Cliffjumper
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
The plot summary in this article or section is too long or detailed compared to the rest of the article. Please edit the article to focus on discussing the work rather than merely reiterating the plot. |
 |
This Transformers-related article or section describes an aspect of Transformers in a primarily in-universe style. Please rewrite this article or section to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective. |
Cliffjumper is the name of several characters from the Transformers line of toys.
Contents |
[edit] Transformers: Generation 1
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Cliffjumper | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Japanese name | Cliff |
| Sub-Group | Deluxe Vehicles Mini-Bots |
| Function | Warrior |
| Motto | "Strike first, strike fast, strike hard." |
| Alternate Modes | 1981 Porsche 924 (Turbo) Cybertronian Car |
| Series | Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Titanium Transformers: Classics |
| English voice actor | Casey Kasem |
| Japanese voice actor | Takuro Kitagawa |
Cliffjumper's bio indicates he compensates for his small size by being the first to rush into any dangerous situation, desiring only to beat up "Decepti-creeps". While this has won him the respect of his fellow Autobots, it can occasionally lead him into situations he can't handle. His motto is "Let me at 'em!" [1]
According to original tech spec notes written by Bob Budiansky found at Iacon One in 2006 the original name for Cliffjumper was Blow-Out, a name later used for a Generation 2 Autobot.
[edit] Animated series
Cliffjumper was part of the original Autobot crew of the Ark. When the Autobots and Decepticons were reawakened, Cliffjumper was given the alternate mode of an Earth car. Cliffjumper and Hound were sent to scout out the location of the Decepticons. Although ordered not to engage the Decepticons, Cliffjumper took the opportunity to try to shoot Megatron, revealing their existence to the Decepticons. Because of this, Hound was blown off the road by Laserbeak - something that made Cliffjumper regret his impulsiveness. Hound, however, didn't blame him, quipping that he was only sorry he missed.
Cliffjumper's bravery was often a boon to the Autobots - as well as a problem. In the episode "Changing Gears", Cliffjumper's rash actions helped the Autobots get past a Decepticon force field and stop their Solar Needle device from destroying the sun. [2]
Cliffjumper's most prominent appearance came in the second season episode "Traitor", where he developed the belief that Mirage had sold them out to the Decepticons after missing a Decepticon power plant while on patrol. Mirage then devised a scheme to prove he wasn't a traitor, setting the Decepticons and Insecticons against each other. However, Cliffjumper had followed him, and misinterpreted his actions. Reporting back to base, Cliffjumper took Prime to see for himself - only to run into an ambush, as Mirage betrayed them. The reason soon became apparent - Mirage had been implanted by one of Bombshell's cerebro shells. After the Decepticon plant's destruction, Cliffjumper apologised to Mirage.
When Starscream broke off from Megatron and created the Combaticons in "Starscream's Brigade", his first act was to capture the Autobots Cliffjumper and Jazz during the unveiling of a statue of Optimus Prime.
During The Transformers: The Movie, Cliffjumper is stationed on Moonbase 1, from which he and Jazz try unsuccessfully to escape when attacked by Unicron. After their apparent consumption by the planet-eater, they are ultimately saved by Daniel Witwicky.
By Season 3, Cliffjumper was reduced to a background character, a result of voice actor Casey Kasem's objection to the portrayal of Arab characters as stereotypical villains [3] and departure from the show.
His last appearance in the original U.S. cartoon was the Season 4 episode "The Rebirth - Part 1".
[edit] Marvel Comics
Cliffjumper also appeared in the Marvel Transformers comic, where his role was much the same as in the animated series. The earlier comic stories featured Cliffjumper prominently, deploying his 'glass gas' gun against unfortunate Decepticons.
Cliffjumper worked with Windcharger and Gears on the Dinobot Hunt, charged with bringing in the mentally incapacitated Dinobot Sludge. Unfortunately the party were victims of an ambush set up by Soundwave.
Cliffjumper returned to fight alongside hundreds of Autobots and Decepticons against the Underbase-empowered Starscream, and was one of the many casualties of his rampage.
[edit] Fun Publications
Based on the Transformers Classics toy line, the Timelines 2007 story is set 15 years after the end of the Marvel Comics story (ignoring all events of the Marvel UK and Generation 2 comics). Megatron survived the crash of the Ark on Earth, reformatted himself into a new form and now leads Ramjet, Skywarp, Soundwave, Starscream and the Constructicons. Optimus Prime has also returned to Earth commanding Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Grimlock, Jetfire, Mirage and Rodimus (formerly Hot Rod).
In "Crossing Over" Landquake ended allying himself with the new Megatron he met, although he was held in suspecion by the Deception leader. After examining Landquake the Decepticons learned his story may be true, and then detected a similar energy source to that detected at Landquake's arrival in South America. Skyfall allied himself with the Autobots and they arrived at the same time to investigate the energy. Skyfall and Landquake and the Autobot Cliffjumper (assigned by Optimus Prime to watch Skyfall) arrived in the underground energon pool together and met the Autobot Breakaway, who was guarding the pool, but had little memory of why. Together the three Transformers who seemed to feel they were connected, and Cliffjumper who refused to leave Skyfall, were sent through a dimensional portal by Breakaway's Caretaker computer to find their "fourth".
[edit] Audio books
Cliffjumper was featured in the 1985 audio adventure Laserbeak's Fury. In this story's accompanying book Cliffjumper was depicted in his yellow variant, not his usual red one.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
When civil war broke out on the planet Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticons, Cliffjumper joined the Autobot cause. When Decepticon Military Operations Commander Shockwave led a force of Decepticons against the Autobot capitol of Iacon, Cliffjumper was among the Autobots who defended the capitol (Transformers: War Within #3).
When Decepticon leader Megatron and Autobot leader Optimus Prime disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions. Cliffjumper stayed with the Autobots under the leadership of Prowl. Learning that the Decepticons were testing a new mobile command base at the Praetorus Wharf, Prowl led Cliffjumper, Gears, Jazz, Skids and Sideswipe to investigate. What they discovered was Trypticon. The giant Decepticon easily routed them, and Prowl's team were only saved by Shockwave's calling him away to battle against the Fallen and Chaos Trinity. (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #3).
Six million years ago, Ultra Magnus united the Autobot factions and lead them to victory over Decepticons and Ultracons. Megatron returned to Cybertron in command of the clone forces of the Aerospace Extermination Squadron and took over Cybertron. Cliffjumper was among the Autobots enslaved and forced to labor tunneling into Cybertron's core (Transformers: War Within - The Age of Wrath #2). Eventually Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron and helped free the enslaved Autobots.
Cliffjumper was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the Ark and crash landed on Earth. In 1984, when the Ark's computer re-activated, it reformatted Cliffjumper as in the form of an Earth car. Eventually the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth, and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. A ship called the Ark II was built to take the Cybertronians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertronians were lost in the ocean, again in stasis lock.
Cliffjumper traveled to Cybertron along with Optimus Prime and a number of Autobots when arrested by Ultra Magnus. Bumblebee was placed in command of the Autobot supply shuttle Orion, with Powerglide, Warpath, Seaspray, Cosmos, Cliffjumper, Bumper and the Powerdashers assigned to him. Their mission was to aid the Autobots on Earth. Upon arriving in the Earth system from transwarp space, they witnessed the arrival of Sunstorm (Transformers: Generation One III #1). After Omega Supreme was damaged in the fight with Sunstorm, Cliffjumper was reluctantly assigned the duty of protecting him until he recovered. Dreamwave would go out of business at this point, preventing any further tales of Cliffjumper from being told.
[edit] Devil's Due Publishing
Cliffjumper reappeared in the third G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers crossover series from Devil's Due Publishing as part of the combined Autobot/G.I. Joe force trying to rescue Optimus Prime.
[edit] IDW Publishing
Cliffjumper made his first IDW Publishing appearance in issue #3 of The Transformers: Megatron Origin, mourning Bumper alongside Bumblebee and Hubcap.
[edit] Toys
- Generation 1 Cliffjumper (1984)
- One of the retroactively-called 'Pre-Transformer' toys, the Cliffjumper mold was originally designed and released in 1983 in Japan by Takara as part of the Micro Change subset of their Microman line. The toy was designated simply `1981 'Porsche 924' (MC-01). Its "stubby" vehicle mode proportions were designed to resemble Takara's Choro-Q toyline (Penny Racers in the US). Following Hasbro's licencing of Takara toys for sale in the US, 'Cliffjumper' was released with the first wave of Transformers in 1984. Owing to Hasbro using leftover toy stock bought from the Microman line, some Cliffjumper toys were yellow (its alternate MicroChange color) instead of red. A second side effect of the use of Takara overstock was that of a similar MicroChange mold (MC-02 Mazda Familia 1500 XG in yellow) being placed on Cliffjumper packaging. This toy was sometimes also found on Bumblebee cards, leading to fans referring to the character as Bumblejumper (BUMBLEbee + cliffJUMPER). The name was later officially shortened by Transformer fiction to simply Bumper. Cliffjumper was later remolded into the Series 3 mini-bot Hubcap.
- In 1985 a special Listen 'N Fun edition of Cliffjumper was sold that included a cassette with the audio story Sun Raid.
- Cliffjumper was released under a number of names in different countries (Carrera in Mexico, Cliff in Japan, Matamore in Canada, Grillo in Italy, etc) and was available in a variety of additional colors including blue, green, orange, white, gold, and silver.
- Cliffjumper was reissued (with the addition of a keychain attachment) in his traditional red, as well as a variant all-black color. This mold was later recolored into the convention-exclusive Transformers: Universe Tap-Out figure.
- McDonalds Cliffjumper (1985)
- One of the four original McDonalds Happy Meal Transformers toy from 1985, this toy was just a solid blue statue of the character in robot mode. [4]
- Transformers: Classics Cliffjumper (2007)
- In February 2007 a new Cliffjumper figure was released, a redeco of the Classics Bumblebee toy. The figure was first publicly seen at BotCon 2006. This toy was later redecoed into BotCon Bugbite.
- Oddly he doesn't come with a gun, despite being described as having one in his tech specs, he has the same accessory as Bumblebee, a waverider jetpack.
- Transformers: Titanium Cliffjumper (2007)
- Cliffjumper, a repaint of Bumblebee, was released as a 3 inch non-transforming figure in the Transformers: Titanium line in early 2007. This version of Cliffjumper does carry a gun.
- Transformers: Titanium 6 inch War Within Cliffjumper (unreleased)
- A prototype of a 6 inch tall War Within Bumblebee/Cliffjumper figure was seen at a Hasbro factor tour in 2007. This figure had two different head scuplts, one for Bumblebee and one for Cliffjumper. This figure has yet to be released and seems to have been canceled. [5]
[edit] Transformers: Armada
| Transformers character | |
| Cliffjumper | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Mini-Con |
| Sub-Group | Female Transformers |
| Partner | Cheetor |
| Motto | "Reading is more of a thrill than punching." |
| Alternate Modes | 2001 Toyota Tundra |
| Series | Transformers: Armada |
Cliffjumper does not appear in any cartoon or comic-book series, although she did receive a biography in the Dreamwave More Than Meets The Eye comics.
Cliffjumper's bio described her as almost the polar opposite of the G1 Cliffjumper - where he was brash and always ready to fight, she is quiet and reserved, seeking an end to the war so she can return to her scientific career. Sadly for her she was stuck with Cheetor, her polar opposite, as a partner. A cocky type always seeking adventure, he often teased her about her name, unaware of the damage it did to her self-esteem. After he was taken as one of Unicron's four horsemen, she felt slightly relieved - almost immediately feeling guilty at the mere thought of it.
[edit] Toys
- Armada Cheetor with Cliffjumper
- A recolor of fellow Mini-Con Ransack, Cliffjumper is a female Mini-Con that comes with Armada Cheetor.
[edit] Transformers: Energon
| Transformers character | |
 Cliffjumper Energon toy |
|
| Cliffjumper | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Japanese name | Overdrive |
| Sub-Group | Ultra Vehicles |
| Function | Polar Region Soldier |
| Motto | "A stunt can never be too dangerous." (Hasbro) "I choose the time and place I fight." (Takara) |
| Alternate Modes | Dune Buggy |
| Series | Transformers: Energon |
| English voice actor | Doron Bell Jr. |
The name Cliffjumper (Overdrive in Japan) was used again in the Transformers: Energon line. In the Transformers: Energon animated series, Cliffjumper's name was frequently swapped with fellow Autobot Downshift, as they were originally mistaken for one another when they first appeared. His vehicle mode was a dune racer.
This Cliffjumper was more reminiscent of the original, as he was described as loving high-risk situations, although not the battle fervour of the original. Cliffjumper loved stunt driving, with the more risk and speed involved the better. While he is a skilled warrior, his unnecessary risk-taking has earned him more than one reprimand from Optimus Prime.
[edit] Animated series
Cliffjumper appeared in the Transformers: Energon series as one of the inexperienced soldiers under the command of Bulkhead sent into the rift caused by the collision of Unicron's head with his body. They eventually succeeded in bringing Optimus Prime's team back to the normal universe. In the final battle, he gave his spark energy to empower Optimus Supreme against the Unicron-possessed Galvatron.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
Cliffjumper also appeared in the accompanying Energon comics by Dreamwave Productions. He originally came to Earth to battle the Terrorcons, and became part of the Autobot forces permanently stationed there.
Later, he was knocked out by a surprise attack from Tidal Wave, who further threatened his life to get Ironhide to do what he wanted.
He was part of the Autobot forces in Los Angeles, battling against the horde of Insecticon clones - until they were surprisingly bailed out by Megatron. Dreamwave's closure prevented this story from ever being completed.
[edit] Toys
- Energon Cliffjumper
- The toy of Energon Cliffjumper was recolored into Energon Beachcomber.
[edit] Transformers: Universe
Energon Perceptor (Cliffjumper in Japan) was repackaged for the Universe line in late 2005.
[edit] 2007 Transformers movie
| Transformers character | |
 Cliffjumper movie toy |
|
| Cliffjumper | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Sub-Group | Cyber Slammers Deluxe Vehicles Micro Vehicles |
| Alternate Modes | Classic Camaro (Legends) Camaro Concept Car (Cyber Slammer and Deluxe) |
| Series | Transformers movie toys |
Cliffjumper is the name of a non-movie character from the Transformers 2007 movie toy line.
Cliffjumper is impatient and is considered the opposite of the composed Autobot Bumblebee. He'd rather take down a Decepticon by force and then try to get information from their smoldering wreckage than spy on them.
The Legends 2-pack with Cliffjumper and Recon Barricade says that Cliffjumper and Barricade are old rivals. Cliffjumper often taunts Barricade into making mistakes. Most of the time his taunts often lead to victory.
[edit] Movie Toys
- 3D Battle Card Game Cliffjumper (2007)
- Cliffjumper is among the characters which appeared in the 1st wave of Transformers 3D Battle Card Game by Wizards of the Coast. Unlike most versions of Cliffjumper for the movie, where he is a red repaint of movie 2007 bumblebee. the Cliffjumper card looks nearly identical to Alternators Swerve, with the addition of tf;movie 2007 style exposed facial robotics and joints. His vehicle mode is a 2000era chevy corvette.
- Movie Legends Class Cliffjumper (2007)
- A red repaint of Legends Bumblebee. Available in a 2-pack with Movie Legends Recon Barricade. 1/64 scale. [6]
- Movie Cyber Slammers Cliffjumper (2007)
- A red repaint of movie concept Camaro Bumblebee.
- Movie Deluxe Class Cliffjumper (2008)
- A red repaint of Concept Camaro Bumblebee. This Deluxe toy features Automorph technology and a complex transformation. Comes with a laser cannon that opens to become a clear blue blade. This toy is about 14 centimeters long in vehicle mode. With a real Concept Camaro being 473 centimeters long this toy has a scale of about 1/34. With the toy standing 16 centimeters tall in robot mode, the real robot would stand about 18 feet tall. Curiously, the toy has been misprinted on promotional images- it depicts Cliffjumper with splodges of Allspark blue on his thighs, when there is none there. Also, it has something similar to Bumblebee- the front end of his feet black, however, there is no black. Like Megatron, the promo images have errors overall. [7]
[edit] Non-transforming merchandize
- Robot Heroes Movie Cliffjumper (2007)
- A Robot Heroes Movie Bumblebee repaint as a Best Buy exclusive with "Battle Attack Optimus Prime".
[edit] Transformers Animated
In the Transformers Animated episode "Autoboot Camp", an Autobot similar in appearance to Bumblebee, but taller, and with longer horns and a red and gray color scheme, is featured. Although not named, the character is obviously a new version of Cliffjumper. He had no dialogue.
[edit] References
- ^ Cliffjumper (Autobot Mini-Bots, Transformers G1)
- ^ Error - - New York Times
- ^ http://www.ameu.org/page.asp?iid=108&aid=152&pg=6
- ^ Buy Transformers G1 McDonalds Happy Meal Cliffjumper - Blue and Purple Variant - G1 (US) - Other TF Merchandise Action Figures
- ^ Botcon 2007 Hasbro tour - Transformers Images
- ^ http://seibertron.com/images/news/gfx/1195489139_Allspark%20Legends.jpg
- ^ transformers-fr_FR - default
