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Topspin (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Topspin is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes
. Due to legal issues, later incarnations of the character are called Autobot Topspin.
For Topspin no mountain high enough, no river wide enough to stop this one robot wrecking crew.
Topspin's bio indicated that he was something of a glory seeker, leading him to pursue individual battles at the expense of the bigger picture.
for many of the Marvel stories, taking part in such missions as Operation: Volcano, a trip to Earth to apprehend the future Decepticon Galvatron
(which was foiled by the presence of Cyclonus
and Scourge
) and stopping the mad scientist Flame's plan to turn Cybertron into a warworld. It was during a later mission to stop Galvatron (at the centre of a rift in time and space) that the Wreckers encountered Galvatron and his ally - a clone of Megatron, who literally blew Topspin's head off.
When Decepticon leader Megatron and Autobot leader Optimus Prime disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions. Topspin joined up with the Wreckers under the leadership of Springer. Springer led the Wreckers to a mission in the Tagan Heights, suspecting that Ratbat
's Ultracons
were attempting to secure the Heights. His team discovered that Devastator
had joined the Ultracons. The Wreckers faced Devastator in combat, but were defeated. The battle was then joined by the Protectobot
s, who formed Defensor (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #2). After Devastator was defeated, the Wreckers retreated.
Eventually Ultra Magnus was able to reunite the Autobot factions, and Topspin rejoined the Autobots.
Topspin in as a character in Dreamwave Productions Micromasters mini-series. In issue #1, "Destined For Nothing", Countdown and Groundshaker return from space to find the Autobot base largely abandoned. The first Autobots they encounter, Topspin and Twin Twist seem surprised to see them, and more surprised that Optimus Prime
isn't with them.
After the Great Shutdown Topspin and Twin Twist served as bodyguards for Shockwave, but were secretly loyal to Ultra Magnus. They later battled a rampaging Menasor
alongside Defensor, the Omnibots
, Roadbuster
and Whirl
. Topspin later joined Grimlock
in battling Shockwave's troops.
's The Transformers: Stormbringer
mini-series. Topspin and the other Wreckers fought on the planet Varas Centralus in the Kol system when Optimus Prime
redeployed the Wreckers for a mission on Cybertron. He fought the cultists under Bludgeon
and later fought Thunderwing
himself (in defiance of Springer
's orders), blasting Thunderwing's leg and narrowly avoiding being crushed. He was later seen inspecting Thunderwing's inert corpse.
Topspin appeared in Spotlight: Doubledealer where he was among the Autobots fighting Thunderwing
on the planet Corata-Vaz.
Topspin later appeared in "The Last Stand of the Wreckers," where it was revealed that he had a "branched spark" with his brother Twin Twist which resulted in "vicarious perception," meaning that when one brother felt pain, the other could feel it, too. When the Wreckers went to try and liberate Garrus-9 from the sadistic rule of the rogue "Phase 6" Decepticon named Overlord, Twin Twist was captured and tortured and Topspin felt it. Topspin was on the side mission to download the information contained in the massive supercomputer/tribunal Aequitas, which required the voluntary donation of one's spark to access. In an effort to spare his brother any further suffering, he sacrificed his spark to Aequitas, saying "If we're gonna die, bro, let's at least do so with some semblance of dignity." This resulted in both brothers dying at the same time, providing the needed Aequitas access and depriving the Decepticon torturer of further sick delight.
Topspin has the unusual ability to manipulate sparks, and can move them from one body to another. He combines with the other 4 Transformers Collectors Club membership combiner exclusives to form Nexus Prime.
He had a biography printed in issue #25 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine.
as a lab technician. He followed Alpha Trion when the old Autobot lead his followers to rescue Breakaway from the Transtech authorities and escaped with them to Alpha Trion's homeworld, Shattered Glass Cybertron.
In Reunification the escapees returned to Alpha Trion's lab, where they were joined by several Autobots and Decepticons from his home world that were loyal to him. Alpha Trion killed the Autobot Downshift, who discovered their lair. Although Alpha Trion claimed that Skyfall was shot in the escape by the Transtechs, Breakaway noticed that the wound was cause by a blade like Alpha Trion's. Alpha Trion then ordered his forces to restrain Breakaway, Landquake and Topspin.
Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala stock cars; Topspin's alternate mode uses the #48 Lowe's
/Kobalt
Chevrolet Impala
of Hendrick Motorsports
(driven by Jimmie Johnson
).
Topspin likes hard jobs that leave him dented. He is very tough, but has below-average intelligence. Unlike his partners, Topspin has no speaking lines in the film. His weapons are two mechanical claws and two guns on his shoulders.
and feature a NASCAR holographic seal, making them official NASCAR merchandise.
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 legal issues, later incarnations of the character are called Autobot Topspin.
Transformers: Generation 1
The portraits of Topspin and Twin Twist on their techspecs were originally reversed, causing some children a bit of confusion. This was eventually fixed.For Topspin no mountain high enough, no river wide enough to stop this one robot wrecking crew.
Topspin's bio indicated that he was something of a glory seeker, leading him to pursue individual battles at the expense of the bigger picture.
Reception
X-Entertainment considered the Jumpstarters the first Transformers that were not cool.http://www.x-entertainment.com/archive/quickies/10/index.shtmlMarvel Comics
While Topspin only appeared as a single page biography in the US Marvel comic series, he appeared in several issues of the Marvel U.K. comics. He was part of the WreckersWreckers (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...
for many of the Marvel stories, taking part in such missions as Operation: Volcano, a trip to Earth to apprehend 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...
(which was foiled by the presence of Cyclonus
Cyclonus
Cyclonus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:The tech spec from the box art of the Cyclonus toy describes him as a compassionless Decepticon air warrior and saboteur...
and Scourge
Scourge (Transformers)
Scourge is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. He first appeared as one of the central villains in the 1986 film The Transformers, voiced by Stan Jones. He also regularly appeared in the animated Transformers series and Transformers comic books. Since then other...
) and stopping the mad scientist Flame's plan to turn Cybertron into a warworld. It was during a later mission to stop Galvatron (at the centre of a rift in time and space) that the Wreckers encountered Galvatron and his ally - a clone of Megatron, who literally blew Topspin's head off.
Books
Topspin was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior books called Dinobots Strike Back by Casey Todd and Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.Dreamwave Productions
Topspin is the brother of Twin Twist. When civil war broke out on the planet Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticons, Topspin joined the Autobot cause.When Decepticon leader Megatron and Autobot leader Optimus Prime disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions. Topspin joined up with the Wreckers under the leadership of Springer. Springer led the Wreckers to a mission in the Tagan Heights, suspecting that Ratbat
Ratbat
Ratbat is the name of several fictional characters who appeared in various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:As is the case with many Transformers characters, the various continuities in which Ratbat has appeared have portrayed him widely differently in terms of size, personality,...
's Ultracons
Ultracons
right|thumb|Ratbat and his Ultracons Ransack and Venom.The Ultracons are a fictional subfaction of Decepticon Transformers commanded by Ratbat in the Dreamwave comics.-History:...
were attempting to secure the Heights. His team discovered that Devastator
Constructicons
right|thumb|Scavenger, Bonecrusher, Longhaul, Scrapper & Mixmaster - five of the original six Constructicons The Constructicons are a group of fictional characters from the various Transformers continuities...
had joined the Ultracons. The Wreckers faced Devastator in combat, but were defeated. The battle was then joined by the Protectobot
Protectobot
The Protectobots are a fictional emergency, search and rescue team of five Autobots in the Transformers toyline. They transform into civilian service and emergency vehicles and combine to form the combiner Defensor...
s, who formed Defensor (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #2). After Devastator was defeated, the Wreckers retreated.
Eventually Ultra Magnus was able to reunite the Autobot factions, and Topspin rejoined the Autobots.
Topspin in as a character in Dreamwave Productions Micromasters mini-series. In issue #1, "Destined For Nothing", Countdown and Groundshaker return from space to find the Autobot base largely abandoned. The first Autobots they encounter, Topspin and Twin Twist seem surprised to see them, and more surprised that 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...
isn't with them.
After the Great Shutdown Topspin and Twin Twist served as bodyguards for Shockwave, but were secretly loyal to Ultra Magnus. They later battled a rampaging Menasor
Menasor
Menasor is the name to several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. The original version was the combined version of the Stunticons. Since then, other characters have taken the name Menasor.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
alongside Defensor, the Omnibots
Omnibots
The Omnibots were three Transformers Generation 1 toys available only in the US as exclusive mail order items. They could be obtained by collecting "Robot Points" from other Transformers toy boxes and sending them to the manufacturer, along with $5 for shipping. During 1985 the number of orders for...
, Roadbuster
Roadbuster
Roadbuster is the name of three fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Roadbuster's bio described him as happiest when he is in battle destroying Decepticons. While he is an inspiring presence and natural leader in battle, he doesn't adapt well to...
and Whirl
Whirl (Transformers)
Whirl is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. All are blue Autobot helicopters.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. Topspin later joined Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
in battling Shockwave's troops.
IDW Publishing
Topspin appeared in issue #2 of IDW PublishingIDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
's The Transformers: Stormbringer
The Transformers: Stormbringer
The Transformers: Stormbringer is a comic book mini-series, published by IDW Publishing.The series debuted in July, 2006 and is set during the same time frame as The Transformers: Infiltration...
mini-series. Topspin and the other Wreckers fought on the planet Varas Centralus in the Kol system when 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...
redeployed the Wreckers for a mission on Cybertron. He fought the cultists under Bludgeon
Bludgeon (Transformers)
Bludgeon is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. For trademark reasons, he is now marketed by Hasbro as Decepticon Bludgeon. They are all Decepticon warriors who turn into tanks.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and later fought Thunderwing
Thunderwing
Thunderwing is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. Introduced in 1989, he was a major villain in the Marvel Comics Transformers series. Although Thunderwing was created after the US Transformers television series ended, the character of Black Shadow did appear in...
himself (in defiance of Springer
Springer (Transformers)
Springer is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. For trademark reasons, many toys of the character are named Autobot Springer.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
's orders), blasting Thunderwing's leg and narrowly avoiding being crushed. He was later seen inspecting Thunderwing's inert corpse.
Topspin appeared in Spotlight: Doubledealer where he was among the Autobots fighting Thunderwing
Thunderwing
Thunderwing is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. Introduced in 1989, he was a major villain in the Marvel Comics Transformers series. Although Thunderwing was created after the US Transformers television series ended, the character of Black Shadow did appear in...
on the planet Corata-Vaz.
Topspin later appeared in "The Last Stand of the Wreckers," where it was revealed that he had a "branched spark" with his brother Twin Twist which resulted in "vicarious perception," meaning that when one brother felt pain, the other could feel it, too. When the Wreckers went to try and liberate Garrus-9 from the sadistic rule of the rogue "Phase 6" Decepticon named Overlord, Twin Twist was captured and tortured and Topspin felt it. Topspin was on the side mission to download the information contained in the massive supercomputer/tribunal Aequitas, which required the voluntary donation of one's spark to access. In an effort to spare his brother any further suffering, he sacrificed his spark to Aequitas, saying "If we're gonna die, bro, let's at least do so with some semblance of dignity." This resulted in both brothers dying at the same time, providing the needed Aequitas access and depriving the Decepticon torturer of further sick delight.
Toys
- Generation 1 Topspin (1985)
- Topspin is a Jumpstarter, an AutobotAutobotAutobot, 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...
from the second year of the Transformers toy line whose gimmick was a pull back motor and the ability to transform himself. He transforms by releasing his spring-loaded legs, which flips him over, landing on his oversized feet. The toy that became Topspin is from the DiacloneDiacloneDiaclone 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....
toy line in Japan made 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....
. Some versions of Topspin sport the letters D.A.R. on the decals, indicating his original name, Diaclone Attack Robo. Topspin was recolored into the Generation 2 Decepticon Robot-Man X, made by Hasbro partner Antex. - The Transformers Jumpstarters toys were the subject of a lawsuit by Hasbro in 1985 where they sued a toy manufacturer for selling toys based on their design. Hasbro won the suit.
Transformers: Timelines
The Transformers Collectors Club 2008 member exclusive figure is named Topspin.Topspin has the unusual ability to manipulate sparks, and can move them from one body to another. He combines with the other 4 Transformers Collectors Club membership combiner exclusives to form Nexus Prime.
He had a biography printed in issue #25 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine.
Fun Publications
Topspin first appeared in the Transformers Collectors Club comic story Transcendent part 3 as a Decepticon who works for Alpha TrionAlpha Trion
Alpha Trion is a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. Alpha Trion is one of the Thirteen Primes, thus all his portrayals are considered to be the same individual. He is generally depicted as an ancient mechanoid with a link to Optimus Prime...
as a lab technician. He followed Alpha Trion when the old Autobot lead his followers to rescue Breakaway from the Transtech authorities and escaped with them to Alpha Trion's homeworld, Shattered Glass Cybertron.
In Reunification the escapees returned to Alpha Trion's lab, where they were joined by several Autobots and Decepticons from his home world that were loyal to him. Alpha Trion killed the Autobot Downshift, who discovered their lair. Although Alpha Trion claimed that Skyfall was shot in the escape by the Transtechs, Breakaway noticed that the wound was cause by a blade like Alpha Trion's. Alpha Trion then ordered his forces to restrain Breakaway, Landquake and Topspin.
Toys
- Timelines Scout Topspin (2008)
- Topspin is a redeco of Energon BlackoutBlackout (Transformers)Blackout is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Blackout was one of a team of two Micromaster Combiners. They came with a Gepard air defense vehicle that could transform to a base...
and Storm Cloud. According to the Transformers Collectors Club this figure was limited to 3000 pieces.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
In Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Topspin is one of the Autobot Wrecker trio. All three Wreckers transform into NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala stock cars; Topspin's alternate mode uses the #48 Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
/Kobalt
Kobalt (tools)
Kobalt is a line of tools operated by the American home improvement chain Lowe's as their house brand.Lowe's and manufacturing partner J.H. Williams launched Kobalt in 1998, with the intention of competing against rival retailers Sears and The Home Depot and their respective Craftsman and Husky...
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
of Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
(driven by Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
).
Topspin likes hard jobs that leave him dented. He is very tough, but has below-average intelligence. Unlike his partners, Topspin has no speaking lines in the film. His weapons are two mechanical claws and two guns on his shoulders.
Movie plot
Topspin, Leadfoot and Roadbuster are a team of Autobot engineers called the Wreckers, who came to Earth in their ship the Xantium which carried other Autobots, including Sideswipe. NASA took possession of their ship and Director Mearing mentioned they were rarely let off base due to their behavior. When Sentinel expelled the Autobots, the Wreckers prepared the Xantium for launch, but Starscream destroyed their ship as it was leaving. In the battle in Chicago, Topspin and the other Wreckers killed the pilot of a Decepticons fighter, and revealed to Sam that they had hid in a booster rocket which detached before Starscream attacked. When Shockwave attacked their convoy and Optimus lost his trailer, they created a diversion so that Optimus could retrieve it. Later they helped Optimus untangle himself and were among the surviving Autobots at the end of the film.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...
and feature a NASCAR holographic seal, making them official NASCAR merchandise.
- Dark of the Moon Robo Power Activators Autobot Topspin (2011)
- A small transforming toy of Topspin aimed at younger children. This toy automatically transforms from race car to robot when placed upright, as a button on the rear end deploys the robot parts when pressed against a flat surface.
- Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Legion Autobot Topspin (2011)
- A new Legion (formerly Legends) mold of Topspin. Due to licensing and size limitations, only the Lowe's logo on the hood, the Sprint Cup Series logo on the sides and the #48 decals on the roof and sides appear on the car mode.
- Dark of the Moon Mech Tech Deluxe Autobot Topspin (2011)
- A new mold of Topspin. His Mech Tech weapon is a blaster with a retractable claw. The head sculpt is designed to resemble a stereotypical RedneckRedneckRedneck is a historically derogatory slang term used in reference to poor, uneducated white farmers, especially from the southern United States...
NASCAR fan, sporting a MulletMullet (haircut)The mullet is a hairstyle that is short at the front and sides, and long in the back. . The mullet began to appear in popular media in the 1960s and 1970s but did not become generally well-known until the early 1980s...
. Unlike the Cyberverse Legion figure, Topspin's car mode is depicted as fully armored, with robot parts and weapons sticking out of the car body.
- Dark of the Moon Mech Tech Deluxe Autobot Armor Topspin (2011)
- A gray/black redeco of the Deluxe figure.