Motormaster

Motormaster is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universe. Motormaster made his first appearance in the Marvel Transformers comic before appearing in the animated series. Other than in Transformers: War for Cybertron, Motormaster is the leader of the Stunticons, an all-car group created by Megatron to counter the dominance of the Autobot's on the road. Due to difficulties Hasbro had in trademarking the name Motormaster since his original incarnation, toys originally intend to be Motormaster have been released as Menasor instead, despite looking like Motormaster.

Transformers: Generation 1

Motormaster

Generation 1 Motormaster character in the animated series
Decepticon
Sub-group	Stunticons
Function	Stunticon Leader
Rank	7
Partner	Breakdown, Dead End, Drag Strip, and Wildrider
Motto	"These wheels are made for crushing."
Alternate Modes	Kenworth K100 Aerodyne sleeper tractor-trailer, Cybertronian Truck, 1930's truck
Series	Transformers: Generation 1
English voice actor	Roger C. Carmel
Japanese voice actor	Kōji Totani

Motormaster is depicted as a semi-trailer, similar in appearance in vehicle mode to Optimus Prime; however, unlike the Autobot leader, whose body is formed solely by the tractor unit, Motormaster's robot mode comes from the entire tractor-trailer, with the tractor unit forming his feet. Motormaster is able to reach a top speed of 140 mph in vehicle mode, while in robot mode he is armed with a cyclone gun that can produce winds of up to 400 mph. Motormaster commands his troops with fear rather than respect.^[1] Motormaster, along with the rest of the Stunticons, combine into a gestalt called Menasor, of which Motormaster forms the main component.

Marvel Comics

In the original Marvel Comics Transformers comic Motormaster was born when Megatron was able to tap into the Creation Matrix to give life to the Stunticons in issue #22.^[2] Motormaster last appeared in the first Transformers series in issue #41, called "Totaled!" Motormaster's biography was printed in issue #2 of the Transformers: Universe title by Marvel. In Dreamwave Productions Generation 1 continuity, Motormaster and the other Stunticons were not portrayed as recently created characters, but as Decepticons from Cybertron. Initially just five individuals, they were chosen to become part of a new group termed the Stunticons - an experiment to improve on the combination process which had created Devastator. Their combined form was called Menasor. In the War Within story, Motormaster was a member of Starscream's Predacon team.^[3] Motormaster would also appear along with the rest of the Stunticons in the second Generation 1 mini-series.

Animated series

Motormaster first appeared in animated form with the other Stunticons in the episode "The Key To Vector Sigma Part 1". He was created after Megatron ordered the theft of five road vehicles, so that he could create a group of Decepticon warriors who could effectively combat the Autobots on the road. After being extensively modified by Megatron to become almost impervious to collision damage, Motormaster and the other Stunticons were taken to Vector Sigma to receive personalities of their own.

Motormaster's last appearance in the U.S. cartoon was as part of Menasor in the third season episode "The Return of Optimus Prime Part 2."^[4] His last individual appearance in the cartoon was in episode 26 of the Japanese Headmasters series.^[5] Despite this he continued to be shown in later Japanese series as part of Menasor, for example in Transformers: Zone.

IDW Publishing

In IDW Publishing's adaptation of Generation 1, as with Dreamwave's, Motormaster first appeared as a pre-existing character rather than a recent creation. Motormaster first appeared amongst Megatron's gathering of gladiators that would eventually become the Decepticons in IDW Publishing's The Transformers: Megatron Origin. Motormaster is later blown apart by Sentinel Prime during the revolution in Kaon.

Devil's Due Publishing

Motormaster in Devil's Due comics appeared in G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers, where he and the rest of the Stunticons where accidentally sent back to 1930's Chicago. Motormaster also appeared in G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War, where he was one of the Decepticon troops of Serpent O.R. As part of Fun Publications, although not appearing in the fiction, Motormaster is mentioned in the Fun Publications biography for the Timelines character Breakdown. This biography states that the other Stunticons were left in stasis lock after a pitched battle with Defensor.

Dreamwave Productions

War Within Motormaster.

The robots who became the Stunticons existed long before the Decepticons arrived on Earth. Motormaster in particular was a right-hand bot of Starscream's Predacon faction. Some time between the first and second War Within volumes, the team formed. At least Motormaster and Dead End later joined Starscream's Predacon faction. In volume 3, Motormaster was responsible for the shooting and near destruction of Grimlock (while attempting to assassinate Ultra Magnus) before being blasted himself. The series was discontinued before it was completed. The Stunticons then appeared in the second Generation 1 mini-series where Menasor was revived by Rumble and Frenzy. The Stunticons had been placed in stasis due to their dangerous unpredictability, especially merged as Menasor. When freed, they merged and went on a rampage killing the Omnibots, Roadbuster, Whirl, and damaging the Protectobots (combined as Defensor) before battling and being defeated by Ultra Magnus who used the fact the five Stunticons that make up Menasor were constantly at war with each other while merged. Ultra Magnus won the battle without transforming from truck mode once. With the closure of Dreamwave, the fate of the Stunticons is unknown.

Toys

Toyline	Name	Year	Description
Generation 1	Motormaster	1986	Released in Wave 2 of the original Transformers toyline. Motormaster changes from a semi-cab truck and trailer to a robot, as well as a base that can connect to Trypticon in base mode. He can combine with his fellow Stunticons to form Menasor, and included the accessories for Menasor, such as his feet, fists, waist piece, chest piece and face. He also came with a sword and a gun which are also Menasor's weapons.[6]
Generation 2	Motormaster	Unreleased	During the final wave of the Generation 2 toyline, Hasbro had intended to release a Generation 2 redeco of the original Stunticons. Instead due to the attention directed towards the upcoming Beast Wars toyline, the toys were never released; however, a few packaged examples do exist.[7] In April 2008, rare prototypes of this toy were sold on eBay and garnered bidding of over US$2,000.[8]
Universe	Spy Changer Motormaster	Unreleased	First announced in Previews magazine for January 2003, they were a set of 5 Stunticon Spy Changers - Breakdown, Drag Strip, Motormaster, Dead End, and Wildracer.[9]

Transformers: Prime

Motormaster

Decepticon
Series	Transformers: War for Cybertron
English voice actor	Fred Tatasciore

Motormaster is a Decepticon, but unlike previous incarnations, he is not a Stunticon, as they do not exist in this continuity. Despite another Stunticon, would appear in the game, Breakdown.

Video games

Motormaster is the name of a playable character exclusive to the Nintendo DS version of the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron (Decepticon version). Once defeated in the sewer levels of the game he becomes a playable character. His transformation is a Cybertronian truck, and is voiced by Fred Tatasciore.

Transformers: Timelines

Motormaster

Decepticon
Sub-group	Stunticons
Function	Stunticon leader
Partner	Breakdown, Drag Strip, Wildrider, and Dead End.
Series	Transformers: Animated
English voice actor	Gregg Berger

Appearing in Fun Publications Transformers: Timelines comic produced for the Transformers convention BotCon, Motormaster is a Decepticon and part of the Stunticons sub-group. He transforms into a fire truck.

Fun Publications

In "The Stunt-Con Job", Motormaster was sent, along with the other Stunticons and Toxitron, on a mission to break Megatron and other Decepticons out of Trypticon Prison. In the guise of entertainers, they planned to rig the former Decepticon Gladiatorial Arena in Kaon with explosives, blasting the prison walls open and killing the audience in the process. All was going well until the Stunticons were abruptly assaulted in mid-rehearsal by Cheetor, who opened fire on the disguised Decepticons. Once the Autobot cop settled down, the rehearsal continued. The Motor Master helped to corner the "helpless" Drag Strip, before being chased off by the bumbling Toxitron. On the night of the plan's execution, Sideswipe and Cheetor returned in the middle of the show, having worked out the Stunticons' plan. The Stunticons fought back with their stolen modifications, with Wildrider and The Motor Master roughing up Sideswipe. The two cop-bots were cornered, but Toxitron leapt into the fray, knocking out the structural supports for a giant ramp and sending it crashing down on the Stunticons. Toxitron turned out to actually be a disguised Optimus Prime, who revealed their plan to everyone watching. Before being apprehended, The Motor Master made one final attempt, taking Sideswipe hostage, threatening to scrap him and blow up the arena unless Megatron and the other prisoners were released. The Motor Master was caught off guard when Sideswipe activated Optimus Prime's axe and careened backwards. The Motor Master was incarcerated in Trypticon Prison, alongside the very Decepticons he and his teammates had sought to free.

Toys

Toyline	Name	Year	Description
Animated	Motormaster	2011	A black and purple recolour of the Animated Voyager Optimus Prime toy with a new head sculpt is being released along with the rest of the Stunticons as a BotCon exclusive.[10][11] According to the designers the head of this toy was designed to look like Hulk Hogan, and have the personality of Randy "Macho Man" Savage.[12]

References

1. ^ NTFA - Motormaster
2. ^ The Official Overstreet Comic Book Companion, 11th Edition - Page 257 by Robert M. Overstreet - 2010
3. ^ Seibertron.com
4. ^ TV.com Transformers: The Return of Optimus Prime
5. ^ TV.com - Transformers: The Headmasters: I Risk My Life for Earth
6. ^ Cobra Island Toys - Motormaster
7. ^ Transformers Generation 2:, by Karl Hartman, Hasbro Transformers Collectors Club magazine, issue #26, April 2009/May 2009, page 3
8. ^ Seibertron.com - Auction for Rare Unreleased G2 Motormaster and More
9. ^ Seibertron.com - Spychanger Stunticons
10. ^ TFW2005.com - 2011 BotCon Stunticon Motormaster Revealed
11. ^ TFW2005.com - BotCon 2011 Choose the Next Animated Stunticon
12. ^ http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=79704