The Energon Pub

The origin story for Soundwave is not officially known, but even as most characters in the TransFormers universe have known origins, Soundwave is perhaps one of the most profoundly memorable characters in all of TransFormers history.
It's possibly not enough that his face bares more than a striking resemblence to the actual Decepticon insignia.
It's also higly probable that he is so well known because his actual toy mold has been around a whole decade before the TransFormers line was created by Takara and Hasbro from 3 or more different existing toy lines.
Soundwave's first copyright year is 1974, I know because I have one of the originals and can prove this to any naysayer.

But all physicalities aside, I want to talk about the CHARACTER of Soundwave, and why he is even more prolific than Megatron and Starscream combined.

If you watched Generation One (1984-1987) growing up, you've seen Soundwave, he's the dark blue cassette recorder/robot with 2 birds, 2 humanoid robots with piledrivers, and a puma/jaguar kind of pet as well. All of these minions report to him by transforming into microcassettes and sliding inside his chest cavity where they stay while not active. So thats 1 role already, apart from even chosing a side... Soundwave is maternal, if nothing else. He is male, no doubt but he has a mother-like quality that no other baddie can claim. He takes care of his own and they do not report to anyone other than Soundwave, and only go to Megatron when Soundwave is not around.
So we've got a nueturer in Soundwave, for starters. Now don't be fooled, if you're designation is not Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Laserbeak or Buzzsaw... you're not getting close to this stoic, cold-hearted yes-man.
Soundwave was unfailingly loyal to Megatron right up to his "death" before he was transformed by Unicron intoi Galvatron. At that point, it was Galvatron who deserted Soundwave, never the other way around. Soundwave remained loyal, but was unceremoniously DEMOTED and pushed to the background to make room for Galvatron's own personal enterage. Sadly, Soundwave drifted into obscurity.

Soundwave, under Megatron was a three-fold soldier.

#1. Science Officer : Since Starscream lacked the focus to stay in his original field of study, Soundwave had to pick up all of Starscrem's slack and for all intent and purposes, carried the job of Science Officer completly and fully. He invented the method of storing Earth's rich resources, mainly oils... into cubes and condensing them further causing a reaction that created Energon, their own fuel and lifeblood. He also designed their spacecrafts and was responsible for all schematics and plans being held secretive in his own databanks. That leads us to..
#2. Security Officer : Soundwave can hear a feather land on a Rhino's ass from miles away. Soundwave used this skill to keep track of possible intruders and keep the many bases they stayed at safe from infiltration. While this was not always successful, no other Decepticon could hold a candle to Soundwave's abilities and not only that, Soundwave had an army all of his own even if he was left to guard a post by himself. You never knew just from viewing Soundwave at a distance, whether or not one of his boys was laying in waiting somewhere or high in the sky preparing an ambush.

and finally, #3. Intelligence Officer : Using many of the same sound-based listening skills along with the help of his minions, Soundwave was the be-all-end-all of the intelligence project at Decepticon headquarters. He had spies in all of his Minions and he could do it all on his own if he had to, and he had. Soundwave single-handedly infiltrated the Autobot headquarters early in their days on Earth by transforming into his cassette-deck mode and tricking Spike Witwicky into carrying him into the Autobot base so he could record precious data on the sly.
His bird Laserbeak was a masterful spy as well, often hiding in the smallest of places, recording every word of Optimus Prime to his men. Laserbeak even took a pot-shot at Prime himself once, nearly destroying him forever. You couldn't pay other Decepticons to get that close.

So while often overlooked for his boring demeanor and lack of charisma, Soundwave was a hidden task force all rolled into one stalwart being of confidence and assured accuracy in all that he did. Soundwave is also responsible for being the only Decepticon capable of bringing another Transformer back to life through the use of rotating his arm at unmatched speeds so fast he created enough voltage to bring back a frozen Skyfire from his icy tomb and revive him after eons of stasis time.

Soundwave : The Quintessential Robot for All Times.... it's too bad Blaster couldn't lay claim to all of that. Blaster was GREAT, but he didn't have that certain SOMETHING Soundwave did.

"Don't leave me ... Soundwave!" - Megatron's last cry out for help before being tossed into space by Starscream. Who did he call to? Who answered? Who was RIGHT there when the chips were down to the final count? Soundwave.

Galvatron was a evil bastard and I doubt he really knew himself or even realized what he had in Soundwave as a loyal yesman. For all the times Cyclonus and the Sweeps doubted Galvatron's tirades out loud and even mocked him at times, if he had only kept Soundwave at this side... Galvatron's insanity from the acid baths on Thrawl could have been played down with the right wingman at his beck and call. Instead we all know what ended up happening.

just as Soundwave walked alone off into the blackness of night.

Imagine if he was an Autobot... Prime would have never had to die in the first place. That's for DAMN sure.

Soundwave, you were the BEST and GREATEST Decepticon by far. Wherever you are, we acknowledge all that you did as you served without a shred of credit or even a single "Thank You".

For all you do, Soundwave.... This Bud's For You!

Though he's usually the straight-faced guy, Soundwave has a pretty good sense of humor when he's in the mood to joke. He bantered with Spike before sending him on the Space Bridge ("So I've done my time and I'm free to go, right?" "Free to go to Cybertron."). In one of the comics, since he knew Starscream would blame him for sending assassins after him and was too angry to listen to reason, he pre-recorded an argument to play while they were fighting. That whole scene was great, with the video Soundwave in the background calmly explaining he had nothing to do with the plot while they're beating the bolts out of each other in the foreground. Also, if Animated counts, I still chuckle at (minor spoiler) the "PERISH" signs he stuck all over Detroit, and the automated teacher saying, "Your lesson for today is the extinction of humanity!"

He's my cousin's ultimate favorite Decepticon, and I certainly like him myself.

Right you are, indeed. I was unaware of the Animated joke.. that's pretty funny. I wish I'd seen the pre-recorded thing you described from the comics. If you've got an issue #, I'd love that. and is that Marvel, or something more recent?

It's from the Generation 1 Marvel UK comics, issue #285, and it's also available in anthology form in Titan Books' "Fallen Star."

'Nother thing I just love about Soundwave is that heavily-echoing voice of his. It makes everything he says sound cool and profound.

I've always felt that the voice is a hint at his age, much like Shockwave's simplisitic face style is a hint at his as well... Soundwave's voice is the ONLY truly robotic voice of all the Decepticons and it's haunting and commanding at the same time. His face LOOKS like the Decepticon emblem itself with no real stretch of the imagination, kind of like Vector Prime having the Autobot symbol as HIS face... yet I think that was PLANNED vs Soundwave was an afterthought and probably conincidental/inspired to a point.

SeekerInAFakeMoustache wrote:It's from the Generation 1 Marvel UK comics, issue #285, and it's also available in anthology form in Titan Books' "Fallen Star."

And by the by friend, thanks for the info! You've made me a happy Autobot today!

(I can just hear Tracks saying that in his New York Accent!!)
LOL.

No problem! I'm glad I could help!

AncientSpark wrote:Soundwave's voice is the ONLY truly robotic voice of all the Decepticons and it's haunting and commanding at the same time.

Haunting and commanding, that's a great way of putting it! That's another thing I love about TF:A; the way they built up to that voice, starting with a similar but softer version when he started life as Sari's creepy but relatively genial caretaker, then making it deeper and darker as he slowly gained power and sentience, cresting with a full-blast, "I AM SOUNDWAVE!" Oh, man, that was cool.

Now I'm just wondering what others here are feeling about this. I'd love to hear other people on their experience with Soundwave and their take on his whole character. Please join in, everyone!

I must check out the Animated series if you say this is worthwhile.
I saw the first season, a few of them... and Honestly I didn't like it at all. Admittedly, the SECOND season's shows that I have seen were FAR superior in writing than the 1st season, so hopefully by December or January, season 3 will ROCK.

More Soundwave, Please!

If you aren't too keen on the first season of Animated, the name of the episode those things I mentioned happen in is "Sound and Fury." No need to wade through a bunch of stuff you don't like to get to the Soundwavy goodness. (He also has his own theme in that episode, which manages the feat of being subtly menacing and still sounding like the sort of thing a child would listen to).

Soundwave has always been my favorite, always will be. I have 8 of them sitting here on my desk.

8 Soundwaves? How many cassettes dare I ask?

One of each so 10.

I just got the commemorative encore edition, and I must say I LOVE it! The ONLY thing is there's a strange tradeoff for having 2 cassettes fit in the deck at once, that plastic deck that juts out of the chest is a BIT unreal for "disguise" purposes... I GET that they couldn't feasably make the mold deeper from the inside without ruining its strength...

I just prefer 1 tape at a time then if I have to look at that weird plastic box thing hanging out of his chest... I can get used to it 'cause it's PRETTY.. and all but that's the ONLY thing I'm not keen on. It's GREAT to have him in his FULL FORM with ALL WEAPONS plus Laserbeak and Ravage! And guess what, they're STILL MOSTLY METAL TOO!! I am STOKED to see almost ALL METAL in 2008!!! WOW!

G1 Soundwave kicks ass. His toy in my opinion was the best Decepticon toy. (Prime being the best Autobot) Can't decide which was better between Prime and Soundwave but I suspect Soundwave would pull out.

"Soundwave superior" All others inferior!

My girlfriend has a sondwave fetish. Im not kidding.

SentinelA wrote:G1 Soundwave kicks ass. His toy in my opinion was the best Decepticon toy. (Prime being the best Autobot) Can't decide which was better between Prime and Soundwave but I suspect Soundwave would pull out.

And that would be very intelligent to do, being Soundwave he knows he's much SLOWER than Prime and may not have the firepower of Prime's concussion blaster either. I know he brought Skyfire back from the dead with very high voltage, however. I wonder if he COULD knock Prime back for a spell, but still he's too slow and he knows that. He does not have pride issues like Starscream or even Megatron, so yeah, he'd pull out and digress to Prime... afterall he may be just as cold as Shockwave, but he doesn't have that NEED TO LEAD attitude eating at him, even BEING superior as he is. He'll lead OVER those he CAN push around but he wont step up to bots more powerful or faster than he is, he knows his place and place it safe. SMART. VERY smart.

bumblebeerocks wrote:My girlfriend has a sondwave fetish. Im not kidding.

Maybe you should show her your Cannon.

Okay I don't have my camera's cable or I'd upload the pics, but the only real thing needed to illustrate, I can do justice to with words, I feel.

You all know what Soundwave looks like, from G1 Transformers. Now... I bought on eBay, for $45.00 + S&H = $60.15 ... an Commemorative Edition Encore Soundwave from Hasbro. Now there is 1 thing that the box does NOT show, and interestingly enough when you open it's flap to show the toy in the window, it's BACKWARDS, and that's the way its SEALED!! Why? Because of the NEW DECK that was installed instead of the single deck that was flush with the front of his body. NOW there is a THICKER plastic case that juts out in a strange way... I guess they did this because if G1 Purists picked the box up they'd put it down again, not understanding that this feature is actually a GOOD thing in the long run.

Get past the raised deck, you'll see that they ATTEMPTED to do what the cartoon showed, and that was having MULTIPLE tapes inside him at once... well 2 is better than just one. It's actually nice considering he now COMES with 2 instead of 1 tape. Laserbeak AND Ravage.

The original toy came only with Buzzsaw. This way you get the two of the best-known tapes of his, and they BOTH fit inside him for easy storage. I'm glad to see that the weapons close up and become fake batteries and get placed inside the back cavity behind the beltclip. The ONLY awkward thing is where to put the plastic missles and the cassette weapons as well... your own pockets will have to do.

Well at first I must admit I was a TAD miffed at this change to his chest, but straight-on looking at him, you really can't tell all that much, only looking at him from angles can you see the deck juts out just so. The MAIN weirdness is IN the alternate mode... the deck looks goofy as hell sticking out like that... maybe I'll keep the G1 in deck mode... hehehe... nah it's alright. I've got both so I'm happy. I can always put the Reissue accesories on the G1 if I really want to.... heck its the SAME mostly METAL mold anyway, even has the SAME trademark dates, 1974 and 1983 in the back. Neat.

Well I'm pleased now and the one change has managed to turn into a plus instead of a minus so I'm happy there. Still fits in the front pants pocket so that's good... just be careful on the pull-out.

Well I'm ALWAYS careful pulling things out of my pants.

Ravage is STILL hard as hell to stand up on his feet, but oh wait! put the two rockets on his back and WALAHH! Yes! He actually CAN stand up! NEATO!
(I never had ANY of the casettes growing up). And Laserbeak is just awesome no matter who ya are. He's almost ALL metal, just like Ravage... very LITTLE plastic indeed. I REALLY miss old toys. It's a GOOD thing they didn't mess with the actual materials at all..

I give the Encore Soundwave a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The only thing I'd correct is, and this is also true of the TRUE G1 I also have, there are two small lines on either top side of the deck, short ones, one on top, one on bottom, going from the upper corners of the deck to the upper corners of the chest... they are supposed to be YELLOW or GOLD in color, and they are the same color as the body, dark blue. Shame. I've seen busts and fixed figures that DO have the correct lines on either side of the deck... so why not on the real toy?

BIZZARE. I need to find some metal paints... the GROOVES are there.. just not painted in. Damn.

Oh well. I got a deal on this. it retails for $89.99 normally.

I love eBay... sometimes.

AncientSpark wrote:

bumblebeerocks wrote:My girlfriend has a sondwave fetish. Im not kidding.

Maybe you should show her your Cannon.

Nah, I might get an Erector.

Well, Arcee says she can help you out with that when the time comes. Springer's out on a long mission ya know. She's lonely and Hot Rod is busy racing Blurr someplace out in the boonies... she's all yours man!

Soundwave fans should take a look at this: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Io5cl4gB8

that was a pretty funny YouTube clip.

I like the arguments for Soundwaves greatness. I agree, he's a badass bot, he has his own minions.


btw, I think the OP meant. "Nurture" instead of "Neuter"

"So we've got a nueturer in Soundwave, for starters"

though, that is kinda funny. Soundwave cutting off man-danglies.

Hehe, that is pretty funny. Soundwave yelling. heheh

Right off the bat your first sentence is wrong. His official background has been covered by both IDW and DW.