Shockwave (Transformers)

Shockwave/Shockblast

Shockwave toy boxart
Decepticon
Information
Sub-group	Action Masters, Alternators
Function	Lieutenant Commander, Military Operations Commander, Commander of Decepticon forces on Cybertron
Rank	9
Partner	Fistfight, Megatron, Soundwave
Motto	"Clarity of thought before rashness of action..."
Alternate modes	Cybertronian Laser Gun, Mazda RX-8, steam-powered warship
Series	Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Alternators
English voice actor	Corey Burton (Television series) Darryl Kurylo (Transformers: Devastation)
Japanese voice actor	Yutaka Shimaka (Television series) Kaito Ishikawa (Q Transformers: Mystery of Convoy)

Shockblast/Shockwave

Decepticon
Information
Sub-group	Ultra Vehicles Triple Changers
Function	Satellite Staff
Motto	"I see you."
Alternate modes	Cybertronian Tank/Satellite
Series	Transformers: Energon
English voice actor	Brian Drummond
Japanese voice actor	Nobutoshi Kanna

Shockwave

Cybertron Shockwave toy
Decepticon
Information
Sub-group	Mini-Cons,Triple Changers
Partner	Mudflap
Alternate modes	Jet/gun
Series	Transformers: Cybertron

Shockwave

Shockwave in Transformers Dark of the Moon
Decepticon
Information
Sub-group	Triple Changers
Function	Scientist / Assassin
Rank	8
Partner	Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Barricade, Driller, Sentinel Prime
Motto	"Logic brings all things to order."
Alternate modes	Gun turret and AH-64 Apache helicopter (2007 video game), Cybertronian Tank (DOTM)
Series	Transformers: Dark of the Moon
English voice actor	Frank Welker (film) Daniel Riordan (2007 video game) Isaac C. Singleton, Jr. (2011 video game)
Japanese voice actor	Jirō Saitō

Shockwave

Transtech Shockwave concept art.
Decepticon
Information
Sub-group	Transtechs
Motto	"Fascinating. Tell me, would you describe the sensation as a searing pain, or is it more of a rending sensation?"
Alternate modes	Cybertronian Low Rider
Series	Transformers: Timelines
English voice actor	Chris Ho

Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers franchise. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon instead of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save for a single robotic eye. He is also commonly portrayed as a cold, emotionless Decepticon that serves as Megatron's "mad scientist". Due to issues with Hasbro's trademark of the name Shockwave, some products were also released under the name Shockblast or "Shockblast the Great".

As the Decepticons' military operations commander, Shockwave's power is second only to Megatron, and even that is disputed. His actions are carried out with the cold, brutal clarity and perfection one would expect of a purely mechanical being—his way is not that of blood lust, like so many other Decepticons, but rather that of a scientist attempting to solve a problem. And that problem is: how can he use his abilities to most effectively eliminate the greatest number of enemies? Unfortunately for the Autobots, it is rare that Shockwave does not find an answer.

Unlike most early Transformers Shockwave was not modified into an Earthly form, and retains his Cybertron alternate mode—a 35-foot-long ray gun. He possesses the power of flight in both modes, and commands the totality of the electromagnetic spectrum allowing him to emit beams of energy in a wide variety of forms. His high energy output makes him particularly fuel inefficient, but radioactive fuel sources stored in the reactor in his chest can help Shockwave to overcome this problem. Although his logical brain center is usually an advantage, human adversaries often pose more of a difficulty to Shockwave, as more intuitive and emotional thought processes often confound him.

While the animated series established Shockwave as fanatically loyal to Megatron, Shockwave's original bio and most fiction since have described him as coldly and patiently looking for ways to overthrow Megatron, not for personal power (as Starscream would) but simply because it was logical for him to do so. Shockwave concluded that he should rule so that no emotion should prevent the Decepticons from conquering the universe. This was retained in most comic books, where Shockwave became leader of the Decepticons.

Unusually for a 1985 (second year) toy, Shockwave was part of Transformers fiction from the first year, appearing in both the original cartoon pilot and 4-issue comic book miniseries.