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Seekers (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Seekers is a term in the Transformers
universe usually used to describe certain Decepticon
warriors with jet transformations. For the character named Seeker see Seeker (Transformers).
run of the Transformers comic book, however, a reference is made in issue #17 to a group of Decepticon jets on Cybertron as "Hunter-Seekers", but it is worth mentioning that these Cybertronian jets bore little resemblance to the pre-Earth alternate forms of the Decepticons jets in the Sunbow television show and that they were never officially referred to by this designation in the original run of the comic or its immediate successor, Generation 2.
The term "Seekers" was not used in any official publications until the first issue of the Dreamwave comic, Transformers: The War Within
.
The term Seeker received official recognition from Hasbro in 2006 when it was mentioned in the tech spec for Transformers: Titanium Thundercracker.
), Jetron (in Japan), and simply as the "Decepticon Planes." They are led by Starscream
. On Cybertron
, the Seekers transformed into an approximately pyramidal shaped aircraft/spacecraft (sometimes referred to as Tetrajets in this form). Judging from both the cartoon and the movie, the Seekers were a large force and were basically the Transformer equivalent of an airforce. However, originally only six were named and brought to Earth; on Earth, they transformed into various jet aircraft, most notably an F-15
. The term 'Seekers' essentially refers to these six members.
, Thundercracker
, Skywarp
, Thrust
, Ramjet
and Dirge
. The latter three were given the name of 'Coneheads' by fans because the character models from Generation 1(G1) had a unique shaped head, so that the jet fighter nose cone pointed straight up instead of back. (In addition, the body of the Coneheads' cartoon models were more accurate when compared to the toy, with shorter, cowled thighs which were less articulate.)
In recent years, a Japanese store named E-hobby released a new Seeker toy called Sunstorm
, in reference to a scene in the 1984 cartoon's pilot which featured an orangish yellow jet. Sunstorm was also featured in the Transformers comic series by Dreamwave Productions.
and the lavender used on Skywarp
) and black, with white and red wing stripes (similar to Starscream and Thundercracker), and a silver chest (also shared by Thundercracker and Skywarp). In the original 3-part pilot, an unknown number of these Decepticons were drawn in order to balance the uneven number of Autobots (18 released as toys, plus at least 1 extra) and Decepticons (10 released as toys, minus Buzzsaw and Frenzy, plus the 3 Reflector
robots) in fight scenes, similar to the large number of G.I. Joe Grunts and unnamed Cobras used in the first 2 G.I. Joe
mini-series. These grunt characters were made into PVC figurines called simply "Decepticons" or "Decepticon Air Warriors". No toy based on the original 1984-85 Decepticon Planes, nor any later Starscream-based transforming toys has been produced to date.
It is commonly believed that these extra jets were destroyed in a mine explosion caused by a bomb placed by Sparkplug and Bumblebee at the end of "More Than Meets The Eye", part 2. However, with the gross color errors in the original series, they may still exist as background Decepticons.
), arrogance (Thundercracker
), sycophancy (Sunstorm) and pathological dishonesty (which unofficially resembles Ramjet
). In addition, a female clone (Slipstream), who wishes not to explain her origin, is among the clone army. While Slipstream remained on Earth, Skywarp and Thundercracker ended up drifting in space. Both Sunstorm and Ramjet were captured and brought to Cybertron.
, Thundercracker
, Ramjet
and Skywarp
. Dreadwing
was apparently not considered good enough to be a part of Starscream's team and this is part of the reason for Dreadwing's betrayal shortly after Starscream's return from Earth.
, the Seekers are an ancient group of Transformers with the ability to leave Cybertron, teleporting to new locations to find stars which could be used to power the Allspark. Among these Seekers is the elderly Jetfire
, a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and originally a Decepticon who, tired of destruction, later chose to side with the Autobots. It is unrevealed what the fate was of the other seekers, however, an unspecified number are confirmed as being still on Earth. Wheelie
recognizes the alternate mode of several and is able to provide the locations of those within the US. Jetfire, in stasis in the Smithsonian Institution
, is the closest and thus the one that is chosen to be investigated. Ransack, an Albatros D.III
biplane is also one of these ancient Seekers. Others include a Ford Model T
, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, and a NYC Hudson
locomotive
. During the course of the movie, Sam's group tracks down Jetfire who has defected from the Decepticons and has become a "mercenary doom-bringer." Jetfire allies himself with Sam and his group and aids them in their search for the Matrix of Leadership. Jetfire later takes part in the final battle, killing Mixmaster and Scorponok before he sacrifices himself to give Optimus his parts and the power he needs to defeat and kill the Fallen. Ransack appears in the movie novelazation where he confronts Jetfire and is killed by Jetfire stepping on and crushing him.
Transformers (toy line)
The is a line of toys produced by the American toy company Hasbro. The Transformers toyline was created from toy molds mostly produced by Japanese company Takara in the toylines Diaclone and Microman. Other toy molds from other companies such as Bandai were used as well...
universe usually used to describe certain 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...
warriors with jet transformations. For the character named Seeker see Seeker (Transformers).
Origin of the term
Exactly how the term came to be so widely accepted is unknown - it was never used in the cartoon or the comics, and yet even when the fandom was young it was the term of choice to describe the Decepticons jets. One piece of evidence for its use during the time of the original series was a JCPenney catalogue, which referred to a jet as a "Seeker". 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...
run of the Transformers comic book, however, a reference is made in issue #17 to a group of Decepticon jets on Cybertron as "Hunter-Seekers", but it is worth mentioning that these Cybertronian jets bore little resemblance to the pre-Earth alternate forms of the Decepticons jets in the Sunbow television show and that they were never officially referred to by this designation in the original run of the comic or its immediate successor, Generation 2.
The term "Seekers" was not used in any official publications until the first issue of the Dreamwave comic, Transformers: The War Within
Transformers: The War Within
This article is about the comic book series. For other uses, see The War Within .Transformers: The War Within is a series of comic book mini-series written by Simon Furman and published by Dreamwave Productions featuring Generation One characters with brand new pre-Earth designs.The series focuses...
.
The term Seeker received official recognition from Hasbro in 2006 when it was mentioned in the tech spec for Transformers: Titanium Thundercracker.
Transformers: Generation 1
They are less commonly referred to as Skyraiders (on Generation 2 European packaging and in U.K. Generation 2 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...
), Jetron (in Japan), and simply as the "Decepticon Planes." They are led by Starscream
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...
. On Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...
, the Seekers transformed into an approximately pyramidal shaped aircraft/spacecraft (sometimes referred to as Tetrajets in this form). Judging from both the cartoon and the movie, the Seekers were a large force and were basically the Transformer equivalent of an airforce. However, originally only six were named and brought to Earth; on Earth, they transformed into various jet aircraft, most notably an F-15
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
. The term 'Seekers' essentially refers to these six members.
Named Seekers
The original Seekers from Generation 1 were StarscreamStarscream (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...
, 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:...
, 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:...
, Thrust
Thrust (Transformers)
Thrust is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. The original character was an evil red Decepticon jet, with most of the following character using the name Thrust being a variation on that concept...
, Ramjet
Ramjet (Transformers)
Ramjet is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All have been Decepticon aligned characters who turn into jets, usually white.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Dirge
Dirge (Transformers)
Dirge is the name of several different fictional characters from the Transformers series. He was first introduced in 1985 as a villain in the Transformers series, appearing in the comic book by Marvel Comics and voiced by Bud Davis in the animated television series. Since then the name Dirge was...
. The latter three were given the name of 'Coneheads' by fans because the character models from Generation 1(G1) had a unique shaped head, so that the jet fighter nose cone pointed straight up instead of back. (In addition, the body of the Coneheads' cartoon models were more accurate when compared to the toy, with shorter, cowled thighs which were less articulate.)
In recent years, a Japanese store named E-hobby released a new Seeker toy called Sunstorm
Sunstorm (Transformers)
Sunstorm is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. Sunstorm is always a Decepticon allied jet who is yellow or orange in color.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, in reference to a scene in the 1984 cartoon's pilot which featured an orangish yellow jet. Sunstorm was also featured in the Transformers comic series by Dreamwave Productions.
Unidentified Terran Seekers
Another source of additional Seekers was the unnamed Decepticons used in the earliest portions of the first season of the cartoon. In order to give them a generic appearance, most were colored a periwinkle-like color (presumably a middle ground between the blue used on ThundercrackerThundercracker
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:...
and the lavender used on 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 black, with white and red wing stripes (similar to Starscream and Thundercracker), and a silver chest (also shared by Thundercracker and Skywarp). In the original 3-part pilot, an unknown number of these Decepticons were drawn in order to balance the uneven number of Autobots (18 released as toys, plus at least 1 extra) and Decepticons (10 released as toys, minus Buzzsaw and Frenzy, plus the 3 Reflector
Reflector (Transformers)
Reflector is the name of three Decepticon characters from the fictional Transformers toy range and associated universe. Their names are Viewfinder, Spectro, and Spyglass. The can combine into one robot on several occasions...
robots) in fight scenes, similar to the large number of G.I. Joe Grunts and unnamed Cobras used in the first 2 G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a military-themed line of action figures and toys in Hasbro's G.I. Joe franchise. The toyline lasted from 1982 to 1994, producing well over 500 figures and 250 vehicles and playsets. The line reappeared in 1997 and has continued in one form or another to the...
mini-series. These grunt characters were made into PVC figurines called simply "Decepticons" or "Decepticon Air Warriors". No toy based on the original 1984-85 Decepticon Planes, nor any later Starscream-based transforming toys has been produced to date.
It is commonly believed that these extra jets were destroyed in a mine explosion caused by a bomb placed by Sparkplug and Bumblebee at the end of "More Than Meets The Eye", part 2. However, with the gross color errors in the original series, they may still exist as background Decepticons.
Rainmakers
Additionally, in the episode "Divide and Conquer", three unique Seekers with bright coloring resided on Cybertron with bodies appearing mostly green, blue and yellow appear in the episode, appropriately called "Rainmakers" by Bluestreak. A toy redeco of Classics Starscream, named Acid Storm,is a camo green with yellow highlights in robot mode. He is said to be part of the Rainmakers, and could be the green one seen in "Divide and Conquer". Sunstorm is not the second of the "Rainmakers" as he is orange and the "rainmaker" is a lemon yellow.Transformers: Cybertron
In Transformers: Cybertron, a large force of Decepticons freed by Starscream were ordered to turn into Seeker Ships to scour the Earth. These ships were oval shaped, and nothing more than an amalgam for genetic robots and had nothing to do with any prior "Seeker" units.Transformers: Animated
In Transformers Animated the Seekers are clones created by Starscream using fragments of his Allspark shard to give them life. Each clone personifies an aspect of his personality: cowardice (SkywarpSkywarp
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:...
), arrogance (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:...
), sycophancy (Sunstorm) and pathological dishonesty (which unofficially resembles Ramjet
Ramjet (Transformers)
Ramjet is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All have been Decepticon aligned characters who turn into jets, usually white.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
). In addition, a female clone (Slipstream), who wishes not to explain her origin, is among the clone army. While Slipstream remained on Earth, Skywarp and Thundercracker ended up drifting in space. Both Sunstorm and Ramjet were captured and brought to Cybertron.
Transformers film series
There are two types of Seekers in the movie continuity; one is closer to the G1 depiction and the other having an origin that ties with the very first Transformers.Reign of Starscream
In Reign of Starscream, Starscream is described as a 'Seeker'. The writers would later clarify that these Seekers refer to an elite unit (akin to commandos or special ops) under the command of Starscream. Like G1; most of them share the same body type. Among them; StarscreamStarscream (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...
, 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:...
, Ramjet
Ramjet
A ramjet, sometimes referred to as a stovepipe jet, or an athodyd, is a form of airbreathing jet engine using the engine's forward motion to compress incoming air, without a rotary compressor. Ramjets cannot produce thrust at zero airspeed and thus cannot move an aircraft from a standstill...
and 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:...
. Dreadwing
Dreadwing
Dreadwing is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:“Dreadwing” is the name of the combined form of the two Decepticon Powermasters, Dreadwind and Darkwing, released separately in 1988.The two Decepticons had very distinct...
was apparently not considered good enough to be a part of Starscream's team and this is part of the reason for Dreadwing's betrayal shortly after Starscream's return from Earth.
Revenge of the Fallen
In Transformers: Revenge of the FallenTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a 2009 American science fiction-action film directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is the sequel to the 2007 film Transformers and the second installment in the live-action Transformers series...
, the Seekers are an ancient group of Transformers with the ability to leave Cybertron, teleporting to new locations to find stars which could be used to power the Allspark. Among these Seekers is the elderly 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:...
, a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and originally a Decepticon who, tired of destruction, later chose to side with the Autobots. It is unrevealed what the fate was of the other seekers, however, an unspecified number are confirmed as being still on Earth. Wheelie
Wheelie (Transformers)
Wheelie is the name of two different fictional characters in the Transformers series.-Generation 1:The first Wheelie is a young Autobot who turns into a car. He has a distinctive style of speech, in which he rhymes his sentences while speaking in a high pitched voice, making him sound like a child....
recognizes the alternate mode of several and is able to provide the locations of those within the US. Jetfire, in stasis in the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, is the closest and thus the one that is chosen to be investigated. Ransack, an Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
biplane is also one of these ancient Seekers. Others include a Ford Model T
Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is an automobile that was produced by Henry Ford's Ford Motor Company from September 1908 to May 1927...
, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, and a NYC Hudson
NYC Hudson
Hudson was the name given to the 4-6-4 steam locomotive wheel arrangement by the New York Central Railroad which was the first to use locomotives of this type in North America.-History:...
locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
. During the course of the movie, Sam's group tracks down Jetfire who has defected from the Decepticons and has become a "mercenary doom-bringer." Jetfire allies himself with Sam and his group and aids them in their search for the Matrix of Leadership. Jetfire later takes part in the final battle, killing Mixmaster and Scorponok before he sacrifices himself to give Optimus his parts and the power he needs to defeat and kill the Fallen. Ransack appears in the movie novelazation where he confronts Jetfire and is killed by Jetfire stepping on and crushing him.