Character discussion : This Week 'Soundwave'

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:20 pm

Ah Soundwave, one of the comics greats I do belive.
What more can U want from a Decepticon?

Was he a great Con or just a tape dispenser?

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:18 pm

Best moment I believe was in Time Wars in that he was a leader who showed concern for the Decepticon cause OVER his thirst for power. Cant think of a bad moment that stands out TBH.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:43 pm

Ah, Soundwave. The shrewd politician... ever since I saw "House ofCards"I always think of Ian Richardson when I see Soundwave.

Let's see... he served Megs loyally until Shockwave came.. Then he served HIM loyally and later convinced them (in the comic's most hilarious scene) toput aside their differences,and worktogether.

Then,when Megs went mad, he knew he had to side with Shockwave... whom he served until Shockwave proved with the Galvy accident that he holds his needs higher then the Con cause.

Soundwave left him and choose Ratbat, whom he served tillhis demise... then he served Scorponok, and Bludgeon, and finally returning to his old chief Megatron.

What a carreer!

I'msure he has no problems finding a job with such a resumee.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:50 pm

and in space pirates he led the cons against the Quints putting aside his differences with the Autobots to stand side by side with Ultra Magnus.

that was pretty cool moment.

Underestimated DH tho - yes?

ShadowSonic · Post by **ShadowSonic** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:06 pm

One of the only (if not THE ONLY) main TF char to not be killed off at least once.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:47 pm

grimlock, ultra magnus ?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:49 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:grimlock

Underbased.

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:ultra magnus ?

Sweeped (in the Movie, at least).

Bouncelot · Post by **Bouncelot** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:52 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:grimlock, ultra magnus ?

Grimlock was killed off in the Underbase saga. Magnus was killed off in TIme Wars

IMO, Soundwave's best moments were the letters page (he was better at it than than Grimlock (PUTTUP!), and Dinobot Hunt.

His worst moment was not realising that the Quints were deceiving him in Space Pirates. I mean, why didn't he scan their minds to check the veracity of their information?!

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:18 pm

So how did he came back after Underbase? Starscream clearly kills him and Budiansky never used him again.

Stormwolf · Post by **Stormwolf** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:23 pm

Ah, Soundwave, he kicks ass in most medias.

G1 comic: He's one of the coolest characters around.

G1 cartoon: He doesn't suck in the cartoon like most of the other characters.

War Wtihin: He didn't really do that much in War Within, pity though.

DW G1 Comic: WTF? Well, I did say he kicked ass in most medias, DW G1 was the exception though.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:27 pm

Had the coolest voice in the cartoon.

And yes he was a great letter answerer. Hilarious in fact. Anyone with time on their hands should check out the Transfans comic guide and read some of his archived letters pages (he did it till issue 73).

BB Shockwave wrote:So how did he came back after Underbase? Starscream clearly kills him and Budiansky never used him again.

He gets shot by Starscream, but it was never stated that he was dead. He was next seen as one of Scorponok's troops.

Maybe Scorpy prioritised fixing him? In any case, he's the only one of Ratbat's cons who survived to join him (other than Starscream of course, but it was Megs that brought him back).

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:22 am

I plan to make him leave quitely after he sees Screamer take out OMega Supreme and Fort Max... Soundwave knows a lost cause when he sees one.

Warcry · Post by **Warcry** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:35 am

spiderfrommars wrote:Maybe Scorpy prioritised fixing him? In any case, he's the only one of Ratbat's cons who survived to join him (other than Starscream of course, but it was Megs that brought him back).

Not necessarily; he's the only one of Ratbat's troops that we see with Scorponok's forces. But then, we don't (IIRC) see the Combaticons, Stunticons, Insecticons or Coneheads get fragged by Underbase Screamer. If they're still alive, they really don't have anywhere else to throw their allegiance after the Underbase battle; Galvatron and Ratbat are dead, Shockwave is in hiding and Megatron is on Cybertron.

Death's Head · Post by **Death's Head** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:33 pm

Despite the praise I heaped on Shockers in the other thread, Soundwave is clearly the most effective leader the Decepticons ever had. I love writing his character, as well, especially in the far-future where he's slowly succumbing to depression at all the madness going on around him, but is still the smart bastard we all know deep down...

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:02 pm

Soundwave is THE DADDY. In the cartoon he was a cool 'bot of little words. Does anyone know why he was the only character in the cartoon to have such a radically different voice to the other characters?
In the (Marvel) comics he was sometimes more logical than Shockwave, and didn't waste his time with bizarre plans like Megatron. Bludgeon just loved himself, and Ratbat was a one-note, fuel-quota obsessed complainer that I never bought into as a realistic leader (squash him someone).
In the DW comics I.. y'know, I don't even remember if he was any good or not. I know he appeared but he obviously didn't make a lasting impression on me. Damn DW...

Soundwave=THE DADDY. You just KNOW it.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 8:41 pm

DW wasted Soundwave's great potential for 21 issues, then almost redeemed themselves by having him shoot Starscream in the last issue. With Megatron, no less. That was a pretty good moment. His WW appearances placed him firmly at either Megatron or Shockwave's right hand...no chance to really shine.

I personally hated the way DH beat Soundwave. I don't like the way he kills Shockwave so easily, either. He had a habit of taking down the best Decepticons as if they were nothing, which really weakens them as villains, IMHO. I suppose blowing Bumblebee into small pieces kinda makes up for it though. Bumblebee totally had it coming.

But back on topic, yeah, Soundwave was cool as nails in the comics. Any one of his stints as 'Con leader gave us moments that lesser Transformers could only dream of. He remains my favourite Decepticon, possibly Transformer. Certainly my favourite letter answerer, anyway. Onw thing that really pissed me off about Grimlock was that huge frickin' picture of him opening the letters with his energo-sword. Make it a bit smaller, and there could have been an extra letter a week, goddammit!

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:03 pm

I had a letter printed in the UK comic (hurrah!).
Just had a nasty thought:
If there's not likely to be any mass conversion in the new TF movie, does this mean Soundwave won't be in the film? What type of communications device is big enough to allow him to appear? A news van (with it's transmitter on top)?

The movie will STINK if Soundwave isn't in it.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:56 pm

Last I heard, Soundwave will be in the movie, but no-one knows what his alt-Mode will be.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:00 pm

Autobloke wrote:I had a letter printed in the UK comic (hurrah!).

Me too. Issue 233.

Which one was yours in?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:05 pm

spiderfrommars wrote:
Autobloke wrote:I had a letter printed in the UK comic (hurrah!).
Me too. Issue 233.

And the rest!

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:31 pm

Yeah, but its a long story innit?

Its funny tho.... sometimes TF fans names' pop up today and I recognise their names from the letters pages. Andy Dornan of TFUK is one for instance... Tetra Reris is another...

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:41 pm

BW will always be a guilty pleasure, I'm sure.

Dead Head · Post by **Dead Head** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:47 am

Bouncelot wrote:Magnus was killed off in TIme Wars

'Killed off' maybe, but not 'killed'.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:13 am

He's not seen with the rest of the 'bots in any of the later future stories though. I fear for him.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:00 pm

Best Soundwave Moments:

Crisis of Command: "You are a missile with a mouth!"

Dinobot Hunt: "Hear me Autobots..."

Second Generation: Where he stands up to both Megs and Shockers! Amazing stuff. Not to mention PUTTUP!

Soundwave is easily teh best Decpticon as far as i am concerned. Balls to Shockwave.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:15 pm

do you think he minded that Ravage was out and about and even ratbat, were hardley ever home?

Ever notice how how ravage and ratbat seem very seperate entitys from soundwave, where as lazerbeak and buzzsaw seem more connected, under his control?

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:57 pm

spiderfrommars wrote:
Autobloke wrote:I had a letter printed in the UK comic (hurrah!).
Me too. Issue 233.

Which one was yours in?

Crikey, buggered if I can remember without looking (through about ten boxes of comics). It was around the time of the 'Aspects of Evil' stories - I pointed out that Galvatron was the mystery bad guy (as if no-one else had worked THAT out) and also complained that the powermaster Nebulans' armour in the comic strips looked like they were wearing long-johns (in the black and white stories). I think I only mentioned that last thing 'cos Dreadwind was doing the letters at that time (I think).
Ah youth...

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 4:02 pm

Eh, I'm not sure I agree about Laserbeak and Buzzsaw - after all, they were usually perched on the shoulder of whoever was leader at the time, rather than Soundwave himself...

Bouncelot · Post by **Bouncelot** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 4:54 pm

Laserbeak and Buzzsaw did spend a fair bit of time hiding in Soundwave's chest compartment (presumably as emergency back-up) as well. Maybe they rotated jobs between sitting on the leader's shoulder and sleeping inside Soundwave.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:17 pm

Heh, I like that.