Laser Rod
From Transformers Wiki
| This article is about the subgroup. For the weapon, seeLaser Rod (weapon). |
- The Laser Rods are a cross-factional subgroup from theGeneration 2portion of theGeneration 1continuity family.
TheLaser Rodsare a quartet of warriors armed with flaming, energized, glowingswords.Though two of them are Autobots and the other two are Decepticons, on the whole, they tend to be destructive, rampaging, turbo-revving punks who spend their time tearing up streets, redlining their engines, and chopping down telephone poles.
The Laser Rods consist of:
Autobots:
Decepticons:
Contents |
Fiction
MarvelGeneration 2comic
The Laser Rods were part of a new era ofDecepticon warriors,designed byBludgeonand brought to fruition byMegatron,who stole theCreation MatrixfromOptimus Prime.Volt, Jolt, and Sizzle made their debut alongside theRotor ForceonTykos,third moon of E'Brutoc, where they liberated the density-enhancing gasrheanimumfrom its factory.New Dawn
They were present when Megatron forged an alliance with the Autobots, although Sizzle noted the Decepticons were bowing out of a mission of mercy Optimus Prime insisted on pursuing. Still, once Megatron learned theGeneration 2 Cybertronianswere the Autobots' opponents, the Decepticons soon arrived in force to aid their "comrades". Volt was seen chopping through theCybertroniansalongsideLeadfootandManta Ray.Escalation!
AfterJhiaxusand his forces found the Autobot base on Earth, the battle was joined anew. Electro and Volt took time to admire the combination ability of the Cybertronians as they blasted them out of the sky.Total War!Jolt was later seen helping arrange the defensive perimeter before the arrival of theSwarm.Electro worked withHot Rodas a lookout for the entity's arrival, and Sizzle was seen among the defenders firing back in vain against the Swarm.A Rage in Heaven!
The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual
After the Decepticons arrived on Earth, Megatron created the Illuminator namedHotrodas a counter to Prime'sSparkabots.Hotrod'sThe Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annualprofile
G-2pack-in manga and story pages
As theCybertron Alliancefell and the war between the Autobots and Decepticons entered a new generation, the Laser Rods Electro and Volt were amongOptimus Prime's top soldiers in these new battles. Fighting withMegatronand his minions, Optimus Prime and the Laser Rods unleashed a tremendous amount of firepower on the Decepticons.G-2 #1Overconfident in their abilities, Electro raced forward to finish the job, only to get face-palmed by Megatron.G-2 #2
Seeing his partner helpless in Megatron's grasp, Volt slipped behind Megatron's guard and stabbed him in the back with his laser-charged needle saber, forcing the Decepticon to drop Electro.G-2 #4Furious, Megatron dispatched Jolt to herald his rage and cut through the fleeing Autobot Laser Rods.G-2 #5With Volt laid low, Jolt and Sizzle attempted to gang up on Electro. His speed and patented Knee-Flash Kick(!!!) kept Electro out of their clutches, however.G-2 #3
As he recovered, Volt chased down Sizzle into a darkened cave. His reckless pursuit left him unprepared for Sizzle's stealth shield, and Volt suffered a serious shoulder wound.G-2 #6
Later(?), Volt and Optimus Prime were caught in another stealth attack by theCyberjet,Skyjack.G-2 #7Volt chased down another Cyberjet,Space Case,but was caught off-guard by the jet's maneuverability and took a laser blast to the backside.G-2 #8Volt suffered further damage inDreadwing's missile storm ('Bot just can't catch a break!).G-2 #10
The arrival of the Laser Cycles caused the tide of battle to shift back and forth, as the Laser Rods on both sides experienced victories and losses.G-2 #11
WhenRoad Rocketattempted to infiltrate the Decepticon base, he was spotted by the Laser Rods andRoad Pig.They chased him untilAero Raidappeared from the ventilation system to provide the Autobot some back-up.G-2 #14
Fighting alone against the Decepticons, Volt received some much needed support whenStrafeswooped out of the sky and belted Megatron.G-2 #15
Electro was captured by the Decepticons, and Megatron attempted to make him an offer he couldn't refuse. Luckily,Jetfirearrived to rescue his comrade, fighting through the enemy Laser Rods.G-2 #16
Electro and Volt survived the final battle with the Decepticons. As Megatron and his horde were sent retreating into deep space, the Laser Rods were seen helping their injured leader Optimus Prime to safety.G-2 Part 6
G-2 Comics BomBommanga
Electro and Jolt did battle in the vacuum of space before crashing down on the surface of the moon. After a fierce duel with their laser swords, Electro stabbed Jolt through the chest with his blade. While the weapon was lodged in the Decepticon, though, Jolt turned on his exhaust pipes, melting Electro with super-heated flames. Electro managed to separate from his opponent, and cleaved him in twain with his shaft saber. Jolt died in a fiery explosion, crowing about Megatron's upcoming victory even as he died.
Down on planet Earth, Electro arrived just as the Cyberjets began their attack on a Japanese air show beneathMount Fuji.Electro held his own against the three Decepticon flyers until Hooligan's missiles literally disarmed him. Still, he held out long enough for Optimus Prime to arrive and fend off the Decepticons. Volt arrived with his leader to help Electro seek repairs.The New Battle!!
DreamwaveGeneration Onecontinuity
Electro and Volt were seen on Cybertron, residing in one of the Autobot complexes with theBrainmasters.Atonement
Toys
Generation 2
- Known designers:Takio Ejima(TakaraTomy),Masakatsu Saito(concept artist)
Metamorphin' into WARRIORS!
Electro, VOLT / Sizzle, JOLT
Fighting with lightning LASER BLADES!
...that totally doesn't rhyme.
- The Laser Rods were among the later new molds included in theGeneration 2toyline,sold individually carded. They transform into classic hot rods. They feature clear plastic swords and a small light that can peg into the bottom of the fist holding the sword to give the illusion that it is a "laser sword". Invehicle mode,the light serves to illuminate a transparent engine block.
- Their packaging advertised them as "Super Posable!";they are among the first fully poseable Transformers. They prefigured the soon-to-be-bornBeast Warsline, though they lack theball jointsthat gave mostBeast Warsfigures their articulation. The Laser Rods are built with an elastic-and-hook waist design similar to theAction Masters(or the 1980's GI Joe line) that unfortunately rendered them rather floppy from the waist down when inrobot mode.(This style of articulation was never used again.)
- The Laser Rods were particularly expensive for 1994, usually costing $15 (USD) each. This is likely due to the cost of electronics and the included batteries.
- Related toys from the subsequent year using the same basic gimmick were theLaser CyclesandLaser Optimus Prime,the latter of which is actually identified as a Laser Rod on hisReal Action Pop-Ups 3-D Transformer Trading Cardand two different versions ofmultilingual European packaging.
Notes
Foreign names
- Japanese:Lazer Rod[sic](レーザーロッドRēzā Roddo)
- European:Illuminators
