TRANSFORMERS: Revisiting The Characters of Generation 1 - KICKBACK

TRANSFORMERS:  Revisiting the Characters of Generation 1

    "Friend is another word for fool." - Kickback, 1985. 

DECEPTICON

Name - KICKBACK

Function - Espionage

Series Debut - 1985 / Wave 2

Sub-Group - Insecticon

BACKGROUND...

    Upon meeting Kickback, you may find his personality quite charming!  In reality though, he is a sneaky, manipulating, backstabber.  He only has one purpose in making friends - so that he can blackmail them into doing what he wants later.  These victims could be human or robot, it doesn't matter to him.  He's a jerk!

    Long ago on Cybertron, Kickback was among a group of Decepticons that attempted to ambush a team of Autobots that had left the planet seeking a new power source.  When the ambush attempt went sour - Kickback, Bombshell, and Shrapnel blasted to safety in an escape pod and crash-landed on Earth.  It is unknown how or when they were awakened, but their internal "Idento-computers" prepared them for life on this strange planet by giving them alt-modes of insects - "Insecticons"!  

    Kickback was given the form of a grasshopper.  As such, he has extremely powerful legs.  He can jump up to a distance of 40 feet and he can kick a hole in 1/4 inch steel.  With his wings, he is able to fly up to 30 mph.  Unfortunately his insect mode makes him susceptible to high winds.

    In their "bug" modes, the Insecticons can eat various types of material and convert it into energy to power themselves.  The trio was operating in a dangerous location in Brazil called "Demon Swamp".  The Insecticons had been busy harassing the locals and eating their crops.  This activity caught the attention of Megatron.  Eventually the Decepticons found the Insecticons and formed a alliance that was shaky at best.

    By 2005, the Decepticons had finally taken control of Cybertron.  Learning of an Autobot team preparing to attack, Megatron led a large portion of his forces in an attack on Autobot City on Earth.  During the battle all three Insecticons took extremely heavy damage.  Kickback, himself, was trying to "eat" his way through one of the City's doors when he was sideswiped by the speeding Autobot - Hot Rod and then having his noggin crunched as Kup drove over it.

    As the battle was declared lost, the Decepticons boarded Astrotrain and fled back towards Cybertron.  Carrying too much weight, the Decepticon space shuttle requested that his load be lightened.  Hearing this, the Decepticons took their wounded and callously tossed them into the void of space.  Among the exiled group was Kickback, his 2 Insecticons brothers (Shrapnel and Bombshell), Thundercracker, Skywarp, and Decepticon leader- Megatron.

    Drawn in by the planet eater - Unicron, Megatron bartered a deal for a new body and troops in return for the destruction of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership.  Kickback, who was deactivated by this time, had no say in the deal and was reformatted into one of Scourge's hunters - the Sweeps.

 

MY THOUGHTS...

    Back in 1985, the Insecticons were a fun trio at a decent price point, so it was easy to get all three and complete the group.  Each Insecticon had their "gimmick" - Shrapnel had the lightning, Bombshell had the Cerebro-shells, while Kickback had a powerful... kick.  Yet, Kickback being a grasshopper, was probably the most easily recognized "bug" (I don't believe I have ever seen a lamellicorn??).

    One of my favorite things about Kickback was his cool submachine gun.  Unfortunately, neither the comic or cartoon gave it any focus.  Oh well, my Kickback used it.

    I also appreciated Kickback having his 2 little antennae on his head.  I always wondered how Shrapnel entered a room with the massive pincers sticking out.  I'm sure he has accidentally clobbered both of his Insecticons brothers more than once.  At least Kickback's wings that stuck out, could fold down!

    Kickback here is represented by the Titans Return Kickback.  This is a nice version of the figure!  I appreciate how they replicated the opening clear chest piece - this was a nice touch on Hasbro's part.  While I really like this version of the figure, but I have to say, I'm still more fond of the original!

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