Roadbuster (G1)

Roadbuster is an Autobot Deluxe Vehicle from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Who ya gonna call?

Roadbuster (aka Road Buster) is a powerful and charismatic fighter. Usually armed to the teeth, he's an inspiration to other Autobots in combat and a natural leader on any battlefield. Outside of combat though, his natural ease and surety fail him. He simply doesn't know how to handle life out of combat. He becomes the quietest of the Autobots, grows withdrawn and depressed, and is easily bored. He counters this by spending most of his free time between battles either planning for the next one or "demolishing" any random Decepticons he can find. Some Autobots worry about what will become of the heroic and well-loved Roadbuster they know if the war ever ends. Combat truly is his life and without it, he might just fade away.

Roadbuster is a member of the elite Wreckers unit in, well, every universe he's been in.

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Marvel The Transformers comics

I'm studying the effect of negative reinforcement on ESP ability.

Roadbuster was a member of the elite Wreckers unit under the command of Impactor. Alongside Whirl, he accompanied his commander as Impactor argued with Emirate Xaaron over Ultra Magnus' trip to Earth to investigate the disappearance of Optimus Prime.

I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it!

Roadbuster was a rather hardened soldier, deliberately feeding false information to an Autobot who had turned informant for the Decepticons, and stood by in the shadows while Shrapnel tortured the Autobot for the info and then executed him. Despite allowing this to happen, he still felt that even a traitor deserved better than that. Roadbuster took part in a training session with the rest of the Wreckers involving facsimile constructs. The training session was in anticipation of Operation: Volcano, an effort to assassinate some of the Decepticons' deadliest warriors. When Impactor decided that the Wreckers were going to bow out of Operation: Volcano, Roadbuster, Whirl, and Twin Twist took some down-time at Maccadam's Old Oil House. Both Twin Twist and Roadbuster felt distinctly uneasy about Impactor's decision. When a Decepticon by the name of Fang started bullying one of the bar's patrons, Roadbuster urged Twin Twist not to get involved. But Twin Twist trashed Fang anyway, coming to the realization that as Autobots, it was always their duty to stand in the Decepticons' way. Casting their doubts aside, Roadbuster, Whirl, and Twin Twist all decided to go ahead with Operation: Volcano. Likewise, Impactor was convinced by Xaaron to go through with the mission, despite his earlier doubts. Unfortunately, Volcano was a bust, leaving Impactor dead and Springer the new leader of the Wreckers. Target: 2006

Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.

After both Megatron and Optimus Prime wound up teleported back to Cybertron, Megatron set about spreading false rumors that a Decepticon spy, disguised as Optimus, had been set loose to infiltrate the Autobots' ranks. Roadbuster helped capture what he believed to be the imposter alongside the rest of the Wreckers. ...The Harder They Die! Legion of the Lost! The Wreckers readied to gun down their captive, only for the execution to be interrupted by Outback. Though the little guy wasn't able to convince the others that Prime was the real thing, he used a gas particle bomb to create the distraction necessary for the Autobot leader to escape his energy restraints and vamoose. Under Fire! Distant Thunder! Prime's name was eventually cleared, leading to him rallying the Autobot forces on Cybertron, and leading them on many successful raids on Decepticon encampments. Roadbuster helped secure Decepticon energon stores on these raids, the last of which ended with Optimus Prime returning to Earth alongside Megatron and Ultra Magnus. Resurrection!

Roadbuster was absent from the Wreckers for a while, but returned to take part in the so-called Time Wars. The Wreckers were forced to temporarily ally with the Mayhem Attack Squad in order to combat the combined threat of Megatron and Galvatron. The mission to eliminate the two powerful Decepticon leaders was a complete disaster, with most of the Wreckers and Mayhems meeting violent ends. For Roadbuster's part, he managed to blow off a chunk of Galvatron's face with an experimental Decepticon Pathblaster weapon. However, as Roadbuster took the time to celebrate his shot, the weapon's power core exploded, killing him. Time Wars

Marvel UK future timelines

Shorten your stream! I don't want my face burned off!

In the year 2510, Roadbuster joined the Wreckers on Cybertron's northern front where they finally exterminated the last Decepticon outpost, bringing the war to an end. Later on, Rodimus Prime called an official end to the war effort and announced his plans to pass the Matrix on to Springer. The Decepticons were not totally gone, however—a deep cover agent named Triton lived on inside the Autobot ranks. In order to stir up discord, Triton challenged Prime's decision, declaring that Ultra Magnus was a better choice to carry the Matrix. Whirl manhandled the little creep to make him pipe down, but Triton punched the Wrecker to the ground. Roadbuster raised his gun in anger, but it was the Technobot Scattershot who fired first in defense of Triton and Magnus's reputation, blowing up Roadbuster's head. This disastrous turn of events led to a new Autobot Civil War between the forces of Ultra Magnus and Springer. Peace

Regeneration One

We're exterminators. Someone saw a cockroach up on twelve.

Roadbuster was a member of the Wreckers, under the command of Kup. Acting against Optimus Prime's explicit orders, they successfully brought a siege in the Pax Cybertronia Decommissioning Depot in Kalis to an end by trapping Venom, Chop Shop, and Ransack inside a detention-sphere. Soon afterwards, Kup led the Wreckers away from Cybertron to visit the other planets touched by the Great War and they hitched a ride with Berko's Cosmic Carnival to Earth. However Roadbuster and the Wreckers found the major cities of Earth had been devastated by Megatron, who promptly launched nuclear warheads at their shuttle, destroying it. Loose Ends, Part 1

Having managed to travel to Earth in the escape pods before the detonation of their shuttle, Roadbuster and the Wreckers made for the Deep Space Network in Goldstone to try and send a warning back to Cybertron. When they discovered that they were being pursued by the zombie army that Megatron had forged from the Decepticon victims of the Underbase Saga, Springer ordered Sandstorm, Roadbuster, and Leadfoot to run interference and draw the zombies away from the rest of the team. Loose Ends, Part 2

While a distress call was successfully sent to Cybertron, Kup was captured by Megatron's forces and the remaining Wreckers found themselves confronting a vengeful Circuit Smasher. The super-powered human formerly known as Spike Witwicky was eventually talked down, and Roadbuster and the others were invited to Argus Base, the headquarters of the human resistance. There, a plan was hatched to both rescue Kup and attack the Ark—the core of Megatron's power base. Loose Ends, Part 3

Everything you are doing is bad. I want you to know this.

Roadbuster was put in command of the group that ventured into the Yukon to reach the Ark. He devised an attack plan to breach the outer perimeters of defense, assigning roles to the Wreckers and humans. Circuit Smasher took a moment to make sure he and Roadbuster saw eye-to-eye on the subject of the Ark, and after a tense pause, Roadbuster agreed that there'd be no attempts to salvage the ship for their own purposes. The attack began, and the group found themselves facing landmines and autoguns in their path. Eventually, Roadbuster and the rest made it through to the Ark itself, which released Guardian units to bar the way. Loose Ends, Part 4

After engaging the Guardians, Circuit Smasher quickly noticed they weren't registering him as a threat. Roadbuster told him to exploit the advantage and get inside the Ark, while the rest held the Guardians off. Once inside, Circuit Smasher managed to disable the Ark's computer Auntie, putting a halt to both the Guardian units and Megatron's plans. Loose Ends, Part 5 Along with Sunstreaker, Roadbuster later kept watch over the secured Ark. Natural Selection, Part One

Upon returning to Cybertron, Roadbuster worked crowd control as Hot Rod gave a speech in Eugenesis Plaza. When a riot was incited, Roadbuster and the other Autobots engaged in some fisticuffs with the unruly mob. Destiny, Part One Later, when a group of agitated citizens set up a highway blockade, the Wreckers confronted the protestors. Roadbuster disapproved of Kup's hostile approach to the situation and opined that Springer wouldn't have handled things this way. Before Roadbuster and Kup could argue any further, the situation devolved into a brawl between the protestors and other irate citizens who wanted through the blockade. Destiny, Part Two Roadbuster participated in a raid on Fort Scyk with the other Wreckers, seeking to take down Soundwave's cell of Decepticon insurgents. However, it turned out to be a trap and the Wreckers barely survived after Fort Scyk exploded with them in it. Destiny, Part Three

"Get him!" That was your whole plan, huh- "get him."

During Bludgeon's massive attack on Cybertron, Roadbuster infiltrated the Warworld with the other Wreckers, seeking to disable it from within. They were confronted by Bludgeon himself, who dominated them in combat and cost Roadbuster an arm. In the end, Bludgeon was defeated by the newly arrived Rodimus Prime, and the Wreckers managed to escape before the Warworld was destroyed. Destiny, Part Five

It's Milla Time!

The Wreckers were among the Autobot space fleet when Rodimus Prime ordered an attack on the Hub Network created by Jhiaxus. The War to End All Wars, Part 3 Ordered to "go dark" by Kup after Jhiaxus' forces began decimating the Autobots, Roadbuster and the others undertook a sabotage mission within the "slam rail" transit system that linked the network. Severing worlds from the network with targeted nuclear explosions and eliminating any resistance in their path, the Wreckers provided enough of a distraction for the other Autobots to escape as other factors in play led to the destruction of the Hub and Jhiaxus. The War to End All Wars, Part 4

Returning to Cybertron to find it transformed into a barren wasteland populated by shadow-leeches, the Autobots had to combat the dark entity formed from the corruption of the Creation Matrix. For his part, Roadbuster was among a group that journeyed back to Earth through a space bridge portal to ascertain the creature's designs on the planet. They encountered Linda Chang and the remaining human resistance, who initially fired upon the Autobots. Having fought beside these humans before, Roadbuster managed to calm things down and the two groups compared notes. With the humans joining them, Roadbuster's group then journeyed to Nebulos, where they were forced to put down the Matrix-corrupted Fortress Maximus. After Rodimus was forced to sever their connection with Primus, Roadbuster, along with all other Transformers, became decidedly mortal and eventually died of old age. The War to End All Wars, Part 5

Transformers '84

Suck in the guts, guys.

Roadbuster and Impactor met with Ultra Magnus and gave him a pep talk when the Autobot commander doubted his ability to measure up to the departed Optimus Prime. Having heard of Magnus' need of a "wrecking crew", Roadbuster joined a new team to aid Punch in sabotaging Project Dreadnought. Secrets & Lies #3 The Wreckers deployed on their first mission to Stanix where Project Dreadnought was being enacted and encountered Abominus guarding the site. Roadbuster and the others managed to fight past the combiner and other Decepticons present, seeing to the destruction of Dreadnought and establishing their rep for the many years of conflict to come. Secrets & Lies #4

Marvel Storybooks continuity

Roadbuster was stationed on Earth. The Autobots initially failed to stop a new plan of Megatron's to take millions of people hostage, but came back to fight again once they were repaired. Roadbuster blasted a hole in the Decepticons' fortress wall with his linear blaster so the Autobots could get inside, taking pride in the power of his weapon. Battle for Earth

Milton Bradley mini-comic

Road Buster was among the Autobots under Jetfire's command who launched in the Ark to clear a path through an asteroid belt. When the Decepticons attacked the ship, Jetfire sent it crashing into Earth, knocking everyone aboard offline. Four million years later, they were repaired when the ship's systems were reactivated by a volcanic eruption. The Transformers

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Kitten, what I think I'm saying is, sometimes, slag happens, somebody's gotta deal with it, and who ya gonna call?

When Optimus Prime and Megatron went missing in a space bridge accident, Roadbuster became part of an elite force of Autobots known as the Wreckers who broke off as an independent faction, led by Springer. Much of their efforts were concentrated on keeping Ratbat's Ultracons contained inside Polyhex and away from the Tagan Heights, an area which contributed to a full 40% of Cybertron's manufacturing potential. One of their missions brought them to blows against Devastator, who had allied himself with Ratbat's sub-faction. Escalation Defensor joined the fight against the Decepticon combiner, but the resulting clash was so brutal that Roadbuster and the other Wreckers were forced to retreat to avoid becoming collateral damage. Devastation

During the Age of Internment, Roadbuster was imprisoned by the Decepticons as slave labor along with most of the other surviving Autobots. The Age of Wrath Pt.2

Much later, after the loss of the Ark, Roadbuster was one of the Autobots who helped train a new generation of soldiers called the Micromasters. Victims of the Revolution After the Micromasters were combat-ready, Roadbuster, critically low on energy, was ambushed by a group of Decepticon Micromasters and defeated by them. A group of Autobot Micromasters led by Big Daddy intervened and managed to pull Roadbuster's inert chassis out of there, sparing him the indignity of having what little Energon that remained in his system drained. Destined For Nothing

During Shockwave's rule of Cybertron, Roadbuster was a member of the new Wreckers, a small unit of Autobots under Ultra Magnus's command, dedicated to keeping the peace wherever (and however) necessary. Cold War When Starscream released the Stunticons from their imprisonment in Cybertron's Detention Banks, the Wreckers were sent in to deal with the escapees. Unfortunately, both Roadbuster and Whirl were crushed before Magnus brought the Stunticon combined form, Menasor, down. Passive Aggression

2005 IDW continuity

First appearance: Transformers: Stormbringer #2

"On a mountain of skulls, in a castle of pain, I sat on a throne of blood!"

Before the war, Roadbuster was a member of the Kaon security services. Megatron Origin #2 He was quite brutally 'trained' as a cadet, including "mode drilling": being forced to transform over and over in quick succession. Sins of the Wreckers #4 During all of this, he never learned to read and after the war started, Roadbuster signed up with the Autobots. Zero Point

At some point, Roadbuster was in charge of training cadets and developed a strong emotional bond to those in his care. Sins of the Wreckers #1 Tarantulas shrank down to tiny form, crawled into Roadbuster's head and began whispering in his ear. Roadbuster came to believe it was Mortilus speaking to him and over time he began to do what the voice told him... which was to brutalise his cadets and eventually dump their lifeless bodies into a pit for the death-god to consume. As the cadets were forced to "mode drill" and savagely beaten, Roadbuster told them this was how he was taught, back in the day. The Autobots found out just in time to save Hubcap from this grisly fate and Prowl had Roadbuster locked up for a long, long time for what was assumed to be madness, as Roadbuster screamed out for Mortilus to talk to him again. The exact nature of the whole sordid incident was covered up and after minimum rehab, Prowl had Roadbuster released back into the Wreckers to kill again, as a favour to Impactor. Roadbuster secretly still missed the voice and wanted it to come back. He was cured, all right. Sins of the Wreckers #4 Roadbuster was present with the entire team to welcome Springer into the Wreckers. Requiem of the Wreckers

Since I joined these men, I've seen slag that'll turn you white!

Roadbuster and the Wreckers embarked on a hunt for Squadron X, a Decepticon battle unit known for the atrocities it left in its wake. The hunt culminated in a battle between the two groups on Pova. Roadbuster himself brought down Squadron X's ship, the Pale Fire, with a single shot. Bullets According to official paperwork, a desperate surprise tactic by Springer and Impactor, along with support from Roadbuster and Rack'n'Ruin, turned the tide in the Wreckers' favor and Squadron X was defeated. However, as the Wreckers were prepping them for transport and imprisonment, Squadron X managed to escape. Impactor would not allow this, and a second battle with them ended in the deaths of every single member of Squadron X. However, this particular version of events was a cover story. Last Stand of the Wreckers #4

What had actually occurred on Pova was that the Wreckers were going to be forced to release the captive Squadron X, as they were violating a neutrality agreement with the Povians by fighting there. Not willing to go along with this, Impactor locked himself in a room with the bound and helpless Decepticons and personally executed them all. Roadbuster and the other Wreckers, save Springer, made no move to stop him. Last Stand of the Wreckers #5

Having been the one who handed Impactor the gun that was used to execute Squadron X, Roadbuster was inwardly proud of his leader's actions. However, once Springer reported Impactor to Autobot High Command, Roadbuster and the others realized that they were in danger of being implicated in the crime as well. Roadbuster and the other Wreckers approached Springer individually in the time leading up to Impactor's trial, each telling him that they had no idea what Impactor was going to do. For his part, Roadbuster claimed that he had thought Impactor WAS going to release Squadron X as planned, and that the gun was only for self-defense. The Wreckers asked Springer to be their new leader and Springer bought into their pleas, officially clearing them of complicity in Impactor's crime at the trial. Zero Point

"Radar, you are a most fortunate individual!"
"I know!"
"You've been a participant in the biggest interdimensional cross rip since the Tunguska Blast of 1909!"
"Felt great...!"
"I'd like to get a sample of your brain tissue."
"Okay-AAHHKKK!"

At some point, the Wreckers attacked a Decepticon squad led by Krok. High on Syk, Roadbuster tore out Radar's spine and made him eat it. The attack would traumatize Krok. Animals

Many stellar cycles later, Roadbuster used his considerable armament against the Decepticons holed up in their siege mode armature on the world of Varas Centralus in the Kol System. During the battle he handed Springer a comm-unit with an urgent call from Operations Command: orders from Optimus Prime himself redeploying the Wreckers to Cybertron. Stormbringer #2

Why worry? Each one of us is carrying an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back.

After the Wreckers arrived on Cybertron, Roadbuster saved Nosecone and Afterburner from a group of Centurion droids, before having Whirl evacuate the two unconscious Technobots out of the area. After the Wreckers blasted their way into Bludgeon's base and very, very, very quickly defeated the cultists, Roadbuster and Whirl rescued Jetfire from where he and the other Technobots were being recycled into raw materials. Stormbringer #3 After Thunderwing returned to Cybertron, Roadbuster, Scoop, and Broadside served as advanced scouts, watching the giant Pretender's activity. They legged it when Thunderwing unleashed a wave of destruction in memory of his failed attempts to convince Megatron and the scientific community of Cybertron to support his experimentation. As the battle was joined, Roadbuster's group tried to get Thunderwing's attention, but were blown away by a thunderous clap of his giant hands. Stormbringer #4

Much later, the Wreckers were called in by Hound's unit to fight Thunderwing on Corata-Vaz. Roadbuster was part of the vehicle mode ground assault, but all the Autobot combatants were blown away by the monster's ionic discharge. Spotlight: Hardhead Thunderwing eventually assumed his powered-up Ultra Mode, and Roadbuster poured hundreds of rounds into the being's left flank before Jetfire came up with an idea to take control of Thunderwing. Spotlight: Doubledealer

Funny us going out like this. Killed by a 100-foot Pretender.

Jetfire managed to gain remote control using Bludgeon's old axis cradle trick, and the Wreckers slipped past to disable the Nega-Core that Thunderwing had been guarding. Jetfire eventually lost control and Thunderwing turned back to advance on Roadbuster and the others as they futilely poured firepower into the massive Pretender. Spotlight: Sideswipe

Some time later, more than half of the Wreckers were captured and imprisoned by the Decepticon commander Turmoil and his crew. The recently rehabilitated Kup led a rescue team that included Roadbuster to infiltrate Turmoil's ship. There, they ran into Drift, who was also trying to rescue the captured Wreckers. Roadbuster and the others managed to rescue their comrades and Kup formally offered Drift a spot on a new unit he was planning to form. Spotlight: Drift

Subsequently, Roadbuster appeared as part of the crew of the starship Trion, under Kup's command. Receiving a distress call from Hot Rod, Kup's team went to rescue him. They found Hot Rod being menaced by Bludgeon and the Monstructor Six. Bludgeon quickly commanded the team to merge into Monstructor and the gestalt easily brushed Roadbuster aside, knocking off his shoulder cannon. But Monstructor was soon thereafter defeated when Perceptor demonstrated his newly honed sniping skills. Bludgeon opted to retreat in his ship and the crew of the Trion, now joined by Hot Rod, went in pursuit of the fleeing Decepticons. Lost & Found

Let's show this prehistoric bitch how we do things downtown.

The Trion was eventually lured into an enemy ambush, and had its defenses disabled due to its command codes having been gleaned from an Autobot traitor. Forced to crash-land, Roadbuster was stranded with the remainder of the ship's crew on the surface of Cybertron, using their former ship as a base of operations. They eventually met up with the demoralized crew of the incapacitated Optimus Prime. All Hail Megatron #5

After the Trion's crew had settled in, Ironhide and Roadbuster had a little chat outside, where Roadbuster revealed how frustrated he was that they had been taken down by the Decepticons without even a chance to shoot back. Noting Roadbuster's eagerness for a fight, Ironhide began to tell him something, but caught sight of a strange creature in the distance. It turned out to be an advance scout of the Insecticon swarm, and Roadbuster immediately notified Kup of its presence. All Hail Megatron #6

The Autobots soon relocated their base-camp, and in his vehicle mode, Roadbuster served as a mobile command platform for Kup to ride on and Perceptor to snipe from as they traveled. All Hail Megatron #7 All Hail Megatron #8

You're not sleeping with it, are you, Roadbuster?

After Optimus Prime was repaired and the Autobots prepared to make their final stand against the Insecticon swarm, Wheeljack removed and modified one of the Trion's cannons to be used as a mounted turret for Roadbuster to fire. Roadbuster was quite enamored with the weapon and wanted to give it a name. When the swarm attacked, Roadbuster managed to destroy quite a few of them with his new cannon. But eventually he was forced to shove the cannon off its mount to crush a few of the Insecticon horde as they scaled the walls of the Autobots' temporary fortress. All Hail Megatron #9 All Hail Megatron #10

After the Autobots returned to Earth aboard Omega Supreme, Roadbuster jumped into battle alongside his comrades against the Decepticons. He grappled with Astrotrain and overpowered him, disappointed that the Decepticon turned out to be a "lightweight". Roadbuster was then blasted away by Megatron. All Hail Megatron #11 He survived though, and stood victorious behind Optimus Prime and the others as the Decepticons retreated. All Hail Megatron #12

At some point following Megatron's defeat, Roadbuster became deeply involved with inventing a new weapon he dubbed the "Sparkeater", and was unavailable when Springer started to reform the Wreckers. Bullets

No offense, guys, but I've gotta get my own lawyer.

He was on Earth when Optimus Prime chose to surrender to Skywatch two years after the defeat of Megatron. Hot Rod and some like-minded individuals broke off from the main Autobot force to find a way off the planet. Roadbuster chose to stay behind with the remaining Autobots, who elected Bumblebee as their new leader. The Impossible Knot He had to learn how to not pat Bumblebee on the head when he saw him.Zero Point

After the liberation of Garrus-9, Springer was left in a comatose state following near-fatal injuries received at the hands of Overlord. Roadbuster, along with Whirl, were stationed on Debris to watch over their former leader. Zero Point (Hubcap was there too but Roadbuster did not recognise him) Sins of the Wreckers #4 Whirl attempted to euthanize Springer with the Sparkeater weapon Roadbuster had developed. Stopping him before the deed could be done, Roadbuster issued "the Veto" on Whirl; the ability of any Wrecker to remove any other Wrecker from the team. After Whirl had been removed from the premises, Roadbuster continued his solemn vigil over Springer alone. Interiors To help Springer reawaken, it was recommended by Rung that Roadbuster read to him from Wreckers: Declassified.

Before starting, he had to undertake the non-trivial task of learning to read.

Let's see what happens when we take away the puppy.

Despite disliking his portrayal in them as a one-dimensional gun-nut, Roadbuster eventually read him every datalog—twice, the second time attempting the difficult words which escaped him the first time—except 113, which detailed their showdown with Squadron X at Pova. Roadbuster was extremely guilty about lying to avoid taking the fall with Impactor, and confessed this to his unconscious leader, also acknowledging that he felt that Springer was the best leader the Wreckers had ever had. After this disclosure, Roadbuster noticed some faint signs of stirring from Springer. Zero Point

Years later, Roadbuster was still reading and believed this had made for a positive change in himself, even as Impactor believed Springer should be allowed to die with dignity. Roadbuster and Impactor both lamented the lack of work for the Wreckers, outside of titchy Decepticon cells; Impactor also lamented that his protege Guzzle had gone killcrazy nuts and had to be locked in a box, but Roadbuster said trying to help was a sign of strength. (And he mentioned the, ah, connection he'd had with trainees himself) During another round of their ongoing debate about euthanising Springer, with Impactor quietly checking that Roadbuster wasn't hearing the guy 'talk' to him, the leader suddenly got up and dragged them (and Hubcap) to Earth, alerted by Kup that Prowl was MIA. Sins of the Wreckers #1

Being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every Wrecker's god-given right!

Suspicion for the disappearance fell first on the human Verity Carlo but it turned out to be a Cybertronian faction, the anarchic Mayhem, which was first revealed to a sickened Roadbuster when Kup began talking in Prowl's voice and revealed the manipulator had had remote access to Kup's brain for years. The job was still the job though, and the Wreckers pursued the Mayhems. After a vicious battle with Mayhem's living mobile HQ, Tidal Wave, the Wreckers entered said HQ and Roadbuster began to violently torture Claw Jaw for info. Springer was horrified but Roadbuster just snapped back that reading to him didn't cancel out being a violent bastard or vice versa. The cowed Claw Jaw led them into the Noisemaze Sins of the Wreckers #2 but this turned out to be a trap: only Mayhems were protected against the Noisemaze dimension's mental destabilising! Roadbuster was knocked out by the sheer pain and taken to Tarantulas, to be locked into the guilt extracting computer Impetus and spit out all his crimes. In among them, he admitted he deep down wished he'd been brave enough to euthanise Springer like Whirl had tried to. Sins of the Wreckers #3

I'm terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought.

Tarantulas gleefully revealed to Roadbuster that way back in the day, he'd been "Mortilus" and had deliberately used Roadbuster to collect bodies for experiments; and Hubcap had been working for Tarantulas for years, willing to do this in exchange for revenge against both Roadbuster and Prowl, for releasing him early. (Almost unnoticed by his fellows, an upset Roadbuster told Tarantulas he'd missed his voice and wanted to know "where did you go?") It was lucky for all concerned that Hubcap had enough qualms to release the other Wreckers under Prowl's prodding but Roadbuster, even with the others, struggled to take down Tarantulas.

And so Roadbuster made a sacrifice play. After begging Springer to remember him as a friend and not remember him for all his violent horrors, he transformed to vehicle mode and rammed Tarantulas through a window and down to the rocks below. He survived the fall, but so had Tarantulas, who had shrunk down... and crawled inside the Wrecker's head. The last thing Roadbuster heard was one more malicious whisper before the spider mass-shifted back to regular size. Sins of the Wreckers #4

Kre-O online manga

"This job is not worth eleven-five a year!"

Roadbuster was one of several Autobots reeling from the appearance of the mighty Devastator. A New Menace! The Giant Soldier Devastator Appears!

Legends World

"If there's a steady paycheck in it, I'll believe anything you say."

Roadbuster and Whirl were built in the Legends World by Tankor, inspired by designs from a certain '80s giant robot anime, to aid him in his plans to return the world to how it was in the '80s. In spite of Tankor's design intentions, however, Waspinator recognized them as Autobots from a British Transformers comic, an origin story that confused the pair. While Whirl went on to have a change of heart and decided to be a hero instead, Roadbuster remained loyal to his commander Tankor and engaged his former partner in combat. Bonus Edition Vol. 4 Declaring it time to enact his Total Humanity '80s Transformation Plan, Tankor entrusted his '80s Transformation Beam to Roadbuster and sent him to cause havoc by blasting everyone around him into various '80s forms. An impassioned speech from Rattrap briefly halted Tankor's resolve, leaving him open to attack, but Roadbuster loyally shielded his commander and was broken into pieces by an air-dropped Rattrap as a result. Tankor retreated and had Roadbuster fixed up, after which the two started running an '80s-themed café instead. Bonus Edition Vol. 5

Waspinator later taught Megatron about Roadbuster and Whirl during his Transformers lesson, again explaining that they first appeared in a British comic. The concept of British Transformers had Megatron thinking of the pair as English stereotypes, and he imagined Roadbuster decked up as Sherlock Holmes. Whirl and Roadbuster Now on Sale, Buzz On Christmas, Roadbuster dressed up as a reindeer and helped Santa-Tankor hand out toys from the 80s. Merry X'mas!!

Roadbuster later got concerned about Tankor when he picked a fight with Thrust and Jetstorm. I'm Tankor, dana! He then ran into Whirl again and was ready for a rematch, only to be taken aback when the self-styled "hero" took a hostage, and even more so when the hostage took control of Whirl and forced him to pick up garbage. Whirl Versus Roadbuster! Eventually, Whirl returned to Tankor and Roadbuster's side and the three went back to terrorizing the population, but it all came to an end when a dimensionally displaced Jetfire defeated Tankor for good. Roadbuster and Whirl were left lost and confused about what to without their leader, so Jetfire invited them back to his home dimension, reasoning they'd fit in better there. The pair accepted his offer and traveled through a solitarium portal to the year 2004 of his universe, where they joined the Autobots. Bonus Edition Vol. 7

Upon meeting the Jumpstarters, Whirl and Roadbuster introduced themselves as "Wreckers", something Waspinator had identified them as. Overhearing this, Springer thought it was a great team name and founded the Wreckers as a new Autobot unit, recruiting the duo into it. LG-07 Jetfire Sequel Their first mission by Optimus Prime was to clean up around Mount St. Hilary. G1 Wreckers Birth Story At one point he and Whirl explained their origins to the Jumpstarters, who would later create Legends World to begin with in order to ensure their comrades would be born. Bonus Edition Vol. 66 In the year 2021, Fortress Maximus recalled Roadbuster and Whirl's origins when he and his soldiers were reduced to heads and needed new bodies built. Using residual radiation acquired from the two Wreckers, Fortress located the Legends World and traveled there in search of the expertise used to build them. Headmaster Chapter Prologue

As Wreckers, Roadbuster and Whirl fought under Springer for many years, and one day in the late 2030s, they noticed he was getting fatter. A comment from Whirl about Springer's failed relationship with Arcee ended up upsetting their leader, and Roadbuster scrambled to try to cheer him up. When Springer sought to become his old macho self again, Roadbuster and Whirl had an idea, suggesting that he go to the Legends World and have their creator, Tankor (now Rhinox), build him a cool new body. The two came with him on the trip to revisit their old home and observe his reconstruction. LG19 Sprung Prologue They then returned to the G1 World where they pushed Springer into asking Arcee out. LG19 Springer Sequel Upon learning that the Legends World was under attack by Windblade, Roadbuster and Whirl volunteered to return and defend their homeworld. LG65 Twin Twist Prologue On arrival, they were pinned down by Windblade's Targetmasters, leaving Twin Twist to take her on. Bonus Edition Vol. 65

After the Legends World was destroyed, Whirl ended up back in the G1 World. In 2038, he and Roadbuster were on Zone, where he watched the Powered Masters duke it out with Violengiguar in their old bodies. The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 2

Games

Transformers Legends

Roadbuster and Topspin were enlisted to assist Nova Prime in battle against Nemesis Prime, an evil future version of Nova. They were unable to prevail against this future threat. Prime Evil Roadbuster was a member of the fearless Wreckers squad which liberated Garrus-9 from the grip of Dreadwind and the Air Strike Patrol, though they destroyed most of the facility in the process. The Wreckers Springer and Roadbuster were sent to prevent Bludgeon and Darkwing from reviving Thunderwing. They failed, and were forced to help the two Decepticons defeat Thunderwing. Stormbringer

Transformers: Battle Tactics

"Whirl, somehow this reminds me of the time you tried to drill a hole in your head. Do you remember that?"

Roadbuster participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Rare character who could be recruited by collecting 70 units of Cybermetal, 30 units of Transmetal, and 20 exclusive cores. Transformers: Battle Tactics

Transformers Roleplaying Game

Roadbuster was a member of the Wreckers and a proficient munitions expert. Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook

Transformers: Earth Wars

“You always had to vanquish! Conquer! You always had to maim somebody!”

• Class: special
• lowest star rating: 2 star
• Ability: Shield Piercing Plasma- Shoots a shot that removes a foe's shields, dealing damage to the final target and half that to foes in the shot's path.
  • Cost: 6 ability points 3 cost increase.

Toys

The Transformers

I ain't afraid of no road!

• Roadbuster (Deluxe Vehicle, 1985)
  • Accessories: laser rifle, linear blaster gun, shrapnel missile launcher, 5 missiles, control pack (with 2 handles), power pack, antenna, infrared range finder, large wheel covers (left & right), small wheel covers (left & right)

Roadbuster transforms into an orange and green cybertronic jeep armed with a large gun. In robot mode he can hold the jeep's gun, and also has another gun resembling a real world M16A1 rifle, and a shoulder-mounted missile launcher. He also wears a large backpack that has a very tall antenna and two articulated handlebars slung beneath his arms. Oh, and mustn't forget the snap-on armor plating that hides the jeep's tires. He also has a smaller gun and an ammo pack, which are permanently affixed to the sides of his legs.

For a toy of his size, Roadbuster has an enormous number of accessories, of which the rangefinder for the jeep's gun may well be the smallest ever produced for any Transformer. Finding a loose complete Roadbuster can be very challenging—are you sure all the spare missiles are there? Better count again!

• Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Roadbuster at Transformerland.com
• More information on Roadbuster at TFU.info

Universe (2003)

My parents didn't believe in toys.

• Autobot Roadbuster (2005)
  • Accessories: Crane/cannon, 2-part spare tire/blades, energon star, energon rifle

A retool of Energon Energon Class Strongarm as Universe Roadbuster was part of 3H Productions' proposal for an OTFCC 2005 convention exclusive set. However, with the financial collapse of 3H Productions in late 2004 and the subsequent transfer of the Transformers convention license to Fun Publications, all plans for this toy (and its companion piece Brawn) were scrapped. It would have featured a new head and an Energon rifle.

Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Universe (2008)

Choose! Choose the form of the Destructor!

• Autobot Ambush (Two-pack, 2008)
  • Accessories: "Close-combat blade", Autobot Cybertron-style Cyber Key

• Known designers: Joe Kyde (deco artist)

A Target-exclusive redeco of Cybertron Deluxe Class Cybertron Defense Hot Shot, Universe "Autobot Roadbuster" transforms into a modified M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle. When a Cyber Key is inserted into the back of the turret, the two "recoilless rifle" barrels open up into dual (non-firing) missile racks. Compartments on his shoulders and legs can also open up to reveal additional missile racks, while the front bumper halves flip outward to reveal machine guns and even more missile racks. Roadbuster also comes with a blade that can peg via 5 mm-compatible post onto his hands or onto the front of his fist, and can stow between his legs in vehicle mode as an exhaust pipe of sorts. Additionally, the blade can be put away in a sheath on his leg, and the same sheath can be used to store his Cyber Key in vehicle mode. His (conveniently color-coded) red Cyber Key is unpainted, save for its silver Autobot symbol.

The instructions and package art for this toy depict his green shoulder panels as being swapped.

He is packed with the Voyager-sized Dirge and a comic book. In its first release in Canada, the set did not include a comic (in spite of the INCLUDES COMIC! marking on the package), and in the US, the set included the wrong comic. Instead of The Dark Ages issue "Escalation", which was meant for the "Standoff Beneath the Streets" Voyager-Deluxe two-pack of Springer and Ratbat, the right comic was to be a reprint of "Target: 2006" parts 5 and 6, which was similarly and erroneously included with the "Standoff Beneath the Streets" two-pack.

This mold was also used to make Timelines BotCon 2007 Springer and served as the model for the non-toy Beast Wars: Uprising incarnation of Hard Head.

• More information on Universe Roadbuster at TFU.info

Generations

I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never ever possibly destroy us.

• Roadbuster (Voyager Class, 2014)
  • Series / Number: 02 / 008
  • Accessories: Launcher, missile, missile pod, pistol, rifle, cannon/rifle stock, cannon/rifle scope

• Known designers: John Warden (Hasbro), Takashi Kunihiro (TakaraTomy)

Part of the seventh wave of Generations: Thrilling 30 Voyager Class toys, Roadbuster (yes, without the "Autobot" prefix) transforms into an armored off-road vehicle. He comes with numerous weapons, all of which peg via 5mm post onto his vehicle rear/legs, shoulders, upper & lower arms, and hands: a spring-loaded, missile-firing launcher, a pistol, a rifle, a (nonfiring) missile pod, and two small cannons that respectively form the scope and stock of the rifle. All of his weapons can combine to form an unwieldy superweapon.

Some of Roadbuster's 5mm ports appear to be slightly too small, most notably those on his shoulders, making it difficult to fit weapons into them. His bicep swivels are also commonly found to suffer from molding issues, impeding or outright preventing them from working. Due to obstruction as a result of molding in robot mode, his legs have little-to-no forward articulation, yet extreme backwards articulation.

Roadbuster also comes with a sticker sheet to help give him some detail, such as his much-needed Autobot chest insignia. It also comes with an alternative Wrecker insignia, although the clear-plastic nature of the stickers means that the blue ends up blackish when placed on his orange chest. Bummer. Most of the stickers are actually a pre-cut rectangular size, meaning almost all the stickers don't actually fit onto their designated spots, leading to people either leaving them off, trimming them, or placing them in different spots.

This mold was also used by Cloud Roadbuster and BotCon 2015 General Optimus Prime and served as the basis of the non-toy Beast Wars: Uprising incarnations of Killer Punch and Guiledart.

• More information on Generations Roadbuster at TFU.info

Legends

Relax, I'm not the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

• Roadbuster (November 29, 2014)
  • ID number: LG04
  • Accessories: Launcher, missile, missile pod, pistol, rifle, cannon/rifle stock, cannon/rifle scope

Legends Roadbuster is a redeco of Generations Voyager Class Roadbuster with some ever-so-slight changes, such as his optics are now unpainted giving him a light piping effect, completely orange thighs and a single patch of green on both his lower side legs. He doesn't come with a sticker sheet, instead having an Autobot sigil tampographed on his chest, but does come with a leaflet featuring a character profile, tech specs and the Legends Bonus Edition Vol. 4 mini-comic. There are some reports of mold degradation, especially on his loose ratcheted shoulder joints.

Merchandise

EM Gōkin

"Grab your stick! HOLDING! Heat 'em up! SMOKIN'! Make 'em hard! READY!"

• Transformers Roadbuster (2014)
  • ID number: EM-04
  • Accessories: Handheld Laser Rifle, back-mounted Linear Blaster Gun, backpack/Shrapnel Missile Launcher, shell, two fists, open left hand, display stand

Produced by Art Storm as part of their EM Gōkin line, this posable but non-transforming Roadbuster figure shares the same origin as his original toy, being a fully licensed redeco of EM Gōkin EM-01 Mugen Calibur. His backpack piece is retooled to add his trademark shoulder-mounted missile launcher, which can rest against his back or flip over his shoulder, and he lacks Mugen Calibur's Dorvack-specific accessories. In addition to two default clenched fists, Roadbuster comes with a splayed open left hand and a right hand molded to his Laser Rifle, and on his back you can mount the aforementioned launcher backpack as well as an unwieldable Linear Blaster Gun. He also includes a shell that can be inserted in the handheld rifle's barrel, and a display stand with an Autobot symbol.

• More information on EM Gōkin Roadbuster at Art Storm's official site

ES Gōkin

Roadbuster:...You know, I just realized I haven't had a successful test of all this equipment yet...I blame myself.
Whirl: So do I.

• Transformers Roadbuster (2014)
  • Accessories: Laser Rifle, Linear Blaster Gun, Shrapnel Missile Launcher, two fists, two open hands, gun-wielding right hand, display stand

Another Art Storm release, ES Gōkin Roadbuster is a cute super deformed take on the character. Similar to his EM counterpart he is a redeco/retool of ES Gōkin Mugen Calibur with an added shoulder launcher accessory, but this toy can be transformed into (an adorably chubby) jeep mode after taking off his head. He comes with a handheld Laser Rifle that can be taken apart and combined with the back-mounted Linear Blaster Gun to increase the latter's length in vehicle mode, while the remaining handle stores on the jeep's side. Roadbuster also features an electronic light-up visor activated by a button on the back on his head.

• More information on ES Gōkin Roadbuster at Art Storm's official site

Tiny Titans

• Roadbuster (Tiny Titans, 2015)
  • Series: 4
  • Number: 7/12

Part of the fourth assortment of Tiny Titans blindpacks, this version of Roadbuster is a very small, soft-plastic figure of him in robot mode.

He includes a collectible card that renders him in the 2015 Robots in Disguise styling. The card includes a scan-badge for the Robots in Disguise mobile game, which unlocks a random amount of Energon "currency" and a randomized bonus power-up item.

This wave saw fairly minimal release at "big box" retailers, but unlike other waves, was not picked up by drug stores and the like later, making them particularly hard to find.

Transformers Trading Card Game

Straight from the pages of Tobin's Spirit Guide.

• Roadbuster, Ground Assault Commander (2020)
  • Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack
  • Rarity: SRT
  • Card Number: T34/T46
  • Stars: 11

This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.

Notes

• Both Deluxe Vehicles were licensed from Takatoku Toys by Hasbro for inclusion in the 1985 line, and hence were not included in the Japanese line, the cartoon, or the US Marvel comic. The Roadbuster mold was originally "Mugen Calibur"^[1] (ムゲンキャリバー) from the Dorvack toyline, though the Transformers release uses a completely different deco. The Dorvack anime was produced by Ashi Productions, and their name appears on the copyright marking of the mold, in addition to an "AP" sticker included on Roadbuster's Transformers packaging.
• Roadbuster had the working name of Convoy.^[2]
• The Transformers Generations guidebook mistakenly spelled Roadbuster's name as "Roadbaster". This would seem to imply that the cannon on his shoulder is loaded with piping hot giblet gravy.
• Poor Roadbuster never got a The Transformers Universe bio printed by Marvel. One was written, though, and finally revealed to the fans on Jim Sorenson's blog Disciples of Boltax in 2010.
• Like all non-toy robot Kreons in the Kre-O online manga, Roadbuster is made from existing Kre-O parts. He uses the Hound helmet, and a backpack made from a 2x4 harness, a pair of 1x2 plates with side-bars and a Megatron cannon. He also carries a "scoped" small pistol and an M-16-style rifle.
• In what might be described as a fit of insanity, the 2013 Wreckers-themed event "By Land, Sea, or Air" in the Transformers Legends mobile game mistakenly did not feature Roadbuster but rather Roadburner, complete with a horribly mangled interpretation of the latter's toy.
• As with other modern Hasbro molds, Thrilling 30 Roadbuster was designed by Hasbro with a "pretooled" alternate head for another character, Gutcruncher. However, this tooling was ultimately never used.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Roadbuster (ロードバスター Rōdobasutā)
• French: Cahot (Canada, "Jolt")

References