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Ricochet (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Transformers: Generation 1 (1988)
The name Ricochet was first given to a Nebulan, one of the AutobotAutobot
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...
Quickmix
Quickmix (Transformers)
Quickmix is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Quickmix is an impatient, short-tempered inventor who is always in a hurry. He is constantly devising new formulas and developing new ways to defeat the Decepticons...
's two Targetmaster
Targetmaster
Targetmaster is a subline of the Transformers toyline that include Nebulan sidekicks who can transform into the Transformers' weapons.-1987 Targetmasters:...
partners. On Nebulos, the mercurial Ricochet was a renowned environmental sculptor, combining landscapes and foliage to create natural art forms. After witnessing the Decepticons trampling some of his more famous sculptures, he joined the Autobots. As is the case with so many artists, Ricochet responds poorly to criticism in any form. Ricochet transforms into a submachine gun.
Marvel Comics
Marvel UK #223 contained the story called "Aspects of Evil Part 1". In this story Rodimus Prime in the year 2356 tells of his trials as Targetmaster Hot Rod and Firebolt in the year 1991. It was the end of the Decepticon Civil War, with Megatron, ShockwaveShockwave (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...
and Scorponok
Scorponok
Scorponok is the name shared by several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons that turn into Scorpoins.- Transformers: Generation 1:...
competing for leadership of the Decepticons. Scorponok was losing the battle and fled, while being tracked by Megatron's Micromaster Air Strike Patrol made up of Nightflight, Whisper
Whisper (Transformers)
Whisper is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Whisper is a Micromaster and leaders of the Air Strike Patrol.-Marvel Comics:...
, Tailwind
Tailwind (Transformers)
Tailwind is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Tailwind is a Micromaster and member of the Air Strike Patrol. He is the second most competent of the patrol, after the leader Whisper...
and Stormcloud. Hot Rod was leading fellow Targetmasters Quickmix
Quickmix (Transformers)
Quickmix is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Quickmix is an impatient, short-tempered inventor who is always in a hurry. He is constantly devising new formulas and developing new ways to defeat the Decepticons...
with Boomer and Ricochet and Landfill
Landfill (Transformers)
-Transformers: Generation 1:Landfill is the name of an Autobot Double Targetmaster who turns into a dump truck.Landfill was part of the three Double Targetmaster Autobots alongside Scoop and Quickmix, each with their vehicle modes based on a construction vehicle. As his name suggests, Landfill...
with Silencer and Flintlock when Scorponok surrendered to him. Hot Rod was oblidged to defend his prisoner from attacks by the Air Strike Patrol. Driving the Air Strike Patrol off, Scorponok escaped.
Animated series
Animation from commercials was used in the opening credits for season 5 of the Transformers, which retold episodes of earlier seasons. Ricochet appeared in them.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVwR5Zr0goQTransformers: Generation 1 (2004)
In 2004, HasbroHasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
's Commemorative Series line of re-issued Generation 1 toys included a version the previously Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese-exclusive toy Stepper under the name Ricochet. A recoloring of the original Jazz
Jazz (Transformers)
Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...
toy, this Autobot is a Targetmaster, partnered with Nightstick. In his first American release, Nightstick was originally the Targetmaster partner of Cyclonus
Cyclonus
Cyclonus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:The tech spec from the box art of the Cyclonus toy describes him as a compassionless Decepticon air warrior and saboteur...
, but was named Nebulan when released with the original Stepper.
In contrast to Jazz, Stepper/Ricochet's primary color scheme inverted the white and black parts used on Jazz (the car body being black and various interior robot parts being white) and used gold paint and chrome in place of silver. Decals were printed on metallic gold material as opposed to metallic silver.
The American release of Ricochet is actually a re-tooling of Jazz (1984) in addition to a recoloring. The 2000s re-issue of Jazz had a number of mold degradations resulting in a modified tooling of his original face. Ricochet's face resembles the original, leading to speculation that molds for Stepper (1987) were kept separate from molds made/altered for later versions of Jazz (1993, 2001). Whereas the original Stepper only included his Targetmaster partner (and a shoulder mount), Hasbro and Takara's 2004 re-issues feature a number unique accessories originating from each company's re-issue of Jazz. Ricochet comes with a detachable missile launcher, as well as an unchromed rifle and 2" long oar-like safety missiles. Takara's Stepper uses Jazz's original one-piece missile launcher. To match the original Jazz/Meister and his Japanese re-issue, Stepper also came with a gold chromed rifle and shorter original-sized missiles.
Fellow Autobot warriors find it difficult to maintain friendly conversations with this quick-tempered, easily provoked Autobot, but Ricochet has an uncommonly strong sense of justice. Has the most accurate marksmanship of the Autobots. Can hit a tin can from 10 kilometers. Shoulder mounted automatic shell cannon fires shots at a rate of 30 per second.
Dreamwave Productions
Stepper/Ricochet had one brief cameo in Dreamwave comics. When the Battlechargers broke into Shockwave's lab they discovered a number of clones in storage. one of them was seemingly a clone of Jazz colored as Stepper/Ricochet.Manga
Stepper appears in the Generations 2011 issue #2 "The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos" where he leads an Autobot team to obtain a cure for nano-virus which is effecting some Autobots. When the Autobots arrive on Nebulos they are attacked by a group of Decepticons lead by Straxus. The Autobot are able to obtain the cure and bring it back to Earth, where Ricochet's team is commended by Optimus Prime.Toys
- Generation 1 Stepper with Nebulan (1987)
- A Japan-exclusive black redeco of G1 Jazz/MeisterJazz (Transformers)Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...
by TakaraTakaraTakara 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....
. Nebulan was a remold of the Targetmaster Nightstick, which came with CyclonusCyclonusCyclonus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:The tech spec from the box art of the Cyclonus toy describes him as a compassionless Decepticon air warrior and saboteur...
. - The Autobot Hot ShotHot Shot (Transformers)Hot Shot is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are young Autobot cars.-Transformers: Robots in Disguise:In Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Hot Shot is the leader of the Spy Changer team....
from Robots in Disguise was an homage to Stepper. Hot Shot's Japanese name was an homage to Stepper's fellow "classic" Targetmaster, Artfire (a retooling of InfernoInferno (Transformers)Inferno is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. Despite having different alternate modes, the character name has been most associated with the form of a fire engine.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
). - Given his matching color scheme to Stepper's, customizing Hot Shot to resemble G1 Jazz was popular before Universe Spy Changer Jazz was released.
- Generation 1 Collection TFC-15 Stepper with Nebulan (2004)
- The 2004 reissue by Takara came with Jazz's weapons that were not offered in the original release. In addition, the Nebulan figure was modified to fit Stepper's hands instead of just his shoulder.
- Generation 1 Commemorative Series IX Ricochet with Nightstick (2004)
- The U.S. release of the TFC-15 Stepper reissue had Stepper renamed Ricochet, while Nebulan was renamed Nightstick.
- Alternators Ricochet (2006)
- A redeco of Alternators SilverstreakSilverstreakBluestreak is a character in the Transformers mythos. For trademark reasons his name had to be changed to Silverstreak in 2003. Trademark was returned to Hasbro again in 2010.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
with Ricochet's black and white color scheme, as well as his signature flames. Although the mold itself is the same as that used for Silverstreak. Along with Rollbar, Ricochet was one of the first Alternator characters to use the design of real US state license plates for the figure's vanity plate.
- United Deluxe Stepper with Nebulan (not yet released)
- A black redeco of Generations Deluxe Jazz with gold trim and flame decals. Comes with Targetmaster Nebulan, which is a remold of Nightstick from the Universe 2.0/Henkei! Henkei! Deluxe Cyclonus figure. To be sold as a mail-order exclusive by Million Hero Publishing with the purchase of the Transformers: Generations 2011 Vol. 2 book.
Transformers: Timelines (2005)
Ricochet was one of the top trainees in the espionage division of the Autobot academy. His skill in sabotage gained the attention of Espionage Director Bumblebee, who took the young Autobot under his wing. Unfortunately, this had the negative affect of bolstering Ricochet's ego to an extreme. He thinks very highly of himself. However, his abilities often justify his belief. Unfortunately, his attitude has led to conflict with fellow Autobots from time to time. While he is an adept spy, Ricochet prefers sabotage, which he feels is a much more effective way of fighting enemies than outright battlefield confrontations. "He'll grow and learn...if he survives long enough," Bumblebee says with confidence.In vehicle mode, Ricochet has a top speed of mach 2.0. His primary weapon is his lance, mounted on the top, able to fire bursts of plasma energy. His outer skin is composed of a special alloy that is able to avoid most advanced detection methods. Combined with his almost silent running engines, he can go undetected in enemy territory with ease. In robot mode, Ricochet is extremely agile. Has a massive array of visual and listening equipment built into his head unit. In addition, his lance doubles as a melee weapon.
Ricochet's attitude sometimes leaves him in situations where he has taken on more than he can handle. While other Autobots will come to his rescue, they have been known to do so grudgingly.
Fun Publications
At BotConBotCon
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...
2005, Ricochet was the name of one of the convention's exclusive toys. An intelligence agent working under Autobot Espionage Director Bumblebee, this Ricochet transforms into a jet.
Metalhawk and his Strike Team were searching for Decepticons when they ran into a crazy "empty" who ranted about the coming of the "brute". They received a distress signal from Sentinel Major ordering all Elite Guard units to return base. When Metalhawk's team arrived at the base Ricochet told them of a Decepticon attack. Among the attackers are the Combaticions, but when Sentinel Major orders them to surrender, they combine into Bruticus and crush Sentinel Major.
Toys
- Timelines Cyberjet Ricochet (2005)
- The toy is a recolor of the Cyberjet mold originally used for Hooligan and JetfireJetfireJetfire 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:...
in the Generation 2 toy line.
Transformers: Timelines (2008)
The name Ricochet was used again in the 2008 Timelines series as an evil version of the Generation 1 character. Ricochet is the twin brother of Jazz.His alternate form on an Earth-style car is explained as him having been reformatted to fit in prior to the Autobot invasion of Earth. Ricochet wields a flame cannon. In his appearance in Do Over Ricochet has become a Targetmaster and his gun is the Autobot Nightstick
Nightstick (Transformers)
-Transformers: Generation 1 :Nightstick is the Targetmaster partner of the Decepticon Cyclonus. He is a master criminal turns into a corroding black beam gun.-Marvel Comics:Nightstick's appearances in the U.S...
.
Fun Publications
Ricochet appears as a member of Optimus Prime's forces defending the Ark launch site in the Transformers Timelines story "Shattered Glass" by Fun PublicationsFun 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....
.
Ricochet is spotlighted as the leader of the Autobot Targetmasters in the story Do Over by Fun Publications. He commands Scoop
Scoop (Transformers)
Scoop is the name of several fictional character from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:A gung-ho fighter who never gives up. Considered the best in the field. Uses cool headed logic and hardened battle tactics to outwit his enemies. Always ready to lend a helping...
and Crosshairs
Crosshairs (Transformers)
Crosshairs is the name of several fictional characters of the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Crosshairs is an Autobot and transforms into a futuristic, possibly Cybertronian ATV....
and is partnered with the Targetmaster Nightstick
Nightstick (Transformers)
-Transformers: Generation 1 :Nightstick is the Targetmaster partner of the Decepticon Cyclonus. He is a master criminal turns into a corroding black beam gun.-Marvel Comics:Nightstick's appearances in the U.S...
. In this story the Autobot Targetmasters capture Megatron, but as Optimus Prime arrives to finish him off personally the Micromaster Predacons and Whisper
Whisper (Transformers)
Whisper is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Whisper is a Micromaster and leaders of the Air Strike Patrol.-Marvel Comics:...
arrive and free Megatron. Because of the battle he misses the launching of the Ark.
In the comic story "Reunification: Part 5", Ricochet was seen alongside Optimus Prime when they were attacked by the Autobot Remote Patrol Six, who had betrayed Optimus and intended to install Rodimus in his place. Ricochet was killed when Optimus used him as a living shield against a blast from one of the traitors.
Toys
- Timelines Deluxe Ricochet (2008)
- This toy shares a mold with Timelines Jazz. The toy of Ricochet is 13 centimeters long in vehicle mode, whereas a real Bugatti Veyron is 447 centimeters long, so the toy is at a scale of about 1:34. The toy stands about 14 centimeters tall in robot mode, which means Ricochet would stand about 481 centimeters (15 feet 10 inches) tall.