Dirge (Transformers)

Dirge is a Decepticon from the Transformers series and has appeared in the related comics, cartoons and The Movie.

Dirge was one of the six named Seekers. He was often shown alongside Ramjet and Thrust.

Generation One

The Toyline

Dirge (Funébro in France, Sparviero in Italy) was first introduced in 1985. Dirge's vehicle mode was supposedly modelled after the Dassault Mirage III fighter, but it barely resembles it. Dirge uses the original Seeker F-15 body but takes on a different wing shape to differentiate it from the others (in this case, a canard). The toy was reissued in 2004.

Thrust, Ramjet and Dirge are part of a team dubbed by Transformers fans as the "Coneheads" for the way their animation models were drawn to make them visually distinct from the original Decepticon jets Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker despite their toys being modifications of the same mold used to create that original trio. The toys themselves use the nosecone of the jet to become the head of the robot, but on the original jets the nosecone points back, forming a seemingly normal head. To make to three newer jets distinctive, the show animators illustrated them with the nosecones pointing up in robot mode - despite the fact that this is not how their toy instructions or box art depict them.

The Character Profile

Dirge was described as a mournful, silent warrior reliant on - and consumed - by fear. While an expert at inflicting fear on others, Dirge was also prone to succumbing to fear. Dirge's effectiveness evaporated under situations where Dirge felt he was not in control.

In jet mode, Dirge had the ability to induce fear in other robots through his engines. The engines apparently emitted certain frequencies that caused disorientation and provoked fear in the Transformers equivalent of the central nervous system. He also carried two air-to-air missiles and two automatic machine guns.

Dirge's motto was, "Fear is the element that unites all losers."

The Cartoon and Movie

Dirge made his first appearance in 1985, during the second season of the cartoon in episode #35, 'Auto Berserk'. How he came to Earth was not shown, but as the Decepticons had built a Space Bridge (a device built by the Decepticons as a direct link between Cybertron and Earth), it is assumed that he entered Earth through the device. Dirge made regular appearances in the second season, and played prominent roles in episodes such as 'The Gambler' (episode #47), where he and Ramjet have been sent to the planet of Monacus to discuss 'business' with a citizen, and 'The Girl Who Loved Powerglide' (episode #54), where he almost destroys Powerglide. Dirge, however, was never shown using his fear-inducing engines.

During The Movie, Dirge was briefly shown during the Battle Of Autobot City. Dirge appeared again towards the end of the movie, attempting to escape from Unicron as Cybertron was being torn apart. A blue jet similar to Dirge was seen destroyed during the scene, which led to speculation that Dirge was destroyed.

Dirge, however, did survive and made sporadic appearances in the third season. In an early episode of the season (episode #66, 'Five Faces Of Darkness Part 1'} he was shown to have been destroyed by Ultra Magnus, but Dirge can be seen in episode #71, 'The Killing Jar', amongst other later episodes.

He was voiced by Bud Davis.

Marvel Comics

Dirge first appeared in issue #17. He was seen entering Earth via the Spacebridge, alongside Thrust and Ramjet. Dirge was seen using the power of the engines against Silverbolt, causing the Autobot to lose control during flight.

Dirge appeared in Marvel's Generation 2 comic. He died while fighting the Swarm. Dirge, along with Autobot Nightbeat detonated the coils of the cannon batteries they were operating, hoping to damage the Swarm.

In the UK version of the comics, Dirge self-destructed after becoming consumed by the Hate Plague. While his chassis was destroyed, Dirge's lasercore (the personality component of a Transformer) remained intact, and Dirge was eventually rebuilt.

Dreamwave Comics

Dirge was recruited as a Decepticon under the leadership of Megatron in his war against the Autobots on the planet Cybertron. Dirge became a member of the elite Seekers under Aerospace Commander Starscream. He often worked with fellow Seekers Ramjet and Thrust.

Shockwave lead the Decepticon attack on the Autobot capitol of Iacon 8.2 million years ago. Among his troops were Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Bludgeon, Brawl, Chopshop, Dirge, Frenzy, Octane, Onslaught, Ramjet, Tantrum, Venom and Vortex.

After Megatron and Autobot leader Optimus Prime were lost in an accident with a space bridge, the Decepticon forces splintered. Dirge joined the Predacons under the command of Starscream.

After the Great Shutdown ended, Ramjet was reformatted in the form of an Earth-style jet.

After the War between the Autobots and Decepticons ended on Cybertron, Ultra Magnus lead a mission to Earth to arrest the Autobots on Earth for continuing their violent ways. Dirge was among the troops under Ultra Magnus.

Defeated by the Autobots on Cybertron, Shockwave was forced to set up a new secret headquarters in the wastelands of Cybertron, with Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust following him. Shockwave completed work on his new warrior, Sixshot. Megatron returned to Cybertron with three clone warriors and the Predacons and was able to defeat Shockwave. Shockwave was kept alive, but restrained. All Shockwave's warriors except Blitzwing, who was destroyed, joined up with Megatron in his plan to invade the Earth (Transformers: Generation One III #9).

Beast Wars Second

The name 'Dirge' was revived for used by a Predacon in the Super Lifeform Transformers.2C 1998.2C Japan series, a Japanese-exclusive series. The toy is a repaint of Machine Wars Skywarp and Thundercracker, who in turn are based on unused Generation Two molds. Similar to his namesake, this character was also an aerial warrior; however, he was mainly used for comic relief. He was a partner to Beast Wars Thrust. He was packaged by himself or in a two-pack with the Maximal Tasmanian Kid. His function is Aerial Officer. His motto is "Nothing tastes better than mass destruction."

Dirge is almost inseparable from his partner and best friend, Thrust. Insult comedy is one of his favorite pass-times and enjoys throwing insults left and right. Dirge is also a Cybertronian gourmet. He can give energy higher potency and better flavor. Oil (the alcohol of the Transformers) is one of his favorite substances to work with and he is known for his very intense brews. Along with Thrust, Dirge has a rivalry with the Predacon air warriors Starscream and BB. Dirge can transform into a fighter jet and carpet-bomb the enemy beneath him. His favorite weapon, the Dirge Gun, is kept in a compartment in his leg. He can attach a long barrel to it and increase its power. Just like Thrust, Dirge finds it hard to act serious and can be very immature at times. This tends to screw up good plans.

He later was upgraded to Dirgegun, a cyborg remold of Beast Wars Waspinator. His function is Aerial Captain and his motto is "Hey, check me out! I’m a bug…robot…thingy…"

After swearing allegiance to Gigastorm, Dirge was rebuilt as Dirgegun. Though he still retains his comedic personality, Dirgegun is a much more powerful warrior who can no longer be taken lightly by any member of the Maximal Army. In mecha beast mode Dirgegun becomes a cybernetic wasp. He can use his spear gun to infect Maximals with a computer virus that briefly destabilizes them. His other weapon of choice is his "Blast Leader" which is a powerful sonic attack that burst the audio receptors of whoever is in range to here it. Though a stronger warrior, Dirgegun still has all the character defects of his Dirge form.

Armada

In the Transformers Armada comic, Generation One Dirge is one of several Heralds of Unicron sent to invade other universes to prepare for Unicron's arrival.

What's more, a colorscheme based on Dirge was used for Thrust's Powerlinx repaint.

Transformers Timelines

In the Botcon exclusive "Transformers Timelines" storyline, Dirge was the name of an Insecticon commander serving under Deathsaurus. The toy was a repaint of Beast Wars Buzzclaw.

References

External links

Champions RPG character sheet for Dirge.

Decepticons | Fuzors | Predacons | Seekers | Unicron-related characters

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