Barricade (Transformers)

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Barricade is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.

Contents 1 Transformers: Generation 1 1.1 Dreamwave Productions 1.2 Toys 2 Transformers: Energon 2.1 Animated series 2.2 Dreamwave Productions 2.3 Toys 3 2007 Transformers film 3.1 Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday 3.2 IDW Publishing 3.3 Movie plot 3.4 Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen 3.5 Video Game 3.6 Movie toys 3.7 Non-transforming merchandise 4 References

[edit] Transformers: Generation 1

Transformers character
Barricade
Affiliation	Decepticon
Sub-Group	Micromasters
Function	Race Track Patrol Commander
Motto	"Winning IS everything!"
Alternate Modes	Race Car
Series	Transformers: Generation 1

Barricade first featured in 1990 as part of a Decepticon race track patrol team, his vehicle mode being a Formula One racing car.

Barricade learned how to take care of himself while running with Cybertron's most vicious racing gangs, and he brings that same brutal edge to his position as leader of the Race Track Patrol. His troops know that the slightest mistake will result in a merciless dressing down in front of the others, and they strive to meet his exacting standards. His hard-nosed, abusive leadership style doesn't do much for morale, but he figures it's for their own good. ^[1]

[edit] Dreamwave Productions

Barricade is the commander of the team and pushes the other members. His only fictional appearance is in the Dreamwave comics Micromaster series.

Originally named "Runner", Barricade was created as part of a cross-factional experiment in which new Micromasters were allowed to function as neutrals, and to choose their own affiliations. Barricade quickly saw the potential rewards of joining the Decepticons, and earmed the new moniker "Barricade" in recognition of his blockade-running tactics.

Barricade eventually became disillusioned by how the Micromasters were treated, and joined up with Decepticon Micromaster agitator Skystalker.

[edit] Toys

• Generation 1 Barricade (1990)

Barricade was packaged with the rest of the Racetrack Patrol - Ground Hog, Motorhead and Roller Force. ^[2]

[edit] Transformers: Energon

Transformers character
Barricade
Affiliation	Decepticon
Japanese name	Onslaught
Sub-Group	Destructicons Deluxe Vehicles
Alternate Modes	Cybertronian Missile Truck
Series	Transformers: Energon Transformers: Universe

A second Barricade (Onslaught in Japan) was made in the Transformers Energon series as the leader of the team that formed the body of Bruticus Maximus (Bruticus in Japan), his vehicle being a missile truck.

[edit] Animated series

The animated series does not refer to any of the components by name - in it, only the central body is intelligent, and the limbs are drones. The five robots transform only from vehicle mode into combined mode, never into their individual robot forms (apart from one out-of-continuity episode).

Bruticus Maximus was one of four combining Transformers sealed away in stasis beneath the surface of Cybertron to guard a hidden reservoir of Super Energon. Megatron, guided by Unicron, set out to search for it, and destroyed one of the immobile robots in his rage (strangely enough, a second Superion Maximus), only for the reservoir to then reveal itself. As the guardians awakened, Megatron immersed himself in the Super Energon to upgrade himself into Galvatron, and Bruticus Maximus and Constructicon Maximus immediately swore fealty to Galvatron as the one who had awoken them. However, their "brother," Superion Maximus, refused, recognising Galvatron's evil and siding with the Autobots.

Bruticus Maximus added plenty of firepower to the Decepticons' side, and he and Constructicon Maximus had several clashes with the "traitorous" Superion Maximus, until the time for their final battle came, set against the backdrop of the struggle to stop the Unicron-possessed Galvatron out in space. Constructicon Maximus was deactivated by Superion Maximus, who then had his limbs destroyed by Bruticus Maximus, but transferred Constructicon Maximus's limbs to himself and used them to defeat Bruticus, along with a little help from the ghost of the "brother" Megatron had destroyed.

[edit] Dreamwave Productions

Although the Transformers: Energon comic book series by Dreamwave Productions was canceled before Barricade could appear in them, the Energon "More Than Meets The Eye" guide book was under development at the time. Pencil art by Guido Guidi was released later showing the art that would have been used with Barricade's profile. ^[3]

[edit] Toys

• Transformers: Energon Barricade (2005)

In the U.S. Barricade was sold by himself, but in Japan he was only available as part of the gift set with the other members of his team. ^[4]

In 2006 Barricade was repackaged for the Transformers: Universe line. This packaging removed all references to his ability to combine with the other members of his team, as the other members of his team were not released in the Universe line.

[edit] 2007 Transformers film

Transformers character
Barricade in the 2007 Transformers movie
Barricade
Affiliation	Decepticon
Sub-Group	Micro Vehicles Deluxe Vehicles
Partner	Frenzy
Alternate Modes	Saleen S281 Mustang Police patrol car
Series	Transformers movie toys
English voice actor	Jess Harnell[5][6][7] Keith David (video game)

In the 2007 live-action movie, Barricade is a Decepticon that transforms into a Saleen S281 Extreme (a modified Ford Mustang) police car, making him similar in appearance to the G1 Autobot Prowl, who was actually in the first draft of the movie treatment before the writers thought that a decepticon police car would be a better idea. He is a hunter/scout of the Decepticons, choosing his vehicle mode to easily hide among the humans as a symbol of authority. His persona appears to be that of the cliché "bad cop", as he fiercely interrogates Sam Witwicky once he locates him. His weapons include Gatling cannons, plasma lasers, but he mainly elongates his arms to reveal spinning spikes in his hands and uses them as close-combat striking weapons, and also as a steel flail, similar to nunchuks. When in car mode he can simulate the appearance of a human driver, the same holographic model (referred to as "Mustache Man" on-set and in the credits) that "pilots" Blackout and Starscream.

In leaked versions of the script, this character was originally codenamed Brawl - he even appeared with his name on some of the concept art. The name was later changed to Barricade when the official list of Transformers appearing in the movie was released; the name Brawl would go to another Decepticon. His rear quarter reads "To punish and enslave" a parody of the classic police slogan "To Protect and Serve". The front quarter police logos have the Decepticon symbol on them and the writing "Pacis Quod Alcedonia", Latin for "Still, Halcyon Days of Peace", and "Incorporated since June 1865".

The official guide to the Transformers video game says he's 16 feet tall. The Transformers U.K. magazine states he is 16 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 2.2 tons and has a maximum speed of 300mph. An early interview with Michael Bay states that he is 18 feet tall. The deluxe toy suggests he is 19 feet tall at the shoulders.

The Legends 2-pack with Cliffjumper and Recon Barricade says that Cliffjumper and Barricade are old rivals. Cliffjumper often taunts Barricade into making mistakes.

Other than Megatron, Scorponok, and Frenzy, Barricade is the only non-military Decepticon. In fact, he and his partner Frenzy seem to be the only Decepticons who can blend into a civilian environment.

Some speculation has occurred as well to Barricade being another version of Soundwave, as one of Soundwave's partner's in the Generation 1 series was also named Frenzy. Barricade shows this quality by the sound of his voice almost being a fully robotic state (with almost no human traits to it at all), and with where Frenzy emerges from is similar to his G1 counterpart (transforms from cassette mode into robot mode by ejecting from Soundwave's chest).

[edit] Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday

Barricade first appeared in the prequel novel Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday, serving as pilot of the Nemesis. Here he was a vocal critic of Starscream's command, but was willing to tolerate his leadership if it meant finding Megatron. He opposed Blackout's decision to attack the Autobots against Starscream's orders, but refused to intervene when Blackout challenged Starscream, claiming that the outcome was obvious.

[edit] IDW Publishing

Barricade also appeared in IDW Publishing's prequel comic, where he, Starscream and Blackout smashed up the Mars Beagle probe. In issue 4 he traveled to Earth, gaining his police car alternate mode and destroying the car, leaving no witnesses alive. The three Decepticons, detecting emissions similar to that of the Allspark, then stumbled onto Sector 7's trap for Bumblebee, wiping out their military backup. Sector Seven labeled Barricade as NBE-3. While they discovered nothing from Blackout's scan of Sector 7's computers, Barricade proposed that they tail Bumblebee to see if he could lead them to the Allspark. With the plan approved, Barricade pretended to lose Bumblebee, while the other two Decepticons tailed him from the air.

He also appeared in the official movie sequel comic called "The Reign of Starscream". ^[8] In that story it was revealed that Barricade was forced into a bridge column by Ironhide during the battle on the highway, but had survived, heavily damaged. Starscream ordered him to continue spying on the Autobots once he was repaired enough to function.

[edit] Movie plot

Barricade is one of the main Decepticons in the film, and the very first Transformer to speak English. He first appears hunting down Sam Witwicky to interrogate him about his great-great-grandfather's glasses (that have the location to the Allspark). Sam escapes with his crush, Mikaela Banes in Bumblebee's Camaro vehicle-mode, and Barricade chases them. After the chase, Bumblebee transforms into his robot mode, and on arriving, Barricade attacks the Autobot. He releases his partner, Frenzy, to go after Sam and Mikaela, while he battles Bumblebee. Barricade is defeated by Bumblebee. However, he survives (as shown by the brief scene showing him as the first Decepticon responding to Starscream's call), and appears later on during the highway chase scene, where Sam recognizes him (as "the same cop").

Barricade is not seen again for the rest of the film after that point except for a short clip where Barricade claims that he is on his way to joining in the city fight. However, as assumed with Scorponok and known of Starscream, he is one of the few Decepticons thought to be alive, since there is no scene in the film depicting his death. He did die in the leaked film script, the comic book and novelization, killed shortly after Optimus Prime's motorway battle with Bonecrusher whilst attacking Prime from behind.

From the novelization: "There followed a flurry of furious action that ended only when Optimus flipped the machine clinging to him against a steel-and-cement freeway pillar. The impact cracked and bent the column. It did worse to Barricade, who lay twisted and unmoving."

[edit] Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

Writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman have stated in a recent interview that Barricade's disappearance from the remainder of the first film is a "thread for Movie 2" ^[9] This explanation runs concurrent with the after-credits scene of Starscream retreating into space, after being defeated by a flight of F-22s. Many fans had hoped that Barricade's disappearance from the film would be cleared up in the IMAX release of the film, but it wasn't.

Recently, www.Superherohype.com posted a photo of three Saleen Mustangs (with Barricade's decals from the first film) in Culver City, suggesting that Barricade may be returning for Transformers 2. ^[10]

[edit] Video Game

Barricade appears as a playable character in the Decepticon campaign, and is the one who killed Jazz, as opposed to Megatron in the movie and Brawl in the Autobot campaign. Barricade also crippled Bumblebee, before Bumblebee is captured and seemingly killed by Sector 7. Barricade also appears twice in the Autobot campaign as a boss. He swings his arm unstoppably (like Longarm) and can only be stopped by throwing an object at him.

[edit] Movie toys

• Movie Legends Class Barricade (2007)

Released as part of the first wave of movie Legends toys, this Micro class 3 inch long Saleen S281 is 1/63 scale to the real vehicle and has an extremely simplistic transformation.

A Chinese made bootleg of this toy was released in 2007 called "Super Change to United". This version of the toy was slightly redecoed and remolded so he could become the left leg of a Legends combiner with 4 other Legends bootlegs.

• Movie Legends Class Recon Barricade (2007)

A redeco of Movie Legends Barricade done to match the Movie Deluxe Recon Barricade toy. Available in a 2-pack with Movie Legends Cliffjumper. ^[11]

• Movie Jollibee Barricade (2007)

A kids meal toy promotional item available at Jollibee restaurants in the Philippines from June to July of 2007. This toy was a slightly enlarged and simplified version of the Movie Legends mold. ^[12]

• Movie Cyber Slammers Barricade (2007)

A small Scout class Barricade toy with a "hit and go transformation" and a pull-back motor. It measures 12 centimeters long. With an actual Saleen S281 measuring 480 centimeters long, this toy is about 1/40 scale.

• Movie Fast Action Battlers Blade Shield Barricade (2007)

A Deluxe-sized toy with simplified transformation for younger children. [1]

• Movie Deluxe Class Barricade with Frenzy (2007)

Released June 2, 2007. Features a small Frenzy figure which is stored in the front of Barricade in vehicle mode in what seems to be a radiator. Also features a spring-loaded punch action. Unlike the other Deluxe Class toys, Barricade does not feature Automorph technology. This toy is 15 centimeters long in car mode, so it has a scale of about 1/32. With Barricade standing 12 centimeters tall at the head, his real world robot mode would stand about 13 feet tall, but his shoulders reach much higher.

This toy also came as part of a 2 pack called "Bumblebee vs. Barricade: First Encounter" featuring Deluxe Bumblebee (Classic Camaro) and Barricade. [2]

• Screen Battles: First Encounter Barricade with Frenzy (2007)

This toy later came in a pack called "Screen Battles: First Encounter" as a mini-diorama with figurines of Sam and Mikaela, along with an extra, non-poseable Frenzy figure. [3]

The original "radiator" Frenzy available with Screen Battles: First Encounter Barricade was remolded in black (matching the car) but was installed with additional piece of plastic, preventing the black Frenzy figure from being removed -- due to redundancy -- without unscrewing the base of the Barricade's hood. This version of Frenzy has been referred to as "Restrictor Plate Frenzy" by collectors. ^[13]

• Movie Deluxe Class Recon Barricade (2007)

A silver and blue security car redecoration of Deluxe Barricade. According to the box for this toy when Barricade went to find the Allspark at Hoover Dam he altered his form to resemble a security guard's car to slip in undetected. This did not happen in the film. The version of Frenzy included is recolored light blue with darker blue detailing, meant as an homage to Frenzy's 1st Generation form.

• Movie Deluxe Class Barricade Repaint (2008)

A Target exclusive, packaged in robot mode and inside a clear, cylindrical package. Features light blue highlights on parts of the robot's body to simulate the Allspark's effects.

• Movie Premium Deluxe Class Barricade (2008)

A redeco of the Deluxe Barricade with metallic paint. ^[14]

• Micro IR Barricade (2007)

A RadioShack exclusive. This micro Radio-controlled car moves forward and back, and features simple transformation to robot mode. The gun-shaped controller doubles as a ball-point pen. [4]

[edit] Non-transforming merchandise

• Movie Robot Replicas Barricade (2007)

A poseable, non-transforming action figure that comes with a spinning blade.

• XMODS Evolution Barricade (2007)

A RadioShack exclusive. This Radio-controlled car is part of the XMODS line, featuring digital proportional steering and upgradeable parts. A weapons & light kit is also available, featuring headlight claws and a hood-mounted missile launcher. [5]

• ZipZaps Micro RC Barricade (2007)

A RadioShack exclusive. Part of the ZipZaps line, this is a micro Radio-controlled car that runs on a rechargeable battery (the controller doubles as the charger). [6]

[edit] References