Grimlock (TFA)


 * Grimlock is an Autobot from the Transformers Animated continuity family.



Grimlock is a Tyrannosaurus rex in charge of a small, three-mech group of dinosaur transformers known as the Dinobots. Born from a fusion of Earth and Cybertronian technology, with some AllSpark intervention thrown in, he's a force to be reckoned with. A little short on brains (at first he didn't actually realise he was a Transformer) and a lot short on temper, Grimlock's answer to a problem is usually the simplest: squash it, slash it, bite it, burn it, or eat it.

Physically, Grimlock is one of the most powerful Transformers, with enough brute strength to give even the likes of Megatron pause for thought. In his beast mode, his powerful jaws and flame breath give him excellent short- and long-range combat abilities, while his flaming energo-sword is an effective weapon in robot mode. Factor in his temper, and facing Grimlock can be a terrifying experience.

Currently, Grimlock and his fellow Dinobots are living on an island in Lake Erie, hidden there by Prowl and Bulkhead from the rest of the world. But don't think he's not willing to come to the mainland, find the biggest con around and feed 'em their own chassis after he's eaten his fill of it. After all, him Grimlock badass.

"Me Grimlock leader!"

- Grimlock places himself firmly at the top of the food chain.

Animated cartoon

 * Voice actor: David Kaye (English), Dieter Memel (German)



Grimlock, Snarl, and Swoop were originally theme park animatronic displays Isaac Sumdac upgraded with the help of Megatron and a flash of spark from Sari Sumdac's AllSpark-infused key. When they came online, Grimlock dubbed himself the Dinobot leader, despite Megatron's commands. However, Tutor Bot brought up videos on how cars use fossil fuels. Grimlock believed this to mean that cars ate Dinosaurs, and Megatron convinced them to destroy the "fossil feeders", including the only thing worse than cars...cars and trucks that turn into robots.



As the Dinobots raged against the machines, the Autobots drew them away from the city towards a park. Finally getting out of his funk, Bulkhead managed to throw them into a parking lot that their fire breath had melted into tar, trapping the Dinobots. After their defeat, they were imprisoned in an energy cage and were scheduled for meltdown. Believing they had life and were not just some mindless machines, Prowl freed the Dinobots with the help of Bulkhead and secretly relocated them to an island.

Dwelling within the peaceful forest, Grimlock dubbed cars and trucks bad, but nature good&mdash;until two birds pooped on him. Redubbing nature stupid, Grimlock expected the two birds to fight like Dinobots, but they escaped! Tail twitching and stomach opening, Grimlock transformed, shocking Snarl and Swoop. He drew a huge, blazing sword and decided he liked the results.

He was later forced by the villain Meltdown to attack Sari's would-be rescuers, Prowl and Bulkhead. Once Meltdown was trapped and unable to hurt him, he demonstrated he'd learned to transform and joined his fellow Dinobots in threatening the acid-thrower. However, before Meltdown could be hurt, Grimlock's attention was diverted to Colossus Rhodes and two of Meltdown's mutants, and he and the other Dinobots beat up on them instead.

Shortly after this, the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were mobilizing, and Bulkhead spilled the beans on the Dinobots location. Seriously pissed, Prime had them taken to Dinobot Island, where he tried to convince them to help them fight the Decepticons. Grimlock was...uninterested, to say the least. He told Prime that Dinobots didn't need robots to fight, but that they would destroy robots. When Prime pointed out that the Dinobots were robots, this seemed to compel them to fight each other. When Grimlock gives an order, the Dinobots carry it out without question.

When Optimus brings Ultra Magnus and Sentinel to see his damaged ship, which had crashed into Dinobot Island as a result of a recent Decepticon attack, the Dinobots showed up. Optimus advised the Elite Guardsbots that as long as they weren't provoked the Dinobots wouldn't attack. Sentinel thought they were just primitive scrap heaps and acted like it. Grimlock responded, by transforming, taking out his sword and knocking the jerk flying. Alas, neither he nor the other Dinobots could withstand the elemental lightning summoned by Ultra Magnus, Bot of Thunder.

Later, reports reached the Autobots of rampages on Dinobot Island, and Optimus sent Prowl and Bulkhead, the only two Autobots the Dinobots accept, to investigate. Prowl's disbelief at the idea that the territorial but relatively peaceful Dinobots would be going on rampages was quickly dispelled when a furious Grimlock burst from the bushes and charged. He easily thrashed the two Autobots, and in his rage would have roasted a nest full of baby birds if Prowl hadn't used Ratchet's loaned EMP generator to drop the massive beast. But a blast that would have knocked an Autobot out for a while merely dropped Grimlock for a moment, and a few seconds later he began to wake up. Upon examination, it was revealed that Grimlock had a large piece of metal embedded in his foot, and the pain had driven him mad. Prowl used the EMP generator to loosen the shard while Bulkhead yanked it out, and an exhausted Grimlock collapsed and allowed the Autobots to fix him up.

Animated

 * Autobot Grimlock (Voyager, 2008)
 * Promising to be the largest Grimlock toy to date, this toy nonetheless stays close to its G1 roots in its transformation scheme. However the newer joint technology and larger size class mean great improvements over its predecessors, including articulated fingers and a flaming sword that's nearly as tall as the figure itself. The figure likewise features a clear plastic panel on its chest, an homage to the cockpit found in the original toy as a testament to its Diaclone origins.


 * At this size, his chances of kicking butt are looking pretty good.

Trivia

 * Grimlock took his name by forming a portmanteau out of a sentence spoken by Megatron: "My prospects are grim, locked in this prison of a lab." Who knew he had it in him? Especially since it makes him the only Dinobot from Animated not to have a name starting with S... (of course, as of A Fistful of Energon, he's the only Dinobot to have an on-screen name at all).
 * Grimlock is thus far the only Animated Dinobot to rub enough processor units together to figure out the subtle mysteries of speech. It's almost enough to forgive his lack of oratory prowess given that he's the only one that's made it that far.