Sureshot (Transformers)

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Sureshot is the name to two different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.

[edit] Transformers: Generation 1

Transformers character
Generation 1 Sureshot box art
Sureshot
Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-Group	Targetmasters
Function	Sharpshooter
Partner	Spoilsport
Motto	"Believing in yourself improves your aim better than target practice."
Alternate Modes	Cybertronian Car
Series	Transformers: Generation 1
English voice actor	Steve Bulen
Japanese voice actor	Masaharu Satō

Sureshot was part of the Autobot Targetmaster team. He transforms into a racing car and his Nebulan Targetmaster partner is called Spoilsport. Sureshot did make appearances in both the original cartoon and comic-book but did not feature in any main storylines - he was usually relegated to the background.

Sureshot's name is indicative of his abilities - he is a crack shot, able to practically hit targets blindfolded. This skill has led to a self-confidence bordering on arrogance, something that has led to a difficult relationship with his Nebulan partner Spoilsport, who doesn't need Sureshot to aim or fire.

[edit] Animated series

Sureshot and Spoilsport were introduced in "The Rebirth", the three-part fourth-season finale to the original Transformers animated series. When the Decepticons attempted to seize the power of the Plasma Energy Chamber in 2007, a group of Autobots were blasted across the galaxy to the planet Nebulos by the ancient foundry's energies, where they took up with a group of rebel Nebulons. To fight the Hive, the evil rulers of Nebulos, some of the Autobots and Nebulons bonded their bodies a minds together, becoming Headmasters, serving up a definitive defeat to the Decepticons pursuing them. This group of Decepticons was then approached by the Hive, who sought to replicate the Headmaster process with them, but Cyclonus was able to bargain them to down to taking only half the Decepticons' heads, offering up the weapons of the others as alternatives. Using Nebulan technology, the guns were engineered into a transforming exo-suits which were donned by five members of the Hive, creating the Targetmasters, giving their Transformer wielders ten times the accuracy and firepower. The Decepticon Targetmasters overcame the Autobots and reclaimed the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber, but in the struggle, the Autobot Brainstorm was able to scan Cyclonus's partner, Nightstick, and that data was used to duplicate the Targetmaster process with the remaining Autobots and Nebulan rebels, creating the Autobot Targetmasters. Their power, however, was nothing in the face of the Decepticons' newest weapon, the super robot, Scorponok, who transported the Decepticon forces back to Cybertron, where their plans were foiled by Spike Witwicky and Fortress Maximus.

[edit] Marvel Comics

Little is known of Sureshot's background before the war: however, the text story "State Games" in the 1986 Transformers UK annual indicated he had taken part in a sharpshooting contest with both Optimus Prime and Megatron at one point. Much later after both leaders had disappeared on Earth, Sureshot was amongst those captured by the Decepticons to await death in the smelting pools. Saved by Fortress Maximus, Sureshot then followed the Autobot leader to Nebulos in an effort to get away from war. However, they were followed to Nebulos by Scorponok's Decepticons, and the war began anew.

Desperate to prove their peaceful intentions to the Nebulans, Sureshot was amongst those who surrendered their weapons. When the Decepticons ran roughshod over the planet, the Nebulans pioneered a bioengineering process where Nebulans in robotic suits could transform into the guns of the Transformers. Sureshot became a Targetmaster as a result, battling the Decepticons on several occasions. After the war proved devastating to Nebulos, Maximus' crew left for Earth, where they encountered the Earthbound Autobots under Grimlock. He appeared amongst the Autobots watching the duel between Grimlock and Blaster, before it was interrupted by Ratbat's Decepticons. Sureshot appeared less after this, rarely appearing after issue 50.

[edit] Dreamwave Producitons

Although Sureshot and Spoilsport did not appear in any fiction produced by Dreamwave Productions before it went out of business, they did get a one page biography in their More Than Meets The Eye series.

[edit] IDW Publishing

Sureshot was among the Autobots who took Omega Supreme for repairs after he was injured by Monstructor in Spotlight: Optimus Prime. He was also seen as one of the crew in Stormbringer.

[edit] Toys

• Generation 1 Sureshot with Spoilsport (1987)

[edit] Transformers: Generation 2

Transformers character
Generation 2 Sureshot toy
Sureshot
Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-Group	Combat Heroes
Function	Warrior Leader
Motto	"War is always a problem - never a solution!"
Alternate Modes	Semi-Truck Missile Launcher
Series	Transformers: Generation 2

The name Sureshot was given to the European release of Combat Hero Optimus Prime to differentiate from the other Generation 2 Optimus Prime toys. This has never appeared in any fiction under the name Sureshot and is largely forgotten about, given the popularity of Optimus Prime.

Sureshot is described as a great leader of the Autobots and protector in his short bio.

[edit] Toys

• Generation 1 Sureshot (1994)

The toy is identical to the American toy however the chest stickers have the words "Optimus Prime" removed.

The mold used for Combat Hero Optimus Prime and Sureshot was later recolored into Robots in Disguise Destructicon Scourge.