Grimlock

This article is about the Transformers character. For the Dungeons and Dragons monster, seeGrimlock (Dungeons & Dragons).

Grimlock
Transformerscharacter
The originalGeneration 1Grimlock toy
Voiced by	English: Gregg Berger Japanese: Takurō Kitagawa(Television series) Masaharu Satō(The Headmasters)
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot/Maximal
Sub-group	Action Masters, Deluxe Beasts, Dinobots, Pretenders
Function	Dinobot Commander, Lieutenant Commander
Rank	9 (Generation 1), 5 (Beast Wars)
Allies	Optimus Prime,Swoop, Slag, Sludge, Snarl,Jetfire
Motto	"Among the winners, there is no room for the weak." "Me Grimlock no bozo, Me king!"
Alternate modes	MechanicalTyrannosaurus,Cybertronian tank,Megaraptor,Ford Mustang GT,Optical mouse

Grimlockis the name of severalfictionalrobot characters in theTransformersrobot franchise. He is usually portrayed as the leader of theDinobots,which are a subfaction ofAutobotswho can transform into metal dinosaurs. Grimlock is known for his dialogue being spoken in thethird person.He appeared on screen along with other Dinobots in thefourth installmentof the Transformers film series.

Transformers: Generation 1

Grimlockis the leader of theDinobots.Grimlock can be merciless and contemptuous of those he considers beneath him, such as human beings and, at times his fellow Autobots . The character's initial sense of superiority was changed by the relationships he formed with Spike and Wheelie, as he got to know them on a personal level and started to see them as equals.

Grimlock is among the strongest of the Transformers, possibly equal to or even superior to Optimus Prime andMegatronin most continuities. InTyrannosaurus rexmode, his jaws can snap virtually anything that comes between them. He is able to breathe fire and shoot an energy ray from his mouth.

Reception

Grimlock was ranked by IGN as one of their favorite Autobots.

According to X-Entertainment, Grimlock was the 2nd best Transformers figure of all time.

One of the original Grimlock toys was on display in theNatural History Museum, London.It has since been removed.

Animated series

The Transformers

The original character profiles written byBob Budianskyand Dan Bobro indicate that Grimlock and the Dinobots were intended to come from Cybertron to Earth like most of the other Transformers. However, the cartoon would disregard this entirely.

After the animated series ended in the US Grimlock appeared in animated form one last time in the commercial for the Classic Pretenders.

Books

Grimlock was featured in the 1985Find Your FateJunior book calledDinobots Strike Backby Casey Todd.

Grimlock appeared in the 1986 story and coloring bookThe Lost Treasure of Cybertronby Marvel Books.

Grimlock was featured in the 1993Transformers: Generation 2coloring book "Decepticon Madness"by Bud Simpson.

Comics

3H Enterprises

Both Grimlock and hisTransformers: Robots in Disguisecounterpart appeared in the storyline.

The Autobots returning to Cybertron, along withBlackarachniaandSilverboltwere then abducted via teleportation beams and taken to Unicron. Tap-Out,Transformers: ArmadaMegatron,Brawn,War Within Grimlock andSnarlwere also abducted from various timelines (Transformers: Universe #1).WithinGrimlock,ArmadaMegatron andUniverseOptimus Primalare each transported to the Unicron world, where they eventually team up and fight Striker andReptilion.Note: There is a small continuity error in that this story ends with Grimlock, Megatron and Primal standing over Reptilion, but issue #2 of the comic starts with them standing over Striker (2003 Botcon Voice Actor Play).

After the events of the Botcon 2003 voice actor play, Optimus Primal is able to use his spark telepathy to free Striker from Unicron's influence. Optimus Primal, Megatron, and Grimlock help break free the slaves from various timelines that are held there and gets them to Cybertron (Transformers: Universe #2).

Condor Verlag

In a story called "By their Blasters, you shall know them...!" fromTransformers Comic-Magazineissue #12 by German comic publisher Condor Verlag,Optimus PrimeinstructsBackstreet,BumblebeeandRuckuson how to identify Autobots from Decepticons in battle using the Ark's computer. Pretender Grimlock is one of those he displays to the Autobots. He is identified as a Decepticon.

Devil's Due Publishing

Grimlock also appeared in several of the G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers series fromDevil's Due Publishing.

Grimlock returned in the third series as a main character. Grimlock, Arcee, Bumblebee, and Perceptor were sent to Earth to aidG.I. Joein removing the influence of cybertronian technology on the planet. There is a notable disparity in Grimlock's speech patterns between the second and third series. In the second series, he is seen to speak normally, referring to himself as "I.". However, in the third series he speaks in his more normal "Me Grimlock" speech.

Dreamwave Productions

The 21st century re-imagining of the original universe byDreamwave Productionsdepicted Grimlock in a manner similar to his depiction in Marvel Comics: a powerful, cunning warrior who values strength of body and character. ThroughTransformers: The War Within,the company shaped a background on Cybertron for Grimlock, which showed that he had participated in the planet's underground gladiatorial game in order to unleash the rage and anger he had always overflowed with.

Dreamwave's closure meant that they would tell no further stories of their Grimlock, although his "War Within" -era design did appear in theTransformers: Universecomic book exclusive toBotCon.Grimlock also appeared in the DreamwaveTransformers/G.I. Joecomic. Although not one of the Dinobots in this continuity, transforming into a Sherman Tank, this Grimlock shared the rebellious attitude and speech mannerisms of other incarnations of the G1 character, although he had a softer attitude towards humans.

Fun Publications

Classicverse

Based on theTransformers Classictoy line, the Timelines 2007 story is set 15 years after the end of the Marvel Comics story (ignoring all events of the Marvel UK andGeneration 2comics). Grimlock appears in "Beast Wars Shattered Glass, Chapter One: Shattered Time" byFun Publications.

Wings Universe

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

Beast Wars: Uprising

Grimlock was also featured in theBeast Wars: Uprisingstoryline as a member of the Maximal-Predacon resistance movement instigated byLio Convoy.

IDW Publishing

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

In theTransformers Spotlightissue on Shockwave, Grimlock and the 'Dinobots' (sporting Cybertronian designs much like their War Within designs) appear in a story that partially pays homage to their Marvel G1 origin. Following this, Skywatch, a government agency that knew about Transformers, took over the site. Later, following escalating Transformer activity on Earth (as seen inThe Transformers: Devastation) and losing control of their other captive Transformers Ravage andLaserbeak,Skywatch reactivated Grimlock as a response.Following their acquisition of the Transformers licence in 2005,IDW Publishingreleased a comic book series that takes place during theBeast Warsanimated series but features the toys and characters who did not appear in the show itself. TheBeast Warsincarnation of Grimlock appeared as a gigantic whiteVelociraptor-type dinosaur, and it was revealed that Grimlock was among those in protoform stasis on the Axalon and, like the others was launched into space in the series pilot.

He appears among the Maximals on the cover of the first issue of the sequel story,Beast Wars: The Ascending.In the beginning ofBeast Wars, The AscendingRazorbeast speaks to Prowl and Wolfang about how he feels there is no rescue mission coming for them from Cybertron as Grimlock hunts in the nearby woods. InBeast Wars: The Ascending#4, Grimlock was among the Maximals and Predacons returned to Cybertron to battle Shokaract.

Grimlock had a biography printed in theBeast Wars SourcebookbyIDW Publishing.

Dawn of the Predacus

Grimlock also features briefly in the comic story "Dawn of the Predacus," in which his exposure to transmatter turns him into a protoform, heralding his eventual role inBeast Warsfiction. As he is placed in a stasis pod, he is looked upon by Predacon-and future Maximal-Dinobot, possibly indicating where the warrior took his future name.

Manga

In the Japanese manga "Big War" #2, the AutobotsRodimus Prime,Grimlock, Kup, andWheelie,along with their human allies Spike Witwicky andDaniel WitwickysendComputroninto battle againstGalvatron's new warrior combinerAbominus.The Terrorcons spit "corrosive control liquid" against Computron, taking control of him and turning him into a Decepticon. Spike luckily uses his new Exosuit to free Computron with "defense spray". Defeated, Galvatron retreats.

Marvel Comics

SinceMarvel Comics'Transformersseries were primarily written by Bob Budiansky in its early years, the writer was able to present his origin for the Dinobots as he had originally conceived it. Grimlock appeared in his blue Generation 2 form in the short-lived UK. Generation 2 comic series.

TFcon comics

Grimlock appears in theTFcon2008 voice-play prelude comic called "Ground Effects," where Perceptor informs him about a repeat repeat wave. Grimlock orders the other Dinobots to dig up a Transformer on Dinobot Island.Grimlock appeared in theTFcon2008 voice play "Primitive Recall."

Games

The Classic line appeared in a simpleFlash-based video game on the Hasbro web site calledTransformers Battle Circuit.In this one-on-one fighting game, you press the right and left arrow keys to try to overpower your opponent. In the game, you can play Rodimus, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Jetfire, Starscream, Astrotrain, Trypticon or Menasor. Optimus Prime and Megatron each appear as theBossyou must defeat to win the game.

Other media

Grimlock is featured in the webcomicTwisted Kaiju Theater.Grimlock appears as a play on the wordgridlockin the popular webcomicLeast I Could Do.Grimlock is portrayed as Hal the Boomerang Bird inAngry Birds Transformers.This version is not a humanoid who can change into a Tyrannosaurus, but rather a Tyrannosaurus who can change into a motorcycle.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

Grimlock
Transformerscharacter
Voiced by	English: Tom Wyner Japanese: Hiroki Takahashi
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot
Japanese name	Build Hurricane
Sub-group	Build Team, Deluxe Vehicles
Function	Autobot Excavator,(Hasbro) Tactician, Forrest King (Takara)
Rank	7
Allies	Heavy Load, Hightower & Wedge
Motto	"Respect builds great warriors."
Alternate modes	Excavator

The first completely different character to bear the name of Grimlock was one inhabiting the alternate universe of the 2001Transformerstoyline,Transformers: Robots in Disguise.

Animated series

Grimlock first appeared in episode #18, "Wedge's Short Fuse," and last appeared in episode #38, "The Final Battle Part 2".

3H Enterprises

Robots in Disguise Grimlock (in Walmart yellow repaint colors) appeared in the 2004BotConvoice actor play.

Transformers: Energon

Grimlock
Transformerscharacter
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-group	Dinobots
Rank	6
Allies	Swoop
Motto	"We love to munch Decepticon metal!"
Alternate modes	MechanicalT. rex

Another alternate-universe incarnation of Grimlock entered the fray in the Transformers: Energon line. Grimlock's toy, packaged with the similarly redesigned Swoop, was a modern updating of his original figure.

Dreamwave Productions

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

Fun Publications

Grimlock appeared in the text story fromFun Publicationscalled "Force of Habit".This story explains where he was during the events of theCybertronstory. Ultra Magnus was the commander of various Autobot ships sent to other planets in search of theCyber Planet Keys.He also served as captain of theIron Hopewhich was crewed byBonecrusher,Grimlock, Ironhide, Knock Out, Overcast,Prowl,Quickstrike,RipTide,Skyblast,Smokescreen,Swoop, Wreckage, and the Sky Scorcher Mini-Con Team. Grimlock and Swoop were sent to stop an attack by Predacon on the ship.

Transformers Cinematic Universe

Grimlock
Transformerscharacter
Voiced by	Gregg Berger(Rise of the Dark Spark) Richard Sellers (Toys)
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot/Legendary Knight
Sub-group	Dinobots, Legendary Knights
Function	Dinobot Leader, Lieutenant commander,
Allies	Optimus Prime,Strafe, Slug, Scorn, Cade Yeager
Alternate modes	Mechanical hornedTyrannosaurus

ProducerTom DeSantohas stated that he had an idea on how to include the Dinobots and Constructicons in a possible sequel,although directorMichael Bayhas confirmed that they will not be.However, the Constructicons and their combined form, Devastator, do appear in the 2009 movie.

In aUSA Todayonline fan poll, Grimlock was one of the 10 Transformers that the fans wanted in the sequel, tied for second with 16% of the votes.

Later reports revealed that Grimlock and other Dinobots would be featured in the fourth film, with images surfacing ofOptimus Primeriding Grimlock into battle inHong Kong.

Live-action films

InTransformers: Age of Extinction,Grimlock and the Dinobots are captured byLockdownas trophies, referred to as legendary knights. After the Autobots escape with the part of the ship holding them, Optimus releases the Dinobots for backup and engages in a battle for dominance with Grimlock which Optimus wins.

Grimlock returned inTransformers: The Last Knight.Grimlock is among the Autobots taking sanctuary at Cade Yeager's junkyard. He has taken up the personality of a dog, often eating the local police chief's car. Mini-Grimlock, a baby dinosaur, also appears inThe Last Knightas one of the Autobots in Cade's junkyard. It gains Grimlock's fire breath, which it uses in Cade's trailer. Mini-Grimlock is seen snuggling with Izabella and around the other Autobots.

Video games

The Sector 7viral marketingweb site featured several videos recording supposed evidence of Transformers on Earth. These featured cameos by Generation 1 Transformers, including scenes of Grimlock destroying a construction site, as well as scenes of Kickback andLaserbeakbeing video taped by people accidentally, and a security video showing bits of a robot looking a lot like Generation 1Bumblebeetransforming in a parking garage.

Grimlock'sAge of Extinctionincarnation is a playable character inTransformers: Rise of the Dark Spark.In the earth story, he helps out Optimus, Bumblebee, and Drift destroy Lockdown's mercenary grunts and only makes growling and roar sounds in the main story. In gameplay, his controls are very identical to his counterpart inTransformers: Fall of Cybertron.

Grimlock is one of the main playable characters inTransformers: Devastation,and the only one who does not transform into a motor vehicle.

Transformers: Animated

Grimlock
Transformerscharacter
Voiced by	English: David Kaye Japanese: Keiji Fujiwara
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-group	Activators, Dinobots, Voyagers
Function	Dinobot Leader
Rank	6 (Takara)
Allies	Bumblebee,Prowl,Bulkhead
Motto	"Among the winners, there is no room for the weak."
Alternate modes	MechanicalTyrannosaurus

A character named Grimlock appears inTransformers: Animated,which began airing in 2007. He is similar to his animated Generation 1 incarnation in persona and form, but with his face modified to have a feral look. His beast mode now looks more like how an actualTyrannosaurusis thought to look and his roar sounds much like theT. rex's roar fromJurassic Park.

Animated series

Gimlock has appeared in "Blast From the Past".

Other media

Grimlock appears among the characters inRe-Unification,the 2010 TFCon voice actor play prelude comic.

Transformers: Timelines (Shattered Glass)

Grimlock
Transformerscharacter
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-group	Convention Exclusives, Deluxe Beasts
Function	Berserker
Rank	8
Allies	Goldbug, Jazz and Optimus Prime
Motto	"Total victory requires total destruction."
Alternate modes	Mechanical dinosaur

This Grimlock is an evil version of theGeneration 1character. It should also be noted that this Grimlock has Trypticon's colors.

Reception

The Botcon 2008 set was chosen as the "Action Figure Digest Hot Pick."

Fun Publications

Grimlock appears in the 2008 April Fool's comic "Shattered Expectations"byFun Publications.Grimlock appears as a member of Optimus Prime's forces in theTransformers: Timelinesstory "Shattered Glass.". He helps defend the Ark from a Decepticon attack but is overcome by the Predacons. Grimlock appears in the preview to "Dungeons & Dinobots",printed in the Transformers Collectors Club magazine issue #22. Huffer attempts to capture Grimlock, but Grimlock chases him away while following a strange voice into the depths of Cybertron. Grimlock appears in the text fiction"Dungeons & Dinobots".The mad autobot scientist Wheeljack duplicates Grimlock's design to create an army of dinobots, which he uses to attack the Decepticons. InReunificationGrimlock is seen gnawing on the body of Blurr, who was punished by Optimus Prime for failing to stop Rodimus from taking theArk.

Aligned continuity

Grimlock
Transformerscharacter
Voiced by	English: Crispin Freeman(War for Cybertron) Gregg Berger(Fall of Cybertron) Khary Payton(Robots in Disguise) Japanese: Masaomi Yamahashi
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot/Decepticon
Sub-group	Lightning Strike Coalition, Dinobots
Function	Dinobot Commander, Dinobot Leader
Rank	6/9
Allies	Swoop, Slug, Sludge, Snarl
Motto	"Among the winners there is no room for the weak."(motto) "Me Grimlock ready for battle!"(WFC) "No one controls Grimlock!"(FOC)
Alternate modes	Cybertronian truck, Tyrannosaurus rex Mechanical "Tyrannosaurus rex"

There are two characters with the name Grimlock in the Aligned continuity. The first, featured in the video game, is known for not following orders or trusting in Optimus Prime's ability to be an effective leader.

The second Grimlock is part ofBumblebee's new team of Autobots inTransformers: Robots in Disguise,and is a more lighthearted version of the character with a love of smashing but a fear of kittens.

Comics

The first Grimlock appears in theTransformers: Primespinoff comic series,Rage of the Dinobots.

Games

Grimlock appears as a minor character in the portable version ofTransformers: War for Cybertronand as one of the main characters of subject in the 2012 gameTransformers: Fall of Cybertron.

Animated series

InTransformers: Robots in Disguise,as one of many Decepticon prisoners aboard the Autobot shipAlchemor,Grimlock was the only one not to escape when the vessel crashed on Earth. InTransformers: Power of the Primes and (2018 video Game) Earth Wars,the Dinobots get to combine into Volcanicus for the first and only time to fight against Predacons' Predaking.

Transformers: Cyberverse

Grimlock
Transformerscharacter
Voiced by	English: Ryan Andes Japanese: Tetsu Inada
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-group	Dinobots
Alternate modes	MechanicalTyrannosaurus

Grimlock is one of the characters who appeared inTransformers: Cyberverse,and unlike past versions of the character, he is shown to be charismatic and civilized, but only when in his Dino mode does he show impediments in speech (akin to Bruce Banner / The IncredibleHulk). Grimlock, now alone on prehistoric Earth, scanned a Tyrannosaurus alt. mode and became known as the King of the Dinosaurs.

References

• Furman, Simon (2004).Transformers: The Ultimate Guide.DK Publishing Inc. pp. 30, 65.ISBN1-4053-0461-8.