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Mirage (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Mirage is any of several distinct fictional characters in the various Transformers
series. Mirage is one of the single most re-used names in the Transformers series, and is almost entirely synonymous with characters possessing Formula One racing car alternate modes.
, Mistero in Italy
, Miragem in Portugal
) was created with a silver sparkplug in his mouth. On Cybertron
, he was one of the planet’s elite upper class, preferring to spend his days hunting turbo-foxes instead of involving himself in conflict. When that became unavoidable, Mirage enlisted with the Autobot
forces, although he is often unsure about his motivations for doing so, which leaves his fellow Autobots finding it hard to trust him – a problem not helped by the fact that Mirage can rarely hide that he is often unwilling to fight directly, or his contempt for the “commoners” he is now forced to interact with. He has no lost love for Earth, and would happily return to his old life on Cybertron if he could.
It is ironic that, given his unwillingness to fight, Mirage is a superior hand-to-hand combatant, and a skilled sharpshooter, having honed his talents hunting game on Cybertron. He is armed with a rifle which fires explosive, armor-piercing darts, but the most important piece of his arsenal in his function as a spy is his shoulder-mounted electro-disruptor, which can bend photons to make Mirage invisible, or appear to be where he is not, or even alter his physical appearance, hence his name.
in an early battle, Mirage attempted to reason with him, seeing no reason that two Transformers should fight, viewing co-operation as the best way to get back to Cybertron. However, when he clashed with Ravage for a second time, and had his arm severed by the Decepticon’s fangs, Mirage came to the realisation that only by fighting on the side of the Autobots did he truly stand a chance of returning to the world he loved.
Mirage did not play any major role in battles which immediately followed, but managed to avoid being among the ranks of the injured following the Autobots’ climactic clash with Shockwave
.
During the UK-only story 'Crisis of Command', Mirage hawkishly supported Prowl
's party who advocated exploiting the Creation Matrix to animate dedicated war machines. However, Mirage and Hound
(a bitter opponent of this ethically questionable
strategy) put aside political differences to combine their special abilities and capture the Decepticon spy, Ravage
.
He remained largely absent from combat situations until the Underbase-empowered Starscream
threatened the world; attempting to defend New York
with a large number of his fellow Autobots, Mirage was deactivated by the Decepticon. His damaged body was stored in a stasis pod on the Ark, until he and his fellow fallen comrades were brought back online through the power of nucleon
.
After the end of their original Transformers comic book series, Marvel continued the story with its Transformers: Generation 2
series a few years later, accompanying the toyline of the same name. In the comic, Mirage was among a team led by Grimlock
onto the Twilight, the flagship of the second-generation Cybertronians led by Jhiaxus
. Overwhelmed by the troops on board, the Autobots were captured but eventually mounted an escape attempt. The first to rush into battle, Mirage was destroyed by a flamethrower to his neck; his death was soon avenged in battle by Ironhide
.
on a plan to dupe the Decepticons, and using his invisibility powers to sneak aboard the villains’ space cruiser as it launched, sabotaging it from within and forcing it to crash back to Earth.
Be it as a result of his own desire not to engage in combat or not, Mirage’s role in the Autobots’ battles on Earth was a distinctly minimal one, leaving him confined to the background on the battlefield, or not present at all. In early 1985, however, the spotlight shone on Mirage again when Cliffjumper
suspected him of disloyalty. The discovery of a Decepticon installation in a sector Mirage had recently observed caused Cliffjumper to leap the incorrect conclusion that he was a traitor to the Autobots, having concealed the information. After a battle with the Decepticons, Mirage risked the trust of his comrades by sneaking away to perform a plan of his own, framing the Decepticons for stealing Energon Cubes from the Insecticons
. Spotted carrying the cubes by Cliffjumper, Mirage’s guilt seemed all but confirmed, and before he could reveal his innocence, he was captured and brainwashed by one of Bombshell’s mind-controlling cerebro-shells. Under Bombshell’s control, Mirage led the Autobots into an ambush, but at the battle’s end, the assorted manipulations were revealed and Cliffjumper apologised to Mirage.
Towards the end of the year, Mirage was among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the Stunticons, with Mirage’s alternate mode making him the perfect choice to masquerade as Drag Strip. Penetrating the Decepticons’ camp, the Autobots ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, trying to prove their identities by forming Menasor. With a combination of Windcharger
’s magnetic powers and Mirage’s illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too, but the deception was soon revealed, though they were still able to thwart the Decepticons’ plans.
Mirage was absent from the events of 2005 and 2006 without explanation; however, a storyboarded scene from The Transformers: The Movie
featuring Mirage was cut from the finished film, in which, amidst the transformation of Autobot City, Mirage ambushed the Insecticon
Bombshell, and was then fired upon by Megatron. Whether or not this would have killed Mirage is not made clear.
Mirage appeared in the 1986 Ladybird Books
story Decepticon Hideout by John Grant
.
’ 21st Century re-imagining of the G1 universe presented a Mirage much closer to the cold, snobbish character his tech specs originally suggested.
As ever, when the civil war on Cybertron broke out, Mirage eventually sided with the Autobots, and even maintained his allegiance to them when the two warring forces split off into several smaller factions following the disappearance of Optimus Prime and Megatron. During this period of unrest, when The Fallen
attacked the Autobot base in order to capture Blitzwing, Mirage was among the Autobots who tried to stop him.
As one of the Autobots on the Ark, Mirage participated in the battles on Earth, awakening in 1984 and developing a loathing of the planet. It was no doubt a relief for him to head back to Cybertron in 1999 after the Autobots defeated and captured the Decepticons, but when an act of sabotage caused their craft to explode shortly after leaving Earth, Mirage was among the Transformers who were able to avoid having their bodies appropriated by the terrorist, Lazarus. He was reactivated by Optimus Prime in 2002 and participated in the ensuing battles against the Decepticons that culminated in a nuclear explosion above San Francisco.
The following year, when Shockwave
arrived on Earth to arrest Prime and Megatron’s forces as war criminals, the Autobots were naturally resistant to the idea. Mirage was among a squad who monitored Shockwave’s movements on Earth, but upon discovering that Ultra Magnus
was under Shockwave’s command, surrendered himself and the others, recognising this as his chance to return to Cybertron. When Optimus Prime then overthrew Shockwave, who was revealed to possess sinister ulterior motives, Mirage was among the Autobots who voted to stay on the planet rather than return to Earth, even though he had discovered that Shockwave had divided up his old estate and holdings amongst others.
In the story Crossing Over by Fun Publications
Mirage was among Autobot troops of Optimus Prime who responded to the sighting of Megatron and arrived in time to save the dimensional traveling Autobot Skyfall from Megatron's wraith.
In the Transformers: Timelines story "Games of Deception" Mirage was captured by the Decepticons and rescued.
Mirage was on the Autobot Orbital Command Hub in Spotlight: Blaster. He was present when Blaster was recovered and returned to the Autobots.
In "All Hail Megatron", Mirage is accused by several other Autobots of being a traitor. Despite a lack of hard evidence, and his protests of innocence, Mirage was beaten and severely injured by Ironhide (issue 8). During the beating, Mirage's faction sigil, (printed on his chest), was damaged, mirroring art from the "Spotlight: Mirage" special. Despite waiting to have the sigil restored, Mirage apparently remained loyal to the Autobots, saving Ironhide's life in battle. (issue 10.)
in bridging the intelligence gap between Vehicon drones and their generals.
Mirage’s biography presents him as a trickster who enjoys playing cruel pranks on his comrades, making him unpopular with his fellow Vehicons. He is not particularly smart and would be entirely useless without Megatron's own supervision and orders. He possesses the power of teleportation, able to appear from nowhere to attack his foes, and is armed with a plasma blaster and dual missile launchers. Interestingly, with the exception of his weaponry, Mirage’s biography is a carbon copy of that of the G1 Decepticon, Skywarp
.
in the BotCon "Wreckers" comic. The original Mirage appeared being sent by Megatron to investigate a transwarp anomaly - which in reality bore the forces of Primal Prime
. Mirage was caught up in a battle with the Wreckers
, and he and Apelinq were sucked into the anomaly. While Apelinq survived, Mirage's fate is unknown.
The Mirage drones appeared under the command of Quake
and Blastcharge. They battled the Wreckers, but were largely destroyed in the ensuing battle.
introduced another new Mirage, known
as Counter Arrow in the original Japanese version, Car Robots. Mirage is the fastest of the Spy Changers, which makes him the best choice for spying on the enemy – he’ll be in and out before anyone is the wiser. As an excellent marksman, he is fittingly armed with a sniper rifle, and, like the other Spy Changers
, possesses optical camouflage powers that can make him appear invisible and is able to drive over any surface, including water, and even upside-down
After an incident where Mirage, fearing collateral damage, allowed the Predacons
to get away, the others on the team accused him of failure. A furious Mirage walked out, realizing the Predacons had put a bug on him. His best friend Ironhide attempted to talk him out of it, but snapped and punched him when Mirage threatened to join the Predacons, much to the listening Predacons' delight. Slapper, Gas Skunk and Darkscream soon approached him, and he seemingly joined up with them. Mirage called the Spy Changers to Megatron's latest weapon, ostensibly to lure them into a trap. He managed to communicate his true intentions to the other Spy Changers, and they destroyed the laser. A guilty Ironhide demanded Mirage hit him to even things out between them - but Mirage simply prodded his friend, claiming they were now even before challenging him to a race back to base.
introduced another Mirage (known in Japan as Indy) in 2002, this time a member of the diminutive Mini-Con
faction and one third of the Race Team, alongside Dirt Boss and Downshift
. In the early days of the war, his skills in stealth and speed lead him to prefer running and hiding to fighting, but upon witnessing the atrocities of war, he viewed his cowardice as the worst crime of all, and stepped up to a command position in hopes of doing something about it. Although smart, observant and direct, Mirage still carries with him the guilt from the earlier part of his life, when he ignored his principles in favor of his own self-preservation.
Mirage appeared in episode #49, called "Alliance." He is among the Mini-Cons assisting the Autobots and Decepticons evacuating from Cybertron when it was attacked by Unicron.
In Transformers: Armada #9-11 by Dreamwave Productions
the Race Team were among the Mini-Cons survived crashing on Earth's moon. Under the leadership of Dualor they built a fortress there and defended it from an attack by Megatron, Starscream, Thrust
and Cyclonus
. Once Megatron overpowered the base the Mini-Cons escaped to Earth.
Mirage appeared among the Mini-Cons in issue #18 of the Transformers: Armada comic book who aided Over-Run using the Mini-Con Matrix in the defeat of Unicron
.
Mirage was brought to the Speed Planet under the protection of Hot Shot, where he quickly overcome his sadness at his separation from Downshift and Dirt Boss when he discovered the planet's perfect raceways. Now he and Hot Shot are a nearly unbeatable racing team.
introduced its own Mirage (named Shockfleet in Japan) in 2004, an upgraded version of the lumbering Decepticon battleship, Tidal Wave
. Unusually for a character bearing the name, he transforms into a high-speed gunboat. This Mirage has proved himself as much a threat on land as he is on water, turning destruction into an art form.
. He is a blue and white Ford GT almost identical to his Alternator form, with exception to the movie-style exposed facial robotics and joints.
. In it, he is decapitated by Starscream
. His remains were used by Soundwave
to taunt Bumblebee, Ratchet, Wheeljack, and Sideswipe before preparing to execute them.
Mirage participates in the final battle and is among several other Autobots who are being held captive by Soundwave, Barricade and several other Decepticons. After witnessing the death of Wheeljack and the Decepticon ships raining down on them, Mirage escapes and battles the Decepticons whom held him captive. Mirage is one of the surviving Autobots at the end of the film, alongside Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sideswipe, and the three Wreckers.
Transformers
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.Transformer may also refer to:* ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, an Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet computer manufacturer by Asus...
series. Mirage is one of the single most re-used names in the Transformers series, and is almost entirely synonymous with characters possessing Formula One racing car alternate modes.
Transformers Generation 1
Some might say that Mirage (Ligier in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Mistero in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Miragem in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
) was created with a silver sparkplug in his mouth. On Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...
, he was one of the planet’s elite upper class, preferring to spend his days hunting turbo-foxes instead of involving himself in conflict. When that became unavoidable, Mirage enlisted with the Autobot
Autobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...
forces, although he is often unsure about his motivations for doing so, which leaves his fellow Autobots finding it hard to trust him – a problem not helped by the fact that Mirage can rarely hide that he is often unwilling to fight directly, or his contempt for the “commoners” he is now forced to interact with. He has no lost love for Earth, and would happily return to his old life on Cybertron if he could.
It is ironic that, given his unwillingness to fight, Mirage is a superior hand-to-hand combatant, and a skilled sharpshooter, having honed his talents hunting game on Cybertron. He is armed with a rifle which fires explosive, armor-piercing darts, but the most important piece of his arsenal in his function as a spy is his shoulder-mounted electro-disruptor, which can bend photons to make Mirage invisible, or appear to be where he is not, or even alter his physical appearance, hence his name.
Marvel Comics
Following the awakening on Earth, Mirage immediately made clear his desire to return to Cybertron, even going so far as to question where his loyalties lay, if a different alliance would allow him to return to his home world. Attacked by RavageRavage (Transformers)
Ravage is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Due to the inability to trademark the common word "ravage", he is sometimes called Battle Ravage, Command Ravage or Tripredacus Agent...
in an early battle, Mirage attempted to reason with him, seeing no reason that two Transformers should fight, viewing co-operation as the best way to get back to Cybertron. However, when he clashed with Ravage for a second time, and had his arm severed by the Decepticon’s fangs, Mirage came to the realisation that only by fighting on the side of the Autobots did he truly stand a chance of returning to the world he loved.
Mirage did not play any major role in battles which immediately followed, but managed to avoid being among the ranks of the injured following the Autobots’ climactic clash with Shockwave
Shockwave (Transformers)
Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...
.
During the UK-only story 'Crisis of Command', Mirage hawkishly supported Prowl
Prowl (Transformers)
Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
's party who advocated exploiting the Creation Matrix to animate dedicated war machines. However, Mirage and Hound
Hound (Transformers)
Hound is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes referred to as Autobot Hound for trademark purposes.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
(a bitter opponent of this ethically questionable
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
strategy) put aside political differences to combine their special abilities and capture the Decepticon spy, Ravage
Ravage (Transformers)
Ravage is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Due to the inability to trademark the common word "ravage", he is sometimes called Battle Ravage, Command Ravage or Tripredacus Agent...
.
He remained largely absent from combat situations until the Underbase-empowered Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
threatened the world; attempting to defend New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
with a large number of his fellow Autobots, Mirage was deactivated by the Decepticon. His damaged body was stored in a stasis pod on the Ark, until he and his fellow fallen comrades were brought back online through the power of nucleon
Nucleon (Transformers)
Nucleon is a power source in the fictional Transformers universe. It was introduced during the beginning of the Action Masters toyline in 1990. The Action Masters were composed of small-scale 3¾" Transformers, a mixture of pre-exisitng characters, who were designed to closely resemble their...
.
After the end of their original Transformers comic book series, Marvel continued the story with its Transformers: Generation 2
Transformers: Generation 2
Transformers: Generation 2 is the name used to refer to a Transformers toy line, television series and comic book series which ran from 1993-1995...
series a few years later, accompanying the toyline of the same name. In the comic, Mirage was among a team led by Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
onto the Twilight, the flagship of the second-generation Cybertronians led by Jhiaxus
Jhiaxus
Jhiaxus is a fictional character in the Transformers universes. He is an evil Decepticon jet.-Transformers: Generation 2:Unlike most of the notable characters in the Transformers comics, Jhiaxus is not based on a toy...
. Overwhelmed by the troops on board, the Autobots were captured but eventually mounted an escape attempt. The first to rush into battle, Mirage was destroyed by a flamethrower to his neck; his death was soon avenged in battle by Ironhide
Ironhide
Ironhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
.
Animated series
The animated series opted to present Mirage’s desire to return to Cybertron as a genuinely sad longing, rather than as a result of any great dislike of Earth; and his unwillingness to fight was portrayed in "More than Meets the Eye" more as a semi-pacifistic nature. This shaped him into a more gentle character, not especially like the snob suggested by his profile. His actions immediately after the Transformers’ reactivation on Earth in 1984 were heroic ones, working with HoundHound (Transformers)
Hound is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes referred to as Autobot Hound for trademark purposes.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
on a plan to dupe the Decepticons, and using his invisibility powers to sneak aboard the villains’ space cruiser as it launched, sabotaging it from within and forcing it to crash back to Earth.
Be it as a result of his own desire not to engage in combat or not, Mirage’s role in the Autobots’ battles on Earth was a distinctly minimal one, leaving him confined to the background on the battlefield, or not present at all. In early 1985, however, the spotlight shone on Mirage again when Cliffjumper
Cliffjumper
Cliffjumper is the name of several characters from the Transformers line of toys. His name is usually associated with an Autobot whose toys are often red repaints of Bumblebee toys.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
suspected him of disloyalty. The discovery of a Decepticon installation in a sector Mirage had recently observed caused Cliffjumper to leap the incorrect conclusion that he was a traitor to the Autobots, having concealed the information. After a battle with the Decepticons, Mirage risked the trust of his comrades by sneaking away to perform a plan of his own, framing the Decepticons for stealing Energon Cubes from the Insecticons
Insecticons
Insecticons is the name given to a sub-group of fictional characters in the Transformers Universes, referred to as Insectrons in the Japanese version. The name was also used for several fictional characters in the Transformers Universes...
. Spotted carrying the cubes by Cliffjumper, Mirage’s guilt seemed all but confirmed, and before he could reveal his innocence, he was captured and brainwashed by one of Bombshell’s mind-controlling cerebro-shells. Under Bombshell’s control, Mirage led the Autobots into an ambush, but at the battle’s end, the assorted manipulations were revealed and Cliffjumper apologised to Mirage.
Towards the end of the year, Mirage was among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the Stunticons, with Mirage’s alternate mode making him the perfect choice to masquerade as Drag Strip. Penetrating the Decepticons’ camp, the Autobots ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, trying to prove their identities by forming Menasor. With a combination of Windcharger
Windcharger
Windcharger is a fictional character and was one of the original toys in the Transformers line when Hasbro started producing them in 1984.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
’s magnetic powers and Mirage’s illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too, but the deception was soon revealed, though they were still able to thwart the Decepticons’ plans.
Mirage was absent from the events of 2005 and 2006 without explanation; however, a storyboarded scene from The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie is a 1986 animated feature film based on the animated series of the same name. It was released in North America on August 8, 1986 and in the UK on December 5, 1986....
featuring Mirage was cut from the finished film, in which, amidst the transformation of Autobot City, Mirage ambushed the Insecticon
Insecticons
Insecticons is the name given to a sub-group of fictional characters in the Transformers Universes, referred to as Insectrons in the Japanese version. The name was also used for several fictional characters in the Transformers Universes...
Bombshell, and was then fired upon by Megatron. Whether or not this would have killed Mirage is not made clear.
Books
Mirage was featured in the 1985 Transformers audio book Autobots' Lightning Strike.Mirage appeared in the 1986 Ladybird Books
Ladybird Books
Ladybird Books is a London-based publishing company, trading as a stand-alone imprint within the Penguin Group of companies. The Ladybird imprint publishes mass-market children's books.-History:...
story Decepticon Hideout by John Grant
John Grant (children's author)
John Grant is a Scottish author and illustrator, possibly best known as the author of the Littlenose series of children's stories, which he read on the BBC's Jackanory in 55 programmes from 1968 to 1986....
.
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave ProductionsDreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
’ 21st Century re-imagining of the G1 universe presented a Mirage much closer to the cold, snobbish character his tech specs originally suggested.
As ever, when the civil war on Cybertron broke out, Mirage eventually sided with the Autobots, and even maintained his allegiance to them when the two warring forces split off into several smaller factions following the disappearance of Optimus Prime and Megatron. During this period of unrest, when The Fallen
Fallen (Transformers)
The Fallen is a fictional character in the Transformers universes. According to Hasbro, he was formerly known as Megatronus Prime, and is a multiversal singularity, meaning that while he exists across the multiverse, he has no alternate-universe counterpart.-Character history:Although the Fallen's...
attacked the Autobot base in order to capture Blitzwing, Mirage was among the Autobots who tried to stop him.
As one of the Autobots on the Ark, Mirage participated in the battles on Earth, awakening in 1984 and developing a loathing of the planet. It was no doubt a relief for him to head back to Cybertron in 1999 after the Autobots defeated and captured the Decepticons, but when an act of sabotage caused their craft to explode shortly after leaving Earth, Mirage was among the Transformers who were able to avoid having their bodies appropriated by the terrorist, Lazarus. He was reactivated by Optimus Prime in 2002 and participated in the ensuing battles against the Decepticons that culminated in a nuclear explosion above San Francisco.
The following year, when Shockwave
Shockwave (Transformers)
Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...
arrived on Earth to arrest Prime and Megatron’s forces as war criminals, the Autobots were naturally resistant to the idea. Mirage was among a squad who monitored Shockwave’s movements on Earth, but upon discovering that Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers storylines.-Transformers: Generation 1:The greatest Transformer of them all. A commander could want no finer a soldier than Ultra Magnus...
was under Shockwave’s command, surrendered himself and the others, recognising this as his chance to return to Cybertron. When Optimus Prime then overthrew Shockwave, who was revealed to possess sinister ulterior motives, Mirage was among the Autobots who voted to stay on the planet rather than return to Earth, even though he had discovered that Shockwave had divided up his old estate and holdings amongst others.
Fun Publications
Classic Mirage's biography was featured in issue 13 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine.In the story Crossing Over by Fun Publications
Fun Publications
Fun Publications is a publishing company that runs the Transformers Collectors Club and G.I. Joe Collectors Club under licensefrom Hasbro. Besides releasing comics, Fun Publications releases exclusive toys and runs conventions for their clubs....
Mirage was among Autobot troops of Optimus Prime who responded to the sighting of Megatron and arrived in time to save the dimensional traveling Autobot Skyfall from Megatron's wraith.
In the Transformers: Timelines story "Games of Deception" Mirage was captured by the Decepticons and rescued.
IDW Publishing
There was a Spotlight issue on Mirage. This story addresses Mirage's conflicted loyalties, raising the prospect that Mirage is either insane, or has swapped places with a Mirage of different loyalties from an alternate time-line. While there has been no conclusive evidence either way, the events of "All Hail Megatron" seem to indicate that Mirage is simply conflicted about his loyalties, and not from an alternate time-line.Mirage was on the Autobot Orbital Command Hub in Spotlight: Blaster. He was present when Blaster was recovered and returned to the Autobots.
In "All Hail Megatron", Mirage is accused by several other Autobots of being a traitor. Despite a lack of hard evidence, and his protests of innocence, Mirage was beaten and severely injured by Ironhide (issue 8). During the beating, Mirage's faction sigil, (printed on his chest), was damaged, mirroring art from the "Spotlight: Mirage" special. Despite waiting to have the sigil restored, Mirage apparently remained loyal to the Autobots, saving Ironhide's life in battle. (issue 10.)
Games
Mirage is one of the light blue robots in the 2010 card game Monopoly Deal Transformers.Toys
- Generation 1 Autobot Car Mirage (1984)
- The toy that was to become the Autobot Mirage was originally designed by Koujin Ohno in 1982 and released as part of the Japanese DiacloneDiacloneDiaclone was a toyline by Takara Toys launched in 1980. It consisted of transforming vehicles and robots piloted by miniature, magnet-shoed figures spun off from the prior Microman toy line that were in turn called an Inch-Man....
series by Takara. Mirage transforms into a Ligier JS11Ligier JS11The Ligier JS11 was a successful ground effect car designed by Gérard Ducarouge. It was powered by the Ford Cosworth DFV married to a Ligier in-house built gearbox. It competed in the 1979 and 1980 world championships and proved to be very competitive....
-FordCosworth DFVThe DFV is an internal combustion engine that was originally produced by Cosworth for Formula One motor racing. Named Four Valve because of the four valves per cylinder, and Double as it was a V8 development of the earlier, four-cylinder FVA , making it a Double Four Valve engine...
Formula One racing car, which is the origin for his Japanese name. He bears the racing number 26 – denoting the vehicle as that which was driven by Jacques LaffiteJacques LaffiteJacques-Henri Laffite is a French former racing driver who competed in Formula One from to . He achieved six grand prix wins, all while driving for the Ligier team. He is now a TV commentator on French television TF1....
in the 1980 season – and sponsorship logos for "Citanes", a reference to the cigarette company, GitanesGitanesGitanes is a brand of French cigarettes, sold in many varieties of strengths and packages. It is currently owned by Imperial Tobacco following their acquisition of Altadis in January 2008, having been owned by SEITA before that. Originally rolled with darker or brun tobacco, in contrast to...
. It was announced at BotconBotConBotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
2005 that the mold for Mirage's original toy, first released in 1984, has been lost, meaning that the toy cannot be reissued like many others have. However, Chinese manufacturers have used Reverse Engineering to remake the Mirage mold, making knockoffs of it along with the original packaging.- Generation 2 Go-Bot Mirage (1995)
- A new incarnation of Mirage was introduced to the toyline in 1995 - still a racing car, Mirage was now part of the smaller, simpler line of Go-Bots figures, and shared his mold with another figure named Double ClutchDouble clutchA double clutch is a driving procedure primarily used for vehicles with an unsynchronized manual transmission...
. - The figure was later repainted into a new Spy Changer Mirage for the Robot in Disguise toyline (see below) and then brought back in new colors as the original Mirage for the Transformers: Universe line.
- Generation 2 Autobot Car Mirage (unreleased)
- A recolor of the Generation 1 toy was considered for the Generation 2 line, in pink and green. Concept art and a hand painted prototype were created, but the figure was never made.
- In 1997, the small Machine Wars toyline was released exclusively in KB Toys stores, and featured a new Mirage figure with a spring-loaded transformation and the traditional racing car alternate mode(now a Champ CarChamp CarChamp Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
), shared by the line’s ProwlProwl (Transformers)Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
figure. The lack of any supporting fiction for the line leaves its place in continuity hard to define, but Mirage’s bio-card makes it clear that the figure represents a new version of the G1 character, presenting him to possess the same personality, ability and function - the only difference is his new motto, "Can you keep up with my speed?" - The figure was repainted as Skid-Z for the Transformers: Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
anime and toy line.- Robot Masters Basic Rijie (2004)
- The original Mirage returned in 2004 as part of the new Japanese-exclusive toyline, Transformers: Robot Masters. Released as Rijie (an alternate romanization of Ligier, Mirage's Japanese name), the figure was a recolor of his Machine Wars toy, recolored to resemble the G1 incarnation of the character, and the toy's profile - which spun out of the animated series at a point prior to The Transformers: The Movie - made it clear that this was the original Mirage, still wielding his electro-disruptor and possessing his invisibility powers.
- Alternators
- 2006's Transformers: AlternatorsTransformers: Alternatorsis a toyline of the Transformers series produced by Hasbro in North America, Europe and Takara in Japan, the primary selling point of which is the use of 1:24 scale, accurate real-world vehicle modes officially licensed from car manufacturers...
toyline, featuring updated versions of classic G1 characters with modern vehicular alternate modes, 1:24 scale and complex transformations, introduced a new versions of Mirage, who transforms into a Ford GTFord GTThe Ford GT is a mid-engine two-seater sports car. Ford Motor Company produced the Ford GT for the 2005 to 2006 model years. The designers drew inspiration from Ford's GT40 race cars of the 1960s.- Development :...
with a MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
license plate. Although the American toyline offers no supporting fiction for the Alternators toys, the line's Japanese counterpart, Binaltech, has featured a growing storyline, a new chapter released with each toy, making it clear that the Alternators/Binaltech timeline branches off from the animated series continuity prior to Transformers: The Movie. However, with the line currently stalled in Japan, it seems unlikely that a new chapter of the story will be written to precisely explain the specifics of Mirage's acquisition of his new form, or any of its special features, any time soon. Fan made sticker sheets have been produced to make Alternators Mirage look more like his Generation 1 version. A red version of Mirage's Ford GT mold, identified as Hot RodimusRodimusRodimus is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. Rodimus is a young Autobot and succesor to Optimus Prime. He was formerly known as Hot Rod, but was reformatted as Rodimus Prime by the Matrix of Leadership and became the leader of the Autobots...
has been issued in the Kiss Players toyline, with a new head sculpt and a number of additional accessories.- Universe Spy Changer Mirage (2006)
- Released in mid 2006, a re-package of the transparent green recolor of RiD Spy Changer Mirage made it out at discount stores as a Transformers: Universe toy. According to the bio on the box this toy was now representing Generation 1/Generation 2 Mirage. This is only fitting since the mold was previously used for Generation 2 Mirage.
- This toy shouldn't be confused with the first Transformers: Universe Mirage, who was a repackage of the Armada Mini-Con Mirage in the Universe line.
- Classics Deluxe Mirage (2006)
- The original Mirage received an upgrade in 2006 in the Transformers: Classics line. This Deluxe class car came out in the second wave of the Classics line. Instead of having advertisements from Ligier on it, this Mirage advertised Witwicky Sparkplugs on his spoiler, a reference to the human character from the original Transformers animated series, Sparkplug Witwicky. This toy was designed by Alex Kubalsky. The transformation of this Mirage is very faithful to the original toy.
- The mold for this figure was also used for Universe Decepticon Drag Strip and Transformers: Allspark Battles Decepticon Fracture.
- Timelines Deluxe Mirage (2007)
- A version of the Classics Deluxe figure remolded in translucent blue plastic was given out at BotConBotConBotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
2007 for free to preregistered guests. This represents Mirage as he turns invisible. - The Japanese version of the Classics Deluxe figure by Takara TomyTakara Tomyis a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
is repainted in more Generation 1-accurate colors with chrome parts.- Gentei! Gentei! C-04 Deluxe Electro Disruptor Ligier (2009)
- A Million publishing mail-order exclusive remold of the Henkei Deluxe figure in black and transparent plastic.
Kre-ONot to be consfused with KREO.KRE-O is a line of construction toys manufactured by Hasbro. Kre-O has been announced to release in stores in Fall 2011, although Hasbro started shipping out the first Transformers sets in early June 2011...
Mirage (2011) - A LegoLegoLego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
-like building block kit of Mirage with 119 pieces to assemble in either race car or robot mode. Comes with 2-inch Kreon figures of Mirage and a human driver.
Beast Machines
The first truly new, different character to bear the name of Mirage appeared in the 1999 Beast Machines toyline, a portent of the frequent reuse the name would soon receive. A member of the evil Vehicons, with the requisite (albeit stylised and alien) racing car alternate mode, this Mirage did not appear in the accompanying animated series, but was characterised as an experiment by MegatronMegatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)
The Beast Wars and Beast Machines version of Megatron is the main antagonist from the aforementioned parts of the Transformers animated series, toy lines, and multiverse...
in bridging the intelligence gap between Vehicon drones and their generals.
Mirage’s biography presents him as a trickster who enjoys playing cruel pranks on his comrades, making him unpopular with his fellow Vehicons. He is not particularly smart and would be entirely useless without Megatron's own supervision and orders. He possesses the power of teleportation, able to appear from nowhere to attack his foes, and is armed with a plasma blaster and dual missile launchers. Interestingly, with the exception of his weaponry, Mirage’s biography is a carbon copy of that of the G1 Decepticon, Skywarp
Skywarp
Skywarp is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers toy line. He is usually depicted as a black or purple Decepticon jet with teleportation powers.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
.
3H Enterprises
The Mirage Vehicon drones, as well as the original, made a cameoCameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in the BotCon "Wreckers" comic. The original Mirage appeared being sent by Megatron to investigate a transwarp anomaly - which in reality bore the forces of Primal Prime
Primal Prime
Primal Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers universes and a repaint of Beast Wars, Optimal Optimus.-Beast Machines:Forged from the remnants of a control suit used to manipulate Optimal Optimus during the Beast Wars, Primal Prime is a hybrid of Maximal and Autobot spark-replication...
. Mirage was caught up in a battle with the Wreckers
Wreckers (Transformers)
The Wreckers are a sub-team of Autobots in the fictional Transformers universe, functioning essentially as a commando unit. They are not derived from the Transformers toyline but rather are the creation of Marvel UK writer Simon Furman, who introduces the Wreckers in the story arc Target:2006...
, and he and Apelinq were sucked into the anomaly. While Apelinq survived, Mirage's fate is unknown.
The Mirage drones appeared under the command of Quake
Quake (Transformers)
Quake is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers series.- Transformers: Generation 1 :The first Quake figure was a Decepticon Targetmaster with two transforming weapon-partners: Tiptop and Heater...
and Blastcharge. They battled the Wreckers, but were largely destroyed in the ensuing battle.
Toys
- Beast Machines Basic Mirage (1999)
- Beast Machines Mirage features pressure-launching missiles, and was later repainted and released in as part of the Robots in Disguise line, as an Autobot named Mirage GT (see below).
- Plans existed to remold and redeco the toy into the Autobot bounty hunter, Devcon, to be released as an exclusive for a future BotConBotConBotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
. By extension, the toy would have been a Transformers: Universe figure, but plans were abandoned when 3H Enterprises lost the license to the hold the convention. Although the toy was not produced, the character did appear in the Transformers: Universe - Wreckers comic series.
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
The parallel universe of the 2001 line, Transformers: Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in Disguise
Transformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
introduced another new Mirage, known
as Counter Arrow in the original Japanese version, Car Robots. Mirage is the fastest of the Spy Changers, which makes him the best choice for spying on the enemy – he’ll be in and out before anyone is the wiser. As an excellent marksman, he is fittingly armed with a sniper rifle, and, like the other Spy Changers
Spy Changers
Spy Changers are a sub-line of toys/characters which first appeared in the 2000-2001 Transformers Robots in Disguise toy line. All 6 molds were originally produced as the Transformers: Generation 2 line's Go-Bots in 1995...
, possesses optical camouflage powers that can make him appear invisible and is able to drive over any surface, including water, and even upside-down
Animated series
Mirage made his debut with the rest of the Spy Changers rescuing a plutonium generator from the clutches of the Predacons. His most focal role, however, proved to be an unintentional homage to G1 Mirage's own biggest role, when the other Spy Changers inaccurately suspected Mirage of betraying the Autobots to the Predacons.After an incident where Mirage, fearing collateral damage, allowed the Predacons
Predacon (Transformers)
The Predacons usually refer to the name of several fictional Decepticon-like teams led by Megatron, however Transformers: Armada, Predacon is the name of a single character.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
to get away, the others on the team accused him of failure. A furious Mirage walked out, realizing the Predacons had put a bug on him. His best friend Ironhide attempted to talk him out of it, but snapped and punched him when Mirage threatened to join the Predacons, much to the listening Predacons' delight. Slapper, Gas Skunk and Darkscream soon approached him, and he seemingly joined up with them. Mirage called the Spy Changers to Megatron's latest weapon, ostensibly to lure them into a trap. He managed to communicate his true intentions to the other Spy Changers, and they destroyed the laser. A guilty Ironhide demanded Mirage hit him to even things out between them - but Mirage simply prodded his friend, claiming they were now even before challenging him to a race back to base.
Toys
- Car Robots Spy Changer Counter Arrow (2000)
- A redeco of the toy previously released as Generation 2 Mirage released as part of the Car Robots line in Japan by Takara. Instead of a standard Autobot logo on his chest it features a heat-sensitive rub-symbol of the logo.
- Car Robots Jusco Clear Counter Arrow (2000)
- A Jusco store exclusive of Counter Arrow redone in clear blue and green plastic.
- Robots in Disguise Spy Changer Mirage (2001)
- A slight redeco of Counter Arrow, particularly change to a painted Autobot logo to his chest.
- The toy, originally sold in a two-pack with IronhideIronhideIronhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and packaged with a Tiny Tin.- Kaybee Clear Mirage (2001)
- A Kaybee store exclusive with clear plastic replacing the white, representing Mirage as he turns invisible.
- Kaybee Clear Mirage Recolor (2001)
- A Kaybee store exclusive with green and blue (the opposite of the Jusco Counter Arrow) clear plastic replacing the white, representing Mirage as he turns invisible. This toy was later repackaged in the Transformers: Universe line as a new form og Generation 1 Mirage.
- Car Robots Super Counter Arrow (2003)
- A red recolor of Counter Arrow available only in blind packaged boxes in Japan which represent Counter Arrow powered up by Ultra Magnus. Addly, this and all following Takara versions of Counter Arrow would have the painted Autobot symbol added by Hasbro for Mirage.
- Car Robots Clear Super Counter Arrow (2003)
- A recolor of Super Counter Arrow available only in blind packaged boxes in Japan which represent Counter Arrow powered up by Ultra Magnus and going invisible.
Transformers: Robots in Disguise (Mirage GT)
When Hasbro imported the Japanese Car Robots line into Robots in Disguise, they added many toys that did not appear in the animated series or toy line as filler. One of which was Mirage GT.Toys
- Robots in Disguise Mirage GT (2002)
- A yellow/black redeco of Beast Machines Mirage as an Autobot named Mirage GT, sold in a three-pack with Nightcruz and Scavenger (also repaints of Beast Machines vehicon toys). The toy was exclusive to the Robots in Disguise line, not having been a part of Car Robots and hence the character did not appear in the animated series; and without a profile, it is unclear whether or not Mirage GT is intended to be the same character as the existing Robots in Disguise Mirage or any other character by that name.
Transformers: Armada
The alternate universe of Transformers: ArmadaTransformers: Armada
Transformers: Armada, known in Japan as , is a Transformers animated series, comic series and toy line which ran from 2002–2003. It was originally scheduled for 2001, however was delayed until early-2002...
introduced another Mirage (known in Japan as Indy) in 2002, this time a member of the diminutive Mini-Con
Mini-Con
Mini-Cons are a human-sized race and faction of power-enhancing transforming robots in the Transformers: Armada universe and its sequels, one of the assorted universes in Transformers fiction...
faction and one third of the Race Team, alongside Dirt Boss and Downshift
Downshift
Not to be confused with Downshifting, the social trend.Downshift is the name of three fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:This Autobot's function is Security Agent, and he transformed into a white Toyota Supra...
. In the early days of the war, his skills in stealth and speed lead him to prefer running and hiding to fighting, but upon witnessing the atrocities of war, he viewed his cowardice as the worst crime of all, and stepped up to a command position in hopes of doing something about it. Although smart, observant and direct, Mirage still carries with him the guilt from the earlier part of his life, when he ignored his principles in favor of his own self-preservation.
Animated series
As a Mini-Con, Mirage possessed no given personality in the Armada animated series, communicating only in bleeps and spending most of his time onscreen in the merged form of the Skyboom Shield as the Autobots and Decepticons battled for ownership of it and the other Mini-Con weapons.Mirage appeared in episode #49, called "Alliance." He is among the Mini-Cons assisting the Autobots and Decepticons evacuating from Cybertron when it was attacked by Unicron.
Dreamwave Productions
Mirage remained without any characterisation until Dreamwave Productions produced the character profile above, which presented Mirage to be the leader of the Race Team. Like his G1 progenitor, Dreamwave presented Armada Mirage to possess a light-bending invisibility power, capable of rendering himself and other objects imperceptible, which he used in defence of the Mini-Con's moonbase in the Dreamwave comic book storyline.In Transformers: Armada #9-11 by Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
the Race Team were among the Mini-Cons survived crashing on Earth's moon. Under the leadership of Dualor they built a fortress there and defended it from an attack by Megatron, Starscream, Thrust
Thrust (Transformers)
Thrust is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. The original character was an evil red Decepticon jet, with most of the following character using the name Thrust being a variation on that concept...
and Cyclonus
Cyclonus
Cyclonus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:The tech spec from the box art of the Cyclonus toy describes him as a compassionless Decepticon air warrior and saboteur...
. Once Megatron overpowered the base the Mini-Cons escaped to Earth.
Mirage appeared among the Mini-Cons in issue #18 of the Transformers: Armada comic book who aided Over-Run using the Mini-Con Matrix in the defeat of Unicron
Unicron
Unicron is a fictional character from the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie as the film's main antagonist. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also...
.
Mirage was brought to the Speed Planet under the protection of Hot Shot, where he quickly overcome his sadness at his separation from Downshift and Dirt Boss when he discovered the planet's perfect raceways. Now he and Hot Shot are a nearly unbeatable racing team.
Cybertron story
Mirage ended up on the Speed Planet, where his damaged body was found by Override who recognized his potential and took him in. Repaired by her, Mirage became her willing parter, helping her win race after race. Upon discovering that Mirage's team-mate, Downshift, had been captured by Speed Planet native Dirt Boss (no relation to the Race Team member), the team have dedicated themselves to hunting down the villain and rescuing Downshift.Toys
- Armada Race Team Mirage (2002)
- Packaged with Dirt Boss and Downshift as the Race Team, Mirage's mold is based on an earlier figure, Swindle – the transformation of the toy is identical, aside from an additional waist swivel, but every piece is molded differently – and, naturally, transforms into a Formula One racing car. He can combine with the rest of the Mini-Con Race Team into the Skyboom ShieldSkyboom Shield-Transformers: Armada:right|thumb|The Road Assault color Skyboom Shield toyFormed from the combination of the Mini-Con Race Team , it is one of three most powerful weapons in the Universe...
. - Mirage was recolored in green and black to become the Japanese exclusive figure, Topgear, available only with the third DVD volume release of the series. His teammates were also released in such a manner, as "Midship" and "Tailside", and together, the "Speed Chaser Team," as they were dubbed, could combine into the "Magnawing," and featured in the Linkage manga included with the DVDs as servants of Unicron.
- The original version of Armada Mirage (and the rest of the Race Team) was repackaged individually with a collectible Tiny Tin.
- Armada Road Assault Mirage (2003)
- The Race Team was later redecoed in red and white as the Road Assault Team. In Japan, Mirage was later redecoed in blue and white.
- The Road Assault Mini-Con Team was repackaged with the Space Team as a discount six pack of Mini-Cons under the Energon label. These toys were identical to the Armada version.
- Cybertron Mirage (2005)
- A recolor of Armada Mini-Con Mirage in a Tiny-Tin was released as a promotional item inside the boxes for Hot ShotHot Shot (Transformers)Hot Shot is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are young Autobot cars.-Transformers: Robots in Disguise:In Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Hot Shot is the leader of the Spy Changer team....
and OverrideOverrideOverride may refer to:* Override * OverRide * Overriders, an insurance term* Overriding * Manual override, a function where an automated system is placed under manual control...
as a Wal-Mart exclusive promotion. While this seemed like a novel way to keep Mini-Cons in the Unicron Trilogy toy and story lines, neither Cybertron’s Hot Shot, nor Override had Mini-Con powerlink points on them.
Transformers: Energon
Despite occupying the same continuity as Transformers: Armada and its Mirage, Transformers: EnergonTransformers: Energon
Transformers: Energon, known in Japan as , is the 2004–2005 Transformers toyline, animated series and comic book series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara and a direct sequel to Transformers: Armada...
introduced its own Mirage (named Shockfleet in Japan) in 2004, an upgraded version of the lumbering Decepticon battleship, Tidal Wave
Tidal Wave (Transformers)
Tidal Wave is the name of a fictional character from Transformers: Armada and Transformers: Energon. He is a Decepticon, and at one point of the Energon series, he was rebuilt as Mirage....
. Unusually for a character bearing the name, he transforms into a high-speed gunboat. This Mirage has proved himself as much a threat on land as he is on water, turning destruction into an art form.
Transformers
Mirage is among the characters which appeared in the Transformers 3D Battle Card Game by Wizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
. He is a blue and white Ford GT almost identical to his Alternator form, with exception to the movie-style exposed facial robotics and joints.
Toys
- Transformers 3D Battle Card Game Mirage (2007)
- Mirage is among the characters which appeared in the Transformers 3D Battle Card Game by Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
. He is a blue and white Ford GT almost identical to his Alternator form, with the exception of movie-style exposed facial robotics and joints.
Transformers: Timelines
An evil mirror-universe version of Mirage serves as one of Optimus Prime's Autobots in the Shattered Glass universe. Mirage is a former bank robber who was experimented on by Ratchet. He is now permanently partly transparent.Toys
While no toy of this Mirage was made, his appearance is based on the Japanese exclusive Henkei! Electron Disruptor Ligier toy.Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Mirage appears in Transformers: Dark of the Moon as a red Ferrari 458 Italia. In the film, he is known as "Dino" and he speaks in an Italian accent. He also wields two wrist blades that can be detached onto a length of cable.Development
Film concept art of Sentinel Prime by artist Josh Nizzi named the character who would become Mirage as "Rush".IDW Publishing
Mirage appeared in the graphic novel version of Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Mirage's head was severed by Soundwave during the Decepticon occupation of Earth.Books
Mirage appears as a character in the Transformers: Dark of the Moon The Junior NovelTransformers: Dark of the Moon The Junior Novel
Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel is an adaptation of the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon written by Michael Kelly. For younger readers the violence featured in the movie is scaled down considerably and the book features a different ending than the one seen in the film to...
. In it, he is decapitated by Starscream
Starscream
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
. His remains were used by Soundwave
Soundwave (Transformers)
Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
to taunt Bumblebee, Ratchet, Wheeljack, and Sideswipe before preparing to execute them.
Movie plot
Mirage appears in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, where he is referred to as "Dino." Despite appearing prominently throughout the movie Mirage/Dino primarily serves as a background character. He first appears at the Nuclear facility with Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Que/Wheeljack. He later appears when he battles Hatchet on the highway and kills him with help from Bumblebee and Sideswipe. He is among the Autobots that are exiled from Earth on the Xantium - and though having been thought to have been killed by Starscream, he escapes with along with all the other Autobots.Mirage participates in the final battle and is among several other Autobots who are being held captive by Soundwave, Barricade and several other Decepticons. After witnessing the death of Wheeljack and the Decepticon ships raining down on them, Mirage escapes and battles the Decepticons whom held him captive. Mirage is one of the surviving Autobots at the end of the film, alongside Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sideswipe, and the three Wreckers.
Toys
- Dark of the Moon Speed Stars Mirage (2011)
- A diecast car of Mirage.
- Dark of the Moon Mech Tech Deluxe Mirage (not yet released)
- A new mold to be released on December 2011.
- Dark of the Moon Mech Tech Human Alliance Mirage (not yet released)
- A new mold with a 2-inch Hardcore Eddie driver to be released in December 2011.