Brawl (Transformers)

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Brawl is the name given to several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called "Decepticon Brawl" in the toy line for trademark purposes.

Contents 1 Transformers - Generation 1 1.1 Animated series 1.2 Marvel Comics 1.3 Dreamwave Productions 1.4 Devil's Due Publishing 1.5 Toys 2 Transformers: Energon 3 2007 Transformers movie 3.1 Devastator 3.2 Titan Magazines 3.3 IDW Publishing 3.4 Movie plot 3.5 Transformers: Meet the Decepticons 3.6 Video game 3.7 Movie toys 4 References

[edit] Transformers - Generation 1

Transformers character
Brawl toy
Brawl
Affiliation	Decepticon
Sub-Group	Combaticon
Function	Ground Assault
Motto	"I was built to be wild."
Alternate Modes	Leopard 1 tank
Series	Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Generation 2
Voiced by	Tony St. James (English) Masashi Ebara (Japanese)

Brawl originally appeared as a group of five Decepticons known as the Combaticons who were able to combine together to form a larger robot known as Bruticus. As a basic sized combiner limb, Brawl could become the arm or leg to any similar combiner Transformers; he was usually found to be the left leg of Bruticus.

According to his original bio, he was noisy, has hair-trigger temper, belligerent, and irritable. He is resistant to most conventional artillery. He shoots 200 Ibs TNT-equivalent shells from his turret, and twin sonic guns shoot 300-decibel bursts of concentrated sound energy. In robot mode, he wields 10-megawatt electron gun. ^[1]

[edit] Animated series

Brawl was originally a Decepticon criminal that had his personality component extracted by Shockwave. In "Starscream's Brigade" he was one of five later recovered by Starscream, exiled from the Decepticons after one clash too many with Megatron. Hitting on the idea of creating his own loyal troops from the wrecked vehicles left on Guadalcanal after WWII battles there, he installed their personality components into the rebuilt vehicles, thus creating the Combaticons, with Brawl having the alternate mode of a Leopard 1 tank. After a series of attacks on both Autobots and Decepticons, they were defeated by Menasor and exiled to space.

In "The Revenge of Bruticus", ridding themselves of Starscream they would then attempt to conquer Cybertron, defeating Shockwave's army, and then attempt to destroy Earth by sending it towards the sun. They were eventually stopped by Optimus Prime, Megatron and Starscream, but they survived - under Megatron's control.

While he would mostly appear as part of the Combaticons, the episode "B.O.T." would spotlight Swindle and Brawl near exclusively. After a gestalt-on-gestalt battle between Bruticus and Defensor the Combaticons' combined form was demolished, with only Swindle remaining intact. The ever opportunistic Swindle took the opportunity to sell his comrades' parts - much to the fury of Megatron. Recovering all but Brawl's personality component, Megatron had him fitted with a bomb to give him extra "motivation". Eventually he located it installed in a high school science project called B.O.T. (which had gone on the rampage due to Brawl's influence). Eventually recovering Brawl's personality components the Combaticons merged into Bruticus, but were stopped by Defensor, forcing them to flee.

Brawl would continue to appear in a limited capacity throughout the third season.

[edit] Marvel Comics

The Combaticons first U.S. appearance in Issue 24 of the U.S. Marvel comics was unexplained in the American comic, however it is assumed that they were created in the same way as the Stunticons were through Bombshell's cerebro-shell attached to Optimus Prime tapping the energies of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership.

The company 'Energy Futures Industries' was a hydrothermocline plant which the Decepticons wanted to steal for their own energy resources. Megatron and the Combaticons launched an assault only to encounter the Protectobots and Optimus Prime. With both teams now combined into Bruticus and Defensor, the human Ethan Zachary offered a solution - that the two teams battled inside a computer program. Not wanting to destroy what they had come to steal Megatron agreed. Predictably the Combaticons' bloodlust was turned against them as their disregard for the programs sentient beings led to Swindle and Brawl being destroyed by First Aid. However, the Decepticons still won as Optimus Prime felt he had cheated by endangering innocent life in the game and destroyed himself. Shortly after this Brawl made the mistake of questioning Megatron's belief that Prime was still alive. The increasingly deranged Decepticon leader crushed Brawl's head with his bare hands.

Brawl would continue to make sporadic appearances throughout the U.S. and UK comics, clashing twice more with the Protectobots as Bruticus and attacking the Autobot leadership contest between Grimlock and Blaster. The Combaticons were not shown to be deactivated by the Underbase powered Starscream, but as they were not seen again in the G1 comic, it is likely. Brawl did reappear in the Transformers: Generation 2 comic, where he and the other Combaticons were destroyed by the forces of Jhiaxus.

[edit] Dreamwave Productions

Dreamwave Productions' 21st century re-imagining of the Generation 1 universe took its inspiration for the Combaticons from the original animated series, casting them as Decepticon prisoners who were reduced to protoform stasis because they were too dangerous to be released.

Onslaught, Brawl, Blast Off and Vortex originally appeared as part of Shockwave's attack on Iacon in the first War Within series. At the same time Swindle was with Starscream, Motormaster, Runabout and Runamuck after Starscream had sent Megatron and Optimus Prime down further into the depths of Cybertron.

Later, when Optimus Prime led a rebellion against Shockwave's domination of Cybertron in 2003, Starscream took the opportunity to form a power base, taking the protoform Combaticons to Earth and outfitting them with new alternate modes taken from an abandoned military base, then leading them in an attack on the Ark in order to acquire parts to make the Decepticon space cruiser, the Nemesis, spaceworthy. Confronted in battle by Brawn, Bruticus was caught in an explosion as Ratchet self-destructed the Ark, but he survived the conflagration, only to be knocked out by artillery fire from an incoming Autobot shuttle. After a battle with the evil clone, Sunstorm, Brawn opted to work out some of his stress on Bruticus's unconscious body, punching him about the head until his comrades yelled at him to stop. Bruticus would return, battling Sky Lynx for Starscream's amusement - until the Predacons appeared in their combined form of Predaking. The two gestalts battled as Starscream fled and Bruticus lost. The ultimate fate of the Combaticons in the Dreamwave universe was not revealed, due to the company's closure.

[edit] Devil's Due Publishing

Brawl would appear in the third G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover from Devil's Due Publishing as part of the Decepticon force trying to hold back the combined Autobot/G.I. Joe force trying to rescue Optimus Prime.

[edit] Toys

• Generation 1 Brawl (1986)

This toy could form any arm or leg of any of the "Scramble City" style combiners, but usually formed the left leg of Bruticus.:This toy was later redecoed Robots in Disguise Armorhide.

• Generation 2 Brawl

The original Brawl toy was recolored in military camouflage colors for the Generation 2 toyline.

[edit] Transformers: Energon

In 2005 Brawl was the Japanese name of a Destructicon combiner limb who was able to combine with the other four Destructicons to become Bruticus Maximus. In the U.S. he was called Kickback. The character was a clear homage to Generation 1 Brawl.

[edit] 2007 Transformers movie

Transformers character
Brawl from Meet the Decepticons
Brawl
Affiliation	Decepticon
Sub-Group	Deluxe Vehicles Leader Vehicles Micro Vehicles
Alternate Modes	Cybertronian Tank Modified M1 Abrams Tank
Series	Transformers movie toys
English voice actor	David Sobolov (video game)

Brawl appears in the live-action film as a modified variant of the M1 Abrams tank, with a secondary dual turret and other cannons to evoke his G1 persona. He is described as "a very pissed off Decepticon" and always looking for a fight. Brawl is the only Transformer in the movie who does not appear in any of the trailers (except for a very brief shot of his tank mode).

Early leaked versions of the script gave the name "Brawl" to the Decepticon police car, but that character was later changed to Barricade, with the name Brawl being given to a tank character more fitting to his Generation 1 namesake. He is heavily-armed, having 8 missile launchers (four on each shoulder), a quad-mounted 37mm cannon on his right forearm, and a small dual blade ('Ripper Blade') and Gatling gun on his left forearm. He has the most weapons of any Transformer seen in this continuity. Overall, his appearance (especially that of his head) greatly resembles Tankor, the Vehicon Tank Drone commander from Beast Machines.

According to Picture Vehicle Coordinator Steve Mann, the filming prop of Brawl was a redress of tank prop made for another film [1]. Specifically, it was the M1 Abrams 'stealth tank' seen in the film xXx: State of the Union. As the film had support from the military (who supplied various aircraft) it is unclear why they didn't use a real M1A2 Abrams for Brawl.

[edit] Devastator

There is some controversy over his name: the toys and video games list his name as Brawl, but in the film itself, and the official movie novelization, his name is Devastator. He refers to himself as Devastator in the movie subtitles. According to Roberto Orci, one of the writers of the movie, and Hasbro's Transformers team, "Devastator" is the mistake, and that the character is supposed to be named Brawl. The official names of all the Transformers seen in the film were confirmed in August of 2006, nearly a year before the film's North American release date. However, director Michael Bay was not fully aware of these names and sometimes referred to some of them by their "on-set names". (He said in an interview, that he often referred to Frenzy as "Soundbyte".) Thus, on-set he would refer to the tank Decepticon as "Devastator". Somehow, the name made its way into the final cut of the film. Director Michael Bay favored the name Devastator, as he felt that it sounded more threatening than Brawl. [2] The early leaked script Prime Directives had him named Devastator, as does the Titan UK magazine. Concept art for the character named him "Demolishor", as the name Brawl (in concept art) went to Blackout.

[edit] Titan Magazines

Devastator appears in the second Titan Transformers Magazine strip. Summoned by Megatron to deal with Ratchet, Jazz and Ironhide after they waylay his pursuit of the Allspark, Devastator attacks them full on. Impervious to the Autobot firepower, he then deploys a foldspace warhead. Oblivious to his own fate, Devastator seemingly eliminates all of them.

Issue 4 picked up on Devastator's fate, establishing him as marooned on a devastated world and low on energy. Despite this, Devastator was even more aggressive than normal, randomly annihilating large chunks of the city. This was due to an energy field created by the previous inhabitants of the planet that caused them to annihilate themselves. Homing in on the energy source, Devastator seemingly encountered Starscream, Barricade and Bonecrusher. They attacked him and he seemingly killed them. He then tapped into the energy field and left the planet.

[edit] IDW Publishing

Brawl appeared among the Decepticons under the command of Starscream in the second Transformers movie prequel comic, printed by Target stores. After Megatron left in pursuit of the Allspark, Starscream, Bonecrusher, Brawl, Blackout, Barricade (presumably with Frenzy), Scorponok and Wreckage followed, eventually arriving on Earth. Landing in Afghanistan, Wreckage was killed by experimental weapons created by Sector 7, but the other Decepticons were able to overcome the human forces and take on their Earth vehicle forms. Presumably, Brawl went into hiding as a tank until he was called on by Starscream in the film.

During Captain Archibald Witwicky's vision of the future, he was in tank mode, firing at the Autobots.

[edit] Movie plot

Brawl is first seen in the film rallying with the other Decepticons to Starscream's call. He is later seen during the final battle, announcing his arrival by firing at the Autobots and US soldiers in the streets. Ironhide attacks him with his missiles while performing a Helix twist dodge maneuver, while Jazz leaps onto his frame, pulls on his main cannon causing him to miss, forcing Brawl to transform. With his sheer strength, Brawl pulls Jazz off with one hand and throws him against a building. Ironhide distracts Brawl, while Ratchet leaps in and slices off Brawl's left arm with a circular saw weapon. Brawl collapses, seemingly beaten (although the most likely assumption is that he was just stunned, as he was not shot by Ratchet or Captain William Lennox and his team in his most vulnerable part—the chest), when minutes later, the latter lands in a nearby alley. He quickly recovers and rises again when Megatron enters the battle. Brawl continues to mercilessly engage the human forces, until an injured Bumblebee—riding a tow truck driven by Mikaela Banes—kills him with several well-placed shots to the chest.

It is also seen in Transformers: The Game that if one chooses the Autobot storyline, he is the killer of Jazz, not Megatron.

According to the bio written by Hasbro for Deep Desert Brawl, Brawl was brought back online when his body absorbed some of the power given off by the Allspark when it was used against Megatron. This brought him back online and increased his power. Brawl escaped to the desert near the Hoover Dam. Hiding in the deep desert, he soaks up energy from the blazing sun, and emerges only to satisfy his hunger for destruction by attacking and annihilating human convoys and armored columns. He is a ghost in the desert, attacking randomly and without reason, and disappearing before human air power can arrive to track him. ^[2]

[edit] Transformers: Meet the Decepticons

The book Transformers - Meet The Decepticons by Jennifer Frantz had a slightly different ending than the movie. This book had all six Decepticons leaving Earth together after being defeated by the Autobots, instead of having most of their numbers die. In this book they used the name Brawl for the character.

[edit] Video game

Brawl appears in the video game tie-in. He appears as a boss faced by Ironhide in the Autobot campaign, as is the one that killed Jazz as opposed to Megatron in the movie. In the Decepticon campaign he appears as an ally that has to be escorted out of human military. His deluxe toy is among the 'bonus features' pictures in the game. In the Nintendo DS and PSP adaptation of the game, Brawl is a playable character. In the Decepticon campaign he appears in a cutscene with Megatron in the throne room (which was once the Lincoln Memorial) with also Starscream while being requested by saying ``Finish this planet, we are done here`` while Barricade walks.

[edit] Movie toys

• Movie Legends Class Decepticon Brawl (2007)

A Legends class figure with a new mold. Sold in a 2-pack with Legends Class Rescue Ratchet. ^[3]

• Movie Cyber Slammers Decepticon Brawl (2007)

A Scout Class toy designed for younger children, with a very simple transformation and a pull back motor. The upper portion of the vehicle pops up into robot mode when it hits an object.

• Movie Fast Action Battlers Double Missile Decepticon Brawl (2007)

A Deluxe-class transforming toy designed for younger children.

• Movie Fast Acton Battlers Deep Desert Brawl (2008/unreleased)

A redeco of Fast Action Battlers Brawl. ^[4]

• Movie Deluxe Class Decepticon Brawl (2007)

A well detailed version of Brawl. It had universal problems with shoulder pegs not properly fitting onto the body. ^[5]

This toy was sold individually in general retail, and in a special 3-pack at Sams club which included Movie Deluxe Bonecrusher, Brawl and Jazz.

A real M1 Abrams tank is 366 centimeters wide, while this toy is 6 centimeters wide. This makes it about 1/61 scale.

In late 2007 a special bonus pack was sold with Ultimate Bumblebee packaged together with Deluxe Decepticon Brawl and Scorponok. ^[6]

• Movie Deluxe Class Decepticon Brawl 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 Leader Class Decepticon Brawl (2007)

A highly detailed version of Brawl in the same class Optimus Prime and Megatron that appears after the film's debut. Features Advanced Automorph technology, as well as light and sound effects on his turret and missile launchers. Unlike Optimus Prime (whose head is limited to side rotation) and Megatron (whose head is fixed), Brawl's head is connected to his body via ball joint, which gives a wider range of head articulation. ^[7]

A real M1 Abrams tank is 366 centimeters wide, while this toy is 10.5 centimeters wide. This makes it about 1/35 scale. He would stand about 26 feet tall.

• 3D Battle Card Game Decepticon Brawl (2007)

Brawl is among the characters which appeared in the 1st wave of Transformers 3D Battle Card Game by Wizards of the Coast.

• Movie Leader Class Deep Desert Brawl (2008)

A redeco of Leader Class Brawl in tan with blue highlights. "Saturated with power from the AllSpark and freed from the influence of MEGATRON, DECEPTICON BRAWL disappeared into the rugged land around the Hoover Dam. Making his way over the course of months to the most troubled spot on Earth, he adapted his vehicle mode to the new environment, went to ground and waited. Hiding in the deep desert, he soaks up energy from the blazing sun, and emerges only to satisfy his hunger for destruction by attacking and annihilating human convoys and armored columns. He is a ghost in the desert, attacking randomly and without reason, and disappearing before human air power can arrive to track him. To those living in the region, he is a myth, but to those few who survive his attacks he is a monster." . Like Jungle Attack Bonecrusher, it is unknown if this will affect the sequels.

[edit] References