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Skids (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Skids is the name used for four characters in the Transformers Universes
. Due to trademark reasons, the name was modified to "Skid-Z" for it to be used on new characters and an "Autobot
" prefix was added when the original Skids toy was reissued and when he became an Alternator
.
toy line named Diaclone
. The toy originally included a scooter
which could fit inside his vehicle mode but this was omitted when the toy was released as a Transformer.
Skids was characterized as the perfect absent-minded warrior. Highly intelligent and always collecting data, Skids is nonetheless always daydreaming. He is a scientist first and foremost, and has made many valuable discoveries. Skids genuinely hates the war he finds himself caught up in, but for now is forced to continue in the Autobot army.
Skids was voted the 10th top Transformer who was bad ass in the comics by Topless Robots.
through an asteroid belt
. In 1985, the Autobots were suffering heavy casualties and the five Autobots were activated in "Rock and Roll Out" (U.S. #14). Skids and the others (except Grapple) were shown around Earth by Bumblebee
, where Skids encountered music for the first time and proved unable to interact easily with humans. Despite orders not to engage with the enemy, they went on to battle Decepticons at a rock concert.
During a raid on the Decepticons' Wyoming base, Skids was damaged in the withdrawal and was rendered M.I.A. Unknown to the other Autobots, he was found and salvaged by a Western-enthusiast named Charlene, and spent the next few days living a peaceful life in her small hometown. He revealed he never really wanted to be a soldier in the first place, and he decided to stay with her and avoid the war. However, Skids was forced into battle when Donny Finkleberg arrived, fleeing the Decepticons and being pursued by Ravage
. In order to protect both Donny and Charlene, Skids had to engage Ravage in combat and was able to trap him in a well (where he remained for the next few years). Realizing he could not walk away from the Great War, Skids returned to the Ark with Finkleberg in tow.
Skids was partnered with Donny in U.S. #22 in a mission to locate seven Autobots (recent arrivals from Cybertron) captured by I.I.I.'s new Rapid Anti-robot Assault Teams, engaging in battle with the Stunticons as they went. However, he was betrayed and given over to R.A.A.T. for money. The guilt of what he'd done weighed heavily on Donny and when the Battlechargers proved too much for R.A.A.T. to handle, he helped convince Circuit Breaker
to release Skids and the other Autobots from custody so they could battle the Decepticons in U.S. #23's "Decepticon Graffiti".
Skids led the seven Autobots to the Ark, but partway into the journey he was interrupted mid-conversation and disappearing into Limbo with a scream, a bright light and an explosion in UK #101. This effect was caused by the future Decepticon Galvatron
time-jumping again, which sends a present day being into limbo to make room for the time-traveler. Skids was trapped in limbo for the better part of two years. (He appeared in non-speaking group shots in three U.S. issues; the UK reprints carefully erased or altered his appearance each time.)
Limbo was inhabited by strange psychic parasites who trapped visitors in fantasy worlds where dreams became reality; Skids was exposed to them for two years and when Galvatron finally left, Skids emerged on Earth to find the monsters from his nightmares had manifested and were following him. They tricked him into believing their death would also cause him to die and vice versa to stop him destroying them, but the truth came out and he was assisted by the surviving members of the Wreckers
& Mayhem Attack Squad. The battle over, Skids joined them in forming the Survivors.
The Survivors went rogue and saved human lives in random situations. When a Mayhem hit squad came after Carnivac and killed Catilla
, the other Survivors turned to the Autobot Earthforce for help and subsequently joined them.
Issue #279 of the Marvel U.K. Transformers comic featured a story called "Divide and Conquer!" where Soundwave led the bulk of the Decepticon forces on Earth against the Autobot Earthforce headquarters while Starscream attacked an oil tanker. Sent into battle by Prowl, the Dinobots routed the main Decepticon forces while Springer led the Autobot Survivors Inferno, Skids, and Carnivac to defeat Starscream.
, and is voiced by Michael Chain (where he only said one line). In his second episode, "Triple Takeover", it was Dan Gilvezan who provided Skids' voice.
He is one of the Autobots who is never seen again after the movie.
. They attempted to investigate a new Decepticon base — only to discover it was Trypticon
. In the ensuing battle, Skids was crushed though he was later repaired.
Wreckers comic, where Rodimus Prime consulted Quickmix, Skids, Perceptor and Rad on his plans to send out ships to gather information on threats from space after the defeat of Unicron
.
as part of a group led by Prowl
working with former G.I. Joe
leader Hawk
to stop the spread of Cybertronian technology on Earth. Skids acted as the group coordinator. He was shown to be knocked out when the Decepticon Monster Pretenders
attacked, although he was later repaired.
series Car Robots
and he is the Hasbro
version of that character.
he scanned the alternate mode of a race car driven by the deceased racer Augie Cannay. After that, he felt a compelling need to participate in any race he could, no matter what it was. Sky-Byte actually attempted to recruit the ultra-competitive Autobot into the Predacons, but Skid-Z refused. The other Autobots tried to help him, believing he was possessed by the psychic energy of Augie. Believing they could find and help Skid-Z, Optimus Prime, the Autobot Brothers, Spy Changers
and Team Bullet Train entered the international Grand Prix
. The race was also entered by Sky-Byte undercover as a red sports car, who saw it as a chance to destroy the Autobots. Eventually Megatron attacked the Autobots during the race, with Skid-Z having to choose between saving his fellow Autobots or winning the race. He was able to overcome his racing urges and save the day. After this, he won the race, coming in first — but mistook Koji's watch alarm as a starting signal, racing off again. He was not seen again until after Galvatron's defeat in the final episode.
, a repaint of the Street Speed Team toy named Spiral
. Skid-Z was one of two partners to the Decepticon named Predacon.
More Than Meets the Eye series.
His bio indicated that Skid-Z was a follower of the charismatic cult leader Predacon. Always a misfit, Skid-Z felt as if he finally belonged with Predacon's group. Unfortunately, while he believed wholeheartedly in Predacon's philosophy, he was incompatible for the organics grafting process Predacon used on his followers to make them technorganic. Although the charismatic leader professed to be fine with this, Skid-Z felt as if he had let down his partner. He has a distinct rivalry with Predacon's other Mini-Con partner Side Burn
, whose organic grafting took perfectly. Of course, Skid-Z does not know his rival is a spy for the Autobots.
toy/character named Clocker, He is a native of the planet Speedia and transforms into a futuristic racing car; he is a protégé of Autolander. His voice actor is Nanae Kato. This Skids is exempt from having a modified name or a prefix as the licensing law that Hasbro has to abide to do not apply to toys released in Japan.
Mudflap. Mudflap is very hyperactive, while Skids believes himself to be the smarter of the two and tries to come across as mature, but nevertheless appears unable to keep quiet.
Skids is 11 foot 4 inches tall and weighs 1.2 metric tons. He has an oversized right arm, as opposed to his twin brother, Mudflap, whose left is oversized. Skids has two buck teeth; one golden, the other normal. According to the biography and statistics published on the Hasbro web site, Skids is 8 feet tall and he has a nearly psychic link with his brother allowing them to make coordinated attacks. It also states that Skids and Mudflap used to serve as messengers before becoming warriors.
is taken by Thundercracker
and given to the Decepticon medic Flatline, who experiments on her. Upon waking up she discoveres Skids and Mudflap
are also captives of the Decepticons.
Skids first appeared in Transformers: Alliance #4 as one of the Autobots who responded to Optimus Prime's call to Earth. He joined with Optimus' team as part of NEST.
Skids appears in Transformers: Nefarious #1, set months after the events of the 2009 film. Alice steals an RV in Seattle and is chased by Skids and Mudflap, who keep her occupied until Sideswipe arrives and defeats her. She is taken to NEST
headquarters on Diego Garcia
to be examined by Ratchet. Sideswipe is disgusted by her decision to disguise herself as a human.
In California, the Autobots set a trap for Starscream's minions Divebomb, Fearswoop
and Skystalker
by having Theodore Galloway pose as an arms dealer attempting to purchase Cybertronian technology. The trap is uncovered and the Autobots send in Arcee, Chromia, Elita One, Ironhide, Mudflap and Skids. Divebomb and Skystalker are killed while Fearswoop is captured by the Autobots and taken back to the NEST base on Diego Garcia
.
Skids appears in the Transformers: Dark of the Moon graphic novel by IDW Publishing, as well as the junior novel. In it, after Ironhide gets shot, Sentinel Prime
shoots at Bumblebee
, but Skids jumps in front of him and takes the blow himself and dies. In the novel, after he gets shot, he gets back up, tells Mudflap that he was the smartest of the two, and then the lower half of his body disentigrates, and he dies. Mudflap would try to avenge his fallen brother, but would die by Sentinel's hands moments later.
, China. When he and Mudflap return to the NEST base on Diego Garcia, they scan two Chevrolet concept cars for their new modes. Skids takes the green one after knocking Mudflap off it; Mudflap ends up taking the form of the red-orange
one
. They then approach and accompany Bumblebee who rescues Sam Witwicky from Megatron and Starscream. Mudflap and Skids then accompany Wheelie, Sam Witwicky and friends and in their search for the ancient Seeker Jetfire and is teleported with them to Egypt. Finding themselves at a dead end, Skids's brawl with Mudflap unintentionally causes them to find the Tomb of the Primes before Bumblebee tosses them out. The twins then accompany Simmons and Leo into devising a plan to destroy the Sun Harvester. They encounter Devastator, in which Mudflap is sucked in by Devastator's vortex grinder with Skids devastated. When Mudflap breaks out of Devastator, he and Mudflap wail on the giant, before getting knocked off. The two are briefly seen taking cover under Devastator and are not seen afterwards.
Skids and Mudflap were originally set to appear in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, but were cut from the final film due to many fans considering them to be racist and due to time restraints. Despite this, he and Mudflap do appear in vehicle form at the end of two Autobot convoys at the beginning of the film. They have been upgraded into Chevrolet Sparks
.
as the pair were received by some as emboding racist stereotypes. The characters speak in street-slang dialogue, confess to not doing much reading, and have been perceived by some critics to have been designed with the body proportions of monkeys. Skids also sports a gold tooth. Manohla Dargis of the New York Times said that "the characters [...] indicate that minstrelsy remains as much in fashion in Hollywood as when, well, Jar Jar Binks
was set loose by George Lucas
." Critic Scott Mendelson of The Huffington Post
, who perceived the characters to resemble monkeys, said, "To say that these two are the most astonishingly racist caricatures that I've ever seen in a mainstream motion picture would be an understatement." Harry Knowles
, founder of Ain't It Cool News
, asked his readers not to support the film, telling them, "you'll be taking [your children] to see a film with the lowest forms of humor, stereotypes and racism around." Director Michael Bay
has defended the characters, explaining that the characters' mannerisms were chosen by the actors who voiced them, and that they did so in fun.
.
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...
. Due to trademark reasons, the name was modified to "Skid-Z" for it to be used on new characters and 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...
" prefix was added when the original Skids toy was reissued and when he became an Alternator
Transformers: Alternators
is a toyline of the Transformers series produced by Hasbro in North America, Europe and Takara in Japan, the primary selling point of which is the use of 1:24 scale, accurate real-world vehicle modes officially licensed from car manufacturers...
.
Transformers: Generation 1
As with many early Transformers toys, Skids' toy was previously released in a TakaraTakara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
toy line named Diaclone
Diaclone
Diaclone was a toyline by Takara Toys launched in 1980. It consisted of transforming vehicles and robots piloted by miniature, magnet-shoed figures spun off from the prior Microman toy line that were in turn called an Inch-Man....
. The toy originally included a scooter
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
which could fit inside his vehicle mode but this was omitted when the toy was released as a Transformer.
Skids was characterized as the perfect absent-minded warrior. Highly intelligent and always collecting data, Skids is nonetheless always daydreaming. He is a scientist first and foremost, and has made many valuable discoveries. Skids genuinely hates the war he finds himself caught up in, but for now is forced to continue in the Autobot army.
Skids was voted the 10th top Transformer who was bad ass in the comics by Topless Robots.
Marvel Comics
Four million years ago, Skids was one of five Autobots who agreed to have their sparks transferred to crystal storage in case the Autobots needed extra troops during the mission of clearing a path for CybertronCybertron
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...
through an asteroid belt
Asteroid belt
The asteroid belt is the region of the Solar System located roughly between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. It is occupied by numerous irregularly shaped bodies called asteroids or minor planets...
. In 1985, the Autobots were suffering heavy casualties and the five Autobots were activated in "Rock and Roll Out" (U.S. #14). Skids and the others (except Grapple) were shown around Earth by Bumblebee
Bumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
, where Skids encountered music for the first time and proved unable to interact easily with humans. Despite orders not to engage with the enemy, they went on to battle Decepticons at a rock concert.
During a raid on the Decepticons' Wyoming base, Skids was damaged in the withdrawal and was rendered M.I.A. Unknown to the other Autobots, he was found and salvaged by a Western-enthusiast named Charlene, and spent the next few days living a peaceful life in her small hometown. He revealed he never really wanted to be a soldier in the first place, and he decided to stay with her and avoid the war. However, Skids was forced into battle when Donny Finkleberg arrived, fleeing the Decepticons and being pursued by Ravage
Ravage (Transformers)
Ravage is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Due to the inability to trademark the common word "ravage", he is sometimes called Battle Ravage, Command Ravage or Tripredacus Agent...
. In order to protect both Donny and Charlene, Skids had to engage Ravage in combat and was able to trap him in a well (where he remained for the next few years). Realizing he could not walk away from the Great War, Skids returned to the Ark with Finkleberg in tow.
Skids was partnered with Donny in U.S. #22 in a mission to locate seven Autobots (recent arrivals from Cybertron) captured by I.I.I.'s new Rapid Anti-robot Assault Teams, engaging in battle with the Stunticons as they went. However, he was betrayed and given over to R.A.A.T. for money. The guilt of what he'd done weighed heavily on Donny and when the Battlechargers proved too much for R.A.A.T. to handle, he helped convince Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker (Transformers)
Circuit Breaker is a fictional comic book character in the 1980s Marvel Comics Transformers series.-Fictional character biography:After being severely injured in a raid for Earth oil by the Decepticon Shockwave, computer genius Josie Beller was left paralyzed in both legs and one arm...
to release Skids and the other Autobots from custody so they could battle the Decepticons in U.S. #23's "Decepticon Graffiti".
Skids led the seven Autobots to the Ark, but partway into the journey he was interrupted mid-conversation and disappearing into Limbo with a scream, a bright light and an explosion in UK #101. This effect was caused by the future Decepticon 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...
time-jumping again, which sends a present day being into limbo to make room for the time-traveler. Skids was trapped in limbo for the better part of two years. (He appeared in non-speaking group shots in three U.S. issues; the UK reprints carefully erased or altered his appearance each time.)
Limbo was inhabited by strange psychic parasites who trapped visitors in fantasy worlds where dreams became reality; Skids was exposed to them for two years and when Galvatron finally left, Skids emerged on Earth to find the monsters from his nightmares had manifested and were following him. They tricked him into believing their death would also cause him to die and vice versa to stop him destroying them, but the truth came out and he was assisted by the surviving members of 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...
& Mayhem Attack Squad. The battle over, Skids joined them in forming the Survivors.
The Survivors went rogue and saved human lives in random situations. When a Mayhem hit squad came after Carnivac and killed Catilla
Catilla
Catilla is a genus of fungus in the family Cyphellaceae....
, the other Survivors turned to the Autobot Earthforce for help and subsequently joined them.
Issue #279 of the Marvel U.K. Transformers comic featured a story called "Divide and Conquer!" where Soundwave led the bulk of the Decepticon forces on Earth against the Autobot Earthforce headquarters while Starscream attacked an oil tanker. Sent into battle by Prowl, the Dinobots routed the main Decepticon forces while Springer led the Autobot Survivors Inferno, Skids, and Carnivac to defeat Starscream.
Animated series
Although Skids did appear in season two of the original Transformers cartoon, he only made brief cameo appearances in two episodes. In the episode "Quest for Survival", Skids is shown being repaired by HoistHoist (Transformers)
-Transformers: Generation 1:In the original Transformers toy line, Hoist is an Autobot who functions as a repairman for the team, keeping them to a tight maintenance schedule. Hoist is confident and sometimes rash, brave, tough and loyal. He transforms into a green tow truck...
, and is voiced by Michael Chain (where he only said one line). In his second episode, "Triple Takeover", it was Dan Gilvezan who provided Skids' voice.
He is one of the Autobots who is never seen again after the movie.
Books
Skids was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Dinobots Strike Back by Casey Todd.Dreamwave Productions
Skids was part of Prowl's team of Autobots during Transformers: The War Within - The Dark AgesTransformers: 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...
. They attempted to investigate a new Decepticon base — only to discover it was 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 the ensuing battle, Skids was crushed though he was later repaired.
3H Enterprises
Skids appeared in a flashback scene in issue #2 of the Transformers: UniverseTransformers: Universe
Transformers: Universe is a line of toys that consists of re-painted and re-released toys from various Transformers lines of toys. For the comic book series see Transformers Universe .- Toy line :...
Wreckers comic, where Rodimus Prime consulted Quickmix, Skids, Perceptor and Rad on his plans to send out ships to gather information on threats from space after the defeat of 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...
.
Devil's Due Publishing
Skids appeared in the fourth G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers crossover from Devil's Due PublishingDevil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing is an independent comic book publishers in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, DDP is best known for its wide selection of genres, including licensed and original creator-owned properties that populate its monthly comic book series and graphic novels.Though...
as part of a group led by 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...
working with former G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
leader Hawk
Hawk (G.I. Joe)
Hawk is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys. He appears in the animated series, comic books, toyline, and movie.-Profile:...
to stop the spread of Cybertronian technology on Earth. Skids acted as the group coordinator. He was shown to be knocked out when the Decepticon Monster Pretenders
Monster Pretenders
The Monster Pretenders are a group of fictional Decepticons in the Transformers franchise. The team is the last of the traditional combiners from the Generation 1 series and is one of the few non-Micromaster combiner teams to have six members .-Transformers: Generation...
attacked, although he was later repaired.
Toys
- Generation 1 Autobot Car Skids (1985)
- Based on the Diaclone toy. Later remolded into Crosscut.
- Smallest Transformers Skids (unreleased)
- Originally planned for released in wave 2 of the Smallest Transformers line, but was canceled along with Tracks and the add-on parts for Megatron.
- Alternators Autobot Skids (2005)
- Skids reappeared in the Transformers: AlternatorsTransformers: Alternatorsis a toyline of the Transformers series produced by Hasbro in North America, Europe and Takara in Japan, the primary selling point of which is the use of 1:24 scale, accurate real-world vehicle modes officially licensed from car manufacturers...
toy line, now turning into a Scion xBScion xBThe Scion xB is a vehicle made by Toyota for the United States market and sold under their youth-oriented Scion brand. It is a box-shaped, 5-door compact hatchback.-First generation :...
car with large ScionScion (car)Scion is a brand of vehicles produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market. Founded in 2002, Scion's long-term goal is to appeal to Generation Y consumers. The first Scion models, the xA hatchback and xB wagon, went on sale in California in 2003, followed by a sports coupe, the...
flame logos tampographed on his bodywork. His motto is "Speed is immaterial when you've got intelligence. And killer rims." For copyright reasons he was renamed Autobot Skids. His function was still a Theoretician. - In Binaltech, he appeared as the Japanese Toyota bBToyota bB-First Generation :It is based on the Toyota Vitz.While the box-shaped car was initially targeted towards Japanese men in their twenties, it is also popular with women buyers.-Open deck :...
version of the car, in a lighter shade of blue and with some differences to his robot-mode detailing. He did not have the Alternator version's flame tampographs or window tinting, but instead came with a sticker sheet which included a stripe detail reminiscent of his original G1 appearance, and a flame detail of a different design to that used on the Alternator. Binaltech Skids was released at the same time as the silver BroadblastBlaster (Transformers)Blaster is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara Tomy and Hasbro. Due to trademark reasons, he is sometimes called Autobot Blaster...
repaint. - In the Binaltech storyline, Skids is entrusted with the critical task of executing "Operation: Distant Thunder", a desperate attempt by the Autobots to undo the temporal damage caused by RavageRavage (Transformers)Ravage is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Due to the inability to trademark the common word "ravage", he is sometimes called Battle Ravage, Command Ravage or Tripredacus Agent...
. Using warp gates on Dinobot Island, the intent of the operation is to send a copy of WheeljackWheeljackWheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the Autobots in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara and Hasbro. His...
's memory banks back to the Autobots at a point before the timeline was changed, with the hope of avoiding both Ravage's time corruption, in which all the Autobots were likely be annihilated, and the original animated movieThe Transformers: The MovieThe Transformers: The Movie is a 1986 animated feature film based on the animated series of the same name. It was released in North America on August 8, 1986 and in the UK on December 5, 1986....
's events in which Wheeljack, IronhideIronhideIronhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Prowl and many other Autobots died aboard the shuttle to Autobot City. Just as Skids initiates Distant Thunder, a squad of Decepticons attacks. .. (the storyline is continued on the limited-edition Binaltech Black Convoy's box). - This toy was designed by TakaraTakaraTakara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
toy designer Hisashi Yuki.
- Transformers 3D Battle-Card Game Skids (2007)
- Produced by Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, wave 2 of their Transformers 3D Battle-Card Game included a Skids card, who was a redeco of IronhideIronhideIronhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
from wave 1. Oddly he's colored more like Generation 1 Kup.
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
The first of the modified spelling of the name, Skid-Z is a repaint of a toy named "Indy Heat" from the TakaraTakara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
series Car Robots
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
Transformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
and he is the 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...
version of that character.
Animated series
Skid-Z first arrived on Earth in the episode "Skid-Z's Choice". Arriving from CybertronCybertron
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...
he scanned the alternate mode of a race car driven by the deceased racer Augie Cannay. After that, he felt a compelling need to participate in any race he could, no matter what it was. Sky-Byte actually attempted to recruit the ultra-competitive Autobot into the Predacons, but Skid-Z refused. The other Autobots tried to help him, believing he was possessed by the psychic energy of Augie. Believing they could find and help Skid-Z, Optimus Prime, the Autobot Brothers, Spy Changers
Spy Changers
Spy Changers are a sub-line of toys/characters which first appeared in the 2000-2001 Transformers Robots in Disguise toy line. All 6 molds were originally produced as the Transformers: Generation 2 line's Go-Bots in 1995...
and Team Bullet Train entered the international Grand Prix
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
. The race was also entered by Sky-Byte undercover as a red sports car, who saw it as a chance to destroy the Autobots. Eventually Megatron attacked the Autobots during the race, with Skid-Z having to choose between saving his fellow Autobots or winning the race. He was able to overcome his racing urges and save the day. After this, he won the race, coming in first — but mistook Koji's watch alarm as a starting signal, racing off again. He was not seen again until after Galvatron's defeat in the final episode.
Toys
- Car Robots Indy Heat (2000)
- The Japanese version of this toy sports a more anime-accurate deco than the U.S. version.
- Robots in Disguise Skid-Z (2001)
- A maroon/white redeco of Machine WarsMachine WarsMachine Wars was a short-lived toy series in the Transformers toyline, introduced in 1997. The series was initially exclusive to KB Toys and its subsidiaries, although overstock/unsold surplus eventually appeared at other retailers....
MirageMirage (Transformers)Mirage is any of several distinct fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Mirage is one of the single most re-used names in the Transformers series, and is almost entirely synonymous with characters possessing Formula One racing car alternate modes.-Transformers Generation 1:Some...
, which was created and intended to be used earlier in Transformers: Generation 2Transformers: Generation 2Transformers: Generation 2 is the name used to refer to a Transformers toy line, television series and comic book series which ran from 1993-1995...
. Skid-Z was a Deluxe-sized "flip-changer" — pulling on his rear spoiler transformed the vehicle automatically into robot mode. He came packaged with a Decepticon flip-changer jet Windsheer (a black redeco of Machine Wars Megatron), but was the only one of the two to appear in the TV series, albeit sparingly.
Transformers: Armada
The second and most recent use of the modified name "Skid-Z" was for a 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...
, a repaint of the Street Speed Team toy named Spiral
Spiral
In mathematics, a spiral is a curve which emanates from a central point, getting progressively farther away as it revolves around the point.-Spiral or helix:...
. Skid-Z was one of two partners to the Decepticon named Predacon.
Dreamwave Productions
The Mini-Con Skid-Z did not appear in any Transformers fiction, save his bio in Dreamwave ProductionsDreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
More Than Meets the Eye series.
His bio indicated that Skid-Z was a follower of the charismatic cult leader Predacon. Always a misfit, Skid-Z felt as if he finally belonged with Predacon's group. Unfortunately, while he believed wholeheartedly in Predacon's philosophy, he was incompatible for the organics grafting process Predacon used on his followers to make them technorganic. Although the charismatic leader professed to be fine with this, Skid-Z felt as if he had let down his partner. He has a distinct rivalry with Predacon's other Mini-Con partner Side Burn
Side Burn
Side Burn is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. The first Side Burn was one of the main character in the animated series Transformers: Robots in Disguise, voiced by Wally Wingert. He turns into a Dodge Viper. He was based on the Japanese anime character...
, whose organic grafting took perfectly. Of course, Skid-Z does not know his rival is a spy for the Autobots.
Toys
- Armada Predacon with Side Burn and Skid-Z (2003)
- Skid-Z is a redeco of Armada SpiralSpiralIn mathematics, a spiral is a curve which emanates from a central point, getting progressively farther away as it revolves around the point.-Spiral or helix:...
.
Transformers: Cybertron
Skids is the Japanese name for the Transformers: CybertronTransformers: 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...
toy/character named Clocker, He is a native of the planet Speedia and transforms into a futuristic racing car; he is a protégé of Autolander. His voice actor is Nanae Kato. This Skids is exempt from having a modified name or a prefix as the licensing law that Hasbro has to abide to do not apply to toys released in Japan.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Skids appears in the 2009 installment to the live-action Transformers series. He was discovered by the public when one of the Autobots, a Chevrolet BEAT, had a license plate that reads "SKIDZ". Skids is the brother to the AutobotAutobot
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...
Mudflap. Mudflap is very hyperactive, while Skids believes himself to be the smarter of the two and tries to come across as mature, but nevertheless appears unable to keep quiet.
Skids is 11 foot 4 inches tall and weighs 1.2 metric tons. He has an oversized right arm, as opposed to his twin brother, Mudflap, whose left is oversized. Skids has two buck teeth; one golden, the other normal. According to the biography and statistics published on the Hasbro web site, Skids is 8 feet tall and he has a nearly psychic link with his brother allowing them to make coordinated attacks. It also states that Skids and Mudflap used to serve as messengers before becoming warriors.
IDW Publishing
In Tales of the Fallen #6 ArceeArcee
Arcee is the name of a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. She is a female Autobot, usually pink in color. Being the most famous of the Female Transformers, she has two primary forms...
is taken by 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:...
and given to the Decepticon medic Flatline, who experiments on her. Upon waking up she discoveres Skids and Mudflap
Mudflap (Transformers)
-Transformers: Cybertron:Mudflap transforms into a construction crane. In the Japanese version of the series; Transformers: Galaxy Force, the character is called Demolishor....
are also captives of the Decepticons.
Skids first appeared in Transformers: Alliance #4 as one of the Autobots who responded to Optimus Prime's call to Earth. He joined with Optimus' team as part of NEST.
Skids appears in Transformers: Nefarious #1, set months after the events of the 2009 film. Alice steals an RV in Seattle and is chased by Skids and Mudflap, who keep her occupied until Sideswipe arrives and defeats her. She is taken to NEST
NEST
NEST is an abbreviation for one of the following:*The Nuclear Emergency Support Team, a team "prepared to respond immediately to any type of radiological accident or incident anywhere in the world"....
headquarters on Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia is a tropical, footprint-shaped coral atoll located south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean at 7 degrees, 26 minutes south latitude. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT] and is positioned at 72°23' east longitude....
to be examined by Ratchet. Sideswipe is disgusted by her decision to disguise herself as a human.
In California, the Autobots set a trap for Starscream's minions Divebomb, Fearswoop
Fearswoop
Fearswoop is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Fearswoop is cunning and completely evil.-Toys:* Generation 1 Trakkon Fearswoop...
and Skystalker
Skystalker
Skystalker is the name of several fictional characters in various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Skystalker is the highest ranking Micromaster Decepticon. He is obsessed with power and leading the Decepticons.-Animated series:...
by having Theodore Galloway pose as an arms dealer attempting to purchase Cybertronian technology. The trap is uncovered and the Autobots send in Arcee, Chromia, Elita One, Ironhide, Mudflap and Skids. Divebomb and Skystalker are killed while Fearswoop is captured by the Autobots and taken back to the NEST base on Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia is a tropical, footprint-shaped coral atoll located south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean at 7 degrees, 26 minutes south latitude. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT] and is positioned at 72°23' east longitude....
.
Skids appears in the Transformers: Dark of the Moon graphic novel by IDW Publishing, as well as the junior novel. In it, after Ironhide gets shot, 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...
shoots at Bumblebee
Bumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
, but Skids jumps in front of him and takes the blow himself and dies. In the novel, after he gets shot, he gets back up, tells Mudflap that he was the smartest of the two, and then the lower half of his body disentigrates, and he dies. Mudflap would try to avenge his fallen brother, but would die by Sentinel's hands moments later.
Movie plot
Skids, who originally transforms into half of an ice cream truck, fails to capture Sideways in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China. When he and Mudflap return to the NEST base on Diego Garcia, they scan two Chevrolet concept cars for their new modes. Skids takes the green one after knocking Mudflap off it; Mudflap ends up taking the form of the red-orange
one
Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax is one of three small car concepts introduced on 4 April 2007 at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. The Trax showcases a new style of small car from General Motors with a two-tone exterior. The mini car was completely designed by GM Daewoo in South Korea...
. They then approach and accompany Bumblebee who rescues Sam Witwicky from Megatron and Starscream. Mudflap and Skids then accompany Wheelie, Sam Witwicky and friends and in their search for the ancient Seeker Jetfire and is teleported with them to Egypt. Finding themselves at a dead end, Skids's brawl with Mudflap unintentionally causes them to find the Tomb of the Primes before Bumblebee tosses them out. The twins then accompany Simmons and Leo into devising a plan to destroy the Sun Harvester. They encounter Devastator, in which Mudflap is sucked in by Devastator's vortex grinder with Skids devastated. When Mudflap breaks out of Devastator, he and Mudflap wail on the giant, before getting knocked off. The two are briefly seen taking cover under Devastator and are not seen afterwards.
Skids and Mudflap were originally set to appear in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, but were cut from the final film due to many fans considering them to be racist and due to time restraints. Despite this, he and Mudflap do appear in vehicle form at the end of two Autobot convoys at the beginning of the film. They have been upgraded into Chevrolet Sparks
Daewoo Matiz
-M100 :The production of Daewoo Matiz started in 1998 and it was sold in South Korea and many European markets with the code name M100. The exterior design is based on the Lucciola, a Fiat Cinquecento concept by Italdesign Giugiaro which had been rejected by Fiat. The 0.8-litre gasoline engine and...
.
Controversy
There has been a strong negative reaction to Mudflap and Skids in 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...
as the pair were received by some as emboding racist stereotypes. The characters speak in street-slang dialogue, confess to not doing much reading, and have been perceived by some critics to have been designed with the body proportions of monkeys. Skids also sports a gold tooth. Manohla Dargis of the New York Times said that "the characters [...] indicate that minstrelsy remains as much in fashion in Hollywood as when, well, Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks
Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars Saga , and the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His primary role was to provide comic relief, but many reacted negatively to his character...
was set loose by George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
." Critic Scott Mendelson of The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
, who perceived the characters to resemble monkeys, said, "To say that these two are the most astonishingly racist caricatures that I've ever seen in a mainstream motion picture would be an understatement." Harry Knowles
Harry Knowles
Harry Knowles is known for his website called Ain't It Cool News. Knowles is a member of the Austin Film Critics Association.-Biography:...
, founder of Ain't It Cool News
Ain't It Cool News
Ain't It Cool News is a website founded and run by Harry Knowles, dedicated to news, rumors and reviews of upcoming and currently playing films and television projects, with an emphasis on science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic-book and action genres...
, asked his readers not to support the film, telling them, "you'll be taking [your children] to see a film with the lowest forms of humor, stereotypes and racism around." Director Michael Bay
Michael Bay
Michael Benjamin Bay is an American film director and producer. He is known for directing high-budget action films characterized by their fast edits, stylistic visuals and substantial practical special effects...
has defended the characters, explaining that the characters' mannerisms were chosen by the actors who voiced them, and that they did so in fun.
Video games
Skids is among the characters who appear in the TRANSFORMERS CVBERVERSE Battle Builder Game.Toys
All toys of this character are officially licensed from General MotorsGeneral Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
.
- Revenge of the Fallen Legends Autobot Skids (2009)
- A Legends sized figure.
- Revenge of the Fallen Gravity Bots Autobot Skids (2009)
- A toy car that instantly transforms to robot mode when tilted upright.
- Revenge of the Fallen Fast Action Battlers Missile Blast Autobot Skids (2009)
- A Deluxe-sized figure with simple transformation for younger children.
- Revenge of the Fallen Fast Action Battlers Offroad Skids and Rally Mudflap (2009)
- A green/white redeco of the Fast Action Battlers figure bundled with Mudflap.
- Revenge of the Fallen Robot Replicas Autobot Skids (2009)
- A poseable, non-transforming action figure of Skids.
- Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Autobot Skids (2009)
- Transforms from Chevrolet Beat to robot.
- This toy was designed by TakaraTakaraTakara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
toy designer Hisashi Yuki.
- Robot Powered Machines Mudflap vs. Autobot Skids (2009)
- Packaged together with his twin Mudflap.
- Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Autobot Skids and Mudflap (2009)
- This package comes with Skids and Mudflap in the ice cream vanIce cream vanAn ice cream van or ice cream truck is a commercial vehicle which serves as a travelling retail outlet for ice cream, usually during the summer. Ice cream vans are often seen parked at public events, or near parks, beaches, or other areas where people congregate...
combined mode as Skids becomes the front and Mudflap the back. The first release was packaged in van mode, while later releases had both figures packaged in robot modes.
- Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance Autobot Skids with Arcee and Mikaela Banes (2009)
- A new Voyager-sized figure with opening doors and detailed interior. Comes with Mikaela Banes figure and transformable Arcee figure.
- Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Autobot Skids and Mudflap (Desert Version) (2009)
- A LawsonLawson (store)Lawson, Inc. is a convenience store franchise chain in Japan. The store originated in the U.S. State of Ohio, but today exists as a Japanese company and is the second largest convenience store chain in the country....
(Japan) exclusive redeco of Deluxe Skids and Mudflap with sand effects, depicting their appearance during their battle with Devastator in Egypt. Sold with the purchase of the Revenge of the Fallen DVD.
- Revenge of the Fallen Legends Offroad Skids and Rally Mudflap (2010)
- A TargetTarget CorporationTarget Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
exclusive featuring a green/white redeco of the Legends figure with Legends Mudflap.
- Revenge of the Fallen Shanghai Showdown Deluxe Autobot Skids and Mudflap (2010)
- A Toys "R" Us exclusive gift set featuring the Ice Cream Van Twins and Voyager Demolishor. The twins are redecorated with rust effects and additional stickers.
- Transformers Legends Tuner Skids (2010)
- A yellow-green/white redeco of the Legends figure.
- Transformers Deluxe Tuner Skids (2010)
- A metallic green/black redeco of the Deluxe figure. The license plate reads "1H8CONS", while the rear bumper sticker reads "I helped make The Fallen falled!".
- Transformers High-Speed Spy Battle Deluxe Autobot Skids and Mudflap (2010)
- A redeco of ice cream van Mudflap and Skids in gold and pink, bundled with Sideways.
- Autobot Alliance EZ Collection Delivery Skids (2010)
- A Japan exclusive white/pink redeco of the Legends figure.
- Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Legion Autobot Skids (2011)
- A black/green redeco of the Revenge of the Fallen Legends figure.
- Dark of the Moon Deluxe Autobot Skids (2011)
- An all-new Deluxe Class figure of Skids in his new Chevrolet Spark form in black with green stripes. Includes special Mech Tech weapon.
- Dark of the Moon Human Alliance Autobot Skids with Sgt. Epps and Elita-1 (2011)
- A black/green redeco of the Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance figure with a Sgt. Epps figure (which was previously offered with the Human Alliance Sideswipe figure) in blue uniform. Also comes with Elita-1, which is a purple redeco of Arcee.
External links
- Alternators Skids Toy review
- Binaltech Skids Toy review - includes description and photos comparing Binaltech and Alternators versions
- Robots in Disguise Skid-Z Toy Review
- Armada Skids Toy Review
- Galaxy Force Skids Toy Review
- Further Adventures of Skids Fan Site