Dinobot
Encyclopedia
Dinobot is a fictional character from the Beast Wars
Transformers universe.
, leader of the villainous Predacon
s. However, Dinobot challenges Megatron's leadership, and is shortly expelled from his crew. He eventually joins the ranks of Optimus Primal
and the Maximals. Although he greatly enjoyed combat, he was driven by his code of honor, inspired by the samurai
bushido
code, and would often make quotes from the works of William Shakespeare
. He fights alongside with the Maximals before ultimately sacrificing himself to save a group of primates from a Predacon onslaught. In the following season, Megatron reanimates Dinobot with transmetal
technology, and recruits him to rejoin the Predacons. Outside of the television series, Dinobot's likeness was used to create several toys.
Dinobot's personality is reminiscent of that of Starscream
, including his arrogance, desire to overthrow Megatron, and his gravelly voice.
with Megatron and the rest of the Predacon
s aboard the Darksyde. When the Predacons scan the planet for local beings, in order to create beast modes for themselves, Dinobot receives the form of a velociraptor
. After their arrival, Dinobot believes that Megatron has led the Predacons to the wrong planet and attempts to usurp him in a duel. However, Scorponok
, one of Megatron’s loyal crew members, blasts Dinobot away. Determined to find the abundant amounts of energon, he confronts the Maximal
s outside their base, and challenges Optimus Primal
’s leadership in a duel. The engagement is interrupted by a surprise attack from the Predacons. Optimus saves Dinobot's life during the attack, prompting the two to come to terms. From then on, Dinobot serves alongside the Maximals during the Beast Wars, and proves to be a valuable ally in both strength and cunning, as well as in his knowledge of his former Predacon comrades, which helps him anticipate what each one of them would do. However, Dinobot frequently clashes with Optimus over the Maximals' morals, and has a rocky relationship with Rattrap
, who normally refers to him as "Chopperface," to which Dinobot replies by calling him "Vermin."
, but he still remains a strong asset to the Maximals. Following the destruction of an artificial moon that hovered around Earth, Dinobot begins to realize that Megatron had in fact landed on the correct planet. He infiltrates the Predacon base, and steals two golden discs which contain information pertaining to the planet’s vast supply of Energon, as well as the location of The Ark
. The disks also trouble Dinobot, as he believes they can predict the future. Dinobot eventually contemplates rejoining the Predacons after realizing that Megatron was going to triumph over the Maximals. He returns one of the disks to Megatron, but defies an order to destroy Rattrap.
Consumed with guilt, Dinobot returns to the Maximals. He eventually discovers that the future written on the discs can be altered after witnessing Megatron destroy a mountain, and watching the writings on the disc change. After Megatron also realizes this, he orders the Predacons to eradicate all the primitive ancestors of humankind, on the planet, believing the attack would deny the Autobots an important ally in their future battle against the Decepticons. Alarmed by this, Dinobot single-handedly defeats all of the Predacons. He then proceeds to subdue Megatron himself with a make-shift club and retrieves the golden disc that he had previously given back. However, Dinobot sustains mortal wounds during the conflict, and destroys the disc with the last of his energy. His fellow Maximals arrive shortly after and stand by his side as he passes away. His final words are, "Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence." As his Spark leaves his body, Optimus gives a proper eulogy; "He lived a warrior and died a hero. Let his Spark join the Matrix with the greatest of Cybertron." Out of respect for their fallen comrade, the Maximals give Dinobot a proper funeral, performing the missing man
flyover, in which his body is placed in a suspended animation pyre that disintegrates him. The primates that Dinobot saved find the make-shift weaponry he brandished to make his last stand, and use it to break open coconuts for food and defend themselves against predatory snakes in their environment.
In season three, Megatron manages to clone Dinobot using the Transmetal Driver and half of Rampage’s spark. In his new form, Dinobot is portrayed as Megatron’s mindless slave. During Megatron's mission to revive the Decepticon
s' legendary battleship, the Nemesis, Rampage is destroyed in battle against Depth Charge
, and his death seemingly causes the personality of the original to surface. At first he is confused as to who he is, but he slowly regains his memories. As Megatron attempts to destroy the Maximals with the Nemesis, Dinobot assists his former comrades by revealing the location of a shuttle within The Ark. Later, when Megatron orders Dinobot to fire on The Ark, Dinobot refuses and instead attacks Megatron. The Maximals use the shuttle to breach the Nemesis’ cockpit, capturing Megatron in the process. Optimus pleads Dinobot to escape with them, but he refuses. Dinobot then bids farewell to Optimus, and is shortly engulfed in an explosion as the Nemesis returns to the ocean.
's Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye series. In this tale Dinobot and his leader enter an ancient Autobot library housing a node of the super computer Vector Sigma
where they view the datatracks concerning the Autobots and Decepticons of The Great War. As Dinobot dispatches a Maximal security agent his leader obtains the Golden Disk artifact and announces he wishes to be addressed as Megatron
from now on.
, outraged because he was not able to battle the Maximals honorably, having to be cowed into fleeing by Megatron. Dinobot was further outraged when Megatron planned to flee into Transwarp, but was delighted when Megatron opened fire on the Axalon
while doing so. In this story, Dinobot was never named.
Dinobot had a biography printed in the Beast Wars Sourcebook by IDW Publishing
.
2010, Hasbro named Dinobot as one of the first five robot inductees in the Transformers Hall of Fame. He was also the first "fan's choice" inductee, as fans around the world submitted nominees for the spot. After the nominees were narrowed down to the top five, Dinobot beat Soundwave
, Grimlock
, Jazz
and Shockwave
with 31,000 votes.
Beast Wars
Transformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
Transformers universe.
Beast Wars
Dinobot originally debuts in the series' premiere as a subordinate of MegatronMegatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)
The Beast Wars and Beast Machines version of Megatron is the main antagonist from the aforementioned parts of the Transformers animated series, toy lines, and multiverse...
, leader of the villainous Predacon
Predacon
The Predacons usually refer to the name of several fictional Decepticon-like teams led by Megatron, however Transformers: Armada, Predacon is the name of a single character.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
s. However, Dinobot challenges Megatron's leadership, and is shortly expelled from his crew. He eventually joins the ranks of Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline, and the leader of the Maximal forces and the main protagonist in the Beast Wars television series. He is sometimes called Optimal Optimus...
and the Maximals. Although he greatly enjoyed combat, he was driven by his code of honor, inspired by the samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
bushido
Bushido
, meaning "Way of the Warrior-Knight", is a Japanese word which is used to describe a uniquely Japanese code of conduct and a way of the samurai life, loosely analogous to the concept of chivalry. It originates from the samurai moral code and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and...
code, and would often make quotes from the works of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
. He fights alongside with the Maximals before ultimately sacrificing himself to save a group of primates from a Predacon onslaught. In the following season, Megatron reanimates Dinobot with transmetal
Transmetal
Transmetal may refer to:* Transition metals, a group of elements in the periodic table* Transmetal , a Mexican thrash/death metal band* Transmetals, a type of Transformer technology in the fictional Transformers universe...
technology, and recruits him to rejoin the Predacons. Outside of the television series, Dinobot's likeness was used to create several toys.
Dinobot's personality is reminiscent of that of Starscream
Starscream
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
, including his arrogance, desire to overthrow Megatron, and his gravelly voice.
Season one
In season one, Dinobot originally arrives on prehistoric EarthEarth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
with Megatron and the rest of the Predacon
Predacon
The Predacons usually refer to the name of several fictional Decepticon-like teams led by Megatron, however Transformers: Armada, Predacon is the name of a single character.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
s aboard the Darksyde. When the Predacons scan the planet for local beings, in order to create beast modes for themselves, Dinobot receives the form of a velociraptor
Velociraptor
Velociraptor is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that existed approximately 75 to 71 million years ago during the later part of the Cretaceous Period. Two species are currently recognized, although others have been assigned in the past. The type species is V. mongoliensis; fossils...
. After their arrival, Dinobot believes that Megatron has led the Predacons to the wrong planet and attempts to usurp him in a duel. However, Scorponok
Scorponok
Scorponok is the name shared by several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons that turn into Scorpoins.- Transformers: Generation 1:...
, one of Megatron’s loyal crew members, blasts Dinobot away. Determined to find the abundant amounts of energon, he confronts the Maximal
Maximal
Maximal may refer to:*Maximal element, a mathematical definition*Maximal , a faction of Transformers*Maximalism, an artistic style*Maximal set*Maxim , a men's magazine marketed as Maximal in several countriesSee also...
s outside their base, and challenges Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline, and the leader of the Maximal forces and the main protagonist in the Beast Wars television series. He is sometimes called Optimal Optimus...
’s leadership in a duel. The engagement is interrupted by a surprise attack from the Predacons. Optimus saves Dinobot's life during the attack, prompting the two to come to terms. From then on, Dinobot serves alongside the Maximals during the Beast Wars, and proves to be a valuable ally in both strength and cunning, as well as in his knowledge of his former Predacon comrades, which helps him anticipate what each one of them would do. However, Dinobot frequently clashes with Optimus over the Maximals' morals, and has a rocky relationship with Rattrap
Rattrap
Rattrap is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers toyline that appeared in the Beast Wars and Beast Machines series. He is a Maximal and takes the beast form of a rat.-Beast Wars:...
, who normally refers to him as "Chopperface," to which Dinobot replies by calling him "Vermin."
Season two
In season two, Dinobot is one of the few Transformers who does not become a TransmetalTransmetal
Transmetal may refer to:* Transition metals, a group of elements in the periodic table* Transmetal , a Mexican thrash/death metal band* Transmetals, a type of Transformer technology in the fictional Transformers universe...
, but he still remains a strong asset to the Maximals. Following the destruction of an artificial moon that hovered around Earth, Dinobot begins to realize that Megatron had in fact landed on the correct planet. He infiltrates the Predacon base, and steals two golden discs which contain information pertaining to the planet’s vast supply of Energon, as well as the location of The Ark
Ark (Transformers)
The Ark is an Autobot spacecraft in the Transformers Universe. It has appeared as a central fixture of the Transformers storyline ever since its creation, as the Autobots main method of transport to Earth and as a base once they arrive....
. The disks also trouble Dinobot, as he believes they can predict the future. Dinobot eventually contemplates rejoining the Predacons after realizing that Megatron was going to triumph over the Maximals. He returns one of the disks to Megatron, but defies an order to destroy Rattrap.
Consumed with guilt, Dinobot returns to the Maximals. He eventually discovers that the future written on the discs can be altered after witnessing Megatron destroy a mountain, and watching the writings on the disc change. After Megatron also realizes this, he orders the Predacons to eradicate all the primitive ancestors of humankind, on the planet, believing the attack would deny the Autobots an important ally in their future battle against the Decepticons. Alarmed by this, Dinobot single-handedly defeats all of the Predacons. He then proceeds to subdue Megatron himself with a make-shift club and retrieves the golden disc that he had previously given back. However, Dinobot sustains mortal wounds during the conflict, and destroys the disc with the last of his energy. His fellow Maximals arrive shortly after and stand by his side as he passes away. His final words are, "Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence." As his Spark leaves his body, Optimus gives a proper eulogy; "He lived a warrior and died a hero. Let his Spark join the Matrix with the greatest of Cybertron." Out of respect for their fallen comrade, the Maximals give Dinobot a proper funeral, performing the missing man
Missing man formation
The missing man formation is an aerial salute performed as part of a flyover of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event, typically in memory of a fallen pilot. The missing man formation is often called "the missing man flyby"...
flyover, in which his body is placed in a suspended animation pyre that disintegrates him. The primates that Dinobot saved find the make-shift weaponry he brandished to make his last stand, and use it to break open coconuts for food and defend themselves against predatory snakes in their environment.
Season three
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...
s' legendary battleship, the Nemesis, Rampage is destroyed in battle against Depth Charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
, and his death seemingly causes the personality of the original to surface. At first he is confused as to who he is, but he slowly regains his memories. As Megatron attempts to destroy the Maximals with the Nemesis, Dinobot assists his former comrades by revealing the location of a shuttle within The Ark. Later, when Megatron orders Dinobot to fire on The Ark, Dinobot refuses and instead attacks Megatron. The Maximals use the shuttle to breach the Nemesis’ cockpit, capturing Megatron in the process. Optimus pleads Dinobot to escape with them, but he refuses. Dinobot then bids farewell to Optimus, and is shortly engulfed in an explosion as the Nemesis returns to the ocean.
Dreamwave Productions
Dinobot's earliest fictional depiction in comics was in a two part short story told in DreamwaveDreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
's Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye series. In this tale Dinobot and his leader enter an ancient Autobot library housing a node of the super computer Vector Sigma
Vector Sigma
In the fictional universe of the first Transformers animated series, Vector Sigma is the "mega-computer" that gives sentience to non-sentient robots, and is used by the Quintessons to endow their robotic creations with the true life that eventually leads to their rebellion...
where they view the datatracks concerning the Autobots and Decepticons of The Great War. As Dinobot dispatches a Maximal security agent his leader obtains the Golden Disk artifact and announces he wishes to be addressed as Megatron
Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)
The Beast Wars and Beast Machines version of Megatron is the main antagonist from the aforementioned parts of the Transformers animated series, toy lines, and multiverse...
from now on.
Fun Publications
Dinobot's early story would continue in the Timelines tale Dawn of Futures Past, where he was seen escaping with the disc alongside Megatron and ScorponokScorponok
Scorponok is the name shared by several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons that turn into Scorpoins.- Transformers: Generation 1:...
, outraged because he was not able to battle the Maximals honorably, having to be cowed into fleeing by Megatron. Dinobot was further outraged when Megatron planned to flee into Transwarp, but was delighted when Megatron opened fire on the Axalon
Axalon
The Axalon is the name of the fictional Maximal ship in the Beast Wars cartoon and comic books. In addition, in the Transformers: Armada cartoon, the Autobots constructed a space ship that was also named the Axalon, possibly in reference to the original Maximal ship.-History:The Axalon, commanded...
while doing so. In this story, Dinobot was never named.
IDW Publishing
Dinobot appears along the rest of the Maximals in the series Beast Wars: The Gathering, which takes place during season 3 of the animated Beast Wars series.Dinobot had a biography printed in the Beast Wars Sourcebook by IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
.
Toys
- Beast Wars Deluxe Dinobot (1996)
- The Dinobot toy came with a mutant mask that was not utilized in the animated series, although it was seen on early prototypes of the animation. Because the toy was made before the show, it was not an exact match for the colors.
- This toy was later recolored as Beast Wars GrimlockGrimlockGrimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
and as Dinobots Grimlock. - Dinotron was a remold of the original Dinobot.
- Beast Wars Takara Deluxe Dinobot (1997)
- When the toy was sold in Japan it was repainted with lighter stripes and a gold head to match the television model. In Japan Dinobot was sold alone and packaged with TarantulasTarantulas (Transformers)Tarantulas is a Predacon in theBeast Wars series who turns into a tarantula. Due to problems in trade-marking the name, later releases of the character were called Predacon Tarantulus by Hasbro.-Beast Wars:...
. The Japanese version of this toy had the head painted with metallic colors to more closely match the animated appearance of Dinobot.
- Beast Wars McDonalds Dinobot (1998)
- A premium toy included with Happy MealHappy MealA "Happy Meal" is a meal specifically marketed at children, sold at the fast-food chain McDonald's since June 1979. A toy is typically included with the food, both of which are usually contained in a small box or paper bag with the McDonald's logo....
s, this Dinobot is a transmetal, although he didn't become a transmetal in the animated series.- Beast Wars Transmetal Dinobot (Unreleased)
- During the original TransmetalTransmetalTransmetal may refer to:* Transition metals, a group of elements in the periodic table* Transmetal , a Mexican thrash/death metal band* Transmetals, a type of Transformer technology in the fictional Transformers universe...
Line, A Transmetal version of Dinobot was made and made it to the prototype stage before being scraped and replaced with a Transmetal TerrorsaurTerrorsaurTerrorsaur is the name of several fictional characters from the world of Transformers universes.Terror-Saur is an amalgamate of terror and saur .-Beast Wars:...
- Beast Wars Fox Kids Deluxe Dinobot (1999)
- A redeco of Dinobot done in browns with red stripes across the back.
- Beast Wars Transmetal II Deluxe Dinobot (1999)
- The Transmetal II toy of Dinobot came in three variants. The first was released as a post-Christmas edition in late 1998 (for the 1999 release year) in show-accurate colors (this version being the model for the series), identifiable due to all pre-1999 Transmetal 2s having a "Transmetal II" logo. The second version makes use of navy blue and metallic maroon detailing on an ivory-colored body, as opposed to brown and maroon. The "II" logos are replaced with a "Transmetal 2" logo. The third and final Transmetal II Dinobot was nearly as commonplace as the second, with the ivory tooling replace with a whiter colored plastic. The remaining parts were decorated in a brighter blue and vacuum-metallized red. (The white, red and blue Dinobot is said to have been exclusive to Wal-MartWal-MartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
, but K-Mart stores in 2002 were shown to also have them in stock.) - The transmetal II Dinobot was repainted into the Dinobot Rapticon.
- Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Dinobot (2006)
- In 2006 the original Dinobot toy was one of the toys selected for the Beast Wars 10th Anniversary toyline. He was repainted in more show-accurate coloring. He came packaged with one of the six pieces used to make the TransmutateTransmutateTransmutate is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. She is a damaged, but powerful, Maximal protoform who befriends both the Maximal Silverbolt and his enemy the Predacon Rampage....
toy plus a DVD of his most famous episode "Code of Hero". - One of the BotConBotConBotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
2006 exclusive figure is a remold of Armada Hoist which is a homage to Beast Wars Dinobot. This figure is supposed to represent Dinobot before he was reformatted into an animal form. He turns into a backhoe. - This toy was featured on page 19 of the book Transformers: The Fantasy, The Fun, The Future by Erin Brereton published by Triumph Books.
- Beast Wars Takara 10th Anniversary Dinobot (2007)
- In 2007, Takara Tomy is releasing their version of the 10th Anniversary of Beast Wars toys. Selected molds have included Dinobot who will be painted show accurate along with something Hasbro's version didn't have: teeth are painted to give him more of a look like the show. According to the DVD enclosed with the toy, he may be sold with Blackarachnia at a sale price. (Like how Optimus Primal is sold with Megatron as a special offer.)
- Universe
- As part of the 25th Anniversary commemoration, the Transformers Universe series released a new mold of Dinobot. Like the Beast Wars figure, the Universe figure lacked show-accurate coloration. The transformation is also slightly different, with the arms tucking into the chest rather than the legs.
Honors
At BotConBotCon
BotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
2010, Hasbro named Dinobot as one of the first five robot inductees in the Transformers Hall of Fame. He was also the first "fan's choice" inductee, as fans around the world submitted nominees for the spot. After the nominees were narrowed down to the top five, Dinobot beat Soundwave
Soundwave (Transformers)
Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
, Jazz
Jazz (Transformers)
Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...
and Shockwave
Shockwave (Transformers)
Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...
with 31,000 votes.