The Energon Pub

News Credits: 23 · by **Energon** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:50 pm

Why Starscream? What is it about him that makes him such an appealling character?

Here is a brief look at the character. He is weak, is shallow, is a bad guy and is always in second place, but you gotta love him.

Take a look at G1 cartoon Starscream. His idea of being in charge was to be worshipped and have everyone do his bidding. Not exactly the best character trait, but becoming number 1 was his goal. Starscream was kind of the bad boy, he would obey orders and then stretch them where ever he could to suit his own purposes. Starscreams abuse by Megatron was caused by Starscream always challenging him for the right to lead. Starscream never gave up. He always had hope. Hope is a very likeable trait. He had a quirky smile that seemed to be endearing on his character. I think the smile always said "I am up to something". It leaves you wondering if he is going to get away with it this time. Both his jet form and robot form look nice. Jets are cool. He had a simple nice looking face (His face was not "cute" in the early Marvel comics). So just what makes Starscream cute? Probably his deviousness coupled with the smirk and that he is a jet. G1 Starscream was geeky, quirky and fun. He was always a fun character and a scene stealer.

Take a look at Armada Starscream. Same jet, same name, different values. This bad boy wanted to do the right thing. He was loyal and that made him one of those good guy/bad guys. He was much like a teenager choosing his own way in life. He had a much better developed quirky smile than in G1, but it meant the same thing. He would smile just before he blasted some opponent. He was made as a likeable character in this series. He was a loner. The Decepticons were afraid of him and the Autobots didn't trust him. Only the Minicons and the Humans actually liked him. I liked this character because even though he was confused about what was right and wrong, he didn't let anyone make decisions for him. This Starscream was kinda whiny. I liked his color change to blue in this series.

Starscream in Beast Wars was quite the entertainer, coming in as a ghost and taking over bodies. Dinobot served as the Starscream of Beast Wars.

Since I have not seen any of the other cartoons I cannot post comment on those. Please add your thoughts.

Comic book Starscreams vary widely in personality. They seem to lack his perkiness for the most part, he is still likeable, just not as fun.

Did I miss something important that wasn't mentioned?

by **ponycorn** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:30 pm

Cybertron Starscream was probably Starscream at his total best, his willpower at the highest peak. Not the most classic take on his character but interesting in that it explored how he'd become if he reached his full potential.

In contrast, Energon Starscream was just like a neutered zombie.

All Hail Megatron Starscream I think has a ton of intrigue about him. His loyalty to the empire, whatever he's up to with Bombshell. The moments between him and Megatron and his admittance that he did at one point idolize Megatron. I can't wait to see what's going to come of it, but I hope it isn't formulaic.

Yeah, the smirk kind of does it though. I swore I'd never buy a Mighty Mugs until I saw it at the store and they'd got that feature right.

News Credits: 3 · by **MYoung23** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:47 pm

I prefer the movieverse Starscream. Reign of Starscream really fleshed out his character.

He isnt a coward but rather a fierce warrior. He is arrogant but has a practical side to him. He is a nationalist motivated by his perceived failure of Megatron and Prime to their home planet. Starscream has been the only character actively working to revitalize and save Cybertron. The Autobots have all but given up.

Even though Starscream effectively filled the power vaccuum left by Megatron's "death" he knows well enough to step back and bide his time when Soundwave showed up.

by **Zombie Starscream** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:49 pm

Energon wrote:Why Starscream? What is it about him that makes him such an appealling character?

Do you want a fangirl's answer? ;;)

Starscream's appealing because he is a bad boy. But that actually isn't the major thing that makes him so likable. He is vain, considers himself handsome, and ends up being the comic relief. But he is nasty, too. He'd turn on Megatron in a heartbeat, and he is quite cruel and evil. He is visually appealing, and he has a beautiful face with a smirk that is as cold and merciless as deep space.
His voice is masculine but with the rasp and pitch of a woman's, and he has such a chilling laugh.

I am of course describing G1 Starscream, but that one is the only one I know. I never watched Beastwars, and I couldn't stomach the Unicron Trilogy. :wink:

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:52 pm

I wrote this a long time ago about Cybertron Starscream:

Sabrblade wrote:Before Animated aired, Cybertron Starscream was the closest thing to G1 Starscream yet, minus the stupidity. In Cybertron, he was loyal to Megs at first, but was soon tired of following him and began to plot behind Megs' back. Unlike his G1 self, he kept his treachery a secret from everyone until much later. He sought the power of the Cyber Planet Keys for himself.

First, he imprisoned ALL the Decepticons, minus himself and few others, in a force field in outer space. Then he unleashed an army of unnamed generic-character Decepticons and led a full-scale attack on Earth. Both the Autobots and the military went on the counterattack, but had to retreat. With so many Decepticons under Starscream's command, the Autobots decided to leave Earth to the Speed Planet and take their CPKeys and the Omega Lock with them. Starscream wouldn't have that. He attacked the Autobot Evac, who was carrying the Earth CPKey, and went on a suicide mission to battle ALL the Autobots alone. He took out each of them one-by-one and was nearly killed by Optimus. However, unlike BW Dinobot, Screamer fought dirty. When Prime dropped the Omega Lock and Earth CPKey, both Screamer and Prime went after them. However Starscream was losing power fast and was on the verge of death. But he looked down and saw a light of opportunity. Down below him were the Autobots' human friends. Starscream, knowing Optimus would save them, fired a direct shot at them. Optimus jumped in front of the blast at the last second, saving them, but at a deadly price. Starscream took this chance to grab the Omega Lock and Earth CPKey and escape back to his hideout.

Later, he inserted the Earth Key into the Omega Lock. With three keys now in the Lock, an image of the Grand Black Hole appeared in the sky of all the worlds, revealing itself to everyone. Not only that, but Starscream took the power unleashed by the Lock to increase his size to gigantic proportions. My guess is he was way taller than G1 Metroplex and Trypticon, but not as tall as G1 Fort Max and Scorponok. But anyway, he was enormous and now wore a crown similar to the one worn by his G1 self in the G1 movie. He easily defeated all the Autobots and Decepticons (who had broken free of the force field by this time). But with the sudden arrival of the new Autobot Wing Saber, he was beaten when Prime and Wing Saber merged into Prime's Sonic Wing Mode.

After this failure, Starscream went into hiding only to reveal himself later and stole energy directly from Primus, becoming equal with him in size and power. He was now as large as both Primus and Unicron. He went one-on-one with the deity and was winning easily. But alas, he would not prevail. Primus awoke and fought back, using Cybertron's moons as flail-weapons and defeated Starscream, who disappeared again.

He would reappear later once the last CPKey was found by Landmine, Quickmix, and Coby in the ship on Gigantion. Starscream burst in, took out Quickmix, and went for Landmine, who had the Key. He threw Landmine around for a bit to make him drop the Key. Landmine reached for the key , but was stomped on by Starscream. Landmine told Coby to get back, knowing that the Cobybot would be no match for Starscream. Landmine refused to quit and the Key reacted, making Landmine grow to Starscream's size. Landmine totally pummeled Starscream by throwing him at the ceiling and sending him through it with the power of his Cyber Key's attack. Starscream fell to the depths of the surrounding lake, only to make it out barely alive at the beginning of the next episode with the lines, "I... still... function!"

He would return one final time in the end to have a one-on-one fight with Galvatron. Both were evenly matched, neither one seemed to take more damage than the other, nor would they surrender. Both of them channeled all their power within themselves and came at each other. The reaction was so incredible that time and space itself was rended by the final explosion. Starscream was hurtled into another dimension along with the interferring Sideways and Soundwave, leaving only his crown floating through space, which was taken by Galvatron. Later, his presence would be discovered by the Autobot Wing Saber who told Optimus he was going track him down. Optimus sent him back up. In the end, he was still considered a real threat.

That Starscream (and the Animated one) are the best Starscreams since G1.

by **ponycorn** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 12:12 am

Very nice write up Sabrblade. He was all about the force of his own will power. I love also how he ended up, lording over some cool hell dimension with Sideways and Soundwave flanking him. Spooky organ music playing no doubt, like it did in the Galaxy Force version.

Animated Starscream had his moments, like when he said, "So you Autobots want to play dirty huh? Well then you'd better be prepared to go all the way." That was very nice.

by **Coughler** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:12 am

ponycorn wrote:Very nice write up Sabrblade. He was all about the force of his own will power. I love also how he ended up, lording over some cool hell dimension with Sideways and Soundwave flanking him. Spooky organ music playing no doubt, like it did in the Galaxy Force version.

Animated Starscream had his moments, like when he said, "So you Autobots want to play dirty huh? Well then you'd better be prepared to go all the way." That was very nice.

Original G1 Star Scream was awesome cause of Chris Latta. Just hearing his voice 20 something years later as either Cobra Commander or Screamer still puts a smile on my face. The guy was amazing too bad he passed away.

I loved Armada Star Scream although his death realllllly pissed me off. What really shocked me is its the first time i can recall megatron showing sorrow or caring.

News Credits: 3 · by **Name_Violation** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:49 am

i always liked starscream for the fact he would look megs in the face and tell him he'd stab him in the back. he was hardcore.

News Credits: 4 · by **typh0id** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:04 am

ponycorn wrote:All Hail Megatron Starscream I think has a ton of intrigue about him. His loyalty to the empire, whatever he's up to with Bombshell. The moments between him and Megatron and his admittance that he did at one point idolize Megatron. I can't wait to see what's going to come of it, but I hope it isn't formulaic.

I was EXTREMELY impressed with the dialogue between Megatron and Starscream in AHM...VERY well written...

News Credits: 1 · by **cybercat** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 12:28 pm

As a charter member of the Starscream Harem, honestly, I've spent way too much time trying to figure this out myself. Yes, in G1, my first exposure, he was a whiner and a backstabber. And a bit of a coward (remember him in "Golden Lagoon" when he's afraid to get in the pool?). But he was also resourceful and ruthless.

All this y'all have sort of already said. So here's what's hopefully 'new': he appealed to me, at least, because I could identify with him. Not to delve into memoir, but I grew up with a really psychotic family situation, and not only were cartoons one of the few things I could count on for stability in my life, but I could identify, totally, with someone being *forced* to be underhanded.

I ended up hearing myself snivel a lot, and have to do some pretty sneaky things just to pretend to be 'normal' to my schoolmates. (I had to lie lie lie to explain why I wasn't allowed to go any place after school or why my parents never showed up at any functions, and oh, how much stuff I had to hide from my parents...! etc). So my read on G1 Starscream was a guy who, just like me, was forced by circumstances to do things that in better situations he (or I) would find morally objectionable, just to get by. Just like Starscream, I thought that if only *I* were in charge, things would be much better (and with about, I might add, the same level of success).

We both hid in sarcasm. I see this in the various Starscreams through the cartoon series. And true cynics are really just brutalized idealists, which explains Cybertron and Armada.

The movie one I just like because he's hot. I mean, hell, two lines of dialogue isn't much to build a relationship on. Okay, and he's just AWESOME to watch destroying things. I do have hope based on the various continuations in comics for him to be another totally snugglable guy (in my obviously skewed terms). My fave Bayformers Starscream moment is from Alliance 1 when he's cutting the signs into his arm.

HK, and did I mention he's *hot*?

by **ponycorn** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 4:38 pm

I don't know how hot movieverse Starscream is to me. Then again look what they did to my poor Megs, maybe Screamer got off easy on the looks in that one. :-(

I think Starscream was his hottest in the War Within book, and also now in AHM. Nice to look at in most of the 'ation series too. Like when Astrotrain lets him out of the CR chamber and he's all glowy. =P~

News Credits: 1 · by **cybercat** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:42 am

ponycorn wrote:I don't know how hot movieverse Starscream is to me. Then again look what they did to my poor Megs, maybe Screamer got off easy on the looks in that one.

I think Starscream was his hottest in the War Within book, and also now in AHM. Nice to look at in most of the 'ation series too. Like when Astrotrain lets him out of the CR chamber and he's all glowy.

Oh yes....(pause to wipe away drool), WW Screamer was quite tasty--personality and looks in one scrumptious package.

But Bayverse has his moments. Watch the scene on the Dam again. He has the cutest little *blink*. Just melts my crusty little heart. Voice isn't bad either. No Chris Latta, but....

HK, off to go annihilate some students' grades. I'd feel worse if they hadn't just tormented me with a weekend of grading such ******.

News Credits: 23 · by **Energon** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:41 pm

Mixed Comments...

Thank you everyone for posting your comments - keep em comning.

I was gone for the weekend and look at all the great comments! Thank you Sabreblade for posting that writup on Cybertron Starscream.

Some comments that I have, I like Mowry's Starscream character that he created for Reign of Starscream. SS was afraid of becoming just like Megatron. He still had all of his personality faults, but did not have the silly entertaining aspect. He was a lot more of a serious character. I liked him a whole lot. I never bought into the movie appearances of any of the movie characters and thought that Starscream looked a bit odd in the movie. His movie look was better in the comics.

TF:A Starscream. Ugh, they removed one of the most attractive parts of him when they created him. His air scoops. It is like they castrated him. Poor Starscream.

Definately post fangirl/fanboy comments. People are all different and see things differently. I like to hear all the perspectives.

If anyone can define the AHM Starscream that would give a good comparison to the -tion Starscream.

Do you really think G1 Starscream was afraid of the Electrum pool or he was afraid of Megatron using him as a guinea pig and acted that way as part of his rebellious character?

by **ponycorn** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:56 pm

The primary difference between 'ation Starscream and AHM Starscream is maturity.

In AHM, he and Megatron seem to be united and working together, focused, and we are left to assume that this came about in Devastation when Megatron and him did a quick patch job on their relationship while fighting the Reapers together. True, Starscream may be up to something yet again in AHM, but this time I think the end results and motives will be revealed as dramatically different than when he struck out in the 'ation run.

So from the fangirl side that's also why AHM is hotter. (also he's an F-15 again) but more than that he's become more of a man now.

As for G1 Starscream, yes he was afraid of the golden lagoon, just like he was scared in the episode when Megatron used that gun on him that locks you in to alt mode.

by **SentinelA** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:40 pm

I actually didn't care for Armada Starscream. And I don't know movieverse Starscream well enough. I prefer G1 and Animated.

News Credits: 3 · by **Name_Violation** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:39 pm

SentinelA wrote:I actually didn't care for Armada Starscream. And I don't know movieverse Starscream well enough. I prefer G1 and Animated.

ditto

News Credits: 4 · by **typh0id** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:08 pm

I don't put a lot of stock in the characters of Animated...I just kinda take it for what it is...But I have to say that episode when Starscream discovers he's immortal and keeps trying to kill Megatron over and over (and continually fails, getting killed HIMSELF over and over) damn near had me in tears :APPLAUSE:

by **Grimlock1991** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:59 pm

Hes trecherous character...

News Credits: 1 · by **Marcdachamp** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:06 am

Wow. Never heard anyone actually ATTRACTED to the treacherous one. :lol:

I love Starscream because he's evil. Just that simple. Yes, he's a coward and a backstabber, but he's easily one of the most fleshed out villains in the TF Universe.

by **Windsweeper** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:23 pm

I'd like to add something new but I think everyone so far has covered it. Love Chris Latta's voice work and the Baymovie voice.

I loved Terrorsaur in BW because he reminded me of G1 Starscream. Same guy did both their voices if I recall in BW.

Love Animated Screamer too.

News Credits: 1 · by **MandySeven** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:31 pm

hellkitty wrote:As a charter member of the Starscream Harem, honestly, I've spent way too much time trying to figure this out myself. Yes, in G1, my first exposure, he was a whiner and a backstabber. And a bit of a coward (remember him in "Golden Lagoon" when he's afraid to get in the pool?). But he was also resourceful and ruthless.

All this y'all have sort of already said. So here's what's hopefully 'new': he appealed to me, at least, because I could identify with him. Not to delve into memoir, but I grew up with a really psychotic family situation, and not only were cartoons one of the few things I could count on for stability in my life, but I could identify, totally, with someone being *forced* to be underhanded.

I ended up hearing myself snivel a lot, and have to do some pretty sneaky things just to pretend to be 'normal' to my schoolmates. (I had to lie lie lie to explain why I wasn't allowed to go any place after school or why my parents never showed up at any functions, and oh, how much stuff I had to hide from my parents...! etc). So my read on G1 Starscream was a guy who, just like me, was forced by circumstances to do things that in better situations he (or I) would find morally objectionable, just to get by. Just like Starscream, I thought that if only *I* were in charge, things would be much better (and with about, I might add, the same level of success).

We both hid in sarcasm. I see this in the various Starscreams through the cartoon series. And true cynics are really just brutalized idealists, which explains Cybertron and Armada.

The movie one I just like because he's hot. I mean, hell, two lines of dialogue isn't much to build a relationship on. Okay, and he's just AWESOME to watch destroying things. I do have hope based on the various continuations in comics for him to be another totally snugglable guy (in my obviously skewed terms). My fave Bayformers Starscream moment is from Alliance 1 when he's cutting the signs into his arm.

HK, and did I mention he's *hot*?

Thats an awesome post

Yeah, he's definately appealing because he's interesting, very fleshy, and like she sed always steals the scene. He was the first character Id seen on TV (real or otherwise) that i could identify with. I always rooted for him. The man was holdin him down, and he was taking a stand, sticking up for himself when no one else would.

Very well written character, given great lines and always surprising us.

He looks more like a "human" than most of the bots also, and has that chisled face and chin..

and Chris Latta's voice made him soooo unique.. best voice actor EVER

by **Mazinger Prime** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:58 pm

I've always liked Starscream, and I always felt that he should've been the leader of the Decepticons in G1. He was the one that thought things through, or actually thought to test out new sources of energy or new weapons, unlike Megatron. Megatron would just go into his "It'll work because I thought of it" mode, and after Starscream would tell him to test it out first, the gizmo would blow up or fail on Megatron when he went to use it in battle because he didn't test it first.

Not to mention that Starscream was the one who actually kept his eye on the real goals of the Decepticons, again, unlike Megatron. Why was Megatron's goal to both supply energy for the Decepticon cause AND to kill the Autobots, yet in "Changing Gears" he stops Starscream for killing a defenseless Autobot...TWICE? And wouldn't you know it, him not letting Starscream kill Gears came back to bite Megatron in the backside & foil his plan. Or the fact that, if your goal is to rob Earth of all it's energy & destroy it, why does Megatron get mad and disable Starscream's plan that would accomplish both, as well as take out the Autobots?

And of course we all know that megatron was an idiot for even reviving Starscream. If you're on an energy rich, yet inferior technology alien world, and all of your enemies are "dead" so noone can stop you from achieving your goals, why would you even think of reviving the one guy who's gunning for your job, and would even tell you to your face that he was gonna take you out & replace you?

News Credits: 1 · by **MandySeven** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:45 pm

[quote="Mazinger Prime"] He was the one that thought things through, or actually thought to test out new sources of energy or new weapons, unlike Megatron. Megatron would just go into his "It'll work because I thought of it" mode, and after Starscream would tell him to test it out first, the gizmo would blow up or fail on Megatron when he went to use it in battle because he didn't test it first.

True true :grin:

yeah, that reminds me of his "scientist" past. Thats appealing too in that its mysterious and makes you wonder what life was like when they were scientists on cybertron. They should totally make a pre G1 story like they did with Star Wars..
i bet its been done before??

by **ponycorn** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:39 am

MandySeven wrote:
Mazinger Prime wrote: He was the one that thought things through, or actually thought to test out new sources of energy or new weapons, unlike Megatron. Megatron would just go into his "It'll work because I thought of it" mode, and after Starscream would tell him to test it out first, the gizmo would blow up or fail on Megatron when he went to use it in battle because he didn't test it first.

True true yeah, that reminds me of his "scientist" past. Thats appealing too in that its mysterious and makes you wonder what life was like when they were scientists on cybertron. They should totally make a pre G1 story like they did with Star Wars..
i bet its been done before??

I'm still dreaming of a Spotlight Seekers where we'll learn some backstory on how Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp met. Well, ideally it would be a spotlight for each or a Seekers Origins mini series directly leading up to Soundwave recruiting them before Megatron Origins. Like the same story but from each of their perspectives. This would also fill in what Starscream mentions to Megatron in AHM, that he was there before there was a beggining.

by **oldskooltf** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:51 am

Starscream's relentlessness at wanting to be leader even though he probably didn't measure up to Megatron (aside from maybe Cybertron Starscream) was very humorous to me. I always laugh/smile when I hear Starscream say "Megatron has fallen. I nominate myself as the new leader of the decepticons." or other versions of that. That's really what hooked me.