Starscream (Primax)

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

Let's see what you can see... This article is in need of images. Specifics: IDW continuity

Starscream is a Decepticon in the Generation 1 continuity family.

Let me guess. You're gonna attempt to overthrow Megatron, fail, cry, then repeat the cycle.

Starscream is the treacherous Decepticon Air Commander and the deadliest of the Seekers. He's famous not only for his incredible skill, but also for his limitless (and troublesome) ambition. Starscream believes that he is more suited for command than Decepticon leader Megatron. Thankfully for Megatron, Starscream's mutinous, power-grabbing plots are almost always transparent, and he can never muster up enough patience to complete a grandiose power play. Even on the few times he has taken control of the Decepticons, he quickly loses control of a situation, but is too arrogant to realize when he's in over his head. He never learns from his mistakes, but then again, Megatron doesn't either, seeing as how he's never turned Starscream into slag. Despite his constant failures, Starscream believes it is only a matter of time before he prevails -- his destiny is inevitable.

Starscream's never give up attitude extends even to the afterlife: unlike most Transformers, he has a mutant, indestructible Spark. His life-force cannot be destroyed and can persist even without a body to contain it. However, there is no indication that Starscream (or anybody else) was aware of this fact prior to his destruction.

"Why? That's what they all asked me. Why him... why Starscream? Why, of all the Decepticons, did I decide to revitalize the one whose record of deceit and betrayal is legend? Because I'm an idiot, that's why!"

―Megatron on Starscream, "Total War!"

Italian name: Astrum, Scintillor (Possession only)

French-Canadian name: Égo

Spanish name: Grito de Estrella

Chinese name: Hong Zhi Zhu (meaning Red Spider), Tian Wang Xing (meaning Pluto)

Euskera (Basque) name: Izaroihu

Hungarian name: Üstökös (meaning Comet)

Portuguese name: Estrela gritante

Polish name: Gwiazdowrzask (Cosmic Rust only)

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Generation 1

(Note: Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.)

What do the fangirls see in this jerk?

Starscream helped invade the Ark, got deactivated. Woke up, questioned Megatron, got deactivated. Helped launch the final attack on the Ark, got deactived. The Last Stand! Attempts to steal an anti-Transformer weapon Blackrock created for his own ends, gets beaten up but surprisingly not deactivated. DIS-Integrated Circuits! With both Shockwave and Megatron gone, he made noises about taking over but Soundwave verbally cut him down and took temporary command instead. Crisis of Command!

Fought Omega Supreme, got deactivated once again. He was reactivated accidentally and escaped Autobot captivity, uniting with the time-travelling Galvatron to be on the winning team. Target 2006 Following this he was active when meeting Cobra. Following that, he was left isolated from the other Decepticons under unknown circumstances and, desolate, wished he could go home again. A chance encounter with a human saw him informed the meaning of Christmas, and he helped out some elderly humans - but only to piss off Streetwise. Stargazing In other unknown circumstances, he was recaptured by the Autoots.

Rescued by Ratbat's forces on the Moon, Starscream later discovered the story of the powerful Underbase. He then set about a chain of systematic betrayals in order to gain access to that power. He set loose Buster Witwicky, whom the Decepticons had been holding prisoner, with equipment that would lure the Autobots to the Decepticon's Antarctica base. The ensuing battle served to distract his fellow Decepticons as he then stole a ship from Scorponok to look for the Underbase. Cold War!

Upon finding it, he began absorbing its power but was unable to finish the task as he was interrupted by Ratbat's ship, piloted by a temporary Autobot/Decepticon alliance. Starscream however survived, thanks to the power he absorbed. After throwing Scorponok's ship at Ratbat's, he loudly proclaimed "I go now to destroy the cities of New York, Tokyo, and Buenos Aires!"

The Autobots and Decepticons traveled to those locations to try and stop Starscream, but they ultimately failed, as a massive amount of the Transformers active on Earth were badly damaged and incapacitated by Starscream's Underbase-powered rampage. The Aerialbots, Jetfire, Bluestreak, Brawn, Gears, Goldbug, Mirage, Hoist, Hound, Jazz, the Seacons, and Blaster were offlined in New York, although Ratbat escaped. The Throttlebots, Thundercracker, Skywarp, the Dinobots (including Grimlock), and the Predacons, were decimated in Tokyo, though Scorponok left before he was destroyed as well. Finally, in Buenos Aires, Starscream wiped out Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Octane, Astrotrain, Blitzwing, the Technobots, the Terrorcons, Omega Supreme, and Soundwave. Fortress Maximus won a reprieve in that battle when Starscream left the fight after intercepting a radio transmission.

Rediscovering the Underbase, Starscream attempted to finish absorbing its power, only to have it overwhelm him, which resulted in his destruction. Dark Star!

Braaaiiiinnnssss!

Dreadwind and Darkwing were sent by Megatron to reclaim Starscream's charred corpse on planet Earth. Starscream's remains were possessed by the essence of the Underbase and went on an insane rampage, nearly killing Dr. Susan Hoffman and her Assistants. The Underbase eventually realized it was acting insane and regained control, but as soon as it did, Dreadwind and Darkwing siphoned all the power out of it, and Starscream's corpse returned to being an inanimate pile of scrap, which the pair quickly collected. Race with the Devil

Starscream's remains were delivered to Megatron, who kidnapped Ratchet to rebuild Starscream with a powerful Pretender shell. Resurrection Gambit! Megatron ordered Ratchet to wipe Starscream's mind so Starscream would wreak havoc on Earth among the Decepticons (led by Scorponok) and Optimus Prime. Ratchet, however, arranged for Starscream's true mind to be only suppressed. One good blast caused enough pain to revive the real Starscream. Completely outmatched, he surrendered and begged Scorponok for forgiveness.

Briefly after becoming a Pretender, Starscream began to wallow in self-pity, believing that all the other Decepticons considered him a joke for his many failed takeover attempts and defeats. His self-esteem crumbled every time the other Decepticons refused to speak to him or spoke about him behind his back. In reality, the other Decepticons were terribly frightened of Starscream (thanks to that whole Underbase thing) and were avoiding him so they wouldn't be killed. Starscream sulked about it for a while until he defeated and captured a few Autobots and his confidence began to return. Fallen Star!

Starscream fled Cybertron with Shockwave in the Ark after Unicron's assault. Shockwave and Starscream found Megatron and Ratchet awakening from the Nucleon, both very confused and addled due to their mind-link. Ratchet collected enough sanity to direct one of Starscream's null-rays into the Nucleon, causing enough of a chain reaction to send the Ark into a crash-landing on Earth, once again resulting in Starscream's deactivation.

Generation 2

"I am only saving you so that I may punish you later."

Megatron revitalized Starscream, who then predictably betrayed Megatron and the Decepticons once again, this time by giving Jhiaxus and his troops information that allowed them to take control of the Decepticon's Warworld. Starscream then doublecrossed Jhiaxus, stole the Creation Matrix (which Megatron had stolen from Prime earlier) and used its powers to merge himself with the Warworld, becoming an unstoppable force of destruction. As Optimus Prime and Megatron entered the possessed ship to try and stop him, Starscream discovered firsthand the dangers of stealing the Matrix as it rewrote his programming to better suit its own tastes. As a result, Starscream soon became a snow-white boy scout with no mounted weapons who would never hurt a fly and went out of his way to help old ladies across the street (more or less).

He fervently hopes the effect is only temporary.

Fun Publications Classics comics

(Note: The Classics comic takes place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a new timeline that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or Generation 2.)

Starscream reappears alongside several other Decepticons restored by Megatron fifteen years after the Ark crash-landed. He still appears to enjoy making snide remarks at Megatron's expense.

Animated continuity

Voice Actor: Chris Latta (US), Hirotaka Suzuoki (Japan), Jean-Louis Millette (Quebec), Jacques Ferrière (France), José Sant'anna (Brazil), Bernd Simon (Germany)

Starscream was the Decepticons' second-in-command. He was rash, boastful, cowardly, and even whiny. Millions of years before the war between Autobots and Decepticons would force both sides off Cybertron, Starscream was not a warrior but rather a scientist. He and his colleague Skyfire were exploring an unnamed planet - the ancient Earth - when severe atmospheric conditions separated the two friends. Starscream circled the globe looking for Skyfire, but he never found his colleague. Fire in the Sky After the outbreak of war, Starscream and his fellow Decepticons would become entombed on the same alien world for four million years before emerging to continue their battle on Earth, with Starscream reformatted as a terrestrial F-15 fighter jet.

Unfortunately, Starscream forgot the safeword.

Starscream's rash and spiteful actions led to the resurrection of the Autobots on Earth, when a blast intended to trap the Autobots there forever caused Optimus Prime to fall into the life-giving rays of Teletraan I, who soon had all his fellow Autobots ready for action again. More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1 Starscream would always demand action rather than waste time with planning, often calling Megatron a coward or taking action himself without waiting for the order. Needless to say, this got him nearly killed by Megatron on more than one occasion.

Starscream's status probably came from the fact he had command over the other jet fighter Decepticons, who formed pretty much 50% of the entire Decepticon force at the time of the first and second seasons. Megatron, very desperate for troops (especially ones who were so predictable), kept Starscream around.

Although he was often an impulsive warrior, Starscream still showed some signs of his scientific background. In "War of the Dinobots", he was the only Decepticon who urged caution before using the energy taken from an unstable meteor. Even Megatron himself showed little concern about the potential risks, bickering with Starscream and threatening to take his share. Starscream was ultimately correct about the volatile nature of the energy, and the resulting explosion nearly killed a number of Transformers, including Optimus Prime and Grimlock. War of the Dinobots

Starscream's childhood dodgeball traumas were a deciding factor in his personality.

Starscream's ambition was also great, and he often sought to take command away from Megatron. One such attempt was to challenge him to a duel, then shoot him in the back when Megatron turned away laughing. His "victory" here was short-lived, as Megatron was just stunned, shot Starscream, and banished him from his forces. This led Starscream to "create" the Combaticons from a bunch of wrecked army vehicles he found on the island on which he was deserted, and some Decepticon "brains" he stole from a Decepticon prison on Cybertron. Starscream's Brigade Megatron let him and his newly formed army back into the Decepticons soon afterwards, despite the fact they were all Decepticon outcasts and criminals. The Revenge of Bruticus

Starscream's thirst for leadership led to his death when, during the Decepticon's dramatic siege on Autobot City, Megatron would fight his final battle with Optimus Prime. By the end of it, the Decepticon leader was battered beyond repair, left on the verge of stasis lock. Starscream, able to see an opportunity in every situation if nothing else, took advantage of this moment of weakness to rally the healthy Decepticons that remained after the battle, ejecting the "dead weight" of his wounded former comrades into space. With transparent satisfaction, Starscream threw Megatron out personally before closing the door on that part of Transformers history and beginning an inter-Decepticon brawl that would eventually place him at the head of the ranks.

Starscream couldn't have known, of course, that Megatron would be found and reshaped by the godlike Unicron before his spark faded completely. Reborn as Galvatron, he made it his first order of business to take back what Starscream had taken, interrupting the pompous and overblown coronation Starscream had set up for himself and killing him with a single, terrible blast, likely setting a record for the shortest reign in Decepticon history: approximately 20 Earth seconds. The Transformers: The Movie (1986)

Starscream had a little accident at the Decepticon BBQ

This was not the end, however, as Starscream's ghost came back with "cunning" schemes. First he possessed Cyclonus and handed Galvatron over to Rodimus Prime. Rodimus didn't kill or even imprison Galvatron, however, and the Decepticon leader came back angered and shot his second-in-command, not realizing Cyclonus had not been himself. Starscream's Ghost By this time, Starscream had already found a new host in Scourge, whom he used in his next "master plan." This one involved making deals with Unicron, who requested Starscream help him find new body parts in return for a new body for Starscream himself. Starscream followed his orders exactly, until his host ran off before connecting Unicron's head to Cybertron as a new body. This is where Starscream showed his true cunning, stating that if Unicron wanted him to connect him to his new Planet, he would have to provide Starscream's new body first. Unicron did so, repeating his order that Starscream finish connecting his head to his new body. However, Starscream turned on him immediately, telling Unicron mockingly to do it himself. At this point, the Autobots, unaware of this turn of events, set off a load of explosives that sent Starscream, new body and all, spinning out of control through space, past Galvatron and his crew (Galvatron took this chance to fire at what he thought was a ghost), never to be seen again.

One last thing to note is Cyclonus's line after the last glimpse of Starscream: "Wait a minute... since when do ghosts tumble out of control through space?" Ghost in the Machine

Japanese manga

Starscream's Ghost being evicted by his landlord.

Between the events of "Starscream's Ghost" and "Ghost in the Machine" the 5th issue of the Transformers 2010 manga (simply called The Transformer) takes place. In this story, Starscream's ghost teamed up with the Quintessons, who built him a powerful new body. This new body, equipped with attacks such as "Right Arm Destron Gun" and the "Revolver Laser," was created using a combination of Optimus Prime's and Megatron's designs. The result was Guiltar.

Guiltar, preparing to complete the preparation for completion.

Guiltar joined the Decepticons and quickly became Galvatron's right-hand man (literally—in, like, 5 seconds). Galvatron tricked Rodimus Prime into engaging him in a one-on-one battle in which Guiltar faked defeat. When Rodimus least suspected it, Guiltar attacked and laid the smack down. Galvatron complimented Guiltar on his power and loyalty, and instinctively, Guiltar beat the crap out of Galvatron and declared his ambition to take over the Decepticons. Rodimus Prime and Galvatron called a truce and joined forces to defeat Guiltar. They wrecked him something fierce, destroying his body and forcing out Starscream's ghost. They then ended the truce and went about their business.

Beast Wars

Voice Actor: Doug Parker (US), Kazuki Yao (Japan)

File:Cap193.jpg

EBENEZER SCROOGE...!

Little was known about Starscream among the Maximals, as the Maximal Elders had classified most of his information. However, Dinobot, a student of military history, was familiar with Starscream's record of deceit and betrayal. It is possible that Megatron was also aware of his history, as he ordered Scorponok to keep an eye on Starscream.

Starscream's ghost traveled through time and space to the prehistoric earth of the Beast Wars, where he possessed Waspinator's body during an electrical storm. He ingratiated himself with Megatron, claiming that he had been destroyed by Unicron while protecting Galvatron. After leading a successful raid on the Axalon, he was left in command of the captured Maximal ship, along with Blackarachnia and Scorponok, the former of whom he took as his "protégé". When the defeated Maximals surrendered to him, he took Dinobot and Optimus Primal hostage and ordered the remaining Maximals to attack the Darksyde. Scorponok objected, but he was very forcefully overruled. Shortly after the attack began, the two captive Maximals broke out and drove the Predacons out of the Axalon. Starscream fled, pursued by Primal, and abandoned Blackarachnia to her fate. After a spirited chase, Primal cornered Starscream at an energon deposit, paralyzing him. As he tried to bargain his way out of his predicament, his vengeful ex-partner Blackarachnia detonated the energon, blowing Waspinator to scrap and forcing Starscream's spark out of his body.

Adrift in space once more, Starscream's ghost screamed vengeance into the void... Possession

Dreamwave comics continuity

Smirkier-than-thou.

Starscream was a competitor in Cybertron's underground gladiatorial matches, the breeding ground for what would eventually become the Decepticons. He enjoyed baiting his fellow combatant, Grimlock; in fact, he was a master at it. Once war broke out, he kept taunting his old friend, which eventually backfired when he told Grimlock exactly where the Seekers were going to attack, giving Grimlock time to set a massive bomb. Starscream's life was saved only by the fast action of Skywarp.

In typical fashion, Starscream tried to seize power. While Megatron was deep within the bowels of Cybertron, Starscream instructed Scrapper to initiate the planet's long-hidden transformation sequence, hoping Megatron would be crushed in the process. Some people never learn.

A few millennia later, after the apparent death of Megatron, Starscream created a splinter group of Decepticons called Predacons. However, when your smartest subordinates are Motormaster, Astrotrain, and Octane, you can't expect much of your forces.

Starscream was among the Decepticon boarding party that attacked the Autobot flagship Ark, causing its crash-landing on Earth and putting all Autobots and Decepticons alike in emergency stasis. In 1984 a volcanic eruption awakened the Ark's computer, Teletraan-I, and it repaired all on board. Starscream's actions over the next fifteen years are largely unrecorded, but he probably did what he did best: strafe the Autobots and fleshlings and attempt to betray Megatron, smirking all the while. In 1998, the combined forces of the Autobots and Earth defeated and captured the Decepticons. Starscream was secured on board the Ark 2 along with the other Decepticons when the ship exploded, killing the human crew and scattering the Transformers across the ocean. Arms dealer Adam Rook (aka. Lazarus) recovered several of the Autobots and Decepticons and used them as a reprogrammed weapons for hire for terrorists and despots. Prime Directive, Part 1 As part of a demonstration to prospective buyers, Rook had Starscream join an assault against the Smitco Oil Refinery alongside half a dozen Transformers. When Megatron eventually broke free of Rook's control, he freed the other Decepticons. Prime Directive issue 2

The reactivated Starscream, along with his Seeker brothers Thundercracker and Skywarp, took a particular pleasure in dismantling the Autobot Minicars. When Megatron complained that he didn't rewire them so they could sit around and do nothing, Starscream playfully said they were only having some fun with their new "toys". Megatron ordered the three Decepticons to follow him, and when Skywarp asked Starscream what their leader's plan was this time, the air commander casually tossed Bumblebee's head over his shoulder and said that he didn't care, as it was going to be evil, and evil is always fun. Soon afterwards, the Autobots arrived and attacked. As Starscream attempted to choke Wheeljack, Sideswipe paid him back with a nice throat punch. All the combatants were then bombed by rogue members of the U.S. military. Prime Directive issue 3

The Decepticons escaped and attacked San Francisco. When Superion appeared to stop Devastator, Starscream led the other Seekers in bombing the Autobot giant, forcing the Aerialbots into their component team member forms and putting them at the mercy of Devastator. Prime Directive, Part 5 Starscream and the other Decepticons secured the Autobots after Optimus Prime defeated Devastator. The Autobot leader managed to free his comrades after humans distracted the Decepticons, and the battle was rejoined. Fellow F-15 Air Raid punched Starscream in the face, repaying him for the earlier defeat. After the Aerialbots, as Superion, sacrificed their lives to save San Francisco from General Hallo's unauthorized nuclear strike, Starscream and the other Decepticons escaped. Prime Directive issue 6

Holy crap! Expressions!

Starscream led the Decepticons in joining Shockwave's Cybertronians after Megatron was defeated and was the first to recognize the mind-altering techniques being employed. Starscream escaped the CR chambers long enough almost to succeed in assassinating Megatron. Punishment didn't deter him, and Starscream was almost immediately creating a small sect of separatist Decepticons on Cybertron. He used the cover of Menasor's release to steal the incapacitated Combaticons to form his own army. If only he hadn't tried to hijack Sky Lynx. Yet another rebellion defeated by bad planning. Some people never learn. War and Peace

After returning to Earth, Starscream unleashed the Decepticons on the Autobots under the leadership of Jazz. Unfortunately, most of the Decepticons were incapacitated. Worse, Starscream's clone Sunstorm arrived on some bizarre mission. Starscream was forced to ally with the Autobots in exchange for getting his forces freed. After the misadventure, Starscream took the Combaticons for some practice against Sky Lynx. This also ended in disaster, for Predaking soon arrived, and Starscream discovered that Soundwave, his cassettes, and the other Seekers had allied with Predaking's master...Megatron! Starscream was again forced into a subservient position, with Megatron preparing to lead the Decepticons in the conquest of Earth... Generation One (ongoing)

...at which point Dreamwave self-destructed.

Genesis: The Art of Transformers

Bringing a cannon to a canon-fight.

Note: As an art-book concerned more with portraiture than storytelling, Genesis is of dubious relevance as a source of fiction. However, a picture of Machine Wars Starscream does suggest events outside itself. The artist intended it to be a sequel to a piece of his fanart.

Machine Wars Starscream stood on the dais where he was once crowned leader of the Decepticons, which had since begun glowing with the energy of Cybertron's new golden age. As before, he wore a purple cape, but this time he brandished the vanquished Galvatron's torn-off cannon.

Robot Masters

OVA

Voice actors: Kunihiro Kawamoto (Japan)

When Beast Megatron traveled back in time to modern day Earth in search of solitarium, he immediately recruited Starscream to his cause. Starscream went head to head with another time-displaced transformer, Star Saber only to find himself defeated once Optimus Prime arrived as back-up. Beast Megatron, arriving on Gigant Sniper, saved Starscream from a crashing into the ground but quickly chucked him aside after lamenting over the Decepticon's worthlessness.

Later, Beast Megatron discovered a large deposit of solitarium beneath New York City and ordered the Decepticons to tear the city apart. Starscream, Smokesniper, Gigant Bomb and Wing Stun did just that, blowing up buildings and razing a good portion of the Big Apple. Starscream was then shot out of the sky by another time-displaced Autobot, Reverse Convoy. Reverse Convoy quickly gained the trust of the other Autobots after being seen blasting Starscream. 10 seconds later, Reverse Convoy reveals himself as the original Megatron, now going by the name Rebirth Megatron. Makes sense.

IDW comics continuity

This section covers fiction that is ongoing. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by updating it.

Starscream and his comrades, Skywarp and Thundercracker, were recruited by Soundwave when Megatron requested fliers. They believed they had been called to join Megatron's gladiatorial team, but accepted the offer to join the Decepticons. Starscream immediately proclaimed his allegiance and declared how much of an honor fighting along side Megatron would be. After going through some upgrades to boost their firepower, the Seekers' first duty was to capture a senator, who would be executed at Megatron's recruitment rally. He was also informed by Megatron of confidential plans in which he would play a key role. When the security forces intervened, Starscream was captured, and—surprise, surprise—offered to reveal Megatron's plans to save his own neck. Megatron Origin issue 3 However, this turned out to have been Megatron's plan—Starscream, together with Soundwave, executed the council questioning him, then freed every prisoner in the building, solidifying his loyalty to Megatron... until such time as Starscream felt like betraying his leader. Megatron Origin issue 4

Starscream ended up as Megatron's bodyguard, a position largely for show, and developed a mutual hatred with Sixshot. Devastation issue 5 He would also appear to settle with Megatron instead of carrying on being an attempted traitor. Megatron viewed this as them moving on from such things but which it was actually because Starscream feared him - a fear he initially thought was respect. Infiltration issue 6

Later, Starscream, now an F-22 Raptor, was the leader of a Decepticon insurgent cell that had operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, working to destabilize Earth's governing organizations and create global anarchy, being opposed by an Autobot unit led by Prowl. However, since the discovery of the mysterious, Energon-like substance known as Ore-13, Starscream had stepped outside standard procedure, establishing a second command bunker in Oregon above a richer seam of the ore than the one in Nebraska and ordering Blitzwing and Skywarp to cover his tracks. Starscream intended to use Ore-13 to challenge Megatron for leadership of the Decepticons, but when the moment of truth finally arrived, the energy source proved insufficient to destroy the Decepticon leader, and Megatron blasted Starscream with his fusion cannon at point-blank range, virtually obliterating him. Megatron told the other Decepticons, "See to the remains. If he lives, then I'll decide what to do with him." Infiltration

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details for Devastation follow.

As it turns out, Starscream survived and was placed in a CR chamber for extensive repairs. The other Decepticons were worried that Megatron was jumping the gun by calling in Sixshot early, and Astrotrain realized Starscream might be the only one of them willing to tell Megatron this. Devastation issue 1 During an attack on Decepticon headquarters by the Reapers, Starscream completed his recovery and was confident that he would prevail in the upcoming battle. Devastation issue 4

When Sixshot arrived, he initially attacked the Reapers, but they insisted he join them or die. Starscream then emerged from base calling out Sixshot - his hatred of Starscream caused the living weapon to decide to switch sides after all, at which point Starscream promptly activated Sixshot's shutdown command, sending him crashing to the ground. Screamer then proceeded to bomb the Reapers, causing Megatron to agree to take the fight to the Reapers. (It is possible that Starscream deliberately provoked Sixshot into defecting solely to have an excuse to shut him down and force Megatron's hand) Devastation issue 5

IDW Hearts of Steel continuity

RID Galvatron called...
He wants his look back.
(Seriously... he's pretty upset)

Starscream is the nominal leader of the Decepticons on 19th-century Earth, while Megatron sleeps in stasis lock. He decides to conquer the Earth in this time, and use that power to overthrow Megatron when he should wake up. Posing as a benefactor to humanity, he enlists the help of inventor Tobias Muldoon to design new altmodes for the Decepticons. Hearts of Steel issue 2 In particular, Starscream builds (or reformats) Astrotrain for an assault on New York City, and the new electrical generators there. Hearts of Steel issue 3 It all ends badly. Hearts of Steel issue 4

Starscream has three bodies through the course of this story. His initial "Ice Age Wars" body appears to be a prehistoric flying reptile. He then takes on two different biplane bodies, one with one engine per wing and bat-wing-shaped propellers (as seen at left), and one with two engines per wing and straight-bladed propellers. No reason is given for him changing from one biplane body to the next. (The fact that planes are an anachronism in the 19th Century is lightly glossed over.)

Kiss Players continuity

Teletraan Go! Go! comics

Not his finest moment.

As the mysterious saboteur of Teletraan I was about to be revealed, Teletraan 15's personality suddenly changed. She had been possessed by the ghost of Starscream! Learning of the power of kiss-playing, the rogue spirit quickly left her body and departed for Earth Defense Command Headquarters on Earth.

There, young Atari Hitotonari was using the ladies' room. This was not enough to stop Starscream, who took over the girl's body, transforming her E.D.C. uniform to black and making her pull a gun on her fellow Kiss Player officers.

But Starscream's ignorance of human custom and basic biology worked against him as the E.D.C. Kiss Players totally failed to take "Atari-scream's" demands and threats seriously. Unfortunately for the Air Commander, he had neglected to pull Atari's underwear back up when leaving the bathroom.

Yes, this really officially happened.

Dammit, Japan.

Radio drama

One night, the disembodied spirit of a Transformer possessed the body of the E.D.C. Kiss Player Atari Hitotonari. Discovering that it could not transfer itself to the bodies of other Transformers with souls, it forced Atari to seek out the twisted Doctor Arkeville, who built it a new body converted from a stolen fighter jet. Kissing it, Atari transferred the spirit into its new form. Starscream was reborn!

A couple of minutes later, Starscream's new body got blown up by Autroopers and his ghost flew back into space again.

Note: This is so far the only fiction-based appearance of the Masterpiece Starscream toy.

Toys

Generation 1

• Starscream (Decepticon Jet, 1984/1985/1986, 1991, 2001, 2003, 2004)

Japanese ID number: 22, TFC-09

Then about eight million redecos followed.

Starscream's first toy was taken from the Diaclone line, transforming into an F-15 Eagle fighter jet. In this mode he is armed with two cluster bombs, essentially shortened projectiles made to resemble (somewhat) the drop tanks that a real F-15 might carry. There are numerous minor construction variations on this mold, common for most of the Diaclone-based Transformers.

To transform Starscream, one must essentially take most of his plane parts off and transform his body, then reattach his plane parts on again. In robot mode, the cluster bomb projectiles are replaced with long 'null rays.

Note: For some reason, the stats on Skywarp's, Starscream's and Thundercracker's Tech Specs were switched around. Starscream was given Thundercracker's numbers.

The first reissue of Starscream was practically identical to the original toy and was released by Takara in Japan in 2001.

Starscream was reissued in normal colors for Hasbro's Commemorative Series in 2003. The release had remolded elongated missiles and launchers as to comply with current US toy safety laws.

Starscream's T/F Collection reissue from 2003 featured show-accurate colors and retooled fists to hold a new miniature Megatron gun-mode accessory. An Optimus Prime fist that could hold the gun was also included, as was a DVD.

This mold is notorious for having many missing pieces due to the... modular design of its transformation. As such, an intact set is hard to come by. While it is impossible for all the pieces to fit in any one form of the toy, the landing gear can fit in the cockpit for storage in robot mode. Still, only one set of missiles can be fit into the launchers at one time.

This mold is redecoed and retooled into Dirge, Ramjet, Skywarp, Sunstorm, Thrust and Thundercracker.

You can tell he's evil because he's spiky.

• Starscream (Classic Pretender, 1989)

Starscream was released as a Classic Pretender with a human shell of a badly dressed man. The inner robot was a simplified version of the original toy, that transformed into an almost superdeformed F-15 fighter. His arms, legs and rear wing assemblies were all cast in blue plastic, with the latter also serving as dual laser weapons in robot mode.

• Starscream (Legends, 1989)

The inner robot of Pretender Starscream was also sold separately as a K-Mart exclusive "Legends" figure, and was released with Legends Bumblebee, Jazz, and Grimlock in a Japanese giftset the same year.

• Starscream (Action Master, 1990)

He loved the gray helmet so much, he used it again.

Action Master Starscream is a non-transforming action figure based loosely on his cartoon appearance but using a colour scheme derived from the Pretender toy. His main accessory is the Attack Jet, a small personal attack craft that Starscream can set astride like a motorcycle. The Attack Jet rolls on three small wheels, and can transform into a gun emplacement.

Wait a minute. Since when do ghosts have painted metal chests?

• Ghost Starscream (2001)

Japanese ID number: D-22

Ghost Starscream was an e-Hobby exclusive release of the 2001 Starscream reissue, cast almost entirely in translucent plastics, except for those parts made of die-cast metal.

• Black Starscream (2001)

Japanese ID number: D-22

Who am I again?

Black Starscream was also an e-Hobby exclusive release, with his colours loosley based upon Machine Wars Starscream, though his deco has much darker shades of gray, lacks clear blue plastic and has gold as one of his primary colours.

• Secret Starscream (2001)

Japanese ID number: D-22

I'm so invisible even I don't know if I exist.

An all-clear Starscream was made for the Transformers: Generations Lucky Draw contest. This figure was limited to 5 pieces, making it one of the rarest TFs in the world. Four of the winners are still unknown, but the fifth figure is currently owned by Transformers @ The Moon. Secret Starscream differs from Ghost Starscream in that its plastic parts are completely clear and not color tinted.

Generation 2

• Starscream (Decepticon Jet, 1993)

With my camouflaged wings, I'll appear to be merely a fuselage flying through the sky!

Starscream's Generation 2 release was a retool of his original toy with new missiles, launchers, and a sound box. His colours are essentially a combination of G1 Ramjet, his own original colours, and a replacement of his dark blue plastic with light grey.

The new accessories were also used, in different colours, for Generation 2 Ramjet.

Machine Wars

• Starscream (Ultra, 1997)

Ohh! Slice!

Starscream's Machine Wars release was a recolour of the Predator Skyquake with fewer missiles, no hand-held projectile launcher, and most of the gimmicks removed. He transforms into a large bomber based vaguely upon an SR-71 Blackbird. He still retains his "carpet bombing" gimmick, a rolling drum that drops his missiles from each wing.

Smallest Transformers

• Starscream (2003)

Japanese ID number: GTF-03

I will rule all the redecos, Megatron!

This version of Starscream was a very small-scale simplification of the original Starscream toy, retaining most of its functionality and accessories, except for his long null-rays.

This mold was redecoed and retooled into Thundercracker, Skywarp and Thrust.

Robot Masters

• Starscream (Deluxe, 2004)

Japanese ID number: RM-12

I feel correct. That can't be good.

Starscream's Robot Masters toy is a re-imagining of the original toy, designed to be closer to the animation model, with greater poseability and integrated parts that did not require detachment during transformation (with the exception of his null-ray blasters). After re-engineering the design to stay roughly in one piece during transformation, Takara then gave him chromed missile pods that attach to his chestplate. Although not his usual choice of weapon, these are show-accurate: Starscream used them once in the episode "Fire On The Mountain" to attack Trailbreaker and Brawn.

• Starscream Limited Black Version (Deluxe, 2004)

Okay now I feel used. That's much better.

Available only via mail-order from Figure King Magazine, Black Starscream is a repaint of Robot Masters Starscream, swapping out his reds and blues for black, and some of his grey for black.

Masterpiece

• Starscream (2006)

Japanese ID number: MP-3

And the fandom complained (and rejoiced)

Masterpiece Starscream is a high-quality, superbly detailed collectable Transformer toy. He transforms into a mostly accurate F-15E Eagle, with weapons options ranging from a rack of Sidewinder missiles to his trademark null ray cannons. In robot mode he is a highly detailed, well-articulated, yet stylized version of his original robot mode. His chest turbines flip up to reveal a bank of missiles each, and his face can be rotated so as to display either a stern or a smirking face.

He comes with a small figurine of Doctor Arkeville, his partner-in-crime for several early episodes of Generation 1; a display stand that can be used in both fighter and jet modes; and an extensive sheet of sticker decals, including variously sized Decepticon symbols, squadron numbers and squadron markings, including one of Waspinator!

Masterpiece Starscream was the second all-new sculpt in the Masterpiece series of toys, and was envisioned as the finest toy representation of the original Starscream ever created. To this end, famed Japanese mecha designer (and former Diaclone toy designer) Shoji Kawamori was recruited to oversee the design and engineering of this toy. The first prototype design was essentially a much more complex version of the original toy, based upon his cartoon and then-recent comic appearances, with a much more accurate F-15 Eagle fighter mode. However, Kawamori felt the design could be improved, particularly the details and underside of the fighter mode, as he did not want what would have basically been a new version of the old toy.

Based on Kawamori's suggestions, a new prototype design was made, with major structures located in his legs now moved up to his hips (though they can be detached and put on his legs), with his transformation and design streamlined to create an even more realistic F-15 design. Even so, Kawamori was still unhappy with the amount of robotic parts visible underneath the plane, but conceded that too many changes would essentially not make the toy look like Starscream in robot mode.

On his control art, there are pictures of Starscream that have him wearing his Decepticon Crown of Leadership, as seen in the coronation scene of the original animated movie. On the toy itself, his head and shoulders have notches for parts to attach to, suggesting that TakaraTomy have reserved Starscream's coronation parts for a later release of this toy.

Oddly, Starscream's fighter colour scheme is inaccurate to real F-15E hull colours (Gunship Gray, colour code FS 36118) , in that it has more of a green-blue tinge, which has made collectors wonder why TakaraTomy bothered changing Starscream's colours in the first place, especially as Starscream's original pale grey is very close match to FS 36375, the main grey used on real F-15s of the 1980s. Additionally, his missiles are painted in the wrong colours (they should be the same grey) and are mounted sideways on their pylons, which is why they only have three fins on the back instead of four - they couldn't fit the fourth fin as they mounted the missiles themselves incorrectly.

Classics

• Starscream (Deluxe, 2006)

Japanese ID number: C-03

My fellow Decepticons. It is with a heavy heart that I must declare that you are all morons!

Classics Starscream is a faithful reproduction of his original toy, but with modern standards of toy engineering, transformation, sculpting detail and articulation. He still transforms into an F-15 Eagle, but has the nose of an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. His colour scheme is inspired by photolab-edited photographs of the prototype F-15 Eagle, as the original photos and the actual colours of the prototype fighter were actually sky blue with bright orange markings.

In robot mode, Starscream is essentially a very detailed version of his cartoon robot mode, with many design elements that would also find their way into Masterpiece Starscream. He is armed with two (overly large) null-ray missile launchers, which are so large that they restrict his arm movement due to them bumping into his wings.

Later versions of Starscream saw a retool in the jet intake area first seen on Classics Skywarp. The slope of his shoulders was decreased, and a rectangle added to the vertical area, making the number now five instead of four. This version of Starscream is the harder to find of the two. This retooled version was used for Classics Skywarp, Ramjet, Thundercracker, Thrust, and Dirge.

This mold will also be released in Japan as part of the Henkei! Henkei! Transformers line by TakaraTomy. It will feature different paint applications that more slavishly mimic the original g1 toy. Whether this redeco is "better" is debatable, though many fans are likely to believe it is because it comes from Japan. Despite this toy's awesomeness, the Robotmasters toy has the most show-accurate paint job.

• Masterpiece Starscream (2007)

Wait, you say the Hasbro version is the slavishly 'toon-accurate one? Your credibility is on shaky ground, Wiki.

A Wal-Mart exclusive, Hasbro's release of Masterpiece Starscream has been redecoed extensively to resemble the animation model of Starscream, down to the orange canopy and the gray nosecone (as opposed to the original toy's blue). In an effort to bring out detail in the sculpt, he has also been given an extensive paint wash to bring out his panel lines. Starscream comes with the same accessories included in the Takara release of this toy, including a display stand, sidewinder missiles, a small figurine of Doctor Arkeville (which now has the correct skin color), and the clip to hold Masterpiece Convoy's Megatron gun while in jet mode. Starscream was finally given the correct tech spec stats he was originally supposed to have back in 1984 for this release, Skywarp's stats.

The tips on the Starscream's vertical stabilizers were shortened and rounded for the US release.

This version of Starscream will also be released in Japan as an exclusive item in the same packaging but with different paint applications. It will use the unmodified version of the mold used for MP-3 Starscream and MP-6 Skywarp.

Unreleased

• Starscream (Transtech, 2001)

Obscure both by design and by accident

Starscream would have been made available in the aborted Transtech series. Control art and early prototype images have surfaced, showing that the toy would have been at the Deluxe scale and featured internal lighting mechanisms that changed color depending on its mode. The toy is clearly an homage to his Machine Wars body, which at the time of Transtech's intended release would have been the last form Starscream had inhabited in American markets.

Titanium Series

• Starscream (Robot Masters, 2006)

Stop, in the name of love...

Released in wave 2, the first Titanium Starscream is a small, non-transforming die-cast metal figurine, based upon his Generation 1 cartoon appearances. He is sculpted holding Megatron in gun mode in his left hand, and holding up is palm outward with his right, while using his jets to fly up. EXCITEMENT.

This mold was also used to make Thundercracker.

• War Within Starscream (Cybertron Heroes, 2007)

"How dare you make me a redeco?! Do you know who I am?!"

War Within Starscream is a redeco of "War Within" Thundercracker (talk about irony). He transforms into a Cybertronian 'tetrajet', as re-imagined by Don Figueroa. As with all 6-inch Titanium Cybertron Heroes, he is constructed mostly of fully painted die-cast metal.

This mold was used to make "War Within" Sunstorm.

Attacktix

• Starscream

Revoltech

• Series No. 046 Starscream (2008)

A non-transforming but highly articulated Starscream action figure, Revoltech Starscream uses the Revoltech "revolver joints" for maximum poseability. It is currently slated for release on March 15, 2008. It will come with his twin null-ray cannons, a gun-mode Megatron, a posing stand, and three extra hands (a Megatron-holding right hand, an open-palmed right hand, and a left hand for pointing or disco-dancing).

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Universe

• Starscream (Legends of Cybertron, 2008)

This toy is a redeco of the Legends of Cybertron Thundercracker, transforming into an SU-37 fighter jet.

This mold was also used to make the Classics Legends-class Jetfire.

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available.

Merchandise

Heroes of Cybertron

The Heroes of Cybertron PVC figurine line is an adaptation by Hasbro of Takara's own Super Collection Figure line. The main differences between the two lines is that Hasbro cast Autobot and Decepticon figures in clear blue or clear red PVC respectively, then completely painted the figurines. This allowed the eyes to 'glow' when placed in front of the light source.

• Starscream (2002)

Repaint of the Japanese SCF Starscream figure. Non-transforming, true to the animation model. Distinctive from the Japanese release with its glossy paint and "light-up" eyes.

• Starscream (2002)

Originally a chase figure in Japan, this remold of the regular figure includes a cape, newly molded limbs, and a head with the crown as seen in the movie.

• Starscream (2003)

Above, but part of a six-pack of figures which also included Thundercracker, Skywarp, and three Clones from the OTFCC 2003 convention set.

Mega SCF

• Starscream (2002)

Japanese ID number: MegaSCF TF 07

Just keep it away from any reformatted megalomaniacs.

Starscream is an highly articulated non transforming action figure. He comes with removable shoulder pads and cloak. He has a choice of normal head or a head with a crown. He also includes extra hands one of which holds Megatron in gun mode.

Robot Heroes

• Starscream (Mirage Vs Starscream, 2007)

He's cute when he betrays you.

Starscream is two inch high figure sculpted in a super deformed style and articulated at the shoulders. This figure was later redecoed as (guess what) Thundercracker for the Jazz vs. Thundercracker set. It also was redecoed as Skywarp in the "Decepticon Sneak Attack" set.

3D Battle-Card Game

• Classic Starscream (2007)

A 42-point "rare" character in the 3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, "Classic" Starscream "transforms" into a grey and red fighter jet with a color scheme based on his Classics toy. He uses the same parts layout as Movie Starscream and Dreadwing.

Transformers - Mini Bust

Only half here and I still look this good.

• Starscream (Diamond Select, 2008)

Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Starscream was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1,000 pieces.

Trivia

• In the French dub of Transformers: The Movie, Starscream (along with Shrapnel) inexplicably became a woman. This change, however, was only for the movie, as it used a different dubbing team from the cartoon. Most likely, the movie's French dubbing team mistook Starscream's rather high-pitched voice for a woman's voice.
• The G1 executive script consultant, Flint Dille, has claimed in personal interviews that Chris Latta had to frequently be bailed out of jail by members of the production staff. This apparently caused so much annoyance that it was a major factor in phasing Starscream out of the series.
• According to Bob Budiansky, in Jim Shooter and Denny O'Neil's original TF treatment, Starscream was named "Ulchtar."
• According to the line art of Starscream by Studio OX, each side of his chest has a turbine mounted on it. This concept has influenced his Action Master, Masterpiece, and Classics toys and the art of the Robot Master version.

External links

• Starscream at TFU.info

• Starscream's Universe profile at NTFA.net
• Gallery of G2 Starscream with comparison to BW Starscream at Transformers At the Moon

[[Category: Decepticons