Lockdown (Transformers)

Lockdown is the name of a fictional character in one of the various Transformers universes.

Transformers: Animated

Transformers character
name =Lockdown


affiliation =Decepticon
subgroup =Activators
Deluxe Vehicles
rank =
function =Bounty Hunter
Decepticon Warrior (Blazing Lockdown)
partner =
motto ="Run all you want. It'll make the chase more fun."
"My sensors detect your fear." (Blazing Lockdown)
"They'll never see me coming." (Stealth Lockdown)
alternatemodes = Cybertonian Muscle/Sports Car
series =
voiceby =Lance Henriksen

"Lockdown" is a rogue Transformer from the "" series. Though labeled a Decepticon in the toyline, he is actually a rogue bounty hunter with no allegiance to Megatron (though he was referred to as a "a disgrace to the glorious name of Decepticon" in the past by Lugnut). Despite being labeled a Decepticon his insignia isn't seen in the entirety of the series and appears more to be in the shape of the Autobot insignia upon closer observation. He only captures Autobots for him in return for upgrades, which he'll take from employer and prey alike. One such hunt led to him crossing paths with Ratchet, whose encounter with Lockdown was a painful experience.

He transforms into a Muscle Car that can be simply described as a combination of two types: A 1980s Chevrolet Corvette (the rear of the vehicle) and a 1960s Mercury Cougar (the front of the vehicle). The windows and rooftop of the vehicle are borrowed from various muscle cars made between the mid to late 1960s. These combined features make Lockdown much more like a 1960s-style Cougar rather than a 1980s-style Corvette, which is actually a sports car and not a muscle car like the 1960s Cougar, which is based on a 1960s Ford Mustang.

Lockdown is capable of generating an oil slick smoke screen, and thanks to a device he stole from Ratchet during the war, an electromagnetic pulse generator which can knock out electronics, including other Transformers except Ratchet himself. The generator was later regained by Ratchet.

Derrick J. Wyatt recently stated that Lockdown was originally going to be a Frankenstein's Monster type creature; A mis-mash of different Transformer parts. [ [http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/05/evolution-of-lockdown.html A Delightful Tedium: The Evolution of Lockdown ] ]

Animated series

Lockdown first appeared in "Thrill of the Hunt", in which he hunted down Optimus Prime for the one who hired him, . He once again ran into Ratchet, who overcame his past pain to avenge Arcee and save Prime. His ship was seen crashing into a river.

Lockdown would later return to Earth when after the bounty for in episode 23, "A Fistfull of Energon". He reluctantly teams up with the Autobot Prowl, even providing him with armor upgrades for the mission. Lockdown later betrayed Prowl and brought a pair of Starscream clones to Megatron. During his second appearance, he mentions to Prowl that Megatron pays more than the Elite Guard.

Lockdown is briefly alluded to in the episode "SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy". The Decepticon Swindle implys that he picked up Megatron's radio frequency from Lockdown, referring to him as "a mutual bounty-hunting friend".

Toys

*Animated Activators Lockdown (2008):A simple scout-class version of the character with a push-button transformation. [ [http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/tfa-activators-wave-2-up-for-preorder-bbts/13262/ TFA Activators Wave 2 Up For Pre-Order @ BBTS ] ]

*Animated Activators Bandit Lockdown (2008/unreleased):A redeco of the original Activators Lockdown.

*Animated Bumper Battler Lockdown (2008/not released yet):First mentioned on a Walmart computer listing in July of 2008. [ [http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-news/story/7476/Even%20more%20Animated%20%20and%20Universe%20toys%20on%20WalMart%20website.html Transformers - More Than Meets The Eye, Robots In Disguise - Transformers @ The Moon - www.transformertoys.co.uk ] ]

*Animated Deluxe Lockdown (2008):A Deluxe class toy, Lockdown is unique in that his robot mode stands as tall as most Voyager class toys.

*Animated Deluxe Stealth Lockdown (2008/not yet released): A version of the original Lockdown, but will be made mostly out of clear plastic. He is featured in a 3-pack along with "Animated" Legends Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

*Animated Deluxe Blazing Lockdown (2008/not yet released): A version of the original Lockdown, but comes with a chainsaw and has a new paintjob.

References

1. http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/05/evolution-of-lockdown.html