Beachcomber (Transformers)

Beachcomber is the name of 2 fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.

Transformers: Generation 1

Transformers character
name =Beachcomber


caption =
affiliation =Autobot
subgroup =Mini-bots
rank =
function =Geologist
partner =
motto ="Know the conflict within, before facing the conflict without."
alternatemodes =Cybertronian Car
Dune Buggy
series =


voiceby =Alan Oppenheimer (English)
Osamu Saka (Japanese)Beachcomber's bio presented him as somewhat of a pacifist. He hates fighting, and prefers the solitude of just driving through Earth's scenery, like coastal areas and deserts. This is not to say he's a coward - he'll fight when required, but simply hates doing it. His personality is very cool and collected.

The cool-headed peace seeker, Beachcomber (Déferlo in French Canada, Pulce in Italy) was a blue dune buggy in vehicle mode. To apparently reflect this vehicle's association with nature his character was as pacifistic as any Autobot could come. He seemed to have an almost magical connection to nature.

Animated series

Beachcomber first appeared in the television series episode "The Insecticon Syndrome", and continued to appear throughout the second season.

His most prominent appearance was in "The Golden Lagoon", he inadvertently brought fighting to a hidden lagoon full of electrum, which had an invulnerability property discovered when the Decepticon Thrust coated himself in the golden liquid. This sparked a battle for control over the Lagoon that left the secret forested area a charred wasteland. Beachcomber, who showed his sensitivity for this once peaceful oasis was crest-fallen by the destruction that now laid out in front of him. As his Autobot comrades celebrated another victory over the Decepticons, he closed the episode, sadly looking over the destruction they helped to cause, saying to himself, "We won...".

In the episode "Prime Target", the big game hunter Lord Cholmondeley captured a secret Soviet jet, leading to panic of possibly war. Cholmondeley then set his sights on the ultimate trophy, the head of Optimus Prime. In order to lure Optimus in Cholmondeley captured the Autobots Tracks, Bumblebee, Jazz, Beachcomber, Grapple, Blaster and Inferno. When Cosmos learned of the location Cholmondeley was keeping the captured Autobots Optimus Prime accepted Cholmondeley's challenge to meet him alone. Although interrupted by the Decepticons Astrotrain and Blitzwing who attempted to ally with Cholmondeley, Optimus defeated the big game hunter and freed the Autobots. Cholmondeley and the stolen jet were given over the Soviets by the Autobots as punishment for his actions.

In "", there is a scene where Daniel Witwicky is trying to save his dad Spike from the acid pool. A robot is apparently dropped into the acid just before Spike, and, although it is too far away to tell definitively, it appears as though it could be Beachcomber. Since he made an appearance later in the series, he must have survived, but it's worth noting that he may have had a brief cameo in the movie. However, it is much more likely that a generic robot who shared Beachcomber's color scheme was used in the movie, as opposed to a conscious decision by the producers and animators to include Beachcomber in the film.

His last G1 appearance was in episode 70, "The Five Faces of Darkness Part 5". Beachcomber, along with G1 Targetmaster Crosshairs made brief cameos in the first episode of "", since then neither characters have appeared in any of the following episodes.

Marvel Comics

Beachcomber was originally part of an Autobot group in the "Dead End" region of Cybertron. He was part of the group that went to save the captive scientist Spanner. Accompanying the others to blow up the Decepticon base, they were horrified to discover that the Decepticons had built Spanner into the Space Bridge itself. Destroying the Bridge as a mercy-killing, Beachcomber and his comrades (Cosmos, Blaster, Warpath, Perceptor, Seaspray and Powerglide), with no chance of escaping to Cybertron, crossed the bridge to Earth.

They were captured by Circuit Breaker and her Rapid Anti-Robot Attack Team, taken to her lab and then dissected. After capturing the Aerialbots she encountered a new problem - the Decepticon Battlechargers Runabout and Runamuck were causing mayhem across America. Using the parts from all the captured Autobots, she created a giant Autobot with herself in control, striking a deal with them that if they would co-operate she would let them go. Circuit Breaker then used them to battle the two Decepticons, who were attacking the Statue of Liberty. After defeating the Decepticons with Circuit Breaker the Autobots were released.

After a side-adventure in the UK comics in which they encountered (and were almost killed by) the future Decepticon Galvatron, Beachcomber's group linked up with the main Autobots - only to learn of the death of Optimus Prime. From then on Beachcomber would appear less as more characters were introduced. He was one of those deactivated during the Underbase-powered Starscream's rampage.

Dreamwave Productions

Beachcomber did not make any major appearance in Dreamwave Comics. However, an Autobot that resembles Beachcomber was shown in the Autobot base in Generation 1: War and Peace.

IDW Publishing

Beachcomber made his first appearance in IDW's Transformers comics in the "" issue on Blaster. Captured by Soundwave, he was implanted with a cerebro-shell by Bombshell, turning him into an unwilling traitor, who ejected Blaster into space. After Blaster was recovered, Beachcomber tried to kill him twice more, but was exposed by Blaster. The truth came out and Blaster gave Beachcomber the strength to resist. The price was high though - Beachcomber's cerebral processor was burnt out, leaving it unclear if he would recover.

Beachcomber appeared in "Spotlight: Doubledealer" where he was among the Autobots fighting Thunderwing on the planet Corata-Vaz.

Toys

*Generation 1 Beachcomber (1985)

*Generation 2 Beachcomber:Beachcomber was recolored metallic green and released in Generation 2. Except for recoloring, he was the same as the Generation 1 toy.

*Universe Legends Beachcomber (2008/not yet released):A new Legends class mold was displayed at SDCC 2008. [http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attachment.php?do=fullview&attachmentid=8785]

Transformers: Energon

Transformers character
name =Beachcomber
japanname =Overdrive


caption =
affiliation =Autobot
subgroup =Ultra Vehicles
rank =5
function =
partner =
motto ="I never spotted a Decepticon I didn't dislike."
alternatemodes =Dune Buggy
series =
voiceby =The Beachcomber name appeared again in Transformers: Energon. Beachcomber is a recolor of Energon Cliffjumper. While the animated series treated this recolor of Cliffjumper as his upgrade, the toy line and Dreamwave comics treated it as new character.

Appropriately for his name, Beachcomber was described as responsible for seaside patrol around Ocean City. While nominally good at his job, Beachcomber is still a light hearted practical joker.

Animated series

Cliffjumper first appeared in this color in the "Energon" episode 38, "Optimus Supreme".

Dreamwave Productions

Beachcomber also appeared in Dreamwave's Energon comic, as one of the Autobots volunteering to head to Earth to battle the Terrorcon invasion.

Perhaps in order to keep him separate from Cliffjumper, Beachcomber was rendered with a very different head in the Energon comic than his toy, which is identical to Cliffjumper.

Toys

*Energon Beachcomber:A redeco of Energon Cliffjumper. He came with two missiles and missile launchers. This toy was never sold in Japan.

References