Swoop

Status: Released

Release Date: September 2008 (September 2008)

Wave: Animated Deluxe Wave 4

MSRP: $9.99

Size Class: Deluxe

Suggested Age: 5+

Assortment Number: 83462

Product Number: 83629

UPC/Barcode Number: 653569341932

DPCI Number: 087-06-0024

Cartoon Overview
Swoop was one of three animatronic dinosaurs from New Detroit's "Dino Drive" theme park. After Bulkhead accidentally trashed the original animatronic dinos, Professor Sumdac tried to repair them, with a little help from a newly-revealed Megatron. However, Megatron made some adjustments of his own, including adding in flame breath. Redubbed "Dinobots", the three were unveiled and proceeded to go berserk under Megatron's direct control, until a combination of Bumblebee's stingers, Ratchet's magnetic forcefields and Sari's key shut them down temporarily. In fact, it also gave the Dinobots life.

Reborn, Swoop followed Grimlock's direction and started attacking anything on four wheels, having been misled by Megatron. He was eventually defeated by Bulkhead, who threw him in a tar pit. Later, Swoop was rescued from being melted down by Prowl and Bulkhead, who transported the three dinos to a deserted island where they live in the crater of an extinct volcano.

Some time later, Meltdown found the Dinobots and forced them to work for him using his acidic touch, and used them to capture Sari for revenge against her father and a test subject for his experiments. Swoop in particular was central to this scheme, since he was the one who captured Sari in the first place. Along with the other Dinobots, he quickly turned on Meltdown once Meltdown was rendered harmless by Prowl and Captain Fanzone.

Swoop was seen briefly in Megatron Rising when Optimus Prime journeyed with Prowl and Bulkhead to Dinobot Island to seek the help of the Dinobots in the coming battle, with no success. He was also seen in The Elite Guard with the other two Dinobots when they appeared before Optimus, Sentinel Prime and Ultra Magnus who had come to Dinobot Island to view the crashlanded Autobot ship. Ultra Magnus scared Swoop and the others off easily by calling down lightning using his hammer.

Swoop appeared again in Black Friday. He helped to break Meltdown out of prison and carried the cage to Blackarachnia on Dinobot Island. Like the other Dinobots, he adored Blackarachnia, and like Snarl, he got beat up by Grimlock who claimed her for his own. Later that episode, he showed up to save Optimus Prime from the Submarauder Mutant, smacking him over the head with his mace.

Swoop seems to have a habit of snatching victims for whoever he is serving - because after snatching Sari in season 1, he does so again in season 3's "Predacons Rising". Still infatuated with Blackarachnia along with the other Dinobots, he swoops into the middle of a chase between Wasp, The Elite Guard, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee and picks up Wasp to deliver him to Blackarachnia. He is then put on guard of Blackarachnia's lair, and is attacked by Jetstorm, who defeats him off camera.

Swoop returns in "Human Error Part 2" where he attacks Sari for intruding on Dinobot Island. He does not join her when she asks for help fighting Soundwave.

Powers and Abilities: Swoop, like the other Dinobots, can shoot flames out of his mouth in dino mode. In robot mode, he carries a flail, the ball of which can burst into flames.

Appearances
36 - Predacons Rising
38 - Human Error Part 2

Notes
According to the Botcon 2008 Animated Writer's Panel, we are unlikely to ever hear Swoop speak due to limitations within the voice acting budget for the show.

Other Comic Information

Titan UK

Swoop makes his debut in the UK stories in Transformers #17. In this story not only does he talk (saying something to the effect of "I've got you, Sari!" as he catches Sari) but he also helps to save the Autobots from Starscream and his army of clones.

In Transformers Animated #2 a non-speaking Swoop is infected with a rage virus, making him violent and uncontrollable. He takes down Grimlock and attacks Bumblebee before Afterburn can figure out a cure. Afterburn cures Swoop himself, using Sari's Key, after grabbing onto the Dinobot as he flies high into the air.

Appearances

Titan UK Transformers #17
Titan UK Transformers Animated Comic #2 - Ratchet & Grimlock are dead?!

Contributors: Tony_Bacala, Tim Formas

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