TRANSFORMERS: Revisiting The Characters Of Generation 1 - BOMBSHELL

 TRANSFORMERS:  Revisiting the Characters of Generation 1

"The mind is my playpen!" - Bombshell, 1985.

DECEPTICON

Name - BOMBSHELL

Function - Psychological Warfare

Series Debut - 1985 / Wave 2

Sub-Group - Insecticon (1985), Action Master (1991)

BACKGROUND...

    While the exact details are sketchy, it is believed that Bombshell and his two Insecticon brothers crash landed on Earth at about the same time as the other Earth Transformers.  They had previously been aboard the Decepticon ship, the Nemesis, and exited the doomed ship in an escape module.  It is unknown how or when they became reactivated, but in 1985, they began making their presence known as they began terrorizing local villagers transporting grain through the Amazon swamps.  The area in which they dwelled became known as "Demon Swamp".

    At some point, the "Idento-Computers" inside the trio gave them alt-modes of giant insects.  This would give them the ability to feed off of a variety of materials to convert into Energon to power themselves.  Bombshell has the alt-mode of a rhinoceros beetle!

    One of the most cruel of the Transformers, Bombshell has the ability to put both humans and Transformers under his power.  Using Cerebro-Shells that are launched or injected from his stinger, Bombshell can implant the shells and control his victim's minds.  He finds amusement by humiliating his victims or forcing them to fight his enemies.

    In his robot mode, Bombshell carries a twin ion impulse blaster.  His stinger acts as a head-mounted mortar whish can fire a 50-pound explosive shell.  He can also fire "insecta-shells".  These shells explode and attach to various metallic debris.  From there, the 3 Insecticons can use their control beams to convert the metal into multiple obedient Insecticon clones.  

    By 2005, Megatron's Decepticons, and the Insecticons, managed to return to and take over Cybertron.  Learning of an imminent Autobot attack on the planet, the Insecticons joined the Decepticons on an all-out attack on Autobot City on Earth.  Though they had superiority in numbers and the element of surprise on their side, the eventual arrival of Optimus Prime and his reinforcements sent the Decepticons retreating.  

    All three Insecticons were badly damaged during the battle.  During the ride back to Cybertron they were dumped out into space with other injured warriors to ensure the survival of the stronger Decepticons.  Bombshell was deactivated by the time his body was found by the planet-eater known as Unicron.  His remains were used to make Cyclonus or one of the Sweeps.  It depends who you ask...

    Somehow...  Someway...  Bombshell returned years later.  Energized by the substance called Nucleon, he was now more powerful than before.  He no longer has the use of his bug mode as the Nucleon robs him of his ability to transform.  He has partnered himself with a smaller Decepticon - Needler, for extra firepower.

MY THOUGHTS...

    At a more reasonable price point than some Transformers and the fact that there are only 3 of them - the Insecticons were an easy buy!  The cartoon also did a fantastic job of making these 3 colorful and interesting characters.  I bought all of them as fast as my allowance would let me!  I think I got Bombshell second, after Shrapnel!

    Bombshell was a cool figure - great robot mode, great insect mode, awesome chrome parts - he was a winner!  Obviously this was someone you wanted on your side when having battles with your friends!  The use of his cerebro-shells was invaluable!  

    Standing in for the original G1 Bombshell, is the 2015 Combiner Wars version.  This is a good version of the figure.  I really like the "bug" legs he has, where the original's was not so obvious.  Considering both, I have to say, I actually prefer the original here!  It's tough to beat!

Insecticons from the original catalog!

    (Information on the character's lore was taken from the Sunbow Transformers cartoon series, including the Movie and the figure's original Tech-Spec.)