Breakdown (Transformers)

Breakdown is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. Sometimes spelled Brakedown for trademark purposes, Breakdown is a name usually applied to a blue Decepticon with a red face who turns into a car or monster truck-type vehicle, and is usually a member of the Stunticons.

Transformers: Generation 1
Breakdown, a Lamborghini Countach, was one of the Stunticons in Transformers G1 and formed one of the limbs. Breakdown has a version of paranoia and this affects him in his work. He is a vain Decepticon who thinks everyone looks at him. He despises traffic jams and would prefer to be a human so he could fit better; a strange trait for a Decepticon. His engine emits vibrations in car mode that cause mechanical failures in other devices. His Tech Spec bio says that he is prone to leaky fuel pump.

Breakdown traditionally forms the right leg of the Stunticon Combiner Menasor, but like all 'Scramble City' style combiner limbs, he can form any limb of any such combiner, or combine with Metroplex.

Animated series
Breakdown first appears in the two-part episode "The Key To Vector Sigma". Like the other Stunticons, he is created after Megatron commissions Rumble to find him some vehicles to be turned into Decepticon warriors, in order to more effectively battle the Autobots on the roads. Megatron modifies the cars so they can transform into remote-controlled robots, and then takes them to Vector Sigma so they can be given personalities of their own. He returns to Earth with the other Stunticons and engages in the destruction of a military base, before being called on to form Menasor to battle the new Autobots, the Aerialbots. The Aerialbots combine into Superion, but Menasor is winning until a rebuilt Omega Supreme arrived and defeats him.

Devil's Due Publishing
The Stunticons first appeared in the second G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers miniseries from Devil's Due. After Cobra Commander and Cobra, followed by G.I. Joe, had journeyed to Cybertron, weapons fire caused a critical malfunction in Teletran 3, causing numerous Autobots and Decepticons to become time-displaced. Among these were the Stunticons, who were dumped in 1930s Earth and reformatted into period cars. They were eventually defeated and returned to the present by a combined force of G.I. Joe and Cobra members, as well as another Transformer lost in that time - Optimus Prime

The Stunticons would also appear in the third mini-series, being recruited by Serpent O.R, a human military-created cyborg with Megatron's memories, and would participate in the ambush that killed Bumblebee. Seen in group shots where Serpentor is gathering the Decepticon army, their next major role would be in the assault on Capital City, assisting Predaking and Piranacon in taking down Omega Supreme. Breakdown and the Seacon Nautilator were the ones assigned to guard the human captives, but Snake-Eyes used his ninja powers to take control of Breakdown and had him shoot Nautilator, freeing them. Razorclaw and Motormaster were the ones who stopped Prime's attack on Serpentor, beating him near death, but were then killed by the Cobra Commander-controlled Serpentor.

Dreamwave Productions
Unlike previous series Breakdown and the other Stunticons were not portrayed as recently created characters, but were Decepticons from Cybertron millions of years ago, like most other Decepticons. Initially just five individual Decepticons, the five who would become Stunticons were chosen in an experiment to improve on the combiner process which had created Devastator. Their combined form was called Menasor.

The Stunticons appeared in the second Generation 1 mini-series where Menasor was revived by Rumble and Frenzy, killing the Omnibots, Roadbuster, Whirl, and damaging the Protectobots (combined as Defensor) before battling and being defeated by Ultra Magnus on Cybertron. With the closure of Dreamwave, the fate of the Stunticons is unknown.

Fun Publications
Breakdown was among the troops under the command of Clench on Earth. He showed little to no trust to Sky-Byte and the Sharkticon allied with Clench's force, and was afraid of Galvatron's reaction were he to discover Clench's plotting. He also held a grudge against Protectobots' member Streetwise, aiming to terminate him as Menasor would have destroyed Defensor.

IDW Publishing
The Stunticons made their first IDW Publishing appearance in issue 3 of The Transformers: Megatron Origin, appearing amongst Megatron's gathering of gladiators that would eventually become the Decepticons. Breakdown has also appeared in previews for the first issue of the new ongoing series, with a design based on the Universe Sunstreaker/Sideswipe mold. He was caught by Skywatch, an intergovernmental agency tasked with capturing all rogue Transformers after Megatron's reign over Earth, and served as the personnal car of Skywatch's leader Spike Witwicky. He was later freed by his Stunticons comrades Wildrider and Dead End, and took part in Swindle's experiment that gave birth to Menasor. After Menasor was defeated, Breakdown and the other Stunticons were taken into custody by Skywatch. When Megatron returned to Earth, Breakdown, along with the other Decepticons into Skywatch's custody, were set free. Breakdown later tried to terminate Spike Witwicky, but was stopped by Prowl and Streetwise.

Marvel Comics
Breakdown and the Stunticons were not major characters in the comics. They were featured in issue #22, Heavy Traffic, where they battle the Aerialbots as well as Circuit Breaker and RAAT troops.

Breakdown makes an appearance in the Decepticon forces under the command of Megatron in issue #7 of the Marvel Generation 2 comic series, in a story called "New Dawn." Megatron leads his Decepticons against Jhiaxus' second generation Cybertronians near the moon of Tykos. The Decepticons are defeated and Megatron left injured, presumed dead, but swearing revenge.

Toys

 * Generation 1 Stunticon Breakdown (1986)
 * Breakdown was sold in 1986 by itself, and later with the other Stunticons as a gift package.


 * Generation 2 Stunticon Breakdown (1994)
 * Samples of redecos of all the Stunticons were made for the Generation 2 toy line, but they never made it to general release. The few that were produced are considered highly collectible. Breakdown was released in small numbers at BotCon 1994.
 * In April 2008, rare prototypes of this toy were sold on ebay and garnered bidding of over US$2,000.


 * Universe Spy Changer Breakdown (unreleased)
 * First announced in Previews magazine for January 2003 were a set of 5 Stunticon Spy Changers - Breakdown, Drag Strip, Motormaster, Dead End, and Wildracer. Although it is uncertain what mold he would have used, it seems likely he would have been a redeco of Generation 2 Firecracker, who had a similar vehicle mode.


 * Timelines Deluxe Breakdown (2010)
 * A BotCon 2010 exclusive and an homage to the BotCon 1994 toy, this figure is a recolor of Universe Classic Series Deluxe Sunstreaker (using Sideswipe's robot configuration) in Breakdown's Generation 2 turquoise and lavender colors and a head sculpt similar to his original toy.

Transformers: Timelines
In Shattered Glass, Breakdown is a mirror universe version of the Generation 1 character as a scout of the heroic Decepticons.

Fun Publications
In Do Over, an unusual energy reading is detected in Alpha Trion's lab. The Decepticons send Breakdown to investigate, but is captured by Sky Lynx and presented to Alpha Trion as a gift.

Transformers: Cybertron
The name Brakedown was originally applied to a Mini-Con in the Transformers: Energon. For some reason, the toy's release was cancelled and the name was be re-applied to an Autobot in Transformers: Cybertron. He was a redeco of the Mini-Con Oval.

He is a robot native to Velocitron, the Speed Planet.

Hasbro registered the name Brakedown for U.S. Trademark in October 2003.

An old racer on his last lap, Brakedown was the fastest around in his day. He knows every inch of track on the Speed Planet, and while his systems cannot keep up with the supercharged speed of younger robots this old speed demon's still got one or two tricks up his sleeve. With his pipes rusting through and his suspension growing brittle with age, he's got to rely on Clocker, to whom he's passed his knowledge of the Great Race. Brakedown transforms into a Speed Planet-model dragster. By using a Cyber Key, he can deploy a blade from his engine block.

The oldest living resident of Velocitron, Brakedown's days as racing champion are long behind him. Instead, he functions as a mentor to younger robots. His past students include Override, who went on to win the Planet Cup and become the leader of Velocitron. His current protégé is Clocker.

Animated series
When the Decepticon Megatron arrived on Velocitron in search of the world's Cyber Planet Key, Ransack and Crumplezone suggested that Brakedown may have knowledge of it. When the two thugs' subsequent interrogation of Brakedown (who'd never heard the term Cyber Planet Key) and Clocker threatened to turn into an assault, Hot Shot intervened to help them. Brakedown and Clocker allied themselves with the Autobots out of gratitude.

In the episode 14, "Hero", Red Alert contacted the Autobots on Earth and asked for Optimus Prime to join them on Velocitron. Ransack and Crumplezone tricked Hot Shot and Dirt Boss into believing that a race between them would determine which of them would be allowed to race Override for the Planet Cup. During the race Ransack and Crumplezone caused a rockslide that buried Hot Shot, but he was saved when Optimus Prime, Vector Prime and Landmine arrived. Optimus was upset that Hot Shot had become involved with the locals. Clocker and Brakedown were eager to help the Autobots. After being unable to obtain the Planet Cup from Override himself, Optimus Prime endorsed Hot Shot's plan to win the cup in a race, with the other Autobots aiding him. Ransack and Crumplezone were contacted by Megatron and were told to keep on eye on things, so they too decided to enter the race, either to win the cup, or at least cause as much damage as they could to the other racers. The qualification round started with Override, Dirt Boss, Ransack, Crumplezone, Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, Red Alert, Landmine, Clocker and Brakedown participating.

In episode #43, "City", the Grand Black Hole continued to enlarge, and Primus attempted to seal it. This was witnessed through giant space bridges on Velocitron by Brakedown, Clocker and Dirt Boss, on the planet Animatros by Backstop, Undermine and Brimstone, and on Earth.

Brakedown and Clocker were instrumental in discovering the ancient ship Ogygia on Velocitron, which they gave to Override to help the Autobots follow the Atlantis to Gigantia.

Towards the end of the series, Brakedown together with the other inhabitants of Velocitron, assisted the Autobots to deal with the Decepticons and played a role in stopping the galaxy from being utterly consumed by the destabilizing Black Hole.

In the final episode of Transformers: Cybertron the "Speedia 500" race is held to determine the leader of Velocitron, which Hot Shot wins. Dirt Boss comes in second, Ransack third, Dark Crumplezone fourth, Brakedown fifth and Clocker sixth. Override didn't even compete, as she joins the new Space Bridge project led by Optimus Prime. The name of the race is a reference to the Japanese name of the planet, which is Speedia. Optimus Prime (Galaxy Convoy) proposed a new Space Bridge project using the power of the four Cyber Planet Keys and the four great Cybertronian ships. Many Autobots and former Decepticons joined in the project. Override lead the Ogygia (Mu) and Velocitron Cyber Planet Key with Brakedown, Quickmix and Stripmine.

Toys

 * Cybertron Scout Brakedown
 * Like most toys sold in the Galaxy Force toy line by Takara, then later in the Cybertron toy line by Hasbro, there are small paint differences between the two versions of the toy. The Hasbro version has a code number on the back of his Cyber Key, while the Takara version has no number on his Force Chip. Some bonus packs of Galaxy Force Optimus Prime came with the Autobot Brakedown as a bonus item.
 * In 2007 this toy was repackaged as a Transformers: Universe figure and sold in discount stores like Family Dollar.


 * Cybertron Scout Brakedown GTS (2006)
 * In 2006 Hasbro repeased a repaint of Brakedown called Brakedown GTS. This repaint is a homage to Generation 1 Kup, in a similar color scheme. The irony behind this is that Brakedown's vehicle mode is influenced by Kup's alternate mode in the War Within series, where many Transformers were shown in pre-Earth alternate modes. Contradicting the television series ending where it shows Brakedown joining Override's crew, the bio for Brakedown GTS states he was rebuilt using Earth technology by Coby, and started a career repairing the road repair machines on Velocitron. The Brakedown GTS toy has higher Speed and Endurance on its tech spec than the regular Brakedown toy.
 * It's long been an accepted piece of wisdom on Velocitron that you can't teach an old racer new tricks, but that was before the Autobots came to the Speed Planet. With the help of Coby and the intelligent application of some Earth technology, including dual superchargers, inter-cooled Energon exhaust ports and a diamond-sharp edge to his racing saber, Brakedown is feeling a thousand years younger.  Yes sir, this old speed demon is back on the track!
 * With his new lease on life, Brakedown has decided to take up some old habits as well. When he was a younger bot on Velocitron, he used to repair the MASSIVE road repair automatons that forever roamed the millions of highways on his home planet.  It would be a challenge to race up, keep speed with them and repair them as they moved across the planet - for those repair-bots can never stop!  It takes keen mind, nimble fingers and super-charged engines to make Velocitron keep on ticking - and Brakedown is just the bot for the job.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
This incarnation of Brakedown is a homage to the Generation 1 Stunticon Breakdown. He appears briefly in different movie-related comics, to-date he's made only 3 appearances. In all of his appearances to date, he has died somehow, but somehow ends up being OK the next time he's used.

IDW Publishing
As part of Strike Team Ursa, Brakedown (alongside Dirt Boss and Reverb) was dispatched to Wendover, Utah by Soundwave to investigate the mysterious organization that had resurrected Ravage. They discovered a hidden base beneath a garbage dump, but fled after they accidentally activated its self-destruct mechanism. While fleeing, they were intercepted by the Autobots Ironhide and Sideswipe, the latter of whom promptly disected Brakedown.

Titan Magazines
Brakedown was incarcerated in NEST's maximum security jail in South Africa. He decided it'd be a jolly wheeze to insult Bludgeon for getting whupped by a cadet.

Unite for the Universe
Brakedown was part of Bludgeon's crew, raiding N.E.S.T. Advanced Research Facility in Japan to gain the secrets of Project: Unite. Their presence was leaked, however, and Brakedown was buried alive under snow and ice by Optimus.

Toys

 * Revenge of the Fallen Scout Brakedown (2010)
 * A Scout Class figure that transforms into a sports car. He is an hommage to Generation 1 Stunticon Breakdown both in design and in colors. Also available in orange as Oil Pan in the Transformers: Hunt for the Decepticons line.

Video games
Breakdown is a playable Decepticon character in the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron. In the Decepticon campaign, he is an extremely paranoid young Decepticon that thinks everyone and everything is out to get him – especially Megatron, who refers to him as suicidal. He prefers to do his duties in anonymity.

Animated series
In Transformers: Prime, Breakdown returns as a Decepticon bovver boy, who is the muscle for Megatron. He retains his G1 color scheme, but he is much more violent and aggressive than his previous incarnations. His vehicle mode is a blue monster armored van. Despite his aggressive demeanor, Breakdown has shown a sense of honor and respect for others, such as his gratefulness to Bulkhead for saving him from M.E.C.H. and his subsequent hesitation to attack him, chatting to Vehicons as friends, and even thanking the Vehicon drones for all their thankless work.

Breakdown made his official debut in "Deus Ex Machina" to face his main enemy, Bulkhead. He worked as the partner of Knock Out. He also battled Bulkhead in "Speed Metal" and "Out of His Head".

In "Operation: Breakdown", he is captured by the evil human organization M.E.C.H (led by the maniacal Silas) while fighting Bulkhead, and is eventually saved by his longtime foe, but at the cost of his right optic. Though Breakdown is grateful to Bulkhead, it does not stop him from attempting to carry out Starscream's command to destroy him (though after some initial hesitation). In "Metal Attraction", Breakdown attempted to redeem himself in Megatron's eyes by recovering a magnetic weapon, only to meet resistance from not only Bulkhead and Arcee, but from the renegade Decepticon Airachnid. Breakdown failed to retrieve the weapon, but brought Megatron a "consolation prize"; Airachnid, who had been magnetically fused to his back during the fight.

In "Orion Pax, Part 2", Breakdown contacts the space bridge control center demanding why they were overdue with their report - the Autobots had commandeered it and taken out the crew. Fortunately for the Autobots, Fowler, pretending to be a Vehicon, is able to fool Breakdown into believing that everything is just fine.

In "Crossfire", Megatron sends Breakdown and Dreadwing to eliminate Airachnid after Megatron is reminded of her previous attempted betrayal. Breakdown and Dreadwing take her into the forest in an attempt to kill her, but she taunts Breakdown and he chases her after she webbed down Dreadwing. As he finally caught up to her, she trapped him with her web. She quickly turns the tables and kills Breakdown by decapitating him and slicing the rest of his body to pieces, which are later discovered by M.E.C.H..

In "Nemesis Prime", the remains are shown to have been reassembled and hooked to life support, and a M.E.C.H. surgeon plans to use his body to somehow save the gravely injured Silas' life. Knock Out mentions Breakdown's death in "Tunnel Vision" and "Hurt".

In "The Human Factor", Silas is brought back to life in Breakdown's body which Silas names C.Y.L.A.S. (short for Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis). C.Y.L.A.S. then proceeds to kill the remaining M.E.C.H. members after they have served their purpose. After getting Project Damocles (a satellite-weapons system) in his hands, Silas uses it as a bargaining chip to join the Decepticons assuring that the satellite can be used to turn the tide of the war to the Decepticons. However, Knock Out held a grudge against C.Y.L.A.S. because of what he did to Breakdown and Megatron himself was repulsed by C.Y.L.A.S.' desecration of his deceased soldier's remains. Smokescreen helped Bulkhead battle and defeat C.Y.L.A.S. who ends up retreating on Megatron's orders. On the Nemesis, Megatron says to C.Y.L.A.S. that he has gained a place at the table....namely Knock Out's dissection table so that he can study the human factor. As C.Y.L.A.S. is dragged away, Knock Out was delighted when Megatron sentenced Silas to Knock Out's dissection table noting that Breakdown would be pleased with the human's ironic fate.

C.Y.L.A.S. returns in "Thirst" as a Terrorcon. Having been an experiment for Knock Out's refining of Synthetic Energon, he is restrained and tortured continuously by the infusions. However, C.Y.L.A.S. escapes when Starscream suggests infusing him with both Synthetic and Dark Energon, turning him into an Energon craving Terrorcon that drains victims though a proboscis-like tongue (similar in design to the Xenomorphs from the Aliens franchise). C.Y.L.A.S goes onto drain several dozen members of the crew, turning them into Energon craving Terrorcons as well, and he manages to free Airachnid in an attempt to feed. Though he manages to bite her, she kills him and the human remaining of Silas thanks her with his dying breath for freeing him from the pain and abuse he has suffered.

Toys

 * Prime Cyberverse Breakdown (2012)
 * 'Prime'' AM-12 Voyager Breakdown
 * A mold of Breakdown without the eye patch from the episodes before "Operation Breakdown". Includes a rhino that transforms into a hammer. Only in Japan.


 * Prime AM-24 Voyager Silas Breakdown (2012)
 * A repaint and a retool of the AM-12 Voyager Breakdown with a few additional details. Includes a Praying Mantis that transforms into a dual-bladed weapon. Only in Japan


 * Prime: Beast Hunters Apex Armor w/ Breakdown (not yet released, 2013)

Transformers: Timelines (animated)
Part of an exclusive set for Botcon 2011, this version of Breakdown is from the Transformers Animated series. He is based on the Animated Deluxe Rodimus Minor mold with a new head, and colored to look like the Generation 1 Breakdown toy.

Toys

 * 'Timelines Animated Deluxe Breakdown
 * A BotCon 2011 exclusive white/blue/maroon redeco of Transformers Animated Deluxe Rodimus Minor with a different head sculpt.

Speed Stars
Set within the movie universe, Breakdown is a Decepticon, but doesn't seem to be a Stunticon. He was to have a toy, that ultimately got cancelled. Despite this, a homage to Breakdown appears named Brakedown.