Name: Sideswipe
Allegiance: Autobots
Function: Warrior
Timeline: Generation 1
I don't break rules, I bend them - a lot.
Profile:
Like his brother, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe has a high opinion of himself. Unlike his brother, Sideswipe isn't overly concerned about looks - rather, he feels that he is the greatest fighting machine in the galaxy. Sideswipe craves a good fight with a strong opponent to test his mettle and keep his skills sharp. Unlike his brother's more stylish combat style, Sideswipe takes a more rough-and-tumble approach to fighting. He's an excellent and skilled warrior who specialises in street-fighting and brawling; plus, Sideswipe isn't shy about resorting to the occasional dirty trick or underhanded tactic to come out on top, much to his brother's utter disdain. But that's just who Sideswipe is: he's one of the guys, a well-liked and easy-going 'bot who gets along with most of his fellow warriors, sharing good-natured jokes and joining in with sparring sessions or games. Sideswipe likes to enjoy life to the fullest, and occasionally he'll cheat or take shortcuts in order to get what he wants. Sideswipe used to be a great deal more brash and dishonourable in his youth - his old drill sergeant used to call him a "turbo revvin' young punk" - but as Sideswipe has matured and especially since he came to Earth, he's become a good deal more honourable, as well as more selfless. He's as pragmatic as ever - ignoring inconvenient orders and making the occasional rash or reckless decision - but he's now driven by a deep, genuine concern for others. Optimus Prime is pleased with Sideswipe's progress, having recognised the potential in him when others were ready to write Sideswipe off.
Lamborghini Countach LP500S mode:
Author notes:
This bio is one written with the full benefit of hindsight - in this case, I'm writing with the benefit of having watched Robots in Disguise (2015) and its depiction of Sideswipe. RiD 2015 informed my mental image of what G1 Sideswipe was like in his younger days, I figure he'd have been the same kind of goof-off, laid-back kind of 'bot. I guess that also means that RiD Sideswipe might become more like G1 Sideswipe when he grows up a bit? It's a fun comparison of the characters which helps give them both a bit more of a life beyond their respective series in my mind. That's why young Sideswipe is referred to as a "turbo revvin' young punk", and yes, that's a Kup easter egg - I figure Hot Rod wasn't the first (or last) hot shot that Kup was assigned to train.
I've also previously established where I see Sideswipe's story ending - basically, he continues to mature and become a better class of warrior, eventually becoming the leader of a mercenary company in the post-war period before joining Optimus Prime as his second-in-command during my take on the Machine Wars storyline. A bit of irony thrown into that mix is by this time, Sideswipe will have become the ornery old drill sergeant chewing out the "turbo revvin' young punks". I'd not planned that, but I like the development. It brings his character full circle.
Please see
Sideswipe (Generation 2) for my profile of this older, wiser, tougher Sideswipe.
Toys of Transformers Generation 1 Sideswipe
Transformers Masterpiece Sideswipe
Sideswipe is the 'bot who kicked off the Masterpiece line as more than a showcase of the biggest names in Transformers. MP-12 Lambor was a revolution - a solid figure who looked amazing and took one of the more popular members of the Autobot car lineup, reimagining him with modern articulation and engineering for the ultimate (at the time) screen accurate representation of Sideswipe. He's still for me the ideal version of Sideswipe who looks fantastic and provides an excellent showcase of engineering and transformation.
More information on Transformers Masterpiece Sideswipe at TFW2005
See more
Transformers Masterpiece toys in my collection.
