Snapdragon (Transformers)
Snapdragon is a fictional character from the Transformers series introduced in 1987. He is a triple changing Decepticon Headmaster who can become a dinosaur or jet and is partnered with the Nebulan Krunk.
Contents
Transformers: Generation 1
Fictional biography
Profile: Wading up to his neck in grease is Snapdragon's idea of a good time. And if a grease pit isn't handy, he'd be just as happy cracking open an enemy and bathing in his fuel. Not surprisingly, Snapdragon drips a petrochemical trail wherever he goes. His penchant for lotting around on his back in sludge pools gives many the impression that Snapdragon is lazy and difficult to motivate. He is. But he also hides a hair-trigger temper. Cross him and he'll rip your chest plate off with a lightning-fast slash of his claws. When Snapdragon says he doesn't want to be disturbed, he means it.Krunk, the Nebulan to whom Snapdragon is binary-bonded, lives in perpetual fear of the Decepticon even though, in theory, Krunk controls the mind they share. He's seen the result of Snapdragon's temper enough times to worry about his own safety. And although Krunk knows that without a head Snapdragon is non-functional, he still fears him. He wonders if the inert Decepticon will suddenly slash out at him. He's too scared of the Decepticon to even tell him how much he loathes grease pits. Other than Snapdragon, there is very little that Krunk fears. Until his recruitment by Lord Zarak as a Headmaster, Krunk was a merciless kidnaper, earning his living by extorting huge citizens. When Lord Zarak caught Krunk trying to kidnap his own daughter, Llyra, he gave the criminal a choice - swear eternal loyalty to him or die. Krunk chose the former, and, in fact, now serves as a bodyguard of sorts for Lord Zarak and his family. Krunk is vulgar, vile and vicious; his sole redeeming quality is his sense of loyalty to Lord Zarak - the greatest traitor in Nebulan history.
Abilities: In jet mode, Snapdragon uses dual turbo-booster rocket engines to reach speeds of 4800 mph. Four independently targetable laser cannons mounted on his tailwings make him a challenge to anyone flying within 12 miles. In reptile mode, Snapdragon has heat-treated carbon-steel claws and teeth that can cut through virtually any substance. In robot mode, he uses a gyro-gun, which interferes with the balancing circuitry of any robot its beam hits.
Weaknesses: A defect in the crystalline structure of Snapdragon's steel skin is the reason for his habit of taking grease baths. Without near-constant lubrication, his skin becomes brittle and is prone to cracking.
Animated series
The Transformers
Snapdragon first appeared in The Transformers episode "The Rebirth Part 1", the three part finale of the US television series. He appeared as a triple changing Decepticon under Galvatron who became a Headmaster on the planet Nebulos during the course of the finale. With the arrival of the Transformers to Nebulos, and the fusion of a group of Autobots and Nebulon rebels into Headmasters, Zarak masterminded a scheme to duplicate the process with Decepticons. Unable to control the Decepticons directly with their mental powers, the Hive were able to subdue them with their own machines and force them into the scheme, striking a deal to create both Headmasters and Targetmasters. Oddly, the television series depicted Snapdragon as being able to take on beast form without his Headmaster partner, even though as the toy Krunk becomes both the robot head and beast head.
Transformers: The Headmasters
In the Japanese series which ignored the US series finale, Snapgragon first appeared in the 18th episode of Transformers: The Headmasters, "The Most Important Thing in the World."
The Decepticon based on Chaar is suddenly upset when two newcomers arrive, and the Decepticons attack them, thinking they are Autobots. They are jets which possess the ability to transform into animals, then to robots—Horrorcons Apeface and Snapdragon—who have been asked by Galvatron to join his troops. The Autobots learn of the appearance of these two, and Spike, worried about the diminishing chances of ending the war, decides to seek out a peace agreement with the Decepticons before the galaxy is destroyed, despite the Autobots' concerns. Galvatron receives word of Spike's offer of peace, and Scorponok and Soundwave plan a trap, replying to Spike that he has to go with his entire family to meet in Shangri-La. Galvatron and Spike begin their meetings while Carly and Daniel are forced to remain with the Horrorcons, with the Autobot Headmasters remaining outside. Galvatron asks Spike for a token of trust - leaving Daniel with the Decepticons. Punch discovers Galvatron at the Decepticon base instead of Earth and reports Galvatron's orders to steal energy throughout the universe to the Autobots. The Headmasters mobilize to rescue the humans when they find out Galvatron is a fake. Galvatron then reveals himself to be Sixshot, leading to a fierce battle outside. The Autobots beat up on the Decpeticons, who escape through the space bridge. They try to follow, but Sixshot blows up the space bridge.
Snapdragon last appeared in episode 35 of the series, "The Final Showdown On Earth" part 2.
Books
Corgi Books
Snapdragon appeared in the 1987 Corgi Book story Swamp of the Scorpion by Dave Morris.[1]
Ladybird Books
Snapdragon is among the Decepticons who appeared in the 1988 Ladybird Books story Autobots Strike Oil by John Grant.[2]
Comic
Dreamwave Productions
Snapdragon and Krunk did not appear in the main Dreamwave Productions Transformers comics before the company closed, but they did get a one-page biography in their Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye series.
Marvel Comics
In the US Marvel Comics Transformers comics, Snapdragon first appeared in the four-issue Headmasters mini-series, which introduced the new breed of warrior to the Transformers universe. Here, Scorponok was leader of a troop of Decepticons who were summoned to the planet Nebulos by one of its corrupt politicians, Lord Zarak, who was intent on removing Fortress Maximus and the other Autobots who had previously settled on the planet. Maximus and his crew had already binary bonded with a group of heroic Nebulons, and were able to easily best Scorponok's troops, inspiring Scorponok to duplicate the process with Zarak and his followers, including the Horrorcons.
One of his most prominent actions during this period was to act as bait for a trap alongside the other Decepticon Headmasters. The plan worked, luring the Autobot Headmasters to the Fortress of Despair, where the Decepticons captured Highbrow, planning to use him to perfect their own Headmaster process. The plan failed when Highbrow forced Scroponk to flee. (Transformers UK 130-131)
After this Maximus' forces fled Nebulos to save it from further devastation. Scorponok's forces pursued them to Earth, battling the local Decepticons under Ratbat before linking up with them to battle the Earthen Autobots.
Snapdragon appeared in the regular US Marvel Comics Transformers series with issue #49, "The Underbase Saga Part 3, Cold War!" In this story he was a member of the Decepticon forces under Scorponok's command. They were tricked into fighting the Decepticon forces under Ratbat's command by Starscream, who used the battle to steal Scorponok's ship and get to the Underbase.
Snapdragon formed part of the aerial contingent, battling Swoop and the Aerialbots. He and Apeface then descended upon Maximus himself, spying easy pickings as the Autobot leader attempted to protect the frostbitten Buster Witwicky, but were called off when Starscream's plan to absorb the Underbase became apparent. He appeared after this as one of Scorponok's troops on Earth, but had few major roles. He appeared during the battle against Unicron, and was present for the Decepticon ambush on Klo. However, when the battle went against the Decepticons due to the appearance of the Last Autobot, Snapdragon was gunned down by Blaster.
Snapdragon and Krunk had an expanded biography printed in issue #47 of the US Transformers comic series.
Toys
- Hasbro Transformers Snapdragon with Krunk (1987)
- Hasbro Transformers Earthrise Voyager Snapdragon (2020)
References
- ↑ Morris, Dave (1987). Swamp of the Scorpion. Corgi Books. ISBN 0552525014.
- ↑ John Grant (1988). Autobots Strike Oil. Ladybird Books. ISBN 0721410693.
External links
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