ALLEGIANCE: AUTOBOT
FUNCTION: SPECIAL OPERATIONS, SABOTEUR
FIRST APPEARANCE: TRANSFORMERS # 1

“Do it with style or don’t bother doing it.”

Profile: Jazz would be cruising down Bourbon Street in New
Orleans or be double-parked outside a cellar club in Greenwich Village soaking
up the local sounds if he weren’t in the middle of a war. He’s a confirmed Earthen
culture junkie – he can talk fluently about ballet or break-dancing (although
he prefers the latter), and he’s always on the lookout for more stuff to turn
on to. His knowledge of Earthen ways and his easy adaptability to Earthen environments
make him the indispensable right-hand man of his commander, Optimus Prime. He’s
often given the most dangerous assignments, and, with characteristic coolness,
usually pulls them off using something out of his seemingly bottomless bag of
tricks. He’d rather dazzle you with style than accomplish a mission the easy
way.

Abilities: In robot mode, Jazz can use his solar-powered
photon rifle with deadly accuracy up to a distance of .9 miles from target,
and he can shoot it from virtually any physical position he may be in with equal
effectiveness. He can also use a combination of his overhead flame-thrower (maximum
range of 250 feet), full-spectrum front grill beacon and 180 dB stereo speakers
to create a spectacular, disorienting light and sound show. He has been known
to glide for more than 3000 feet using his rear-mounted ailerons. His biggest
asset is the versatility and cleverness he possesses in using the resources
at his disposal.

Weaknesses: Although Jazz’s firepower and strength are weak
relatives to that of some of the other Autobots, he more than compensates with
his daring and skill. He’s prone to be distracted from his primary assignment
by Earthen behavior patterns that he finds interesting. This sometimes leads
to disastrous consequences.

ALLEGIANCE: AUTOBOT

FUNCTION: GUNNER
FIRST APPEARANCE: TRANSFORMERS # 1

“I never met a Decepticon I didn’t dislike.”

Profile: Conversations don’t come easy when Bluestreak is around. His
talent for incessant and often inane talk tends to drown out those close by,
but at least his gregarious manner serves to lighten the otherwise grim situation
of the Autobots. What is not widely known is the underlying reason for his endless
droning: to hide the fact that he hates war. Despite his formidable weaponry
and his blazing speed, he is basically not a warrior type. Autobot Commander
Optimus Prime’s faith in him helps sustain Bluestreak in the heat of battle.
Optimus knows that Bluestreak will be forever haunted by the memory of his witnessing
the total destruction of his city back on Cybertron by the Decepticons. He was
the lone survivor. “There’s some demons runnin’ loose inside that boy,”
says Hound, “and sometimes I think they grab hold of him and won’t let
him go.”

Abilities: In automobile mode, Bluestreak is among the fastest Autobots.
He can sustain speeds of up to 150 mph for more than 12 hours. In robot mode,
he carries twin shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, each capable of hurling a
shell containing four independently targetable warheads a distance of 8.3 miles
with a maximum error margin of 12 feet from target at that distance. Each warhead
possesses the concussive force equivalent to 150 lbs. of TNT. His ion-charge
disperser rifle electrifies a line of particles in the air in the direction
in which it is pointed. By its nature, its accuracy is limited, but it can shoot
an electrified particle beam, resembling blue lightning, a distance of 12 miles
and punch a 10 foot hole in a cinder-block wall. The electrical charge of a
single bolt can be as high as 80,000 volts.

Weaknesses: As powerful and threatening as he is, Bluestreak can be
completely undone at times by his disdain for combat and his reluctance to fight.

ALLEGIANCE: AUTOBOT
FUNCTION: CAVALIER

FIRST APPEARANCE: THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE # 1

“My actions speak louder than words.”

Profile: Hot Rod is the all-American-boy Autobot. Not too sweet, not
too sharp, not too snotty… not a goodie-goodie, but basically a typical adolescent
who has dreams of doing great stuff and being as heroic and important as Optimus
Prime and other famous and revered top Autobots. He tends to follow rules until
they bug him – and he sometimes learns, to his regret, that disobeying wasn’t
exactly smart. And he often acts without thinking in an effort to do the right
thing – and this gets him and sometimes his friends in trouble. But he’s not
afraid when trouble does arrive and is a brave and honorable fighter and friend.
He is especially close to Kup, the grizzled old mentor of an Autobot, although
he sometimes resents hearing “wisdom.” And he likes Daniel, the Earth
kid, a lot. (In a way, Hot Rod is big brother to Daniel – a role model – and
Hot Rod knows it and takes the responsibility seriously.) In robot or automotive
mode, Hot Rod is sometimes hot-headed, but always a well-meaning, admirable
“lad” and popular with all who know him.

Abilities: He carries two photon lasers that temporarily electromagnetize
an enemy robot’s microcircuits. Speed: 120 mph. Range: 4 miles.

Weaknesses: Hot Rod’s impulsive actions often get him into trouble.

ALLEGIANCE: AUTOBOT

FUNCTION: TRANSPORT & RECONNAISSANCE
FIRST APPEARANCE: TRANSFORMERS # 1

“Earth stinks, but Decepticons stink worse.”

Profile: Gears is the complainer in the group. He absolutely hates the
Earth and everything about it and he is eager to let the others know this. He
is a self-proclaimed misfit, the type who finds fault in everything and everyone,
even himself. That is one of the reasons Optimus Prime finds him useful: Gears
is so sour-tempered that the rest of the Autobots cheer themselves up by trying
to cheer him up. Only Optimus knows that Gears’ complaining is an act. Gears
realizes his function is to force his companions to see what’s good about a
situation, and he performs accordingly.

Abilities: Gears has tremendous strength and endurance. He is often
used to tote heavy loads for long distances. He will even carry several of his
comrades to conserve fuel. He can launch himself to a height of 20 miles and
then float back down to the ground by creating a compressed air cushion under
his feet. This makes him an excellent reconnaissance agent and his ability to
detect infrared wavelengths allows him to work night or day.

Weaknesses: Since Gears has limited maneuverability when launched, he
makes an easy target if spotted. Although his sour personality is mostly an
act, a reminder of his home planet, Cybertron, can often depress him and negatively
affect his performance.