Swoop (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Swoop is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers
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...

 fictional series and toy line. He was first introduced in 1985 and was voiced by Michael Bell in the animated The Transformers series.

Transformers: Generation 1

Swoop (Swarp in Japan, Assaillo in French Canada
French Canada
French Canada, also known as "Lower Canada", is a term to distinguish the French Canadian population of Canada from English Canada.-Definition:...

, Reptilo 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...

) is the Pteranodon
Pteranodon
Pteranodon , from the Late Cretaceous geological period of North America in present day Kansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, was one of the largest pterosaur genera and had a maximum wingspan of over...

 Dinobot. Like all the original Dinobots, Swoop was based on one of the Diaclone toy line toys.

His tech spec indicated that Swoop loved seeing his enemies break and run as he launched his aerial attack. However, his vicious exterior hid a gentle, good-natured Autobot. He has the ability to fly at 250 mph and is armed with air-to-air missile launchers under each wing. His greatest weakness perhaps are his fragile wings which are vulnerable to enemy firepower.

He joined 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...

s in the cartoon and comics in their first year, but did not have a toy until 1985.Like many of the Transformers characters, he was portrayed very differently in the cartoon and the Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...

 comic books.

In some continuities Swoop is depicted as formerly being known as Divebomb, but changed the name when it was taken by the Decepticon now known as Divebomb.

Reception

Swoop was named to have the 2nd "shittiest" Transformers disguise by Cracked magazine.

Marvel Comics

In the Marvel U.K. comic book, Swoop was given a detailed back story, as well as a markedly different personality. Although all of the Dinobots were more intelligent and articulate than their cartoon counterparts, Swoop was notably more intelligent than the others, on occasion showing resentment to his teammates at being part of a group at all.

Swoop is among the Autobots who came to Earth onboard the Ark under the leadership of Optimus Prime. When the Ark crash lands on Earth its systems reformat Swoop into the form of one of the Savage Land
Savage Land
The Savage Land is a hidden prehistoric land within the fictional Marvel Comics Universe. It is a tropical preserve hidden in Antarctica. It was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in X-Men #10...

's native creatures, a pterodactyl. He and the other Dinobots battle 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...

, but all the combatants are buried in a tar pit. Millions of years later, they are awakened and battle Megatron, before defecting from Prime's command.

In issue #27 Swoop steals the cargo of an oil tanker truck to feed his fellow Dinobots.

In the "Wrath of Guardian/Wrath of Grimlock", the Dinobots battle a malfunctioning Guardian robot, eventually defeating it - only for Swoop to be seemingly killed. He returns under the control of Professor Morris, attacking the Autobots. Swoop's resentment for Prime allows him to break free, but he refrains from killing Morris.

Swoop is a major character in one of Furman's later stories, In the National Interest. He loses in a battle against Megatron. Morris' robot, Centurion, saves him. Swoop bows to Morris' control to save the Dinobots from 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...

.

Swoop is seemingly killed by the Underbase powered 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...

 but is resurrected by Grimlock and 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...

. Swoop fights against 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...

, then perishes on 'Klo' in a trap laid by Bludgeons
Bludgeon (Transformers)
Bludgeon is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. For trademark reasons, he is now marketed by Hasbro as Decepticon Bludgeon. They are all Decepticon warriors who turn into tanks.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

. He returns at the coming of Optimus Prime and the Last Autobot.

He continued to reappear throughhout the 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...

 comic.

Animated series

Swoop is the only Dinobot who can fly in his dinosaur mode (although Grimlock was once depicted flying in dinosaur mode in season three of the television series, assumed animation error). Swoop is also believed to be one of the smartest Dinobots, yet appears to lack the brute strength of his comrades.

Swoop first appeared in episode 10, called "War of The Dinobots." Swoop was created by Wheeljack
Wheeljack
Wheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the Autobots in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara and Hasbro. His...

 and Ratchet
Ratchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...

 on Earth in 1984. He was created along with Snarl
Snarl (Transformers)
Snarl is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Snarl is one of the members of the Autobot sub-group called the Dinobots led by Grimlock...

 to be the two new Dinobots to go along with the already-created Grimlock, Slag, and Sludge. It has not been explained why he or the other Dinobots were able to be fitted with personalities which can only be found on Cybertron from Vector Sigma. Apparently there is a difference between the brain and personalities in Transformers. Their brains are simple, yet still it is the personalities that make them sentient. It is evident that addition of personalities or "sparks" and its origin was after the fact, and was hoped that this inconsistency would be overlooked.

While Snarl and Swoop were being created, Megatron convinced Grimlock, Slag, and Sludge that Optimus and the Autobots were their enemies and the three original Dinobots kidnapped 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...

. After Wheeljack and Ratchet, with the help of Chip Chase, created Swoop and Snarl, the two new Dinobots were used to rescue Prime from Grimlock, Slag, and Sludge. During that battle, Optimus saved the original Dinobots' lives before the meteorite near them exploded and they then realized that the Autobots were really their friends.

In 1985, an island with real dinosaurs was found by Powerglide and Bumblebee
Bumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...

. Optimus decided that Dinobot Island would be a good place for the Dinobots to train and practice their fighting skills, because the Ark was too small for the giant Dinobots. Megatron and the 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 found out about the island and wanted to harvest it for all the energy it produced. The Dinobots were thrown in a tarpit, but were later rescued and enlisted a group of real dinosaurs to help them attack Megatron.

Some time later, the Cybertronian Autobots and Decepticons began to malfunction because they ran out of Cybertronium, a crystalline substance only found 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...

. The Dinobots were made on Earth, so they were the only Transformers not affected and were sent to Cybertron to get some. When they got to Cybertron, they disappeared. Spike and Carly went to Cybertron to find them and found Swoop, who led them to the other Dinobots that were captured and working for 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...

. Eventually they were freed and brought the Cybertronium back so that the Autobot's bodies could be restored.

In 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....

, the Dinobots traveled in the shuttle with Optimus Prime towards the end of the attack on Autobot City. their orders were to destroy Devastator, who had been a long-running enemy of theirs. Though Devastator appeared to have the upper hand at first, the Dinobots did manage to finally knock him down and halt his movements; taking him out of the fight. Swoop himself was knocked down by falling debris from Autobot City. When 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...

 attacked, they went in the shuttle with Kup
Kup
Kup is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universe. All are older Autobots who are members of the Elite Guard. Wired Magazine once nominated him as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time...

 and Hot Rod. This took no small amount of effort due to their innate stubbornness and desire to fight. The shuttle was shot down on Quintessa and Kup and Hot Rod were captured by the Quintesson
Quintesson
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...

s. On Quintessa, the Dinobots met Wheelie
Wheelie (Transformers)
Wheelie is the name of two different fictional characters in the Transformers series.-Generation 1:The first Wheelie is a young Autobot who turns into a car. He has a distinctive style of speech, in which he rhymes his sentences while speaking in a high pitched voice, making him sound like a child....

, who led them to Kup and Hot Rod and they were able to rescue the two 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...

s from the Quintessons. They took a Quintesson ship to the planet of Junk and were with the Autobots when they attacked 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...

. They helped with the attack on Unicron, inflicting more damage than most of the other combatants, striking at the Chaos-bringers flanks, attempting to break inside and rescue their friends.

None of the Dinobots but Grimlock played large roles in the episodes following the movie.

Books

Swoop was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Dinobots Strike Back by Casey Todd.

Swoop was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.

Sludge appeared in the 1985 book The Autobots' Secret Weapon.

Swoop appeared in the 1986 story and coloring book The Lost Treasure of Cybertron by Marvel Books.

BotCon Comics

In the tales leading up to the 1999 BotCon
BotCon
BotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...

 tale "Reaching the Omega Point", it was revealed that, in a dark future where Shokaract, a Predacon
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:...

 fused with the essence 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...

, ruled Cybertron, his herald Catacysm was sent to kill an ancient veteran Autobot. This Autobot was hinted to be Swoop.

Dreamwave Productions

Swoop appears in the second War Within story arc, The Dark Ages. He is a member of Grimlock's Lightning Strike Coalition, which would later become the Dinobots. Grimlock once accidentally started to call him "Dive-" before correcting himself and calling him Swoop, meaning his defeat to Divebomb and his loss of his name happened in this continuity, and happened shortly before this story arc.

When civil war broke out on the planet Cybertron 8.7 million years ago between the Autobots and Deceptions, Swoop joined the Autobot cause.

When Autobot leader Optimus Prime and Decepticon leader Megatron disappeared in an accident with the space bridge 7.4 million years ago, the Autobot and Decepticon forces broke up into factions. Swoop joined up with the Lightning Strike Coalition under the command of Grimlock.

Grimlock lead L.S.C. members Ironhide, Kup, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop and Wheeljack in stealing a shipment of energon from Starscream and the Predacons at the Moon Alpha Space Port (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #1).

Ultra Magnus reunited the Autobot factions, with Grimlock working as one of his advisors. Swoop became a member of the Dynobots, a special Autobot unit directly under Grimlock's command.

The Dynobots were assigned to security at the peace talks between the Autobots, Decepticons and Ultracons 6 million years ago. It was their actions which saved the participants from being blown up in a sneak attack by Starscream and his Predacons (Transformers: Age of Wrath #1).

After Optimus Prime and the crew of the Autobot ship the Ark were lost in space 4 million years ago, the Dynobots formed a search party to recover them. They tracked the Autobot ship to the planet Earth, where the Dynobots were reformatted into mechanical dinosaurs, and Swoop gained his current form. The Dynobots were ambushed by Decepticons Kickback, Shrapnel and Bombshell, and left in stasis lock until they were discovered by Prime and his crew in the 1980s. Because of their new alternate forms they were renamed the Dinobots.

Devil's Due Publishing

In 2004 Swoop was among the Autobots under the leadership Optimus Prime who attempted to take back the planet Cybertron from the Decepticon tyrant 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...

. After an accident with the teleportational systems of the supercomputer Teletran-3, Swoop found himself sent back in time and on the planet Earth. He was reformatted in the form of an Earth dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...

 with several other Autobots. A group of humans were able to bring the new Dinobots back to Cybertron and they helped overcome Shockwave (G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers II #4).

Fun Publications

Swoop returns, rebuilt as a Mini-Con in 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....

 fiction. Swoop appeared in Transformers: Timelines volume 2 #2, "Games of Deception." He is a member of the crew of the Autobot ship Graviton who track the Decepticon ship commanded by Big Bite to Earth.

Kup told the Dinobots and Rodimus the story of how he became a member of the Autobot Elite Guard.

IDW Publishing

In a flashback in Maximum Dinobots #1 Grimlock lead the Dynobots in taking a Decepticon energon silo in Sub-Sector Nine on Cybertron.

In the Transformers Spotlight issue on Shockwave, Grimlock and the 'Dynobots' (sporting Cybertronian designs much like their War Within designs) appear in a story that partially homages their Marvel origin. Seeking payback for a humiliating defeat by Shockwave, Grimlock pursued him to prehistoric Earth (which Shockwave was seeding with Energon). In order to protect themselves against Energon surges, the Dynobots required alternate modes covered by a layer of synthetic flesh; Grimlock refused to transform into Ice Age mammals and made the decision to go with dinosaurian forms instead as he thought them more impressive. The Dynobots got the initial jump on Shockwave, as their attack was too illogical for him to understand, but he quickly recovered and blasted the entire team into stasis lock with their synthetic skins destroyed. Grimlock got the final laugh, as the Dynobot ship fired a pre-programmed blast into the surrounding volcanoes to unleash a flow of lava that engulfs all six Transformers until they were uncovered by human paleontologists in 2006.

Games

Swoop is one of the light blue robots in the 2010 card game Monopoly Deal Transformers.

Other Media

Swoop and Grimlock appear in the Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-head writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root. Green provides many voices for the show...

 episode "Junk in the Trunk." Grimlock is briefly shown whipping Bumblebee in the behind with a towel while in the Autobot locker room. Swoop is seen attacking a passing bird outside of Optimus Prime's hospital room prior to him dying of prostate cancer.

Toys

  • Generation 1 Swoop (1985)
A redeco of a Diaclone toy.
In Canada, some bi-lingual French/English boxes listed Swoop's name as "Tracks".

  • Generation 2 Swoop (unreleased)
Although no Swoop toy was made for Generation 2, he did appear in the Marvel comic series. Hasbro concept art of a Generation 2 Swoop recolor has appeared on the internet as well.

  • Dinobots Swoop (2003)
In 2003 a set of Walmart exclusive toys sold simply as Transformers: Dinobots featured repaints of Beast Wars molds as 6 Dinobots. One of the Dinobots sets included Grimlock (a repaint of Beast Wars Dinobot) and Swoop (a repaint of Beast Wars Terrorsaur). Some versions of Swoop were named Terranotron on the box because of trademark issues with the name Swoop. Seems there was a Ty Beanie Baby
Beanie Baby
A Beanie Baby is a stuffed animal, made by Ty Warner Inc., which was later renamed as Ty Inc. in late 1993. Each toy has an inner "posable lining" and is stuffed with plastic pellets rather than conventional stuffing , giving Beanie Babies a flexible feel.The original nine Beanie Babies launched...

 named Swoop that had a trademark on that name.
How the Transformers: Dinobots toy line fits in with the other Transformers lines is still a bit of a mystery. The previous Robots in Disguise and Armada lines contained many non-show repaint toys, but the toys do not mention either line on the boxes. The Dinobots toys came out just before the Transformers: Universe series, which was almost entirely repaints of old toys - so some fans consider it a precursor to that series.

  • Smallest Dinorobots Bombardier (2006)
An unlicensed micro replica of Swoop by JustiToys, in the style of Takara
Takara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....

's Smallest Transformers.

  • Classics Mini-Con Swoop (2006)
Swoop appeared in the Transformers: Classics line as a Mini-Con, part of the Dinobots Mini-Con Team. This toy was originally supposed to be part of the end of the Transformers: Cybertron line as part of a 2 pack with the Mini-Con Overbite
Overbite (Transformers)
Overbite is the name of four fictional characters from the Transformers series.-Transformers: Generation 1:Overbite is the name of one of the Seacon Targetmasters. He transforms into a shark-monster or alternately into a Double Barrelled Tidal Wave Maker which could be wielded by a larger...

, but with delays in release and the low sales of the vs. packs, they instead made it part of the Classics line and put it in a 3 pack with Knockdown and Terrorsaur
Terrorsaur
Terrorsaur is the name of several fictional characters from the world of Transformers universes.Terror-Saur is an amalgamate of terror and saur .-Beast Wars:...

.
The mold for this figure is also used for Rav in the Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy line.

  • World's Smallest Dinorobots Comic Version Boxed Set (2010)
A TFSource exclusive boxed set of JustiToys' unlicensed micro reproductions of all five G1 Dinobots, limited to 300 units. Each toy is repainted in the Marvel Comics colors.

Beast Machines

Although the Dinobots as a sub-group appeared in the Beast Machines toy line, there was no character named Swoop among them - possibly because of issues with trademarking the name. A Dinobot called Terranotron was in this line though, a red repaint of transmetal Terrorsaur. The name Terranotron would later appear in the Transformers: Dinobots toy line on some boxes with Swoop in it, so many fans consider Terranotron to be replacement name for Swoop.

Transformers: Armada

Although there was no Swoop toy in the Armada series, an Autobot named Ravenus appeared, who's form was based on the original Swoop. Ravenus was driven mad by his addiction to powerlinking with Mini-Cons and Unicron's influence. Their influence twisted his form into one resembling Beast Wars TransMetal (Terrorsaur
Terrorsaur
Terrorsaur is the name of several fictional characters from the world of Transformers universes.Terror-Saur is an amalgamate of terror and saur .-Beast Wars:...

), Mini-cons loyal to Unicron implanted the Doomstone, taken from Nemesis Prime
Nemesis Prime
Nemesis Prime is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers storyline. He is often depicted as an evil incarnation of Optimus Prime.-Transformers: Armada:...

, into his body, intending Ravenus to link with an independent Minicon, connecting the Doomstone with the Linkage, destroying both it and the free wills of all the independent Mini-cons. However, the Mini-Cons purified him, restoring his true form.

Transformers: Energon

As part of the Transformers: Energon
Transformers: 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...

 toyline the Swoop toy – packaged with the similarly-redesigned Grimlock – was a modern updating of his original figure. He still transformed into a pterodactyl, but had one major change: Grimlock and Swoop could now combine to form a larger robot named "Mega-Dinobot". The characters' joint biography clearly draws on the cartoon incarnation of the original characters, presenting them as Autobots who are simple in speech and thought, but who make up for it in raw strength. Decepticons have been known to flee in fear when faced with the two Dinobots, as Swoop uses his aerial abilities to confuse and distract them, while Grimlock attacks from behind and stomps them flat before they know what hit them. Though heavily armed, the duo's preferred weaponry is their teeth and talons.

His tech spec reads: Primitive in thought and simple in speech, what Grimlock and Swoop lack in intelligence they make up for in strength. They have given the Autobots the tactical upper-hand in battle time and again sending Decepticon legions retreating in fear. Swoop will often use his impressive aerial maneuvers to confuse and distract an enemy while Grimlock sneaks from behind and stomps that enemy before they even know what hit them. They then use their combined strength to ensure that there is little left of their unfortunate prey. Although they are armed to the nines with powerful weaponry, Grimlock and Swoop prefer to take down their enemies with razor sharp teeth and talons.

Dreamwave Productions

It comes as no surprise that longtime Dinobot fan Simon Furman intended to feature the characters in Dreamwave's Energon comic book, but the company's closure prevented this.

Fun Publications

Swoop appeared in the text story from 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....

 called "Force of Habit." This story explained where he was during the events of the Cybertron story. Ultra Magnus was the commander of various Autobot ships sent to other planets in search for the Cyber Planet Keys. He also served as captain of the Iron Hope which was crewed by Bonecrusher
Bonecrusher (Transformers)
Bonecrusher is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Bonecrusher is a member of the Constructicons. He is a brawler by nature and specialises in demolitions work...

, 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...

, 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:...

, Knock Out, Overcast, 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...

, Quickstrike
QuickStrike
QuickStrike is a collectible card game gaming system developed by Upper Deck Entertainment for use in their games. This system made its initial debut in 2006.-Compatibility:...

, RipTide, Skyblast, Smokescreen
Smokescreen (Transformers)
Smokescreen is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Smokescreen is one of the second year Autobot Cars in the Transformers series. His toy was remolded from Prowl and Bluestreak, itself originating from an earlier Japanese line...

, Swoop, Wreckage
Wreckage (Transformers)
Wreckage is the name of three fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Armada:Wreckage was the name of a Mini-Con that transformed into a green missile tank...

 and the Sky Scorcher Mini-Con Team.

Transformers Animated

Swoop returned in Transformers Animated along with Grimlock and Snarl (actually a homage to Slag).

In December 2007 drawings were leaked on the internet of Swoop's robot appearance in the Animated television series. Swoop and Snarl are not able to talk in the series.

Animated series

In "Blast From the Past", the Autobots visit a dinosaur-themed amusement park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...

 where animatronic dinosaurs are on display, but Bulkhead
Bulkhead (Transformers)
Bulkhead is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All incarnations of Bulkhead are Autobots and are green in color. He was introduced in Transformers: Energon as a Mega Vehicle and later redebuted in Transformers: Animated as a completely new character...

 accidentally breaks them. Professor Sumdac and Megatron rebuild the animatronic dinosaurs as technological wonders named the Dinobots. Unbeknown to Sumdac, however, Megatron includes weapons in the animatronics, which begin to rampage at their unveiling ceremony under Megatron's remote control. Bumblebee combines his stings with Ratchet
Ratchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...

s magnetics abilities to create an electromagnetic pulse that shuts down the rampaging Dinobots (Sari
Sari Sumdac
Sari Sumdac is a fictional character in the Transformers Animated cartoon series.-Transformers Animated:The eight-year old adopted daughter of Dr. Isaac Sumdac, Sari lived a sheltered life until she befriends the Autobots after they saved her upon their reawakening.She is the primary source of...

 using her Key to boost Bumblebee's power), destroying their artificial skin and revealing their metal forms. Sari's influence has greater consequences, however, as Megatron soon discovers that they possess minds - and perhaps sparks - of their own. The Decepticon leader convinces the Dinobots to attack all vehicles, including the Autobots, by telling them they are "fossil feeders" due to the way Earth vehicles are powered. The Dinobots go on another rampage, but are lured away by the Autobots who, after an extensive battle, trap them in tar. Professor Sumdac plans to melt them down, but 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...

 and Bulkhead secretly move them to a secluded island on Lake Erie where they can live in peace.

In "Survival of The Fittest", Swoop, Grimlock, and Snarl were forced to work for Meltdown until Captain Fanzone captures him. In return, the Dinobots helped defeat Colossus Rhodes and two of Meltdown's mutants.

In "Megatron Rising, Part One", Optimus Prime, Bulkhead and Prowl approach the Dinobots, wanting assistance for a battle against the Decepticons, only to be refused.

In "The Elite Guard" the Dinobots attack Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. First mention of Sentinel Prime was in issue #65 of the US Marvel Comics Transformers series, where he was mentioned to hold the Autobot Matrix of Leadership before Optimus Prime. Sentinel Prime has since...

, who had trespressed on their island, only to be beaten back by 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...

.

In "Black Friday", the Dinobots are seen fighting over Blackarachnia, defeating Meltdown's mutants, and following a heart-broken Grimlock.

In "Predacons Rising" Swoop, under Blackarachnia's orders, brings her Wasp
Waspinator
Waspinator is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called Wasp. The original Waspinator was voiced by Scott McNeil in the Beast Wars animated series.-Beast Wars:...

. When the Autobots arrive on Dinobot Island to apprehend Wasp, Swoop and the Dinobots try to stop them, but are overwhelmed and defeated by Jetfire
Jetfire
Jetfire is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. He is nearly always depicted as an Autobot with jet or space shuttle alternate mode.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

 and Jetstorm
Jetstorm
Jetstorm is the name of several characters in the fictional Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 2 :The name Jetstorm was first used in the Transformers toyline on two different toys released on two different continents; however both characters were Aquaspeeders - toys that could shoot...

.

Swoop returned alongside Grimlock in "Human Error, Part Two", threatening to kill Sari for trespassing. Swoop and Grimlock eventually left her unharmed, with Grimlock mentioning that Snarl was a "traitor."

Other media

Swoop appears among the characters in Re-Unification, the 2010 TFCon voice actor play prelude comic.

Toys

  • Animated Deluxe Swoop (2008)
Hasbro's Tech Specs for Swoop indicate that his "wings collect solar energy to power weapons." This is the same power attributed to G1 Snarl
Snarl (Transformers)
Snarl is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Snarl is one of the members of the Autobot sub-group called the Dinobots led by Grimlock...

.

  • Animated TA-19 Deluxe Autobot Swoop (Takara Tomy) (2008)
The 2010 Japan release version by Takara Tomy
Takara Tomy
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies:  Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...

 sports metallic silver wings and a red Autobot emblem. For reasons unknown, the figure is marketed as "Autobot Swoop".

Transformers: Timelines

An mirror-universe version of Swoop appeared in the Transformers: Timelines fiction. He is one of the evil Autobots. His dark green coloring with red claws is a direct homage to the Armada character of Ravenus.

Swoop is a very friendly Dinobot who loves meeting new people from Jazz, who captures, to the humans of Earth. The only person he does not seem to like is Star Saber
Star Saber
Star Saber is the name of several fictional characters and also a legendary weapon in the Transformers toyline. He is the protagonist in the Japanese exclusive series Transformers: Victory.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

.

Fun Publications

Swoop appears in the fiction Dungeons & Dinobots, a text based story from 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....

. He is one of the many Dinobots created by Wheeljack
Wheeljack
Wheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the Autobots in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara and Hasbro. His...

, and later captured by the Autobots. After surviving the Dinobot war at the Arch-Ayr fuel complex he is hunted down and captured by the Autobots. He becomes attached to Jazz, much to the macho-bots dismay.

Although not depicted directly, Swoop is one of the many Autobots aboard the Ark in Do Over. The Ark launches from Cybertron for Earth under the command of Rodimus and is followed by the Decepticon ship Nemesis, under the command of Starscream. While battling over Earth it is shot down by human defense systems.

Swoop appears as a member of the Autobots on Earth under the command of Rodimus
Rodimus
Rodimus 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...

 in Blitzwing Bop. He works with Star Saber in a scheme to use human hostages to get oil for the Autobots. The Autobots are defeated by the Decepticons 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...

, Blitzwing
Blitzwing
Blitzwing is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. He is always depicted as a Decepticon with two alternate forms, that of a jet and that of a tank...

 and Slugslinger.

Toys

No toy for this version of Swoop exists. Although he was never illustrated, according to author Trent Troop he imagined Swoop as a redeco of the Cybertron Brimstone
Brimstone (Transformers)
Brimstone is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Cybertron:Brimstone is armed with his beast mode's claws, and Cyber Key-activated blades on each of his wings ....

 toy.

Transformers: Prime

Swoop is one of the toughest Autobots of Iacon, he's Grimlock's best friend, after rescuing him from the Dark Energon, Swoop joined the Autobots, however, Grimlock did not really join them, as he was only there to protect Swoop from being captured again.

Video games

Swoop is among the Autobot characters in the video game Transformers: War for Cybertron
Transformers: War for Cybertron
Transformers: War for Cybertron is a third-person shooter video game developed by High Moon Studios and published by Activision. It was released in North America on June 22, 2010 and in PAL regions on June 25, 2010 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Two portable versions were released for the...

.

Along with his best friend, Grimlock, Swoop was a neutral in the war between Autobots and Decepticons, Optimus Prime asked them if they wanted to help him in the war as they were the toughest of Iacon, Grimlock denied this, at telling no one was stronger than him, as Grimlock was arguing with the Autobots, Swoop was taken prisoner into a Dark Energon Plant, the Autobots went to his rescue, only to find that he was infused with Dark Energon, using an electrical shockwave, the Autobots were able to bring Swoop back to normal, however, the Decepticons activated the Autodestruction of the plant, Swoop helped the Autobots to get out of the plant before it exploded, after this Swoop joined them, however Grimlock was only going to stay to protect him.

Swoop is set to appear among the rest of the Dinobots in the 2012 video game Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is a third-person shooter video game developed by High Moon Studios and published by Activision. The game follows the events of Transformers: War for Cybertron as the Autobots struggle to defeat their Decepticon foes in battle for their home planet of Cybertron...

.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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