Windcharger

Transformers: Generation One (1984)

Windcharger (Charger)
Transformers Character
Affiliation	Autobot
Subgroup	Mini-bots
Function	Warrior
Motto	"Quick action equals quick victory."
Alternate mode(s)	Pontiac Trans Am
Series	G1 Cartoon, Marvel Comics, Dreamwave Comics, IDW Comics
Voiced by	John Stephenson (English) Keiichi Nanba (Japanese)

Windcharger (Charger in Japan, Rapido in France, Lampo in Italy) was one of the original toys in the Transformers line when Hasbro started producing them in 1984.

According to original tech spec notes written by Bob Budiansky found at Iacon One in 2006 the original name for Windcharger was Sprint.

Windcharger Toy

The Windcharger toy was released as Camaro outside the US in different colors (yellow/black and blue/black), and was slightly recolored and remolded into the Autobot Tailgate.

Windcharger was released as a keychain in his original colors and collectible black in Japan.

Television Series

Windcharger was among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the Stunticons. Penetrating the Decepticons’ camp, the Autobots ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, trying to prove their identities by forming Menasor. With a combination of Windcharger’s magnetic powers and Mirage’s illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too, but the deception was soon revealed, though they were still able to thwart the Decepticons’ plans.

The bodies of Windcharger and Wheeljack can be seen in The Transformers: The Movie during the battle at Autobot City.

Dreamwave Comics

When civil war broke out on the planet Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticons, Windcharger joined the Autobot cause.

Windcharger was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the Ark and crash landed on Earth.

In 1984, when the Ark's computer re-activated, it reformatted Windcharger as in the form of an Earth car. Eventually the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth, and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. A ship called the Ark II was built to take the Cybertonians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertonians were lost in the ocean, again in statis lock.

When Ultra Magnus came to Earth claiming that the Earth-based Autobots were Cybertonian criminals Optimus Prime surrendered and with the majority of Autobots returned to Cybertron. Jazz was left in charge of the Ark, with Brawn, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger assigned to him.

Returning to Earth with the Combaticons, Starscream reformatted them into Earth-style vehicles and attacked the Autobots remaining on Earth. Forming Bruticus, the Combaticons defeated Jazz, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger. Only Ratchet and Brawn escaped capture, but as they made their way back to the Ark, they discovered it's defenses on automatic, and had to fight their way inside. Bruticus followed them and Ratchet had to destroy the Ark in failed attempt to destroy Bruticus. Starscream eventually captured Ratchet and Brawn, right as an Autobot shuttle and Sunstorm arrived on Earth (Transformers: Generation One III #1).

Jazz, Warpath, Bumper, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker rejoined Windcharger and Wheeljack, who were repaired by the Earth Defense Command. They all rejoined Ratchet on board the Autobot ship Orion (Transformers: Generation One III #9).

(From Dreamwave's More Than Meets The Eye Profile Book) Windcharger runs hot... and cold. He decides things quickly, rarely waiting to think or ask questions before moving to act. His quick thinking and bravery have saved the day on many occasions, earning him his place among Optimus Prime's elite. However, there is a darker side to Windcharger. His short attention span may make him highly enthusiastic to start off, but it also causes him to lose interest quickly and become depressed. Usually his friends will come up with something to pique his interest again, saving him from staying listless.

Windcharger has below-average strength and endurance, but above-average intelligence. He is the fastest Autobot over short distances in vehicle mode, able to accelerate from a stationary position to 60 mph almost instantaneously. In robot mode, his arms function as powerful magnetic fields, allowing him to project magnetic fields able to lift 10-ton objects at distances up to 700 feet. The closer Windcharger is to the target, the more control he has over attracting; repelling, or destroying it.

Windcharger's short attention span and mildly bipolar tendencies, coupled with his impatience, can make him useless in long-term operations that require strict adherence to a plan. His magnetic abilities drain great amounts of power if overused.

Transformers: Alternators

When the Binaltech series released the Autobot Overdrive, he was imported in as Windcharger in the US due to trademake issues with the term Overdrive. He transforms into a Honda S2000. 1

Universe

Although Windcharger did not appear in the Universe storyline, the keychain of Windcharger was recolored in blue and grey as the Transformers: Universe character of Rook, and was sold as a convention exclusive. Rook appeared in the Transformers: Universe comic book series.