Gourt Home::Gourt :: Ramjet (Transformers)
Generation One (1985)
| Transformers character | |
| Ramjet | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Decepticon (Destron) |
| Sub-Group | Seekers |
| Function | Warrior |
| Motto | "If it flies, crash it." |
| Alternate mode(s) | Modified F-15 Eagle |
| Series | G1 cartoon, Marvel Comics, Dreamwave Comics |
| Voiced by | Jack Angel (English) Unknown (Japanese) |
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
The original Ramjet was described as an impulsive but brave warrior who enjoyed crashing into objects and enemies. He carried two cluster bombs and two automatic machine guns. Not given much to thinking before acting, Ramjet often crashed into neutral objects, thus collecting new enemies. These crashes often took their toll on Ramjet's body by causing internal damage.The Original Cartoon and Movie
In the original Transformers series, Ramjet appeared in Season 2. He made his first appearance in episode #30, 'Dinobot Island Part 1.' How Ramjet came to Earth was not shown but as the Decepticons had already built the Spacebridge (a link between Cybertron and Earth), it was assumed that he came to Earth through the device.Ramjet made regular appearances during the second season, most notably in episode #40, 'A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court' where several Transformers characters were transported back in time. During this episode, Ramjet made good use of his name by head-butting a knight.
Ramjet made brief appearances in _The_Movie - firstly as the Decepticon knocked to the ground during the battle of Autobot City, and secondly during Unicron's attempted destruction of Cybertron.
After the movie, Ramjet was thrown against a building and seemingly destroyed by Ultra Magnus, but returned to make small appearances throughout the third season.
Dreamwave Comics
Ramjet was recruited as a Decepticon under the leadership of Megatron in his war against the Autobots on the planet Cybertron. Ramjet became a member of the elite Seekers under Aerospace Commander Starscream. He often worked with fellow Seekers Dirge 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 the Great Shutdown ended, Ramjet was reformatted in the form of an Earth-style jet.
After the Great War ended Ramjet was among the Decepticons under the command of Ultra Magnus who were sent on to Earth to capture Optimus Prime's Autobots and return them to Cybertron.
When it was revealed that Shockwave was going to kill Optimus Prime and take over Cybertron for himself, Ramjet was among the Decepticons who sided with Shockwave.
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).
Generation Two
Ramjet was first re-issued in 1992, as part of Generation 2. This toy featured a predominantly-purple color scheme. G2 Ramjet was also sold on card. A (relatively crude) 3-D model of G2 Ramjet duked it out with Optimus Prime in the opening credits of the Generation 2 animated series (which was actually the original series with new CGI bumpers).
Armada
The name Ramjet appeared again in 2003, as part of the Tidal Wave package in the Transformers: Armada series. This Ramjet was the Mini-Con that partnered Tidal Wave, and like the other Ramjets, was a jet. This toy featured a bright purple and orange colour scheme.
Motto: "Tell that to my friend!"
An opportunistic coward who hides behind the might of the unstoppable juggernaut known as Tidal Wave. Ramjet has made a career out of literally being a "hanger-on" who's constantly in the right place at the right time and. more importantly, with the right 'bot. One never expects Ramjet to openly charge into battle, but it's a safe bet that he's the first to whisper the notion of destruction into the open audio receptors of his nearly invincible comrade--so long as he's a safe distance away. Rumor has it that the Mini-Con was somehow responsible for resuscitating Tidal Wave after a failed covert operation at an Energon refinery during the initial Decepticon insurrection. Supposedly, the situation left Tidal Wave in critical condition, until a forced Powerlink with Ramjet recharged his entire system, allowing him to survive. However, several Decepticon scientists theorize that Ramjet's "enhancements" to Tidal Wave are minimal at best, and are more a result of Ramjet's suggestive capabilities on Tidal Wave's impressionable intellect. In his alternate form Ramjet is capable of tremendous speed, easily exceeding Mach 3; however, it's his influential kinship with his Decepticon partner Tidal Wave that is often viewed as his greatest asset.
In exchange for his light and aerodynamic form, subject possesses minimal armor plating. The resulting trade-off in shielding makes him faster and more maneuverable when airborne, but ultimately more susceptible to anti-aircraft ordinance and projectile-based attacks.
Energon (2003)
Also in the same year, as part of the Energon series, Ramjet again partnered Tidal Wave. This toy featured a grey colour scheme.
Universe
In 2004, another Ramjet appeared as part of the Universe series and this time was a large toy. It was a recolor of Armada Skywarp. The toy featured a white, blue and red colour scheme and was sold along with four Mini-Cons: Gunbarrel, Terradive, Thunderclash and Thunderwing.
Ramjet appeared as one of the major character in the Transformers: Cybertron comic produced by the Transformers Collectors Club.
Issue #2 (Balancing Act Part 1) - Ramjet and Nemesis Prime arrive on a nearly deserted Cybertron. In Iacon they kill Crush and Jackhammer, two Transformers who remained on Cybertron after it's evacuation. Vector Prime and Safeguard report to Alpha Trion in his chamber that the search for the Cyber Planet Keys isn't going well (this story seems to take place several episodes into the TV series). Prime reports he discovered the location of one of the planets. Alpha Trion has been able to use the anomolies created by the black hole to find an ally they might use - Sentinel Maximus. Ramjet arrives in the chamber and attacks Sentinel Maximus and Nemesis Prime attacks Alpha Trion. Vector Prime rushes into battle against Ramjet, but Ramjet is able to blast Vector Sigma. With Alpha Trion and Vector Sigma damaged, Ramjet and Nemesis Prime retreat.
Issue #3 (Balancing Act Part 2) - Vector Prime places Alpha Trion in a CR Chamber then tells Sentinel Maximus who Ramjet and Nemesis Prime are. Sentinel Maximus says they will be ready and not taken by surprise again, but Vector Prime warns that Unicron could bring more minions. Just then Dark Scorponok rises from the dead. Skyfall arrives in his ship at the Iacon Spaceport only to discover the place abandoned - until he is attacked by Scrapmetals and Scorponok. Ramjet and Nemesis Prime use the Scrapmetals to locate the essence of Primus. Ramjet also explains that while Unicron is dead, they can turn the tables by using the Dead Matrix to kill Primus and feed his energy to Unicron.
Issue #4 (Balancing Act Part 3) - As Scorponok continues to attack Skyfall, Skyfall is burried in rubble. The Mini-Cons of Ramjet find Scorponok and lure him to the Autobots. Safeguard attempts to defend Alpha Trion's chamber from Scorponok, then in joined by Sentinel Maximus. Scorponok fights madly, ignoring all injuries to himself. Meanwhile Skyfall blasts his way out of the rubble and is discovered by Ramjet and Nemesis Prime. Ramjet claims he was expecting someone else, but he knows Skyfall, which Skyfall finds interesting, not knowing Ramjet. Ramjet claims Cybertron changed much since Skyfall left it.
Issue #5 (Blancing Act Part 4) - Skyfall wants to know how Ramjet knows him, but Ramjet's Scrapmetal Terrorcons have located the information he needs and they don't have time. Ramjet offers that if Skyfall assists him he will tell Skyfall all he knows. Sentinel Maximus and Safeguard are barely holding their own against Scorponok as Vector Prime tries to get the nearby autoguns online. Scorponok stings Sentinel Maximus who nearly shuts down due to the cyber-venom. The autoguns come back online and blast Scorponok. Vector Prime helps Sentinel Maximus up as Safeguard says they have seen beings like Scorponok before, but it beyond their power to help him. Vector Prime admits he wasn't the one who got the autoguns online just as a radio signal calling for help come from Downshift, saying the spark core access tunnel is under attack. Vector Prime opens a rift in space to get them there fast. In the spark core access tunnel Ramjet and Nemesis Prime have captured Downshift. Ramjet leads his group down the tunnel only to find Vector Prime and Sentinel Maximus standing to defend it.
Issue #6 (Balancing Act Part 5) - Vector Prime stands against Ramjet as Nemesis Prime attempts to get down the spark core access tunnel. Sentinel Maximus goes after Nemesis Prime. Skyfall frees Downshift. Ramjet claims he just wants to restore the balance between Primus and Unicron, but Vector Prime doesn't believe him. Nemesis Prime gets to the spark core of Primus and seals off the entrance before Sentinel Maximus can enter. He then attempts to unleash the Dead Matrix.
Issue #7 (Revelations Part 1) - As Nemesis Prime unleashes the Dead Matrix, Vector Prime and Ramjet do battle above Iacon. Vector Prime attempts to finish off Ramjet with his Cyber Key Power. In the spark core Nemesis Prime is attacked by Omega Prime, who appears seemingly out of nowhere. Omega Prime then splits into Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. As Optimus tries to save the spark of Primus, Magnus takes on Nemesis Prime. Ramjet lays in pieces, but cannot die. Vector Prime opens a portal to another dimension to imprison Ramjet. Although Skyfall tries to save Ramjet, Vector Prime is able to use his Cyber Key Power again to overcome Skyfall's force field. Back in the Spark Core Optimus uses his Matrix to heal the spark of Primus as Ultra Magnus knocks out Nemesis Prime. Sentinel Maximus gets to the spark core in time for to see Optimus say they need to talk.
Issue #8 (Revelations Part 2) - Vector Prime returns to Alpha Trion's chamber carrying Skyfall, with both needing repairs. As Vector Prime is telling Downshift what happened, Sentinel Maximus, Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus return and inform them that Nemesis Prime is in stasis lock and was placed in an energy dampening cell. Optimus Prime tells the story of where they came from (The Transformers: Universe comic). Vector Prime is unable to maintain his form and begs Sentinel Maximus to protect Skyfall, thinking he came to Cybertron for a reason. Vector Prime then vanishes. A voice speaks from nowhere that explains that Vector Prime and Safeguard are now on Earth (where he continues in the television series). The voice is the Mini-Con Over-Run, whose body was killed by Starscream, but he now lives in Cybertron's computer system. Over-Run was the one who activated the autoguns that defeated Scorponok and the one who brought Omega Prime to Cybertron. Over-Run has Optimus and Magnus store the Dead Matrix in the rare items locker at the Cybertron archives, but they are observed by Soundwave.
Cybertron
The Transformers: Universe version of Ramjet and his Mini-Cons appeared in the Transformers: Cybertron comic book, where he fought Vector Prime and Sentinel Maximus.
Yet another Ramjet, this one a repaint of the miniature "Legends of Cybertron" version of Cybertron Starscream, was a free giveaway at BotCon 2005. It was painted to resemble Transformers: Universe Ramjet. He had no biography or tech specs.
A Mini-Con named Ramjet was sold in the Cybertron line, a repaint of Energon Skyboom.
Tech Spec: One of the very few Mini-Con robots capable of long-distance space flight, Ramjet was recruted early on by Thrust. Relatively unarmed, hev more of a con-man than a warrior, before Thrust began the rebellion against the Mini-Con Council of Sages he offered bargain tours of the Mini-Con colonies on the moons of Cybertron, often leaving tourists stranded in remote areas. Now, he charges extraordinary fees to robots desperate to escape the black hole only to dump them on the Terrorcon infested surface of Cybertron, or worse, into the black hole itself.
References
Decepticons | Mini-Cons | Seekers | Unicron-related characters
"Ramjet (Transformers)"