Nightstick (Transformers)

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Nightstick is the name of four fictional characters from the Transformers series. The original Nightstick is a Decepticon allied Nebulan Targetmaster, and partner to the Decepticon Cyclonus. The second Nightstick was the Targetmaster partner to the Japanese exclusive Autobot Artfire. The third Nightstick, also called Nebulon, was the Targetmaster partner to the Japanese exclusive Autobot Stepper, who was later called Ricochet in the US. The fourth Nightstick is the Targetmaster used by the Shattered Glass Transformers character Ricochet.

Transformers: Generation 1 (Cyclonus)

Transformers character
Nightstick-tv.jpg
Nightstick in The Transformers
Name Nightstick
Decepticon
Series Transformers: Generation 1
Transformers: Universe
Henkei! Henkei!
Transformers United
English voice actor Peter Cullen
Japanese voice actor Eiji Yanagisawa
First appearance "Brothers in Armor!!", The Transformers: Headmaster #4, January 1988
Information
Alternate modes Corroding black-beam gun
Gender Male
Partner Cyclonus, Galvatron, Scourge
Sub-group Targetmasters

Nightstick turns into a corroding black-beam gun.

In the Marvel Comics Transformers stories Nebulans are depicted as human-looking aliens, while in the animated series they are green-skinned aliens. In the Ladybird Books stories the Nebulans are human-sized robots.

Animated series

Nightstick first appeared in the Transformers episode "The Rebirth, Part 2" where he and the other member of the Hive became the Decepticon's Headmaster and Targetmaster partners. Nightstick became the Targetmaster of the Decepticon Cyclonus.

Comics

Blackthorne Publishing

Nightstick appeared in the Blackthorne Publishing The Transformers in 3D issue #3 as Cyclonus's sidearm. Cyclonus uses Nightstick against the Tau-Ursans.[1]

Dreamwave Productions

Nightstick in Dreamwave comics

Cyclonus and Nightstick had a single page biography printed in issue #7 of the Dreamwave Productions Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye comic series.

Henkei! Henkei!

Cyclonus with Nightstick appeared in issue #9 of the Henkei! Henkei! magna. They teamed with Starscream to fight the Autobots Ironhide, Mirage and Rodimus.[2]

Manga

Nightstick appears as Cyclonus's gun in the Generations 2011 issue #2 "The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos" where he is part team of Decepticon lead by Straxus who ambush the Autobots on Nebulos.[3]

Marvel Comics

Events exclusive to the Marvel UK Transformers comics appear in italics.

Nightstick first appeared in issue #4 of the Marvel Comics Headmasters comic in a story called "Brothers in Armor!!" where he volunteered to be binary bonded to Cyclonus as his Targetmaster partner. The Autobots then fled Nebulos for Earth in an attempt to lure away the Decepticons.[4]

In the Marvel UK Transformers story "Worlds Apart", set during issue #4 of the Headmasters comic, Crosshairs, Pointblank and Sureshot are captured by the Decepticons and used as bait to capture the Autobot Headmasters. Hardhead is able to free the Autobot Targetmasters and even the odds against the Decepticons.

Although Nightstick is not depicted, in issue #38 of The Transformers the Autobots and Decepticons from Nebulos arrive on Earth.

TFcon comics

Nightstick appeared in the TFcon 2009 convention poster by Alex Milne in the form of his Universe' toy.[5]

Toys

  • Hasbro Transformers Targetmaster Cyclonus with Nightstick (1987)
A remold of the original Cyclnous toy with an added Targetmaster partner Nightstick and new holes to mount him in vehicle mode. This toy was also used as the Autobot Ricochet's Targetmaster partner Nightstick in Japan.
  • Universe Generation 1 Series Deluxe Cyclonus with Nightstick (2008)
A new mold.
  • Henkei Cyclonus with Nightstick (2009)
A recolor of the Universe mold with chrome parts. Available only in Japan.
  • Universe Generation 1 Series Deluxe Cyclonus with Nightstick (2010)
A recolor of the 2008 Universe release in a package called Challenge at Cybertron with Galvatron and Rodimus. Only released in some Asian markets.
  • Transformers Cyclonus with Nightstick (2010)
Released as Battle in Space, the same as the Challenge at Cybertron release, but without Galvatron.
  • United Cyclonus with Nightstick (2011)
A set of Scourge, Galvatron and Cyclonus with Nightstick done in transparent plastics.
  • Shapeways Drawn-Steel Hero Truncheon (2011)
A 3D printed design done as a homage to Nightstick.[6]


Transformers: Generation 1 (Artfire)

Transformers character
Artfire-box.jpg
Box art of Artfire with Nightstick
Name Nightstick
Autobot
Series Transformers: Generation 1
Information
Alternate modes Gun
Partner Artfire
Sub-group Targetmasters

This Nightstick is the Targetmaster partner of the Autobot Artfire.

Manga

Nightstick appears as Artfire's gun in the Generations 2011 issue #2 "The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos" where he is part of a team lead by Stepper to obtain a cure for nano-virus which is effecting some Autobots. When the Autobots arrive on Nebulos they are attacked by a group of Decepticons lead by Straxus. The Autobot are able to obtain the cure and bring it back to Earth, where Ricochet's team is commended by Optimus Prime. In the comic Artfire's form is based on a recolor of the Universe Inferno mold with a recolor Power Core Combiner Pinpoint as his Targetmaster partner.[7]

Toys

  • Takara Generation 1 Artfire with Nightstick (1987)
Artfire with Nightstick was a Takara exclusive toy.
  • Takara United Voyager Artfire with Nightstick and Sparks (2012)
Artfire is a recolor and remold of Universe Inferno. Nightstick is a recolor of Universe Nightstick. Sparks is a recolor of Power Core Combiner Pinpoint.


Transformers: Generation 1 (Stepper/Ricochet)

Transformers character
Steppernightstick-united.jpg
Stepper and Nightstick in the United Manga
Name Nightstick
Autobot
Japanese name Nebulon
Series Transformers: Generation 1
Transformers United
Information
Alternate modes Gun
Partner Ricochet
Sub-group Targetmasters

Nightstick is the Targetmaster partner of the Autobot Ricochet (called Stepper in Japan).

In 2004, Hasbro's Commemorative Series line of re-issued Generation 1 toys included a version the previously Japanese-exclusive toy Stepper under the name Ricochet. A recoloring of the original Jazz toy, this Autobot is a Targetmaster, partnered with Nightstick. In his first American release, Nightstick was originally the Targetmaster partner of Cyclonus, but was named Nebulan when released with the original Stepper.

Manga

Nightstick appears as Stepper's gun in the Generations 2011 issue #2 "The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos" where he is part of a team lead by Stepper to obtain a cure for nano-virus which is effecting some Autobots. When the Autobots arrive on Nebulos they are attacked by a group of Decepticons lead by Straxus. The Autobot are able to obtain the cure and bring it back to Earth, where Ricochet's team is commended by Optimus Prime.[8]

Toys

  • Generation 1 Stepper with Nebulan (1987)
Stepper was a Takara exclusive toy.
The character of Robots In Disguise's Hot Shot was a homage to Stepper. Hot Shot's Japanese name was an homage to Stepper's fellow "classic" Targetmaster, Artfire (a retooling of Generation 1 Inferno).
  • Generation 1 Ricochet with Nightstick (2004)
A US release of Stepper was called Ricochet.
  • United Deluxe Ricochet with Nightstick (not released yet)
A recolor of Reveal the Shield Jazz and Universe Nightstick. Available exclusivly in Japan as a mail away offer.


Shattered Glass

Transformers character
Nightstick-sg.jpg
Armada X-Dimension Prowl/Shattered Glass Nightstick toy
Name Nightstick
Autobot
Series Transformers: Micron Legend
First appearance Do Over by Fun Publications
Information
Alternate modes Police car/plasma rifle
Gender Male
Sub-group Targetmasters

Nightstick is the Targetmaster partner of the Autobot Ricochet.

Nightstick turns into a plasma rifle whose beam bounces off objects until hitting its target. Nightstick also has the ability to take over the arm of anyone holding him except for Ricochet.

Fun Publications

Nightstick is spotlighted in the story Do Over by Fun Publications. Nightstick is partnered with Ricochet. In this story the Autobot Targetmasters capture Megatron, but as Optimus Prime arrives to finish him off personally the Micromaster Predacons and Whisper arrive and free Megatron. During the battle Nightstick is able to take over the arm or Megatron, but Megatron tricks Optimus Prime into cutting the hand with Nightstick off, freeing Megatron. Because of the battle Optimus misses the launching of the Ark.

Toys

  • Micron Legend X-Dimension Prowl MM-21 (2003)
A recolor of the Armada Prowl Mini-Con, this toy was repurposed as Nightstick for the Shattered Glass story.

References

  1. "The Transformers in 3D" The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3 3 (March 1988), El Cajon, California: Blackthorne Publishing
  2. http://www.allspark.com/index.php?set_albumName=Henkei_Comic_09&id=Henkei_Comic_9_Cover&option=com_gallery&Itemid=4&include=view_photo.php
  3. Simon Furman (w), Guido Guidi (p). "Generations 2011" The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos 2 (2011), Japan: Takara Tomy
  4. Bob Budiansky (w), Frank Springer (p), Ian Akin & Brian Garvey (i). "Headmasters" Brothers in Armor!! 4 (January 1988), Marvel Comics
  5. http://markerguru.deviantart.com/art/TFcon-2009-poster-colors-120130232
  6. http://www.shapeways.com/model/296788/_truncheon__gunslinger_figure___version_2.html?gid=ug43978
  7. Simon Furman (w), Guido Guidi (p). "Generations 2011" The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos 2 (2011), Japan: Takara Tomy
  8. Simon Furman (w), Guido Guidi (p). "Generations 2011" The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos 2 (2011), Japan: Takara Tomy

External links