Bulkhead (Transformers)
Bulkhead is the name of three fictional characters from the Transformers series. All incarnations of Bulkhead are Autobots and are green in color. He was introduced in Transformers: Energon and later redebuted in Transformers: Animated as a completely new character. The Animated Bulkhead became so popular that he was adapted to reappear in Transformers: Prime. Whereas he was a minor character in Energon, the Animated/Prime Bulkhead appears as a main character in both series.
Contents |
[edit] Transformers: Energon
 Energon Bulkhead toy |
|
| Autobot | |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | Sprung |
| Sub-group | Mega Vehicles |
| Rank | 8 |
| Motto | "If I don't blast you out of the sky, I'll knock you into the ground." (Hasbro) "No young gun's gonna outshoot me!!" (Takara) |
| Alternate Modes | Cybertronian Helicopter |
| Series | Transformers: Energon |
| English voice actor | French Tickner[1] |
| Japanese voice actor | Nobuo Tobita |
Bulkhead is the name of an Autobot helicopter. According to Quickstrike's bio, he and Bulkhead are cousins. According to Aaron Archer, Bulkhead's goggles-and-mustache look was inspired by Paul Teutul Sr. from American Chopper.
[edit] Animated series
Bulkhead first appears in episode 30 of the Transformers: Energon animated series, "Jungle Planet". Bulkhead commands the team of Cliffjumper and Downshift. He could also enter a 'brute mode' by combining with a section of his helicopter mode, seen only fleetingly in a few episodes. He last appears in episode 51, "The Sun".
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
Bulkhead first appears in issue 27 of the Dreamwave Productions Transformers: Energon comic. He originally appears as part of the Autobot reinforcements under Jetfire who head to Earth to fend off the Terrorcon invasion.
[edit] Fun Publications
Bulkhead appears in the text story from Fun Publications called Force of Habit. This story explains where he was during the events of the Cybertron story. Ultra Magnus is the commander of various Autobot ships sent to other planets in search for the Cyber Planet Keys.
[edit] Toys
- Superlink Mega Sprung
- The Japanese release of the toy colored more like Generation 1 Springer.
- Energon Mega Bulkhead (2004)
- The US release of Bulkhead with a slightly new dece. This mold was later redecoed into the Autobot Quickstrike and used as the model for Timelines Over-Run.
[edit] Transformers Animated
 Bulkhead in Animated form |
|
| Autobot | |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | Ironhide |
| Sub-group | Activators, Voyagers, Leaders |
| Function | Demolitions, Guardman |
| Rank | 7 (Takara) |
| Partner | Bumblebee, Grimlock |
| Motto | "I kinda broke this thing. And those things. And that pile of stuff over there. Sorry." (Voyager) "Oops. My Bad." (Leader) |
| Alternate Modes | Cybertronian Bulldozer, SWAT Assault Truck |
| Series | Transformers: Animated |
| English voice actor | Bill Fagerbakke |
| Japanese voice actor | Kenta Miyake |
Bulkhead is a main character in the Transformers Animated series that debuted in 2007 on Cartoon Network.[2] He is the only Autobot among the main five character cast whose name does not originate from a Generation 1 character.[3][4] In the 2010 Japanese version of the series, he is known as Ironhide.
Bulkhead's original vehicle mode was a Cybertronian bulldozer. After coming to Earth he was given the vehicle form of a green SWAT truck. He has a retractable line and wrecking ball in both hands. He is easily one of the strongest of the Autobots, but he isn't very smart, and though he's a natural builder who loves to make things,[5] he can also be very clumsy.[6] That combined with battering ram arms make him the ultimate "Demolition Bot." Bulkhead has extending telescopic eyes and a storage compartment in his stomach.[7] Since arriving on earth, Bulkhead has gained a keen interest in art. According to the show creators, Bulkhead is inspired by the Marvel Comics hero The Thing.
[edit] Reception
Bulkhead has been compared to the Jolly Green Giant by television reviewers.[8]
[edit] Animated series
Flashbacks in the episode "Autoboot Camp" reveal that Bulkhead was originally an energon farmer, who became a Space Bridge technician. He was given his name by Sentinel Prime, who referred to him as "all bulk and no brains." In boot camp, he met and befriended fellow recruit Bumblebee. As stated by Shockwave in "A Bridge too Close" Pt 1, it is revealed that Bulkhead scored higher than any other Autobot in a space bridge aptitude test, despite lacking any other seemingly discernible talent.
[edit] Video games
Bulkhead is one of the playable characters in the 2008 Transformers Animated video game for the Nintendo DS.[9]
[edit] Toys
- Animated Activators Bulkhead (2008)
- A Scout class toy with a one-touch transformation.
- Animated Bumper Battlers Bulkhead (2008)
- A Deluxe-sized toy car designed for younger children.
- Animated Voyager Bulkhead (2008)
- A Voyager Class figure that transforms from armored truck to robot.[10]
- Animated Leader Bulkhead (2008)
- A larger-sized version of the Bulkhead figure. In robot mode, the Autobot symbol button plays three phrases, as voiced by Bill Fagerbakke ("Time for the big guns!", "You can do it, buddy," and "Sorry, my bad."). The figure also comes with a Headmaster unit that snaps over the head and plays a voice clip ("Ownage! Total Ownage!") as performed by Alexander Polinsky, the voice of Henry Masterson. This unit also fits on other Leader Class Animated figures, changing their voices as well.[11][12]
- Animated TA-03 Voyager Ironhide (Takara Tomy) (2010)
- The 2010 Japan version by Takara Tomy is marketed as Ironhide.
[edit] Transformers: Prime
| Autobot | |
|---|---|
| Sub-group | Wreckers, Team Prime |
| Partner | Bumblebee, Arcee, Wheeljack, Miko Nakadai |
| Motto | "I'm more good at breaking stuff" |
| Alternate Modes | All-terrain truck |
| Series | Transformers: Prime |
| English voice actor | Kevin Michael Richardson |
A third character named Bulkhead is one of the main group of Autobots in the 2010 computer animated series Transformers: Prime.[13] His robotic appearance is similar to the Transformers Animated character. Bulkhead's hand convert into blasters or wrecking balls. He transforms into an offroad vehicle, much like the Duster Renault. He was assigned to be the guardian of the human Miko Nakadai.
Bulkhead is the only regular Autobot cast member in Transformers: Prime who didn't appear first in the War for Cybertron video game.
[edit] Exiles
Formerly one of the Wreckers under Ultra Magnus' command, Bulkhead appears in Transformers: Exiles as part of the Autobot crew aboard the Ark.
[edit] Animated series
Before becoming a warrior Bulkhead was a construction worker. For a time, he served in the Wreckers with Wheeljack. When Bulkhead first arrived on Earth he ran into some power lines, much to Arcee's amusement.
Bulkhead first appears in the pilot episode where he responds too late to a call for help from Cliffjumper, who is taken by the Decepticon and killed. Later when Arcee is attacked by the Decepticons Bulkhead and Bumblebee come to her aid and the Decepticons run away.[14] Bulkhead later goes to rescue Agent Fowler, the Autobots' government liaison, from Starscream, only for Miko, Raf, and Jack to follow him and be put in danger. Optimus later scolded Bulkhead for endangering the humans, but it is revealed in the next episode that Bulkhead's damage to the Decepticons' ship stopped Megatron from locking onto Cybertron with his Space Bridge.
In Scrapheap, despite being ravaged by the metal-eating swarm of Scraplets, Bulkhead proved his bravery when he nobly used himself as bait to draw the Scraplets out of the base: an act that allowed both the freezing-to-death Optimus Prime and Arcee to return to base safely, and saved Ratchet and Bumblebee from further injury from the Scraplets.
In Con Job, Bulkhead is thrilled to welcome his old comrade from the Wreckers, Wheeljack, who he nicknamed "Jackie", to Team Prime. However, Bulkhead notices that Wheeljack doesn't seem like himself, and does not tell his part in their adventures he recounts. Bulkhead's suspicion turns heated and proves vindicated when Wheeljack does not recount one of their war stories truthfully: Wheeljack is in fact the shape-shifting Decepticon Makeshift, who takes Miko hostage. The real Wheeljack, who'd been captured by Starscream, is able to get back the Autobot base and defeat Makeshift. However, Wheeljack opts to leave Earth to continue his solo journey among the galaxy, but Bulkhead is not saddened, since he knows that while Wheeljack always leaves, he always comes back.
In Deus ex Machina, Bulkhead's old nemesis Breakdown makes his presence known to the Autobots. When asked about his feud with Breakdown, Bulkhead only replies angrily, "We have a history." Bulkhead is defeated twice by Breakdown in the episode, but eventually subdues his nemesis with Knock Out's electric prod. Bulkhead did not have to wait long to engage his enemy again; he and Bumblebee fought and defeated Breakdown in Speed Metal, and Bulkhead later fought Breakdown to a stalemate with Arcee in Out of his Head.
In Operation: Breakdown, following his defeat in another clash against Breakdown, his nemesis is captured by human terrorist group MECH. Bulkhead stubbornly refuses to help his nemesis, explaining to Miko that their history goes a long time back, and that he simply cannot forgive Breakdown for the things he's done. Miko convinces him that if he doesn't go after Breakdown he has no chance to avenge his earlier defeat. Bulkhead eventually fights his way to Breakdown and together they fight their way out of MECH's lair, and fight back to back to fend off the hordes of MECH troops. During the battle, much to Bulkhead's surprise, Breakdown pushes him out of the way from a paralyzing blast from MECH. Starscream arrives, and urges Breakdown to kill Bulkhead regardless of their teamwork, and Breakdown nearly does so, but Bulkhead single-handedly defeats most of the Decepticons present. Optimus commends Bulkhead for "rising above [himself]" to save Breakdown, but Bulkhead was more happy he defeated all the Decepticons present so swiftly.
In "One Shall Rise, Part 3", Bulkhead is infected by Dark Energon. He goes back to normal after Unicron is defeated. Later, Bulkhead asked Optimus is he was alright, Optimus lost his memories at went with Megatron back to the Nemesis.
Bulkhead appears in season 2.
[edit] Other appearances
Bulkhead appeares as one of the Hub Carolers in a Christmas themed commercial for The Hub.[15]
[edit] Toys
- Prime First Edition Voyager Bulkhead (2011)
- A new Voyager mold of Bulkhead.[16]
- Prime First Edition Voyager Bulkhead (Takara Tomy) (2011)
- The Japanese version of Bulkhead by Takara Tomy is repainted in a dark green metallic finish.
- Prime Powerizer Voyager Class Bulkhead (not yet released)[17]
- Prime Cyberverse Commander Bulkhead (not yet released)
- A new Cyberverse mold of Bulkhead.
[edit] Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Prime Bulkhead inspired Dark of the Moon Bulkhead's toy.
[edit] References
- ^ Lenburg, Jeff (2009). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Third Edition. Infobase Publishing. p. 657. ISBN 978-0-8160-6599-8.
- ^ Cartoon Network and Hasbro Join Forces to Create TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED, Business Wire, June 25, 2007
- ^ Character bios for Transformers Animated characters
- ^ Robots in disguise come back from '80s obscurity University Wire; January 7, 2008; by Anton Skerl
- ^ Bulkhead Character Information And Resources At TransformersAnimated.com
- ^ Transformers Animated: Volume 6 by Michael Ryan, 2009
- ^ Jim Sorenson & Bill Forster (August 15, 2009). Transformers Animated: The Allspark Almanac. Idea & Design Works Llc. pp. 29–31. ISBN 978-1600104879.
- ^ Anton Skerl (January 7, 2008). "TV REVIEW: Robots in disguise come back from '80s obscurity". University Wire.
- ^ IGN.com - Transformers Animated (DS) Review
- ^ Toyfare Magazine #123, November 2007, page 40
- ^ Toyfare magazine issue #128, April 2008
- ^ "Transformers Animated". Tomart's Action Figure Digest (Tomart Publications) (164): 28–31. 2008.
- ^ TFW2005.com - BotCon 2010 Transformers: Prime Panel Coverage
- ^ Transformers Prime episode #1 "Darkness Rising Part 1"
- ^ (in English) (Commercial) The Hub Carolers (Video). The Hub. December 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN4sZcUMuss. Retrieved December, 11th, 2011.
- ^ TFW2005.com - Prime Bulkhead
- ^ [1]
