Transformer Profile: Decepticon Blackout

In generation 1, Blackout from Transformers is Spaceshot’s partner and they’re a team of Micromasters Combiners. Originally they always appeared together in the animated series, thus making it hard to distinguish between the two who was who. According to his biography, Blackout is a brave warrior, but frequently a coward when the odds where just slightly turned against him or his team. On the other hand Spaceshot obliged him to keep pushing till the end of the battle was reached. Fast forwarding all the way to 2007, Blackout appears in the live action movie as a Decepticon who can transform into a military helicopter. Early scripts implied that this helicopter transforming character would be named Vortex, but potentially because of Lack of trademark on the name they decided to switch it to Blackout. In fact, Blackout had numerous codenames before finalizing: Incinerator, Soundwave and Vortex. All of these names had been used by at least one transformers toy in the past.

The movie writers agree that Blackout from Transformers is the biggest Decepticon, this gives him the ability to transport other Decepticons from one place to another. Blackout has the unique ability to interrupt electronic equipment by releasing EMP blasts. He also has an array of canons and missile launchers which serve well during battle. When in helicopter mode, he can simulate the holographic appearance of a human being driving the helicopter, who’s referred to as Mustache Man. Furthermore, Scorponok is transported by Blackout on his back. Like many other Transformers, Blackout’s tech specs vary depending on the source. If you take a look at his tech spec card he’s supposed to be 33 feet tall, but according to the toy he should be 55 feet tall. His height remains a mystery, yet it’s a know fact that he’s even larger than Decepticon leader Megatron.

In the movie’s prequel novel Blackout stands out as Starscream’s biggest rival for the leadership of the Decepticons. When he finally got the opportunity he led Frenzy and Bonecrusher to an Autobot attack in which he failed miserably against Optimus Prime. He then fought a duel against Starscream for complete Decepticon leadership, but he lost against the superior prowess of his stronger opponent.

Blackout is the very first Transformer to appear in the movie. With Scorponok riding on his back, they are the first to disengage an attack against US military forces in Qatar. Conveniently he’s disguised as a US military helicopter which was lost three months earlier, thus he was able to sneak in the SOCCENT base without mayor issues. Once inside the base, he shatters it to pieces only leaving a handful of humans alive. Later in the movie Blackout leads over to Frenzy’s calling about finding the Allspark. When summoned by Starscream, Blackout from Transformers proves to be ultimately loyal to Megatron, in his own words: “All hail Megatron”. In the final battle he’s eventually killed by Captain Lennox and jet fighters simultaneously shooting heavy missiles towards him.

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