Greaser

Greaser is an Autobot Micromaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.

I'm not braggin', babe, so don't put me down.

Greaser is the "muscle" of the Hot Rod Patrol, and serves as Big Daddy's right-hand bot. He's the most skilled at vehicular combat, and with good reason. Banned from legit races by his criminal record during the "peacetime", Greaser turned to illegal races where the losers are likely to leave in a box to satisfy his need for speed. Numerous bouts against the likes of Barricade and other future Decepticons honed his skills and earned him his numerous vehicle-mode armaments, including his trademark oil slicks... but he found himself longing to get out. He eventually joined the Autobots, but his past still haunts him. He doesn't like to talk about it, and really doesn't like it when anyone else does.^[1]

Fiction

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Greaser was created along with many new Transformers by the Micromaster process, a pooling of energon and technology by the Autobots and the Decepticons during hard times, in order to create a new generation of more fuel efficient warriors. The uneasy truce included shared "parental rights" by both factions, with the Micromasters receiving lectures and combat instruction from both sides in turn, until they chose a faction for themselves.

Many Micromasters didn't appreciate being drafted into a war the moment they were brought on-line, and began to rebel against authority in protest. Greaser was one of the most rebellious of the lot. A racer down to his spark-core, Greaser's record of petty larceny kept him from competing in the officially sanctioned tournaments, forcing him to find less reputable ones instead. These extreme street racing circuits only further tarnished his record, and his standing in the eyes of many Autobots. He eventually left the illegal circuit, apparently through the intervention and support of his new patrol leader, Big Daddy, and became an active member of the Autobots following the Meltdown Riots. When Big Daddy got fed up with the guzzlers and their rules, Greaser and the rest of the Hot Rod Patrol quit with him, heading out for Little Iacon. Destined for Nothing

After running into some trouble, the Patrol eventually made their way to The Burn Outs for some R&R, hooking up with the Race Track Patrol. Ground Hog started chatting Greaser up about old times, looking to see if he was ready to start 'jacking Autobots for energon again, now that he was a free agent. Despite breaking ties with the army, though, Greaser wasn't interested in resuming his criminal lifestyle. The Gray Race When a Decepticon attack interrupted their reprieve at Little Iacon, Greaser and the Patrol prepared to eat their words and headed back to Autobot HQ for reinforcements. Unfortunately, Sidetrack and Sunrunner of the "Rank and File Brigade" had done a number on their reputations after the walkout, and refused to even let them back in the door. Stakeout managed to sneak out with some weapons so that they could arm themselves, but no more help was coming. Recipe for Hate

Running out of options, the Hot Rod Patrol went to see Countdown, a guzzler-turned-Micromaster who had recently returned from a long-term space mission, and had previously approached them about joining his cause. They managed to break into Decepticon HQ and free the Micros who had been captured in Little Iacon. Together, the Autobot and Decepticon Micromasters briefly aligned to stop the war between the guzzlers which had been initiated by Countdown's opposite number, Skystalker. Still, nothing really changed and the war...went on. Victims of the Revolution

2005 IDW continuity

And some new mown chaperone was standing in the corner

Greaser was one of the denizens of Gorlam Prime who accosted Hardhead and Nightbeat when they arrived on the planet. Spotlight: Hardhead

Commercial appearances

Jazz introduced Optimus Prime to Greaser, as well as the rest of the Hot Rod Patrol. The Hot Rod Patrol and the Construction Patrol were then faced by Scorponok advancing menacingly upon them. As the Decepticon began to cross a suspension bridge, the Autobots destroyed it, sending Scorponok tumbling down. Hot Rod and Construction Patrol commercial

Toys

The Transformers

The natural enemy of the mummy.

• Hot Rod Patrol (Micromaster Patrol, 1990)

Released in the seventh and final year of the original Transformers toyline in the US (sixth and non-final year in Europe), Micromaster Greaser is a tiny robot that transforms into a tiny orange 1934 chopped Ford "Deuce Coupe" hot rod with an enormous engine block that is almost as tall as his roof.

Greaser is gang-molded with his teammate Big Daddy, sharing the same plastic colors.

He was only available as part of the Hot Rod Patrol, along with Big Daddy, Hubs, and Trip-Up.

• More information on Greaser at TFU.info

• Hot Rod Team (Micro Transformer Team, 1991)

• ID number: C-362
• Accessories: Micro Trailer #2

"Legs" was also released in Takara's Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers line, during the Return of Convoy year, with no notable physical changes from the Hasbro release.

Like the Hasbro toy, he was only available in a complete set with his teammates, but this release included Micro Trailer #2 and a sticker sheet with optional stickers to add to the Micromasters.

Notes

• In this context, "Greaser" refers to the American street gangs of the 1950s, with their greased-back hair. Y'know, like the Fonz. It's not the ethnic slur.
• His Japanese name, "Legs", may be a reference to the song by blues-rock band ZZ Top, and the group's Eliminator coupe, featured on the cover of the single release, as well as the Eliminator album.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Legs (レッグス Reggusu)
• French: Cambouis (Canada, "Sludge")
• Italian: Freccia ("Arrow")

References