Trailbreaker
Encyclopedia
Trailbreaker is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers toy line and animated television series. Due to trademark issues, newer toys of the character are named Trailcutter.
, Tuono in Italy
) was portrayed as a light-hearted joker, who often acted a morale booster for his comrades. Deep down, however, he considers himself a liability due to his high fuel consumption. Because of this he has a low sense of self-worth, he often asks to be left out of missions. Despite this, the other Autobots know he is a valuable addition to their ranks.
According to original tech spec notes written by Bob Budiansky
, found at Iacon One in 2006, the original name for Trailbreaker was "Guzzle", a name later used by another Autobot character.
Trailbreaker was one of the original Autobots aboard the Ark. When it crashed, he was re-activated four million years later and his vehicle was converted to that of a Toyota Hilux
. He was a hearty character who would make light of any situation (just as his tech spec portrayed him). His primary feature was his force field
which he often used to defend him and his comrades.
Trailbreaker accompanied his fellow Autobots on their first mission to stop the Decepticons on Earth—a mission that took him to an off-shore oil rig. The Decepticons plundered the rig for energon and destroyed it, leaving it a flaming wreck that endangered its human crew. Trailbreaker used his force field to contain the fire, while Wheeljack
used his built-in fire suppression systems to douse the flames.
Later, Trailbreaker served as a spy despite his stated function as defensive strategist. He, along with the humans Sparkplug and Spike Witwicky
, camped out near the Decepticon headquarters and eavesdropped on their plans to raid the ruby mines of Burma.
As the series progressed and more new characters were introduced, Trailbreaker only appeared when his force field was needed. In "Triple Takeover" a plot by Starscream
, Astrotrain
and Blitzwing
resulted in the flooding of a city. Trailbreaker used his force field to protect himself and a small group of Autobots from a large tidal wave.
His force field later saved all the Autobots from being disintegrated by the Sun in the episode "Megatron's Master Plan Part 2", and it again saved them from a Decepticon ambush in "The Immobilizer". Trailbreaker's last animated appearance was in episode 64, "Masquerade".
Trailbreaker did not appear in The Transformers: The Movie
or the seasons beyond. However, part of the movie's storyboard depicted that he would be seen dead (much like Windcharger
and Wheeljack
) during the Decepticons' attack on Autobot City. This was cut from the finished movie, but it is possible that he was killed offscreen or before the events of the movie
Transformers series in a capacity similar to his appearance in the animated series. However, the rapid introduction of new characters meant that Trailbreaker was phased out quickly. He last appeared in the U.S. comic watching the duel between Grimlock
and Blaster
, although he continued to appear sporadically in the UK comics, including in the movie-related future arc Space Pirates, where he was killed in the Quintesson
attack on Autobot City.
, published by Ladybird Books
.
When civil war broke out between the Autobots and Decepticon factions, Trailbreaker joined the Autobot cause. He was in command of Grimlock
at the battle of Altihex, where the Autobot Overhaul
was killed and Decepticon Seekers Thundercracker
and Skywarp
destroyed a transport full of neutral Cybertronians. Unable to save the city, the Autobots helped evacuate civilians (Transformers: The War Within
#1). When Shockwave
led a force of Decepticons against the Autobot capital of Iacon, Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who defended the city (War Within #5-6).
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. Trailbreaker stayed with the Autobots under the leadership of Prowl
. Hound
, Tracks
, Trailbreaker and other Autobots showed up as reinforcements when Prowl and his team of Autobots confronted Trypticon
. Only Shockwave calling Trypticon away to battle the Fallen
saved them. (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #4).
Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission aboard the Ark
. After leaving Cybertron, the Ark was attacked by Megatron's ship, the Nemesis. Once the Decepticons boarded the Ark, it crash-landed on Earth, where all on board were preserved in emergency stasis. In 1984, a volcanic eruption awakened the Arks computer, Teletran-I, which repaired all on board. It reformatted Trailbreaker in the form of an Earth truck (specifically, a Toyota Hilux
camper pickup).
Eventually the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. A ship called the Ark II was built to take the Transformers and some human companions back to Cybertron, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertronians were lost in the ocean, again in stasis lock.
After Spike Witwicky used a piece of the Matrix to revive Optimus Prime, Optimus traveled to the remote shoreline where he was recovered and used the Matrix to revive Jazz, Mirage, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Superion, Trailbreaker and Wheeljack (Transformers: Generation One #2). Trailbreaker returned to Cybertron with Optimus Prime and most of the Autobots to face charges, after Ultra Magnus
informed them the war on Cybertron had ended.
, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles remotely controlled by the Televipers. In this storyline, Trailbreaker turned into a Cobra Stinger vehicle. However, after the Transformers were freed from Cobra's control, Trailbreaker was killed by Storm Shadow
's S.N.A.K.E battlesuit.
line, he was mentioned in the Japanese fiction for the series. According to the story that came with Binaltech Swindle
, the body Swindle inhabits was intended to be the new body for Trailbreaker. The body was stolen by the Decepticons and Swindle's spark installed in it. Because of this many kitbashers have taken to repainting Swindle black and adding Autobot symbols to make an Alternators Trailbreaker.
The toy that eventually became Alternators Optimus Prime may have initially been intended to be Trailbreaker. Takara
requested that Hasbro make the truck model be Optimus Prime instead, as pick-up trucks are not popular in Japan—they believed the only way the toy would sell was if it was the popular Optimus Prime.
When the Optimus toy was redecoed black into Nemesis Prime
, some fans took to transplanting the head off Swindle or Rollbar onto the black pick-up to make an Alternator Trailbreaker. Fan-made sticker sets have even been produced and sold to add details making the figure look even more like Trailbreaker.
comics, although he was not produced as a toy in that line. His form in the 3H comics was based on his original toy, not the redone animated appearance.
Trailbreaker was amongst the Autobot heroes of the Great War welcomed back to Cybertron and soon transported away by Unicron
. Trailbreaker was the only one not reformatted into a new body, but he was forced to fight for Unicron's amusement (so that the Spark energy from fallen combatants could revitalize Unicron's shattered frame). Trailbreaker eventually freed himself by performing a risky spark
swap with Silverbolt. All were subsequently freed by the resurrected Optimus Primal
,and Trailbreaker went on to serve him as part of the new Autobot faction.
Although Universe ended at issue #3, the flashback of Optimus Prime would reveal what happened. In the final battle between the forces of Optimus Primal and Unicron, the Chaos-Bringer had disappeared (due to the events of Transformers: Energon
), with Primal's forces barely making it out. Trailbreaker was among those seen escaping.
A toy called Ironhide
in Transformers: Universe was painted in the colors of Generation Ones Trailbreaker. It is suspected that this toy (along with a version of Transformers: Robots in Disguise
s Prowl 2, repainted in G1 Red Alert
's colors) was intended to be a part of an earlier line of eight Spy Changers
, produced as homages to classic Generation One Autobots cars. Because those eight toys both resembled and carried the names of their Generation One counterparts, it would seem more appropriate for the Transformers: Universe version of Ironhide to have been named Trailbreaker instead.
), with Primal's forces barely making it out. Trailbreaker was among those Autobots seen escaping.
Trailbreaker is among the Autobots present when Megatron attacks Iacon with his new weapon, Devastator.
appearance in the Spotlight issue on Kup
. He was called in by Springer
to rescue the veteran Autobot from a deadly radiation-filled planet where a malfunction in Kup's spark core could cause its destruction. Trailbreaker used his force fields to keep Kup's spark from imploding before transporting him back to the Ark 17.
Trailbreaker was on the Autobot Orbital Command Hub in Spotlight: Blaster. He was present when Blaster was recovered and returned to the Autobots.
was done in colors that were a direct homage to Generation 1 Trailbreaker. It is possible this toy is based on the unreleased Spy Changer Trailbreaker. It came packaged with a Spy Changer Ultra Magnus. This toy was later redecoed into the second Transformers: Universe Hoist.
(Jackshot in Japan), which is why Overhaul was renamed Leobreaker
when he was reformatted into a lion. This toy was redecoed into Brushguard. Early design sketches even depicted this toy with a head inspired by Trailbreaker's animated form and the sensor module found on the Trailbreaker toy.
version of Transformers: The Game
. His vehicle mode is an SUV, while his robot mode is a modified version of Decepticon Dropkick.
Trailbreaker and his partner Hound are requested by Optimus Prime to implant a virus on a satellite that the Decepticons Thundercracker and Shockwave send to call in Decepticon drones. Their mission is to find a satellite dish and use it to transmit the virus. They find a dish, but it is easily destroyed by the drones. The find and repair another dish. Because a wave of Decepticons is coming, Hound decides to stay and hold the satellite in position while Trailbreaker transmits it. They successfully transmit the virus, which destroys all of the Decepticon drones, but Hound is electrocuted in the process. Trailbreaker grieves over the loss of his partner, but credits his sacrifice to save Earth.
Transformers: Generation 1
Trailbreaker (Glouton in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Tuono in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
) was portrayed as a light-hearted joker, who often acted a morale booster for his comrades. Deep down, however, he considers himself a liability due to his high fuel consumption. Because of this he has a low sense of self-worth, he often asks to be left out of missions. Despite this, the other Autobots know he is a valuable addition to their ranks.
According to original tech spec notes written by Bob Budiansky
Bob Budiansky
Bob Budiansky is an American comic book writer, editor, and penciller, best known for his work on Marvel's Transformers comic. He also created the Marvel character Sleepwalker and wrote all 33 issues of that comic.-Career:...
, found at Iacon One in 2006, the original name for Trailbreaker was "Guzzle", a name later used by another Autobot character.
Animated series
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
. He was a hearty character who would make light of any situation (just as his tech spec portrayed him). His primary feature was his force field
Force field
A force field, sometimes known as an energy shield, force shield, or deflector shield is a concept of a field tightly bounded and of significant magnitude so that objects affected by the particular force relating to the field are unable to pass through the central axis of the field and reach the...
which he often used to defend him and his comrades.
Trailbreaker accompanied his fellow Autobots on their first mission to stop the Decepticons on Earth—a mission that took him to an off-shore oil rig. The Decepticons plundered the rig for energon and destroyed it, leaving it a flaming wreck that endangered its human crew. Trailbreaker used his force field to contain the fire, while Wheeljack
Wheeljack
Wheeljack 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...
used his built-in fire suppression systems to douse the flames.
Later, Trailbreaker served as a spy despite his stated function as defensive strategist. He, along with the humans Sparkplug and Spike Witwicky
Witwicky family
The Witwicky family members are fictional characters from the Transformers universes, and are the closest human allies of the Autobots.-Archibald Witwicky:...
, camped out near the Decepticon headquarters and eavesdropped on their plans to raid the ruby mines of Burma.
As the series progressed and more new characters were introduced, Trailbreaker only appeared when his force field was needed. In "Triple Takeover" a plot by Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
, Astrotrain
Astrotrain
Astrotrain is the name of three fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons who can assume the form of a space shuttle.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and 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...
resulted in the flooding of a city. Trailbreaker used his force field to protect himself and a small group of Autobots from a large tidal wave.
His force field later saved all the Autobots from being disintegrated by the Sun in the episode "Megatron's Master Plan Part 2", and it again saved them from a Decepticon ambush in "The Immobilizer". Trailbreaker's last animated appearance was in episode 64, "Masquerade".
Trailbreaker did not appear in The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie
The 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....
or the seasons beyond. However, part of the movie's storyboard depicted that he would be seen dead (much like Windcharger
Windcharger
Windcharger is a fictional character and was one of the original toys in the Transformers line when Hasbro started producing them in 1984.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Wheeljack
Wheeljack
Wheeljack 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...
) during the Decepticons' attack on Autobot City. This was cut from the finished movie, but it is possible that he was killed offscreen or before the events of the movie
Marvel Comics
One of the least prominently featured of the original 18 Autobots, Trailbreaker appeared in the Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Transformers series in a capacity similar to his appearance in the animated series. However, the rapid introduction of new characters meant that Trailbreaker was phased out quickly. He last appeared in the U.S. comic watching the duel between 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...
and Blaster
Blaster (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...
, although he continued to appear sporadically in the UK comics, including in the movie-related future arc Space Pirates, where he was killed in the Quintesson
Quintesson
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...
attack on Autobot City.
Books
Trailbreaker appeared in the 1985 story Autobots Fight Back by John GrantJohn Grant (children's author)
John Grant is a Scottish author and illustrator, possibly best known as the author of the Littlenose series of children's stories, which he read on the BBC's Jackanory in 55 programmes from 1968 to 1986....
, published by Ladybird Books
Ladybird Books
Ladybird Books is a London-based publishing company, trading as a stand-alone imprint within the Penguin Group of companies. The Ladybird imprint publishes mass-market children's books.-History:...
.
Dreamwave Productions
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...
at the battle of Altihex, where the Autobot Overhaul
Overhaul (Transformers)
- Transformers: Generation 1 :In the Generation 1 Dreamwave Productions War Within series, Overhaul is part of a battle grouping alongside Kup, Grimlock, Ironhide and Wheeljack...
was killed and Decepticon Seekers 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 Skywarp
Skywarp
Skywarp is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers toy line. He is usually depicted as a black or purple Decepticon jet with teleportation powers.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
destroyed a transport full of neutral Cybertronians. Unable to save the city, the Autobots helped evacuate civilians (Transformers: The War Within
Transformers: The War Within
This article is about the comic book series. For other uses, see The War Within .Transformers: The War Within is a series of comic book mini-series written by Simon Furman and published by Dreamwave Productions featuring Generation One characters with brand new pre-Earth designs.The series focuses...
#1). When 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...
led a force of Decepticons against the Autobot capital of Iacon, Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who defended the city (War Within #5-6).
When Decepticon leader Megatron and Autobot leader 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...
disappeared in an accident with a space bridge
Space Bridge
In Marvel Comics' Transformers comic and cartoon, the Space Bridge is a device used by the Decepticons to travel between different planets, usually between Cybertron and Earth.-Generation One:...
, the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions. Trailbreaker stayed with the Autobots under the leadership of 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...
. Hound
Hound (Transformers)
Hound is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes referred to as Autobot Hound for trademark purposes.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Tracks
Tracks (Transformers)
Tracks is a character in the Transformers Universes. The name is now too generic to license in recent times; so the toys creator, Hasbro had to add a "modifier" - a prefix to the name in order to use it on their product, in this case the name became "Autobot Tracks" or "Turbo...
, Trailbreaker and other Autobots showed up as reinforcements when Prowl and his team of Autobots confronted 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...
. Only Shockwave calling Trypticon away to battle the Fallen
Fallen (Transformers)
The Fallen is a fictional character in the Transformers universes. According to Hasbro, he was formerly known as Megatronus Prime, and is a multiversal singularity, meaning that while he exists across the multiverse, he has no alternate-universe counterpart.-Character history:Although the Fallen's...
saved them. (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #4).
Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission aboard the Ark
Ark (Transformers)
The Ark is an Autobot spacecraft in the Transformers Universe. It has appeared as a central fixture of the Transformers storyline ever since its creation, as the Autobots main method of transport to Earth and as a base once they arrive....
. After leaving Cybertron, the Ark was attacked by Megatron's ship, the Nemesis. Once the Decepticons boarded the Ark, it crash-landed on Earth, where all on board were preserved in emergency stasis. In 1984, a volcanic eruption awakened the Arks computer, Teletran-I, which repaired all on board. It reformatted Trailbreaker in the form of an Earth truck (specifically, a Toyota Hilux
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
camper pickup).
Eventually the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. A ship called the Ark II was built to take the Transformers and some human companions back to Cybertron, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertronians were lost in the ocean, again in stasis lock.
After Spike Witwicky used a piece of the Matrix to revive Optimus Prime, Optimus traveled to the remote shoreline where he was recovered and used the Matrix to revive Jazz, Mirage, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Superion, Trailbreaker and Wheeljack (Transformers: Generation One #2). Trailbreaker returned to Cybertron with Optimus Prime and most of the Autobots to face charges, after 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...
informed them the war on Cybertron had ended.
Devil's Due Publishing
In this reimagining of the Generation One story, the Ark was discovered by the terrorist Cobra OrganizationCobra Organization
Cobra Command, commonly referred to as Cobra, is the fictional nemesis of the G.I. Joe team in the Hasbro action figure toylines G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6, as well as their related media....
, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles remotely controlled by the Televipers. In this storyline, Trailbreaker turned into a Cobra Stinger vehicle. However, after the Transformers were freed from Cobra's control, Trailbreaker was killed by Storm Shadow
Storm Shadow
Storm Shadow is a British, French and Italian air-launched cruise missile, manufactured by MBDA. Storm Shadow is the British name for the weapon; in French service it is called SCALP EG...
's S.N.A.K.E battlesuit.
Transformers: Alternators
Although no Trailbreaker toy was released in the AlternatorsTransformers: 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...
line, he was mentioned in the Japanese fiction for the series. According to the story that came with Binaltech 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...
, the body Swindle inhabits was intended to be the new body for Trailbreaker. The body was stolen by the Decepticons and Swindle's spark installed in it. Because of this many kitbashers have taken to repainting Swindle black and adding Autobot symbols to make an Alternators Trailbreaker.
The toy that eventually became Alternators Optimus Prime may have initially been intended to be Trailbreaker. Takara
Takara
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....
requested that Hasbro make the truck model be Optimus Prime instead, as pick-up trucks are not popular in Japan—they believed the only way the toy would sell was if it was the popular Optimus Prime.
When the Optimus toy was redecoed black into Nemesis Prime
Nemesis Prime
Nemesis Prime is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers storyline. He is often depicted as an evil incarnation of Optimus Prime.-Transformers: Armada:...
, some fans took to transplanting the head off Swindle or Rollbar onto the black pick-up to make an Alternator Trailbreaker. Fan-made sticker sets have even been produced and sold to add details making the figure look even more like Trailbreaker.
3H Enterprises
Generation 1 Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who appeared in 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 :...
comics, although he was not produced as a toy in that line. His form in the 3H comics was based on his original toy, not the redone animated appearance.
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...
. Trailbreaker was the only one not reformatted into a new body, but he was forced to fight for Unicron's amusement (so that the Spark energy from fallen combatants could revitalize Unicron's shattered frame). Trailbreaker eventually freed himself by performing a risky spark
Spark (Transformers)
Spark can refer to several objects in the fictional Transformers universe. A spark is usually the "soul" of a Transformer. It is also the name of several Transformers characters. An AllSpark is a term for two different objects within the Transformers media franchise. In the Beast Machines...
swap with Silverbolt. All were subsequently freed by the resurrected Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline, and the leader of the Maximal forces and the main protagonist in the Beast Wars television series. He is sometimes called Optimal Optimus...
,and Trailbreaker went on to serve him as part of the new Autobot faction.
Although Universe ended at issue #3, the flashback of Optimus Prime would reveal what happened. In the final battle between the forces of Optimus Primal and Unicron, the Chaos-Bringer had disappeared (due to the events of Transformers: Energon
Transformers: Energon
Transformers: Energon, known in Japan as , is the 2004–2005 Transformers toyline, animated series and comic book series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara and a direct sequel to Transformers: Armada...
), with Primal's forces barely making it out. Trailbreaker was among those seen escaping.
A toy called Ironhide
Ironhide
Ironhide 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:...
in Transformers: Universe was painted in the colors of Generation Ones Trailbreaker. It is suspected that this toy (along with a version of Transformers: Robots in Disguise
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...
s Prowl 2, repainted in G1 Red Alert
Red Alert (Transformers)
Red Alert is the name of several characters in the various fictional Transformers universes.- Transformers Generation 1:Red Alert is the Autobot security director. He has enhanced senses and is usually depicted as a friend of the Autobot Inferno.- Marvel Comics :Red Alert did not appear in the U.S...
's colors) was intended to be a part of an earlier line of eight 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...
, produced as homages to classic Generation One Autobots cars. Because those eight toys both resembled and carried the names of their Generation One counterparts, it would seem more appropriate for the Transformers: Universe version of Ironhide to have been named Trailbreaker instead.
Fun Publications
Although Universe ended at issue #3, the flashback of Optimus Prime would reveal the following: during the final battle between the forces of Optimus Primal and Unicron, the Chaos-Bringer disappeared (due to the events of Transformers: EnergonTransformers: Energon
Transformers: Energon, known in Japan as , is the 2004–2005 Transformers toyline, animated series and comic book series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara and a direct sequel to Transformers: Armada...
), with Primal's forces barely making it out. Trailbreaker was among those Autobots seen escaping.
Trailbreaker is among the Autobots present when Megatron attacks Iacon with his new weapon, Devastator.
IDW Publishing
Trailbreaker made his first 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...
appearance in the Spotlight issue on Kup
Kup
Kup is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universe. All are older Autobots who are members of the Elite Guard. Wired Magazine once nominated him as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time...
. He was called in by 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:...
to rescue the veteran Autobot from a deadly radiation-filled planet where a malfunction in Kup's spark core could cause its destruction. Trailbreaker used his force fields to keep Kup's spark from imploding before transporting him back to the Ark 17.
Trailbreaker was on the Autobot Orbital Command Hub in Spotlight: Blaster. He was present when Blaster was recovered and returned to the Autobots.
Toys
- Generation 1 Trailbreaker (1984)
- In the original toy line and animated TV series, Trailbreaker turns into a black Toyota 4WD HiLux, and is one of the first year Transformers toys, based on one of 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....
line of toys, where he was blue (in addition to other colors). Two variants of this toy exist, the original and one with a heat-sensitive rub-symbol. In 1985 Trailbreaker was remolded into the Autobot 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...
. - Trailbreaker was reissued in Europe in 1991 and in Japan in 2001, but never in the U.S. According to store listings, there were plans to reissue Trailbreaker and 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:...
as a commemorative toy in 2005, but due to poor sales of the line, they were never produced.- Generation 1 Decoy Trailbreaker (1986)
- A decoy of Trailbreaker was included with many of the smaller Transformers toys sold in 1986. The appearance of Trailbreaker was based on his animated appearance.
- Universe Spy Changer Trailbreaker (unreleased)
- First announced in Previews magazine for December 2002 were a set of 5 Autobot Spy Changers - Wheeljack, Sideswipe, Trailbreaker, Prowl and Mirage.
- Transformers 3D Battle-Card Game Trailbreaker (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 Trailbreaker card, who was a redeco of Autobot Ratchet from wave 1.- Generation 1 Encore Trailbreaker (2008)
- A Japan-exclusive reissue of the original Trailbreaker toy.
- Generations Legends Trailcutter (2011)
- An all-new mold first announced on issue #35 (Oct/Nov 2010) of the Transformers Collectors' Club magazine. Due to Hasbro's inability to secure the Trailbreaker name, the character will be called Trailcutter.
Transformers: Universe
A redeco of Generation 2 Go-Bot MotormouthMotormouth
Motormouth was a Saturday morning children's television series that was produced by Television South and aired across the ITV network for four series, running between 3 September 1988 and 4 April 1992...
was done in colors that were a direct homage to Generation 1 Trailbreaker. It is possible this toy is based on the unreleased Spy Changer Trailbreaker. It came packaged with a Spy Changer Ultra Magnus. This toy was later redecoed into the second Transformers: Universe Hoist.
Transformers: Cybertron
Hasbro first considered the name Trailbreaker for the toy they eventually called OverhaulOverhaul (Transformers)
- Transformers: Generation 1 :In the Generation 1 Dreamwave Productions War Within series, Overhaul is part of a battle grouping alongside Kup, Grimlock, Ironhide and Wheeljack...
(Jackshot in Japan), which is why Overhaul was renamed Leobreaker
Leobreaker
Leobreaker is fictional character in the Transformers Cybertron cartoon series. In Galaxy Force, he is referred to as Liger Jack.-Transformers: Cybertron:...
when he was reformatted into a lion. This toy was redecoed into Brushguard. Early design sketches even depicted this toy with a head inspired by Trailbreaker's animated form and the sensor module found on the Trailbreaker toy.
Transformers
Trailbreaker is a playable character in the PSPPlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
version of Transformers: The Game
Transformers: The Game
Transformers: The Game is the name of multiple versions of a video game based on the 2007 live action film Transformers, all of which were released in North America in June 2007. Home console and PC versions were developed by Traveller's Tales for the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3 and...
. His vehicle mode is an SUV, while his robot mode is a modified version of Decepticon Dropkick.
Trailbreaker and his partner Hound are requested by Optimus Prime to implant a virus on a satellite that the Decepticons Thundercracker and Shockwave send to call in Decepticon drones. Their mission is to find a satellite dish and use it to transmit the virus. They find a dish, but it is easily destroyed by the drones. The find and repair another dish. Because a wave of Decepticons is coming, Hound decides to stay and hold the satellite in position while Trailbreaker transmits it. They successfully transmit the virus, which destroys all of the Decepticon drones, but Hound is electrocuted in the process. Trailbreaker grieves over the loss of his partner, but credits his sacrifice to save Earth.