The Argument for Soundwave - THE GREATEST
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:16 amThe 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!
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!