Leobreaker
Encyclopedia
Leobreaker is fictional character in the Transformers Cybertron cartoon series. In Galaxy Force, he is referred to as Liger Jack.
is the character's original identity, and he is later reformatted into Leobreaker (Liger Jack in Japan). In both forms, he is an Autobot
.
In the English version, Overhaul's voice is provided by Paul Dobson, while Beast Wars veteran Blu Mankuma
plays Leobreaker. In Transformers: Galaxy Force, he is played by Hisao Egawa
.
As Overhaul, he transformed into an offroad SUV. As Leobreaker, he transforms into a mechanical lion
(or liger
in Japan). When he was Overhaul, his Cyber Key activated a pile-driving missile, and as Leobreaker, it deployed his forearm claws. Leobreaker also wields his tail as a whip.
Overhaul is often considered to be a Transformer-themed pastiche
of the X-Men character Wolverine
, due to (in both forms) his rough-and-tumble nature, forearm claws, and the structure of his helmet, which slightly resembles Wolverine's mask. Some also believe his Leobreaker form mirrors Wolverine's nemesis, Sabertooth.
Originally, Overhaul's name was intended to be Trailbreaker
, after a character from the original Transformers series. This would have made the transition to "Leobreaker" much smoother. Another name considered for Leobreaker was "Megalion." In concept art seen at Botcon 2006 it was shown that the early head designs for Overhaul resembled Trailbreaker's head in the Generation 1 animated series.
By the beginning of the series, Overhaul had become a member of Optimus's team, along such individuals as Jetfire
and Hot Shot
. For most of the early part of the series, he would remain a background character, itching to prove himself and show his true mettle, like he had back in the day. It wasn't until he was sent to, and subsequently stranded, on Jungle Planet that he became more prominent.
When Overhaul first arrived on the Jungle Planet Backstop is the first to befriend him. Snarl
who meets up with Overhaul in Backstop's lair reveals that Snarl is, in actuality, Backstop's apprentice. Snarl then reveals that Megatron is attempting to trick the Jungle Planet's dictator Scourge
into revealing the location of the cyber planet key. It wasn't until Scourge tried to kill first Snarl and then Overhaul that a new feeling came over him. Overhaul realized that the Jungle Planet was a living being that needed to be in harmony with itself. This realization caused his spark to sync with the Jungle Cyber Planet Key. Reaching out to the bestial piece of Primus' spark, Overhaul summoned the power of the planet and used it to scan a new feral form, upgrading him into Leobreaker.
Later, in another battle, he found that he now had the ability to combine with Optimus into the powerful Savage Claw Mode (Liger Convoy in Galaxy Force).
As the battle on Jungle Planet continued, Leobreaker sought a confrontation with Scourge, and was also manipulated by the shady trickster Sideways. It was only through re-learning how to find strength in his place on a team, and the fact that his companions trusted him, that he was able to rise above Scourge and finally come to terms with himself. Nevertheless, he again faced a period of self doubt, which Megatron would exploit to create Nemesis Breaker, who was a dark clone of Leobreaker.
On Giant Planet, he confronted Scourge along with Snarl, in an attempt to convince the tyrant to rethink his position among the Decepticons and help them save their homeworld. They succeeded, and would later join up with Scourge to evacuate the populace of Jungle Planet to Cybetron, when they were unable to prevent the former from being sucked into the Black Hole (although it was later restored, after the Black Hole was destroyed).
In the final episode of Transformers: Cybertron
a wrestling match is held to decide the new leader of the Jungle Planet. Scourge
defeats Snarl
, then Leobreaker in fair combat and is declared the king of the Jungle Planet by Backstop. Scourge declares he will lead the Jungle Planet into a new era of peace thanks to the example of Optimus Prime and the Autobots. Optimus Prime proposed a new Space Bridge project using the power of the four Cyber Planet Keys and the four great Cybertronian ships. Many Autobots and former Decepticons joined in the project. Leaving Jetfire in charge of Cybertron, Optimus Prime lead the Atlantis with the Earth Cyber Planet Key, joined by Red Alert, Safeguard, Scattorshot, Leobreaker, Menasor and Heavy Load.
In the toy-line, Overhaul has a cousin, a Decepticon
botanist named Brushguard. Brushguard is a recolor of Overhaul, and is a US exclusive character, so he did not appear in the Japanese produced television series.
Transformers: Cybertron
OverhaulOverhaul (Transformers)
- Transformers: Generation 1 :In the Generation 1 Dreamwave Productions War Within series, Overhaul is part of a battle grouping alongside Kup, Grimlock, Ironhide and Wheeljack...
is the character's original identity, and he is later reformatted into Leobreaker (Liger Jack in Japan). In both forms, he is an 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...
.
In the English version, Overhaul's voice is provided by Paul Dobson, while Beast Wars veteran Blu Mankuma
Blu Mankuma
Blu Mankuma is an American actor. He has appeared in numerous Canadian and American productions filmed in Canada.Mankuma was born in Seattle, Washington...
plays Leobreaker. In Transformers: Galaxy Force, he is played by Hisao Egawa
Hisao Egawa
is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo who works for Aoni Production. Egawa is most known for the roles of Shin'ichi Maki in Slam Dunk, Geki Kuroiwa in Brave Command Dagwon, Geki Hyūma and Goldymarg in The King of Braves GaoGaiGar, Killer Bee in Naruto Shippuden, and Falco Lombardi in the Star Fox...
.
As Overhaul, he transformed into an offroad SUV. As Leobreaker, he transforms into a mechanical lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
(or liger
Liger
The liger is a hybrid cross between a male lion and a tigress . Thus, it has parents with the same genus but of different species. It is distinct from the similar hybrid tiglon. It is the largest of all known cats and extant felines.Ligers enjoy swimming, which is a characteristic of tigers, and...
in Japan). When he was Overhaul, his Cyber Key activated a pile-driving missile, and as Leobreaker, it deployed his forearm claws. Leobreaker also wields his tail as a whip.
Overhaul is often considered to be a Transformer-themed pastiche
Pastiche
A pastiche is a literary or other artistic genre or technique that is a "hodge-podge" or imitation. The word is also a linguistic term used to describe an early stage in the development of a pidgin language.-Hodge-podge:...
of the X-Men character Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, due to (in both forms) his rough-and-tumble nature, forearm claws, and the structure of his helmet, which slightly resembles Wolverine's mask. Some also believe his Leobreaker form mirrors Wolverine's nemesis, Sabertooth.
Originally, Overhaul's name was intended to be Trailbreaker
Trailbreaker
Trailbreaker is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers toy line and animated television series. Due to trademark issues, newer toys of the character are named Trailcutter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, after a character from the original Transformers series. This would have made the transition to "Leobreaker" much smoother. Another name considered for Leobreaker was "Megalion." In concept art seen at Botcon 2006 it was shown that the early head designs for Overhaul resembled Trailbreaker's head in the Generation 1 animated series.
Animated series
Prior to the start of the series, Overhaul was a soldier in the Autobot army known for single-handedly winning many battles. However, he was also known for getting too absorbed in his battles, which led to many of his fellow Autobots shunning him. This led to Overhaul working alone on every mission - or so he thought. In reality, his leader, Optimus Prime could always be counted on to back him up.By the beginning of the series, Overhaul had become a member of Optimus's team, along such individuals as Jetfire
Jetfire
Jetfire is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. He is nearly always depicted as an Autobot with jet or space shuttle alternate mode.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Hot Shot
Hot Shot (Transformers)
Hot Shot is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are young Autobot cars.-Transformers: Robots in Disguise:In Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Hot Shot is the leader of the Spy Changer team....
. For most of the early part of the series, he would remain a background character, itching to prove himself and show his true mettle, like he had back in the day. It wasn't until he was sent to, and subsequently stranded, on Jungle Planet that he became more prominent.
When Overhaul first arrived on the Jungle Planet Backstop is the first to befriend him. Snarl
Snarl (Transformers)
Snarl is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Snarl is one of the members of the Autobot sub-group called the Dinobots led by Grimlock...
who meets up with Overhaul in Backstop's lair reveals that Snarl is, in actuality, Backstop's apprentice. Snarl then reveals that Megatron is attempting to trick the Jungle Planet's dictator Scourge
Scourge (Transformers)
Scourge is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. He first appeared as one of the central villains in the 1986 film The Transformers, voiced by Stan Jones. He also regularly appeared in the animated Transformers series and Transformers comic books. Since then other...
into revealing the location of the cyber planet key. It wasn't until Scourge tried to kill first Snarl and then Overhaul that a new feeling came over him. Overhaul realized that the Jungle Planet was a living being that needed to be in harmony with itself. This realization caused his spark to sync with the Jungle Cyber Planet Key. Reaching out to the bestial piece of Primus' spark, Overhaul summoned the power of the planet and used it to scan a new feral form, upgrading him into Leobreaker.
Later, in another battle, he found that he now had the ability to combine with Optimus into the powerful Savage Claw Mode (Liger Convoy in Galaxy Force).
As the battle on Jungle Planet continued, Leobreaker sought a confrontation with Scourge, and was also manipulated by the shady trickster Sideways. It was only through re-learning how to find strength in his place on a team, and the fact that his companions trusted him, that he was able to rise above Scourge and finally come to terms with himself. Nevertheless, he again faced a period of self doubt, which Megatron would exploit to create Nemesis Breaker, who was a dark clone of Leobreaker.
On Giant Planet, he confronted Scourge along with Snarl, in an attempt to convince the tyrant to rethink his position among the Decepticons and help them save their homeworld. They succeeded, and would later join up with Scourge to evacuate the populace of Jungle Planet to Cybetron, when they were unable to prevent the former from being sucked into the Black Hole (although it was later restored, after the Black Hole was destroyed).
In the final episode of Transformers: Cybertron
Transformers: Cybertron
Transformers: Cybertron, known in Japan originally as , is the 2005-2007 Transformers toy line and animated series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara...
a wrestling match is held to decide the new leader of the Jungle Planet. Scourge
Scourge (Transformers)
Scourge is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. He first appeared as one of the central villains in the 1986 film The Transformers, voiced by Stan Jones. He also regularly appeared in the animated Transformers series and Transformers comic books. Since then other...
defeats Snarl
Snarl (Transformers)
Snarl is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Snarl is one of the members of the Autobot sub-group called the Dinobots led by Grimlock...
, then Leobreaker in fair combat and is declared the king of the Jungle Planet by Backstop. Scourge declares he will lead the Jungle Planet into a new era of peace thanks to the example of Optimus Prime and the Autobots. Optimus Prime proposed a new Space Bridge project using the power of the four Cyber Planet Keys and the four great Cybertronian ships. Many Autobots and former Decepticons joined in the project. Leaving Jetfire in charge of Cybertron, Optimus Prime lead the Atlantis with the Earth Cyber Planet Key, joined by Red Alert, Safeguard, Scattorshot, Leobreaker, Menasor and Heavy Load.
In the toy-line, Overhaul has a cousin, a 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...
botanist named Brushguard. Brushguard is a recolor of Overhaul, and is a US exclusive character, so he did not appear in the Japanese produced television series.
Toys
- Cybertron Scout Overhaul
- Like most toys sold in the Galaxy Force toy line by Takara, then later in the Cybertron toy line by Hasbro, there are small paint differences between the two versions of the toy. The Hasbro version has a code number on the back of his Cyber Key, while the Takara version has no number on his Force Chip.
- This toy was later redecoed into Cybertron Brushguard and movie Warpath.
- Cybertron Overhaul is depicted as 14.6 feet (175 inches) tall, while his toy stands 4 inches tall for a scale of 1/44.
- A Chinese made knockoff of this toy was released in 2008. It was slightly similified and recolored to be part of a combiner set called Super Change to United.
- Cybertron Voyager Leobreaker
- The toy of Leobreaker was sold in the larger "Voyager" size and in a smaller "Micro" class. The Voyager sized toy was initially sold by itself, and later sold at Target stores with the Mini-Cons Sky LynxSky LynxSky Lynx is the name of several different characters in the fictional Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Sky Lynx consists of two separate components: a space shuttle that can transform into a bird-like creature , and a ground transport vehicle,...
and Thunderblast attached as a promotion. - Like most toys sold in the Galaxy Force toy line by Takara, then later in the Cybertron toy line by Hasbro, there are small paint differences between the two versions of the toy. The Hasbro version has a code number on the back of his Cyber Key, while the Takara version has no number on his Force Chip.
- Voyager sized Leobreaker was repainted as Nemesis Breaker. It was remolded as Botcon Razorclaw.
- This figure was based on drawings by HasbroHasbroHasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
designer Tim BradleyTim Bradley (toy designer)Tim Bradley is a toy designer for Hasbro. He designed a number of toys in the Transformers toy line.Tim is also the author and illustrator of children's books...
.
- Cybertron Legends Leobreaker
- Although the Micro sized Leobreaker was not meant to combine with the Micro sized Optimus Prime, fan-made alternate modes have made this possible, although it's not a perfect fit.
- Micro sized Leobreaker was repainted as Leo PrimeLeo PrimeLeo Prime is a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. He is often referred to by his Japanese name Lio Convoy because his English name Leo Prime wasn't coined by Hasbro until 2006.-Beast Wars Second:...
. - In 2007 a series of bootleg Transformers toys were released at Dollar Tree stores called Morphobots. Among them was a variety of recolors of Leobreaker.