Incarnations of Starscream

Template:Non-free-lists As the Transformers franchise has grown, more continuities separate from the original series and its subsidiaries have come into existence, with some continuities featuring a unique version of Starscream.

Beast Wars II

Template:Transformers character In the Japanese-exclusive animated series, Beast Wars II, a character named Starscream (misspelled as "Starscrem" on toy packaging) was one of Galvatron's most loyal minions (neither character, however, was meant to be the same as his Generation 1 namesake, as was the case in the original Beast Wars series; preexisting names were reused for entirely different characters). He was the only sophisticated member of the bunch, but used his hulking sidekick, BB, to back him up.

Like the Decepticon air commander who came before him, Starscream is both ambitious and deadly. He makes up for his lack of size with unmatched speed and maneuverability. Starscream desires power and lots of it. He hopes to one day dethrone Galvatron as the Predacon emperor of destruction and rule the universe himself. He is also slightly effeminate, often laughing and gesturing in a shaky way. Nevertheless, he is not a warrior to be taken lightly. He often psyches himself up for a battle by listening to music from the Earth composer Wagner. Along with his subordinate, BB, he is a Predacon one should never underestimate.

When transformed Starscream becomes a stealth fighter capable of soaring at speeds few can imagine. In fighter mode he can use the "Formation Scream" and combine with his partner BB to become a powerful air fighter. In robot mode his attack of choice are his "Screamwinder Missiles" which are strong enough to vaporize most opponents.

Starscream is often a little too ambitious for his own good. His attempts to gain power are not always subtle and occasionally backfire.

Though stronger as Hellscream, Starscream's lust for power still keeps him under the watchful eyes of his superior officers.

Animated series

Starscream first appears in episodes #1 of Beast Wars Second, called "The Birth of a New Army."

Starscream appears in episode #14, "The Combined Giant, Tripledacus." Upon arriving on Gaea the Jointrons briefly fight Bighorn, Diver, Tasmanian Kid, Starscream and BB. After chasing away the Predacons Tripledacus notices the remaining mechs are Maximals and becomes friends with them. Later, when Tripledacus confronts Megastorm, Starscream and BB the Maximals arrive to chase the Predacons away from their new ally.

In episode #31, "The End of Starscream," Starscream is unwillingly plunged into a lava crater riddled with Angolmois energy by Gigastorm. This evolves him into Hellscream, a cybernetic flying shark. Even more cruel and ruthless than before, Hellscream retains his hateful personality but with newfound abilities. He still has his Screamwinder missiles but has gained a new power, the "Terrorstorm". With this, he unleashes a hellish torrent of fire and missiles reducing any Maximal to ashes.

Manga

In "The Maximal Brainwashing Project" Starscream and BB were able to capture Diver and the Tasmanian Kid, brainwashing them into serving the Predacons. Meanwhile Leo Prime, Apache and Scuba were able to capture Dirge and Thrust. The shock of being damaged in capture had the side effect of making the Predacons think they were Maximals. Diver and the Kid were able to ambush the Maximals, allowing Galvatron to gain the upper hand on Lio Convoy, but the Maximals were aided by Dirge and Thrust. Furious that Lio had seemingly stolen his brainwashing idea Starscream had BB attacked the Maximals. Megastorm found the whole turn of events amusing and planned to use his main cannon to destroy all the Maximals and Predacons in the conflict, becoming the leader of the Predacons. His attack took so long to charge Diver was able to ruin it with a water geyser. The explosion was enough to shock the brainwashed Maximals back to their senses. Galvatron and the Predacons retreated with Dirge and Thrust in tow.

IDW Publishing

Starscream had a biography printed in the Beast Wars Sourcebook by IDW Publishing. According to the Beast Wars Sourcebook Starscream saved BB from a Maximal reeducation camp, which is why BB is so loyal to him.

In Beast Wars: The Ascending Shokaract's heralds Hellscream, Max-B, Antagony, Thrustor and Hardhead defended their master on Cybertron until he was shunted into limbo by the Maximal Snarl. The heralds then retreated once there was no vessel for Unicron.

Toys

• Beast Wars Second BB and Starscream (1997)

A purple, black and yellow redeco of the Generation 2 Dreadwing and Smokescreen jet, originally intended to be a G2 version of the original Megatron and Starscream, with different decals. Starscream has twin missile launchers mounted on his sides in jet mode, which can be wielded in the hands of his and BB's robot modes. Starscream and BB packaged together, and also in a pack with the Maximal Bighorn.

• Beast Wars Second Deluxe Hellscream (1998)

A remold of the 1997 Beast Wars Cybershark toy, Hellscream was altered to look more cybernetic, appearing as a cross between a shark and a submarine with a threatening-looking blade for a head, a cockpit for a dorsal fin and a turbine for a tail. He was remolded into the Maximal Sharp Edge. He was later redoeced ever-so-slightly to become Overbite for Transformers: Universe in 2006.

Unicron Trilogy

Main article: Starscream (Unicron Trilogy)

Transformers

Template:Transformers character During production of the live-action film, writer Alex Kurtzman stated that Starscream would not stray from his treacherous roots as he seeks to overthrow Megatron, and frequently engages in bickering arguments with him. In the film, he is seen vehemently pledging his allegiance to Megatron when the latter breaks free from the Hoover Dam, but unlike the other Decepticons, he is not killed in the final battle and escapes the planet at the end of the movie. For unknown reasons, he passes up a chance to take the All Spark for himself. Although, it could be that he didn't dare try, with Megatron so near.

As always, Starscream transforms into a jet, in this case an Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. He has a hatred of Megatron and seeks to be Leader of the Decepticons. He is bulkier than most incarnations, due to the size of the Raptor combined with the lack of mass displacement. He maintains a simian body shape with a large, triangular chest, large shoulders formed by the jet's distinctive twin tails, long arms, and small or bird-like feet. His chest is still formed by the jet's nose. The jet's powerful main engines end up on his back, allowing him to leap great heights into the air and take flight, much like a jetpack. They also allow him to control his descent if he transforms out of his jet form in midair. His movements are a combination of acrobatic and avian, grabbing hold of a bridge's bottom to launch himself up into the air and transforming in mid-flight to swoop down upon his prey. His arms store heavy weaponry, with a missile launcher carrying six missiles in both arms, a saw in his right arm, and a high caliber machine gun (probably the jet's Vulcan cannon). In the movie's video game tie-ins, he is also seen detaching one or both of his wings and using them as short swords (a reference to his depiction in Transformers: Armada). When in Raptor mode he can simulate the appearance of a human pilot, the same holographic model (referred to as "Mustache Man" on-set and in the credits) that "pilots" Blackout and "drives" Barricade. The actor is Air Force Major Brian Reece, a helicopter pilot instructor at Kirtland Air Force Base.

The official guide to the Transformers video game says he is 31 feet tall (9.4 m), although measuring his 2007 Voyager class toy suggests he would stand 55 feet (16.8 m) tall and 2009 Voyager toy suggests he would stand 46.2 feet tall. The Transformers U.K. magazine states he stands 31 feet (9.4 m) tall, weighs 5.3 (short) tons (4.8 tons) and can travel up to Mach 3.

The movie prequel comics show Starscream acquiring his Raptor form by scanning an experimental Raptor prototype before shooting it down, which should put him among the 411th Flight Test Squadron based out of Edwards Air Force Base (responsible for testing new F-22s). Movie scenes show him among a squadron bearing "ED" tail markings, placing him at Edwards. However, promotional photos of Starscream released with the movie show sufficient detail to recognize the markings on the fuselage of Starscream's disguise: the tail that forms his left shoulder bears a winged sword enclosed in a shield, denoting the Air Combat Command, as well as the letters "FF 1st FW" indicating the 1st Fighter Wing based out of Langley Air Force Base; a portion of the nose forming his chest shows a reversed version of the "flying fist" insignia of the 1st Fighter Wing's 71st Fighter Squadron. This is inaccurate on two counts, since the 71st still flies the F-15 Eagle; however, this could be a homage to the Generation 1 Starscream's F-15 mode.

Starscream's color is the same as the jet's in the movie and the video game's cutscenes, but when Starscream is controlled by the player or the computer his skin turns green.

Books

In the prequel novel Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday it is revealed that Starscream is the leader of the Decepticons following Megatron's disappearance during his search for the Allspark. He and a crew of Decepticons travel aboard the Nemesis to search for the Allspark and Megatron, although Starscream is not keen on finding the latter. His leadership is uneasy at best: Blackout opposes him at every turn (rightly not trusting Starscream and thinking that he would prefer that they never find Megatron), while Barricade tolerates it only as a means of finding Megatron . Encountering Ghost-1, a human craft of Cybertronian design, Starscream manipulates them into revealing that Megatron and the Allspark are on Earth, then betrays them. After winning a vicious duel with Blackout for leadership, he launches a full-scale assault on the Autobots. Just as he and Bonecrusher almost kill Optimus Prime, Starscream is severely injured by Ghost-1. In retaliation, he destroys the human craft before retreating. Optimus Prime notes that Starscream's Cybertronian jet mode resembles that of Megatron's.

Starscream returns in Transformers: The Veiled Threat. With Megatron dead, Starscream eventually returns to Earth around Zambia, where he gains control over local rebel groups by using his internal synthesizers to create gold coins. With his group composed of Dropkick, Macerator, and Payload, Starscream leads an attack on a local dam construction site, making short work of the security forces, and proceeds to steal mass quantities of explosives. But as the Autobots arrive to enage his followers, Starscream springs his trap as both sides are nearly killed with Beachbreak the only casualty before Macerator is killed. Making his way to Europe, Starscream strikes a deal with an Italian criminal named Bruno Carrera to help destroy Optimus Prime in exchange for dominion over Europe when the Decepticons triumph. With Swindle and Dead End to call out the Autobots, Starscream tricks Prime with the strong set of restraints arranged by Carrera before he attacks the remaining Autobots until Prime breaks free. Forced to fall back, Starscream attacks Carrera at this villa for his “failure”.

IDW Publishing

The back story of the Transformers on ancient Cybertron is told in Transformers: Defiance. In this story, Starscream returns to Cybertron after encountering an enemy scout ship in the Eshems Nebula. After being repaired for minor damage by Ratchet, Starscream and Ironhide report to Optimus Prime and Megatron. Later, the planet is invaded by aliens from the Eshems Nebula and Starscream is among the defenders in the city of Metrotitan, near the temple at Simfur. In issue #2, he sides with Megatron in his decision to counterattack Cybertron's invaders and is among the fleet that attacks their ships.

File:Starscream-protoform.jpg

Protoform Starscream in the IDW Transformers: Movie Prequel series

Starscream also appears at the end of issue #3 of Transformers: Movie Prequel, where he, Blackout and Barricade destroy the Mars Beagle probe. In issue 4, he travels to Earth, gaining his F-22 alternate mode by scanning an experimental Raptor before shooting it down. The three Decepticons, detecting emissions similar to that of the Allspark, then stumble onto Sector 7's trap for Bumblebee, wiping out their military backup. Starscream then approves Barricade's plan to follow Bumblebee and see if he could lead them to the All Spark, tailing him from the air.

He appears in the official movie sequel comic called "The Reign of Starscream". In this story, Starscream leaves the battle in Mission City, where he finds Barricade alive, but damaged, and then goes to recover Frenzy's body from the Sector 7 base under Hoover Dam in hopes of gaining information on the All Spark. After recovering Frenzy, Starscream is confronted by Sector 7 forces commanded by Agent Salazar. After an unsuccessful attempt by Salazar to use L.M.-1 in battle Starscream kidnapps Salazar and leaves Earth for Mars. Salazar dies from decompression, much to Starscream's surprise, when they leave Earth's atmosphere. Starscream barely makes it to the Nemesis on Mars before he runs out of power. His return is noted by the Autobot Cosmos, who alerts Arcee, Cliffjumper, Smokescreen, Camshaft and Air Raid. Aided by Thundercracker aboard the Nemesis, Starscream recovers and sends the information Frenzy had gathered back to Cybertron just as Hardtop spots the Autobots closing on the Nemesis. In issue #5, Starscream sacrifices the sparks of Crankcase, Elita One, Grindcore, Signal Flare and Warpath to bring his new All Spark Cube online. Although the cube fails to function, Starscream does not have time to find out why, as Dreadwing makes his bid to overthrow the Decepticons using his army of drones. Ramjet and Divebomb side with Dreadwing, but Thundercracker and Stockade remain loyal to Starscream. Crosshairs beheads Ramjet and the Autobots are able to deactivate the drones as Starscream overcomes Dreadwing's remaining forces, including Divebomb. Dreadwing escapes to the Nemesis, but is followed by Starscream. Crashing on Mars, Dreadwing thinks he was free, but Starscream kills him before turning his eye to Earth.

In Transformers: Alliance, a month after the battle at Mission City, Epps and Lennox contact Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Ironhide about aiding them in escorting the remains of the Decepticons to the naval yard. Unknowingly, they are spied on by Barricade, who transmits the information to Starscream, who is applying Cybertronian symbols on his body. Unable to ignore the possibility of being able to take out Prime, Megatron and Wreckage at once, Starscream attacks, but is unable to overpower Wreckage, who is enhanced with a sliver of the All Spark. As Wreckage is about to deal a deathblow, he is distracted by Bumblebee. Starscream capitalizes and gutts his foe before turning his firepower on the Autobot and the humans. However, he then retreats, having an unexpected communication from Soundwave.

Movie plot

File:Starscream-moviepilot.jpg

Starscream's hologram pilot in the live-action film

In the film, Starscream rallies the other Decepticons to battle when Frenzy alerts them to the All Spark's location. He destroys the electrical substation that powers Sector 7's base, allowing Megatron to come out of his deep freeze. Upon being reunited with Megatron, however, he is scolded by his leader for letting the All Spark escape in a manner reminiscent of his G1 counterpart: "You've failed me yet again, Starscream."

In the final battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, he is the first Decepticon to arrive on the scene thanks to his flight capability, which he also uses to ambush the Autobots when their human allies mistake him for a friendly Air Force pilot. He aids Brawl and Megatron by firing missiles in his Raptor form at Bumblebee and Ironhide, destroying the former's legs and injuring the latter. Later, he stops Sam Witwicky from fleeing by land with the All Spark, easily disabling both Ratchet and Ironhide in the process; however, he does not take the All Spark with him. When Sam is about to hand off the All Spark to a Black Hawk crewman, Starscream shoots down the helicopter. Later, when a full airstrike has been called in on Megatron and Blackout, Starscream conceals himself among the attacking jets in order to ambush them. He destroys three of the jets, but retreats from the battle after the F-22 pilots regroup and engage him, allowing the jets to complete their mission.

Note: According to the bio for the Premium Deep Space Starscream toy, Starscream retreated to a nearby power plant to re-energize himself, but this was not shown in the film.

An interlude during the end credits shows Starscream leaving Earth's atmosphere. He can be heard speaking, though his words are not clear nor subtitled.

In the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Starscream is first seen aboard the Nemesis shipwreck and is confronted by a returning Megatron, who is angry because Starscream left him to die on Earth. He reveals that they are nearly running out of energon, the secondary source of life, after a couple of the Cybertronian protoforms in the Nemesis die prematurely. He is later seen fighting alongside Grindor and Megatron against Optimus Prime, but is subdued quickly and his arm chopped off. He and Megatron escape after Autobot reinforcements arrive to protect Prime's body. Before reattaching his arm, Starscream is beaten by Megatron on top of the MetLife Building in Manhattan, New York, for not being able to catch Sam. He is seen later in Egypt with the other Decepticons who are looking for Sam. He tells Rampage to spring the trap for Sam when Sam and Mikaela get close, which results in the demise of Rampage and Ravage. When the Fallen is killed, Starscream convinces Megatron that retreating is their only option of survival as they leave Earth. Along with Megatron, and Soundwave, Starscream is one of the only three confirmed Decepticons who survived the film.

Titan Magazine

In "Twilight's Last Greaming" part 3, Starscream and Scorponok attack the Autobots Arcee, Armorhide, Elita One, Longarm, Skyblast and Strongarm on the moon. The Autobots flee to Earth, which is exactly what Starscream hoped they'd do.

Starscream would return in issue #22 of the Titan Transformers Magazine series in a story called "The Decepticon who Haunted Himself."

Video games

Starscream is a playable character in the video game, with a white and red 'G1 Repaint' unlockable after the player completes the Decepticon campaign. He would appear as a boss alongside with Blackout in the Autobot campaign, where he is seemingly killed by Jazz. In the Decepticon campaign he is playable, and is also featured in many cutscenes and communications. In the Nintendo DS Transformers: Decepticons game, Starscream would kill Barricade and Blackout, and perhaps Brawl, who simply disappears after killing Ironhide, steal the Allspark and betray Megatron. Starscream is fought by Megatron as the final boss after he's heavily damaged and loses the AllSpark to Create-A-Bot. After being defeated, Megatron kills him for being a traitor, as well as Create-A-Bot for being weak.

Starscream is among the playable characters in the 2009 Revenge of the Fallen video game by Activision.

In the Nintendo DS game, Revenge of the Fallen: Decepticons, Starscream was the temporary leader of the decepticons until Fallen forces him to revive Megatron. In the end he swore one day he would be the permanent leader of the decepticons.

Toys

• Transformers Deluxe Preview Protoform Starscream (2007)

The first Starscream figure to be released, which represents his Protoform mode.

• Transformers Deluxe Preview Protoform Fusion Cluster Starscream (2007)

This Japan exclusive version of Protoform Starscream is molded in orange and black, while his limbs and tail are molded in transparent orange. In Entry mode, he appears to be glowing orange from entering Earth's atmosphere.

• Transformers Legends Starscream (2007)

A Micro class vehicle of Starscream.

With a real F-22 measuring 1890 centimeters long, and this toy measuring 8.5 centimeters, this toy is about 1:222 scale.

• Transformers Legends Stealth Starscream (2008)

A redeco of Movie Legends Starscream. Also available in a 2-pack with Nightwatch Optimus Prime.

File:Starscream-moviefab.jpg

Starscream Fast Action Battler

• Transformers Fast Action Battlers Battle Blade Starscream (2007)

A Deluxe sized figure with simple transformation for younger children. The figure converts from robot mode to F-22 Raptor jet mode and features a flip-out arm blade. In vehicle mode it is 15 centimeters long. Since a real F-22 is 1890 centimeters long this toy has a scale of about 1/126 scale.

Also released in a redeco as Ramjet.

With a real F-22 measuring 1890 centimeters long, and this toy measuring 17.5 centimeters, this toy is about 1:108 scale.

• Transformers Voyager Starscream (2007)

Featuring Automorph technology, this toy transforms into an F-22 Raptor and fires projectiles through his spinning arm turrets(the spinning arm turrets cannot transform into hands). In vehicle mode, he is 21 centimeters long. Since a real F-22 is 1890 centimeters long, this toy has a scale of about 1/90 scale and Starscream would stand about 55 feet (17 m) tall.

A repaint of this figure was released as Thundercracker.

• Transformers Voyager Starscream redeco (2007)

A Target exclusive repaint of Voyager Starscream, showing his new form after the events of Transformers Movie. Supposedly, he changed his color scheme into a Generation One scheme to hide from the Autobots. In addition to the repaint, this toy features a head design made to resemble the original G1 head.

Also repainted as Skywarp and Ramjet in the 2009 Revenge of the Fallen toy line.

• Transformers Voyager Starscream (Toshiba Vardia Red Version) (2007)

A Japan-only release, this red repaint of Starscream was part of Toshiba's "HD DVD Transform" campaign, where it was included with the purchase of a Toshiba Vardia RD-A301 HD DVD Recorder.

• Transformers Voyager Deep Space Starscream (2008)

A Target exclusive metallic redeco of movie Voyager Starscream. Packaged in robot mode in a clear plastic box similar to that used for Robo-Vision Optimus Prime.

• Revenge of the Fallen Legends Starscream (2009)

A redeco of the 2007 movie Legends figure.

• Revenge of the Fallen Fast Action Battlers Sword Slash Starscream (2009)

A redeco of the 2007 movie Fast Action Battlers figure.

• Revenge of the Fallen Gravity Bots Starscream (2009)

A toy jet that instantly transforms into robot mode when tilted upward.

• Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Starscream (2009)

A new Voyager class mold first appeared on the internet in January of 2008. Although similar in size to the first movie's Voyager mold, the new toy features better proportions in jet mode, arms with hands, improved articulation, a more film accurate head, and "Mechalive" features which make gears in the chest move when you turn the head. The paint sceme is similar to the first film, but with Cybertronian 'tattoos' which he placed on his body on Mars after returning from Cybertron in the IDW comics.

The toy is 21.5 centimeters long in jet mode, 16 centimeters tall as a robot. With the real F-22 reaching 1890 centimeters long the toy is 1:88 scale. It would also imply Starscream stands 1408 centimeters (46.2 feet) tall as a robot.

• Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Nebular Starscream (2009)

A Kmart exclusive redeco of Voyager Starscream with teal-colored tattoos. Packaged in Robot mode.

• Revenge of the Fallen N.E.S.T. Battle Pack Legends Starscream (2009)

A black redeco of the Legends figure bundled with Legends Autobot Smokescreen.

• Transformers Leader Starscream (2010)

An all-new Leader Class figure of Starscream, featuring light and sound effects, a moving jaw, a hidden gatling gun in his right arm and hidden (nonfiring) missiles in his left. He also features a removable missile launcher with two missiles, all of which can be stored on his back. The figure says either "Decepticons will crush the Autobots!" and "No one can defeat Starscream!" or just "Decepticons!" and "Starscream!" depending on whether it is the American or Multilingual version.

• Transformers Activators Starscream (2010)

A Deluxe-sized toy designed for younger children that features instant transformation at the push of a button. This sub-line replaces both the Fast Action Battlers and Gravity Bots from the movie toy lines.

• Transformers Starscream's Assault Voyager Starscream (not yet released)

A Walmart exclusive white redeco of the 2009 Voyager figure, bundled with a white/red redeco of Deluxe Mudflap.

• Transformers The Victory of The Fallen Legends Starscream (not yet released)

A silver redeco of the Legends Starscream figure bundled with other Legends figures of The Fallen, Megatron, Optimus Prime and Jetfire.

• Masterpiece MP-M01 Starscream (not yet released)

On July 2010, Takara Tomy announced that the Leader Class Starscream figure from the 2010 toy line will be released in Japan as part of the Masterpiece series. This version will have regular F-22 flight camouflage instead of the tattoos on the Hasbro version.

Transformers Animated

Template:Transformers character Starscream appears in the 2007 animated series. He transforms into a futuristic harrier jet, (sporting a notable similarity to the Variable Fighters of Macross fame in his transformation sequence) and resembles his Generation 1 counterpart in both design, personality, and ambitions. He flies at high speeds in both modes, and wields his trademark null-rays, though these function simply as powerful lasers. He's unintentionally comical in this incarnation displaying a degree of incompetence similar to his animated G1 counterpart. However, this incarnation displays a resolute tenacity towards his objective, shown by his flying around in a brutally-damaged Nemesis to track down the Allspark's energy signature for 50 years by himself. Unlike his G1 namesake, Starscream is far from cowardly and is an excellent warrior, since he almost single-handedly took down all of the Autobots in a battle over the Allspark. During season 2, upon being resurrected by a shard of the Allspark embedded on his forehead, Starscream displays a sense of perseverance in the series, making numerous attempts to eliminate Megatron before and after being destroyed by the Decepticon leader. He also can't tell the difference between any two humans.

In the Japanese translation of Transformers: Animated, the story has been changed to make it a prequel to the 2007 Transformers film. This makes this version of Starscream an earlier version of the film character.

Animated series

In "Transform & Roll Out", Starscream didn't even believe the Allspark existed in the first place, but when there was proof of the Allspark's existence on-board the Autobot's ship (which he opted immediately to just destroy) he made it second on his priority list - right behind becoming the new leader of the Decepticons. Seeing an opportunity to realize his primary goal (and to get Megatron back for damaging his wing when he suggested getting the Allspark himself), he planted an explosive charge on Megatron's back as he, oblivious to the device, exited the ship to fly out and board the Autobot vessel containing the Allspark. The massive explosion, though, only severely damaged Megatron instead of expunging him like he had expected, leading Starscream to believe that his plan was a success. Overjoyed to the realization of his dream, he faked mourning the loss of his former leader as he immediately proclaimed himself the new leader of the Decepticons. Unfortunately, the other Decepticons abandoned ship while Starscream failed to notice the massive explosion caused by the ensuing battle that the ship was heading directly into. Starscream, along with the Nemesis, was engulfed in the explosion. It would be decades later that he ended up on Earth with what was left of the Nemesis, adapting his vehicle mode from intercepting fighter jets and blending in with an air show to ambush the Autobots, using his high speed flight abilities to fly rings around the Autobots and taking Bumblebee, Captain Fanzone, and the mayor of Detroit hostage to coerce them into giving him the Allspark. He even managed to wrench it from their possession, despite growing furious with their game of "Keep-Away," and harnessed the power of the Allspark as a devastating weapon, using it to destroy a large chunk of the city. It was his hysteria from this new-found power that led him to be caught off guard as Optimus Prime got the jump on him, and a devastating battle ensued, ending with the Allspark accidentally being unleashed in a similar fashion as the Matrix is activated in G1, only here due to its size, by Optimus and Starscream trying to pull it from each-other's grasp. The resulting blast repelled Starscream away, forcing him to wait for a better chance.

Given some time to repair, Starscream resurfaced again later after Lugnut and Blitzwing were gravely wounded in "Lost and Found", offering to repair them in return for their pledge of loyalty to him.

In "Megatron Rising Part 1", he attempted to convince them both that Megatron had fallen to the hands of the Autobots, thus making him the new leader. Lugnut, however, with his undying, almost obsessive loyalty to Megatron, could not accept this, denying it repeatedly. Just as Starscream was getting angry with Lugnut's inability to consider him a leader, Megatron contacted Lugnut's frequency exclusively, where Lugnut promptly bowed and started addressing his master respectfully. Starscream, thinking Lugnut was talking to him, smirked and said, "Well...that's better...just don't let it happen again." Lugnut revealed to him that Megatron had just issued them orders, where Starscream was quick to jump that it was a treacherous impostor trying to lead them into a trap. He instructed Blitzwing and Lugnut to retrieve the Allspark, while he himself went to intercept the "fake" Megatron transmission. Starscream intercepted it back to Professor Sumdac's lab to discover Megatron's disembodied head. Starscream toyed and mocked Megatron, enjoying his superior's standing on the situation while making a speech of Megatron's feeble condition. However, Bumblebee interfered, annoying Starscream for interrupting him during the speech before he attacked the Autobot. Megatron, who had known of Starscream's earlier attempt on his life for quite some time, manipulated the lab's machinery to throw both Starscream and Bumblebee to the roof of Sumdac Tower. During the melee, Lugnut and Blitzwing arrived on the scene, inserting Sari's stolen key into Megatron's head. The charge from the key quickly rebuilt Megatron's body, much to Starscream's dismay and disappointment.

Noticing how the tides of battle changed with Megatron reborn, Starscream weighed his options of fighting the new, super-powered Megatron to claim his place as leader, or rejoin the ranks and wait for a better opportunity to present itself. Picking the latter, Starscream approached Megatron with a charm and gleam requesting to come back as Megatron's second-in-command as Megatron had his Fusion Cannon aimed at Prime. But at the last second, Megatron faked-out and delivered a massive fatal uppercut on Starscream with the Allspark key, rendering him offline for the remainder of the episode.

Later, in "Mission Accomplished", Starscream regained consciousness in a garbage barge and found his spark strangely extinguished before following Lugnut and Blitzwing to attack Megatron head on. It was from his vain attempt and second "death" by Megatron's hands that Starscream learned that a fragment of the Allspark was embedded on his forehead, keeping him alive and making him immortal. Though invincible, his repeated attempts at Megatron resulted with him being easily defeated, though unable to die. (At one point, he even attempts to pull a Captain Jack on Megatron before being damaged by Megatron's sword and fusion cannon.) After finding another fragment of the Allspark, he planned to lure Megatron out into the open by placing the fragment on a high-speed train which he set to explode, but only the Autobot Elite Guard fell for the trick while Megatron and Blitzwing watched from above before he had Blitzwing shoot Starscream down from the sky. He regained consciousness before attacking Ultra Magnus to take back his fragment. It took stasis cuffs to finally subdue Starscream, who is then sent to Cybertron for imprisonment.

However, in "A Fistful of Energon", he escaped and made his return to Earth, with Megatron setting a bounty on him. Setting up base on the Nemesis wreck on the moon, Starscream used the protoforms to create a massive supply of "decoy Starscreams" to act in his stead, using a cowardly version that Lockdown caught with Prowl's aid and a brightly-colored "scheming" decoy that the Autbots captured while heading to Megatron and Lockdown's meeting area. When the Autobots and Decepticons learned the true nature of the Starscream decoys, Starscream activated the bombs in their spark chambers to take out both factions. But while the Decepticons escaped the warehouse to pursue Starscream, Prowl managed to launch the decoys with his newly-acquired Samurai armor into the sky where they exploded near the Decepticons without any damage done to the city. However, Starscream had already made many more clones after learning that Megatron had increased the amount of his bounty.

Starscream returned in the two-part episode "A Bridge Too Close", installing life into five of his clones with chips of the Allspark fragment in his head. The clones each represented a different side of his personality - cowardice, egomania, dishonesty, sycophancy, and a female clone, who advised him not to ask about her origin. He led his small army to attack Megatron and had the upper hand against him and the Autobots until his head was removed by a Headmaster unit piloted by Isaac Sumdac. Seeing their creator beheaded, the three remaining Starscream clones sided with Megatron. Later, Starscream's head was used by Megatron to reactivate the Decepticon Space Bridge, overloading the systems and resulting in both Starscream's head and Megatron being sucked into an unstable portal. The two were later seen bickering with each other in an random part of space.

Starscream returned in the season three premiere event, "Transwarped." The AllSpark fragment in his forehead gave him the power to convert his mouth into a sonic laser, which freed Megatron from the stasis cuffs. Megatron later used Starscream to override an offline Omega Supreme's circuitry, taking control of him. Starscream planned to use Omega to take over Cybertron, but his plans were derailed when Optimus Prime placed a malfunctioning Space Bridge component on Omega, causing him to go through an endless Transwarp cycle. However, Megatron was able to remove the component, picking up Lugnut and then Shockwave with Arcee, who possessed Omega's activation codes. They returned to Earth's moon, where Starscream took the opportunity to sneak over to the ruins of the Nemesis and use a protoform to build a new body for himself, before Megatron arrived and destroyed all of the decoys. Learning of Megatron's plan to create clones of Omega, Starscream attempted to download the activation codes and take control of them himself. However, Lugnut intervened, gaining and downloading the activation codes himself, and Starscream ended up in pieces from the waist down, courtesy of Megatron.

In "Endgame Part 2," Starscream got his chance at revenge, when it is revealed that he had furtively booby-trapped the Omega Supreme clones with self-destruct devices during their construction and also inserted a program that rendered him in control of the Lugnut Supremes. He eventually reconstructed himself and headed to Earth to watch Megatron's death. However, he met his own demise at the hands of Jazz and Prowl, during the reconstruction of the AllSpark. His own AllSpark fragment was pulled out of his head. Lacking the fragment, Starscream fell to the ground, offline forever.

IDW Publishing

In IDW comics "The Arrival Part 2", Starscream was found unable to move by Professor Princess. The prankster villain then proceeded to put feminine makeup and a wig on him, while teasing him with her blaster. Once his systems were reset by the blaster, Starscream threatened to destroy the little girl, but she had set up a transmission of pictures of Starscream in makeup to be broadcast if she or her pony Powered Sugar were injured and Starscream agreed to leave and forget the whole affair. He never even noticed she had painted his back in rainbow colors.

Toys

• Animated Activators Starscream (2008)

A Scout class toy with near-instant transformation at the press of a button. A special Toys-R-Us value pack of Leader Megatron comes with Animated Activators Starscream as a bonus. Also redecoed as his clones Thundercracker and Dirge.

Bundled in Japan as part of the "Super Collection Vol. 2" gift set with Activators Bumblebee, Bulkhead (Ironhide in Japan) and Grimlock.

• Animated McDonalds Starscream (2008)

Given away as a premium with Happy Meals.

• Animated Voyager Starscream (2008)

The standard-sized figure of this character. Features two transparent-orange spring-powered missiles that can be fired in either jet or robot mode. These missiles replace his classic null-ray cannons from the series, but are still mounted to his forearms. He has an Automorph feature which retracts the nose cone and swings the arms out when the legs are swung forward. His mouth, though paler than the on-screen version, has a sneaky grin, with clear orange (as opposed to the cartoon's red color) used for light-piping. His colors are exactly the same as those used on Voyager Thundercracker of the live-action movie toy line.

Voyager Starscream has been compared to the VF-1 Valkyrie and YF-19 toys of the Macross and Macross Plus series, respectively, due to similarities in transformation and design. It is possible to transform Starscream into Gerwalk mode, but with the arms swung out, the toy's Automorph feature is compromised.

This figure was later redecoed into his clones Skywarp and Sunstorm, as well as the unreleased Thundercracker.

• Universe Animated Legends Starscream (2008)

A Micro class Starscream was sold in the Universe Legends line. This toy was also packaged as Animated Deluxe Rescue Ratchet with Legends Prowl and Starscream - A Target store exclusive contains a purple repainted Starscream bundled with a yellow redeco of Deluxe Ratchet and Legends Prowl.

Unlike the Voyager version, Legends Starscream closely resembles Cyclonus in jet mode.

• Animated TA-07 Voyager Starscream (Takara Tomy) (2010)

The 2010 Japan version by Takara Tomy sports metallic blue paint on the wings and the front of the fuselage, as well as purple Decepticon emblems on the wings.

Also bundled with TA-02 Deluxe Bumblebee.

• Animated EZ Collection Translucent Starscream (Takara Tomy) (2010)

A Japan-exclusive remold of Universe Legends Starscream in clear purple plastic. Offered at JUSCO stores (except the Ryukyu branches) with the purchase of TA01 Voyager Optimus Prime or TA06 Voyager Megatron.

• Animated Mini EZ Collection Starscream (Takara Tomy) (2010, not yet released)

A new mold that stands at 60 mm tall, shorter than the regular Legends/EZ Collection figures.

Transformers: Timelines (Shattered Glass)

Template:Transformers character This Starscream is a morally good version of the Generation 1 character from the BotCon exclusive "Shattered Glass" comic, in which the Decepticons are on the side of good and the Autobots on the side of evil.

According to his tech specs Starscream was a brilliant young scientist who graduated at the Crystal City Science Institute. When the war between the Autobots and Decepticons broke out Optimus Prime tried to recruit him, but he refused. After joining the Decepticons he helped refine the Transformation process Megatron invented. He turns into a Cybertronian jet.

This version is loyal to Megatron, as opposed to his normally treacherous portrayal. He longs to return to his life as a scientist, finding it much more exciting than war. To makes things better, Megatron considers Starscream to be a genius whenever Starscream comes up with a wise idea.

Fun Publications

Starscream appears in the 2008 April Fool's comic Shattered Expectations by Fun Publications. He and Razorclaw confront his world's Goldbug, Grimlock and Jazz. When the Autobots refuse to surrender the Decepticons call in the Mayhem Suppression Squad.

Starscream then appears in the Botcon 2008 Timelines comic Transformers: Timelines story "Shattered Glass" as one of the troops of the heroic Decepticon Megatron. Starscream, Divebomb and Whisper drop "glass gas" bombs on the Autobot's Ark launch platform to make it vulnerable to attack.

Starscream appears in the fiction Dungeons & Dinobots, a text based story from Fun Publications. He defends the Arch-Ayr fuel dump from an Autobot attack.

Starscream appears in the story Do Over. He is the first to discover that the Dinocons Slugfest and Overkill have gained the ability to transform. When Megatron is captured by the Autobot Targetmasters he wants to order a full scale rescue effort, but Cliffjumper talks him into only sending a small team of Micromasters to rescue Megatron, so that the Decepticons efforts in finishing the Nemesis won't be compromised. Starscream was later commands the Nemesis, which follows the Autobot's Ark to Earth before being shot down and ordering the crew to escape in life pods. Among his troops on the Nemesis are Cliffjumper, Demolishor, Heatwave and Soundwave.

Starscream appears in Eye in the Sky, where it is revealed that he survived the crash of the Nemesis. Because he lacks a stasis pod to reformat himself, he maintains a Cybertronian style alternate mode. He becomes good friends with the human scientist Doctor Arkeville and his assistants. Starscream felt it was the Decepticon duty to make sure the supposedly deactivated Autobots posed no threat to Earth before the Decepticon returned to Cybertron. Sadly the Autobot threat surfaces shortly when Rodimus Prime's band take possession of a military base controlling an orbital defense system. Starscream sends a team of Decepticons and their human allies to destroy the defense system and defeat the Autobots.

Starscream defeated the human villain called the Arachnolord.

Starscream appears in a flashback in The Coming Storm.

Toys

• Timelines Voyager Starscream with Razorclaw (2008)

A redeco of the Cybertron Voyager Starscream available only at the 2008 Botcon. His color scheme is an homage to the Generation 1 Autobot Jetfire. He comes with a special red, black and white Earth-planet Cyber Key.

Transformers: Timelines (Transtech)

Template:Transformers character Starscream works in civil intelligence on Transtech Cybertron.

The Transtech concept was a line intended to take Transformers to their most futuristic, and although Toronto-based design studio Draxhall Jump created several designs, the idea was eventually aborted in favor of Transformers: Armada (with Transformers: Robots in Disguise serving as a filler line between years). Several figures made it to the prototype stage before the project was canceled, including Starscream.

Fun Publications

Starscream appeared in the Fun Publications story "Transcendent", where he reported his findings on Skyfall and Landquake to Optimus Prime.

Toys

• Transtech Deluxe Starscream (unreleased)

Although a prototype for this toy was produced, it was never released.

Transformers: Prime

Template:Transformers character Starscream is one of the main group of Decepticons in the 2010 computer animated series Transformers: Prime.

Books

Starscream appears in the short story Bumblebee at Tyger Pax By Alex Irvine.

Video games

Starscream appears as a playable Decepticon character in the 2010 video game Transformers: War for Cybertron, voiced by Sam Riegel. In the Decepticon campaign, Starscream starts out as a Seeker guarding dark energon, but when Megatron immerses himself in dark energon, he quickly allies himself under the Decepticon leader, hoping to learn from him the ways of controlling dark energon. Starscream - along with Skywarp and Thundercracker - are assigned to reactivate the energon bridge that connects his space station to Cybertron.

In the Autobot campaign, Starscream is a sub-boss who leads an assault on the Autobot city of Iacon. He retreats after being defeated by Optimus and his forces.

Starscream appears as a level boss in the Nintendo DS video game Transformers: War for Cybertron Decepticons, where he is defeated by the Decepticons at Trypticon, but survives by begging to live and swearing to serve Megatron. After this point in the game, Starscream and Skywarp become playable characters.

References

• Furman, Simon (2004). Transformers: The Ultimate Guide. DK Publishing Inc. p. 120. ISBN 1405304618.