The Energon Pub

I though about this they other night and realized it could be a close call, I want to think it's Starscream, but Soundwave is up there as well, what are your thoughts?.

That's a tough one.

I want to think it's Screamer, too, but it's difficult to say. They are both indeed quite popular with the fans.

Personally, I'm more fond of Starscream. And not to step on any toes here, but I've never liked Soundwave. Never. I've always found him to be very boring. I really don't get why he's so popular.

But I love the Cassetticons. Now those little fellas are awesome.

I personnally like both but if you ask who has more charme, I would say for 100 % Starscream.

Soundwave was always (and still is) my favorite character from G1. Starscream was never a favorite of mine. I liked Thundercracker better than Starscream (that sky blue always appealed to me as a kid and I liked his voice/characterization in the show).

Both cool, such contradictory personalities, but if it came down to it, Screamer by the tip of his alt mode.

Soundwave for me. Albeit I don't hate Starscream.

Sinnertwin wrote:Both cool, such contradictory personalities, but if it came down to it, Screamer by the tip of his alt mode.

The entire portrayal of the both of them in the G1 cartoon (an others like Prime and Animated) is also very cool because they are such opposite characters.
Starscream is probably one the more human Decepticons, although a very degenerate one. He is cowardly, backstabbing, and vain, the very opposite of a "machine's personality," something no sane AI programmer would want in robot. You can easily imagine a real person with Starscream's traits, unfortunately you can see a dictator acting as real life Screamer.
Soundwave is exact opposite. In many ways, Soundwave was portrayed as "most robotic" Decepticon. In the G1 cartoon, he had the least human voice (created by a microphone effect?). In TFP, Soundwave has no voice at all and act as a like giant tape recorder. Many versions of Soundwave had no mouth and semi-cyclopean eyes, and TFP he did not even have a face. Soundwave, in his many incarnations, is very "alien" looking and his appeal might be similar as the Daleks appeal among Doctor Who fans. Soundwave might be an ideal multi-purpose (espionage + combat robot!) military machine if was not his choice of alliances.

I just can't decide.

Personality-wise, I'd have to say Starscream, though. I mean, he's a crafty, backstabbing, ambitious bastard among a sea of loyal scowling brutes that make up the majority of the Decepticon ranks. The only other one who stands out is Shockwave and his underhanded strategies.

Soundwave is interesting design-wise, with his ability to use minions and his "synthesizer" voice. He's Megatron's loyal shadow, forever at his side.

Good topic, man.

Starscream is dynamic and you always wonder what kind of catastrophe he is going to stir up. Lot’s of different angles and alliances (G1 - Triple Takeover, TFP – Alliances with Autobots). His ambition gives him some realism.

Can't argue with Soundwave being boring in a sense. But I can talk about his appeal. He is like Boba Fett. They are both mysterious. Visually they both look awesome. Not overtly intimidating, but subtly dangerous. Soundwave basically has transformer sunglasses. The mystery makes them intriguing. You never really know what Soundwave is thinking, and that makes you wonder. Then he becomes pretty interesting with his intelligence capabilities and playback abilities, some skills that the other cons don’t have. Then his minions are awesome. Who else has minions? No one but Blaster till the movie, right?” His minions are two humanoids, three fliers, and ravage, lots of diversity there (more if you count the additional toy cassettes). Sure they are independent figures but they are completely loyal to Soundwave. Soundwave is like a shadow, he has a lot going for him, but he just doesn’t jump out at you.

Starscream is a great character and entertaining but he is also obnoxious and annoying, while Soundwave is loyal, smooth, and cool. IMO

TK415 wrote:Good topic, man.

Starscream is a great character and entertaining but he is also obnoxious and annoying, while Soundwave is loyal, smooth, and cool. IMO

Indeed it is.

I was thinking, is Soundwave really loyal?
If we use TFTM as an example (feel free to add/discuss any other fiction) he gladly assists Megatron, only to stand by idly and watch him get thrown out, then claim leadership for himself. Is this an aspect of Decepticon programming, so to speak?

Sinnertwin wrote:If we use TFTM as an example (feel free to add/discuss any other fiction) he gladly assists Megatron, only to stand by idly and watch him get thrown out, then claim leadership for himself. Is this an aspect of Decepticon programming, so to speak?

It's probably 1 of the fundamental programs, 1 Starscream also posesses, probably even more effectively than Soundwave. Between Soundwave and Starscream, I've always identified with Soundwave much more. He's personality is a lot like mine. I've never been a fan of Starscream in ANY continuity, though he does have the coolest death scene in all TF fandom. Overall, I think Soundwave was much more useful (even if boring) to Megatron and Shockwave, while at the same time projecting a believable scenario that he could effectively replace either of them as leader. I never took Screamer seriously as a leader. I couldn't. He's too much of an egotistical screwup. Also, Soundwave is the only character to make it through the US Marvel comics from #1 to #80 (and even G2!) without getting killed or even deactivated. That's an admirable feat. Maybe ReGeneration will change that. Also, having an army of specially trained midgets at his disposal makes him more effective than Starscream.

To quote, "Soundwave superior..."

And Starscream is a douche. Maybe that's why fangirls love him so much.

I have always loved starscream even he's an ass all the time, just something about his personality that stand out more than the other transformers. On both sides Auto and Decp there's no one like him. I think Chris Latta the voice actor for starscream (also if you didn't know Cobra Commander too)did it for me, he sounds so evil. One day just one day Megatron will bow before STARSCREAM.

I always liked Starscream because his personality was so in-your-face.

I'm a Starscream fan overall, but I started appreciating Soundwave with the movies and really didn't care for Starscream in them. While I like G1 Starscream the best, I thought, like others, that G1 Soundwave was boring.

Has to be Screamer for me.

Starscream is by far the more complex character, with all his flaws he's just more human. While Soundwave on the other hand is just to one dimensional for my liking.

Sinnertwin wrote:

TK415 wrote:Good topic, man.

Starscream is a great character and entertaining but he is also obnoxious and annoying, while Soundwave is loyal, smooth, and cool. IMO

Indeed it is.

I was thinking, is Soundwave really loyal?
If we use TFTM as an example (feel free to add/discuss any other fiction) he gladly assists Megatron, only to stand by idly and watch him get thrown out, then claim leadership for himself. Is this an aspect of Decepticon programming, so to speak?

Soundwave is only loyal to Megatron because his place in the Decepticon hierarchy is secure and unlterable that way. He needs Megatron to stay where he is because Megatron's position in power assures his own hold on his position. His toy's bio also notes he is an opportunist, so I'm not surprised that when it made more sense to stand idly by than intervene, that's exactly what he did. He does what's best for him in every G1 incarnation, and that's usually but not always to be Megatron's loyal subordinate. In the Marvel comics, especially in Marvel UK, he deftly maneuvers between sides, feigning loyalty to both Megatron and Shockwave, and usually ends up as second-in-command as a result. He plays both sides and always ultimately benefits from the Decepticons' internal politics.

In the Aligned continuity, Soundwave seems to legitimately believe in Megatron as the savior of their race, and hence follows him out of ideology rather than simple pragmatism. He was once a gladiator like Megatron, and wanted to change the caste system along with his leader.

I find I prefer the G1 interpretation, but Aligned Soundwave has yet to show too much of his personality. There's still a lot that can be done with him.


Starscream, on the other hand, is a whole other matter. While I find he's often not in my list of favorites, in my opinion, Starscream is the only other Decepticon, besides Megatron, who has to be there. The internal conflicts and struggles for leadership of the Decepticons are precisely what makes them interesting and popular characters, and Starscream is insubordination made manifest. I vastly prefer his Prime and Cybertron interpretations, where he carefully schemes to become leader, rather than his G1 self, who is incompetent at virtually every turn. His live action movie version is okay, but only really competent in the first film and ancillary media like the comics. In ROTF and DOTM he was basically a bungling suck up.


In short: Soundwave is the character I like better, but Starscream is the more necessary one for the sake of the fiction's drama.


I echo earlier sentiments: great thread!