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The Transformersfranchise has been an iconic staple of pop cultivation for forty year , debut in 1984 . The story of the war between the heroical Autobots and villainous Decepticons has long enjoyed an enduring popularity among fans . This popularity has certify itself in the shape of multiple cartoon series , movies , video game , and comic book , each of which adds to the overall mythology and legacy of the enfranchisement .
The Transformersfranchise has undergone multiple continuitiesover the years , with each fresh take on the story introducing brand - fresh characters . Many of these new characters become darling addition to the dealership , embedding themselves into the traditional knowledge and mythology to return time and prison term again in new serial . While these newcomers from the comics may not have debuted alongside enfranchisement keystone like Optimus Prime and Megatron , they are no less adore and measure . Here are some of the best Bots that debuted over the decades , bringing a rebirth of fun to the franchise .
10Straxus
Debuted inTransformers#17 by Bob Budiansky and Don Perlin, Published by Marvel Comics in 1986
First seem as a part of Marvel Comics’Transformersseries , Straxus is a Decepticon warlord who continue on Cybertronafter Megatron and his forces left for Earth . Known for his brutality , Straxus would govern over Cybertron , sending Autobots , Neutrals , and even fellow Decepticons into his smelting pools where their metal could be reused by him and his men . acquire that Megatron and his force out were on Earth , Straxus would begin construction of a Space Bridge to Earth , before ultimately being kill by Blaster .
Despite Straxus ’s modest role in the Marvel Comics run , he remains a standout for his brutality , demonstrate a harshness befitting of the Decepticon cause . His abbreviated tenure in the funnies cements him as a delirious tyrant and a particularly fearsome opposition for the Autobots who remained on Cybertron . While Straxus would make other modest appearances over the course of the franchise ’s story , his brief run in Marvel Comics’Transformersremains not only his greatest showing , but also among the record ’s dour moments , present a willingness to go places the 1984 animated cartoon series would never go and showing the horrors of the war in all their brutal item .
9Impactor
Debuted inTransformers#78 by Simon Furman and Jeff Anderson, Published by Marvel UK in 1986
debut within the page of Marvel UK’sTransformersstories , Impactor was initially depicted as the leader of the Wreckers , an Autobot Commando unit . He ’s characterize by his gruff , no - meaninglessness attitude , as well as a willingness to dedicate himself to his fellow troops instead of his superiors . Tragically , Impactor was gunned down by Macabre , sacrificing himself to keep open Emirate Xaaron and naming Springer as his successor with his give out words .
Impactor ’s legacy does not end here , as he was brought back by disgraced Autobot scientist Flame as a zombie , before sacrificing himself once more to save Cybertron . In IDW ’s firstTransformerscontinuity , Impactor was usher in to a steel - new audience , play a polar part in theWreckers Saga . The Wreckers themselves have also become a staple ofTransformerslore , demonstrating the staying power of the squad and their iconic loss leader .
8Primus
Debuted inTransformers#60 by Simon Furman and Jose Delbo, Published by Marvel Comics in 1989
While the 1984 cartoon serial posited that Cybertronians were built by the Quintessons , the Marvel Comics serial introduced Primus , the creator of all Cybertronians . Created to do battle against Unicron , the pair ’s battles would cause galactic devastation , resulting in Primus and Unicron materializing in the physical human beings , and Primus would , in twist , become the planet Cybertron . Primus would make the Cybertronian race , as well as bestowing the Creation Matrix upon the leader of this new race so they could create new Cybertronians .
No summation toTransformerslore has been quite as influential as Primus , as the story of Primus being the Godhead of all Cybertronian life has overtaken the Quintesson origin in most continuities . As a result , Primus has become a basic of the franchise ’s backstory , changing the origin of Cybertron and its inhabitant for the better . IDW ’s continuity would introduce its own take on Primus through Rung , a cybertronian therapist who would be revealed to be the renascence of Primus . The imperishable mien of Primus within differentTransformerscontinuities demonstrates how important the part has become to the franchise .
7The Fallen
Debuted inTransformers: The War Within: The Dark Ages#1 by Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman, Published by Dreamwave Comics in 2003
The Fallen , otherwise known as Megatronus Prime , would make his debut in the pages of Dreamwave Comics’Transformerscontinuity in 2003 . Here , it is revealed thatThe Fallen was one of the first thirteen Cybertronians produce by Primus , and The Fallen ’s purpose was to oversee selective information , innovation , and destruction . But The Fallen grew obsessed with wipeout , finally becoming a predecessor of Unicron . Primus would seal The Fallen away , but he would return during the war on Cybertron , with him plotting to bring about the return of Unicron .
The Thirteen Primes , including Megatronus Prime , play a key use in the backstory of the 2023 filmTransformers One .
The Fallen would evidence to become a fan - favourite eccentric promptly , with his association to Unicron and his burning visage rendering him a memorable character within the fandom . Beyond his debut in the Dreamwave Continuity , The Fallen would make his cinematic entry in the 2009 filmTransformers : Revenge of the Fallen . Later on , the mythology of The Fallenas well as the original thirteen Cybertronians , after established as the Thirteen Primes , would be expanded upon in both the Aligned Continuity’sCovenant of Primus , and IDW ’s 2005 Continuity . The Fallen ’s addition to the franchise persist the most important contribution from Dreamwave Comics ' continuity , as well as its most celebrated .
6Drift
Debuted inTransformers: All Hail Megatron#5 by Shane McCarthy, Guido Guidi, and Casey Coller, Published by IDW Comics in 2008
Drift made his debut in the Page of theAll Hail Megatronstoryline as one of the crewmates of Hot Rod ’s starship , the Trion . However , Drift ’s backstory would disclose thathe once went by the name of Deadlock , and suffice as one of the Decepticons ' deadliest marauders . During the war , Drift would renounce his dedication to the Decepticons , grooming with Wing in Crystal City and abandoning his guns for brand as a neutral Cybertronian before joining the Autobots . When the warfare ended , and all Cybertronians returned to Cybertron , Drift joined with Hot Rod , now calling himself Rodimus , and the balance of his crew on the Lost Light in search of the long - lost Knights of Cybertron .
The preview for Void rival # 17 teases the descent of the mysterious Zerta - Trion , which could change Transformers lore forever in the Energon Universe .
While Drift ab initio enjoy a rocky response from the fanbase , he eventually grew into a rooter pet . His sinister past as a Decepticon , as well as his samurai - inspired design , also help to endear him , to the point where Drift has since appear in multiple films and animated cartoon following his comical Christian Bible debut . His appearance inMore Than match The Eyeremains the character ’s greatest moment , as James Roberts ' playpen helped Drift truly come into his own as a character reference .
5Tarn
Debuted inTransformers: More Than Meets The Eye#7 by James Roberts and Alex Milne, Published by IDW Comics in 2012
The bestial Decepticon known as Tarn first seem within IDW ’s persistence , infix as the leader of the Decepticon Justice Division . Alongside his teammates , each of whom renamed themselves after the first five city to fall to the Decepticons , the D.J.D. tax themselves with hunting down those whom they had deemed troublesome to the Decepticon Cause and execute them to show what find when Decepticons reject to stay the course . Tarn became an obsessional follower of Megatron throughout the war , to the point of cover everything Megatron said like scripture .
A reimagined version of Tarn would come along in theTransformers : Cyberverseanimated series , rewrite as a Decepticon super soldier and without the rest of the Decepticon Justice Division .
While all the Decepticon Justice Division have made an notion , Tarn stay their most illustrious member . From his silky intent and iconic mask to his eloquence being a facade for his sadism , Tarn stand out as not only the most dear extremity of the mathematical group , but also as one of the most iconic original characters created by IDW.Tarn and the D.J.D. represent a drear but necessary aspect of IDW’sTransformersrun , showing just how far the consequences of the war reached , and how Megatron ’s past times will always frequent him .
4Windblade
Debuted inTransformers: More Than Meets The Eye#26 by James Roberts, John Barber, James Raiz, Atilio Rojo, and Livio Ramondelli, Published by IDW Comics in 2014
bring in her big debut in IDW’sDark Cybertroncrossover issue , Windblade was depict as a Cityspeaker from the colony of Caminus , who could use her ability to speak with giant Cybertronians such as Metroplex . She come on Cybertron in purchase order to secure energy for Caminus , promise to recreate Metroplex in return . Her dealings with Cybertron ’s postwar government would see her draw into the political arena with Starscream , who was the leader of the planet , before striking out on her own and becoming Cybertron ’s young leader .
Windblade is a special type in the eyes of the fandom , as her design and many of her graphic symbol traits are the solution of a poll parrot held to make a novel character for the franchise ’s thirtieth anniversary . As such , Windblade quickly became a mainstay of the franchise , parachute from the comics to the cartoons , as well as play an significant role in IDW ’s 2019 reboot of the serial . Windblade is a testament to the endure legacy of theTransformers , and how , even after thirty year , it still has new characters joining the serial publication .
3Nautica
Debuted inTransformers: Robots in Disguise#25 by John Barber, James Roberts, James Raiz, Atilio Rojo, and Livio Ramondelli, Published by IDW Comics in 2014
Like Windblade , Nautica made her debut in IDW’sDark Cybertronevent , before quickly joining the cast ofTransformers : More Than Meets The Eye . Within that book , she would become a part of the Lost Light Crew on their mission to discover the Knights of Cybertron . Nautica would dish out as one of the ship ’s engineers , specializing in quantum engineering . As a part of the Lost Light , she would enjoy a close bond with sideslip , as well as being a lively extremity of the bunch .
2Nyx
Debuted inTransformers: Beast Wars#1 by Erik Burnham and Josh Burcham, Published by IDW Comics in 2021
A raw Maximal created for IDW ’s take on theBeast Warsseries , Nyx served as the pilot for Optimus Primal ’s crew during the serial publication , possessing a making love for the air . When the Maximals and the Predacons crashed on a newfangled major planet , Nyx would take on a yield squash racquet fauna mode , helping help her associate on this strange new creation . Additionally , Nyx would toy a role in Dinobot ’s redemption electric discharge , as save up her became the turn point that top him to join the Maximals .
While IDW ’s Beast Wars was abruptly - lived due to the publisher losing the license , Nyx remained an adorable increase to the Beast Wars hurl . Her fauna mode took elements from the original Optimus Primal toy while also taking sure element of Nightscream from theBeast Machinescartoon , but she never felt whole referential to either . They were starting degree for her to be inspired by , butshe became her own role beyond those inspiration . While the future tense ofBeast Warswithin comics may be unsettled , Nyx more than deserve her situation as a part of whatever the future tense may hold form the serial .
1Shredhead
Debuted inTransformers#17 by Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona, Published by Image Comics in 2025
The first new Autobot in the Energon Universe , Shredhead was create by Cliffjumper when he recovered the sparks of his fall clan , project to convey them to the Well of Sparks to make something new from his fallen champion . Cliffjumper , Elita - One , and her remaining flock on Cybertron made their attack on the Decepticons to perturb them , while Cliffjumper used the electric discharge and Carly ’s van to make a novel Autobot . Shredhead emerged from the Well of Sparks , ready to do struggle against the Decepticons .
Transformers # 1 is ultimately here , kick off the Energon Universe era , and writer / artist Daniel Warren Johnson has knock it out of the park .
Shredhead stands out for bringing Cliffjumper ’s backstory of losing his clan back into focal point , and meld that with his friendship with Carly to make something raw . Much of the Energon Universe’sTransformersseries has cast the Autobots as the underdogs in their warfare against the Decepticons . Shredhead ’s instauration toThe Transformersfranchise offers the Autobots a young hope and creates a new character born from both the Autobots ' kinship with one another and their skinny tie with the humans they have sworn to protect .
