Bluestreak (Transformers)

Bluestreak is the name of several characters in the Transformers franchise. For trademark reasons his name had to be changed to Silverstreak in 2003.[1] The trademark was returned to Hasbro again in 2010.[2][3][4]

Transformers: Generation 1

Bluestreak/Silverstreak

Generation One Bluestreak box art
Autobot
Information
Sub-group Autobot Cars, Deluxe Vehicles, Spy Changers
Function Gunner
Rank 5
Motto "I never met a Decepticon I didn't dislike."
Alternate modes Nissan Fairlady Z (Datsun 280ZX),[5] Cybertronian car, Subaru Impreza WRX, Chevrolet Camaro, Nissan 350Z, Cobra Firebat
Series Transformers: Generation 1
Transformers: Alternators
Transformers: Universe
English voice actor Casey Kasem[6]
Japanese voice actor Koki Kataoka (Television Series)
Masashi Ebara ("More Than Meets the Eye, Part 3", "Divide and Conquer", "SOS Dinobots")
Takurō Kitagawa ("The Immobilizer")
Yoku Shioya ("Enter the Nightbird")
Toshio Ishii ("Microbots")
Kenyū Horiuchi ("Trans-Europe Express")
Keiichi Nanba ("Fire on the Mountain")
Katsumi Suzuki ("Attack of the Autobots", "Day of the Machines")
Fukujurō Katayama (Q Transformers: Mystery of Convoy)

Bluestreak's (Jaseur in Québec, Ariete in Italy) biography described him as a highly incessant talker; he simply couldn't stop. Other Autobots didn't mind this, as it helped to lighten their mood. Despite this Bluestreak had a darker side - he loathed the war and fighting in it due to the Decepticons' annihilation of his home state in the war on Cybertron. When speaking of fellow Autobot Wheeljack, Bluestreak joked that "[Wheeljack] can build a neutron bomb out of a wristwatch and a rusty can." He turns into a silver Datsun.[7]

According to original tech spec notes written by Bob Budiansky found at Iacon One in 2006 the original name for Bluestreak was Blue Streak.

Marvel Comics

Bluestreak also appeared in the Marvel Transformers comic, both in the US and UK titles (which featured original strips alongside US reprints), where his role was much the same as the animated series.

The 1985 Transformers Annual (UK), chronicling the early struggle on Cybertron, records that Bluestreak transported vital high explosives to aid Optimus Prime's first decisive counter strike against the Decepticons. Bluestreak was successful, but witnessed his friend Fusion killed on the mission.

The Autobot forces almost succumbed to fuel deprivation early in the war on Earth; Optimus Prime was forced to choose four warriors to give precious fuel to and carry on the fight, of which one was Bluestreak. Despite their valiant efforts, the Autobots were only saved when the poisoned fuel fed to the Decepticons by Sparkplug Witwicky took effect. (#4, US) In another early battle in rural England, Bluestreak was able to show his sharpshooter function: blasting Thundercracker from the sky in one shot. (#11, UK) Bluestreak would take a secondary role in several more stories, including being the first to encounter both the Constructicons and Jetfire; the second almost killed him, but he was saved from death by a Matrix-empowered Buster Witwicky. (#11, US)

He joined the list of the long-term injured during the Dinobot Hunt. He was charged, along with Sideswipe and Huffer, with bringing in the powerful Dinobot, Grimlock. Unfortunately for Bluestreak, the party found the mentally ill Grimlock locked in vicious combat with Sludge, who had been planted there by the Decepticons. Caught between two delirious Dinobots, Bluestreak was badly injured (#47-50, UK) and did not return to active service until the closing months of Grimlock's subsequent leadership of the Autobots. He was later one of the scores of casualties in the battle against the Underbase- powered Starscream. (#50)

Animated series

Bluestreak's character was not developed too far but his reluctance to fight was absent in the series. He was mainly used as a soldier and sometimes as comic relief due to his witty comments.

Bluestreak originally appeared as one of the original Autobots on Earth. He, along with the rest of the Season 1 Autobots and Decepticons, crash landed on Earth and went into a 4-million-year stasis lock. He was reactivated in 1984 and given the alternate mode of a Datsun 280ZX. In the pilot episode, Bluestreak's first star appearance saw him pursuing a hot-headed Ironhide who took off to pursue the Decepticons. Bluestreak tried to talk some sense into him but they ended up in a dogfight with Skywarp. Skywarp teleported and shot Ironhide from behind, injuring his back. Ironhide crashed into a lake and Bluestreak swam to his rescue.

In the episode "Roll for It", Bluestreak and his twin brother Prowl are almost killed after they attempt to ambush a weakened Starscream, Soundwave and Thundercracker in a military hangar. Another notable appearance by Bluestreak was in the episode "Divide and Conquer" where he, Ironhide, Trailbreaker, Bumblebee and the human ally Chip Chase travel to Cybertron to get a vital component from Wheeljack's workshop that was the only thing that could save Optimus Prime's life. They succeeded and Optimus defeated the attacking Decepticons.

Bluestreak also participated in the Trans-Europe Express, a charity race from Paris, France to Istanbul, Turkey. The race was rigged by the Decepticons in order to capture American driver Auggie Cahnay's state-of-the-art vehicle. The alloy from the engine would be used to house the Pearl of Bahoudin(sp?), a device that could control the weather. The Stunticons steal the car and the arrogant Auggie is forced to drive Bluestreak for the remainder of the race. They end up winning the race and run off with Bumblebee and Tracks to face the Decepticons.

His last known appearance was in The Transformers: The Movie, where he is briefly seen helping Kup and Huffer move a roadblock just before Hot Rod starts shooting at the Decepticon shuttle. Even though Bluestreak's name wasn't on the Autobot casualties list for the movie, because Huffer's name was listed as dead in a future episode because he was outside the city, it is possible that Bluestreak fell as well or retreated from the fight altogether. Bluestreak was not seen again after The Transformers: The Movie, possibly due to voice actor Casey Kasem's departure from the show.

Audio books

Bluestreak was featured in the 1985 Transformers audio book Autobots' Lightning Strike.

Dreamwave Productions

In this reimagining of the Generation One comics, Bluestreak is depicted as being a co-worker and friend of Optronix before he was given the Matrix of Leadership and became Optimus Prime. Little is known about his background apart from that in this continuity, he was once a Cybertronian merchant and his home city was destroyed. He is seen reporting on the death of Sentinel Prime to Optronix and lecturing him about how awful it is on the battlefield. After Prime's disappearance he stays with the Autobots, and even accompanies Prowl's team on a mission to destroy a new Decepticon base - only to be routed when it was discovered to be Trypticon.

Bluestreak is among the Autobots who follow Optimus Prime on his mission on board the Ark. They are attacked by Megatron's ship, the Nemesis. After being boarded the Ark crash lands on Earth, where all on board are preserved in emergency stasis. In 1984 a volcanic eruption awakens the Ark's computer, Teletran-I, and it repairs all on board. It reformats Bluestreak in the form of an Earth sports car.

Eventually the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth and their human allies are able to capture the Decepticons. A ship called the Ark II is built to take the Cybertronians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship explodes shortly after takeoff. The human allies are killed, but the Cybertronians were lost in the ocean, again in stasis lock.

Bluestreak was recovered by the terrorist Lazarus, who aims to sell the deactivated Transformers to the highest bidder. Unfortunately Megatron soon breaks free, and Bluestreak is one of the Transformers he used to power his technorganic virus. He is repaired in time to witness Shockwave's announcement that the war was over and the factions had united. Remembering his home state's destruction, Bluestreak believes that the Decepticons hadn't changed. He is proven right, as Shockwave attempts to seize control of Vector Sigma. He fights alongside Prime to stop him, and later began the long process of rebuilding.

Devil's Due Publishing

In this reimagining of the Generation One story, the Ark was discovered by the terrorist Cobra Organization, and all the Transformers inside were reformatted into Cobra vehicles remotely controlled by the Televipers. In this storyline Bluestreak turned into a Cobra Firebat jet.

IDW Publishing

His name was both Bluestreak and Silverstreak depending on the story, and he usually had minor roles. Most significantly, he was responsible for saving Jazz's life with his sharpshooter skills during the early war (Spotlight: Jazz), was said to be involved in long-term therapy for his survivor's guilt in Last Stand of the Wreckers: Bullets, and was briefly a suspect for the attempted murder of Blaster.

When the ongoing series started in 2009, Bluestreak/Silverstreak became a major secondary character.

Toys

The toy of Bluestreak/Silverstreak shares a slightly modified mold with the characters of Prowl and Smokescreen.[8] There is a long standing myth of a blue Bluestreak, because pictures of the toy on the instructions and the year one catalogue show the toy blue. This toy is one of the most highly sought after original Autobot cars, demanding high prices on the secondary market.
A jigsaw puzzle kit by Warren Puzzles. The pieces are two-sided, enabling users to either form a photo illustration of Bluestreak or assemble the pieces into a car that transforms into robot.[9]
When Bluestreak was reissued by Hasbro in 2003, it used the name Silverstreak.
In the Binaltech line, the toy was named Streak while in the Alternators line, the toy was named Silverstreak. For this article it will be referred to as Silverstreak. Silverstreak's alternate mode is a silver Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan. The intercooler turns into an "Ion-Charge Disperser Rifle".[10]
His bio was much in line with the original - that he tended to talk far too much. However, this still helps raise Autobot morale. However, few realise that this is just a cover for Bluestreak's scarred psyche, as he has seen far too many battles and suffering.
The Binaltech (Takara) version has the steering wheel on the right. The Alternators (Hasbro) version was initially sold in right hand drive form, but a running change switched this to the left hand drive more familiar to US collectors. Alternators Silverstreak was featured on the cover of Tomart's Action Figure Digest #119.[11]
Silverstreak is a remold of Smokescreen.
Spy Changer Silverstreak
There was a Universe Spy Changer version of Silverstreak. He was a repaint of Robots in Disguise Side Swipe, who was in turn based on an unused Generation 2 Go-Bot mold. Two packaging versions of this toy existed - a Kaybee version which did not attribute the toy to Universe and was packaged in vehicle form, and a version for discount stores which did and was packaged in robot mode. His bio again indicated he was an uncontrollable talker. His motto was still "I never met a Decepticon I didn't dislike."
Universe Silverstreak did not appear in any of the Transformers: Universe storylines.
Shown at Botcon, Universe Silverstreak is a redeco of wave 1 Universe Classic Series Prowl in his Generation 1 colors, minus Prowl's light bar.[12]
The Japanese version of the Universe figure by Takara Tomy has his weapons molded in chrome silver.[13]
A blue redeco of the Binaltech/Alternators Silverstreak figure, which consequently makes him almost identical to Smokescreen.[14]
Like Masterpiece Prowl, this Bluestreak figure is a faithful redesign of the original G1 Nissan Fairlady Z toy with modern articulation and details. Set for release on September 2013.[15]

Live-action film series

Bluestreak
Autobot
Information
Sub-group Speed Stars
Alternate modes Sports car (a cross between a Maserati GranTurismo and a Peugeot SR1)
Series Transformers

Bluestreak has a toy for the 2010 Transformers toy line, but not as a transforming robot. Instead, he is part of the Speed Stars Stealth Force sub-line, which consists of vehicles that automatically reveal hidden weapons. Bluestreak's car mode resembles a Maserati GranTurismo on the front and a Peugeot SR1 on the rear.

His bio says that he used to be a babbler, but the war has seen him become a silent, grim figure.

Ask Vector Prime

In Tyran 511.0 Kappa, Bluestreak was killed by Cemetery Wind forces.

Toys

A non-transforming sports car that mechanically opens its panels and reveals hidden weapons at the lift of the lower tailgate.[16] The box art features an illustration of Bluestreak in robot mode, which is similar to his G1 incarnation, but with the new car's front end for his chest.[17]

Kre-O Transformers

Animated series

Kreon Bluestreak appeared in the animated short "Last Bot Standing."[18]

Kreon Bluestreak appeared in the animated short "Bot Stars."[19]

Kreon Bluestreak appeared in the animated short "The Big Race."[20]

Toys

Build Optimus Prime as a robot or truck. 542 pieces, 5 Kreons - Optimus Prime, Bluestreak, Skywarp, and two drivers.

References

  1. ↑ Bellemo, Mark (2007). Transformers Identification and Price Guide. Krause Publications. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-89689-445-7.
  2. ↑ Hasbro. "Shop Hasbro Toys & Board Games for Kids - Fun Toys for Girls & Boys" (PDF). hasbro.com.
  3. ↑ "Bluestreak". Transformers Toys - TFW2005.
  4. ↑ "RPMs Mini Vehicle Single Packs Series 03 - Bluestreak - Transformers 2010 - 2015 Transformers Vehicles". bigbadtoystore.com.
  5. ↑ Schroeder's collectible toys antique to modern price guide by Bob Huxford, Sharon Huxford, 1995
  6. ↑ Kasem not dogged by live-action Scooby-Doo, Chicago Sun-Times; July 5, 2002; by Mark Voger
  7. ↑ Former Web-Page Designer Opens Naugatuck, Conn., Toy Store. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News; June 20, 2002
  8. ↑ Bellomo, Mark (2010). Totally Tubular '80s. Krause Publications. p. 115. ISBN 1-4402-1282-1.
  9. ↑ Joe Moore. "Featured Ebay Auction - 1984 G1 Blustreak 3D Puzzle - Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.
  10. ↑ "Product Reviews". mastercollector.com.
  11. ↑ Tomart's Action Figure Digest #119
  12. ↑ "Silverstreak". Transformers Toys - TFW2005.
  13. ↑ "Cybertron Streak". Transformers Toys - TFW2005.
  14. ↑ "BT-19 Bluestreak feat. Subaru Impreza WRX". Transformers Toys - TFW2005.
  15. ↑ ORIO. "Additional Images of Masterpiece Prowl and Bluestreak". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.
  16. ↑ Tim Formas. "TFW2005 BotCon 2010 Coverage: RPMs and Speed Stars". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.
  17. ↑ Sol Fury. "Hunt for the Decepticons Scout and Legends Wave 2 Released in Philippines". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.
  18. ↑ KRE-O TRANSFORMERS Last Bot Standing. YouTube. 1 July 2011.
  19. ↑ KRE-O TRANSFORMERS Bot Stars. YouTube. 6 July 2011.
  20. ↑ KRE-O TRANSFORMERS The Big Race. YouTube. 10 November 2011.

External links


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