Editing Soundwave (Transformers) (section)

===Comics===

====3H Enterprises====
Soundwave also appeared in the Furman written ''Reaching the Omega Point'', as one of the Transformers legends (alongside [[Optimus Prime]], Megatron and [[Grimlock]]) who came to the aid of the forces of [[Optimus Primal]] against the [[Predacon (Transformers)|Predacon]]/[[Unicron]] hybrid Shokaract, distracting him long enough for Primus to deal the fatal blow.

====Devil's Due Publishing====
In Devil's Due's run of ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' comic book miniseries, Soundwave was among the Transformers captured by the ruthless terrorist [[Cobra Organization]], when they discovered the Ark. Refitted by [[Destro]], Soundwave was intended to become a battlefield communications station, but when he and the other Decepticons eventually broke free of their control he was damaged in a battle with the Autobots and his parts were captured by the US Government for study. From his data banks, the [[android (robot)|android]] [[Serpentor|SerpentO.R.]] downloaded information on the history of Cybertron, using it to further investigate the Decepticon goal of conquest. It is indicated that his pre-Earth form was similar to his [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s War Within form.

====Dreamwave Productions====
In [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s 21st century re-imagining of the Generation 1 continuity, Soundwave was recruited to the Decepticons 9 million years ago through Megatron's underground gladiatorial games, and made head of communications. When a new Autobot leader, [[Optimus Prime]], was chosen, Soundwave was sent along with Ravage and the [[Insecticons]], to attempt to kill him and recover the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] for Megatron, but they failed, forcing Megatron to confront Optimus personally.

Even in the face of failures such as this, and later the loss of Megatron in an early space bridge experiment, Soundwave's loyalty to the Decepticon cause never wavered, as he remained true to the faction under [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]]'s leadership.

As in most other continuities, the story continues in the traditional manner, with Soundwave a member of the ''[[Nemesis (Transformers)|Nemesis]]'' crew who attacked the ''[[Ark (Transformers)|Ark]]'' and was sent into stasis when the craft crashed on Earth, awakening again in 1984. After years of fighting on Earth, eventually the combined forces of the Autobots and their human allies were able to defeat and capture the Decepticons. The intent was for the Autobots to take their enemies back to Cybertron aboard a new craft named the ''Ark II'', but just as the ship cleared the atmosphere, it exploded, the victim of machinations by Shockwave, who did not want Prime and Megatron to return to Cybertron yet.

Soundwave's body crashed back to Earth in the [[Arctic]], where he remained inactive for several years, until rogue military scientist Adam Rook, calling himself "Lazarus", recovered and reactivated him, putting him under his control with a program he had developed while studying the Transformers before their explosive departure. Several other Autobots and Decepticons fell to the same fate, and were to be sold on the black market. Soundwave himself was put on display by being sent to attack the Smitco Oil Refinery alongside several other Transformers — but when Megatron liberated himself, Soundwave was soon freed by his leader and assumed his position at his side.

When Shockwave arranged for the capture and extradition of Prime and Megatron's forces as [[war crime|war criminal]]s, Soundwave was among the captives, but when Starscream jettisoned Megatron into space on the return trip to Cybertron, Soundwave made the best of a bad lot and teamed with Starscream to return to Earth and conquer it, being reunited with [[Ratbat]] in the process. Heading back to Earth in a kidnapped Sky Lynx and with the [[Combaticons]] now added to their ranks, the Decepticons attacked the ''Ark'' in hopes of acquiring parts to make the ''Nemesis'' spaceworthy again, however Soundwave, [[Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker]] were defeated and thrown in the ''Ark'''s brig. When the Combaticons, combined as [[Bruticus]], laid into the vessel, they were freed.

It was not much later that the surviving Megatron made contact with Soundwave from space, and Soundwave was all too willing to return to his service, setting up Starscream to fall before Megatron when he returned. And return, Megatron did— but the bankruptcy and subsequent closure of [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]' left the rest of the story untold.

Soundwave also appeared in the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]' Transformers/G.I. Joe series as one of the Decepticons uncovered by [[Cobra Command|Cobra]] at the start of [[World War II]]. Transforming into a radio, he was deactivated at the series' end by [[Grimlock]]. Although Dreamwave's collapse precluded the completion of the second series, released art and information revealed that Soundwave would have been involved in the conclusion of that series.<ref>{{cite web|author=Seibertron.com |url=http://www.seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=774 |title=Transformers/GI Joe Vol 2: Divided Front #5: "Transformers/GI Joe Vol 2: Divided Front" |publisher=Seibertron.com |date=2005-02-01 |access-date=2010-04-27}}</ref>

====Fun Publications====
Based on the Transformers Classics toy line, the Timelines 2007 story is set 15 years after the end of the Marvel Comics story (ignoring all events of the Marvel UK and Generation 2 comics). [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]] survived the crash of the [[Ark (Transformers)|Ark]] on Earth, reformatted himself into a new form and now leads [[Astrotrain]], Laserbeak, Ramjet, Ravage, [[Skywarp]], Soundwave, [[Starscream]] and the [[Constructicons]]. [[Optimus Prime]] has also returned to Earth commanding [[Bumblebee (Transformers)|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper]], [[Grimlock]], [[Jetfire]], [[Mirage (Transformers)|Mirage]] and [[Rodimus]] (formerly [[Hot Rod (Transformers)|Hot Rod]]). When the Cybertronians [[Skyfall (Transformers)|Skyfall]] and Landquake arrive on Earth unexpectedly, Megatron attempts to destroy them, but Optimus Prime and his Autobots are able to drive Megatron away.

Soundwave was among Megatron's troops when Megatron defeated Deathsaurus in combat for leadership of the Decepticons and when Megatron attacked Iacon with his new weapon, Devastator.<ref>{{Cite journal | author= Pete Sinclair & Jesse Wittenrich | title = Battle Lines Part 5 | journal = Transformers Collectors Club Magazine| volume = 1 | issue = 41 | page= 3 |date = October–November 2011}}</ref>

====IDW Publishing====
Soundwave's first chronological appearance in the rebooted [[IDW Publishing]] Generation One universe was in the prequel miniseries, ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin]]''. In the story, Soundwave works for Senator [[Ratbat]], who takes an interest in the rising gladiator, [[Megatron (Transformers)|Megatron]]. Ratbat sends Soundwave to offer weaponry to Megatron and his followers. Soundwave also assists Megatron with the interrogation of Autobot soldier [[Bumper (Transformers)|Bumper]]. Soundwave is later jailed along with Megatron and others when Sentinel Prime's forces capture them, but is released by Ratbat. When Megatron's plan is sprung, Soundwave helps Starscream massacre the Autobot Senate. He later confronts Ratbat and forcibly extracts his Spark for implantation in one of his Cassette bodies. Soundwave's alternate mode appears to be a communication vehicle with tank treads.

Sometime later, Soundwave was part of the conference of scientists called by Thunderwing in ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer]]'', where he refused to accept Thunderwing's findings that Cybertron was dying. During around the same time period he had [[Beachcomber (Transformers)|Beachcomber]] captured and implanted with a cerebro-shell, having the unwilling traitor eject his opposite number [[Blaster (Transformers)|Blaster]] into space (in ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight Blaster]]'') in order to demoralize the Autobots prior to a Decepticon offensive.

Soundwave's story was later continued in his own ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' one-shot, where he was a self-serving and duplicitous Decepticon [[internal affairs (law enforcement)|internal affairs]] agent. Soundwave was dispatched by Megatron to keep an eye on Bludgeon's investigation of [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]]'s lab. However, he kept quiet about Bludgeon's obsession with the Regenesis project, thinking he could turn it to his advantage. Following him to Earth in 1984, Soundwave monitored Bludgeon's attempts to harvest Ultra Energon and confronted him after he'd acquired it. Horrified to discover they were not planning to use it in a power-play but instead to reanimate Thunderwing (who previously devastated Cybertron), Soundwave attempted to stop them but was trapped in stasis-lock in cassette player mode. It was revealed in the epilogue that two young humans considered buying him at a pawn shop in 2007.

In ''[[The Transformers: Escalation]]'' #1, Optimus stated that there was evidence that Soundwave had been present in Earth's history. Despite this, he did not reappear until issue #4 of ''[[The Transformers: Devastation]]'' where, still trapped in cassette player mode, he interfered with Skywatch's control of Laserbeak and Ravage.

Soundwave also appeared as one of the Decepticon forces serving under [[Starscream]] in the out-of-continuity ''[[The Transformers: Evolutions]]'' tale "Hearts of Steel". He appeared as one of Starscream's lieutenants. He was presumably destroyed when [[John Henry (folklore)|John Henry]] and [[Bumblebee (Transformers)|Bumblebee]] diverted the Decepticon train convoy into a [[rift|chasm]].

====Marvel Comics====
Like much of the original 1984 cast of Decepticons, Soundwave played a much smaller role in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] book series than he did in the cartoon. He quietly and efficiently served loyally, first under Megatron (even sending Ravage and the [[Insecticons]] to derail talks between the Autobots and [[Ronald Reagan]] at one point in the 1985 Transformers UK annual), then under Shockwave, attacking an aerospace construction plant whose facilities were used to build the [[Constructicons]], who then built a massive radio dish that Soundwave used to beam a message back to Cybertron.

Continuing to operate under Shockwave, Soundwave then moved to serving Ratbat, and co-led the defense of [[Buenos Aires]] against the [[Underbase]]-empowered Starscream alongside Fortress Maximus, only to wind up being deactivated by the villain.

Unlike many of the others deactivated by Starscream, Soundwave would appear again under Scorponok's command. Throughout the [[United States|U.S.]] comic, Soundwave was colored purple instead of his more trademark blue, and additionally was frequently drawn with a visible mouth.

Meanwhile, across the [[Atlantic]] in the UK, a sister title to the American series was also in production. It reprinted the American stories, but as it was released on a weekly (as opposed to monthly) schedule, it soon began to run out of material to reprint. It opted to create its own original stories at that point, which deftly weaved in and out of the ongoing American storyline. Under writer [[Simon Furman]], Soundwave - coloured blue - was a fairly major player, portrayed in a manner much more consistent with his profile - that of a manipulator and blackmailer, reading others' minds and using their secrets to his own ends, always working towards his own goals.

When Megatron and Shockwave were both briefly believed deceased, he assumed leadership of the Decepticons during [[Optimus Prime]]'s ''Crisis of Command'' and then the ''Dinobot Hunt'' story arcs, manipulating events to weaken the Autobot leadership and cause maximum casualties. When the two commanders returned and vied for leadership of the Decepticons, he turned the situation to his own advantage by working both sides of the field. He also enjoyed a rare victory in this period when he, Dirge and Kickback took over a [[NASA]] complex in an attempt to contact Cybertron with the facility's deep space radio equipment. The Autobots arrived, but a series of miscommunications between [[Prowl (Transformers)|Prowl]] and [[Jetfire]] resulted in the transmission being sent, allowing the Decepticons to claim victory.

Towards the end of the UK series, a storyline began which separated from the regular ongoing American continuity, covering the exploits of the proactive Autobot ''Earthforce''. In these stories, Soundwave sold Decepticon secrets to both the Autobots and Shockwave's group of Decepticons. Wildrider was blamed for this intelligence leak, and Soundwave silently allowed him to be killed rather than be discovered. After Starscream successfully removed Megatron and Shockwave from power, he and Soundwave entered into joined leadership of the Decepticons.

Issue #279 of the Marvel UK Transformers comic featured a story called "Divide and Conquer!" where Soundwave lead the bulk of the Decepticon forces on Earth against the Autobot Earthforce headquarters while Starscream attacked an oil tanker. Sent into battle by Prowl, the Dinobots routed the main Decepticon forces while Springer lead the Autobot survivors, Broadside, Inferno, Skids, and Carnivac to defeat Starscream.

Soundwave attained leadership of the Decepticons in the future world of 2008, following the death of Shockwave (who had seized power when Galvatron traveled back in time). Soundwave led his era's Decepticons back to 1989 to participate in the Time Wars when the fabric of reality began to crumble, but as the conflict came to a head they fled back to their own time. Since it was later established that the damage done to the time stream may have resulted in their future being erased from the timeline, the final fate of the future Soundwave is unknown.

Soundwave returned to the pages of the US ''Transformers'' comic books for the relaunch of the series as ''[[Transformers: Generation 2]]''. He participated in the Decepticon attack on Earth, and oversaw the reconstruction of the damaged [[Dreadwing|Darkwing]] into a new, more powerful form.

Like many of the other Generation 1 Decepticons, Soundwave seemed to return to a command position on Megatron's return (killing Bludgeon in the process).

Soundwave made an appearance in the Decepticon forces under the command of Megatron in issue #7 of the Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic series, in a story called "New Dawn." Megatron lead his Decepticons against [[Jhiaxus]]' second generation Cybertronians near the moon of Tykos. The Decepticons were defeated and Megatron left injured, presumed dead, but swearing revenge.<ref>{{cite web|author=Seibertron.com |url=http://www.seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=113 |title=Transformers: Generation 2 #7: "New Dawn" |publisher=Seibertron.com |date=1994-05-01 |access-date=2010-04-27}}</ref>

He was aboard the [[Warworld (Transformers)|Warworld]] when [[Jhiaxus]]' forces attacked, but managed to evacuate. His fate within the Generation 2 comic series beyond this point is unknown.

Soundwave would also play a brief but important role in the text-only novel ''Alignment'', writer [[Simon Furman]]'s take on what happened after the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2]]'' comic series ended. He was the one who recovered Megatron's broken body after his duel with [[Galvatron]]. Subsequently, he was the ringleader of the conspirators (along with Ravage, Ramjet and Direwolf) who gave some of their spark energy to resurrect Megatron in a more powerful body, allowing him to defeat the forces of the Liege Maximo. After Megatron executes the Decepticon High Council save Shrapnel, Soundwave once again acted as Megatron's second in command and coordinated the strike against the Maximo with [[Ultra Magnus (Transformers)|Ultra Magnus]]. His fate beyond this point is unknown, save for a brief cameo in ''[[Beast Machines]]''.

Soundwave as depicted in the [[Marvel Universe]] tends to be the most intellectual and philosophical of the Decepticons. He is appalled by the barbarity of Megatron and Shockwave battling in hand-to-hand combat for leadership of the Decepticons, especially as the entire spectacle is being broadcast on live television for human entertainment by Robo-Master. When the future Autobots and Decepticons join forces and repel an alien invasion of Cybertron he begins to propose a lasting truce to Ultra Magnus but stops himself, observing that too much has occurred between the 2 factions and their differences are irreconcilable.

====TFcon comics====
Soundwave appeared in the TFcon 2009 voice actor play ''Bee for, Bee now''.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/OBTlU6PT9LA Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200317155256/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBTlU6PT9LA&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBTlU6PT9LA&feature=relmfu| title = Part 1 - TFCon 2009 Voice Actor Script Reading | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>