Windcharger
Encyclopedia
Windcharger is a fictional character and was one of the original toys in the Transformers
line when Hasbro
started producing them in 1984.
According to original tech spec notes written by Bob Budiansky
the original name for Windcharger was Sprint.
Windcharger was featured on the cover of the Transformers Collectors Club Magazine #37.
combined their special abilities to disable A.U.N.T.I.E.
Ratchet
later deployed Windcharger to stop a rampaging Guardian Unit patrolling the Ark, but on this occasion Windcharger was not able to destabilise Guardian's central data store.
Windcharger was then appointed by Prowl
to lead the team bringing in Sludge
during the Dinobot Hunt; unfortunately he unwittingly led Gears
and Cliffjumper
into an ambush set up by Soundwave
.
Windcharger last appeared in the US Marvel comics issue #41.
, and Cliffjumper
being the others), he saw few noteworthy appearances in the series.
In the episode "A Prime Problem", Optimus Prime was captured and cloned by the Decepticons. Both Primes returned to the Ark (the second secretly being controlled by Megatron), causing confusion among the Autobot ranks. Only after Windcharger and their human ally Spike Witwicky sneaked into the Decepticon base did the truth about the clone reveal itself.
In the episode "Prime Target", the big game hunter Lord Cholmondeley captured a secret Soviet
jet, in addition to an American military vehicle, leading to each side to blame the other, creating a threat of war. Cholmondeley then set his sights on the ultimate trophy, the head of Optimus Prime. In order to lure Optimus in Cholmondeley captured the Autobots Tracks
, Bumblebee
, Jazz
, Beachcomber, Grapple, Blaster
and Inferno
. Windcharger and Huffer
were able to avoid being trapped. When Cosmos
learned of the location Cholmondeley was keeping the captured Autobots Optimus Prime accepted Cholmondeley's challenge to meet him alone. Although interrupted by the Decepticons Astrotrain
and Blitzwing
's attempt to ally the Decepticons with Cholmondeley, Optimus defeated the big game hunter and freed the Autobots. The Soviet plane was returned by the Autobots, with Cholmondeley tied to its nose antenna like a hood ornament
as punishment for his actions.
In the episode "Masquerade", Windcharger was among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the Stunticons. Penetrating the Decepticons' camp, and learning of their plans, the Autobots eventually ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, proving their identities by arriving as Menasor. With a combination of Windcharger's magnetic powers and Mirage
's illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too, but the deception was soon revealed, though they were still able to thwart the Decepticons' plans.
In The Transformers: The Movie
, he apparently dies after Starscream and several other Decepticons blasted him in the chest but managed to blast Skywarp a time before going out.
Windcharger's body is dragged to cover by Arcee
next to Wheeljack
, (who looks deceased in a similar way, their bodies not changing colour to the grey black associated with Transformers when they die), during the Battle of Autobot City. However, despite his assumed death, Windcharger's name is absent from the list of casualties entombed in the Autobot mausoleum, and he is later seen running around in the background of Transformers Episode #91: Call of the Primitives. This implies that Windcharger was not killed at all but only seriously wounded and rendered unconscious during the battle at Autobot City.
and published by Marvel Books
.
Windcharger was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Dinobots Strike Back by Casey Todd.
Windcharger was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.
Windcharger was featured in the 1985 audio adventure Laserbeak's Fury.
Windcharger was a main character in the 1985 story Sun Raid.
Windcharger appeared in the 1986 story and coloring book The Lost Treasure of Cybertron by Marvel Books.
Windcharger was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the Ark and crash landed on Earth.
In 1984, when the Ark's computer re-activated, it reformatted Windcharger as in the form of an Earth car. 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 Cybertronians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertronians were lost in the ocean, again in statis lock.
When Ultra Magnus came to Earth claiming that the Earth-based Autobots were Cybertronian criminals Optimus Prime surrendered and with the majority of Autobots returned to Cybertron. Jazz was left in charge of the Ark, with Brawn, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger assigned to him.
Returning to Earth with the Combaticons, Starscream reformatted them into Earth-style vehicles and attacked the Autobots remaining on Earth. Forming Bruticus, the Combaticons defeated Jazz, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger. Only Ratchet and Brawn escaped capture, but as they made their way back to the Ark, they discovered its defenses on automatic, and had to fight their way inside. Bruticus followed them and Ratchet had to destroy the Ark in failed attempt to destroy Bruticus. Starscream eventually captured Ratchet and Brawn, right as an Autobot shuttle and Sunstorm arrived on Earth (Transformers: Generation One III #1).
Jazz, Warpath, Bumper, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker rejoined Windcharger and Wheeljack, who were repaired by the Earth Defense Command. They all rejoined Ratchet on board the Autobot ship Orion (Transformers: Generation One III #9).
Transformers
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.Transformer may also refer to:* ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, an Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet computer manufacturer by Asus...
line when 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...
started producing them in 1984.
Transformers: Generation 1
In robot mode, Windcharger's arms act as the positive and negative poles of a magnet. He can cast powerful magnetic fields at distances up to 700 feet. He can levitate a 10-ton block of steel at that distance. He can attract objects that are affected by magnetism toward him or repel them. At closer distances he can rip them apart.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:...
the original name for Windcharger was Sprint.
Windcharger was featured on the cover of the Transformers Collectors Club Magazine #37.
Marvel Comics
Windcharger appeared sparingly in the US Marvel Comic, but his magnetic powers were a recurrent theme in the early UK-only stories. When the Ark's computer, A.U.N.T.I.E., went out of control threatening all Transformers on Earth, Windcharger and 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...
combined their special abilities to disable A.U.N.T.I.E.
Ratchet
Ratchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...
later deployed Windcharger to stop a rampaging Guardian Unit patrolling the Ark, but on this occasion Windcharger was not able to destabilise Guardian's central data store.
Windcharger was then appointed 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...
to lead the team bringing in Sludge
Sludge (Transformers)
Sludge is a fictional character in the Transformer toy line and fictional series. Sludge is a slow witted but powerful Dinobot. Sludge's strength is considered to be second only to Grimlock's in the Dinobot faction...
during the Dinobot Hunt; unfortunately he unwittingly led Gears
Gears (Transformers)
-Transformers: Generation 1:Gears is anti-social, a self-proclaimed misfit. His tech spec indicated he acted this way to cheer others up as they attempted to cheer him up. However, his portrayal in the animated series indicated he tended to annoy his comrades with his constant complaining...
and Cliffjumper
Cliffjumper
Cliffjumper is the name of several characters from the Transformers line of toys. His name is usually associated with an Autobot whose toys are often red repaints of Bumblebee toys.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
into an ambush set up by Soundwave
Soundwave (Transformers)
Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
.
Windcharger last appeared in the US Marvel comics issue #41.
Animated series
Windcharger was among the original Autobot crew of the Ark when it crashed on Earth 4 million years ago. Despite his role as the fastest Autobot over short distances as well as one of their then-few warriors (Sideswipe, SunstreakerSunstreaker
Sunstreaker is the name of two fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. The first is one of the main Autobot cars from the original Transformers series...
, and Cliffjumper
Cliffjumper
Cliffjumper is the name of several characters from the Transformers line of toys. His name is usually associated with an Autobot whose toys are often red repaints of Bumblebee toys.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
being the others), he saw few noteworthy appearances in the series.
In the episode "A Prime Problem", Optimus Prime was captured and cloned by the Decepticons. Both Primes returned to the Ark (the second secretly being controlled by Megatron), causing confusion among the Autobot ranks. Only after Windcharger and their human ally Spike Witwicky sneaked into the Decepticon base did the truth about the clone reveal itself.
In the episode "Prime Target", the big game hunter Lord Cholmondeley captured a secret Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
jet, in addition to an American military vehicle, leading to each side to blame the other, creating a threat of war. Cholmondeley then set his sights on the ultimate trophy, the head of Optimus Prime. In order to lure Optimus in Cholmondeley captured the Autobots 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...
, 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 :...
, Jazz
Jazz (Transformers)
Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...
, Beachcomber, Grapple, 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...
and Inferno
Inferno (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:...
. Windcharger and Huffer
Huffer (Transformers)
Huffer is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Autobots who turn into trucks. Huffer was first introduced in 1984, and was voiced by John Stephenson in the animated series The Transformers....
were able to avoid being trapped. When Cosmos
Cosmos (Transformers)
Cosmos is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes referred to as "Autobot Cosmos" for trademark purposes.Wired Magazine once nominated him as one of the 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time....
learned of the location Cholmondeley was keeping the captured Autobots Optimus Prime accepted Cholmondeley's challenge to meet him alone. Although interrupted by the Decepticons 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...
's attempt to ally the Decepticons with Cholmondeley, Optimus defeated the big game hunter and freed the Autobots. The Soviet plane was returned by the Autobots, with Cholmondeley tied to its nose antenna like a hood ornament
Hood ornament
A hood/bonnet ornament, or radiator cap, or car mascot is a specially crafted model of something which symbolizes a car company like a badge, located on the front center portion of the hood...
as punishment for his actions.
In the episode "Masquerade", Windcharger was among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the Stunticons. Penetrating the Decepticons' camp, and learning of their plans, the Autobots eventually ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, proving their identities by arriving as Menasor. With a combination of Windcharger's magnetic powers and Mirage
Mirage (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...
's illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too, but the deception was soon revealed, though they were still able to thwart the Decepticons' plans.
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....
, he apparently dies after Starscream and several other Decepticons blasted him in the chest but managed to blast Skywarp a time before going out.
Windcharger's body is dragged to cover by Arcee
Arcee
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...
next to 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...
, (who looks deceased in a similar way, their bodies not changing colour to the grey black associated with Transformers when they die), during the Battle of Autobot City. However, despite his assumed death, Windcharger's name is absent from the list of casualties entombed in the Autobot mausoleum, and he is later seen running around in the background of Transformers Episode #91: Call of the Primitives. This implies that Windcharger was not killed at all but only seriously wounded and rendered unconscious during the battle at Autobot City.
Books
Windcharger appeared in the 1984 sticker and story book The Revenge of the Decepticons written by Suzanne WeynSuzanne Weyn
Suzanne Weyn is an American author. She primarily writes children's and young adult science fiction and fantasy novels. she has written over fifty novels and short stories, and is best known for The Bar Code Tattoo and The Bar Code Rebellion books...
and published by Marvel Books
Marvel Books
Marvel Books refers to prose books licensed by Marvel Entertainment or its division in the 1980s that published coloring books and sticker books...
.
Windcharger was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Dinobots Strike Back by Casey Todd.
Windcharger was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.
Windcharger was featured in the 1985 audio adventure Laserbeak's Fury.
Windcharger was a main character in the 1985 story Sun Raid.
Windcharger appeared in the 1986 story and coloring book The Lost Treasure of Cybertron by Marvel Books.
Dreamwave Productions
When civil war broke out on the planet Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticons, Windcharger joined the Autobot cause.Windcharger was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the Ark and crash landed on Earth.
In 1984, when the Ark's computer re-activated, it reformatted Windcharger as in the form of an Earth car. 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 Cybertronians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertronians were lost in the ocean, again in statis lock.
When Ultra Magnus came to Earth claiming that the Earth-based Autobots were Cybertronian criminals Optimus Prime surrendered and with the majority of Autobots returned to Cybertron. Jazz was left in charge of the Ark, with Brawn, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger assigned to him.
Returning to Earth with the Combaticons, Starscream reformatted them into Earth-style vehicles and attacked the Autobots remaining on Earth. Forming Bruticus, the Combaticons defeated Jazz, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger. Only Ratchet and Brawn escaped capture, but as they made their way back to the Ark, they discovered its defenses on automatic, and had to fight their way inside. Bruticus followed them and Ratchet had to destroy the Ark in failed attempt to destroy Bruticus. Starscream eventually captured Ratchet and Brawn, right as an Autobot shuttle and Sunstorm arrived on Earth (Transformers: Generation One III #1).
Jazz, Warpath, Bumper, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker rejoined Windcharger and Wheeljack, who were repaired by the Earth Defense Command. They all rejoined Ratchet on board the Autobot ship Orion (Transformers: Generation One III #9).
Toys
- Generation 1 Mini-Car Windcharger (1984)
- Originally part of the Japanese MicromanMicromanis a line of toys manufactured by Takara from 1974 to the present. Microman toys were originally imported to the United States by Mego Corporation as Micronauts until the company went bankrupt in 1982...
toyline, where it was released under the subline of MicroChange in Japan in 1983, this toy was used in the first series of Transformers toys released by Hasbro in 1984. One of the earliest Transformers toys. - Mexican toy maker IGAIGAIga or IGA may stand for:-Given name:* a female given name of Polish origin. The name originates from the female given name Jadwiga and stands for gia,or gina in the USA....
made a Windcharger toy, and reused the mold without modification for their release of Tailgate (Windcharger in white/dark blue). For some reason, they also released a Windcharger toy named Tailgate in yellow/dark blue. - HasbroHasbroHasbro 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...
used the Windcharger mold as a base for the 1986 Mini-Bot Tailgate, which had a remodelled torso, head and hood (the 1983 Trans Am's familiar hood scoop was made symmetrical and an indentation was added for Tailgate's rubsign).
- Generation 1 Windcharger Keychain (2001)
- Fun-4-All Corp. issued a keychainKeychainA keychain or key chain is a small chain, usually made from metal or plastic, that connects a small item to a keyring. The length of a keychain allows an item to be used more easily than if connected directly to a keyring...
version of Windcharger around 2001, which was also made available in Japan 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....
. HasbroHasbroHasbro 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...
recolored this into Rook as one of the 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...
UK Exclusive toys for 2002, and Takara recolored it black as a prize toy for local shops. - Although Windcharger did not appear in the Universe storyline, the keychain of Windcharger was recolored in blue and gray as the Transformers: Universe character of RookRook (Transformers)Rook is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 2:-Marvel Comics:Rook was second in command of the second-generation transformers under the command of Jhiaxus...
, and was sold as a convention exclusive. Rook appeared in the Transformers: Universe comic book series.
- Alternators Windcharger (2005)
- When the Binaltech series released the Autobot Overdrive, he was imported in as Windcharger in the U.S. due to trademark issues with the term Overdrive. He transforms into a Honda S2000Honda S2000The Honda S2000 is a roadster that was manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It was launched in April 1999 and was created to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. The car was first shown as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, following which it was launched in...
.
- Reveal The Shield Scout Windcharger
- An all-new Scout Class mold of Windcharger that transforms into a Ford Mustang GT. According to the package - "Windcharger isn't precisely the fastest Autobot on the ground, but he does have the highest acceleration. Heedless of any passenger he might be carrying, he goes from zero to 130 miles per hour in less than a second, and screeches to a stop almost as fast. His overloaded power plant generates a strong electromagnetic field, which he can direct into powerful blasts from the cannon in his arms."