Drift (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Drift is the name of three different fictional characters in the Transformers
series. For trademark reasons, toys related to the character are marketed under the name Autobot Drift.
Dirt Boss in the Japanese version of Transformers: Armada
.
and a Mitsubishi FTO
.
's comic book series The Transformers: Spotlight, first published in 2009. He also has a 4-part prequel mini-series titled Transformers: Drift, published in 2010.
Transformers: Drift
The 4-part prequel mini-series Transformers: Drift begins with Drift as an unaligned robot living on Cybertron before Megatron's rise to power. Recruiting warriors to form his army, Megatron discovers Drift, who has skillfully killed several Decepticons after they accidentally kill one of his friends. Megatron renames Drift "Deadlock", then sends him to lead a small band of his forces.
In issue #1, Drift meets a Cybertronian named Wing, who is a member of an "unaligned faction" that lives on world thought uninhabited. Wing takes Drift to Dai Atlas, who is angered that a "Decepticon" is among them and threatens to never let Drift leave. Wing then steps forward, putting his own reputation on the line and stands up to Dai Atlas. Wing begins training Drift in an as-yet-unnamed Cybertronian martial arts style. The techniques appear very reminiscent of what the Autobots call "Diffusion", a style of combat designed to stop an opponent without causing serious irreparable damage (similar to Earth's T'ai chi ch'uan (which is designed to use an attacker's energy against them) mixed with Kendo
). It is unknown how long Drift trains, but he apparently becomes very skilled in the use of his short swords and hand-to-hand combat. Previously, Drift had discovered he had an innate ability with firearms, but he is discouraged from their use by Wing.
The Cybertronians receive a signal that Drift recognizes as a Decepticon message and sneaks out to meet them, finding Decepticon Lockdown
waiting for him with a group of slavers looking for new acquisitions. They forge a plan for Drift to betray the unaligned Cybertronians. Drift did not betray the Cybertronians though, warning them upon his return, and devising a plan to counterattack with a small force of "Knights". Dai Atlas disagrees, but after coaxing by several of the Knights, Dai Atlas lets them have their way, telling them he wants no part of the "war".
In issue #4, Drift and the Knights face the slavers and Deadlock. Wing is mortally wounded by the slaver leader and dies. Drift grabs Wing's "Great Sword", which, according to Wing, "draws on the wielders spark
" to enhance its abilities, and promptly kills the slaver leader. Dai Atlas then joins the battle with the rest of his Cybertronian forces. This turns the tide in battle and the Cybertronians take the victory. Dai Atlas finally sees the good side of Drift, awarding him Wing's Great Sword in memory of his sacrifice.
The Transformers: Spotlight - Drift
On an alien planet, Drift infiltrates a Decepticon ship carrying Autobot prisoners, only to confront the Autobots Kup
, Perceptor
and the Wreckers
. Moments later, Turmoil, the ship's commander, appears. Drift fights alongside the Wreckers, but during the melee, Turmoil recognizes Drift as the former Decepticon Deadlock. He then sends Drift and Kup into a lower level by shooting a hole in the ship's wall.
Later, Kup questions Drift about his origin. Drift admits having been a Decepticon in the past, but tells Kup that a visit to a nameless third faction changed his ways and gave him his sword. The two robots then decide to blow up the ship.
As the duo plant an explosive, Kup is informed that the other Autobots have left the ship and will circle back for them. Suddenly, Turmoil confronts them again. After a lengthy duel, Drift pins Turmoil to the wall with his short swords. The Decepticon tells Drift to finish him off, but Drift instead takes a damaged Perceptor and jumps off the ship before it explodes.
Shortly after the ordeal, Kup offers Drift a place on a new Autobot team he is forming. Despite Springer
's objection, Drift accepts the offer, with Kup telling Springer that "everyone deserves a second chance."
Optimus Prime leads Bumblebee, Drift, Kup, Prowl, Ratchet and Wheeljack in Las Vegas
when a Cybertronian ship crashes containing Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and an infestation of zombies from another universe. Galvatron attempts to take command of the Autobots, and after fighting them explains his mission to stop an undead infestation. Wheeljack sets up an energy shield around the city to keep the infestation contained, but it will only last for 24 hours. Kup recognizes a Decepticon named Bayonet in Galvatron's command as not being right, and she is revealed to be the extradimensional vampire Britt.
, this Drift is from the Shattered Glass universe, and his personality is based on the Marvel Comics
character Deadpool.
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. For trademark reasons, toys related to the character are marketed under the name Autobot Drift.
Transformers: Armada
Drift is the name of the Mini-ConMini-Con
Mini-Cons are a human-sized race and faction of power-enhancing transforming robots in the Transformers: Armada universe and its sequels, one of the assorted universes in Transformers fiction...
Dirt Boss in the Japanese version of Transformers: Armada
Transformers: Armada
Transformers: Armada, known in Japan as , is a Transformers animated series, comic series and toy line which ran from 2002–2003. It was originally scheduled for 2001, however was delayed until early-2002...
.
Transformers: Generations
According to his bio, Drift once served Megatron under the name Deadlock and was one of the most-feared warriors on Cybertron. Then one day, he looked back at the horrors he had inflicted upon his foes. Since then, he has dedicated his life to hunting down Decepticons all over the galaxy. His alternate Earth mode in the comics is a Nissan Silvia S15; the toy version appears to be a cross between a Silvia, a Honda S2000Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 is a roadster that was manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It was launched in April 1999 and was created to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. The car was first shown as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, following which it was launched in...
and a Mitsubishi FTO
Mitsubishi FTO
The Mitsubishi FTO, is a front engined, front-wheel drive coupe produced by Mitsubishi Motors between 1994 and 2000. It was originally planned to be exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, although its popularity as a grey market import to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand led to...
.
IDW Publishing
Drift is one of the characters featured in IDW PublishingIDW 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...
's comic book series The Transformers: Spotlight, first published in 2009. He also has a 4-part prequel mini-series titled Transformers: Drift, published in 2010.
Transformers: Drift
The 4-part prequel mini-series Transformers: Drift begins with Drift as an unaligned robot living on Cybertron before Megatron's rise to power. Recruiting warriors to form his army, Megatron discovers Drift, who has skillfully killed several Decepticons after they accidentally kill one of his friends. Megatron renames Drift "Deadlock", then sends him to lead a small band of his forces.
In issue #1, Drift meets a Cybertronian named Wing, who is a member of an "unaligned faction" that lives on world thought uninhabited. Wing takes Drift to Dai Atlas, who is angered that a "Decepticon" is among them and threatens to never let Drift leave. Wing then steps forward, putting his own reputation on the line and stands up to Dai Atlas. Wing begins training Drift in an as-yet-unnamed Cybertronian martial arts style. The techniques appear very reminiscent of what the Autobots call "Diffusion", a style of combat designed to stop an opponent without causing serious irreparable damage (similar to Earth's T'ai chi ch'uan (which is designed to use an attacker's energy against them) mixed with Kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
). It is unknown how long Drift trains, but he apparently becomes very skilled in the use of his short swords and hand-to-hand combat. Previously, Drift had discovered he had an innate ability with firearms, but he is discouraged from their use by Wing.
The Cybertronians receive a signal that Drift recognizes as a Decepticon message and sneaks out to meet them, finding Decepticon Lockdown
Lockdown (Transformers)
Lockdown is the name of multiple fictional characters in the various Transformers universes; all of which are Decepticons who transform into muscle cars.-Transformers Animated:...
waiting for him with a group of slavers looking for new acquisitions. They forge a plan for Drift to betray the unaligned Cybertronians. Drift did not betray the Cybertronians though, warning them upon his return, and devising a plan to counterattack with a small force of "Knights". Dai Atlas disagrees, but after coaxing by several of the Knights, Dai Atlas lets them have their way, telling them he wants no part of the "war".
In issue #4, Drift and the Knights face the slavers and Deadlock. Wing is mortally wounded by the slaver leader and dies. Drift grabs Wing's "Great Sword", which, according to Wing, "draws on the wielders spark
Spark (Transformers)
Spark can refer to several objects in the fictional Transformers universe. A spark is usually the "soul" of a Transformer. It is also the name of several Transformers characters. An AllSpark is a term for two different objects within the Transformers media franchise. In the Beast Machines...
" to enhance its abilities, and promptly kills the slaver leader. Dai Atlas then joins the battle with the rest of his Cybertronian forces. This turns the tide in battle and the Cybertronians take the victory. Dai Atlas finally sees the good side of Drift, awarding him Wing's Great Sword in memory of his sacrifice.
The Transformers: Spotlight - Drift
On an alien planet, Drift infiltrates a Decepticon ship carrying Autobot prisoners, only to confront the Autobots Kup
Kup
Kup is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universe. All are older Autobots who are members of the Elite Guard. Wired Magazine once nominated him as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time...
, Perceptor
Perceptor
Perceptor is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Perceptor transforms into a microscope ....
and the Wreckers
Wreckers (Transformers)
The Wreckers are a sub-team of Autobots in the fictional Transformers universe, functioning essentially as a commando unit. They are not derived from the Transformers toyline but rather are the creation of Marvel UK writer Simon Furman, who introduces the Wreckers in the story arc Target:2006...
. Moments later, Turmoil, the ship's commander, appears. Drift fights alongside the Wreckers, but during the melee, Turmoil recognizes Drift as the former Decepticon Deadlock. He then sends Drift and Kup into a lower level by shooting a hole in the ship's wall.
Later, Kup questions Drift about his origin. Drift admits having been a Decepticon in the past, but tells Kup that a visit to a nameless third faction changed his ways and gave him his sword. The two robots then decide to blow up the ship.
As the duo plant an explosive, Kup is informed that the other Autobots have left the ship and will circle back for them. Suddenly, Turmoil confronts them again. After a lengthy duel, Drift pins Turmoil to the wall with his short swords. The Decepticon tells Drift to finish him off, but Drift instead takes a damaged Perceptor and jumps off the ship before it explodes.
Shortly after the ordeal, Kup offers Drift a place on a new Autobot team he is forming. Despite Springer
Springer (Transformers)
Springer is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. For trademark reasons, many toys of the character are named Autobot Springer.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
's objection, Drift accepts the offer, with Kup telling Springer that "everyone deserves a second chance."
Optimus Prime leads Bumblebee, Drift, Kup, Prowl, Ratchet and Wheeljack in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
when a Cybertronian ship crashes containing Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and an infestation of zombies from another universe. Galvatron attempts to take command of the Autobots, and after fighting them explains his mission to stop an undead infestation. Wheeljack sets up an energy shield around the city to keep the infestation contained, but it will only last for 24 hours. Kup recognizes a Decepticon named Bayonet in Galvatron's command as not being right, and she is revealed to be the extradimensional vampire Britt.
Manga
Drift appears in the Generations 2011 issue #2 "The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos" where he is part of a team lead by Stepper to obtain a cure for nano-virus which is effecting some Autobots. When the Autobots arrive on Nebulos they are attacked by a group of Decepticons lead by Straxus. The Autobot are able to obtain the cure and bring it back to Earth, where Ricochet's team is commended by Optimus Prime.Toys
- Generations Deluxe Autobot Drift (2010)
- An all-new mold of Drift that transforms into a sports car. Weapons consist of one long sword (made of rubbery plastic) and two short swords that store inside the side skirt armor/door panels. In keeping with the SamuraiSamuraiis 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...
theme of the character, kanjiKanjiKanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
is used to decorate the figure. The kanji on the door panels is , while his long sword reads . - The figure is also remolded in blue as BlurrBlurrBlurr is the name given to five different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He frequently appears as a blue Autobot who transforms into a swift car...
, with a different head sculpt and guns replacing the swords.- United UN08 Deluxe Autobot Drift (2010)
- The Japanese version of the Generations figure by Takara TomyTakara Tomyis a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
is virtually identical to the Hasbro version.- Transformers Speed Stars Cyber Hunt Autobot Drift (not yet released)
- A diecast carDie-cast toyThe term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
of Drift in car mode, in the same size as Hot WheelsHot WheelsHot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
or Matchbox cars. An illustration of his robot mode is molded on his undercarriage.- Transformers Speed Stars Double Siders Autobot Drift (not yet released)
- This variation of the diecast car has oversized wheels so it can roll right-side-up or upside down with the robot illustration facing up.
Shattered Glass
An exclusive for 2012 from Fun PublicationsFun Publications
Fun Publications is a publishing company that runs the Transformers Collectors Club and G.I. Joe Collectors Club under licensefrom Hasbro. Besides releasing comics, Fun Publications releases exclusive toys and runs conventions for their clubs....
, this Drift is from the Shattered Glass universe, and his personality is based on the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Deadpool.
Toys
- Timelines Deluxe Autobot Drift (not yet released)
- A reverse red/white redeco of the Generations Drift figure. In addition to the swords, he will come with the two pistols that were originally offered with the Generations Blurr figure.