Hardhead (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Hardhead is the name of two fictional characters in the Transformers universes
. The first is a stubborn Autobot
tank, the second a simple minded Predacon
dinosaur.
In Japan the head robot was named Ros.
's expedition in search of a peaceful world upon which to live. Hardhead was among the Autobots who joined Fortress Maximus in leaving Cybertron for the planet Nebulos. Hardhead was among the Autobots who gave up their heads to the Nebulans in hopes of showing their peaceful intentions (Transformers: Headmasters #1). However, when the Decepticons followed them, Hardhead became a Headmaster in order to stop them.
While the U.S. Headmasters miniseries would not feature Hardhead in anything other than minor roles, the U.K. series would feature him more. One of his most prominent actions in this period was when he and the other Headmasters were captured by the Decepticons in order to refine their own Headmaster process. Taking Highbrow
, the Autobots managed to free the other captured Targetmaster
s, with Hardhead assisting in routing the Decepticons and freeing Highbrow. (Marvel U.K. #130-131)
Hardhead made his first appearance in issue 38 of the regular Marvel Transformers series, joining the Earthbound Autobots, appearing less.
He last appeared in issue 75 during the battle with Unicron
. He was apparently killed, along with the Decepticon Bomb-burst, when he was crushed by Unicron while trying to activate a missile battery.
Decepticons successfully stole the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber and opened the ancient device, a group of Autobots and humans included Hardhead were blasted across the galaxy by the energy release, crash-landing on the planet Nebulos. Quickly siding with a group of rebels engaged in a war against the planet's evil rulers, the Hive, they deduced a process by which they could combine the best of their minds and bodies together, becoming Headmasters. Hardhead was paired with Duros, a Nebulon rebel who likes combat as much as he does.
Whereas "The Rebirth" served as an ending for the cartoon series in the west, in Japan, it was decided to continue producing new episodes. To that end, "The Rebirth" was discarded, and in its stead, a new 35-episode series titled Transformers: Headmasters was created, along with a new Japanese concept for Headmasters which differed distinctly from their Western counterparts. There would be no Nebulons or humans here - instead, the heads were small Cybertronians, and the bodies were lifeless constructs called "Transtectors" to which these small robots connected themselves, and which they controlled. Although the Japanese toyline, like the West, gave the Headmaster components different names to the larger Transtectors the animated series used only one name for both the head and the Transtector.
Four million years ago, Fortress was the leader of one of the many groups of Autobots who fled Cybertron to escape the wars. Things took a turn for the worse, however, when their spaceship crashed on the planet Master, the harsh environments of which killed many members of the crew. In order to survive the dangers inherent to life on Master, the Autobots created the lifeless bodies known as Transtectors, and underwent rigorous training to master the transformation technique and merge with them. Their training also allowed them to developed considerable mental powers such as telepathy
and telekinesis.
However, a member of the group known as Zarak
chafed under Fortress's leadership, and he and three of the Headmasters loyal to him turned on him, only to be defeated and forced off of Master. Zarak subsequently teamed up with Decepticon leader Galvatron
, and when they attacked Cybertron in the year 2011, Fortress and his men - Chromedome, Brainstorm, Hardhead and Highbrow
- returned to their home planet aboard Fortress's battleship, Maximus, and joined the war once more.
story Decepticons at the Pole by John Grant
.
Hardhead appeared in the 1988 Ladybird Books
story Autobots Strike Oil by John Grant
.
Hardhead would make his first IDW Publishing
appearance in The Transformers: Escalation
as part of the reinforcements summoned to counter Megatron's ore-13 enhanced Decepticons. He and Hot Rod insisted on heading down to Earth to assist Prime's unit against the Decepticons as soon as possible - just in time to save Prowl
from Astrotrain
. When it appeared as if Megatron had killed Optimus Prime, Hardhead angrily blasted the Decepticon leader - only for his blasts to do nothing. On Prime's orders, he and the other Autobots focused fire on Megatron long enough for Prime to recover and drive off the Decepticon leader, although they were prevented from dealing a killing blow by the appearance of Skywarp
and Thundercracker
.
. Hardhead is among the Autobots who try and fail to stop Scorponok
and his allies from escaping.
in the Beast Wars Neo line.
Hardhead is depicted as a dumb but tough warrior who must constantly be ordered around to keep him in line. He is portrayed with low intelligence. Hardhead has a tough time even staying on task long enough to finish a sentence. He can be easily fooled and needs to be constantly reminded of exactly what he’s supposed to be doing.
, Max-B, Antagony
, Thrustor and Hardhead defend their master on Cybertron until he is shunted into limbo by the Maximal Snarl. The heralds then retreat once there was no vessel for Unicron.
Hardhead has a biography printed in the Beast Wars Sourcebook by IDW Publishing
.
Transformers universes
is an entertainment franchise. It began with the Hasbro Transformers toy line, centered on two factions of warring alien robots which are called the Autobots and the Decepticons...
. The first is a stubborn Autobot
Autobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...
tank, the second a simple minded 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:...
dinosaur.
Transformers: Generation 1
Hardhead is an Autobot introduced in the 1987 Headmasters sub-line of Generation 1. He has the Headmaster partner Duros and he turns into a Cybertronian tank. He is strong and courageous but is extremely stubborn and is far from the smartest Autobot.In Japan the head robot was named Ros.
Marvel Comics
Hardhead joined Fortress MaximusFortress 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...
's expedition in search of a peaceful world upon which to live. Hardhead was among the Autobots who joined Fortress Maximus in leaving Cybertron for the planet Nebulos. Hardhead was among the Autobots who gave up their heads to the Nebulans in hopes of showing their peaceful intentions (Transformers: Headmasters #1). However, when the Decepticons followed them, Hardhead became a Headmaster in order to stop them.
While the U.S. Headmasters miniseries would not feature Hardhead in anything other than minor roles, the U.K. series would feature him more. One of his most prominent actions in this period was when he and the other Headmasters were captured by the Decepticons in order to refine their own Headmaster process. Taking Highbrow
Highbrow (Transformers)
-Transformers: Generation 1:Highbrow is an Autobot Headmaster who turns into a helicopter. His partner is the Nebulan Gort. Highbrow considers himself above warfare and prefers to talk out differences, and is a bit of a snob...
, the Autobots managed to free the other captured Targetmaster
Targetmaster
Targetmaster is a subline of the Transformers toyline that include Nebulan sidekicks who can transform into the Transformers' weapons.-1987 Targetmasters:...
s, with Hardhead assisting in routing the Decepticons and freeing Highbrow. (Marvel U.K. #130-131)
Hardhead made his first appearance in issue 38 of the regular Marvel Transformers series, joining the Earthbound Autobots, appearing less.
He last appeared in issue 75 during the battle with Unicron
Unicron
Unicron is a fictional character from the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie as the film's main antagonist. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also...
. He was apparently killed, along with the Decepticon Bomb-burst, when he was crushed by Unicron while trying to activate a missile battery.
Animated series
Hardhead first appeared in the episode "Rebirth Part 1".Decepticons successfully stole the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber and opened the ancient device, a group of Autobots and humans included Hardhead were blasted across the galaxy by the energy release, crash-landing on the planet Nebulos. Quickly siding with a group of rebels engaged in a war against the planet's evil rulers, the Hive, they deduced a process by which they could combine the best of their minds and bodies together, becoming Headmasters. Hardhead was paired with Duros, a Nebulon rebel who likes combat as much as he does.
Whereas "The Rebirth" served as an ending for the cartoon series in the west, in Japan, it was decided to continue producing new episodes. To that end, "The Rebirth" was discarded, and in its stead, a new 35-episode series titled Transformers: Headmasters was created, along with a new Japanese concept for Headmasters which differed distinctly from their Western counterparts. There would be no Nebulons or humans here - instead, the heads were small Cybertronians, and the bodies were lifeless constructs called "Transtectors" to which these small robots connected themselves, and which they controlled. Although the Japanese toyline, like the West, gave the Headmaster components different names to the larger Transtectors the animated series used only one name for both the head and the Transtector.
Four million years ago, Fortress was the leader of one of the many groups of Autobots who fled Cybertron to escape the wars. Things took a turn for the worse, however, when their spaceship crashed on the planet Master, the harsh environments of which killed many members of the crew. In order to survive the dangers inherent to life on Master, the Autobots created the lifeless bodies known as Transtectors, and underwent rigorous training to master the transformation technique and merge with them. Their training also allowed them to developed considerable mental powers such as telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
and telekinesis.
However, a member of the group known as Zarak
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:...
chafed under Fortress's leadership, and he and three of the Headmasters loyal to him turned on him, only to be defeated and forced off of Master. Zarak subsequently teamed up with Decepticon leader Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
, and when they attacked Cybertron in the year 2011, Fortress and his men - Chromedome, Brainstorm, Hardhead and Highbrow
Highbrow (Transformers)
-Transformers: Generation 1:Highbrow is an Autobot Headmaster who turns into a helicopter. His partner is the Nebulan Gort. Highbrow considers himself above warfare and prefers to talk out differences, and is a bit of a snob...
- returned to their home planet aboard Fortress's battleship, Maximus, and joined the war once more.
Books
Hardhead appeared in the 1988 Ladybird BooksLadybird Books
Ladybird Books is a London-based publishing company, trading as a stand-alone imprint within the Penguin Group of companies. The Ladybird imprint publishes mass-market children's books.-History:...
story Decepticons at the Pole by John Grant
John Grant (children's author)
John Grant is a Scottish author and illustrator, possibly best known as the author of the Littlenose series of children's stories, which he read on the BBC's Jackanory in 55 programmes from 1968 to 1986....
.
Hardhead appeared in the 1988 Ladybird Books
Ladybird Books
Ladybird Books is a London-based publishing company, trading as a stand-alone imprint within the Penguin Group of companies. The Ladybird imprint publishes mass-market children's books.-History:...
story Autobots Strike Oil by John Grant
John Grant (children's author)
John Grant is a Scottish author and illustrator, possibly best known as the author of the Littlenose series of children's stories, which he read on the BBC's Jackanory in 55 programmes from 1968 to 1986....
.
Dreamwave Productions
Although Hardhead didn't appear in the Dreamwave Transformers comics before they closed down, Hardhead and Duros did get a one page biography in their More Than Meets The Eye series.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...
appearance in The Transformers: Escalation
The Transformers: Escalation
The Transformers: Escalation is a six-issue comic book mini-series, published by IDW Publishing, based on the Transformers and following on from The Transformers: Infiltration. The series launched in November 2006 and ended in April 2007....
as part of the reinforcements summoned to counter Megatron's ore-13 enhanced Decepticons. He and Hot Rod insisted on heading down to Earth to assist Prime's unit against the Decepticons as soon as possible - just in time to save Prowl
Prowl (Transformers)
Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
from Astrotrain
Astrotrain
Astrotrain is the name of three fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons who can assume the form of a space shuttle.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. When it appeared as if Megatron had killed Optimus Prime, Hardhead angrily blasted the Decepticon leader - only for his blasts to do nothing. On Prime's orders, he and the other Autobots focused fire on Megatron long enough for Prime to recover and drive off the Decepticon leader, although they were prevented from dealing a killing blow by the appearance of Skywarp
Skywarp
Skywarp is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers toy line. He is usually depicted as a black or purple Decepticon jet with teleportation powers.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Thundercracker
Thundercracker
Thundercracker is the name given to multiple fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Thundercracker is almost always depicted as a blue color Decepticon who turns into a jet fighter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
.
Mosaic
Hardhead appeared in the Transformers: Mosaic story "The Sting of Scorponok" by Josh “Richter” van Reyk.Convention comics
Hardhead appeared in the unlicensed mini-comic released for the 2011 TFcon, called "Changes in War". This story is set on the planet Master before the events of Transformers: The HeadmastersTransformers: The Headmasters
is a Japanese anime television series.-Development:Inititally, Takara, the Japanese producers of the Transformers toyline, imported the American Transformers cartoon series from 1985 to 1986...
. Hardhead is among the Autobots who try and fail to stop 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:...
and his allies from escaping.
Toys
- Generation 1 Headmaster Hardhead with Duros (1987)
- This toy came with his partner Duros, and converts into a Cybertronian tank.
- Universe Generation 1 Series Ultra Hardhead (2009)
- A Walmart exclusive release, this figure is a green redeco of Universe Ultra OnslaughtOnslaught (Transformers)Onslaught is the name of two fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. Both are leaders of the Combaticons who turn into missile launching vehicles.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, which transforms into a 6-wheeled assault truck.
Beast Wars Neo
Hardhead was the name of a Predacon who served under MagmatronMagmatron
Magmatron is a Transformers character who first appeared in the Japanese Beast Wars Neo series, was later released in the American Beast Machines Dinobots toy line, and most recently in official Beast Wars comic continuity.-Beast Wars Neo:...
in the Beast Wars Neo line.
Hardhead is depicted as a dumb but tough warrior who must constantly be ordered around to keep him in line. He is portrayed with low intelligence. Hardhead has a tough time even staying on task long enough to finish a sentence. He can be easily fooled and needs to be constantly reminded of exactly what he’s supposed to be doing.
IDW Publishing
In Beast Wars: The Ascending Shokaract's heralds HellscreamStarscream (Transformers)
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...
, Max-B, Antagony
Antagony
Antagony is an American post-metal and blackened death metal band from Oakland, California formed in 1999. They have released three albums, each on a different record label. Members of Antagony have went on to form bands such as All Shall Perish, Suffokate, Oblige, and Hacksaw to the...
, Thrustor and Hardhead defend their master on Cybertron until he is shunted into limbo by the Maximal Snarl. The heralds then retreat once there was no vessel for Unicron.
Hardhead has 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 Neo Deluxe Hardhead
- His toy was a remold of the toy first used for Beast Wars DinobotDinobotDinobot is a fictional character from the Beast Wars Transformers universe.-Beast Wars:Dinobot originally debuts in the series' premiere as a subordinate of Megatron, leader of the villainous Predacons. However, Dinobot challenges Megatron's leadership, and is shortly expelled from his crew. He...
, and was later recolored as Beast Machines Dinotron. He was sold by himself and packaged with the Maximal Sharpedge.