Sweeps (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
The Sweeps are the names of several fictional characters in the various Transformers
universes. They are often depicted as Heralds of Unicron.
from several damaged Decepticon
s. Scourge
, one of Galvatron
's aides, was the leader of the Sweeps. Due to Scourge's location on 1986 & 1987 American Transformers product catalogs, the Sweeps are alternatively called "Decepticon Planes" (despite not resembling any known aircraft) and "Seekers" (a fan-created term used to describe the original Decepticon jets--Starscream
, Skywarp
, Thundercracker
, Dirge
, Ramjet
, and Thrust
), despite not having the F-15 fuselage/body common to the previous jets.
following the Battle for Autobot City in the Earth year 2005. Several damaged Decepticons, including Megatron
are thrown into space by Starscream
. They are found by Unicron
who turn Megatron into Galvatron
. As for the others, Unicron transforms Thundercracker
, Kickback, and Shrapnel
into Scourge and his Sweeps. Cyclonus
, on the other hand, was created from either the Decepticon jet Skywarp
or the Insecticon Bombshell with the other becoming a duplicate Cyclonus robot that was never seen again.
As the group transforms to vehicle mode, the two Cyclonus robots, Scourge, and five Sweeps can be seen. In the animation following Galvatron's speech to Unicron, he is then escorted by Scourge, three Sweeps, and only one Cyclonus. The number of Sweeps remains fairly consistent throughout the rest of the film. The exact number of Sweeps is unknown, but judging by dialogue from Call of the Primitives, there are at least seven of them ("Sweeps Six and Seven coming in for a strike!").
Despite the fact that most of the Sweeps were create from Insecticons
, the Insecticons continue to be in the movie and in episodes following the movie. The Sweeps made their last appearance in the episode "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2".
Generation One Series. Here they were also created by Unicron, but were not recreated Decepticons, but original creations of Unicron created from the raw materials of the worlds he had destroyed. A massive armada of Sweeps, with Scourge at their head, were dispatched to all over the galaxy to locate Unicron's nemesis Primus
, and by extension, Cybertron
. Dreamwave's closure prevented this plot thread from coming to fruition.
. When a team of G.I. Joes trying to fix a space-time tear arrived in a nightmare future where Shockwave
had conquered Earth, they encountered an armada of Sweeps acting as patrol craft and Hunter-Killers.
In the third crossover (this time with IDW Publishing
) several Sweeps are seen amongst the Decepticon troops trying to hold back the Autobot/G.I. Joe force trying to rescue Optimus Prime
.
, these Sweeps were original characters. They are ancient Transformers from the Dead Universe. Despite being completely new characters, they retain the same appearance as before.
.
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...
universes. They are often depicted as Heralds of Unicron.
Transformers: Generation 1
The Sweeps were created by UnicronUnicron
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...
from several damaged Decepticon
Decepticon
The Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers stoyline and related comics and cartoons, and the enemies of the Autobots and the University of California Davis Aggies...
s. Scourge
Scourge (Transformers)
Scourge is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. He first appeared as one of the central villains in the 1986 film The Transformers, voiced by Stan Jones. He also regularly appeared in the animated Transformers series and Transformers comic books. Since then other...
, one of Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
's aides, was the leader of the Sweeps. Due to Scourge's location on 1986 & 1987 American Transformers product catalogs, the Sweeps are alternatively called "Decepticon Planes" (despite not resembling any known aircraft) and "Seekers" (a fan-created term used to describe the original Decepticon jets--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...
, 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:...
, Thundercracker
Thundercracker
Thundercracker is the name given to multiple fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Thundercracker is almost always depicted as a blue color Decepticon who turns into a jet fighter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Dirge
Dirge (Transformers)
Dirge is the name of several different fictional characters from the Transformers series. He was first introduced in 1985 as a villain in the Transformers series, appearing in the comic book by Marvel Comics and voiced by Bud Davis in the animated television series. Since then the name Dirge was...
, Ramjet
Ramjet (Transformers)
Ramjet is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All have been Decepticon aligned characters who turn into jets, usually white.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, and 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...
), despite not having the F-15 fuselage/body common to the previous jets.
Marvel Comics
The Sweeps would make no appearances in the Marvel comics series, and Cyclonus and Scourge were rewritten to be Galvatron's bumbling henchmen. They would nonetheless be mentioned on Scourge's Universe bio.Animated series
The Sweeps are introduced in The Transformers: The MovieThe 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....
following the Battle for Autobot City in the Earth year 2005. Several damaged Decepticons, including Megatron
Megatron
Megatron is a character from the Transformers franchise, created by toy companies Hasbro and Takara. He is the primary antagonist and leader of the "evil" faction in most of the various Transformers universes.-Design:...
are thrown into space 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...
. They are found by 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...
who turn Megatron into Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
. As for the others, Unicron transforms Thundercracker
Thundercracker
Thundercracker is the name given to multiple fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Thundercracker is almost always depicted as a blue color Decepticon who turns into a jet fighter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Kickback, and Shrapnel
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...
into Scourge and his Sweeps. 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...
, on the other hand, was created from either the Decepticon jet 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:...
or the Insecticon Bombshell with the other becoming a duplicate Cyclonus robot that was never seen again.
As the group transforms to vehicle mode, the two Cyclonus robots, Scourge, and five Sweeps can be seen. In the animation following Galvatron's speech to Unicron, he is then escorted by Scourge, three Sweeps, and only one Cyclonus. The number of Sweeps remains fairly consistent throughout the rest of the film. The exact number of Sweeps is unknown, but judging by dialogue from Call of the Primitives, there are at least seven of them ("Sweeps Six and Seven coming in for a strike!").
Despite the fact that most of the Sweeps were create from 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...
, the Insecticons continue to be in the movie and in episodes following the movie. The Sweeps made their last appearance in the episode "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2".
Dreamwave Productions
The Sweeps would make their first comics appearance in 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...
Generation One Series. Here they were also created by Unicron, but were not recreated Decepticons, but original creations of Unicron created from the raw materials of the worlds he had destroyed. A massive armada of Sweeps, with Scourge at their head, were dispatched to all over the galaxy to locate Unicron's nemesis Primus
Primus (Transformers)
Primus is the "benevolent" godlike entity in the fictional Transformers comic universe who fought against the Chaos-Bringer Unicron. The Lord of the Light, Primus is the being who created the Transformers to help him defeat Unicron.-Primus and Unicron:...
, and by extension, 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...
. Dreamwave's closure prevented this plot thread from coming to fruition.
Devil's Due Publishing
The Sweeps would also appear in the G.I. Joe/Transformers crossovers from Devil's Due PublishingDevil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing is an independent comic book publishers in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, DDP is best known for its wide selection of genres, including licensed and original creator-owned properties that populate its monthly comic book series and graphic novels.Though...
. When a team of G.I. Joes trying to fix a space-time tear arrived in a nightmare future where 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...
had conquered Earth, they encountered an armada of Sweeps acting as patrol craft and Hunter-Killers.
In the third crossover (this time with IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
) several Sweeps are seen amongst the Decepticon troops trying to hold back the Autobot/G.I. Joe force trying to rescue Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
.
IDW Publishing
This version of the Sweeps were not recreated Decepticons and had no relation to UnicronUnicron
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...
, these Sweeps were original characters. They are ancient Transformers from the Dead Universe. Despite being completely new characters, they retain the same appearance as before.
Fun Publications
The Sweeps were among the characters featured in the Transformers: Timelines story "Wings of Honor" by Fun PublicationsFun 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....
.