Soundwave

Status: Released

Release Date: June 2008 (June 2008)

Wave: Animated Deluxe Wave 3

MSRP: $9.99

Size Class: Deluxe

Suggested Age: 5+

Assortment Number: 83462

Product Number: 83627

UPC/Barcode Number: 653569322801

DPCI Number: 087-06-0024

Recolors/Reuses: Animated Electrostatic Soundwave

Voice Actor: Jeff Bennett

Cartoon Overview
Soundwave started out as a dancing, music playing robot designed by Megatron, and given to Sari as a birthday gift by her father. Noticing how Sari was fond of using her key to solve any problem (or just when she was bored) Megatron designed Soundwave to evolve the more Sari's key was used on him. The ruse worked, as Sari decided to make Soundwave "even cooler" she used the key on him, allowing him to evolve. Eventually, he evolved to the point of self-awareness.
Deciding that machines were superior to humans from his own experiences with Sari, Soundwave decided to use his sonic abilities to override all machines, turning them against humanity, and incorporating a large number of them into his body to form a Transformer sized robot form for himself. In this form, he made all the robots of New Detroit revolt against humanity. He was, however, reluctant to fight the Autobots in spite of Megatron's insistence that they were "traitors to machine kind". Because of this, he tried to reason with Bulkhead when the big Autobot confronted him in the tunnels beneath New Detroit. Bulkhead played along with Soundwave's reasoning long enough to get the drop on Soundwave and smash him with a well-timed punch. But one of Soundwave's parts survived, and doubtless when he shows up next time he won't be so easily defeated...

Soundwave returned again a year later, at Christmas, in the two-part episode "Human Error". As Soundwave toys take the holiday market by storm, the real Soundwave - back in his giant body - captures the Autobots and places them in a virtual reality where he attempts to reprogram them to do his bidding. He would have succeeded, if not for Sari, who manages to damage Soundwave with her energy blasts. Soundwave counterattacks using Laserbeak, before switching to Ratbat and reasserting his control over the virtual reality that the Autobots were in. Fearing that Sari might seek help, Soundwave uses the thousands of Soundwave toys throughout New Detroit to reduce the whole city to a zombie state, and then manipulates Isaac Sumdac to attack his own daughter. Sari however escaped and gather a rag tag band of substitute Autobots - Wreck Gar, Scrapper and Snarl - to fight Soundwave. On Soundwave's side - the five Autobots, under his full control, as well as his minions Laserbeak and Ratbat. However, because Soundwave was controlling all five Autobots, Sari was able to weaken his control by having her team all attack individually. This weakened Soundwave's control enough for the Autobots to free themselves. Armed with Ratbat, Soundwave engaged in a musical duel with Optimus Prime, who was wielding Laserbeak, but Soundwave was smashed in half when Optimus used Laserbeak like a literal axe. However, Soundwave's core - the boombox - survived and was scooped up by Laserbeak, who fled the scene.

Powers and Abilities

Soundwave has the ability to control any machine in New Detroit remotely, and can control many machines at a time. He can also form a larger, Transformer sized body from smaller machines.

In his second appearance, Soundwave demonstrates a great knowledge of mechanics and science. He also now possesses his minions Laserbeak and Ratbat. Laserbeak gives Soundwave the ability to use sonic attacks against his enemies. Ratbat enhances Soundwave's ability to control other machines to the point where he can use the smaller Soundwave toys that Porter C. Powell was selling to reduce the whole of New Detroit to a zombie like state. Soundwave is also able to fly in his robot mode.

However, Soundwave is also very fragile, and can be easily destroyed if he is hit hard enough. Of course, the trick them becomes finding an opening to attack...

Notes
Laserbeak was an accessory designed by Hasbro and hence the team at Cartoon Network were not aware of it until after Soundwave's first appearance was already written. However, Laserbeak and Ratbat, who comes with Soundwave's repaint Electrostatic Soundwave, both appear in "Human Error".

In "Human Error" a giant, white Soundwave is also seen. This is possibly a homage to the "Sonic White" version of Takara's Music Label Soundwave, just as Electrostatic Soundwave is a homage to Soundwave's original repaint, Soundblaster.

Contributors: Tony_Bacala, Sol Fury, ATLianz, Tim Formas

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