Long Haul (Transformers)
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Long Haul is the name of six fictional characters from the Transformers series. The first Long Haul was introduced in 1985 and was voiced by Gregg Berger in the Transformers animated series. Since then other characters named Long Haul have been created for the Transformers series. Long Haul is usually depicted as a green and purple Decepticon dump truck and a member of the Constructicons.
Contents
Transformers: Generation 1
Long Haul is a Decepticon dump truck and is a part of the Constructicon team. He is able to combine with his team to form the giant robot Devastator.[1]
Long Haul is called Long Haul in English Canada, but Costo in French Canada and Macigno in Italy.
Fictional biography
Unhappy with unglamorous role, but understands its importance... helps build Decepticons' massive energy-recovery installations. As vehicle, can carry 90 tons for 1200 miles, use a dual heat-seeking missile mount. As torso module, combines with fellow Constructicons to form giant robot "Devastator". Can be goaded into a fight in which he's overmatched.
Animated series
The Transformers
Long Haul first appeared in The Transformers episode "Heavy Metal War" with the other Constructicons.
He last appeared in the US animated series in the season 3 episode "The Rebirth Part 1."
Transformers: Headmasters
Long Haul appeared in the Japanese Headmasters series episodes "Four Warriors Come Out of the Sky" and "Operation: Cassette."
Books
Long Haul appeared in the 1985 Marvel Books story Battle for Earth by Max Z. Baum.[2]
Long Haul was featured in the 1993 Transformers: Generation 2 coloring book "Decepticon Madness" by Bud Simpson.[3]
Comics
Dreamwave Productions
In Dreamwave Productions's 21st Generation One universe the Constructicons were responsible for activating Cybertron's planetary engines, under the command of Megatron eight million years ago. When Megatron disappeared into the depths of the planet fighting Optimus Prime, Starscream temporarily took command and had Scrapper prepare a process for the resurfacing of Cybertron, which would transform it into a mobile war-world. Scrapper cautioned against such an action, but Starscream ignored him, and prevented him from stopping it when the process was underway.
The Constructicons were responsible for pioneering the Combining process through a series of experiments on themselves, thus creating Devastator. The plans to Devastator's combining process were eventually stolen by the Autobots and refined, resulting in Superion. This in turn led to more Special Teams being built by both sides.
1.5 million years after the start of the war, when Megatron and Optimus Prime were thought to have died in an early test of the Space Bridge transport system, and the Autobots and Decepticons splintered into several smaller factions, the Constructicons broke the treaty that had downgraded the combining teams to non-combat status by siding with Ratbat's Ultracons and battling Defensor.
It is apparent that the Constructicons were not aboard the Ark when it crashed on Earth four million years ago, but they did eventually find their way to Earth and joined Megatron's forces there after they awoke in 1984. All the Transformers were rendered inactive in the explosion of the Ark II in 1999, but when they reactivated in 2001, Devastator was the main weapon in Megatron's attack on San Francisco. Rampaging through the city, he battled and defeated Superion, but was defeated by Optimus Prime through a point-blank blast to the face, which toppled the giant. His remains were recovered by the Earth Defence Command, and dissected and studied in their underground base.
The ultimate fate of Devastator was not revealed, however, as a result of Dreamwave's closure.
Fun Publications
Long Haul has appeared in the Classicverse and Wings of Honor stories by Fun Publications.
Classicverse
In "Games of Deception" Long Haul appears among Megatrons troops, reformatted into a crane. Dreadwind grabbed him by the throat during a fight and demanded to know why no one liked him. In this story Long Haul was depicted in the form of his Classic toy.
Wing of Honor
Long Haul appears in "A Flash Forward" by Fun Publications. In the year 2005 Devastator attacks Autobot City. He is opposed by Ultra Magnus, Sideswipe, Red Alert and Tracks. Firing every weapon they have, the Autobots are able to force Devastator to break apart into the individual Constructicons. Now outnumbered the Autobots retreated. Red Alert is killed covering the withdrawal, as Megatron watches. These events and others are related to Jhaixus by Runabout and Runamuck in 2013.[4]
Marvel Comics
Long Haul first appeared in issue #10 of the US Marvel Transformers comics and last appeared in issue #41.
Transformers: Mosaic
Long Haul appeared in the Transformers: Mosaic story "The Missing Piece" by Juan “Iskander77” Pablo Osorio. In this story Hauler was hunted on Earth by the Constructicons who wanted him to form part of Devastator, but he was saved by Omega Supreme.[5]
Toys
- Generation 1 Constructicon Long Haul (1985)
- A recolor fo a Diaclone toy. Turns from robot to dump truck.
- The toy is US patent number D289069.[6]
- Generation 2 Constructicon Long Haul orange (1993)
- An orange recolor of the original Generation 1 toy.
- Generation 2 Constructicon Long Haul yellow (1993)
- A yellow recolor of the original Generation 1 toy.
- Classic Constructicon Devastator (2007)
- A 5 pack that included Long Haul, who turnd into a crane. A recolor of the Energon Wideload and Duststorm.
- A Walmart exclusive.
Gallery
Classic Long Haul toy
TFClub Hercules with Classic Devastator limbs
X-Transbots Destroyer and Wild Child/Explorer
Transformers: Energon
Long Haul is the Japanese name for the Decepticon Duststorm. The character of Demolishor has a form which is a clear homage to Generation 1 Long Haul.
Transformers: Universe (Micromaster)
Over a decade since his last toy, Long Haul returned as a Micromaster. Again he is a dump truck - a repaint of a toy named Treader; previously only available in Japan. Long Haul is able to become a leg to the combined robot Devastator.
Although this Long Haul lacked any bio of his own, the Japanese bio for Treader states that Decepticon soldiers fear this taciturn 'bot's great fighting strength. Spark and Leif adore him like a big brother. Apparently, long ago, he incurred a debt to Crush-Bull that he could never repay and now serves him loyally.
Toys
- Generation 1 Treader (1992)
- Packaged together with the other Sixbuilder members.[7]
- Generation 1 Treader redeco (Autobot) (2003)
- A redeco of the original mold.[8]
- Generation 1 Treader redeco (Decepticon) (2003)
- A redeco of Treader in green as a Decepticon.[9]
- Universe Long Haul (2004)
- Long Haul became part of the Micromaster Constructicon team, a repaint of the 1992 Japanese exclusive Micromaster named Treader. Long Haul and his fellow Micromaster Constructions combine to for the Micromaster Devastator.
- The Micromaster Constructicons were initially a Kaybee store exclusive, but later on were found in other online stores. This version of Long Haul has never appeared in any official media.[10][11]
Transformers: Universe (Deluxe)
Without any supporting fiction, it is unknown if this Long Haul is a new character, or somehow related to the other Long Hauls or Heavy Load.
Toys
- Universe Hightower with Long Haul
- Long Haul is a recolor of the Transformers: Robots in Disguise toy named Heavy Load. He is packaged with Hightower. A Target store exclusive.
Shattered Glass
This Long Haul is an alternate good version of the Generation 1 character from the "Shattered Glass" storyline, in which the Decepticons are on the side of good and the Autobots on the side of evil. Presumably like all Decepticons of his world, he is heroic and opposed to the evil Autobots. Long Haul is based on the Generation 1 toy design, but colored in white with red highlights.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Long Haul is a Constructicon that appears in the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, along with their combined form, Devastator. He forms the right leg of Devastator and transforms into a Caterpillar 773B dump truck.[12]
Long Haul's individual robot mode was designed by freelance artist Josh Nizzi as fan art of the original character done in the style of the first movie. The fan art impressed the film's director Michael Bay enough to hire him on to the film. In fact, Bay was so impressed that Long Haul's final design bears little difference from the original art.
According to his biography Long Haul hates being used to transport his fellow Decepticon's stuff and would rather be fighting. According to Hasbro size charts he stands about 60 feet tall.[13]
Wired Magzine named Devastator and the Constructions one of the reasons to go see the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. [14]
Films
After coming to Earth, Long Haul works alongside Rampage, Scrapmetal and Mixmaster discovering Megatron's remains. To revive him, Long Haul, Rampage and Mixmaster kill Scrapmetal for his parts. One version of Long Haul later appears in Egypt's desert, searching for Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Banes with Starscream, Ravage and the other Constructicons. That same Long Haul participates in the final battle with the Autobots and the military and forms the right leg of Devastator. Devastator comes apart, however, when a rail gun is fired by a U.S. Naval destroyer at the Decepticon Combiner. The Constructicons survive and continue to battle throughout the fight. Eventually, Long Haul is incapacitated jet's missiles, which knocks off one of his wheels mounted on his shoulders; the U.S. airstrike is enough to kill him.
Games
Long Haul is among the playable characters in the 2009 Revenge of the Fallen video game by Activision. He gets charged with the destruction of a rail gun (and survives) given to the humans by the Autobots.
Toys
- Revenge of the Fallen Legends Long Haul (2009)
- A new mold. Can form robot or vehicle modes or combine into Devastator.[15]
- This toy was initially sold individually in Japan, then as part of a 7 pack of Constructicons in the U.S.
- Revenge of the Fallen Legends Long Haul redeco (2009)
- A green and purple redeco, reminiscent of his G1 incarnation.
- Revenge of the Fallen Fast Action Battlers Devastation Blast Long Haul (2009)
- A new mold. Pictures of the card first leaked on the internet in February 2009.[16] Although this toy has an individual robot mode, it cannot combine with the other Constructicons into Devastator.
- Revenge of the Fallen Combiner Long Haul (2009)
- One of six Constructicons bundled in the Combiner Class Constructicon Devastator set. Can combine with other vehicles to form Devastator, but has no individual robot mode.
- Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Long Haul (2009)
- A Voyager class figure that transforms from dump truck into robot, but does not combine with the other Constructicons. Features functional pistons that move the bed in truck mode. The figure's MechAlive feature consists of moving gears on his chest when his head is moved sideways and spring-like pistons in his legs.[17] This toy is about 1/89 scale.
- Also remolded in yellow as Payload for the Transformers toy line.
- Transformers Legends Long Haul (2010)[18]
- An all-new mold of Legends Long Haul which is more film-accurate than the previous one and will not be able to combine with the previous Legends Constructicons to form Devastator. [19]
References
- ↑ Alvarez, J.E. (2001). The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition. Schiffer Publishing Ltd.. p. 24. ISBN 0764313649.
- ↑ Baum, Max (1985). Battle for Earth. Marvel Books. ISBN 0871350629.
- ↑ Simpson, Bud (1993). Decepticon Madness. Modern Publishing. ISBN 1561443468.
- ↑ Flint Dille, Jesse Wittenrich & Pete Sinclair (w), Matt Frank & Josh Warner (p), Matt Frank (i), Thomas Deer (col), Jesse Wittenrich (let), Pete Sinclair (ed). "A Flash Forward Part 1" The Transformers Collectors Club 44 (February/March 2012), Fun Publications
- ↑ http://transformers-mosaic.deviantart.com/art/The-Missing-Piece-102716243
- ↑ Google Patent
- ↑ TFU - G1 Treader
- ↑ TFU - Autobot Treader
- ↑ TFU - Decepticon Treader
- ↑ Gallery Seibertron.com - Long Haul
- ↑ http://www.mastercollector.com/articles/reviews/review011005-3.htm
- ↑ http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-04-01-transformers-first-look_N.htm First look: Robo-brawlers big, small in new 'Transformers' By Anthony Breznican, USA TODAY
- ↑ TFW2005.com - Constructicons Size Comparison
- ↑ Top 10 Reasons to Skip Work and Go See Transformers 2, By Curtis Silver, June 23, 2009
- ↑ ToyWizard.net - Transformers Movie EZ Collection DX Devastator Set
- ↑ TF08.net
- ↑ TF08.net - Long Haul
- ↑ TFW2005.com - HFTD Scout and Legends Wave 2 Released in the Philippines
- ↑ Seibertron.com - Toy Fair 2010 Gallery - Hunt for the Decepticons Legend-Class Long Haul and Rampage
External links
- Classicverse Transformers characters
- Combiners (Transformers)
- Constructicons
- Decepticons
- Dreamwave Productions characters
- Fictional automobiles
- Fictional construction workers
- Fictional henchmen
- Fictional characters introduced in 1985
- Film characters
- Fun Publications characters
- Marvel Comics characters
- Robot characters in video games
- Shattered Glass Transformers characters
- The Transformers characters
- The Transformers: The Movie characters
- Transformers: Mosaic characters
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen characters
- Ultracons
