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Springer (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Springer is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes
. For trademark reasons, many toys of the character are named Autobot Springer.
who can transform into both a Cybertronian car
and a helicopter
. So named for the massive leaping power in his legs, Springer is one of Rodimus Prime's inner circle. More laid back than many of his allies, he is nonetheless brave, loyal and always ready with a sharp quip in battle. He is optimistic and good humored.
team — added (with Broadside and Sandstorm) to the team to lend reinforcements for Operation: Volcano in the event that Ultra Magnus did not return in time from Earth. Operation: Volcano was aborted when the targeted Decepticons were recalled by Megatron, but a lone Decepticon named Macabre pressed on, attempting to assassinate Emirate Xaaron but killing Wrecker leader Impactor instead. With his dying words, Impactor appointed Springer leader of the Wreckers.
The Wreckers were soon in action alongside Magnus again, when Optimus Prime
arrived on Cybertron
and the Decepticons spread misinformation that he was one of their spies. The Wreckers hunted him down, only to realize he was the real Optimus when he insisted on getting medical attention for another wounded Autobot first. Springer accompanied Prime and Magnus to the Decepticon base to confront Megatron (who was in the throes of possession by Straxus
), and was left counting the cost when Prime, Megatron and Magnus were all transported back to Earth.
Springer had serious doubts about his role as leader and these were only worsened when the undead Impactor attacked during the zombie
uprising in Kalis, but he came out of the experience a much more dedicated and stronger leader.
Afterwards, the team was sent to take down and retrieve Galvatron
; the first clash was disastrous as the Wreckers found themselves battling him and Cyclonus
and Scourge
in a human city. The second clash occurred during the Time Wars, when the Wreckers and the Decepticon Mayhem Attack Squad teamed up and were jointly decimated in battle with Galvatron and Megatron. The few survivors, along with Skids
, formed the renegade group known as the Survivors, of which Springer was the unofficial commander, and he found himself in an uneasy partnership with Carnivac. In order to save Carnivac from the second Mayhem incarnation led by Bludgeon
, the Survivors joined the Autobot Earthforce.
Issue #279 of the Marvel U.K. Transformers comic featured a story called "Divide and Conquer!" where Soundwave lead the bulk of the Decepticon forces on Earth against the Autobot Earthforce headquarters while Starscream attacked an oil tanker. Sent into battle by Prowl, the Dinobots routed the main Decepticon forces while Springer lead the Autobot Survivors, Broadside, Inferno, Skids, and Carnivac to defeat Starscream.
Springer made several appearances in the post-2006 comics, due to his being part of the movie cast, and he had a brief appearance in Generation 2.
, who was killed in The Transformers: The Movie
. Later, Springer develops an attachment to female Autobot Arcee
.
Springer was the first Autobot Triple Changer to be featured in the show, soon followed by Sandstorm
and Broadside
. However, in contrast to the series up to that point, the three Autobot Triple Changers were not featured together as a team. Rather Springer appeared usually with Ultra Magnus
, Kup
, Rodimus Prime
, Blurr
and or Arcee
as he did in the film. Springer was also identified as Rodimus's first choice as heir to the Matrix in "Five Faces of Darkness". Following the season's five part introduction, Springer would appear multiple times.
In "Dark Awakenings", he is among the crew that accompanies zombie Optimus Prime
to avenge the "deaths" of Arcee, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus and Kup. Springer would appear briefly in "Forever is a Long Time Coming", after which taking a hiatus from the series for several episodes, reappearing in "Fight or Flee". In "Dweller in the Depths", we see Springer turned into an energy vampire by transorganic creatures made by the Quintessons
. Following this episode Springer would get a starring role in "Nightmare Planet". In this episode, both Springer and Predacon leader Razorclaw are caught up in a manifestation of Daniel Witwicky's nightmares. Springer finds himself rescuing a young damsel in a castle from a fire breathing dragon.
In the episode "Only Human", Ultra Magnus
, Springer, Rodimus Prime
and Arcee
were captured and found their minds transferred into human-mimicking "synthoid" bodies by the human crime lord Victor Drath and the ex-terrorist Old Snake
.
Following his brief appearance in "Call of the Primitives", Springer would make his final appearance in "Burden Hardest to Bear", in which he attempts to encourage Hot Rod to reclaim the Matrix from Scourge
. Springer was neither killed nor injured in this episode or "The Return of Optimus Prime". As such, his fate and whereabouts at the end of the series remain unknown.
Springer would appear in the Japanese series Headmasters
alongside the Autobot Triple Changers in the first episode entitled "Four Warriors Come out of the Sky".
Springer appeared in the Marvel Books
1986 story and coloring book The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp by Pat Brigandi.
— The Wreckers #1, where he and Rodimus were looking into getting upgraded into Maximals and consoling Arcee over the death of Daniel Witwicky.
. Following the disappearance of Optimus Prime, Springer split off from the Autobots, establishing the Wreckers as an independent faction. They often clashed with Ratbat
's Ultracons
. In one such battle they ran up against Ratbat's newest weapon — Devastator
. They were saved by Defensor
, but in order to prevent an arms race between the various factions, Springer convinced Defensor to separate and defeat Devastator via sabotage.
Springer had a role in the revolution against Shockwave
on Cybertron in the second volume of the Generation 1 comic War and Peace. He then battled Shockwave's troops alongside many other Autobots at Cybertron. He appeared again in the Generation One series, as part of a complex love triangle with Arcee
and Hot Rod — unaware they were being manipulated by the Quintessons
. Dreamwave's closure prevented this story from being completed.
. He and Sandstorm
were part of a patrol looking for Decepticon activity — and failed to detect the massive Decepticon army forming under Serpentor
.
Based on the Transformers Classics toy line, the Timelines 2007 story is set 15 years after the end of the Marvel Comics story (ignoring all events of the Marvel U.K. and Generation 2 comics).
After the war Springer was recruited by Grimlock to be security officer of the Autobot ship Graviton, whose mission it was to track down Bludgeon and his Decepticons.
In Transformers: Timelines volume 2 #2, "Games of Deception" Ultra Magnus lead a force including Elita One, Springer, Huffer
, Snarl
, Strongarm
and Tyrannitron after the Decepticon Bugbite and his forces to Earth. Bugbite and Springer had full page biographies in the book as well.
Springer made his first IDW Publishing
appearance in The Transformers: Stormbringer
. As in other continuities, Springer leads the Wreckers: a commando team sent in to the most hopeless situations in order to cause maximum casualties for the enemy before the Autobots pull out. Like the cartoon, he is an affable tough guy (albeit a more vicious and hard-bitten one), and is on friendly terms with Optimus Prime
. Dispatched from the doomed world of Varas Centralus by Prime to counter the threat of Thunderwing
, Springer led the Wreckers in annihilating Bludgeon
's group of cultists, destroying the beacon guiding Thunderwing in the process. When the monster returned to Cybertron, Springer led the Wreckers in fighting against him. Although, he was badly wounded when Thunderwing smashed his helicopter mode into the ground, he survived the battle, examining Thunderwing's inert corpse.
He also appeared in the The Transformers: Spotlight issue on Kup
, supervising the rescue of the veteran Autobot from a deadly radiation filled crystalline planet. Unwilling to give up, even though both Prowl
and Perceptor
told him it was a waste of time and lives, he brought in Trailbreaker
, who used his forcefield to save Kup. Later, Springer wondered if he had allowed his feelings to get in the way as they examined Kup being rebuilt.
Springer appeared in Spotlight: Doubledealer where he was among the Autobots fighting Thunderwing
on the planet Corata-Vaz.
. As Bulkhead is a green helicopter, he is an obvious homage to Generation 1 Springer.
The original script for the movie was to have Springer in it along with Depth Charge and Breakaway and concept art was even created for him but after many revisions to the script, Springer was cut out of the movie all together along with Depth Charge & Breakaway due to the writer strike, concept art was also created for him, although he survived in both his Legends and Robot Heroes toys.
His alternate mode seems to be similar to that of the Decepticon Incinerator
, only with an extra blade in each rotor.
Note: As a toy he's called "Autobot Springer", possibly for trademark purposes.
under the command of Ultra Magnus.
Transformers universes
is an entertainment franchise. It began with the Hasbro Transformers toy line, centered on two factions of warring alien robots which are called the Autobots and the Decepticons...
. For trademark reasons, many toys of the character are named Autobot Springer.
Transformers: Generation 1
He is a green Autobot Triple ChangerTriple Changer
Triple Changers are Transformers that can transform from robot into two different alternative modes.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
who can transform into both a Cybertronian car
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
and a helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
. So named for the massive leaping power in his legs, Springer is one of Rodimus Prime's inner circle. More laid back than many of his allies, he is nonetheless brave, loyal and always ready with a sharp quip in battle. He is optimistic and good humored.
Marvel Comics
In the Marvel U.K. comics, Springer was a member of Autobot Impactor's WreckersWreckers (Transformers)
The Wreckers are a sub-team of Autobots in the fictional Transformers universe, functioning essentially as a commando unit. They are not derived from the Transformers toyline but rather are the creation of Marvel UK writer Simon Furman, who introduces the Wreckers in the story arc Target:2006...
team — added (with Broadside and Sandstorm) to the team to lend reinforcements for Operation: Volcano in the event that Ultra Magnus did not return in time from Earth. Operation: Volcano was aborted when the targeted Decepticons were recalled by Megatron, but a lone Decepticon named Macabre pressed on, attempting to assassinate Emirate Xaaron but killing Wrecker leader Impactor instead. With his dying words, Impactor appointed Springer leader of the Wreckers.
The Wreckers were soon in action alongside Magnus again, when Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
arrived on Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...
and the Decepticons spread misinformation that he was one of their spies. The Wreckers hunted him down, only to realize he was the real Optimus when he insisted on getting medical attention for another wounded Autobot first. Springer accompanied Prime and Magnus to the Decepticon base to confront Megatron (who was in the throes of possession by Straxus
Straxus
Lord Straxus is a fictional character from the Transformers series. A toy based on his Marvel comic appearance was released in 2010 under the name Darkmount.-Marvel Comics:Straxus was the Decepticon governor of a province of Cybertron known as Polyhex...
), and was left counting the cost when Prime, Megatron and Magnus were all transported back to Earth.
Springer had serious doubts about his role as leader and these were only worsened when the undead Impactor attacked during the zombie
Zombie
Zombie is a term used to denote an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli...
uprising in Kalis, but he came out of the experience a much more dedicated and stronger leader.
Afterwards, the team was sent to take down and retrieve Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
; the first clash was disastrous as the Wreckers found themselves battling him and 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...
and Scourge
Scourge (Transformers)
Scourge is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. He first appeared as one of the central villains in the 1986 film The Transformers, voiced by Stan Jones. He also regularly appeared in the animated Transformers series and Transformers comic books. Since then other...
in a human city. The second clash occurred during the Time Wars, when the Wreckers and the Decepticon Mayhem Attack Squad teamed up and were jointly decimated in battle with Galvatron and Megatron. The few survivors, along with Skids
Skids (Transformers)
Skids is the name used for four characters in the Transformers Universes. Due to trademark reasons, the name was modified to "Skid-Z" for it to be used on new characters and an "Autobot" prefix was added when the original Skids toy was reissued and when he became an Alternator.-Transformers:...
, formed the renegade group known as the Survivors, of which Springer was the unofficial commander, and he found himself in an uneasy partnership with Carnivac. In order to save Carnivac from the second Mayhem incarnation led by Bludgeon
Bludgeon (Transformers)
Bludgeon is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. For trademark reasons, he is now marketed by Hasbro as Decepticon Bludgeon. They are all Decepticon warriors who turn into tanks.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, the Survivors joined the Autobot Earthforce.
Issue #279 of the Marvel U.K. Transformers comic featured a story called "Divide and Conquer!" where Soundwave lead the bulk of the Decepticon forces on Earth against the Autobot Earthforce headquarters while Starscream attacked an oil tanker. Sent into battle by Prowl, the Dinobots routed the main Decepticon forces while Springer lead the Autobot Survivors, Broadside, Inferno, Skids, and Carnivac to defeat Starscream.
Springer made several appearances in the post-2006 comics, due to his being part of the movie cast, and he had a brief appearance in Generation 2.
Animated series
Springer is characterized as an affable tough guy, possibly making him a replacement for IronhideIronhide
Ironhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, who was killed in The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie is a 1986 animated feature film based on the animated series of the same name. It was released in North America on August 8, 1986 and in the UK on December 5, 1986....
. Later, Springer develops an attachment to female Autobot Arcee
Arcee
Arcee is the name of a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. She is a female Autobot, usually pink in color. Being the most famous of the Female Transformers, she has two primary forms...
.
Springer was the first Autobot Triple Changer to be featured in the show, soon followed by Sandstorm
Sandstorm (Transformers)
Sandstorm refers to several different characters in the various Transformers universes. The original Sandstorm was an Autobot Triple Changer who appeared in the Transformers animated series, voiced by Jerry Houser in 1986...
and Broadside
Broadside (Transformers)
Broadside is the name of three fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Broadside's bio presented him as literally getting the worst possible out of his alternate modes. He transforms into an Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, but gets seasick. He...
. However, in contrast to the series up to that point, the three Autobot Triple Changers were not featured together as a team. Rather Springer appeared usually with Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers storylines.-Transformers: Generation 1:The greatest Transformer of them all. A commander could want no finer a soldier than Ultra Magnus...
, Kup
Kup
Kup is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universe. All are older Autobots who are members of the Elite Guard. Wired Magazine once nominated him as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time...
, Rodimus Prime
Rodimus
Rodimus is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. Rodimus is a young Autobot and succesor to Optimus Prime. He was formerly known as Hot Rod, but was reformatted as Rodimus Prime by the Matrix of Leadership and became the leader of the Autobots...
, Blurr
Blurr
Blurr is the name given to five different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He frequently appears as a blue Autobot who transforms into a swift car...
and or Arcee
Arcee
Arcee is the name of a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. She is a female Autobot, usually pink in color. Being the most famous of the Female Transformers, she has two primary forms...
as he did in the film. Springer was also identified as Rodimus's first choice as heir to the Matrix in "Five Faces of Darkness". Following the season's five part introduction, Springer would appear multiple times.
In "Dark Awakenings", he is among the crew that accompanies zombie Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
to avenge the "deaths" of Arcee, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus and Kup. Springer would appear briefly in "Forever is a Long Time Coming", after which taking a hiatus from the series for several episodes, reappearing in "Fight or Flee". In "Dweller in the Depths", we see Springer turned into an energy vampire by transorganic creatures made by the Quintessons
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...
. Following this episode Springer would get a starring role in "Nightmare Planet". In this episode, both Springer and Predacon leader Razorclaw are caught up in a manifestation of Daniel Witwicky's nightmares. Springer finds himself rescuing a young damsel in a castle from a fire breathing dragon.
Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers storylines.-Transformers: Generation 1:The greatest Transformer of them all. A commander could want no finer a soldier than Ultra Magnus...
, Springer, Rodimus Prime
Rodimus
Rodimus is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. Rodimus is a young Autobot and succesor to Optimus Prime. He was formerly known as Hot Rod, but was reformatted as Rodimus Prime by the Matrix of Leadership and became the leader of the Autobots...
and Arcee
Arcee
Arcee is the name of a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. She is a female Autobot, usually pink in color. Being the most famous of the Female Transformers, she has two primary forms...
were captured and found their minds transferred into human-mimicking "synthoid" bodies by the human crime lord Victor Drath and the ex-terrorist Old Snake
Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
.
Following his brief appearance in "Call of the Primitives", Springer would make his final appearance in "Burden Hardest to Bear", in which he attempts to encourage Hot Rod to reclaim the Matrix from Scourge
Scourge (Transformers)
Scourge is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. He first appeared as one of the central villains in the 1986 film The Transformers, voiced by Stan Jones. He also regularly appeared in the animated Transformers series and Transformers comic books. Since then other...
. Springer was neither killed nor injured in this episode or "The Return of Optimus Prime". As such, his fate and whereabouts at the end of the series remain unknown.
Springer would appear in the Japanese series Headmasters
Transformers: The Headmasters
is a Japanese anime television series.-Development:Inititally, Takara, the Japanese producers of the Transformers toyline, imported the American Transformers cartoon series from 1985 to 1986...
alongside the Autobot Triple Changers in the first episode entitled "Four Warriors Come out of the Sky".
Books
Springer appeared in the 1986 story and coloring book The Lost Treasure of Cybertron by Marvel Books.Springer appeared in the Marvel Books
Marvel Books
Marvel Books refers to prose books licensed by Marvel Entertainment or its division in the 1980s that published coloring books and sticker books...
1986 story and coloring book The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp by Pat Brigandi.
3H Enterprises
Springer and Rodimus appeared in a flashback sequence in Transformers: UniverseTransformers: Universe
Transformers: Universe is a line of toys that consists of re-painted and re-released toys from various Transformers lines of toys. For the comic book series see Transformers Universe .- Toy line :...
— The Wreckers #1, where he and Rodimus were looking into getting upgraded into Maximals and consoling Arcee over the death of Daniel Witwicky.
Dreamwave Productions
Springer first appeared chronologically in the second volume of Transformers: The War WithinTransformers: The War Within
This article is about the comic book series. For other uses, see The War Within .Transformers: The War Within is a series of comic book mini-series written by Simon Furman and published by Dreamwave Productions featuring Generation One characters with brand new pre-Earth designs.The series focuses...
. Following the disappearance of Optimus Prime, Springer split off from the Autobots, establishing the Wreckers as an independent faction. They often clashed with Ratbat
Ratbat
Ratbat is the name of several fictional characters who appeared in various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:As is the case with many Transformers characters, the various continuities in which Ratbat has appeared have portrayed him widely differently in terms of size, personality,...
's Ultracons
Ultracons
right|thumb|Ratbat and his Ultracons Ransack and Venom.The Ultracons are a fictional subfaction of Decepticon Transformers commanded by Ratbat in the Dreamwave comics.-History:...
. In one such battle they ran up against Ratbat's newest weapon — Devastator
Constructicons
right|thumb|Scavenger, Bonecrusher, Longhaul, Scrapper & Mixmaster - five of the original six Constructicons The Constructicons are a group of fictional characters from the various Transformers continuities...
. They were saved by Defensor
Protectobot
The Protectobots are a fictional emergency, search and rescue team of five Autobots in the Transformers toyline. They transform into civilian service and emergency vehicles and combine to form the combiner Defensor...
, but in order to prevent an arms race between the various factions, Springer convinced Defensor to separate and defeat Devastator via sabotage.
Springer had a role in the revolution against Shockwave
Shockwave (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...
on Cybertron in the second volume of the Generation 1 comic War and Peace. He then battled Shockwave's troops alongside many other Autobots at Cybertron. He appeared again in the Generation One series, as part of a complex love triangle with Arcee
Arcee
Arcee is the name of a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. She is a female Autobot, usually pink in color. Being the most famous of the Female Transformers, she has two primary forms...
and Hot Rod — unaware they were being manipulated by the Quintessons
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...
. Dreamwave's closure prevented this story from being completed.
Devil's Due Publishing
Springer also had a brief appearance in the third G.I. Joe vs the Transformers crossover from Devil's Due PublishingDevil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing is an independent comic book publishers in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, DDP is best known for its wide selection of genres, including licensed and original creator-owned properties that populate its monthly comic book series and graphic novels.Though...
. He and Sandstorm
Sandstorm (Transformers)
Sandstorm refers to several different characters in the various Transformers universes. The original Sandstorm was an Autobot Triple Changer who appeared in the Transformers animated series, voiced by Jerry Houser in 1986...
were part of a patrol looking for Decepticon activity — and failed to detect the massive Decepticon army forming under Serpentor
Serpentor
Serpentor is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. The character was introduced in 1986 as a toy with an air chariot and included in the animated series that same year.-Toys:...
.
Fun Publications
After the war Springer was recruited by Grimlock to be security officer of the Autobot ship Graviton, whose mission it was to track down Bludgeon and his Decepticons.
In Transformers: Timelines volume 2 #2, "Games of Deception" Ultra Magnus lead a force including Elita One, Springer, Huffer
Huffer (Transformers)
Huffer is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Autobots who turn into trucks. Huffer was first introduced in 1984, and was voiced by John Stephenson in the animated series The Transformers....
, Snarl
Snarl (Transformers)
Snarl is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Snarl is one of the members of the Autobot sub-group called the Dinobots led by Grimlock...
, Strongarm
Strongarm (Transformers)
Strongarm is the name of four fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All four are Autobots.-Transformers: Energon:Strongarm is the name of one of the Autobot Omnicons...
and Tyrannitron after the Decepticon Bugbite and his forces to Earth. Bugbite and Springer had full page biographies in the book as well.
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
appearance in The Transformers: Stormbringer
The Transformers: Stormbringer
The Transformers: Stormbringer is a comic book mini-series, published by IDW Publishing.The series debuted in July, 2006 and is set during the same time frame as The Transformers: Infiltration...
. As in other continuities, Springer leads the Wreckers: a commando team sent in to the most hopeless situations in order to cause maximum casualties for the enemy before the Autobots pull out. Like the cartoon, he is an affable tough guy (albeit a more vicious and hard-bitten one), and is on friendly terms with Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
. Dispatched from the doomed world of Varas Centralus by Prime to counter the threat of Thunderwing
Thunderwing
Thunderwing is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. Introduced in 1989, he was a major villain in the Marvel Comics Transformers series. Although Thunderwing was created after the US Transformers television series ended, the character of Black Shadow did appear in...
, Springer led the Wreckers in annihilating Bludgeon
Bludgeon (Transformers)
Bludgeon is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. For trademark reasons, he is now marketed by Hasbro as Decepticon Bludgeon. They are all Decepticon warriors who turn into tanks.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
's group of cultists, destroying the beacon guiding Thunderwing in the process. When the monster returned to Cybertron, Springer led the Wreckers in fighting against him. Although, he was badly wounded when Thunderwing smashed his helicopter mode into the ground, he survived the battle, examining Thunderwing's inert corpse.
He also appeared in the The Transformers: Spotlight issue on Kup
Kup
Kup is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universe. All are older Autobots who are members of the Elite Guard. Wired Magazine once nominated him as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time...
, supervising the rescue of the veteran Autobot from a deadly radiation filled crystalline planet. Unwilling to give up, even though both Prowl
Prowl (Transformers)
Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
and Perceptor
Perceptor
Perceptor is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Perceptor transforms into a microscope ....
told him it was a waste of time and lives, he brought in Trailbreaker
Trailbreaker
Trailbreaker is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers toy line and animated television series. Due to trademark issues, newer toys of the character are named Trailcutter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, who used his forcefield to save Kup. Later, Springer wondered if he had allowed his feelings to get in the way as they examined Kup being rebuilt.
Springer appeared in Spotlight: Doubledealer where he was among the Autobots fighting Thunderwing
Thunderwing
Thunderwing is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers series. Introduced in 1989, he was a major villain in the Marvel Comics Transformers series. Although Thunderwing was created after the US Transformers television series ended, the character of Black Shadow did appear in...
on the planet Corata-Vaz.
Toys
- Generation 1 Springer (1986)
- A Triple Changer toy that transforms into a helicopter or jet car. One of several new toys released during the premiere of The Transformers: The Movie.
- Timelines Springer (2007)
- A redeco of Cybertron Cybertron Defense Hot Shot in the colors of Generation 1 Springer was part of an exclusive set at BotConBotConBotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
2007. He came with BotCon Huffer and was limited to only 1,400 in number.
- Universe War Within Series Springer (2008)
- A redeco of Cybertron Evac. Part of a TargetTarget CorporationTarget Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
exclusive two-pack with RatbatRatbatRatbat is the name of several fictional characters who appeared in various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:As is the case with many Transformers characters, the various continuities in which Ratbat has appeared have portrayed him widely differently in terms of size, personality,...
dubbed "Standoff Beneath the Streets." Hasbro released Springer in helicopter mode only--and not as a Triple Changer--as the BotCon exclusive already represented his ground vehicle mode.
Transformers: Energon
Sprung (the Japanese name for Springer) was the Japanese name of the Autobot BulkheadBulkhead (Transformers)
Bulkhead is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All incarnations of Bulkhead are Autobots and are green in color. He was introduced in Transformers: Energon as a Mega Vehicle and later redebuted in Transformers: Animated as a completely new character...
. As Bulkhead is a green helicopter, he is an obvious homage to Generation 1 Springer.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
In September 2008 pictures of a mold for an unnamed Legends class toy similar to Incinerator appeared online. In December 2008 images of a boxed Springer toy from Revenge of the Fallen appeared on the internet.The original script for the movie was to have Springer in it along with Depth Charge and Breakaway and concept art was even created for him but after many revisions to the script, Springer was cut out of the movie all together along with Depth Charge & Breakaway due to the writer strike, concept art was also created for him, although he survived in both his Legends and Robot Heroes toys.
His alternate mode seems to be similar to that of the Decepticon Incinerator
Incinerator (Transformers)
Incinerator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Armada:Incinerator is the name of the Mini-Con Partner to Armada Blurr.-Animated series:...
, only with an extra blade in each rotor.
Note: As a toy he's called "Autobot Springer", possibly for trademark purposes.
Toys
- Revenge of the Fallen Legends Autobot Springer (2009)
- A Legends Class toy.
- Revenge of the Fallen Robot Heroes Autobot Springer vs. Starscream (2009)
- Super deformedSuper deformedSuper deformed or SD is a specific style of Japanese caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby, with stubby limbs and oversized heads, to make them resemble small children...
figurines of Springer and Starscream.
Transformers Animated
A bust of Springer appeared in Master Yoketron's dojo as a member of ther Cyber Ninja Corps in the Transformers Animated episode "Five Servos of Doom" during a flashback of Prowl's training during the Great War.Transformers: Prime
Springer is a member of the WreckersWreckers (Transformers)
The Wreckers are a sub-team of Autobots in the fictional Transformers universe, functioning essentially as a commando unit. They are not derived from the Transformers toyline but rather are the creation of Marvel UK writer Simon Furman, who introduces the Wreckers in the story arc Target:2006...
under the command of Ultra Magnus.