Metroplex (Transformers)
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Metroplex is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series.
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[edit] Transformers: Generation 1
| Transformers character | |
| Metroplex | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Japanese name | Metroflex |
| Function | Battle Station |
| Partner | Six-Gun, Scamper, Slammer |
| Motto | "Vigilance is the foundation on which victories are built." |
| Alternate Modes | City/Battle Station |
| Series | Transformers: Generation 1 |
| English voice actor | Bud Davis (Metroplex) Maurice LaMarche (Six-Gun) Christopher Collins (Slammer) Dan Gilvezan (Scamper) |
| Japanese voice actor | Osamu Saka |
Metroplex is a smaller sub-section of Autobot City, capable of transforming into a battle station or a giant robot comparable in size only with Trypticon (or, later, Fortress Maximus and Scorponok). In Japan, he is called Metroflex. Metroplex has three smaller autonomous components: Six-Gun: an Autobot who is formed from six of the battle station's guns combining with one of the city's towers, Scamper: an Autobot who transforms into a car, and Slammer: a tank which transforms into another of the city's skyscrapers.
Metroplex was recolored blue for the Japanese exclusive Decepticon Metrotitan.
Metroplex is the living core of Autobot City in the year 2005. He is the largest and most powerful of all the Transformers, and is considered the Autobots' last line of defense. He spends most of his time in city mode but has the ability to transform into a battle station or a colossal robot depending on the situation. He is rivaled in size only by Trypticon (or, later, Fortress Maximus and Scorponok), and has been called upon to fight the Decepticon on a few different occasions, often using full-body wrestling tactics rather than depending on firepower.
There is some disagreement amongst fans, as to whether Metroplex, or Fortress Maximus are bigger. This also varies greatly depending on the continuity of Transformers in question, as Fortress Maximus can range from normal Autobot size in the comics to city-sized in the animated series. In the animated series in Japan, Fortress Maximus is considered larger. In the US comics, Metroplex was considered larger. The US cartoon never showed the two together, yet it has been shown that the inside of Metroplex's head is large enough for a many transformers to walk around in, while the head of Fortress Maximus is a normal sized Autobot.
[edit] Animated series
Metroplex rose out of the ruins of Autobot City after the Battle of Autobot City. During that attack, he was seen transforming from city to battle station by manual control. During the fighting, his Transformation Cog was destroyed. After the battle, he received a new Cog with the help of Sky Lynx, Wheelie, Blurr, and Marissa Faireborn, and it was installed by Pipes. Unfortunately, Metroplex was unable to stop the newly-constructed Trypticon from destroying the Ark, but he did defeat the Decepticon afterwards and hurled the dinosaur into the ocean. The next time Metroplex is called into action was to stop Trypticon and Octane from stealing global monuments and bringing them to Carbombya in exchange for "super-energon". During a battle in Moscow, Metroplex caught the Kremlin which Trypticon hurled at him, and was then attacked by Russian troops. This led the Russians (and other humans) to believe that the Autobots were behind the thefts. All was set straight when the Autobots learned Trypticon's whereabouts in Carbombya and Metroplex defeated Trypticon again. Metroplex subsequently returned all of the monuments to their original residences.
When Starscream made his deal with Unicron for a new body, Unicron requested the eyes of Metroplex in one of the tasks. Starscream possessed the body of Scourge and infiltrated Metroplex, stealing one of his eyes but accidentally destroying the other. In a fit of rage, Metroplex unexpectedly transformed into robot mode and began shooting wildly at anyone in range. A bomb planted by Starscream knocked Metroplex unconscious and caused him to transform back to city mode. His eyes were rebuilt after Unicron's plan was foiled by the combination of some Autobots and Decepticons.
If Metroplex has any weakness, it is the fact that due to his sheer size he requires other Autobots to protect and maintain him when he is in city mode. The Starscream incident is one example, and another is the time when Swindle was able to steal the Transformation Cog while other Decepticons created a diversion. This once again left Metroplex vulnerable. The Autobots (with Spike and Daniel) retaliated by stealing Trypticon's Cog and installing it in Metroplex. The Decepticons naturally used Metroplex's Cog in Trypticon, and this allowed both to at least partially transform and fight each other. Metroplex was in danger of losing the battle when First Aid properly aligned Metroplex's new Cog. This enabled Metroplex to fully transform and defeat the giant dinosaur.
Metroplex is seen only a couple other times in the cartoon continuity. One was when he is attacked by Soundwave with the powerful 'Harmonics'. The harmony shorted out Metroplex's circuits, who was saved only when Blaster attacked Soundwave and erased his tapes. Metroplex was also shown being shut down by Rodimus Prime during the Hate Plague outbreak, in order to keep him from also going berzerk and unleashing his power on everything.
[edit] Transformers: The Headmasters
Although it is a common belief that Metroplex is unable to fly, Metroplex was depicted as being able to fly in robot mode in the final episode of the Japanese exclusive Headmasters series. His role in the series was much the same as in series 3 of the American cartoon, battling Trypticon on numerous occasions.
After the death of Ultra Magnus, Metroplex was appointed the new Autobot Earth Commander by Fortress Maximus.
[edit] Marvel comics
Metroplex would make his only Marvel appearance in the Marvel UK "Space Pirates" arc. In 2008, the Quintessons invaded and captured Autobot City, but the actions of Hot Rod allowed its living core, Metroplex, to rise up from beneath the city and wipe out their entire fleet.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
In the Dreamwave Productions Generation One series the Autobots had just started to build Autobot City in Alaska before the series ended due to the company going out of business. Holograms of Metroplex in city mode were seen as parts of the plans for Autobot City, so it is assumed he would have been created as part of the city or occupied it.
[edit] Devil's Due Publishing
Metroplex would also receive a brief mention in the third G.I Joe vs Transformers crossover from Devil's Due Publishing. Near the end Optimus Prime speculates on future threats. In one of these scenes Metroplex confronts his rival Trypticon as part of the background to G.I. Joe Extreme's Sgt. Savage fighting Iron Klaw, thus incorporating the G.I. Joe extreme story line with the mainstream G.I. Joes.
[edit] Transformers: Cybertron
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Metroplex | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Japanese name | Megalo Convoy |
| Sub-Group | Leaders Convoys |
| Function | Large God Commander |
| Partner | Drillbit |
| Motto | "The future faces enormous power!" |
| Alternate Modes | Bucket-wheel excavator |
| Series | Transformers: Cybertron |
| English voice actor | Ron Halder |
A different character named Metroplex (Called Megalo Convoy in the Japanese version, Transformers: Galaxy Force) exists in the Transformers: Cybertron toyline and universe. The leader of Giant Planet (AKA Gigantia (US)/Gigalonia (JP)) where Transformers are much bigger than traditional sizes and the main way of life involves constructing new cities on top of the old ones. Metroplex turns into a futuristic strip miner and acts somewhat like a foreman on Giant Planet; he's first seen reminding a comrade that "Safety First" is their goal. He and Quickmix (Blender in Japan, another Giant Planet resident and Metroplex's best friend) joins the Autobots after a fight with Megatron destroys part of his city. Metroplex is responsible for Megatron being upgraded to Galvatron.
His primary weapon is an axe-like weapon with a sawblade for the head, while his Cyber Key Power opens it into a more traditional and powerful axe-blade, which he can also throw like a boomerang.
Though it doesn't appear to be given a name in Japan, the box of the US toy refers to Metroplex's axe-like weapon as 'Sparkdrinker', likely as a reference to his past as a warrior, how some warriors named their favorite weapon, as well as the 'Lifedrinker' axe that appears in versions of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game ('Spark' being a Transformer equivalent to a soul). Hasbro also seems to have added an unofficial third mode by collapsing Metroplex's legs and rotating his upper torso into its vehicle mode position. This was probably added simply because the results have a greater similarity to his namesake in appearance.
Though never stated, the references to his former warrior nature are most likely to Metroplex being a warrior during the invasion by Planet X, and likely his actions both then and afterwards are what eventually earns him the role of leader.
According to exclusive bio information in in the Transformers Collectors' Club magazine #15 Drill Bit's function is "Coordinator". He plans all the Mini-Con work on Gigantion, and many of those Mini-Cons consider him the leader of their planet.
[edit] Animated series
The most notable thing about Metroplex is that he is one of the few Transformers in the series to be able to defeat Megatron single handedly, making him comparatively one of the more powerful characters in the series. When he refuses to let the Decepticons go to the lower levels of the planet, Megatron attacks him with Nemesis Breaker, then deduces Metroplex to be slow and stupid because of his size and strength. He is promptly proven wrong when Metroplex jumps over his next attack, and stomps on top of the Decepticon leader, then swats away his minions trying to help him. When Megatron gets out finally and tries to attack again, Metroplex activates his Cyber Key Power, and crushes Megatron with such force with his axe that he's knocked through the ground and into a subterranean level, in such a state of disrepair that only Megatron's stubborn will not to give up keeps him alive. Unfortunately, when Megatron was recreated as Galvatron the tables were turned and it was Metroplex's turn to receive a severe beating.
Metroplex also proves to be rather protective of others. Despite being ganged up on by Decepticons, he yells to Quickmix to help the Autobots instead of him, and on at least two occasions saves the lives of the human kids; once by slicing through a steel beam about to fall on them, and later by shielding them from a giant falling rock with his body.
In the final episode of Transformers: Cybertron, Optimus Prime (Galaxy Convoy) proposed a new Space Bridge project using the power of the four Cyber Planet Keys and the four great Cybertronian ships. Many Autobots and former Decepticons joined in the project. Metroplex lead the Lemuria and Gigantia Cyber Planet Key with Drillbit, Signal Lancer, Undermine and Brimstone.
Like the other large robots on Gigantion, Metroplex has a stereotyped European accent that lies somewhere between Irish and Scottish (possibly Ulster-Scots).
[edit] Toys
- Cybertron Metroplex
- A bonus pack version of Cybertron Metroplex sold in late 2006 included Clocker.
[edit] Transformers: The Game
In the video game based on the 2007 Transformers movie, there is a mall area of Tranquility, the city in which Sam Witwicky lives. There is a sign outside the mall which reads Metroplex Mall as a reference to the character.
