Bumblebee (Tyran)

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The name or term Bumblebee refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Bumblebee (disambiguation).

Bumblebee is an Autobot from the Movie continuity family. He is also known as N.B.E.-02 and Satan's Camaro.

"Groovy, bee-otch!"

Bumblebee is one of Optimus Prime's most trusted lieutenants. Although he is not the strongest or most powerful of the Autobots, Bumblebee more than makes up for this with a bottomless well of luck, determination and bravery. He would gladly give his life to protect others and stop the Decepticons.

Badly damaged in battle, Bumblebee lost the ability to speak verbally, though he can still communicate over inter-Autobot frequencies (in a fashion that seems somewhat akin to instant messaging, a usable but more distant and less personal means of interaction).

Hungarian name: Űrdongó (Space-bumblebee)

Chinese name (Taiwan): Da Huang-feng ("Bumblebee")

Fiction

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IDW prequel comics

Bumblebee commanded the Autobot forces at Tyger Pax attempting to hold the Decepticons off while the All Spark was launched off-planet. He succeeded, but Megatron crushed his voice box, and he lost his ability to speak in the process. Ratchet has been having trouble fixing it ever since. Prime Directive (IDW) issue 1

Later he was the first to track the All Spark to Earth, making planetfall in 2003. Here, he learned to express his emotions by tuning in appropriately emotive music on his car radio.

Though Sector 7 tracked his descent and secured the area in Virginia where he landed, his quick assumption of a local alternate mode disguise allowed him to escape via Interstate 64. Prime Directive (IDW) issue 3

Bumblebee's search for the All Spark began in St. Louis, Missouri, where he used a remote link to a coffee shop computer to search Shwiggle for any signs of extra-terrestrial sightings. There, he discovered the legend of the Ice-Man, and the story of Captain Archibald Witwicky.

Bumblebee's quest took him to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Captain Witwicky had been committed. First he visited the ruins of the long-abandoned Psychopathic Institute for the Long-Term Insane, Witwicky's final home. Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4 From there, Bumblebee headed into downtown, where he scanned the records of Captain Witwicky from an unnamed asylum. This action unfortunately put Sector 7 onto his trail.

The Baton Rouge clues led Bumblebee to Springfield, Missouri, in search of Witwicky's son Clarence. En route, he evaded the first of several attacks by Sector 7. In Springfield, he found records of Clarence's descendants, and started out to track them down.

The oldest son, Ben, had resided in Denver, Colorado, but the trail ended there. En route to his next stop in Tuscon, Bumblebee was again attacked by Sector 7, evading their helicopters by blinding them and rocketing off at high speed. Not long after, he was attacked by Barricade in the desert. Interlude

Damaged and smoking, Bumblebee stopped by the roadside to rest and recover. Suddenly detecting a burst of All Spark energy, he continued onwards out of Colorado.

In New Mexico, as he approached the source of the All Spark energy, he came under attack once again from Barricade. Other Decepticons, meanwhile, attacked the energy source and found it to be a Sector 7 ruse. Bumblebee managed to escape Barricade again, though unbeknown to him the Decepticons let him go so that they could track him.

Eventually, his search took him to Tranquility, Nevada, Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4 where he would soon encounter Sam Witwicky.

Transformers: Beginnings

Voice actor: Mark Ryan

Optimus Prime entrusts Bumblebee with the secret that the AllSpark will be sent into deep space to prevent Lord Megatron from possessing and corrupting it. Just after the launch, Megatron attacks Bumblebee in his rage at losing the AllSpark, and shatters his voice capacitor beyond repair.

Bumblebee arrives on Earth and, sensing the AllSpark is near, takes on local camouflage to search for the artifact. He immediately attracts the attention of Sector Seven agents and Decepticons.

"Flight of the Bumblebee" online game

At some point in time Bumblebee was trapped in a canyon with several Decepticons, among them Brawl, Barricade, Wreckage, and Scorponok. He valiantly fought through them all to make it to the other side. He did it without even bending a fender. Flight of the Bumblebee

Ghosts of Yesterday prequel novel

Between Tyger Pax and his arrival on Earth, Bumblebee and the rest of the Ark crew encountered some humans in deep space and got their first clues to where Megatron and the All Spark rested. He also had to be saved from giant, metal-eating worms by Optimus Prime. Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday

Transformers (2007) film

Voice actor: Mark Ryan (English), Hiroshi Iwasaki (radio voice) Akio Kato (Japan), Helmut Gauß (German)

The old old and the new old.

Bumblebee, having made his way to a second-rate car dealership, became Sam Witwicky's first car. Sam's father promised his son a car if Sam paid half of the money and achieved three A's in school. After doing so with the help of his genealogy project, Sam rode with his father to a car lot with an exceedingly long name. Following them to the lot, Bumblebee quietly placed himself among the other cars. To prevent Sam from having to choose another car, he used a high-frequency sound wave to blow out the windows of every other car in the lot, leaving Bobby with no choice but to sell Bumblebee to the Witwickys.

A transforming car? Thats just crazy!

The next day, Sam and his friend Miles drove Bumblebee down to the lake in a misguided attempt to impress the popular girls at a party. Observing the exchange of thinly veiled insults between Sam and the football jocks, Bumblebee decided to help out Sam when the boy noticed Mikaela Banes walking home after a falling-out with her now ex-boyfriend. Playing "Drive" on his radio, Bumblebee inspired Sam to kick Miles out and drive Mikaela home. As the two awkwardly chatted, Bumblebee suddenly turned off his engine when they neared a romantic spot overlooking the city, this time playing "Sexual Healing" and "I Feel Good". Not knowing his car has a mind of its own, Sam misinterpreted this as a breakdown. Mikaela attempted to fix Bumblebee with her mechanical knowhow, only to leave after Sam asked her why she tolerated jerks like her ex-boyfriend. Trying to help as much as he could, Bumblebee allowed Sam to start up his engine as she walked away, this time playing "Baby, Come Back". Arriving at Mikaela's house, Sam advanced a step towards her by stating that he didn't believe her to be shallow at all, that there was "more than meets the eye" with her. After she left, Sam quietly enthused that he loved his car.

Later that night, Bumblebee drove off by himself with Sam in hot pursuit, believing it to be a car theft. Unwittingly leading his human owner to a junkyard, Bumblebee transformed and activated his communications beacon, requesting assistance from Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. Unknown to him, Sam had seen his robot form and run off, and was now being being pursued by the junkyard's two guard dogs. Bumblebee came to Sam's aid, scaring off the dogs, but had to escape when the police (whom Sam had previously summoned when Bumblebee drove away from his house) arrived to arrest Sam for breaking into the junkyard.

Need for speed!

The next day, Bumblebee drove back to the Witwicky house sometime after Sam had been bailed out by his dad. Frightened and confused, Sam rode away from what he dubbed "Satan's Camaro", ending up in the city and encountering Mikaela in front of a Burger King. Bumblebee followed Sam towards an industrial area, not realizing that the Decepticon Barricade was stalking the boy, intent on finding glasses belonging to Sam's ancestor, which Sam had been auctioning on eBay. Sam ran away from the attacking Decepticon and literally ran into Mikaela after she had followed him. As Barricade bore down on the pair, Bumblebee suddenly appeared, knocking the Decepticon off his feet, then drove the humans away as Barricade gave chase.

YOU BIG WINNER, HAHAHA.

Racing through dilapidated factories and warehouses, Bumblebee eventually arrived at a deserted chemical plant on the outskirts of town. There he waited until Barricade's back was turned before dumping Sam and Mikaela out of his passenger side door, then transforming into robot mode to protect his friends. Barricade transformed and attacked, hitting Bumblebee with his tire spikes and knocking the Autobot into a chemical tank. In retaliation, Bumblebee grabbed Barricade and threw him into an electrical substation, seriously damaging the Decepticon and putting him into stasis lock. After Sam and Mikaela took care of Frenzy, Bumblebee introduced himself to them entirely through the use of his radio, explaining that it was the only way he could communicate, that he was an alien, and that Sam had witnessed him calling to his friends the previous night. Transforming back into vehicle mode, Bumblebee invited his friends to enter (which they did after a brief hesitation) and began to drive them to nearby Griffith Observatory.

On the way, Mikaela (who had refused to sit in the driver's seat, as Bumblebee was driving), rhetorically asked Sam that if Bumblebee was a super-advanced robot, why did he turn into a piece-of-crap Camaro? Mildly insulted, Bumblebee stopped in the middle of a packed tunnel and forced the humans out, then drove away. As Sam lamented the fact that "four thousand dollars just drove away," Bumblebee passed another car and scanned it, driving back to the pair as a sleek and shiny 2009 Camaro. Amazed and impressed, Sam and Mikaela got back in, and Bumblebee continued their journey to the observatory. Arriving, the humans observed as the other Autobots entered the Earth's atmosphere and crash-landed in various parts of the city.

Still think I'm a piece of crap, lady?

Bumblebee then took his friends to a secluded alleyway, where Sam and Mikaela met the other Autobots. Introducing themselves, Sam learned that Bumblebee was his guardian and that the Autobot's vocal processors had been damaged in battle. Ratchet was still working on them as he fired a regenerative plasma beam at the damaged area. Optimus Prime explained that their mission was to find the All Spark, and that Sam Witwicky was the key due to his grandfather discovering Megatron on an Arctic voyage.

I may be your guardian, but I will not carry you through a crowd to the music of Whitney Houston.

Arriving at the Witwicky residence, Bumblebee attempted to convince his comrades to remain out of sight while Sam was talking to his father. When Sam and Mikaela were captured by Sector Seven, Bumblebee helped rescue them. The interrogation of Agent Simmons went nowhere, however, and Bumblebee became so annoyed with his attitude that he released lubricant onto the agent. Soon, Sector Seven reinforcements arrived, intent on recapturing the kids and any "N.B.E.s" they could get their hands on. Optimus Prime tried to protect Sam and Mikaela as they hid under a bridge, but both almost fell to their deaths when they slipped. Bumblebee raced forward, transforming and catching them in mid-air. Unfortunately, this also gave Sector Seven a clear and obvious target for them to attack. Firing harpoon cables from helicopters, the clandestine human organization dragged Bumblebee to the ground, and its soldiers began to freeze the helpless Autobot, who reached out to Sam. The boy broke free from an agent's grip, pushing the soldiers aside until he was tackled by several agents and taken away. Though Jazz objected to allowing Sector Seven to leave with their friend, Optimus Prime ordered his troops to stand down, as there was no way to save the prisoners without incurring human casualties.

Also available in pocket size.

Taken to Hoover Dam, Bumblebee was continually doused with cryoblasts to keep him docile and inert as Sector Seven performed experiments on him. Sam and Mikaela (with some armed persuasion from Captain Lennox) convinced Sector Seven to release Bumblebee. Upon his release, Bumblebee converted to battle mode and almost lashed out at his human oppressors until Sam calmed him down, informing him of the presence of the All Spark and Megatron in the facility, and that the Decepticons were coming for both. Following the humans to the All Spark's chamber, Bumblebee hesitantly reached out to the life source of his people and reformatted it, shrinking the cube until it was a size that the humans could manipulate. Bumblebee and a military escort fled to Mission City, meeting the Autobots en route.

Yay! Lego!

Soon after they arrived at the city, Starscream appeared. Recognizing the Decepticon, Ironhide and Bumblebee lifted up an abandoned truck in order to shield the humans from any collateral damage Starscream's attack would inevitably bring. One of the Decepticon's missiles struck the truck, sending both Autobots flying, with Bumblebee landing in a store front. The attack tore off Bumblebee's legs left him barely functional, as Sam discovered to his horror when Bumblebee crawled from the wreckage. Soon, the other Decepticons arrived, led by Megatron, and the remaining Autobots were engaged. Mikaela and Sam hoisted Bumblebee onto a abandoned tow truck, but refused to leave his side. The Autobot silently handed his friend the All Spark, trusting the fate of his people into the boy's hands, and urged him to run while he still could. As Sam ran off, Mikaela drove Bumblebee away from the fighting to relative safety.

Small and weak, my ass.

However, she was soon overcome with guilt for leaving Sam and the battle. With Bumblebee's assent, she turned the truck around and headed back in. As Mikaela drove down the street in reverse, Bumblebee activated his weapon systems, then fired his plasma cannon and missiles at Devastator, who was pinning down Captain Lennox and the rest of the combined Ranger/Sector Seven soldiers. His contribution was the deciding factor, confusing Devastator enough for the soldiers to counterattack, and the Decepticon was destroyed at last when Bumblebee's final cannon blast pierced his spark. Bumblebee was rather pleased with himself, and Mikaela complimented his shooting.

After the destruction of Megatron and the All Spark, Bumblebee (who had regained his voice) requested permission to remain with Sam, to which the young man agreed. After his legs were repaired, he allowed Sam and Mikaela to make out on top of him as the other Autobots watched.

It was the best day ever. Well, maybe not for Jazz.

Titan Magazines

In an alternate reality, it was the crappiest day ever because Sam failed and was killed, and Megatron went on to conquer much of the Earth. Bumblebee likes to believe that there's a universe out there in which Megatron lost.

Why is he apologising? Look where his left hand is.

Bumblebee and Mikaela went on to become old comrades in guerrilla warfare, and in 2008 went on a mission to rescue Optimus Prime from a Decepticon bunker in Denver. Bumblebee, now with missile launchers in car mode and increased physical strength, took out the bunker guard, Swindle, (nearly crushing Mikaela by accident—"My bad.") and found Prime...or what was left of him. Transformers Comic issue 9 Now stuck in the base, Bumblebee was being hunted by Megatron Transformers Comic issue 10, and baited into revealing himself when the tyrant threatened to kill Mikaela. Bumblebee made a desperate attack, only to be beaten aside with ease. Transformers Comic issue 11

Despite his defeat, he remained defiant to the end and refused to beg for mercy. Luckily the Autobot reinforcements arrived; unluckily, they couldn't stop Megatron; luckily again, Mikaela had revived Optimus Prime to save them Transformers Comic issue 12 and arrived with Phase Two of their plan, a Sector Seven nanovirus that targeted All Spark energy. Plugging it to himself, Bumblebee charged at the super-powered Megatron and forcibly uploaded the nano-virus, killing the tyrant once and for all. Not that he patted himself on the back over this, for he knew too well that this just left a power vacuum... Transformers Comic issue 13

Games

Transformers: The Game

(No voice actor, considering the fact that his voice box got blown before. DUH!)

Bumblebee landed in Tranquility while being briefed by Optimus Prime on his mission to find clues on the All Spark. While on Earth, he took the form of a beat-up 1976 Chevrolet Camaro in possibly a dump or a demolitions bay. Some Decepticon drones were also in Tranquility at a nearby construction site, so Bumblebee confronted and destroyed the drones before any civilian casualties could ensue. Prime detected a Cybertronian code matching that on an artifact owned by a boy named Sam Witwicky, who was reported to be buying a car at Bobby Bolivia's. Unfortunately, some more drones heard of Prime's report, so Bumblebee had to get involved in a high-speed car chase and defeat the drones.

With Sam buying the Camaro-ed Bumblebee, the first phase of finding the All Spark was complete. The next day, Prime warned Bumblebee that the Decepticon named Barricade was also on Earth and threatening to take Sam and his new female friend, Mikaela. So the Autobot had to incapacitate the arm-spinning, spike-punching, tantrum-throwing Decepticon while the humans escaped. Now that Bumblebee knew of the Decepicons' growing involvement in finding the All Spark's location, he obviously needed help. The only problem now with the Autobots' landing was their radar systems. The Decepticons had built radio towers throughout Tranquility to mess up any aircraft radar. Naturally, Bumblebee went to the scene and destroyed the towers. With the Autobots having landed, it was time to find the All Spark.

Optimus Prime explained to Sam and Mikaela about the All Spark, the importance of the glasses, and Humanity's fate. Before moving on the matter at hand, Mikaela questioned Bumblebee's alt-mode being such a beater. The mildly insulted Autobot then copied a more current version of the Camaro (2009 Concept). Later, a government group called Sector 7 went after the Autobots with their helicopters and cars. After Jazz's successful distraction, Sector 7 then switched their sights to Bumblebee, who got captured, but then got away with the efforts of Prime.

Sector 7 sent Bumblebee to Hoover Dam. The Autobot immediately saw the All Spark and a frozen Megatron. After a mysterious blackout, Bumblebee got free and started to shut down the power faster by ripping out the mainframe, blowing up the cooling fans, and removing nuclear canisters from their generators. The All Spark was his, but he had to wait for it to shrink while fending off Sector 7 troops, a lot of Energon drones, and a defrosting Megatron. (Oy!) Eventually, Sam and Mikaela got to the dam and fled with Bumblebee to Mission City before Megatron could get his huge, pointy clutches near the cube.

The Autobots' first priority was then keeping the cube from Megatron. Unfortunately for Bumblebee, he crashed into a building due to interference from energon drones generated by the cube's radiation. Ironhide came in and helped. While the rest of the Autobots fought the Decepticons, Bumblebee had one final showdown with Barricade. After a lot of punches, blasts, and car chases, Barricade finally went down for good. Megatron then went to the scene and incapacitated the wounded Autobot with one shot from his fusion cannon. Bumblebee urged the two humans to take the cube to Optimus for he could not go on any longer.

After the battle was won by the Autobots, Bumblebee struck a pose with the other remaining four as they listened in on Prime's final speech.

Transformers: Autobots

Bumblebee arrived in Tranquility to meet up with Create-A-Bot, and after a short discussion created from radio sound clips, instructed Create-a-Bot to scan a number of vehicles, the last of which was a Decepticon. After a short battle, Bumblebee then used Create-a-Bot's mad h4x0r skills to break into the internet and find the location of Archibald Witwicky's glasses, which turned out to be conveniently in Tranquility. Going to retrieve them, Bumblebee arrived at the Witwicky house to find Barricade, who then blew up a car and ran, blaming the explosion on the yellow car now chasing him down the highway. Meeting on a bridge, they fought. Once Bumblebee won, Barricade once again ran.

Later, Bumblebee received a mission to destroy several Sector Seven turrets designed to shoot down the reported N.B.E.s seen around the city. Afterward, he served as a distraction, driving to various markers to fight off the police while the other Autobots did their thing. Once that task was completed, he got captured by S7 forces and taken to Hoover Dam, where he had to be rescued by the others. Once free of his restraints, he searched the base for the All Spark, finding it in the deepest part of the dam. Upon being discovered, the All Spark turns the site's computers into mechanical scorpions...to defend itself. From the good guys. After retrieving the All Spark, Bumblebee had to escape in under 30 seconds to avoid getting locked in. After a quick getaway with Create-a-Bot providing cover fire, they met with Optimus. Following another quick gun-and-cover mission, Blackout and Barricade were waiting for a two-on-two battle, in which Prime had to keep both Bumblebee and himself alive.

Finally, Bumblebee's last mission once again took place in Tranquility. All Spark in hand, he had to run to meet up with the Autobots, avoiding as many Decepticons as possible, within a time limit. Blackout was gunning for him the entire time, and lots of Decepticons were in the way. Once there, Create-a-Bot needed to keep Bumblebee from being blasted into slag as they raced to meet up with Optimus.

Transformers: Decepticons

After sending troops to slow down Barricade and the Decepticon Create-A-Bot, Bumblebee showed up in person to take care of business himself, serving as little more than a distraction. After running away, Bumblebee later acquired the All Spark, transporting it across Tranquility while Starscream gave chase. Stopping in the suburbs, Starscream pounded Bumblebee's face to custard and pried the All Spark from his cold, nonfunctioning fingers.

Toys

Transformers (2007)

Legends Class toys

• Bumblebee (Legends Class, 2007)

Japanese name: EZ Collection Bumblebee

Its not a Fiesta with racing stripes...its a fiesta of racing stripes!

Legends Bumblebee transforms into a yellow 1976 Chevrolet Camaro. Being a highly simplified toy of a highly complex design, Legends-class Bumblebee does not replicate the appearance of the robot mode very well, and has very limited articulation, detail and paint application. On the other hand, he's pocket-sized and inexpensive, perfect for the younger set. The toy has a sculpted rear window, but it's not painted like the other windows. instead, the racing stripes extend over them.

• Optimus Prime bonus pack (Costco exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

A Costco exclusive special pack of Leader Class Optimus Prime with Legends Class Bumblebee and Autobot Jazz as bonus figures. None of the three toys is changed from their respective original releases.

• Battle for the Allspark (Toys'R'Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

The classic G1 cast...plus Barricade.

A Toys'R'Us exclusive, this six-pack of Legends class figures contains unmodified toys of Optimus Prime, Jazz, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starscream and Barricade.

• Bumblebee Scanning Ver. (Hyper Hobby magazine exclusive EZ Collection variant, 2007)

A Japanese-exclusive version of the Legends Bumblebee toy, "scanning version" Bumblebee uses transparent plastics for his yellow parts. He was available as a mail-order item from Hyper Hobby magazine in September of 2007.

• Metallic Bumblebee (Tsutaya Records exclusive EZ collection variant, 2007)

This Japanese metallic repaint of Legends class Bumblebee is an exclusive included with purchase of the Movie DVD at Tsutaya Records.

• Bumblebee vs. Scorponok (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2008)

Bee stings.

As part of the AllSpark Battles Legends two-packs, a slightly redecoed Legends class Bumblebee, now sporting "battle damage" paint applications, comes with an all-new Legends Scorponok figure.

Deluxe Class toys

• Bumblebee (Deluxe Class Classic Camaro, Hasbro 2007)

These used cars are fully loaded!

The first Deluxe Class version of Movie Bumblebee transforms into a yellow 1976 Chevrolet Camaro with a quite reasonable level of sculpted detail. In contrast to the other Deluxe-class car Transformers in the Movie toyline, he does not have clear windows, instead opting for opaque yellow plastic with painted metallic blue.

Bumblebee is armed with two shoulder-mounted spring-loaded missile launchers (inspired by the shoulder-mounted missiles launchers he uses to fight Brawl/Devastator in the movie), which also double as hand-held weapons or can be mounted on ports on the undersides of his elbows. His legs and chest Automorph during transformation.

The initial release of the toy featured even tabs for the Automorph gimmick; oddly, Hasbro later decided to retool the feature so the tab would be uneven. This resulted in many reported cases of the tab snapping during transformation. Press the button or you'll break him. Seriously. The retooled Automorph gimmick would be used for all subsequent versions of the mold, including the Japanese ones, and the breakage problem wouldn't be fixed until the UK exclusive "Towed to Safety" two-pack and the Target exclusive "Evolution of a Hero" two-pack.

Packaging photos and early test shots of Bumblebee featured transparent blue plastic windows and missile parts. However, the final Hasbro production toy has opaque yellow plastic. The Japanese TakaraTomy release of Bumblebee retains the transparent blue plastic parts.

• Bumblebee (Deluxe Class Classic Camaro, TakaraTomy 2007)

ID number: MA-03

Never seen so much translucent plastic in all my life.

Pretty much the same toy as the Hasbro version (featuring the retooled Automorph gimmick). However, instead of opaque yellow plastic with tampographed blue windows, this toy uses transparant blue plastic for those parts, with yellow paint for the outer car shell. As a consequence, the missiles, which are on the same sprue, are also made of clear blue plastic, just like the early prototype seen in the Hasbro stock photos for the toy. Also, the face has changed to resemble to Camaro Concept version. The packaging used for the Japanese toy is the same as for the Hasbro version, with the exception of additional stickers identifying it as a Japanese market release.

• Bumblebee vs. Barricade: First Encounter (Wal*Mart exclusive two-pack, 2007)

"Go ahead, make my day!"

This Wal*Mart exclusive battle pack contains the 1976 Camaro deluxe-class Bumblebee and the deluxe-class Barricade/Frenzy figures, based upon their confrontation as seen in the movie. The box features a diorama-style background from a movie scene, but toys themselves are unchanged from their original carded releases.

The set originally retailed for only slightly less than buying the two individual toys. However, for a short while, it was about the only way to get Bumblebee in the first place, thanks to the toy drought following the movie's record-smashing opening.

• Bumblebee Limited Metallic Color Version (Lawson exclusive Deluxe-sized Classic Camaro, TakaraTomy 2007)

A redeco of the Japanese version of the Classic Camaro Bumblebee mold (retaining the clear blue windows and missiles) that was exclusively available with the purchase of a ticket for the movie in Japanese Lawson stores.

• Towed to Safety (two-pack, UK 2007)

Sadly, All Spark Insurance doesn't cover towing charges.

This set features an unaltered Deluxe class Longarm figure and a Deluxe class 1976 Camaro Bumblebee figure. The window box features a diorama background of the battle in Mission City (basically the same packaging inner tray from the "Bumblebee vs. Barricade: First Encounter" pack). As is generally the case with the European releases of the Movie toys, the pictures on the front of the box show the robot-mode toys instead of an artist's depiction of their faces.

For this two-pack, Hasbro slightly retooled Bumblebee's Automorph gimmick again, adding another small tab that finally resolved the breakage issues that had plagued the previous variation of the mold.

Thus far, this pack has only been released in the United Kingdom.

• Bumblebee (Camaro Concept) (Deluxe Class Concept Camaro, 2007)

Japanese ID number: MA-10

Nu Uh! You Dont Want None Of This!

The second Deluxe class Bumblebee toy, which shares no parts with the previous one (even the head, despite being based on the same general design, is a different sculpt), transforms into the concept vehicle for the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro. Maintaining the high standard for car accuracy in the movie line, Bumblebee is very faithful to the real-life vehicle, featuring clear blue windows in contrast to the opaque windows seen in both his previous Deluxe class toy and the Ultimate Bumblebee toy.

Bumblebee features two Automorphing gimmicks during transformation: (a) swinging his hood down into robot mode position also moves his arms up and (b), swinging his feet down will move the rear fenders up and behind his calves, as well as swinging the rear windows to his inner calves in a spring-loaded action. Unusually, this version of Bumblebee is much more accurate to the CGI design than either the older-model Deluxe OR the Ultimate figure, with the chest properly articulating in a fairly Movie-accurate manner. He's also slightly taller than most of the other Deluxe Class figures.

Bumblebee features a superb range of articulation, with ball joints in his shoulders, neck, torso, wrists and upper legs, with ratcheting and swivels making up the remaining joints. Instead of the rather inaccurate missile launchers from the 1976 Camaro toy, '09 Bumblebee comes with a mostly accurate version of his plasma cannon as it appears in the movie, but for added play value, it can Automorph into an energy blade by opening up the halves of the gun barrel and swinging them back. The cannon can be held in either of his hands.

Care should be taken when removing the cannon from Bumblebee's hands, as excessive force can damage the wrist ball joint socket.

Contrary to popular opinion, the yellow pieces on the back of Bumblebee's feet are not supposed to be heel spurs, nor have they been misassembled. They are supposed to fold up to emulate the detail found on the CGI design.

A running change version of this mold adds tabs to the hip panels, which makes the vehicle mode hold together better, as well as sculpted pupils inside Bumblebee's eyes. Initially this was believed to be a variant for the Japanese market; however, later shipments of the Hasbro toy featured those changes as well, as did all subsequent versions of the mold.

This mold was also used to make "Allspark Power" Cliffjumper.

• Evolution of a Hero (Target exclusive two-pack, 2007)

Hey, look, Concept Camaro, now you are the piece o' crap.

A Target exclusive, this figure multi-pack contains an unchanged Deluxe-class 1976 Bumblebee and an exclusive "battle damaged" 2009 Camaro Concept Bumblebee. Even though the 2009 figure is supposed to represent Bumblebee's damaged state as he appeared during the final battle in the movie, oddly enough the "damage" paint decos do not appear to extend to his legs, restricting themselves to his upper torso and car roof/door parts. Maybe they didn't bother because they thought you'd take them off like in the movie. Go figure.

The Classic Camaro Bumblebee toy included in this package features the same "fixed" Automorph gimmick also found on the version included in the UK exclusive "Towed to Safety" two-pack. In addition, the Automorph button on the hood finally sports the painted pinstripes that had been missing on all previous releases of the mold.

• Bumblebee and Optimus Prime (Argos exclusive two-pack, UK 2007)

A two-pack, exclusively available at Argos stores in the United Kingdom, which contains an unchanged Voyager-class Optimus Prime and an equally unchanged Deluxe-class Concept Camaro Bumblebee.

• Capture of Bumblebee (Screen Battles diorama pack, 2007)

Japanese ID number: SB-04

You'll never take me alive!

This Screen Battles pack comes a redecoed Camaro Concept Deluxe-class Bumblebee featuring a more accurate gray color scheme for his robot mode parts and a silver-painted face, Autobot symbol and toes. Additionally, a new red Autobot symbol is placed on his forehead, while his translucent parts are now a greener blue. The pack also comes with non-posable figurines of Sector Seven agent Reggie Simmons and two Sector Seven soldiers; one carrying a cryo-freezing cannon and one carrying a grenade launcher.

This set comes in a special window box featuring a diorama background of the scene in which Bumblebee is captured by Sector Seven forces.

• All Spark-Enhanced Bumblebee (Target Exclusive Deluxe, 2007)

This Target exclusive features the Deluxe Class Bumblebee in unique cylindrical packaging, with the only difference from his standard release being that key robot mode parts are highlighted by the slavish 'All Spark Blue' color for no other reason than to sell toys.

• Stealth Bumblebee (Deluxe Class Concept Camaro, 2008)

Bumblebee, as he appears in the Bizarro World.

Stealth Bumblebee is an extensive redeco and minor retool of the Deluxe class 2009 Camaro Bumblebee toy. The redeco itself is unusual in that the yellow parts are still cast in yellow plastic, but painted black. Other color differences include changing the robot mode body parts from black to gray and adding bright blue AllSpark Power decos.

The head has also been retooled to reflect Bumblebee's 'battle mask' as seen in the Movie. The "mask" does not flip up to reveal his head. Bummer.

• Bumblebee ("Premium Series" Deluxe Class Concept Camaro, 2008)

Japanese ID number: MA-22

This redeco of the Deluxe-class Concept Camaro toy features a similar deco as the Screen Battles version, but replaces the head sculpt with the "battle mask" sculpt previously used for Stealth Bumblebee.

Ultimate toys

• Ultimate Bumblebee (Ultimate, 2007)

All those extras and they couldn't make me more accurate than the deluxe class toy.

Similar in appearance to the second Deluxe-class Bumblebee toy, albeit much larger and more complex, the 'Ultimate' version of Bumblebee also transforms into the 2009 concept Camaro. The toy features animatronic movement in robot mode (flapping wings, moving arms and a rotating head) and light-up eyes and headlights, activated by the movement or sounds made by the person playing with the toy, or by pressing his buttons, which also activate an obscene number of interactive electronic sound effects. Oddly enough, despite being mute for most of the movie, Bumblebee has a wide range of pharses (Which don't even sound like him). His chest button yields various phrases and a new version of the Transformers theme tune, while a button on his side produces blaster noises, more speech, and musical samples, including four different ones from Devo's "Whip It." This button also causes the toy to raise its cannon-arm and automatically fire a missile. Playing with the toy by moving it will make him repeat various phrases and samples activated by other features, as well as crashing battle noises, but when he is left idle, more unique phrases will be uttered inquiring where everyone has gone, as well as radio snippets to the same effect, before the toy eventually deactivates. Pressing any button will bring him back online with a cheerful shout.

Transforming the toy between modes is accompanied by the classic transformation noise, and if left unattended between modes, it will make stalling engine noises, car horn and a car alarm sounds. Once in car mode, new electronics are unlocked, beginning with the sound of an engine starting up. The chest button now activates the car's horn, and rolling the figure along will create an accelerating noise that increases the faster the toy is moved. More unique musical snippets will play as the car rolls along; when the rolling stops, brake lights activate and the tires screech. Yet more sounds are produced when Bumblebee is rolled backwards, and the car mode also features different crashing battle noises to the robot mode.

All of the toy's features can be turned off by a switch, and it has an additional "Try Me" mode which allows you to hear various sounds from the toy's various functions just by pressing the chest button.

The toy is mistransformed in the package, and all promo photos of the figure made the same mistake, presenting the car hood as a solid block resting on Bumblebee's chest. In reality, it splits up into five separate pieces to fold and collapse into a more movie-like appearance.

In the holiday season, Wal-Mart carried an exclusive "Bonus Buy" version of the toy, which had the Deluxe Brawl and Scorponok toys added as freebies. Costco also carried an exclusive version, with the 3" Titanium Series version of Bumblebee packed in. However, it did not include the display stand.

• Ultimate Bumblebee bonus pack (Costco exclusive two-pack, 2007)

A Costco-exclusive special pack of Ultimate Bumblebee with Titanium Series Bumblebee (see below) as a bonus figure. Neither toy is changed from its respective original release.

• Ultimate Bumblebee Bonus Value pack (Wal*Mart exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

A Wal*Mart-exclusive special pack of Ultimate Bumblebee with Deluxe Class Decepticon Brawl and Scorponok as bonus figures. None of the three toys are changed from their respective original releases.

Fast Action Battlers

• Plasma Punch Bumblebee (Fast Action Battler, 2007)

The hood becomes the chest? Well, that's new!

Fast Action Battlers Bumblebee transforms from concept Camaro to robot with a considerably simpler transformation than the standard deluxe toy, intended for the slightly younger set. His main "gimmick" is a spring-loaded missile launcher in his right arm. As is also the case with Ultimate Bumblebee, the toy is mistransformed in the package, and all promo photos of the figure make the same mistake, presenting the car hood as a solid block. In reality, the chest/bumper consists of two rotating pieces which can pivot down so as to more accurately emulate the appearance in the movie.

• Rally Rocket Bumblebee (Fast Action Battler, 2008)

A repaint of Plasma Punch Bumblebee.It transforms from concept Camero to robot with a simple transformation. The right arm is a spring loaded missle launcher.As is also the case with the original Fast Action Battlers Bumblebee, the hood is presented as a solid brick.

Cyber Slammers toys

• Bumblebee (Classic Camaro Cyber Slammer, 2007)

A Battlecharger for the new millennium.

Cyber Slammers Bumblebee is an amazingly cute 1976 Camaro that transforms into an amazingly cute Autobot buddy of human characters. "Slam" his robot mode down into car mode and he rolls along for a while, then snaps back up into robot mode.

This toy was also made available during the 2007 holiday season as a freebie "Bonus Buy" packaged with Cyber Stompin' Optimus Prime at Wal-Mart stores.

• Bumblebee (Concept Camaro Cyber Slammer, 2007)

And so, Bumblebee rejoins the Throttlebots.

The second Cyber Slammers Bumblebee figure toy transforms into a Concept Camaro and shares no parts with the previous Cyber Slammers Bumblebee figure. Like all Cyber Slammers, the toy features motorized action. When you push down on the car, it zooms forward, then pops up into robot mode! Sure to please the toddler you brought with you to the PG-13 movie. Like most Cyber Slammers, Bumblebee manages to cram most of his vehicle mode's major details into a compact, super-deformed version of that mode.

This toy was later redecoed into Cliffjumper.

Trans-Scanning figures

• Trans-Scanning Bumblebee (2008)

This version of Bumblebee transforms into a protoform and entry mode and comes with clip-on parts to create his Earth Camaro mode.

Cyber Stompin' robots

• Bumblebee (Cyber Stompin' Robots, 2007)

These boots were made for—you know the rest.

Cyber Stompin' Robots Bee is a large electronic action figure, featuring a rather cutified design. He's got electronic lights and sounds up the whazzoo and fires missiles and a fist. He totally plays the original theme song.

Later in the year, Wal-Mart stores sold this toy as a "Bonus Buy" item, which came with a free Cyber Slammer Barricade attached to the box back.

Robot Replicas

• Bumblebee (Robot Replicas, 2007)

Heli-pack not included

As part of the Robot Replicas sub-line, this version of concept-Camaro Bumblebee is a non-transforming action figure that hews very close to the movie's CGI model. It features joints similar to the Revoltech toys, plus his right forearm can be replaced with his blaster-arm (or any other arm attachments from other Robot Replicas, which could lead to some fun Frankensteins). For some reason, he's closer to orange than his normal yellow.

Non-transforming Screen Battles figures

• Final Stand (Screen Battles, 2007)

Japanese ID number: SB-02

"Half a bee, philosophically/ Must, ipso facto, half not be./ But half the bee has got to be/ Vis-a-vis, its entity. D'you see?"

This Screen Battles pack comes with an altered Longarm toy and a posable, non-transforming, battle-damaged Bumblebee figure very similar to the Robot Replicas toy, yet surprisingly utilizing none of the same parts despite being on an identical scale. This set comes in a special window box featuring a diorama background of the battle in Mission City. Although entirely comprised of original sculpting, such as Bumblebee's gimpy leg-stumps, the figure oddly does not feature 'Bee's distinctive car door "wings" on his back. However, keen customisers can easily rectify this by slicing the "Robot Replicas" version's wings off and whittling their connecting plastic into simple posts that very handily plug into large holes in the tires on Final Stand 'Bee's back. In fact, these holes almost seem designed to accommodate a missing part...

Micro IR Transformers Cars

• Bumblebee (2007)

Drives and shoots!

Made by Radio Shack under license from Hasbro and Dreamworks. The three-function infrared remote, in Bumblebee's signature colors, gives you control of the car with forward and reverse turn movement. More than just a car styled after the Movie character, the car also transforms to robot mode. The top of the gun-shaped IR remote's barrel serves as a display stand.

Titanium Series

• Bumblebee (Robot Masters, 2007)

Special feature: Can't talk, just like the real Bumblebee!

This Bumblebee is a three-inch tall painted mini-statue of his 1976 Camaro body form. He features die-cast in his torso and thighs, and he has swivel joints at the shoulders, head and waist. Oh, and he comes with a Movie-style Autobot logo base to stand on.

This item was also packed in with Ultimate Bumblebee as a Costco-exclusive set.

Merchandise

Transformers (2007)

• Beatmix Bumblebee (2007)

Beatmix Bumblebee is a device that hooks up to a music device, similarly to an iDog. Like the aforementioned product, Beatmix Bumblebee reacts to the music being played (outputted via a speaker within him). With a touch, he can also sample the owner's music tracks and replay them with sound effects from the movie. His arms are posable, but Bumblebee cannot transform.

• Bumblebee AllSpark Blaster (2008)

Well, that's original.

• Transformers car air freshener (2007)

A faithful replica of the "Bee-Otch" air freshener dangling from Bumblebee's rear-view mirror, with cinnamon scent. It was given out by the handful at BotCon 2007. Supposedly it was also available at retail, but no reliable sightings have been reported.

• Bumblebee (2007)

What are YOU lookin' at?

• Bumblebee vs. Barricade (2007)

• Armored Bumblebee vs. Starscream (2007)

Bee's gonna pull it away when Screamer runs up to kick it.

• Bumblebee vs. Starscream (2008)

FINALLY! I have solved this accursed Rubik's Cube!

• XMODS® Evolution Transformers Bumblebee (2007)

Model Number: 60-186

Transforms from vehicle mode to modified vehicle!

Bumblebee is now more battle ready than Ironhide...I think.

Bumblebee, in his Camaro Concept form, is one of the first Transformers characters to be licensed by Radio Shack from Hasbro and Dreamworks for their XMODS Evolution line of radio control cars. "The maximum in modification", Bumblebee is a base kit that can be upgraded with a Evolution Weapons and Light Kit for Bumblebee (Model Number: 60-191), which adds two racks of missiles to his doors, his plasma cannon onto the hood, as well as LED red taillights and white headlights. Bumblebee is also compatible with any of the optional motor upgrades, body kits, steering and suspension upgrades, and more available for the brand.

• ZipZaps® Micro RC Starter Kit 1.0 Transformers® Bumblebee™ (2007)

Model Number: 60-180

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Bumblebee is also one of the first Transformers characters licensed by Radio Shack for their ZipZaps line of pocket-size radio control cars. As a ZipZap, Bumblebee can be customized, trimmed, and tuned with any other accessories available for the brand. He has working headlights and requires four "AAA" batteries for the charger.

• TRANSFORMERS Chess Set (2007)

Two identical bronze-colored plastic statues of Bumblebee serve as the Chess set's Autobot-side knights.

Second Life

In the online virtual world simulation/game Second Life, there is a full replica of the Sector Seven base which contains a giant discussion room where Michael Bay held a question board. This room contains a giant frozen Megatron replica and free avatars of both Bumblebee and Barricade. Both freebies are non-transforming. Also, the Bumblebee avatar has his battle mask down and it can't be raised. However, some sellers have created a transforming version.

Trivia

• According to an article on Edmunds.com, the filmmakers wanted Bumblebee's original Earth form to be the 1976 iteration of the Camaro because it was the worst Camaro possible that also had chrome bumpers.

• The same article indicates that the 1976 Camaros used in the film were all purchased via online auction for under $6000 each, one for less than $2000. That one didn't run.

• One of the 1976 Camaros was sold on eBay. The bidding ended on July 18, 2007; the final price was $40,100.01.

• The Bumblebee computer-generated model consisted of 7608 individual parts, 1,511,727 polygons, 19,722 rig nodes, and 8094 texture maps. The volume of all the pieces came to 1069.01 cubic feet.

• Bumblebee stands approximately 16 feet tall, according to the official game strategy guide

• Bumblebee's character animation is based on the performance of Michael J. Fox in the Back to the Future movies.

• The 2008 Concept Camaro used for Bumblebee was built by Saleen in 30 days, using a heavily modified 2006 Pontiac GTO body as the basis. The '08 Camaro was not in production at the time that the film was being made, hence an identical mock-up was needed to fill the role.

He uses it once, then dies.

• A weapon considered for Bumblebee was a pair of arm-mounted electrical "stingers". The idea was ultimately abandoned for the movie, but influenced other media.

• Speaking of weapons, for someone whose main job is being subtle, Bumblebee is quite well armed, with a cannon powerful enough to rattle Brawl and a ring-shaped light missile launcher in either shoulder. He is also a capable close-combat fighter, as seen in his fight against Barricade.

• The Bumblebee Camaro '09 toy's blade weapon might be influenced by the arm-mounted stingers from early concepts.

• According to the prequel comic by IDW Publishing, Megatron ripped out and crushed Bumblebee's voice capacitor during the battle at Tyger Pax back on Cybertron. In the film itself, Ratchet only states to Sam that Bumblebee's "vocal processors were damaged in battle" and he was "still working on them" after firing a single plasma beam at Bumblebee's throat; by the end of all the conflict (the climax of the film proper), Bumblebee has regained his ability to speak. Although it was not confirmed on-screen, screenwriter Roberto Orci did confirm off-screen that Ratchet's (regenerative) beam was indeed the reason. It could be that the doc didn't have enough time/resources, what with all the war and inter-stellar space travel, to fully perfect the healing plasma early enough. And even if he did, 'Bee took off for the Cube after only a marginal amount of repairs were performed on him after his encounter with Megs, so a vial of even faster-acting plasma could be sitting in Ratchet's lab back on ol' Cybertron, if the 'Cons didn't trash it of course ...they did.

• Just as well, Roberto Orci also admitted that Bumblebee's brief contact with the All Spark would be an equally valid (and an even more "in-continuty") explanation.

• In the film (2007), Bumblebee scanned a working, driveable Camaro—with the same paint job—that won't be released until some time next year (2009). However, it is possible that the Camaro in question was being road-tested by GM engineers, like they are doing in the real world.

External links

• Galleries of various different Bumblebee toys from the Movie