Editing Transformers (section)

===''Transformers: Generation 1'' (1984–1993)===
{{Main|Transformers: Generation 1|The Transformers (TV series){{!}}The Transformers (1984-1987 television series)}}
[[File:Transformers layered text logo.png|thumb|Classic ''Transformers'' franchise logo used until 2014]]
[[File:Transformers Marvel Comics Spider-Man vs. Megatron.jpg|thumb|[[Spider-Man]] battles [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]] on the cover of ''The Transformers'' #3.]]
''Generation 1'' is a retroactive term for the ''Transformers'' characters that appeared between 1984 and 1993. The ''Transformers'' began with the 1980s Japanese toy lines ''[[Microman|Micro Change]]'' and ''[[Diaclone]]''. They presented robots able to transform into everyday vehicles, electronic items or weapons. Hasbro bought the ''Micro Change'' and ''Diaclone'' toys, and partnered with [[Takara]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Hasbro Publishes Transformers Timeline to Movie | publisher = TFormers | date = 2007-02-09 | url = http://tformers.com/Hasbro-Publishes-Transformers-Timeline-to-Movie/7132/news.html | access-date = 2007-02-10}}</ref> [[Marvel Comics]] was hired by Hasbro to create the [[backstory]]; editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] wrote an overall story, and gave the task of creating the characters to writer [[Dennis O'Neil]].<ref>{{cite web | author = Matthew Karpowich | title = A Little Q&A With Bob Budiansky | publisher = ASM | date = 2004-07-26 | url = http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_2.php | access-date = 2007-02-08 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080221202635/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_2.php | archive-date = 2008-02-21 }}</ref> Unhappy with O'Neil's work (although O'Neil created the name "[[Optimus Prime]]"), Shooter chose [[Bob Budiansky]] to create the characters.<ref>{{cite web | title = Bob Budiansky | publisher = TransFans.net | date=September 2006 | url = http://transfans.net/interviews_budiansky.php | access-date = 2007-02-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070309223445/http://transfans.net/interviews_budiansky.php | archive-date = 2007-03-09}}</ref>

The ''Transformers'' [[mecha]] were largely designed by [[Shōji Kawamori]], the creator of the Japanese [[mecha anime]] franchise ''[[Macross]]'' (which was adapted into the ''[[Robotech]]'' franchise in North America).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knott |first1=Kylie |title=He created Macross and designed Transformers toys: Japanese anime legend Shoji Kawamori |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2187735/he-created-macross-and-designed-transformers-toys-japanese |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=27 February 2019}}</ref> Kawamori came up with the idea of transforming mechs while working on the ''Diaclone'' and ''Macross'' franchises in the early 1980s (such as the [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] in ''Macross'' and ''Robotech''), with his ''Diaclone'' mechs later providing the basis for ''Transformers''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barder |first1=Ollie |title=Shoji Kawamori, The Creator Hollywood Copies But Never Credits |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/10/shoji-kawamori-the-creator-hollywood-copies-but-never-credits/ |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=December 10, 2015}}</ref>

The primary concept of Generation 1 is that the heroic [[Optimus Prime]], the villainous [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]], and their finest soldiers crash-land on [[prehistoric]] Earth in the ''[[Ark (Transformers)|Ark]]'' and the ''[[Nemesis (Transformers)|Nemesis]]'' before awakening in 1985, Cybertron hurtling through the Neutral zone as an effect of the war. [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|The Marvel comic]] was originally part of the main [[Marvel Universe]], with appearances from [[Spider-Man]] and [[Nick Fury]], plus some cameos,<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Jim Salicrup | penciller = Frank Springer | story = Prisoner of War! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]] | issue = 3 | date = January 1985 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> as well as a visit to the [[Savage Land]].<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = William Johnson | story = Repeat Performance! | title = The Transformers (U.S.A) | issue = 8 | date = September 1984 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref>

[[The Transformers (TV series)|''The Transformers'' TV series]] began around the same time. Produced by [[Sunbow Productions]] and [[Marvel Productions]], later Hasbro Productions, from the start it contradicted Budiansky's backstories. The TV series shows the [[Autobot]]s looking for new energy sources, and crash landing as the [[Decepticon]]s attack.<ref>{{cite episode | title = More than Meets the Eye | episode-link = List of The Transformers episodes#ep1 | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1984-09-17}}</ref> Marvel interpreted the Autobots as destroying a rogue asteroid approaching Cybertron.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Bill Mantlo | penciller = Ralph Macchio | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 1 | date = September 1984 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]] is loyal to Megatron on the TV series, keeping Cybertron in a stalemate during his absence,<ref>{{cite episode | title = Transport to Oblivion | episode-link = Transport to Oblivion | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1984-10-06}}</ref> but in the comic book, he attempts to take command of the Decepticons.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Alan Kupperberg | story = The New Order | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A)]] | issue = 5 | date = June 1985 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> The TV series would also differ wildly from the origins Budiansky had created for the Dinobots,<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Jim Salicrup | penciller = LeBron James | story = The Last Stand | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] |issue=4|date=March 1984|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode | title = S.O.S. Dinobots | episode-link = SOS Dinobots | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1984-10-27 | season = 1}}</ref> the Decepticon turned Autobot [[Jetfire]]<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Herb Trimpe | story = Brainstorm! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 11 | date = December 1985 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> (known as Skyfire on TV<ref>{{cite episode | title = Fire in the Sky | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1984-12-08}}</ref>), the [[Constructicons]] (who combine to form [[Devastator (Transformers)|Devastator]]),<ref name="secret">{{cite episode | title = The Secret of Omega Supreme | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1985-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Ricardo Villamonte | story = The Next Best Thing to Being There! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 9 | date = November 1985 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> and [[Omega Supreme]].<ref name="secret" /><ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Bob Budiansky | penciller = Don Perlin | story = Command Performances | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 19 | date = August 1986 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> The Marvel comic establishes early on that Prime wields the [[Creation Matrix]], which gives life to machines. In the second season, the two-part episode [[The Key to Vector Sigma]] introduced the ancient Vector Sigma computer, which served the same original purpose as the Creation Matrix (giving life to Transformers), and its guardian [[Alpha Trion]].

In 1986, the cartoon became the film ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which is set in the year 2005. It introduced the Matrix as the "[[Autobot#The Primes|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]]", as a fatally wounded Prime gives it to [[Ultra Magnus]]; however, as Prime dies he drops the matrix, which is then caught by [[Hot Rod (Transformers)|Hot Rod]] who subsequently becomes [[Rodimus Prime]] later on in the film. [[Unicron]], a Transformer who devours planets, fears its power and re-creates a heavily damaged Megatron as [[Galvatron]], as well as Bombshell or [[Skywarp]] becoming [[Cyclonus]], [[Thundercracker]] becoming [[Scourge (Transformers)|Scourge]] and two other [[Insecticons]] becoming Scourge's huntsmen, the [[Sweeps (Transformers)|Sweeps]]. Eventually, [[Rodimus Prime]] takes out the Matrix and destroys Unicron.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Transformers: The Movie (1986) | publisher = The Internet Movie Database | url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092106/ | access-date = 2007-02-02}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the weekly comic book interspliced original material to keep up with U.S. reprints,<ref>{{cite web | author = James Roberts | title = The Rise and Fall of Transformers UK | publisher = The Underbase | url = http://www.theunderbase.co.uk/wiki.asp?db=tfdb2000&o=The%20Rise%20and%20Fall%20of%20Transformers%20UK | access-date = 2007-02-16}}</ref> and ''The Movie'' provided much new material. Writer [[Simon Furman]] proceeded to expand the continuity with movie spin-offs involving the time travelling Galvatron.<ref>[[Simon Furman]] (w), Jeff Anderson, [[Geoff Senior]], [[Will Simpson (comics)|Will Simpson]], [[Ron Smith (comics)|Ron Smith]] (p), "[[Target: 2006]]" ''The Transformers (U.K)'' #78-88 1986-09-13 - 1986-11-22 [[Marvel UK]]</ref><ref>[[Simon Furman]] (w), [[Andrew Wildman]], Robin Smith, Dan Reed, Lee Sullivan (p), "Time Wars" ''The Transformers (U.K)'' #199-205 1989-01-07 - 1989-02-18 [[Marvel UK]]</ref> The Movie also featured guest voices from [[Leonard Nimoy]] as [[Galvatron]], [[Scatman Crothers]] as [[Jazz (Transformers)|Jazz]], [[Casey Kasem]] as Cliffjumper, [[Orson Welles]] as [[Unicron]] and [[Eric Idle]] as the leader of the Junkions (Wreck-Gar, though unnamed in the movie). The Transformers theme tune for the film was performed by Lion with [["Weird Al" Yankovic]] adding a song to the soundtrack.

The third season followed up ''The Movie'', with the revelation of the [[Quintessons]] having used Cybertron as a factory. Their robots rebel, and in time the workers become the Autobots and the soldiers become the Decepticons. (Note: This appears to contradict background presented in the first two seasons of the series.) It is the Autobots who develop transformation.<ref>{{cite episode | title = Five Faces of Darkness&nbsp;— Part 4 | episode-link = Five Faces of Darkness#Part 4 | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1986-09-18}}</ref> Due to popular demand,<ref>{{cite news | author = Lane Crockett | title = Hasbro Can't Toy with Optimus Prime | publisher = The Shreveport Times | date = 1987-03-28 | url = http://www.electric-escape.net/node/587 | access-date = 2007-02-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060813092845/http://www.electric-escape.net/node/587  |archive-date = 2006-08-13}}</ref> Optimus Prime is resurrected at the conclusion of the third season,<ref>{{cite episode | title = The Return of Optimus Prime | episode-link = The Return of Optimus Prime | series = The Transformers | series-link = The Transformers (TV series) | airdate = 1987-02-24}}</ref> and the series ended with a three-episode story arc. However, the Japanese broadcast of the series was supplemented with a newly produced [[OVA]], ''[[Transformers: Scramble City|Scramble City]]'', before creating entirely new series to continue the storyline, ignoring the 1987 end of the American series. The extended Japanese run consisted of ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce|Super-God Masterforce]]'', ''[[Transformers: Victory|Victory]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Zone|Zone]]'', then in illustrated magazine form as ''Battlestars: Return of Convoy'' and ''Operation: Combination''. Just as the TV series was wrapping up, Marvel continued to expand its continuity. It follows ''The Movie'''s example by killing Prime<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Don Perlin | story = Afterdeath! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 24 | date = January 1987 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> and Megatron,<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Don Perlin | story = Gone But Not Forgotten! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] |issue = 25| date = February 1987 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> albeit in the present day. Dinobot leader [[Grimlock]] takes over as Autobot leader.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Don Perlin | story = King of the Hill! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] |issue = 27| date = April 1987| publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> There was a ''G.I. Joe'' crossover<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Michael Higgins | penciller = Herb Trimpe | story = Blood on the Tracks, Power Struggle, Ashes, Ashes... All Fall Down | title = G.I. Joe and the Transformers | issue = 1-4 | date = January–April 1987 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> and the limited series ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]'', which further expanded the scope to the planet Nebulon.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = Frank Springer | story = Ring of Hate! Broken Glass! Love and Steel! Brothers in Armor! | title = [[The Transformers: Headmasters]] | issue = 1-4 | date = July–October 1987 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> It led on to the main title resurrecting Prime as a Powermaster.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Bob Budiansky]] | penciller = [[José Delbo]]| story = People Power! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 42 | date=July 1988 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, the mythology continued to grow. Primus is introduced as the creator of the Transformers, to serve his material body that is planet Cybertron and fight his nemesis [[Unicron]].<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = Jeff Anderson | story = The Legacy of Unicron (Part 5) | title = The Transformers (UK) | issue = 150 | date = 1988-01-30 | publisher = [[Marvel UK]]}}</ref> Female Autobot [[Arcee]] also appeared, despite the comic book stating the Transformers had no concept of gender, with her backstory of being built by the Autobots to quell human accusations of sexism.<ref>{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Simon Furman]] | Penciller = [[Andrew Wildman]] | Story = Prime's Rib! | Title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]] | Issue = 234 | Date = 1989-09-09 | Publisher = [[Marvel UK]]}}</ref> [[Soundwave (Transformers)|Soundwave]], Megatron's second-in-command, also [[broke the fourth wall|breaks the fourth wall]] in the letters page, criticising the cartoon continuity as an inaccurate representation of history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sound waves Vs the Transformers cartoon |publisher=The Hub |url=http://www.the-hub.co.uk/comics/transformersmarvel/features/soundwaves/index.html |access-date=2007-02-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103093452/http://www.the-hub.co.uk/comics/transformersmarvel/features/soundwaves/index.html |archive-date=November 3, 2015 }}</ref> The UK also had a crossover in ''Action Force'', the UK counterpart to G.I. Joe.<ref>[[Simon Furman]] (w), [[Geoff Senior]] (p), "Ancient Relics!" ''Action Force'' #24-27 1987-08-15 - 1987-09-05 [[Marvel UK]]</ref> The comic book features a resurrected Megatron,<ref>{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Simon Furman]] | Penciller = [[Geoff Senior]] | Story = Ancient Relics Part 1 | Title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.K.)]] | Issue = 125 | Date = 1987-08-08 | Publisher = [[Marvel UK]]}}</ref> whom Furman [[retcon]]ned to be a [[Cloning|clone]]<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = [[Geoff Senior]] | story = Two Megatrons! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.K.)]] | issue = 244 | date = 1987-11-18 | publisher = [[Marvel UK]]}}</ref> when he took over the U.S. comic book, which depicted Megatron as still dead.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = José Delbo| story = Back from the Dead! | title = [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers (U.S.A.)]] | issue = 56 | date=September 1989 | publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> The U.S. comic would last for 80 issues until 1991,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/series/2898/covers/|title=GCD :: Covers :: The Transformers|website=www.comics.org|access-date=18 June 2018}}</ref> and the UK comic lasted 332 issues and several [[Annual publication|annuals]], until it was replaced as [[Dreamwave Productions]], later in the 20th century.

In 2009, [[Shout! Factory]] released the entire G1 series in a 16-DVD box set called the Matrix of Leadership Edition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://insidepulse.com/2009/10/06/transformers-matrix-of-leadership-arrives-october-20th/ |title=Transformers: Matrix of Leadership Arrives October 20th |website=Insidepulse.com |date=October 6, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> They also released the same content as individual seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/37505/transformers-the-complete-first-season-25th-anniversary-edition/ |title=Transformers: The Complete First Season (25th Anniversary Edition) |website=dvdtalk.com |date=June 16, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>

====''Transformers: Generation 2'' (1993–1995)====
{{Main|Transformers: Generation 2}}
It was five issues<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Larry Hama]] | penciller = [[Andrew Wildman]], Stephen Baskerville, Chris Batista, Jesse Orozco, William Rosado | story = Unfoldings!, Realignments, Goin' South, Sucker Punch, Final Transformations | title = G.I. Joe | issue = 138-142 | date = July–November 1993 | publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> of the ''[[G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (Marvel Comics)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic in 1993 that would springboard a return for Marvel's Transformers, with the new twelve-issue series ''[[Transformers: Generation 2]]'', to market a new toy line.

This story reveals that the Transformers originally breed [[Asexual reproduction|asexually]], though it is stopped by Primus because it produced the evil [[Swarm (Transformers)|Swarm]].<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = Manny Galan | story = The Power and the Glory | title = [[Transformers: Generation 2]] | issue = 5 | date = March 1994 | publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> A new empire, neither Autobot nor Decepticon, is bringing it back, however. Though the year-long arc wrapped itself up with an alliance between [[Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]], the final panel introduces the Liege Maximo, ancestor of the Decepticons.<ref>{{Cite comic | Writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = Manny Galan | Story = A Rage in Heaven! | Title = [[Transformers: Generation 2]] | Issue = 12 | date = October 1994 | Publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]}}</ref> This minor cliffhanger was not resolved until 2001 and 2002's Transforce convention when writer [[Simon Furman]] concluded his story in the exclusive novella ''Alignment''.<ref>{{cite web | title = Alignment | publisher = Transforce | url = http://www.transforce.org.uk/alignmentbook.swf | access-date = 2007-02-22 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070704093841/http://www.transforce.org.uk/alignmentbook.swf | archive-date = 2007-07-04 }}</ref>

====''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' (1996–2000)====
{{Main|Beast Wars: Transformers|Beast Machines}}
The story focuses on a small group of [[Maximal (Transformers)|Maximals]] (the new Autobots), led by [[Optimus Primal]], and [[Predacon (Transformers)|Predacons]], led by [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]], 300 years after the "Great War". After a dangerous pursuit through [[Wormhole|transwarp space]], both the Maximal and Predacon factions end up crash landing on a primitive, uncivilized planet similar to [[Earth]], but with two moons and a dangerous level of Energon (which is later revealed to ''be'' prehistoric Earth with an artificial second moon, taking place sometime during the 4 million year period in which the Autobots and Decepticons were in suspended animation from the first episode of the original Transformers cartoon), which forces them to take organic beast forms in order to function without going into stasis lock.<ref>{{cite episode | title = Pilot (Part 1) | series = Beast Wars | series-link = Beast Wars | airdate = 1996-09-16 | season = 1}}</ref> After writing this first episode, [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] learned of the G1 Transformers and began to use elements of it as a historical backstory to their scripts,<ref>{{cite video | people = Bob Forward | title = Interview with writer Bob Forward | medium = DVD | publisher = Rhino | date = 2003-08-12}}</ref> establishing ''Beast Wars'' as a part of the ''Generation 1'' universe through numerous callbacks to both the cartoon and the Marvel comic. By the end of the first season, the second moon and the Energon are revealed to have been constructed by a mysterious alien race known as the [[List of Beast Wars and Beast Machines characters#Non-aligned characters|Vok]].

[[File:G1Prime BWMegs.jpg|thumb|Beast Wars [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]] attacks [[Optimus Prime (Transformers)|Optimus Prime]] in a clash of generations.]]
The destruction of the second moon releases mysterious energies that make some of the characters "[[transmetals|transmetal]]" and the planet is revealed to be prehistoric Earth, leading to the discovery of the ''Ark''. Megatron attempts to kill the original [[Optimus Prime (Transformers)|Optimus Prime]],<ref name="agenda">{{cite episode | title = The Agenda | episode-link = The Agenda (Beast Wars) | series = Beast Wars | series-link = Beast Wars | airdate = March 11{{ndash}}13, 1997 | season=2}}</ref> but at the beginning of the third season, Primal manages to preserve his spark. In the two-season follow-up series, ''Beast Machines'', Cybertron is revealed to have organic origins, which Megatron attempts to stamp out.

After the first season of ''Beast Wars'' (comprising 26 episodes) aired in Japan, the Japanese were faced with a problem. The second Canadian season was only 13 episodes long, not enough to warrant airing on Japanese TV. While they waited for the third Canadian season to be completed (thereby making 26 episodes in total when added to season 2), they produced two exclusive cel-animated series of their own, ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Life-Form Transformers|Beast Wars II]]'' (also called ''Beast Wars Second'') and ''[[Super Life-Form Transformers: Beast Wars Neo|Beast Wars Neo]],'' to fill in the gap. Dreamwave [[retroactive continuity|retroactively]] revealed ''Beast Wars'' to be the future of their G1 universe,<ref name="dream beasts" /> and the 2006 IDW comic book ''[[Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' eventually confirmed the Japanese series to be canon<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = [[Don Figueroa]] | title = [[Beast Wars: The Gathering]] | issue = 1 | date = 2006-02-15 | publisher = [[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> within a story set during Season 3.<ref>{{cite news | title = Interview&nbsp;— IDWs Ryall & Furman Talk Beast Wars Comic | publisher = Comic News International | date = 2005-10-25 | url = http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=7960 | access-date = 2007-01-31 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061030212311/http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=7960 | archive-date = 2006-10-30 }}</ref>

Beast Wars contained elements from both the G1 cartoon series and comics. Attributes taken from the cartoon include Transformers that were female, the appearance of [[Starscream (Transformers)|Starscream]] (who mentions being killed off by Galvatron in ''The Transformers: The Movie''), and appearances of the Plasma Energy Chamber and Key to Vector Sigma. The naming of the Transformer ship, the ''Ark'' (and reference to 1984, the year the Transformers on board are revived), the character [[Ravage (Transformers)|Ravage]] being shown as intelligent, and Cybertron having an organic core are elements taken from the comics.

In 2011, [[Shout! Factory]] released the complete series of ''Beast Wars'' on DVD.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/16/transformers-beast-wars-returns-on-dvd |title=Transformers: Beast Wars Returns on DVD |work=IGN |date=May 16, 2011 |access-date=February 16, 2022}}</ref>

====Dreamwave Productions (2001–2005)====
In 2001, [[Dreamwave Productions]] began a new universe of annual comics adapted from Marvel, but also included elements of the animated. The Dreamwave stories followed the concept of the Autobots defeating the Decepticons on Earth, but their 1997 return journey to Cybertron on the ''Ark II''<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = Chris Sarracini | penciller = [[Pat Lee (comics illustrator)|Pat Lee]] | title = [[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#Prime Directive (Volume 1)|Transformers: Prime Directive]] | issue = 1 | date = April 2002 | publisher = [[Dreamwave]]}}</ref> is destroyed by [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]], now ruler of the planet.<ref name="war and peace">{{Cite comic | writer = Brad Mick | penciller = Pat Lee | title = [[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#War and Peace (Volume 2)|Transformers: War and Peace]] | issue = 6 | date = September 2003 | publisher = [[Dreamwave]]}}</ref> The story follows on from there and was told in [[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)|two six-issue limited series, then a ten-issue ongoing series]]. The series also adds extra complexities such as not all Transformers believing in the existence of Primus,<ref>Brad Mick, Adam Patyk (w), [[Don Figueroa]] (p), "Original Sin" ''[[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#Generation One (Ongoing title)|Transformers: Generation One]]'' #5, May 2004, [[Dreamwave Productions]]</ref> corruption in the Cybertronian government that first led [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]] to begin his war,<ref>James McDonough, Adam Patykand (w), [[Don Figueroa]] (p), "The Route of All Evil" ''[[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#Generation One (Ongoing title)|Transformers: Generation One]]'' #10, December 2004, [[Dreamwave Productions]]</ref> and Earth having an unknown relevance to Cybertron.<ref name="war and peace"/><ref>Brad Mick, Adam Patyk (w), [[Don Figueroa]] (p), "Atonement" ''[[Transformers: Generation One (Dreamwave)#Generation One (Ongoing title)|Transformers: Generation One]]'' #6, June 2004, [[Dreamwave Productions]]</ref>

Three ''[[Transformers: The War Within]]'' limited series were also published. These are set at the beginning of the Great War, and identify Prime as once being a clerk named Optronix.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer = [[Simon Furman]] | penciller = [[Don Figueroa]] | title = [[Transformers: The War Within]] | issue=1 | date = October 2002 | publisher = [[Dreamwave Productions]]}}</ref> ''Beast Wars'' was also [[retroactive continuity|retroactively]] stated as the future of this continuity, with the profile series ''More than Meets the Eye'' showing the [[List of Beast Wars characters#Predacons|Predacon]] [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]] looking at historical files detailing Dreamwave's characters and taking his name from the original Megatron.<ref name="dream beasts">{{Cite comic | writer = Adam Patyk, Brad Mick | penciller = Joe Ng, James Raiz, Edwin Garcia, [[Don Figueroa]], Alex Lin | title = Transformers: More than Meets the Eye | issue = 8 | date = November 2003 | publisher = [[Dreamwave]]}}</ref> In 2004, this real life universe also inspired three novels<ref>{{cite book | title=The Transformers Trilogy|isbn=0739445626|last1=Ciencin |first1=Scott |year=2004 |publisher=Science Fiction Book Club }}</ref> and a [[Dorling Kindersley]] guide, which focused on Dreamwave as the "true" continuity when discussing in-universe elements of the characters. In a new twist, Primus and Unicron are siblings, formerly a being known as the One. ''[[Transformers: Micromasters]]'', set after the ''Ark'''s disappearance, was also published. The real life universe was disrupted when Dreamwave went bankrupt in 2005.<ref>{{cite news | title = Immediate Press Release&nbsp;— Dreamwave will be ceasing operations! | publisher = Seibertron | date = 2005-01-04 | url = http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=4495 | access-date = 2007-01-31}}</ref> This left the ''Generation 1'' story hanging and the third volume of ''The War Within'' half finished. Plans for a comic book set between ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' were also left unrealized.<ref>{{cite news | author = Benjamin Ong Pang Kean | title = Starting the beast war: dreamwave talks tformers: beast war | publisher = Newsarama | date = 2004-07-12 | url = http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22884 | access-date = 2007-01-31 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926223311/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22884 | archive-date = 2007-09-26 }}</ref>

====''G.I. Joe'' crossovers (2003–present)====
Throughout the years, the G1 characters have also starred in crossovers with fellow Hasbro property ''[[G.I. Joe]]'', but whereas those crossovers published by Marvel were in continuity with their larger storyline, those released by Dreamwave and ''G.I. Joe'' publisher [[Devil's Due Publishing]] occupy their own separate real life universes. In Devil's Due, the terrorist organization [[Cobra (G.I. Joe)|COBRA Command]] is responsible for finding and reactivating the Transformers. Dreamwave's version reimagines the familiar ''G1'' and ''G.I. Joe'' characters in a [[World War II]] setting, and a second limited series was released set in the present day, though Dreamwave's bankruptcy meant it was cancelled after a single issue. Devil's Due had Cobra re-engineer the Transformers to turn into familiar Cobra vehicles, and released further mini-series that sent the characters travelling through time, battling [[Serpentor]] and being faced with the combined menace of [[Cobra-La]] and [[Unicron]]. During this time, Cobra teams up with the [[Decepticon]]s. [[IDW Publishing]] has expressed interest in their own crossover.<ref>{{cite news|title=BotCon 2006 - Transformers Comics: Past, Present & Future|publisher=TFormers.com|date=2006-09-30|url=http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=6608|access-date=2007-02-27}}</ref>

====IDW publishing (2005–2022)====
{{Main|The Transformers (IDW Publishing)}}
The following year, [[IDW Publishing]] [[reboot (fiction)|rebooted]] the G1 series from scratch within various [[The Transformers (IDW Publishing)|limited series]] and [[The Transformers: Spotlight|one shots]]. This allowed long-time writer of Marvel and Dreamwave comics, [[Simon Furman]], to create his own universe without continuity hindrance, similar to [[Ultimate Marvel]]. This new continuity originally consisted of a comic book series titled The Transformers with a companion series known as [[The Transformers: Spotlight]]. The main series was broken up into several story arcs. Eventually, with IDW Publishing losing sales, the series was given a soft reboot. Beginning with ''All Hail Megatron'', the series was set in a new direction, discarding the miniseries and Spotlight format with [[Ongoing series|ongoing comics]]. By 2012 the series had split into three ongoing series; The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye, The Transformers: Robots in Disguise (which later changed in 2015 to "The Transformers") and The Transformers: Till All Are One. In 2022, it was announced that IDW lost the publishing rights to Transformers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title=IDW Loses GI Joe, Transformers License at the End of the Year |url=https://www.cbr.com/idw-loses-gi-joe-transformers-licenses-2022/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=CBR}}</ref>

====Alternative stories====
In January 2006, the ''Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club'' comic wrote a story based on the Transformers Classics toy line, set in the Marvel Comics universe, but excluding the ''Generation 2'' comic. Fifteen years after [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]] crash-lands in the ''[[Ark (Transformers)|Ark]]'' with Ratchet, the war continues with the characters in their ''Classics'' bodies.<ref>{{Cite comic | writer=Forest Lee|penciller=Dan Khanna|story=Crossing Over|title=Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club|date=January–February 2006|issue=13|publisher=Fun Publications}}</ref>

IDW Publishing introduced ''[[The Transformers: Evolutions]]'' in 2006, a collection of mini-series that re-imagine and reinterpret the G1 characters in various ways. To date, only one miniseries has been published, ''[[The Transformers: Evolutions|Hearts of Steel]]'', placing the characters in an [[Industrial Revolution]]-era setting. The series was delayed as Hasbro did not want to confuse newcomers with too many fictional universes before the release of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action film]].<ref>{{cite news|title=IDW's Plans For Transformers Revealed At The 2006 San Diego Comic Con|publisher=Comics News International|date=2006-07-26|url=http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=245&itemid=8842|access-date=2007-02-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043559/http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=245&itemid=8842|archive-date=2007-09-27}}</ref>

However, IDW and the original publisher [[Marvel Comics]] announced a crossover storyline with the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] to coincide with the film ''[[New Avengers/Transformers]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Avengers/Transformers|publisher=IDW Publishing|url=http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/tf-na.shtml|access-date=2007-02-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070228111509/http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/tf-na.shtml  |archive-date = 2007-02-28}}</ref> The story is set on the borders of [[Symkaria]] and [[Latveria]], and its [[fictional universe]] is set between the first two ''[[The New Avengers (comics)|New Avengers]]'' storylines, as well in between the ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]'' phase of IDW's ''[[The Transformers (IDW Publishing)|The Transformers]]''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Jay|title=Stuart Moore Talks New Avengers/Transformers|publisher=Comics News International|date=2007-03-02|url=http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=99&itemid=9440|access-date=2007-03-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070721005916/http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=99&itemid=9440|archive-date=2007-07-21}}</ref> IDW editor-in-chief, Chris Ryall hinted at elements of it being carried over into the main continuities,<ref>{{cite news|title =Ryall answers fans' questions on TF/Avengers crossover|publisher=TFormers|date=2007-02-26|url=http://tformers.com/Ryall-Answers-Fans-Questions-On-TFAvengers-Crossover/7231/news.html|access-date=2007-02-27}}</ref> and that a [[sequel]] is possible.<ref>{{cite news|author=Dave Richards|title=NYCC, DAY 2: MOORE, ROSEMANN AND RYALL TALK "NEW AVENGERS/ TRANSFORMERS"|publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=2007-02-24|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9791|access-date=2007-02-27|archive-date=2007-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011165816/http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=9791|url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2018 it was announced there would be [[Star Trek vs Transformers|Star Trek and Transformers Crossover]] being released in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Gizmodo]]|title=A New IDW Comic Is Mashing Up Star Trek and Transformers in the Most Glorious Way Possible|author=Whitbrook, James|date=June 19, 2018|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/a-new-idw-comic-is-mashing-up-star-trek-and-transformer-1826960426}}</ref>

====''Transformers: Kiss Players'' (2006–2007)====
''{{ill|Transformers: Kiss Players|ja|トランスフォーマー_キスぷれ#}}'' (トランスフォーマー キスぷれ, ''Toransufōmā Kisu Pure''), shortened to ''Kiss Players'' (キスぷれ, ''Kisu Pure''), is a Japanese Transformers franchise which began in 2006 to 2007 as was helmed by artist and writer Yuki Ohshima. By virtue of being the only Transformers toyline and fiction released in Japan by [[Takara]] between the conclusion of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron]]'' and [[Transformers (film)|the live-action movie]], it was also effectively the main Transformers line in the country for that time. It takes place in the [[Transformers: Generation 1|Generation 1 cartoon]] continuity, specifically in the five-year milieu between ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and ''[[List of The Transformers episodes#Japanese seasons|Transformers 2010]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/kiss/|title=トランスフォーマー キスぷれ|website=takaratomy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208001826/http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/kiss/ |access-date=February 17, 2024|archive-date=2010-02-08 }}</ref>

The series derives its name from its controversial gimmick, which involves Transformers getting "power-ups" when they are kissed by human girls - the eponymous "Kiss Players" - who fuse with the robots and share their adventures. The plot starts with the Earth Defense Command being formed in 2003 as part of a cooperative human/Autobot effort. When a virus called the Cosmic Rust critically struck the Autobots later that year, the EDC kicked off the Binaltech Project to shore up its defenses. When [[Megatron#Kiss Players|Galvatron]] was hurled out of [[Unicron]] by [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Autobots|Rodimus Prime]] in 2005, rather than immediately crashing onto the intended target of the planet Thrull, he instead hurtled toward Earth. Landing in Tokyo, Japan, the Decepticon leader's impact decimated the city and scattered his Unicron-mutated cells throughout Earth's atmosphere. Following this catastrophe, the EDC was reborn as an organization dedicated to driving all Transformers off Earth. The organization built an anti-electron field (previously referred to as an [[Transformers: Energon#Plot|Energon]] field) to make the planet uninhabitable to Cybertronians, and created a team of 48 transforming robots known as Autoroopers (オートルーパー Ōtorūpā), a Japanese portmanteau of "auto" (オート ōto) and "trooper" (トルーパー torūpā) or Autotroopers (aka Autobot Troopers) in English, are a group of human-created artificial Transformers that serve the Earth Defense Command to combat any other Transformers that remained,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autotrooper_(Animated)|title=Autotrooper (Animated)|website=Transformer Wiki|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> recruiting young women who had been infected with the cells and gained Kiss Player fusion abilities to partner with them.

The three central characters were a younger version of [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Humans|Marissa Faireborn]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Marissa_Faireborne#Kiss_Players|title=Marissa Faireborne (''Kiss Players'')|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> as a resistance fighter against the EDC partnered with Optimus Prime who while having died in the movie, his body body was recovered and restored to life in a new body resembling that of a [[Dodge Ram]] pickup by the same organization. Rodimus devastated by his guilt in his role of the destruction of Tokyo stepped down as the then leader of the Autobots reverting to the previous name of Hot Rod in order to return to Earth to atone for his mistake. He's refitted into a vehicle resembling a [[Ford GT]] by his headstrong partner Shaoshao Li<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Shaoshao_Li|title=Shaoshao Li (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref>, a girl of Chinese descent and an estranged friend of Marissa and used to be one of the EDC's top Kiss Players until realizing that the EDC was conducting experiments behind her back on other girls. She was then rescued by Hot Rod and joins the resistance to combat the EDC and make amends with her former friend. Lastly, Atari Hitotonari<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Atari|title=Atari Hitotonari (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> of Japanese descent, who "recruited" into the EDC after the death of her parents while suffering from [[survivor's guilt]]. She would shortly become depressed and self-destructive. As she spoke aloud about her nihilistic feelings she would meet her partner by the name Ne-04<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ne_Squad|title=Ne Squad (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformer Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref>, an Autorooper built in the form resembling a [[Mazda RX-8]] would shared the same feeling as she did though with the time they spend together their way of thinking would change throughout their relationship. While this plotline seems like a shift in demographics to little girls, it is said that this line was aimed at a much older adult male audience. The toys bear an "ages 15 and up" warning, and the subject matter of the accompanying manga is far from child-friendly. The franchise itself consists of a toyline, a weekly [[radio drama]] series (featuring voice acting by [[Lyrian]] as Marissa, [[Yui Kano]] as Shaoshao, [[Satomi Akesaka]] as Atari, and Keiji Hirai<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aoni.co.jp/search/hirai-keiji.html|title=ひらい けいじ　/　Keiji Hirai's actor profile page|website=Anoi Pro|access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref> as Ne-04, among others), and a three part manga, which together tell the story of the line in which the toys and manga all of which were also created by Ohshima.<ref name="トランスフォーマー・キスぷれ">{{cite web|url=http://snakas.web.fc2.com/kisspre/index.htm|website=snakas|title=トランスフォーマー・キスぷれ|access-date=February 17, 2024}}</ref>

Following the conclusion of its first storyline in late 2007, ''Kiss Players'' moved into its second (and apparently final) phase, ''Kiss Players Position'', which shifted focus to a distinctly more PG-rated theme, though it was still heavy on the "cute girls" theme. The Kiss Players this time are a pop idol singing group made up of the three girls and three original [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Mini-Cassettes|mini-cassette]] Transformers Glit,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Glit|title=Glit (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date= December 31, 2023}}</ref> Sundor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tfu.info/2006/Cybertron/Sundor/sundor.htm|title=Sundor's profile -Cybertron-Function: Spy|website=TFU.INFO|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> [[List of The Transformers characters#Decepticon Mini-Cassettes|the former is a spy and the latter shows compassion to both allies and enemies]], and Rosanna<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Rosanna_(KP)|title=Rosanna (''Kiss Players'') profile|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> who's the only [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Autobot Mini-Cassettes|heroic one out of the three]]. The group's purpose is to promote a positive relationship and friendship between humans and Transformers in the wake of the Tokyo disaster of 2005 and the subsequent rise and fall of the E.D.C.. They wear E.D.C. logos on their costumes as a group, appearing to be either sponsored by or a public-relations arm of the revitalized organization.<ref name="トランスフォーマー・キスぷれ"/>

Additionally, Ohshima's other major contribution to ''Transformers'' at the time, the 1-page ''Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!'' comic published in ''[[Dengeki Hobby]]'' magazine, also featured several tie-ins to the ''Kiss Players'' story. These primarily served to introduce readers to the ''Kiss Players'' story and characters when the line was launched, and then later, to summarize the final few radio dramas when both series were drawing to a close. ''Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!'' also featured the first part of a story in which [[Starscream#Animated series|Starscream's]] ghost possessed Atari (which was continued in the radio drama), and in the second year, notably incorporated the further adventures of the ''Kiss Players Position'' cassette trio, who were rather confusingly dropped from the radio storyline in its second week and never mentioned again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mangadex.org/title/3d445c63-90df-4b1f-a475-3ae37bf11dfb/transformers-kiss-players?tab=chapters|website=MangaDex|title=Transformers: Kiss Players Transformers: Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go! Compilation|access-date=February 17, 2024}}</ref>

Reactions ran the gamut from outright disgust to comedic derision, with most fans agreeing that the content such be included a children's toyline was distasteful. The fact that several Japanese fans were themselves openly decrying ''Kiss Players'', fearing that American fans would think that it was somehow accepted as normal in Japan regarding its sexually suggestive material. Oshima himself even admitted that he crafted the series in this manner because he wanted to "make people's jaws drop."{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Many of its characters and ideas have made appearances in other ''Transformers'' media. The Autroopers appeared in ''[[Transformers: Animated]]'' in 2009 with an official toyline released in [[Botcon]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/BCAutotrooper/autotrooper.htm|title=Autotrooper-Autobot-Function: Law Enforcement|website=TFU.INFO|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> The colors of white and blue used for Glit would inspire the ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass|Shattered Glass]]'' incarnation of [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters#Mini-Cassettes|Ravage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ravage_(SG)#Kiss_Players|title=''Kiss Players'' - Cassettron Set Kiss Players Position|website=Ravage (SG)|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> A new toy figure of Sundor would be released under the ''Transformers Generations: The Fall of Cybertron'' line in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfsource.com/products/view/product_id/6186/|title=Rewind and Sundor Legends Class - Transformers Generations Fall of Cybertron|website=tfsource|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> Several ideas introduced into the 2007 storyline focusing on the introduction of Primus into the Japanese cartoon's timeline have been revisited and expanded upon, which shares ''Kiss Players'' storytelling while attempting to fill in gaps of the timeline in the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity. The ''Transformers Legends'' manga, while featuring lewd content and new stories and characters, also has the two returning and older characters of Atari and Shaoshao.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers_Legends_(comic)|title=Transformers Legends (comic)|website=Transformers Wiki|access-date=January 10, 2024}}</ref>

Possibly as a result of the majority of fans trying to distance themselves from the series combined with the then general inaccessibility of the radio show to an English audience, there was minimal awareness of the specific details of the ''Kiss Players'' storyline in the Japanese fandom. However, on July 19, 2022, most of the original media (including the radio dramas, manga, comic, and other materials) were recovered. This material was remastered and translated into English and released via torrent for download.