Zigzag

Zigzag is aDecepticon-alliedNebulanTargetmasterfrom theGeneration 1 continuity family.

Who cares if I turn into a gun? I have a BIG KNIFE.

Zigzag(akaZputty) is aNebulanhovercraft mechanic whose incompetence left vehicles in worse shape than when he started on them, making him the object of derision among his co-workers. He joined theDecepticonsin order to get revenge on his tormentors. Now partnered withSunbeamand theDecepticonNeedlenose,he's still the object of ridicule, but at least now he has something more convincing as a retort than just profanity.

Fiction

Classics

Needlenose (apparently) became a Targetmaster at some point and carried Zigzag into the fight withNightbeatand his allies as part of theMayhem Attack Squad.Cheap Shots

TransTech

Zigzag, aCyberdroidfrom his home reality's planetMaster,was an assistant toNeedlenoseinAxiom Nexus.Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/19

Commercial appearances

• Needlenosewielded both Zigzag andSunbeamin a battle against the three Autobot DoubleTargetmasters,firing them both wildly in their gun modes while chasing down his targets.Double Targetmasters commercial

Toys

The Transformers

Puzzler? Never heard of him.

• Needlenose(Targetmaster,1988)

• Known designers:Takashi Kunihiro(TakaraTomy),Masakatsu Saito(concept artist)

Part of the fifth year ofThe Transformersproduct, Zigzag transforms into a twinelectrostatic overloader riflein basically one and a half steps. As a Targetmaster, his handle is a5 mm post,making him compatible with alotof toys throughout the entire franchise. His base also features a 5mm post-hole, nominally used to combine him with his pack-in partnerSunbeamto form a super-rifle. In his humanoid form, Zigzag's right leg and left arm are molded with a sword and a shield, respectively, on their sides.

Zigzag and Sunbeam were only available with the Decepticon TargetmasterNeedlenosein 1988. No version of this character ormoldwas released inJapan.

• More information on Zigzag at TFU.info

Combiner Wars

Have no fear! Zigzag the Grand Vizier is here!

• Needlenose(TFSS 4.0, 2016)

Combiner Wars"Zputty" (likely renamed fortrademarkreasons) is aredecoofGenerations:Thrilling 30Holepunch,transforming into a double-barreled blaster. He also has the ability to combine with the includedSunbeamtoy to form a super-rifle, with either one forming the "front" part.

He was only available as an accessory withNeedlenose,the first figure released in theFigure Subscription Service 4.0.

This mold was also used to makeTimelinesCline,andCombiner WarsShrute.

Legacy

I got my name back, but I'm now prone to getting stress marks?

• Needlenose(Deluxe Class,2023)

• TakaraTomy ID number:TL-23
• Known designers:Mark Maher(Hasbro),Ittoku Kuwazu(TakaraTomy)^[1]

Included withLegacy: EvolutionNeedlenose,"Decepticon Zigzag" functions just like his original figure, transforming into a blaster for Needlenose to wield, and can also combine with "Decepticon Sunbeam"to form a larger blaster. He retains both of the molded" accessories "of his original figure... and the complete lack of articulation of his original figure. He does feature an extra5 mm holein gun mode for a bit more variety in mounting options, so that's one up on his original figure.

Zigzag's painted plastic peg fits rather snugly into Sunbeam's port, so care must be taken to avoid stress marks.

This mold was also used to makeOzoneandSinge.

Notes

• According toNeedlenose'sUniverseprofile,"Zigzag" is a code name he chose for himself.
• Zigzag's 2016 trademark-friendly name, Zputty, is based on David Puddy, a mechanic fromSeinfeldplayed byPatrick Warburton.

Foreign names

• Japanese:Zigzag(ジグザグJiguzagu)

References