Shrapnel (Transformers)

Insecticon/Shrapnel

Insecticon in Dreamwave comics.
Decepticon
Information
Sub-group	Terrorcon, Basic Beasts
Motto	"I have an appetite for your destruction."
Alternate modes	Mechanical Beetle
Series	Transformers: Energon Transformers: Universe Transformers: Attacktix

Shrapnel is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. The character has also been called by the names Insecticon and Sharpshot due to trademark issues.

Shrapnel is a member of the Insecticons, a sub-faction of the Decepticons. Shrapnel's original toy tech spec and Marvel Universe bio both painted the picture of a dedicated sadist. He enjoys the screams of his enemies: even better is listening to them short circuit.

In the comics, Shrapnel was a lieutenant under the command of Lord Straxus. Unlike his cartoon persona this one could shrink, becoming the actual size of an insect. Marvel Transformers U.K. Annual 1985 contained a story called Plague of the Insecticons. Optimus Prime lead Prowl and Warpath to a meeting with President Ronald Reagan in Washington D.C. to open a dialog between the Autobots and the U.S. government. However Soundwave had intercepted word of the talks and informed Megatron, who decided send the Ravage and the Insecticons. The Insecticons did not attack the Autobots, but instead attacked the U.S. military in the name of the Autobots. Prowl was badly damaged by one of Shrapnel's grenades during the battle. Although the Autobots managed to chase off the Insecticons Optimus Prime gave up on explaining the misunderstanding to Reagan, thinking he would never be believed. Reagan had been ready to hear what Optimus had to say and was disappointed they gave up so easily.

Shrapnel debuted with the rest of the Insecticons in the first season episode, A Plague of Insecticons. The Insecticons were a group of Decepticons who fled the Nemesis four million years ago in an escape ship. The ship landed in Indonesia where the Insecticons reformatted themselves to resemble insects. The Insecticons' stomachs could absorb most forms of energy and matter and use it to fuel the robots.

Shrapnel, who always repeated the last word in a sentence, was often seen in a leadership capacity with the Insecticons (however as seen in Traitor, Bombshell often has periods where he is more of the leader). Shrapnel has the ability to create and control an unlimited number of clones using just small pieces of scrap metal. He also had the ability to control lightning when storms were present. While an effective weapon, this ability was seen as ineffective against the Autobots while they were in vehicular mode, due to their rubber tires. At first, Megatron was very pleased with the Insecticons. However, once the tide of battle turned in the Autobots' favor, the Insecticons consumed the Decepticons' energon. This began a feud between the Insecticons and the Decepticons.