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arceespinkgun · 25 days

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One thing I really love about the UK Marvel continuity is how it handled Decepticon leadership. All of the leaders were so unique and well-defined characters! There are so many civil wars among the Decepticons that I actually lost count. I think they each show different aspects of Decepticon culture, too. In this post I wanted to showcase the leaders and discuss why I really enjoyed the way they were portrayed!

Megatron: used to be the equivalent of an Olympic athlete. Started the War by preying on political unrest caused by preexisting tensions between the city-states, an aging Autobot council who wouldn't listen to their one radical voice (Emirate Xaaron), and a lack of resources. He started the War with a plan to equip giant engines to Cybertron to pilot it around the universe to conquer other planets lol Megatron is a dictatorial strongman at heart, and his major trait seems to be his indomitable will. No matter who tries to brainwash him or how embarrassed he ought to be by his defeats and stupid mistakes, he keeps going shamelessly.

Shockwave: used to be the ruler of Tarn, and constantly tries to take leadership from Megatron, probably missing the control he had over his city-state. Has a brains vs. brawn dynamic with Megatron, but tends to get extremely frazzled when things don't go his way and don't follow his twisted, self-serving idea of what logic is. However, that doesn't mean he doesn't emote.

Starscream: used to be a figurehead dictator of Vos. Generally tries to backstab whoever's in power, which is probably informed by the fact that he wasn't #1 in his own city-state back before the War. Also, props to Starscream for killing more people than Unicron (the majority get repaired, but still)! Something I find interesting is that Megatron preyed on the war between Vos and Tarn, but usually Starscream and Shockwave work well together in present-day, which suggests the whole war thing was entirely about power and not personal. They're both also ultimately cowards out for themselves.

Soundwave frames Wild Rider when, of course, Soundwave had been the real traitor the whole time

Soundwave: this continuity has such a good version of Soundwave... unlike Starscream, whose treacherous actions are big and loud, Soundwave's treachery is quiet. He serves under nearly every leader and never faces the consequences of blackmailing and betraying any of them, until eventually he is left as the ultimate leader in at least one future timeline. He is such a snake!

Straxus: initially was the leader of the Decepticons while Megatron was on Earth. Despite only being leader for a short time, he leaves a lasting impression with his absolute brutality in the way he melts POWs down to make ingots, beats his own soldiers, and is obsessed with taking over Megatron's body. He also has lasting impacts on the story overall because the identity of Megatron becomes questionable due to Straxus's attempts to subjugate his mind with his own.

Ratbat: originally kinda like Straxus's Laserbeak, Ratbat takes over and becomes one of the most intelligent leaders! He used to be an auditor and his entire philosophy surrounds being as energy-efficient as possible. He even gives Shockwave a negative performance review LMAO Interestingly, he's positioned almost as more of an enemy to the Witwicky family than to the Autobots at times. He also likes to use his own enemies as test subjects and slaves. Eventually, though, his string of successes leads to him being too arrogant for his own good.

Scorponok: wow, I don't even know where to begin. Introduced as the archenemy of Fortress Maximus, he becomes a Headmaster commander by teaming up with the evil Nebulan politician, Zarak. Scorponok begins as a complete mess, with hilariously idiotic plans like using bubbles against his enemies or humiliating the Autobots by having his soldiers defeat them in wrestling matches... and on Earth, he and his soldiers live in a dump. Literally, they live in a dump. He also has more truces than battles with Optimus Prime as he comes to know him, never having seen him until Earth. But Scorponok's ineffectual villainy and eagerness to team up with the Autobots actually leads up to something, as it becomes clear that he actually wants what's best for all transformers but needed to be inspired by Optimus Prime's compassion and support to become confident enough to risk losing the Decepticons' respect and aim for peace. Scorponok (and Optimus) show the strength that lies in choosing to give up conflict and try for peace. In some ways, Scorponok is more like Optimus Prime than Optimus is in this continuity!

Thunderwing: really fascinating. At first he kinda comes across like a generic distillation of what a Decepticon leader is, with all the traits you'd expect of one, and he even takes a test to become one... not the norm given that it's usually backstabbing and civil war that decides who comes out on top. He also thinks he fails the test because he gets distracted by revenge, but then he passes because that proves he's a true Decepticon!!! It's Thunderwing's relationship with the Matrix that is especially interesting. He's obsessed with it, but it's the Matrix's own desire to have new experiences that's corrupting his mind and eventually possesses him. Thunderwing is actually honorable and it's his goodness that allows him to temporarily fight back against it. By current TF standards, Thunderwing would actually be a Prime, since he opened the Matrix, but the Matrix isn't benevolent here. It's more like a little kid that wants to learn by acting out, and Thunderwing is a casualty of that.

Decepticon leaders don't look like this anymore!

Megadeath: the reason Thunderwing is like That™️, and the reason five specific prominent Autobots are the way they are. I mention him because he only appears in a single story in one of the annuals, yet his actions were so unspeakably horrible (the Autobots he traumatized certainly thought so) that he's one of the most sadistic Decepticon leaders ever.

Galvatron: such a multi-faceted and cool villain, that I already made a whole post about him! Notable for his cunning, his fears, and the fact that he was made from at the very least both Megatron and Straxus.

Bludgeon: introduced as part of the Mayhem Attack Squad, which is the Decepticon equivalent of the Wreckers. Specifically, he's introduced hunting down former Mayhems for fraternizing with Wreckers! Bludgeon hates the possibility of peace and loves war, to a religious degree. He thinks he believes in honor, but to be honest, he really doesn't. He's also incredibly fake in that he will pretend to be all for peace just long enough for the Autobots to let their guards down. I'm impressed by how much I love to hate this character given how short Bludgeon's time on-panel was.

There are a few other minor ones that appear as well, so there are even more! I'd like to say that while it probably shouldn't be given that this was like... the first continuity ever, as a fan who became introduced to TF during the Aligned continuity, the way the Marvel UK stories approach Decepticon leadership is so refreshing.

One reason is that Megatron is not portrayed as special just by nature of being Megatron. Yes, he started the War and founded the Decepticons, but he's not given more respect from his troops or his enemies automatically, and he gets his shit rocked constantly. Shockwave's intro was to immediately beat him up and take over, and Megatron embarrasses himself constantly. That's not to say that Megatron isn't worthy of being a Decepticon leader, no—but it means he's often shown clawing his way back up and constantly battling legitimate threats to his position. As a fan, it made me respect him a lot more.

Another thing I appreciate is the way the Decepticons are humanized. There are a lot of blatantly evil ones, but there also many of them who have a sense of honor and goodness, and it's clear that both many Decepticons and Autobots feel stuck and don't even remember why the War started at this point. And even the Decepticons who lack compassion or honor have very understandable struggles, such as facing trauma and trying to overcome it.

Along with the above point is the way the story of Scorponok is handled. I love that Scorponok is a Decepticon leader who always secretly held values that align with Autobot values, but then he ended up stuck in this bloodthirsty culture and endless conflict where he felt like he couldn't do anything, and I love how this is slowly foreshadowed throughout the comic. His friendship with Optimus is also excellent. I really enjoyed how they didn't meet until Earth and slowly became friends as they continually teamed up against greater threats. I appreciate that the Decepticon leader who's best friends with Optimus isn't like... Megatron, who started the War. I feel like a lot of newer continuities make the War center on the falling-out of two friends, which I think is a ridiculous way to handle the conflict.

Speaking of Megatron and Optimus, I appreciate how this continuity just doesn't have a lot of the dynamics that are typically present regarding these Decepticons. Megatron and Optimus are definitely each other's oldest enemy, but their conflict is de-centered in the narrative and they never had a falling-out. Instead, they always disliked each other from before the War. It's actually Shockwave who becomes the nemesis of both Optimus and Megatron for many issues! A lot of Optimus's deepest trauma was inflicted by Shockwave. Also, Megatron and Starscream still have a conflict, but that conflict is rarely present. Starscream causes problems for everyone and is mainly linked to Shockwave for a long time. And as I said before, it's Optimus and Scorponok become friends.

I think a lot of the approaches this continuity took with the Decepticons should be used in the future!

#transformers g1 #transformers marvel #Megatron #Shockwave #Starscream #Soundwave #Straxus #Ratbat #Scorponok #Thunderwing #Megadeath #Galvatron #Bludgeon #my analysis #maccadam #long post

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in1-nutshell · 5 months

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Okay… I have a request..

Beast wars waspinator finding a sparkling in an abandoned escape pod. I just like the idea of waspinator as a dad and his sparkling just adores him.

Waspinator has to be one of my favorite Predacon's in the show! I'm glad someone remembers him!

Hope you enjoy some good sparkling and Waspinator antics!

Waspinator finding an abandoned sparkling

SFW, Familial, Cybertronian/ Bot reader

Beast Wars

Sparkling bean’s beast mode is a fuzzy moth.

Waspinator has a history of having bad luck thrown upon him.

He just can’t seem to catch a break from the blaster shots from the Maximals or the constant feeling of being overlooked and being mistreated by the Predacons.

When he comes across the abandoned pod, the scan had been completed. The pod had opened with a hiss. Waspinator had raised his blaster in case whatever in the pod decided to attack him.

All he heard was soft cooing. Slowly he approaches the pod and looks inside. A little sparkling with large optics looked at him.

They were so cute!

“Wazzpinator confused. Why zzzo cute?”--Waspinator

Giggly bean noises

Waspinator is melting inside at the cute little giggles. He couldn’t leave the little guy out here. What if someone else got him? What if the Maximal’s got them?! He wouldn’t be able to shoot the little thing!

Now he is making his way to the Predacon base with his new companion. He knows that the base isn’t exactly the best place for the sparkling, but maybe this is his ticket for proper recognition by Megatron!

“Okay little Buddy. Being good for Wazzpinator. Wazzpinator needs this.”--Waspinator

Giggly sparkling noises

Turns out Megatron just acknowledged that found something to give the Predacons an edge over the Maximals and ordered Terrorsaur to bring the sparkling to the lab for Tarantulas to take a look at it.

Waspinator did not like this idea at all. Not at all. He didn’t want Little Fuzzy Buddy anywhere near that Spider! What if Tarantulas decided to dissect them? Or worse, eat them!

But they were orders… so he hesitantly gave the sparkling to Terrorsaur. The sparkling made some little clicking and whirling sounds, almost mimicking a whine. Terrorsaur made them face him.

“Such a small little pest.”--Terrorsaur

“…”--Sparkling

“Why are you looking at me like that?” --Terrorsaur

“WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!”--Sparkling

To everyone’s surprise the sparkling started Shrieking bloody murder when they were in Terrorsaurs arms. Waspinator could bear it, and quickly took them back. As if a switch were flipped they stopped screaming and giggled looking at him.

Giggly sparkling noises

“What is the All Spark was that?!”--Terrorsaur

“Wazzpinator don’t know.”--Waspinator

“Never mind that. Scorponok, get the sparkling, yes.”--Megatron

“All right Megatron. Come here little guy.”--Scorponok

“WWWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!”--Sparkling

“Never mind take them back!”--Scorponok

Once again, they started screaming until Waspinator held them again. After everyone regained their hearing again, Megatron appointed Waspinator to oversee the sparkling. He doesn’t fight or complain about his new job, in fact he gets a bit happy that Little Fuzzy Buddy isn’t going to leave him.

Now that Waspinator is overseeing the sparkling, he is going to do his best for this sparkling.

Constantly keeping an eye on them. He knows that the Predacons should not be trusted and doesn’t want the sparkling to grow up with them being their top influence.

“Buddy! Buddy! NO DO NOT GOT INTO THE VENT!!”--Waspinator

“Buddy eats fuel please? Please for Wazpinator?”--Waspinator

“Wazpinator is taking Buddy out of base for a bit today.”--Waspinator

He does try to get them out of the base from time to time. Usually saying that he was teaching them the ways of the Predacons.

“Yes. At least their someone here that still believes in the Predacons cause. Yes, the future is bright.”--Megatron

Meanwhile Waspinator and Buddy are bird watching out in the fields.

He works hard to make sure he has enough time to give to the growing sparkling. Especially when the sparkling made their first transformation into a fuzzy moth.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! My baby izzz flying!”--Waspinator

Sudden realization that he has become a parent hits.

He hates going on patrol and leaving them behind in the base. Yes, there are other Predacons that look after them when he is gone, but that still doesn’t make him feel any better. Honestly would rather have the Maximals looking after them. And has considered it.

Lucky for him though after the first 3 times of the others looking ab=after the sparkling, it was decided that Waspinator not leave the sparkling until they grew out of the habit of screaming.

“Oh thank the Primes the screaming has stopped!”--Tarantulas

“Wazzpinator here!”--Waspinator

“Take it! Take the spawn of Unicron out of here!”--Terrorsaur

“Well, thatz not very nice thing to say to Fuzzy Buddy.”—Waspinator

The sparkling had reigned down their terrifying shrieks on any unsuspecting Predacon within a 10 feet radius.

As the sparkling gets a bit older and Megatron slowly becomes more deranged, he does eventually come across a crossroad. To stay in the Predacon ranks, continuing to live in fear and pass that on to his kid. To become neutral and risk both sides to fire on him, or worse his sparkling. Or to defect over to the Maximals.

Waspinator knocking on the door of the Maximal base with Buddy in one of those baby straps.

Optimus Primal opening the door.

“Wazzpinator creator now. Wazzpinator wants to be a Maximal now.”--Waspinator

“What?”--Optimus

Waspinator moving inside.

“Where Wazzpinator put bags?”--Waspinator

Confused Gorilla noises

It ends up with him defecting to the Maximals. Dinobot had vouched for his former teammate and bought his sob story and wanted a better life for his kid. While everyone was weary of him at first, thinking this being a trick, they eventually relaxed and got to know their new teammates. This makes Waspinator very happy.

Finally, a place that he knows this sparkling won’t be in danger every minute.

He still can’t believe that once upon a time he didn’t have them in his life. Counts his lucky stars to being able to have them here.

Maybe this was a way the universe was apologizing to Waspinator for all the years being in the Predacon ranks.

#transformers beast wars #beast wars #transformers x reader #bw waspinator #bw megatron #bw tarantulas #terrorsaur #scorponok #bw optimus primal #maccadam #bot buddy

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