Sunstorm (Transformers)
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- This page is about the Transformers character, Sunstorm. For other uses, see: Sunstorm
Sunstorm is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. Sunstorm always seems to be a Decepticon allied jet who is yellow or orange in color and usually has some link to Starscream.
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[edit] Transformers: Generation 1
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Sunstorm | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Decepticon  |
| Sub-Group | Seekers |
| Rank | 5 |
| Function | Aerospace Warrior |
| Motto | "Unchecked power is the true path to divinity." |
| Alternate Modes | F-15 Jet Fighter Cybertronian Jet |
| Series | Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Universe Transformers: Titanium |
The character who would be Sunstorm appeared in the very first episode of the Transformers animated series, as a gold-and-white Decepticon jet, one of many generic troop characters used for crowd-building scenes (a bright yellow jet subsequently appeared a few episodes later, but has no relation to this one). Nearly twenty years later, when Takara reissued the original Starscream toy in 2003, the popular online retailer, e-Hobby, offered one of their customary exclusive repaints of the toy - a repaint based upon this generic character, bearing the name of Sunstorm. However, despite being inspired by the golden jet of the TV show, the design of the actual toy prohibited it from accurately resembling its animated progenitor in terms of colour layouts. Additionally, for whatever reason, rather than being golden yellow, the toy was a creamy-orange. Regardless, the character struck a chord with fans, and his cult popularity resulted in him eventually reaching the United States in the form of an exclusive PVC figurine available at Botcon 2004.
The profile included with his toy notes that Sunstorm was created with a built-in fusion reactor which perpetually runs at higher-than-normal efficiency, which he can use as a weapon, enabling him to generate intense light and heat or powerful electromagnetic waves. However, he can't actually shut off these waves, making him something of a pariah, even amongst his fellow Decepticons (who believe he is insane anyway), ensuring he is usually sent into battle solo. Sunstorm himself believes he is a supernatural being, speaking and behaving accordingly, to his comrades bemusement.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
Taking advantage of Sunstorm's growing popularity, Dreamwave Productions opted to include a similar but re-imagined version of the character into their equally re-imagined 21st century version of the Generation One universe. Here, Sunstorm was a clone of Starscream, one of many Transformer clones created by Shockwave after investigation of the cloning technology of the Quintessons. At an early stage in the cloning process, Shockwave experimented with installing fusion reactors in his clones, but their bodies burnt out, unable to contain the energies. A solution was reached, however, when Shockwave coated the Starscream clone in the element known as electrum, allowing it to contain the fusion reactor's energies.
In 2003, Shockwave succeeded in accessing the massive data content of Vector Sigma, the mega computer at the heart of Cybertron, and although he was stopped by Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus before he could examine the data for himself, he was able to transfer a compressed version of it into his computer network, sending it to a terminal in one of his laboratories, where his assorted clones were being held in stasis. The Starscream clone was exposed to the data, and the sheer amount of information dumped into its mind drove it insane, forcing it to simplify what it was being told into the most basic format it could comprehend. Calling itself Sunstorm, the clone escaped and, following what it had learned from the data, headed for Earth, intending to open a mysterious Cybertronian seal buried away on the planet, for which he needed Starscream.
Forced into an alliance with the Earth-based Autobots to save his own skin, Starscream reactivated the frozen Jetfire, who deduced Sunstorm's clone nature and developed a power siphon to drain off his energies. In the ensuing battle to attach the siphon to Sunstorm, Starscream betrayed the Autobots left to guard him and escaped to further his own ends, only to be pursued by the weakened Sunstorm, and for them both to be set upon by Omega Supreme. In order to escape, Starscream blasted the siphon off of Sunstorm, who overcame Omega and took Starscream to the site of the seal. Professing that only Starscream could open it, which he did, Sunstorm unveiled a mysterious subterranean chamber, overflowing with an energy-rich liquid that could give Starscream similar, but directly-opposite, powers to Sunstorm's. Unwilling to risk his life in the ooze, Starscream turned on Sunstorm, blasted him and sending him tumbling into the liquid, only for him to emerge, moments later, his powers flaring uncontrollably as the opposing natures of the two energies began to tear him apart from within. Descending even further into his madness, Sunstorm was engaged by Jetfire, who dragged him out of Earth's atmosphere, where Sunstorm exploded.
The precise nature of the data Sunstorm received from Vector Sigma, the true purpose of the Cybertronian seal on Earth, and the nature of both his powers and that of the opposing energies remain unrevealed - and due to Dreamwave's closure, it seems unlikely that any answers will be forthcoming.
[edit] Transformers: Titanium (2007)
At the 2006 Botcon the a 6 inch Titanium series Sunstorm was first displayed, a repaint of Titanium 6 inch Thundercracker in Sunstorm's orange and white colors.
[edit] Transformers: Universe
In 2004, Sunstorm finally reached American toy shelves in a new incarnation - a repaint of the Transformers: Armada Thrust figure, in Sunstorm's traditional orange, yellow and white. Accompanied by an appropriate redeco of Thrust's Mini-Con partner, Inferno, Sunstorm also came packaged with a repainted version of the Street Action Mini-Con Team. Sunstorm's only appearance in the Transformers: Universe storyline was as one of the Decepticons under the command of Reptilion in the Botcon 2004 voice actor play. He battled Silverbolt, Rattrap and Waspinator in order to secure two groups of dimensionally displaced Autobots from the RiD universe. However, the three groups of Autobots, together with a time-lost Autobot shuttle from the Great War, were able to defeat the Decepticons.
This Sunstorm, according to his Universe bio, was a different one to G1 Sunstorm, and was servant of Megazarak. In this reality his condition was due to an accident in the place he was manufactured during his creation.
[edit] Transformers: Cybertron (2006)
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Sunstorm | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Decepticon |
| Sub-Group | Mini-Cons |
| Rank | 9 |
| Alternate Modes | Cybertronian Jet |
| Series | Transformers: Cybertron |
Two different characters name Sunstorm were released in 2006 in the Cybertron toy line. Neither appeared in the television series because the series was made in Japan as Galaxy Force, and the two Sunstorm toys were made in the U.S. by Hasbro after the television series had been made.
The first was a recolor of the Micro sized Starscream, painted as a homage to Generation 1 Sunstorm. This figure seems to a continuation of the Generation 1/Universe Sunstorm.
The second was a Mini-Con named Sunstorm, a repaint of Energon Wreckage. He seems to be an original character. He is a general serving under the leadership of the Mini-Con Thrust and is suspected of being the real brains behind Thrust's rebellion. He had made contact with a small group of Decepticons and he intends to cause enough chaos among the Mini-Cons that they can be conquered by the Decepticons and join them. Sunstorm would pay the price for his ways in the accompanying club comic, however. When Unicron attacked Cybertron in the midst of the Mini-Con civil war, Sunstorm was amongst those killed by the Chaos-Bringer.
