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Sunstorm (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
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.
opted to include a similar but re-imagined version of the character into their equally re-imagined 21st century version of the Generation One universe. Here, Sunstorm was a clone of Starscream, one of many Transformer clones created by Shockwave
after investigation of the cloning technology of the Quintessons
. At an early stage in the cloning process, Shockwave experimented with installing fusion reactors in his clones, but their bodies burnt out, unable to contain the energies. A solution was reached, however, when Shockwave coated the Starscream clone in the element known as electrum
, allowing it to contain the fusion reactor's energies.
In 2003, Shockwave succeeded in accessing the massive data content of Vector Sigma
, the mega computer at the heart of Cybertron, and although he was stopped by Optimus Prime
and Ultra Magnus
before he could examine the data for himself, he was able to transfer a compressed version of it into his computer network, sending it to a terminal in one of his laboratories, clones were being held in stasis. The Starscream clone was exposed to the data, and the sheer amount of information dumped into its mind drove it insane, forcing it to simplify what it was being told into the most basic format it could comprehend. Calling itself Sunstorm, the clone escaped and, following what it had learned from the data, headed for Earth, intending to open a mysterious Cybertronian seal buried away on the planet, for which he needed Starscream.
Forced into an alliance with the Earth-based Autobots to save his own skin, Starscream reactivated the frozen Jetfire
, who deduced Sunstorm's clone nature and developed a power siphon to drain off his energies. In the ensuing battle to attach the siphon to Sunstorm, Starscream betrayed the Autobots left to guard him and escaped to further his own ends, only to be pursued by the weakened Sunstorm, and for them both to be set upon by Omega Supreme
. In order to escape, Starscream blasted the siphon off of Sunstorm, who overcame Omega and took Starscream to the site of the seal. Professing that only Starscream could open it, which he did, Sunstorm unveiled a mysterious subterranean chamber, overflowing with an energy-rich liquid that could give Starscream similar, but directly-opposite, powers to Sunstorm's. Unwilling to risk his life in the ooze, Starscream turned on Sunstorm, blasted him and sending him tumbling into the liquid, only for him to emerge, moments later, his powers flaring uncontrollably as the opposing natures of the two energies began to tear him apart from within. Descending even further into his madness, Sunstorm was engaged by Jetfire, who dragged him out of Earth's atmosphere, where Sunstorm exploded.
The precise nature of the data Sunstorm received from Vector Sigma, the true purpose of the Cybertronian seal on Earth, and the nature of both his powers and that of the opposing energies remain unrevealed - and due to Dreamwave's closure, it seems unlikely that any answers will be forthcoming, but given the events of the Beast Wars and Beast Machine series, it is likely to be the same as the organic core of Cybertron.
in order to secure two groups of dimensionally displaced Autobots from the RiD
universe. However, the three groups of Autobots, together with a time-lost Autobot shuttle from the Great War, were able to defeat the Decepticons.
The first was a recolor of the Micro sized Starscream, painted as a homage to Generation 1 Sunstorm.
He has not appeared in any official fiction yet, and his character is a bit of a mystery. It is unknown if he is a new character or a new version of one of the existing Sunstorms.
attacked Cybertron in the midst of the Mini-Con civil war, Sunstorm was amongst those killed by the Chaos-Bringer.
According to his box biography he can absorb energy and then emit it in blinding flashes of light. He is also the fastest of the Starscream clones.
and was quickly overpowered by the giant Autobot.
He is shown to be alive when he shows up again in as Sentinel Prime
's "prisoner", though he was actually captured by Lockdown
but sold to Sentinel.
Though thrown in a cell in the middle of Blitzwing
and Swindle
, Sunstorm is freed by the latter during the ship's return to Cybertron. After helping in taking the ship, Sunstorm receives a helmet from Swindle to so he could tell him and his Liar Clone brother
apart. But once Optimus Prime
arrives, a fight ensued with Sunstorm captured and brought to Cybertron.
Transformers: Generation 1
The profile included with his toy notes that Sunstorm was created with a built-in fusion reactor which perpetually runs at higher-than-normal efficiency, which he can use as a weapon, enabling him to generate intense light and heat or powerful electromagnetic waves. However, he cannot actually shut off these waves, making him something of a pariah, even amongst his fellow Decepticons (who believe he is insane anyway), ensuring he is usually sent into battle solo. Sunstorm himself believes he is a supernatural being, speaking and behaving accordingly, to his comrades bemusement.Animated series
The character who would be Sunstorm appeared in the very first episode of the Transformers animated series, as a gold-and-white Decepticon jet, one of many generic troop characters used for crowd-building scenes (a bright yellow jet subsequently appeared a few episodes later, but has no relation to this one).Dreamwave Productions
Taking advantage of Sunstorm's growing popularity, 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...
opted to include a similar but re-imagined version of the character into their equally re-imagined 21st century version of the Generation One universe. Here, Sunstorm was a clone of Starscream, one of many Transformer clones created by Shockwave
Shockwave (Transformers)
Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...
after investigation of the cloning technology of the Quintessons
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...
. At an early stage in the cloning process, Shockwave experimented with installing fusion reactors in his clones, but their bodies burnt out, unable to contain the energies. A solution was reached, however, when Shockwave coated the Starscream clone in the element known as electrum
Electrum
Electrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals. It has also been produced artificially. The ancient Greeks called it 'gold' or 'white gold', as opposed to 'refined gold'. Its color ranges from pale to bright yellow, depending on the...
, allowing it to contain the fusion reactor's energies.
Vector 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...
, the mega computer at the heart of Cybertron, and although he was stopped by 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...
and 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 he could examine the data for himself, he was able to transfer a compressed version of it into his computer network, sending it to a terminal in one of his laboratories, clones were being held in stasis. The Starscream clone was exposed to the data, and the sheer amount of information dumped into its mind drove it insane, forcing it to simplify what it was being told into the most basic format it could comprehend. Calling itself Sunstorm, the clone escaped and, following what it had learned from the data, headed for Earth, intending to open a mysterious Cybertronian seal buried away on the planet, for which he needed Starscream.
Forced into an alliance with the Earth-based Autobots to save his own skin, Starscream reactivated the frozen 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:...
, who deduced Sunstorm's clone nature and developed a power siphon to drain off his energies. In the ensuing battle to attach the siphon to Sunstorm, Starscream betrayed the Autobots left to guard him and escaped to further his own ends, only to be pursued by the weakened Sunstorm, and for them both to be set upon by Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. He is always an Autobot and is often depicted as a gigantic transformer with vast strength and/or overwhelming firepower.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. In order to escape, Starscream blasted the siphon off of Sunstorm, who overcame Omega and took Starscream to the site of the seal. Professing that only Starscream could open it, which he did, Sunstorm unveiled a mysterious subterranean chamber, overflowing with an energy-rich liquid that could give Starscream similar, but directly-opposite, powers to Sunstorm's. Unwilling to risk his life in the ooze, Starscream turned on Sunstorm, blasted him and sending him tumbling into the liquid, only for him to emerge, moments later, his powers flaring uncontrollably as the opposing natures of the two energies began to tear him apart from within. Descending even further into his madness, Sunstorm was engaged by Jetfire, who dragged him out of Earth's atmosphere, where Sunstorm exploded.
The precise nature of the data Sunstorm received from Vector Sigma, the true purpose of the Cybertronian seal on Earth, and the nature of both his powers and that of the opposing energies remain unrevealed - and due to Dreamwave's closure, it seems unlikely that any answers will be forthcoming, but given the events of the Beast Wars and Beast Machine series, it is likely to be the same as the organic core of Cybertron.
Fun Publications
Sunstorm was among Megatron's troops when Megatron attacked Iacon with his new weapon, Devastator.Toys
- Generation 1 Sunstorm (2003)
- Nearly twenty years later, when 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....
reissued the original 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...
toy in 2003, the popular online retailer, e-HobbyE-hobbye-Hobby is an online Japanese retailer that is perhaps best known for creating and selling exclusive repaints of Transformers by Takara. One of the reasons that these figures are so coveted is because they are often new or rare characters...
, offered one of their customary exclusive repaints of the toy - a repaint based upon this generic character, bearing the name of Sunstorm. However, despite being inspired by the golden jet of the TV show, the design of the actual toy prohibited it from accurately resembling its animated progenitor in terms of color layouts. Additionally, for whatever reason, rather than being golden yellow, the toy was a creamy-orange.
- Heroes of Cybertron Sunstorm (2004)
- Sunstorm struck a chord with fans, and his cult popularity resulted in him eventually reaching the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the form of an exclusive PVCPolyvinyl chloridePolyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC, is a thermoplastic polymer. It is a vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups having one hydrogen replaced by chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is widely used in...
figurine available at BotconBotConBotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
2004.
- Titanium 6 inch War Within Sunstorm (2007)
- At the 2006 BotCon the a 6 inch Titanium series Sunstorm was first displayed, a repaint of Titanium 6 inch Thundercracker in Sunstorm's orange and white colors.
- Smallest Transformers Sunstorm
- Although Sunstorm never made it to release in the Smallest Transformers line, bootleggers got a hold of the Starscream mold and released redeco of it in the colors of Sunstorm. At least three variants of this toy exist, in solid and transparent plastic as well as one in a metalized finish.
Transformers: Universe
Sunstorm is super powerful and has a god complex.3H Enterprises
Sunstorm's only appearance in the Universe storyline was as one of the Decepticons under the command of Reptilion in the Botcon 2004 voice actor play. He battled Silverbolt, Rattrap and WaspinatorWaspinator
Waspinator is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called Wasp. The original Waspinator was voiced by Scott McNeil in the Beast Wars animated series.-Beast Wars:...
in order to secure two groups of dimensionally displaced Autobots from the RiD
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...
universe. However, the three groups of Autobots, together with a time-lost Autobot shuttle from the Great War, were able to defeat the Decepticons.
Toys
- Universe Deluxe Sunstorm with Inferno (2004)
- In 2004, Sunstorm finally reached American toy shelves in a new incarnation - a repaint of the Transformers: ArmadaTransformers: ArmadaTransformers: Armada, known in Japan as , is a Transformers animated series, comic series and toy line which ran from 2002–2003. It was originally scheduled for 2001, however was delayed until early-2002...
ThrustThrust (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...
figure, in Sunstorm's traditional orange, yellow and white. Accompanied by an appropriate redeco of Thrust's Mini-ConMini-ConMini-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...
partner, InfernoInferno (Transformers)Inferno is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. Despite having different alternate modes, the character name has been most associated with the form of a fire engine.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Sunstorm also came packaged with a repainted version of the Street Action Mini-Con Team. - An actual F-35 fighter is 15.47 meters long, while the Sunstorm toy is 16 centimeters long, making it a scale of about 1/97 scale.
Transformers: Cybertron (Legends)
Two different characters name Sunstorm were released in 2006 in the Cybertron toy line. Neither appeared in the television series because the series was made in Japan as Galaxy Force, and the two Sunstorm toys were made in the U.S. by Hasbro after the television series had been made.The first was a recolor of the Micro sized Starscream, painted as a homage to Generation 1 Sunstorm.
He has not appeared in any official fiction yet, and his character is a bit of a mystery. It is unknown if he is a new character or a new version of one of the existing Sunstorms.
Toys
- Cybertron Legends Sunstorm
- A redeco of Cybertron Legends Starscream.
Transformers: Cybertron (Mini-Con)
The second Cybertron Sunstorm seems to be an original character. He is a general serving under the leadership of the Mini-Con Thrust and is suspected of being the real brains behind Thrust's rebellion. He had made contact with a small group of Decepticons and he intends to cause enough chaos among the Mini-Cons that they can be conquered by the Decepticons and join them.Fun Publications
Sunstorm would pay the price for his ways in the accompanying club comic, however. When UnicronUnicron
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...
attacked Cybertron in the midst of the Mini-Con civil war, Sunstorm was amongst those killed by the Chaos-Bringer.
Toys
- Cybertron Mini-Con Sunstorm
- This Mini-Con named Sunstorm is a repaint of Energon WreckageWreckage (Transformers)Wreckage is the name of three fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Armada:Wreckage was the name of a Mini-Con that transformed into a green missile tank...
. He was available in a 2-pack with the Autobot Checkpoint.
Transformers Animated
In Transformers Animated, a clone of Starscream appears in the colors of Generation 1 Sunstorm. His personality emphasizes Starscream's sycophantism, and consistently kisses up to whoever he encounters, be they friend or foe.According to his box biography he can absorb energy and then emit it in blinding flashes of light. He is also the fastest of the Starscream clones.
Animated series
After attacking Megatron's forces for control of the Decepticon Space Bridge Sunstorm defected to Megatron's side when it looked like Starscream had been defeated. He then joined in the counter-attack against Omega SupremeOmega Supreme
Omega Supreme is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. He is always an Autobot and is often depicted as a gigantic transformer with vast strength and/or overwhelming firepower.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and was quickly overpowered by the giant Autobot.
He is shown to be alive when he shows up again in as 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...
's "prisoner", though he was actually captured by Lockdown
Lockdown (Transformers)
Lockdown is the name of multiple fictional characters in the various Transformers universes; all of which are Decepticons who transform into muscle cars.-Transformers Animated:...
but sold to Sentinel.
Though thrown in a cell in the middle of Blitzwing
Blitzwing
Blitzwing is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. He is always depicted as a Decepticon with two alternate forms, that of a jet and that of a tank...
and Swindle
Swindle (Transformers)
Swindle is the name given to several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Swindle originally appeared as a member of a group of five Decepticons known as the Combaticons who were able to combine together to form a larger robot known as Bruticus...
, Sunstorm is freed by the latter during the ship's return to Cybertron. After helping in taking the ship, Sunstorm receives a helmet from Swindle to so he could tell him and his Liar Clone brother
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:...
apart. But once 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...
arrives, a fight ensued with Sunstorm captured and brought to Cybertron.
Toys
- Animated Voyager Sunstorm (2009)
- A Voyager sized recolor of Starscream. It will be released in Australia along with Activators Ratchet. It was released in the U.S. as 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...
store exclusive.
- Animated TA-38 Voyager Decepticon Sunstorm (Takara Tomy) (not yet released)
- The Japan release version by Takara TomyTakara Tomyis a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
sports a metallic orange finish on his front fuselage and wings, as well as purple Decepticon emblems. Set for release in Japan on August 2010.