Motormaster
Encyclopedia
Motormaster is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universe. Motormaster made his first appearance in the Marvel Transformers comic before appearing in the animated series. Other than in Transformers: War for Cybertron
, Motormaster is the leader of the Stunticons, an all-car group created by Megatron to counter the dominance of the Autobot
's on the road. Due to difficulties Hasbro
had in trademarking the name Motormaster since his original incarnation, toys originally intend to be Motormaster have been released as Menasor
instead, despite looking like Motormaster.
; however, unlike the Autobot leader, whose body is formed solely by the tractor unit, Motormaster's robot mode comes from the entire tractor-trailer, with the tractor unit forming his feet. Motormaster is able to reach a top speed of 140 mph in vehicle mode, while in robot mode he is armed with a cyclone gun that can produce winds of up to 400 mph. Motormaster commands his troops with fear rather than respect. Motormaster, along with the rest of the Stunticons, combine into a gestalt
called Menasor
, of which Motormaster forms the main component.
Transformers comic Motormaster was born when Megatron was able to tap into the Creation Matrix to give life to the Stunticons in issue #22. Motormaster last appeared in the first Transformers series in issue #41, called "Totaled!" Motormaster's biography was printed in issue #2 of the Transformers: Universe title by Marvel. In Dreamwave Productions Generation 1 continuity, Motormaster and the other Stunticons were not portrayed as recently created characters, but as Decepticons from Cybertron. Initially just five individuals, they were chosen to become part of a new group termed the Stunticons - an experiment to improve on the combination process which had created Devastator
. Their combined form was called Menasor
. In the War Within story, Motormaster was a member of Starscream's Predacon team. Motormaster would also appear along with the rest of the Stunticons in the second Generation 1 mini-series.
to receive personalities of their own.
Motormaster's last appearance in the U.S. cartoon was as part of Menasor in the third season episode "The Return of Optimus Prime Part 2." His last individual appearance in the cartoon was in episode 26 of the Japanese Headmasters series. Despite this he continued to be shown in later Japanese series as part of Menasor, for example in Transformers: Zone
.
's The Transformers: Megatron Origin
. Motormaster is later blown apart by Sentinel Prime
during the revolution in Kaon.
The robots who became the Stunticons existed long before the Decepticons arrived on Earth. Motormaster in particular was a right-hand bot of Starscream
's Predacon faction. Some time between the first and second War Within volumes, the team formed. At least Motormaster and Dead End later joined Starscream's Predacon faction. In volume 3, Motormaster was responsible for the shooting and near destruction of Grimlock
(while attempting to assassinate Ultra Magnus
) before being blasted himself. The series was discontinued before it was completed. The Stunticons then appeared in the second Generation 1 mini-series where Menasor was revived by Rumble
and Frenzy
. The Stunticons had been placed in stasis due to their dangerous unpredictability, especially merged as Menasor. When freed, they merged and went on a rampage killing the Omnibots
, Roadbuster, Whirl, and damaging the Protectobots
(combined as Defensor
) before battling and being defeated by Ultra Magnus who used the fact the five Stunticons that make up Menasor were constantly at war with each other while merged. Ultra Magnus won the battle without transforming from truck mode once. With the closure of Dreamwave, the fate of the Stunticons is unknown.
, but unlike previous incarnations, he is not a Stunticon, as they do not exist in this continuity. Despite another Stunticon, would appear in the game, Breakdown
.
version of the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron
(Decepticon version). Once defeated in the sewer levels of the game he becomes a playable character. His transformation is a Cybertronian truck, and is voiced by Fred Tatasciore
.
, Motormaster is a Decepticon and part of the Stunticons sub-group. He transforms into a fire truck.
and other Decepticons out of Trypticon Prison
. In the guise of entertainers, they planned to rig the former Decepticon Gladiatorial Arena in Kaon
with explosives, blasting the prison walls open and killing the audience in the process. All was going well until the Stunticons were abruptly assaulted in mid-rehearsal by Cheetor
, who opened fire on the disguised Decepticons. Once the Autobot cop settled down, the rehearsal continued. The Motor Master helped to corner the "helpless" Drag Strip, before being chased off by the bumbling Toxitron. On the night of the plan's execution, Sideswipe and Cheetor returned in the middle of the show, having worked out the Stunticons' plan. The Stunticons fought back with their stolen modifications, with Wildrider and The Motor Master roughing up Sideswipe. The two cop-bots were cornered, but Toxitron leapt into the fray, knocking out the structural supports for a giant ramp and sending it crashing down on the Stunticons. Toxitron turned out to actually be a disguised Optimus Prime
, who revealed their plan to everyone watching. Before being apprehended, The Motor Master made one final attempt, taking Sideswipe hostage, threatening to scrap him and blow up the arena unless Megatron and the other prisoners were released. The Motor Master was caught off guard when Sideswipe activated Optimus Prime's axe and careened backwards. The Motor Master was incarcerated in Trypticon Prison, alongside the very Decepticons he and his teammates had sought to free.
Transformers: War for Cybertron
Transformers: War for Cybertron is a third-person shooter video game developed by High Moon Studios and published by Activision. It was released in North America on June 22, 2010 and in PAL regions on June 25, 2010 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Two portable versions were released for the...
, Motormaster is the leader of the Stunticons, an all-car group created by Megatron to counter the dominance of the 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...
's on the road. Due to difficulties Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro 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...
had in trademarking the name Motormaster since his original incarnation, toys originally intend to be Motormaster have been released as Menasor
Menasor
Menasor is the name to several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. The original version was the combined version of the Stunticons. Since then, other characters have taken the name Menasor.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
instead, despite looking like Motormaster.
Transformers: Generation 1
Motormaster is depicted as a semi-trailer, similar in appearance in vehicle mode to Optimus PrimeOptimus 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...
; however, unlike the Autobot leader, whose body is formed solely by the tractor unit, Motormaster's robot mode comes from the entire tractor-trailer, with the tractor unit forming his feet. Motormaster is able to reach a top speed of 140 mph in vehicle mode, while in robot mode he is armed with a cyclone gun that can produce winds of up to 400 mph. Motormaster commands his troops with fear rather than respect. Motormaster, along with the rest of the Stunticons, combine into a gestalt
Gestalt
Die Gestalt is a German word for form or shape. It is used in English to refer to a concept of 'wholeness'. Gestalt may also refer to:* Gestalt psychology , a theory of mind and brain, describing the Gestalt effect....
called Menasor
Menasor
Menasor is the name to several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. The original version was the combined version of the Stunticons. Since then, other characters have taken the name Menasor.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, of which Motormaster forms the main component.
Marvel Comics
In the original Marvel ComicsMarvel 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...
Transformers comic Motormaster was born when Megatron was able to tap into the Creation Matrix to give life to the Stunticons in issue #22. Motormaster last appeared in the first Transformers series in issue #41, called "Totaled!" Motormaster's biography was printed in issue #2 of the Transformers: Universe title by Marvel. In Dreamwave Productions Generation 1 continuity, Motormaster and the other Stunticons were not portrayed as recently created characters, but as Decepticons from Cybertron. Initially just five individuals, they were chosen to become part of a new group termed the Stunticons - an experiment to improve on the combination process which had created Devastator
Devastator (Transformers)
Devastator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. For legal-political reasons, Hasbro now adds a modifier to the character's name on newer toy packages, such as Constructicon Devastator....
. Their combined form was called Menasor
Menasor
Menasor is the name to several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. The original version was the combined version of the Stunticons. Since then, other characters have taken the name Menasor.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. In the War Within story, Motormaster was a member of Starscream's Predacon team. Motormaster would also appear along with the rest of the Stunticons in the second Generation 1 mini-series.
Animated series
Motormaster first appeared in animated form with the other Stunticons in the episode "The Key To Vector Sigma Part 1". He was created after Megatron ordered the theft of five road vehicles, so that he could create a group of Decepticon warriors who could effectively combat the Autobots on the road. After being extensively modified by Megatron to become almost impervious to collision damage, Motormaster and the other Stunticons were taken to Vector SigmaVector 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...
to receive personalities of their own.
Motormaster's last appearance in the U.S. cartoon was as part of Menasor in the third season episode "The Return of Optimus Prime Part 2." His last individual appearance in the cartoon was in episode 26 of the Japanese Headmasters series. Despite this he continued to be shown in later Japanese series as part of Menasor, for example in Transformers: Zone
Transformers: 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...
.
IDW Publishing
In IDW Publishing's adaptation of Generation 1, as with Dreamwave's, Motormaster first appeared as a pre-existing character rather than a recent creation. Motormaster first appeared amongst Megatron's gathering of gladiators that would eventually become the Decepticons 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 The Transformers: Megatron Origin
The Transformers: Megatron Origin
The Transformers: Megatron Origin is a comic book limited series by IDW Publishing exploring the origin of Megatron in its rebooted G1 universe...
. Motormaster is later blown apart by Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. First mention of Sentinel Prime was in issue #65 of the US Marvel Comics Transformers series, where he was mentioned to hold the Autobot Matrix of Leadership before Optimus Prime. Sentinel Prime has since...
during the revolution in Kaon.
Devil's Due Publishing
Motormaster in Devil's Due comics appeared in G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers, where he and the rest of the Stunticons where accidentally sent back to 1930's Chicago. Motormaster also appeared in G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War, where he was one of the Decepticon troops of Serpent O.R. As part of Fun Publications, although not appearing in the fiction, Motormaster is mentioned in the Fun Publications biography for the Timelines character Breakdown. This biography states that the other Stunticons were left in stasis lock after a pitched battle with Defensor.Dreamwave Productions
Starscream (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...
's Predacon faction. Some time between the first and second War Within volumes, the team formed. At least Motormaster and Dead End later joined Starscream's Predacon faction. In volume 3, Motormaster was responsible for the shooting and near destruction of 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...
(while attempting to assassinate 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...
) before being blasted himself. The series was discontinued before it was completed. The Stunticons then appeared in the second Generation 1 mini-series where Menasor was revived by Rumble
Rumble (Transformers)
Rumble is a fictional character in the Transformers universes. In order to trademark the name, Hasbro referred to the Alternators character as Decepticon Rumble.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Frenzy
Frenzy (Transformers)
Frenzy is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. Wired Magazine once nominated him as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. The Stunticons had been placed in stasis due to their dangerous unpredictability, especially merged as Menasor. When freed, they merged and went on a rampage killing the Omnibots
Omnibots
The Omnibots were three Transformers Generation 1 toys available only in the US as exclusive mail order items. They could be obtained by collecting "Robot Points" from other Transformers toy boxes and sending them to the manufacturer, along with $5 for shipping. During 1985 the number of orders for...
, Roadbuster, Whirl, and damaging the Protectobots
Protectobots
The Protectobots are a fictional emergency, search and rescue team of five Autobots in the Transformers toyline. They transform into civilian service and emergency vehicles and combine to form the combiner Defensor...
(combined as Defensor
Defensor
Defensor, the Latin word from which Defender and its equivalents in various languages stem, may refer to:-Title or function:*Defensor civitatis, a function in the Roman and Byzantine Empire, with later imitations*defensor matrimonii, in canon law....
) before battling and being defeated by Ultra Magnus who used the fact the five Stunticons that make up Menasor were constantly at war with each other while merged. Ultra Magnus won the battle without transforming from truck mode once. With the closure of Dreamwave, the fate of the Stunticons is unknown.
Toys
| Toyline | Name | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation 1 | Motormaster | 1986 | Released in Wave 2 of the original Transformers toyline. Motormaster changes from a semi-cab truck and trailer to a robot, as well as a base that can connect to Trypticon Trypticon Trypticon is a fictional character in the Transformers toyline.-Transformers: Generation 1:Trypticon is the Decepticons' principal command base. He has three modes: a city, a mobile battle station, and a Tyrannosaurus rex. In each mode, he has a variety of weapons... in base mode. He can combine with his fellow Stunticons to form Menasor, and included the accessories for Menasor, such as his feet, fists, waist piece, chest piece and face. He also came with a sword and a gun which are also Menasor's weapons. |
| Generation 2 | Motormaster | Unreleased | During the final wave of the Generation 2 toyline, Hasbro had intended to release a Generation 2 redeco of the original Stunticons. Instead due to the attention directed towards the upcoming Beast Wars 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... toyline, the toys were never released; however, a few packaged examples do exist. In April 2008, rare prototypes of this toy were sold on eBay and garnered bidding of over US$2,000. |
| Universe | Spy Changer Motormaster | Unreleased | First announced in Previews magazine for January 2003, they were a set of 5 Stunticon Spy Changers - Breakdown, Drag Strip, Motormaster, Dead End, and Wildracer. |
Transformers: Prime
Motormaster is a DecepticonDecepticon
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...
, but unlike previous incarnations, he is not a Stunticon, as they do not exist in this continuity. Despite another Stunticon, would appear in the game, Breakdown
Breakdown
Breakdown may refer to:*Breakdown , failure of a motor vehicle in such a way that it cannot be operated*Chemical decomposition, also called chemical breakdown, the breakdown of a substance into simpler components...
.
Video games
Motormaster is the name of a playable character exclusive to the Nintendo DSNintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
version of the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron
Transformers: War for Cybertron
Transformers: War for Cybertron is a third-person shooter video game developed by High Moon Studios and published by Activision. It was released in North America on June 22, 2010 and in PAL regions on June 25, 2010 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Two portable versions were released for the...
(Decepticon version). Once defeated in the sewer levels of the game he becomes a playable character. His transformation is a Cybertronian truck, and is voiced by Fred Tatasciore
Fred Tatasciore
Frederick "Fred" Tatasciore is an American voice actor who portrays secondary characters as well as monstrous-looking types...
.
Transformers: Timelines
Appearing in Fun Publications Transformers: Timelines comic produced for the Transformers convention 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...
, Motormaster is a Decepticon and part of the Stunticons sub-group. He transforms into a fire truck.
Fun Publications
In "The Stunt-Con Job", Motormaster was sent, along with the other Stunticons and Toxitron, on a mission to break MegatronMegatron
Megatron is a character from the Transformers franchise, created by toy companies Hasbro and Takara. He is the primary antagonist and leader of the "evil" faction in most of the various Transformers universes.-Design:...
and other Decepticons out of Trypticon Prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
. In the guise of entertainers, they planned to rig the former Decepticon Gladiatorial Arena in Kaon
Kaon
In particle physics, a kaon is any one of a group of four mesons distinguished by the fact that they carry a quantum number called strangeness...
with explosives, blasting the prison walls open and killing the audience in the process. All was going well until the Stunticons were abruptly assaulted in mid-rehearsal by Cheetor
Cheetor
Cheetor is several fictional characters from various Transformers universes.- Beast Wars :Cheetor's original tech spec indicated he was a seasoned and confident warrior always in search of battle with the Predacons, seemingly in contrast to his youthful and impulsive portrayal in the original show...
, who opened fire on the disguised Decepticons. Once the Autobot cop settled down, the rehearsal continued. The Motor Master helped to corner the "helpless" Drag Strip, before being chased off by the bumbling Toxitron. On the night of the plan's execution, Sideswipe and Cheetor returned in the middle of the show, having worked out the Stunticons' plan. The Stunticons fought back with their stolen modifications, with Wildrider and The Motor Master roughing up Sideswipe. The two cop-bots were cornered, but Toxitron leapt into the fray, knocking out the structural supports for a giant ramp and sending it crashing down on the Stunticons. Toxitron turned out to actually be a disguised 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...
, who revealed their plan to everyone watching. Before being apprehended, The Motor Master made one final attempt, taking Sideswipe hostage, threatening to scrap him and blow up the arena unless Megatron and the other prisoners were released. The Motor Master was caught off guard when Sideswipe activated Optimus Prime's axe and careened backwards. The Motor Master was incarcerated in Trypticon Prison, alongside the very Decepticons he and his teammates had sought to free.
Toys
| Toyline | Name | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animated | Motormaster | 2011 | A black and purple recolour of the Animated Voyager Optimus Prime toy with a new head sculpt is being released along with the rest of the Stunticons as a BotCon BotCon 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... exclusive. According to the designers the head of this toy was designed to look like Hulk Hogan, and have the personality of Randy "Macho Man" Savage. |