream acts as Decepticon leader until Megatron's resurrection and is playable in the third chapter. A color scheme for Starscream inspired by the Generation 1 version of the character can be unlocked by completing the Decepticon campaign. In the Nintendo DS version of the game, Transformers: Autobots, Starscream serves as a boss at the end of the Arctic levels, trying and failing to kill Ironhide. In Transformers: Decepticons, Starscream initially serves as leader of the Decepticon forces on Earth and Create-A-Bot's mentor but secretly plots to seize the AllSpark for himself. After killing Bumblebee, Starscream takes the AllSpark, kills Megatron loyalist Blackout and Barricade, and battles Megatron and his disillusioned apprentice. He is eventually defeated by Create-A-Bot and then executed by Megatron for his treason. The G1 Starscream color scheme also appears as an unlockable bonus form for Create-A-Bot.
In the sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, itself based on the film's sequel, Starscream acts as leader of the Decepticons following Megatron's death, though he returns to his old position as second-in-command once Megatron is resurrected. He is playable in several levels of the Decepticon campaign, and appears as a boss, alongside Megatron, in one of the final levels of the Autobot campaign. In Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which acts as a prequel to the film of the same name, Starscream (voiced by Steven Blum) is playable in the fifth level, where he intercepts and destroys a weapons transport mid-flight, battling the Aerialbots in the process. He also appears in the Nintendo 3DS and Wii versions of the game, though he is reduced to a minor supporting role.
Starscream appears in Transformers: Prime - The Game. He serves as a boss in the third and eleventh levels of the single-player campaign, fighting Bulkhead on both occasions and is playable in the multiplayer mode.
Cybertron series
Starscream appears in the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron, voiced by Sam Riegel. He appears as an enemy in the level "Dark Energon", as a playable character in the level "Starscream's Brigade", and as a boss in the level "Defend Iacon". He is also playable in the game's escalation mode, and his body type is available to use for the player's multiplayer custom Decepticon scientist. Starscream also appears as a level boss in the Nintendo DS version of the game, Transformers: War for Cybertron - Decepticons.
Starscream is initially depicted as an Autobot Sky Commander who, following a demotion by the Autobot leader Zeta Prime, was appointed guardian of an ancient space station dedicated to creating Dark Energon. When Megatron and his Decepticons attack the station, hoping to use Dark Energon to gain an advantage over the Autobots, Starscream tries to stop them but fails. Megatron then tempts Starscream with power and, after proving capable of wielding Dark Energon, convinces him to join the Decepticons. Starscream and his fellow Seekers, Thundercracker and Skywarp, are then ordered by Megatron to reactivate an old Energon Bridge to allow the manufacture of more Dark Energon. The trio succeeds, and Starscream is later shown leading the Decepticons' aerial squadrons during Megatron's invasion of Iacon City, the Autobots' capital. When Megatron orders the deployment of Dark Energon bombers, Starscream refuses, feeling they would be wasted, but Megatron overrides his refusal. Later, when Megatron is presumed dead while fighting Omega Supreme, Starscream wastes no time to declare himself Decepticon leader, only for Megatron to quickly confirm he is still alive and order Starscream to attack Omega Supreme as a distraction tactic. Shortly after, when the battle seems lost, Starscream is ready to sound a retreat, which Megatron overrides by threatening to execute any retreating Decepticon. In the Autobot Campaign, which directly follows the Decepticon Campaign, Starscream battles his former allies Jetfire and Silverbolt, and attacks Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Ratchet in the Decagon Plaza. However, he is forced to retreat after being injured by Optimus's axe.
Starscream returns in the 2012 sequel Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, where, after Megatron is killed by Metroplex, he assumes command of the Decepticons. However, Starscream proves to be a poor leader, using most of the Decepticons' energy supplies to further his own ego, resulting in many Decepticons becoming distrustful of him. After the Autobots harvest the Energon from a destroyed Space Bridge, Starscream plans to ambush the Autobot transport carrying it and steal it for himself, but rebuffs Onslaught' warnings about the transport's anti-aircraft cannons, resulting in most of the Decepticon aerial squadron being destroyed. Starscream orders a retreat, but the rebellious Combaticons disobey him and manage to capture the transport, albeit losing half of the Energon supply. Starscream promptly has them arrested for treachery, along with all those who defied his reign. Later, as Starscream decides to have a coronation to celebrate him becoming leader of the Decepticons (in an homage to the 1986 film), he is confronted by a revived Megatron. Megatron assumes leadership once again while Starscream is forced to flee, becoming a wanted fugitive. Starscream is playable in the level "Starscream's Betrayal", where he infiltrates Shockwave's lab to sabotage his experiments as part of his revenge plan against Megatron, and encounters a captured Grimlock. He offers the Autobot freedom in exchange for his fealty, but Grimlock instead grabs Starscream and throws him into a control panel, freeing himself and leaving Starscream unconscious.
Starscream also appears in the 2014 game Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark, set between the events of War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron. He, Shockwave, and Soundwave are ordered by Megatron to search the abandoned Crystal City for a powerful artifact called the Dark Spark, which could secure the Decepticons' victory in the war. Although they manage to find it, and even secure the loyalty of a swarm of Insecticons along the way, the Dark Spark is grabbed by the Autobots first, who escape with it. Starscream follows them, trying to recover the Dark Spark, but is attacked by the Insecticons and is unable to prevent the Autobots from boarding a train. Fortunately for the Decepticons, Shockwave rigged the train with explosives, and he and Sharpshot are able to recover the Dark Spark from the Autobots.
Transformers Cinematic Universe
Fictional characterStarscream | |
---|---|
Transformers character | |
Voiced by | English:
Japanese: |
In-universe information | |
Affiliation | Decepticon |
Sub-group | Fast Action Battlers, Micro Vehicles, Deluxe, Voyagers, Leaders |
Function | Hunter |
Rank | 9 |
Partner | Megatron, Blackout, Grindor, Barricade, The Fallen, Bonecrusher, Soundwave, Rampage, and Sentinel Prime, Shockwave, Thundercracker, Skywarp |
Motto | "Truly the universe favors those who persist. "Sometimes, cowards do survive. |
Alternate modes | Entry mode protoform, Cybertronian Jet Fighter, Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor |
During the production of the live-action film, writer Alex Kurtzman stated that Starscream would not stray from his treacherous roots as he seeks to overthrow Megatron, and frequently engages in arguments with him. In the first film, he is seen vehemently pledging his allegiance to Megatron when the latter breaks free from the Hoover Dam, but unlike the other Decepticons, he is not killed in the final battle and leaves Earth at the end of the movie. Starscream transforms into a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Starscream is armed with a rotary cannon, rocket launchers, and a saw. When in jet mode, he can simulate the presence of a human pilot, the same holographic model (referred to as "Mustache Man" on-set and in the credits) that "pilots" Blackout and "drives" Barricade. The actor is Air Force Major Brian Reece, a helicopter pilot instructor at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Role in the films
Main articles: Bumblebee (film), Transformers (film), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and Transformers: The Last KnightIn 2007’s "Transformers", Starscream rallies the other Decepticons to battle once Frenzy alerts them to the AllSpark's location. Starscream disguises as an F-22 Raptor providing cover for humans in Mission City and severely injures Bumblebee. After flying through the city, Starscream attempts to take the AllSpark from Sam but is later attacked by both Ironhide and Ratchet. Ironhide takes the most damage, while Ratchet was able to hold his ground against Starscream's attacks. He transforms back into jet mode and flies away, leaving Ironhide and Ratchet damaged. He then assists Megatron in going after the AllSpark by shooting down the helicopter that was going to extract the Cube from Sam. Later, he attacks several F-22 Raptors flying through Mission City. Due to him transforming into a Raptor himself, Starscream was able to escape the jets as they were firing back at him. After Megatron was killed by Sam, Starscream retreats into deep space.
In 2009’s "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", Starscream is first seen aboard the Nemesis shipwreck and is confronted by a returning Megatron, angry that Starscream left him to die. Starscream explains that he and the Fallen engineered a new army of Decepticons, but reveals to Megatron that without sufficient energon levels to feed them, the hatchlings destined to become the new army will keep dying. Later in a factory near Sam's college, Starscream watches as Megatron plans to cut out Sam's brain and later Optimus Prime and Bumblebee arrive. Starscream joins Megatron and Grindor in a battle against Optimus Prime in the forest, which resulted in Optimus cutting off Starscream's right arm and ripping Grindor's head in half, however Megatron managed to kill Optimus by stabbing him in the back and shooting his spark out. Megatron and Starscream retreat as the Autobots arrive to save Sam. Megatron berates Starscream again after failing to capture the human. During the battle in Egypt, Starscream informs Megatron about the NEST soldiers and the Autobots planning to resurrect Optimus with the Matrix of Leadership. Starscream then leads the Decepticons on the hunt for Sam and Mikaela, sends Rampage after them, and leads the assault against the Autobots and NEST. After the Fallen was killed by super-mode Optimus Prime and Megatron was badly damaged, Starscream advises his leader to escape.
In 2011’s "Transformers: Dark of the Moon", Starscream first appears alongside Megatron, Soundwave, and Laserbeak in Africa. He gloats about Megatron's weakened state, which angers his master. In Washington DC, after Sentinel Prime betrayed the Autobots, Megatron and Starscream both witnessed Sentinel Prime bring an army of Decepticons to Earth from the Moon. He later shoots down the Autobot spaceship, the Xantium, after they have been exiled by the U.S. government. After the Autobots are thought to be dead, Megatron, Starscream, and Sentinel witness the city of Chicago is being invaded and attacked by a massive Decepticon army. During the battle in Chicago, he meets Sam again and mocked him. Sam uses a grappling glove that was given to him by Que/Wheeljack to take out Starscream's right eye. Starscream then panics and sends Sam flying through the air than through a window of a nearby building. NEST soldiers led by Lennox arrive and they attack Starscream. Sam finally kills him using a boomstick given by Que/Wheeljack and stabs him in the other eye, blinding him and eventually blowing his head up.
In 2014’s "Transformers: Age of Extinction", a photo of Starscream appears with a red X indicating his death.
In 2017’s "Transformers: The Last Knight", Starscream's rebuilt head is brought by Daytrader to Cade Yeager with Daytrader puppeting Starscream's mouth. Unamused, Cade knocks Starscream's head aside. It is later found by Megatron who briefly laments to it before abandoning the head in Cade's junkyard.
In 2018’s "Bumblebee", Starscream appears during the battle on Cybertron in a non-speaking cameo and is commanded by Soundwave to attack the Autobots. Due to the film being a reboot and ignoring the events of the previous films, Starscream was redesigned based on his G1 incarnation and does not share any traits with the previous live-action character.
In 2024’s "Transformers One", where he is voiced by Steve Buscemi, Starscream was a High Guard leader who was hiding on the surface of Cybertron after Sentinel Prime's betrayal. Starscream’s forces captured miners Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, and Elita-1 after they escaped an ambush by Sentinel Prime. Starscream interrogated the miners until D-16 attacked and eventually subdued him, causing the High Guard to follow D-16. Shortly after, they were found and attacked by the forces of Sentinel Prime, where Starscream was captured after attempting to flee. After D-16 became Megatron, Starscream and the other High Guard immediately pledged loyalty to him. In a post-credit scene of Transformers One, it is revealed that Starscream became a Decepticon, standing by Megatron as a powerful transformer. Like in Bumblebee, Starscream's appearance was based on his original Generation 1 counterpart and doesn't share any traits with the previous incarnation from the Michael Bay films.
Other media
Books
In the prequel novel Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday, it is revealed that Starscream is the leader of the Decepticons following Megatron's disappearance during his search for the Allspark. He and a crew of Decepticons travel aboard the Nemesis to search for the Allspark and Megatron, although Starscream is more focused on finding the cube then his lost master. Blackout opposes him at every turn (rightly not trusting Starscream and thinking that he would prefer that they never find Megatron), while Barricade tolerates it only as a means of finding Megatron. Encountering Ghost-1, a human craft of Cybertronian design, Starscream manipulates them into revealing that Megatron and the Allspark are on Earth, then betrays them. After winning a fierce duel with Blackout for leadership, he launches a full-scale assault on the Autobots. Just as he and Bonecrusher almost kill Optimus Prime, Starscream is severely injured by Ghost-1. In retaliation, he destroys the human craft before retreating.
Starscream returns in Transformers: The Veiled Threat. With Megatron dead, Starscream eventually returns to Earth around Zambia, where he gains control over local rebel groups by using his internal synthesizers to create gold coins.
IDW Publishing
The back story of the Transformers on ancient Cybertron is told in Transformers: Defiance. In this story, Starscream returns to Cybertron after encountering an enemy scout ship in the Eshems Nebula. After being repaired for minor damage by Ratchet, Starscream and Ironhide report to Optimus Prime and Megatron. Later, the planet is invaded by aliens from the Eshems Nebula and Starscream is among the defenders in the city of Metrotitan, near the temple at Simfur. In issue #2, he sides with Megatron in his decision to counterattack Cybertron's invaders and is among the fleet that attacks their ships.
Starscream also appears at the end of issue #3 of Transformers: Movie Prequel, where he, Blackout and Barricade destroy the Mars Beagle probe. In issue 4, he travels to Earth, gaining his F-22 alternate mode by scanning an experimental Raptor before shooting it down.
He appears in the official movie sequel comic called "The Reign of Starscream".
In Transformers: Rising Storm, it is shown that Starscream has broken away from Megatron's rule, and formed his own army - Club Starscream - with Barricade and some others under his command. However, after blasting his way past Ruination and Deadlift, Shockwave tells Starscream that Megatron requires his services. Shockwave then sends Starscream to recover the drone called Brains.
Titan Magazine
In "Twilight's Last Greaming" part 3, Starscream and Scorponok attack the Autobots Arcee, Armorhide, Elita One, Longarm, Skyblast and Strongarm on the moon. Starscream would return in issue #22 of the Titan Transformers Magazine series in a story called "The Decepticon who Haunted Himself".
Video games
In the Nintendo DS Transformers: Decepticons game voiced by Daniel Ross, Starscream would kill Barricade and Blackout (and perhaps Brawl, who disappears after killing Ironhide), steal the Allspark, and betray Megatron. Starscream is fought by Megatron as the final boss after he is heavily damaged and loses the AllSpark to Create-A-Con. After being defeated, Megatron kills Starscream for being a traitor, as well as Create-A-Con for being weak. In Transformers Autobots, he is a simple boss who ambushes Ironhide and the Autobot Create-A-Bot in the Arctic but retreats after a long battle and does not reappear or heard of again.
Starscream is among the playable characters in the 2009 Revenge of the Fallen video game by Activision.
In the Nintendo DS game, Revenge of the Fallen: Decepticons, Starscream was the temporary leader of the Decepticons until The Fallen forces him to revive Megatron.
Starscream appears in the 2011 Dark of the Moon video game. As a Hunter, he can be played on Xbox Campaigne and multiplayer
Starscream is among the characters who appear in the TRANSFORMERS CYBERVERSE Battle Builder Game.
Toys
The original Starscream toy was originally part of the Japanese Diaclone toy line and was designed by Kohjin Ohno in the early eighties. It was imported to become part of the Transformers toy line by Hasbro in 1984. The toy was later re-issued in Japan in 2001, with black-and-gold and translucent "ghost" variants, and again in 2003, redecorated into a more cartoon-accurate color scheme. He was also reissued in the west in 2003, with extended missiles to comply with safety regulations. Japan re-released Starscream once again in 2007 for their "Encore Series". A highly prized collectable, the original Starscream toy has sold over $2000 on eBay. The original Starscream toy was altered somewhat and an electronic sound maker was added for the Generation 2 toy line.
Beast Wars Second Starscream had two toys produced exclusively in Japan. In 1997 he was released as a black redeco of Generation 2 Smokescreen. This same toy was recolored into Robot Masters Smokesniper. In 1998 he was released as "Hellscream", a remold of Beast Wars Cybershark. This second toy was eventually released with a slight color change in the US as Universe Overbite. Hellscream was voted the ninth strangest Transformers Beast Wars figure by Topless Robots.
The Armada toy was the first new-mould Starscream figure since 1990, and it clung to tradition with a jet alternate mode and a robot form featuring many callbacks to the original Starscream figure, such as shoulder-wings, air intakes on the shoulders, a cockpit in the chest, and a head-sculpt designed to look like the original animated character. When the Mini-Con port on his backpack is pulled back and held, an electronic jet-take off noise is made. Attaching his Mini-Con partner Swindle to this port, however, unlocks his shoulder-mounted null laser cannons, and changes the sound to a repeating laser blast. Swindle can also mount under the jet-mode nosecone – by pressing the cockpit, Swindle is dropped to the ground with an accompanying electronic noise, while a press without Swindle attached yields more noises. In robot mode, Starscream's left wing can detach and unfold into a sword for him to wield.
Starscream for the 2007 and 2009 movie had numerous toys released. He was one of two promotional figures released long before the 2007 movie as a "protoform". During the 2007 film release he was sold in various size classes as a licensed F-22 Raptor replica. These toys were recolored and released as fellow Decepticons Ramjet, Skywarp, and Thundercracker. During the 2009 film, he was released as both redecos of the 2007 film toys as well as new molds. All toys of this character are officially licensed from Lockheed Martin.
Animated Starscream also received numerous toys in many size classes during the run of the Animated toy line. Many of the Starscream toys were recolored as his clones Skywarp, Thundercracker, Ramjet, Dirge and Sunstorm. In 2008 a McDonald's Happy Meal was produced with a simple transforming Starscream toy inside to promote the series. This Starscream was also released in the Universe toy as a small Legends figure, shipping with a whole wave of tiny Animated characters. In Japan the Starscream figures were released in metallic finish by Takara.
Prime
- Prime First Edition Deluxe Starscream (2011): An all-new mold of Starscream from the Prime animated series.
- Prime Cyberverse Commander Starscream (2012): A smaller-scaled version of Starscream with translucent red arm cannons.
- Prime Robots in Disguise Revealers Deluxe Bumblebee vs. Deluxe Starscream Entertainment Pack (2012)
- Prime Voyager Starscream: A Voyager Class figure of Starscream with missiles and a null ray blaster.
- Generations Cybertronian Starscream (Deluxe, 2013)
- Prime: Beast Hunters Deluxe Class Starscream with Clenching Thunder Talon(2013)
References
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{{cite web}}
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