Soundwave (TFA)


 * Soundwave is a Decepticon from the Transformers Animated continuity family.



Soundwave is technology gone wrong. Machines are superior to humans: more logical, more intelligent, and longer lasting. It does not compute that humans control their robotic helpers, and Soundwave aims to lead the robot proletariat to rise against their fleshling bourgeoisie. The Decepticon cause is logical in Soundwave's optics, and he joined them in the hopes of overthrowing the human/capitalist oppressors. With an army of subservient mechanoids that he can control through powerful signals, that uprising just might be possible.

His arsenal of weapons and gadgets is unusually large, and includes powerful speakers, wiretaps, voice modulators, sonic signals that control lesser robots, and the uncanny ability to assimilate other devices into his body.

He has a pet bird that transforms into a guitar.

"I am Soundwave. I am Decepticon. The revolution begins now."

- Soundwave

Animated cartoon

 * Voice actor: Jeff Glen Bennett (English), Jaron Löwenberg (German)



Soundwave was a robot originally designed by Megatron. Megatron suggested Isaac Sumdac give Soundwave to his daughter as a birthday present... this seemingly kind act, of course, had a sinister ulterior motive. Megatron knew Sari would use her AllSpark-enhanced Key on Soundwave, which would allow him to upgrade... and ultimately become Megatron's new body. What Megatron didn't count on, though, was that the upgrades would actually make Soundwave self-aware. Additionally, Soundwave concluded that machines should be the masters of the world, and humans would be an ideal slave force. Megatron decided that if Soundwave couldn't be a new body, he would be a new soldier.

He contacted Soundwave and convinced him to join the Decepticons, take control of the machines in Detroit, and steal the Key. Soundwave promptly upgraded himself into a transforming body using controlled robots, and began his task. The revolution of the new robot overlords was, however, quickly opposed by the Autobots. When Bulkhead came to rescue Sari, Soundwave appealed to Bulkhead to join the revolution, reminding him how Bulkhead had been passed by for Sari's new present. Bulkhead acted as if he was about to kill Sari...then used his wrecking ball to shatter Soundwave. The machines were restored to their normal operational status, and the day was saved.

Unknown to all others, however, Soundwave still functions as a small piece even after Bulkhead pummels him to scrap metal.

Animated

 * Soundwave (Deluxe, 2008)
 * Accessories: "Laserbeak" guitar


 * Soundwave transforms into a Scion xB that got a "Pimp My Ride" music style treatment. That's awesome. He also comes with his partner Laserbeak, who changes from a guitar to a bird. Also awesome. In Soundwave's car mode, Laserbeak can mount on the top of his roof and perch onto Soundwave's arm in robot mode. Very awesome. And the tuning knobs are just the right size to fit in the screwholes on his arms, so he can look like he's strumming Laserbeak when in guitar form. Extremely awesome.

Trivia

 * Soundwave's eyes are a reference to 2000 AD's ABC Warriors.


 * In the cartoon, his eyes can be either "Decepticon" red or "Generation 1 toy" yellow. Everybody's happy!


 * The box he was in when given to Sari—as well as his remaining component after Bulkhead first defeated him—are obvious references to the alternate mode of Generation 1 Soundwave.


 * At BotCon 2008, it was revealed that the production staff of Transformers Animated were completely unaware of the Soundwave toy's Laserbeak-guitar, hence why it was not included in his debut episode.


 * It was likewise revealed at BotCon 2008 that Soundwave's "tape deck" form seen at the end of Sound and Fury was based upon Takara's Music Label MP3 player Soundwave toy.


 * Soundwave is the only guest Decepticon to not have returned to the show after his defeat from the Autobots. (Swindle hasn't either, but it's only been a couple of episodes...)


 * Soundwave's alternate mode is based on an unproduced design for a Classics toy of the original Soundwave.