Ironhide

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Ironhide is the name of several characters in the Transformers Universes.

Transformers - Generation One (1984)

Ironhide (Rhino in France, Falco in Italy) originated as a toy before the actual Transformers toyline began, in a line called Diaclone. As with many Diaclone toys, the vanette (the term mini-van would not be used until the first Dodge Caravans were sold in 1984) toy was released in 1984 as a new character called Ironhide. Not being designed to be a sentient robot in the Diaclone line (he was piloted by a tiny driver figure who sat in the where his head was), the toy of Ironhide did not have a proper head, instead having a pilot's seat behind his windscreen. A sticker with a face on applied to the seat was to represent the head. This toy was not the most suited to be a Transformer but the character of Ironhide went on to become one of the most well known identities in Transformers. Like his fellow Autobot Inferno, Ironhide speaks with a Southern drawl.

Character Profile:

(from Dreamwave's 'More Than Meets The Eye')

Ironhide's been there and back more times than he can remember or cares to admit. He's the oldest of the Earth-bound Autobots, but he's still the feistiest by far. Ironhide prefers to communicate his intentions through actions rather than words, and he can't abide those "young punks" who talk a good game but never follow through. Time has taken its toll, and he's seen better days physically, but Ironhide is still renowned for his toughness and determination. Never one to back down from a challenge or exhibit fear, he's still capable of showing up any Autobot or Decepticon upstarts who dismiss him as just an old relic. In addition to overall security, Ironhide acts as a bodyguard to Optimus Prime and anyone who's threatened by Decepticon violence. He does so not just because of his formidable defensive skills but also because of a deeply held desire to safeguard all life - Transformer, human, and otherwise. Ironhide attempts to hide his softer side with his crotchety demeanor, but Optimus Prime isn't fooled.

Ironhide possesses great physical strength and above-average intelligence. His super-dense trithylliu-steel skin is lined with radiation dampers, making him nearly invulnerable to physical and radiation-based attacks. Although his whole body is armored, it is most heavily concentrated in his front section. He carries a rifle that can shoot his choice of liquid chemicals up to 1,000 feet. He carries cartridges with a number of options, including superheated liquid metal, a self-igniting petrochemical spray, and liquid nitrogen, among others. Ironhide is a skilled warrior and security expert.

Animated Series

Thankfully, the character designers for the cartoon saw fit to redesign Ironhide's body, which is now the most well known of all his appearances.

Ironhide was good friends with the female Autobot Chromia.

Ironhide is killed in , as the Decepticons invade an Autobot shuttle, in which Ironhide and several other Autobots are traveling to Earth. Despite his "heavily concentrated armor in his front section", he falls as result of several shots to the chest. When Megatron reveals to Starscream how he is going to attack the Autobots' moon base and wipe them out forever, a wounded Ironhide clutches at Megatron's leg and yells, "No!!!". Megatron answers with the famous words: "Such heroic nonsense", and kills Ironhide with a point-blank blast to the head from his fusion cannon.

It is speculated that Ironhide may have formerly been Dion, the best friend of worker robot Orion Pax, who was himself rebuilt into Optimus Prime by the ancient Autobot, Alpha Trion. Their apparent longstanding relationship, plus Ironhide was an established character (unlike Ultra Magnus who is also seen as possibly Dion), would seem to support this idea, but it was never officially touched upon. It should be noted that both Dion and Ironhide were voiced by Peter Cullen.

Marvel Comics

Ironhide's first appearance in the comics resembled his toy but was soon updated to his simpler but better looking cartoon form.

Dreamwave Comics

Ironhide spent his peacetime years as a construction engineer fashioning the vast bridges that connect Cybertron's many city-states. When civil war broke out on the planet Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticon factions, Ironhide joined the Autobot cause.

Ironhide was present under the command of Grimlock at the battle of Altihex where the Autobot Overhaul was killed and Decepticon Seekers Thundercracker and Skywarp destroyed a transport full of neutral Cybertronians. Unable to save the city, the Autobots helped evacuate civilians. When Autobot leader Sentinel Prime was killed by Decepticon leader Megatron, a new Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, was chosen. Optimus ordered the evacuation of Cybertron by the Autobots, and Ironhide was among those who reluctantly prepared for the evacuation (Transformers: War Within #2).

When Megatron and Optimus Prime disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions. Ironhide joined the Lightning Strike Coalition under the leadership of Grimlock.

Grimlock lead L.S.C. members Ironhide, Kup, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop and Wheeljack in stealing a shipment of energon from Starscream and the Predacons at the Moon Alpha Space Port (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #1).

Eventually the Autobot factions were reunited under the leadership of Ultra Magnus.

Ironhide was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the Ark. They were attacked by Megatron's ship, the Nemesis. After being boarded the Ark crash landed on Earth, where all on board were preserved in emergency stasis.

In 1984 a volcanic eruption awakened the Ark's computer, Teletran-1, and it repaired all on board. It reformatted Ironhide in the form of an Earth van.

Eventually the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth, and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. A ship called the Ark II was built to take the Cybertronians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertronians were lost in the ocean, again in statis lock.

Ironhide and others were recovered by a rogue military unit and reprogrammed as slave war machines. Megatron broke free and then freed his fellow Decepticons and Grimlock. Ironhide and the other Autobots who were found by Lazarus were abused by Megatron's troops, but were eventually freed by Optimus Prime.

In 2003 the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth were drawn into conflict in Alaska, where they were interrupted by a taskforce from Cybertron lead by Shockwave. Among Shockwave's troops were Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Broadside, Octane and Sandstorm. They announced that the war had ended on Cybertron and that Megatron and Optimus Prime's troops were all criminals for their violent acts. Shockwave severely injured Megatron and took the other Decepticons on his shuttle, as the Autobots retreated to the Ark. Ironhide was treated for injuries received in the battle by Ratchet. Blitzwing joined up with a second team from Cybertron lead by Ultra Magnus, followed by Dirge, Ramjet the Thrust. They faced the Autobots at the crash site of the Ark. As the Decepticons traveled to Cybertron, Starscream ejected the wounded Megatron into deep space (Transformers Generation One II #1).

Optimus Prime surrendered to Ultra Magnus. Optimus, Prowl, Jazz, Ironhide, Ratchet, Brawn, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Wheeljack, Windcharger, Cliffjumper, Mirage, Trailbreaker and Hound traveled back to Cybertron on board Sky Lynx (Transformers: Generation One II #2).

On Cybertron Prowl and Ironhide gave combat training to Swerve, Hubcap, Tailgate, Pipes and Red Alert (Transformers: Generation One III #2).

Devil's Due Comics

In this reimagining of the Generation One story, the Ark was discovered by the terrorist Cobra orginization, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles remotely controlled by Tele-Vipers (Cobra's communications officers). In this storyline, Ironhide turned into a Cobra HISS (HIgh Speed Sentry) tank.

Transformers -

card artwork

For Generation 2, Ironhide was reformatted into a silver Ford pickup truck. Although he received a new bio and motto, he still functions as security. The toy was a recolor of the Autobot Motormouth.

Character Profile

Motto: "Being fast is an asset, but nothing replaces guts!"

Bio: Has always been a stubborn survivor with incredible strength - he now has the speed to go with it! Re-engineered with dual carbs and cam shafts that add incredible "kick" to his twin-turbo power plant! Traded old armor plating for new, lightweight alloy construction. This veteran military machine fueled by gasoline and guts is ready to hit the highway to inflict some serious Decepticon damage!

card artwork

In Europe, Ironhide received a further upgrade as a "Powermaster" (not to be confused with the Generation 1 Powermasters) where he now transformed into a Hummer.

Character Profile

Function: Military Strategist

Motto: "I grind Decepticons into garbage any way I can."

He's a military machine fueled by gasoline and guts! A battle-tested veteran, he's endured dozens of Decepticon missile attacks. As tough on the outside as he is within, this stubborn survivor has incredible strength. Extensive, heavily-armored plating makes him easy to track... but impossible to destroy!

Marvel Comics

Although Ironhide did appear in the Marvel Generation Two comics, he was in his original Generation One form.

Beast Wars Ironhide based on a translation of the Japanese tech spec of Santon.

A new character, Ironhide is a Maximal elephant with the ability to combine with team-mates Silverbolt and Prowl; contributing his strength to form Magnaboss. Although Ironhide had no individial tech spec in his U.S. release, he was called Santon in Japan, and was a major character. He was a medic.

Santon appeared as a regular in the Beast Wars Second series.

(2001)

An American release of the Japanese Car Robots toy named Ox, Ironhide was the obvious choice of name for this toy, having previously been used on the mold before Generation 2.

In the TV series, the Spychangers received little characterisation - usually acting in a group to attack or perform whatever mission they had been assigned. Ironhide's best friend was fellow Spychanger Mirage which was basis of one particular episode called "Mirage's Betrayal".

Character Profile:

One of the strongest of the Spy Changers, Ironhide is usually peaceful and intellectual, until he gets pushed beyond his limit. Then, everyone had better stay out of his way! He is also an expert at transportation. He uses a shockwave rifle.

Although she doesn't look it, Ironhide is a female Transformer Mini-Con who has been captured by the Decepticon

Motto: "Alone is no way to live."

Bio: Ironhide is a unique case among the MiniCons. Having lost numerous close friends to the Decepticons, the distraught Mini-Con vehemently supported the Autobot cause and even offered to team permanently with an Autobot warrior. The two became a close-knit duo until the Autobot was destroyed by the ruthless Decepticon Terrorsaur who then captured Ironhide to act as his own personal Mini-Con. Bereft of friends, lronhide could only accept her fate until a means of escape presented itself. That escape came when Terrorsaur was captured and reformatted into a herald of Unicron. But Ironhide discovered that her new found freedom felt empty. With Terrorsaur's departure, she realized that everyone whom she had ever shared any connection with was now gone. Since then, the gloomy Ironhide has become strangely obsessed with rescuing Terrorsaur, and has joined in Nightscream's quest to return Unicron's heralds to their original states.

Weapons and Abilities: Subject possesses above-average strength and endurance for a Mini-Con, as well as great intelligence. She has particularly heavy armor that is resistant to most projectile and energy attacks, making her an effective ground-based warrior. Subject's vehicle mode can traverse most terrain with ease, and her main armament in this mode is a rapid-fire machine gun that fires 120 armor-piercing shells a minute.

Weaknesses: Subject is physically well protected, but her needy emotional state makes her somewhat unreliable.

(2004)

Motto: "If trouble doesn't find me, I'll find it!"

Ironhide is a young and reckless recruit. He is a good fighter but lacks the discipline and experience of his Autobot elders. Able to powerlinx with Jetfire, Ironhide can crunch Decepticon metal with the best of them. His powerful laser cannon is a feared weapon by his enemies. With a little guidance, he is sure to become seasoned warrior.

Also note that the Japanese name for the Decepticon Demolisher was Ironhide.

The toy of the Autobot called Towline was an obvious homage to the design of the Generation One Ironhide and Ratchet toys.

Television Series

The youthful, impetuous Ironhide (Roadbuster) is the newest addition to Optimus Prime's team, and is desperate to prove himself to his commanders, particularly his idol, Hot Shot. Indeed, it is not generally the actions Ironhide performs on his own that define his character, but rather the actions taken in his relationships with others, the first such challenging being his partnership with the disagreeable human, Kicker. Neither Ironhide nor Kicker were happy about Optimus Prime's decision to force them together, but despite everything, the two eventually became good friends. Ironhide would also have to deal with the betrayal of Demolishor and the corruption of Scorponok, resulting in an emotional growth that saw him become the object of adoration himself, and leader of his own team. Ironhide transforms into an SUV with roof-mounted cannons, and possesses the Spark of Combination, allowing him to combine with other Transformers. During the battle against Unicron, Ironhide was evolved into a more powerful form by Primus ''(the cartoons continued to refer to him by his original name, while the toys were released as Energon Ironhide and Roadbuster W in the US and Japan, respectively).

Dreamwave Comics

Ironhide appeared in the Dreamwave comics Energon series.

Transformers: Energon #25 - In order to keep the young Omnicons out of trouble Optimus Prime assigns Hot Shot to bring them to the Autobot base in the Yukon where Ironhide and Kicker is working.

Transformers: Energon #28 – In the Yukon Ironhide, Overload and Dropshot are attacked by Scorponok.

Transformers: Energon #29 – In the Yukon Scorponok easily defeats Ironhide, Overload and Dropshot, but is then confronted by Megatron.

Transformers: Energon #30 – Scorponok and Megatron face off in the Yukon and eventually Megatron kills Scorponok with a sword through the chest. Ironhide wakes up during the battle and sets up a force field to protect the Autobots and the base from Megatron. Megatron tells Ironhide to let the other Autobots know Megatron is back.

(2004)

Given the nature of "Transformers: Universe" and that there are two different characters named Ironhide who have used this mold in the past, the identity of this toy may be either the original or the RiD incarnation. However, because he comes packaged with the RiD Spychanger Ultra Magnus, it is widely believed that the Transformers: Universe Ironhide is in fact the RiD Ironhide. His color scheme though is an intentional homage to the G1 Autobot Trailbreaker who had a similar form.

This Ironhide character made an appearance in the Botcon 2004 vocal play.

Beast Wars Ironhide made one appearance in Transformers: Universe #3 as part of Magnaboss.

Transformers - Timelines (2005)

A remold of the Energon Autobot Tow-Line to bare a resemblance to the cartoon representation, the original Ironhide makes his first appearance as a new toy in ten years as a Botcon exclusive.

Biography: An Autobot of few words, Ironhide prefers actions over excessive talking which he refers to as "leaking lubricant." A veteran of several Great Wars, Ironhide is one of the oldest and most experienced Autobots currently in active service. His gruff exterior hides a kind, inner soul whose concern for life knows no bounds. Younger Autobots often joke about Ironhide as an antique from a bygone era, but his skill, experience and loyalty often win them over in the end.

Abilities: Following the battle on Moon Base Four, Ironhide's body was severely damaged. Utilizing the legendary Reconfiguration Matrix, Optimus Prime generated Ironhide's new form. His new body retains his original trilythium-steel alloy which has been blended with new material and has formed a special ablative armor making him more resistant to artillery and electromagnetic attacks. Ironhide's arms house chemical mixtures that can generate anything from supercooled liquid nitrogen to metal dissolving acid. He can fire these from emitters built into his wrists. Ironhide is able to combine with his trailer unit for increased mobility on the battlefield.

Weaknesses: Ironhide is still one of the slowest Autobots, though his speed has increased thanks to his new form. His compassion for other living creatures can also be used against him.

2007 film

In the upcoming live action film Ironhide will appear as a Hummer.

 

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