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Countdown (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Countdown is the name fictional character
in the Transformers
series. He was introduced as a toy in the US 1989, but his first appearance in fiction was in the Japanese Transformers: Zone series where he was called Moon Raider. He didn't appear in US Transformers fiction until his role as a main character in the Dreamwave comics Micromaster title. Since then Hasbro has released a new toy of the character in 2009. He is sometimes called "Autobot Countdown" for trademark purposes. Fun Publications has made mention of another character named Countdown in its Transformers stories, who is the evil mirror-universe counterpart of the original character.
, and the Countdown figure itself, which transforms to a lunar rover
. Countdown is the only lunar rover in the entire Generation 1 toyline, although there have been more lunar rovers in later toylines.
Countdown himself is characterised as adventurous and heroic, travelling the universe to protect the innocent. Countdown's arch-enemy is the sadistic Decepticon
Skystalker
, whose space shuttle
is the second-largest Micromaster toy ever produced.
According to Takara's biography for Moon Raider and his Rocket Base he is the large defensive headquarters of the Cybertron Zone. Can receive an SOS from the entire universe and send out soldiers accordingly.
series. This series only made one episode before it was canceled, "New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!" In this episode Countdown was the leader of the Autobot Micromasters on the Planet Zone. He and his second in command Rabbicrater gave the grand tour to Cain and his pet Emusa before the planet was attacked by the nine great Decepticon Generals: Devastator, Menasor, Bruticus, Trypticon, Predaking, Abominus, Piranacon, Overlord and Scorponok. The Decepticon took the Energon-Z from the Zone base, then went to Earth to steal the Zodiac. Countdown, the Micromasters and the Powered Masters followed the Decepticon to Earth and defeated them there.
and Twin Twist seem surprised to see them, and more surprised that Optimus Prime
isn't with them. Countdown and Groundshaker are equally surprised that Optimus has not returned to Cybertron before they did. Countdown confronts Ultra Magnus
and Fortress Maximus
and informs them that Operation: Containment, an attempt to prevent the Decepticon threat from spreading beyond Cybertron, has failed. Countdown explains that the Decepticon Skystalker and his forces ravaged the peaceful planet, Paradron, and that the Autobots need to mount an intergalactic patrol force to prevent the same fate from befalling other worlds. Ultra Magnus and Fortress Maximus disagree, stating that Autobot forces are already underpowered and spread thin as it is. Groundshaker interrupts, belligerently demanding the Autobot command take action, before he is pulled from the room by Countdown. As Countdown and Groundshaker leave the command center, they overhear Big Daddy
and his patrol griping about the day's events, which interests Countdown greatly. Big Daddy and company then confront Magnus and Maximus, upset that Crunch lost his life defending Roadbuster
. The argument grows more heated, before Fortress Maximus orders the Hot Rod Patrol to turn in their weapons and dismisses them.
The More Than Meets The Eye biography page for Groundshaker was written as a report by Countdown.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Transformers
Transformers
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.Transformer may also refer to:* ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, an Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet computer manufacturer by Asus...
series. He was introduced as a toy in the US 1989, but his first appearance in fiction was in the Japanese Transformers: Zone series where he was called Moon Raider. He didn't appear in US Transformers fiction until his role as a main character in the Dreamwave comics Micromaster title. Since then Hasbro has released a new toy of the character in 2009. He is sometimes called "Autobot Countdown" for trademark purposes. Fun Publications has made mention of another character named Countdown in its Transformers stories, who is the evil mirror-universe counterpart of the original character.
Transformers: Generation 1
The Countdown toy is the largest Micromaster toy ever produced. It consists of three distinct parts: A mobile rocket launching base, a rocketRocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
, and the Countdown figure itself, which transforms to a lunar rover
Lunar rover
The Lunar Roving Vehicle or lunar rover was a battery-powered four-wheeled rover used on the Moon in the last three missions of the American Apollo program during 1971 and 1972...
. Countdown is the only lunar rover in the entire Generation 1 toyline, although there have been more lunar rovers in later toylines.
Countdown himself is characterised as adventurous and heroic, travelling the universe to protect the innocent. Countdown's arch-enemy is the sadistic Decepticon
Decepticon
The Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers stoyline and related comics and cartoons, and the enemies of the Autobots and the University of California Davis Aggies...
Skystalker
Skystalker
Skystalker is the name of several fictional characters in various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Skystalker is the highest ranking Micromaster Decepticon. He is obsessed with power and leading the Decepticons.-Animated series:...
, whose space shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
is the second-largest Micromaster toy ever produced.
According to Takara's biography for Moon Raider and his Rocket Base he is the large defensive headquarters of the Cybertron Zone. Can receive an SOS from the entire universe and send out soldiers accordingly.
Animated series
Countdown appeared in the Japanese-exclusive Transformers: ZoneTransformers: Zone
is a one-shot OVA exclusive to Japan in the fictional Transformers universe.-Development:Originally intended to be a full TV series, Transformers: Zone was forced to become direct-length direct-to-video due to less than expected toy sales. The series was canceled after just one episode at 25 minutes...
series. This series only made one episode before it was canceled, "New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!" In this episode Countdown was the leader of the Autobot Micromasters on the Planet Zone. He and his second in command Rabbicrater gave the grand tour to Cain and his pet Emusa before the planet was attacked by the nine great Decepticon Generals: Devastator, Menasor, Bruticus, Trypticon, Predaking, Abominus, Piranacon, Overlord and Scorponok. The Decepticon took the Energon-Z from the Zone base, then went to Earth to steal the Zodiac. Countdown, the Micromasters and the Powered Masters followed the Decepticon to Earth and defeated them there.
Dreamwave Productions
Countdown appeared in as a major character in Dreamwave Productions Micromasters mini-series. In issue #1, "Destined For Nothing", Countdown and Groundshaker return from space to find the Autobot base largely abandoned. The first Autobots they encounter, TopspinTopspin (Transformers)
Topspin is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. Due to legal issues, later incarnations of the character are called Autobot Topspin.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Twin Twist seem surprised to see them, and more surprised that Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
isn't with them. Countdown and Groundshaker are equally surprised that Optimus has not returned to Cybertron before they did. Countdown confronts Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers storylines.-Transformers: Generation 1:The greatest Transformer of them all. A commander could want no finer a soldier than Ultra Magnus...
and Fortress Maximus
Fortress Maximus
Fortress Maximus is the name of several fictional characters from several of the various Transformers universes. Fortress Maximus appeared in the season 4 finale of the US Transformers animated series voiced by Stephen Keener. He was one of the stars of the Japanese Transformers: Headmasters...
and informs them that Operation: Containment, an attempt to prevent the Decepticon threat from spreading beyond Cybertron, has failed. Countdown explains that the Decepticon Skystalker and his forces ravaged the peaceful planet, Paradron, and that the Autobots need to mount an intergalactic patrol force to prevent the same fate from befalling other worlds. Ultra Magnus and Fortress Maximus disagree, stating that Autobot forces are already underpowered and spread thin as it is. Groundshaker interrupts, belligerently demanding the Autobot command take action, before he is pulled from the room by Countdown. As Countdown and Groundshaker leave the command center, they overhear Big Daddy
Big Daddy (Transformers)
Big Daddy is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. The first Big Daddy was a Micromaster, while the later two are homages to the original character, both of which use the same toy, even though they are different characters.-Transformers: Generation 1:Big...
and his patrol griping about the day's events, which interests Countdown greatly. Big Daddy and company then confront Magnus and Maximus, upset that Crunch lost his life defending Roadbuster
Roadbuster
Roadbuster is the name of three fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Roadbuster's bio described him as happiest when he is in battle destroying Decepticons. While he is an inspiring presence and natural leader in battle, he doesn't adapt well to...
. The argument grows more heated, before Fortress Maximus orders the Hot Rod Patrol to turn in their weapons and dismisses them.
The More Than Meets The Eye biography page for Groundshaker was written as a report by Countdown.
Toys
- Generation 1 Countdown with Rocket Base (1989)
- Countdown came with a rocket base. The rocket launching base transforms into a complete Micromaster headquarters, capable of hosting about a dozen Micromasters, and the rocket transforms into an outpost base, capable of hosting additional Micromasters. The bases can be connected together by a ramp.
- Universe Ultra Autobot Countdown (2009)
- This version is a redeco of Cybertron Cybertron Defense Red AlertRed Alert (Transformers)Red Alert is the name of several characters in the various fictional Transformers universes.- Transformers Generation 1:Red Alert is the Autobot security director. He has enhanced senses and is usually depicted as a friend of the Autobot Inferno.- Marvel Comics :Red Alert did not appear in the U.S...
and is a Toys R Us store exclusive. He comes with a grey Earth Planet Cyber Key.