Pauley Pavilion and Swindle (Transformers): Difference between pages

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Difference between pages)
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
The Anomebot2 (talk | contribs)
Bots
1,037,728 edits
Adding geodata: {{coord missing|United States}}
 
 
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Swindle''' is the name given to seven different [[fictional characters]] in the [[Transformers universes]].
{{Infobox_Arena |

arena_name = Pauley Pavilion |
==Transformers - Generation 1==
nickname = Nell and John Wooden Court |
{{Transformers character|
image = [[Image:Pauleypavilion.jpg|250px]]|
name =Swindle
location = [[University of California, Los Angeles]]|
opened = June 1965 |
|image =swindle-g1.jpg
|caption =
owner = University of California, Los Angeles |
|affiliation =Decepticon
operator = University of California, Los Angeles |
|subgroup =Combaticon, Scouts
construction_cost = $5 million (1965)|
architect = |
|function =Munitions Expert
|motto =''"Make deals, not war."''
former_names = |
|Cyber Code =
tenants = [[UCLA Bruins]] ([[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]) (1965-Present) |
|alternatemodes =XR311 Combat Support Vehicle, [[Jeep Wrangler]], Helicopter
seating_capacity = 12,829|
|series =[[Transformers: Generation 1]]<BR>[[Transformers: Generation 2]]<BR>[[Transformers: Alternators]]<BR>[[Transformers: Universe]]
|voiceby =[[Johnny Haymer]]
}}
}}
Swindle originally appeared as a member of a group of five Decepticons known as the Combaticons who were able to combine together to form a larger robot known as [[Combaticons|Bruticus]]. As a basic sized combiner limb, Swindle could become the arm or leg to any similar combiner Transformers; he was usually found to be the right leg of Bruticus.
'''Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion''', informally and commonly known as '''Pauley Pavilion''', is an [[list of indoor arenas|indoor arena]] located on the campus of [[UCLA]] in [[Los Angeles, California]]. It is home to the [[UCLA Bruins]] men's and women's [[basketball]] teams. The men's and women's [[volleyball]] and women's [[gymnastics]] teams also play here.
The building was dedicated in June, 1965, named for [[University of California]] [[Regent]] [[Edwin W. Pauley]], who had matched the alumni contributions. Pauley donated almost one fifth of the more than $5,000,000 spent in building the [[arena]].


Whereas other Decepticons were motivated by lust for power or sheer love of carnage, Swindle's sole motivation was turning a profit. With the born personality of a salesman, Swindle would sell anyone anything - be they weapons, parts or bits of his own comrades.
==Features==
Swindle is also the brightest among his fellow Combaticons, describing himself as a "''one-robot black market''", Swindle would even sell his goods to the Autobots if he thought he could get away with it.
[[Image:Pauley Pavilion crowd.jpg|thumb|left|Mens Basketball game at Pauley Pavilion on 1/8/05 when UCLA came from 22 down to upset Washington.]]


===Marvel Comics===
Pauley Pavilion contains 10,337 permanent theater-style upholstered seats, plus retractable [[bleachers]] for 2,482 spectators, making a total basketball capacity of 12,829. This capacity has been exceeded several times for several men's basketball games by adding portable bleacher seating alongside the retractable bleachers. The single-game attendance record of 13,478 was set on February 23, 1997 (UCLA vs. [[Duke University|Duke]]).
The Combaticons first U.S. appearance in Issue 24 of the U.S. Marvel comics was unexplained in the American comic, however it is assumed that they were created in the same way as the [[Stunticon]]s were through [[Insecticons|Bombshell]]'s cerebro-shell attached to [[Optimus Prime]] tapping the energies of the [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership]].


The company 'Energy Futures Industries' was a hydrothermocline plant which the Decepticons wanted to steal for their own energy resources. Megatron and the Combaticons launched an assault only to encounter the [[Protectobot]]s and [[Optimus Prime]]. With both teams now combined into Bruticus and Defensor, the human Ethan Zachary offered a solution - that the two teams battled inside a computer program. Not wanting to destroy what they had come to steal Megatron agreed. Predictably the Combaticons' bloodlust was turned against them as their disregard for the programs' sentient beings led to Swindle and Brawl being destroyed by First Aid. However, the Decepticons still won as Optimus Prime felt he had cheated by endangering innocent life in the game and destroyed himself.
When the bleachers are retracted, there is space for three full-sized basketball courts. These courts are used for team practice, [[intramural]] games, and pickup basketball games. It can also serve as a convention hall or large dining area when in this configuration.


Megatron would go increasingly insane after this, infuriated that he hadn't killed Optimus Prime with his bare hands. With Swindle attempting to warn him of a U.S. army, he was flattened by [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]]. Shockwave convinced an increasingly deranged Megatron that Optimus Prime might yet live, Swindle and most of the other Combaticons were sent to look for Prime, leaving Megatron to be attacked by the [[Predacons]].
When used for men's [[volleyball]], the basketball court is striped with colored tape. The volleyball net is erected at the half court line. The women's team uses blue and yellow Sport Court lined up perpendicularly to the basketball court tucked up to the east end of the court.


Swindle would continue to make sporadic appearances throughout the U.S. and U.K. comics, attempting to place charges to destroy [[Galvatron]] (with Swindle nearly getting scrapped by a rigged jeep in the process), clashing twice more with the Protectobots as Bruticus, attacking the Autobot leadership contest between [[Grimlock]] and [[Blaster (Transformers)|Blaster]] and nearly killing [[Brawn (Transformers)|Brawn]] (commenting on how his parts would have a bright future), and being part of the staff of ''Club Con'', the Decepticons' fake holiday resort. They were not shown to be deactivated by the [[Underbase]] powered Starscream, but as they were not seen again in the G1 comic, it is likely.
There is a tunnel on the south side through which trucks and service vehicles may enter. This is also the "backstage" entrance for players, performers, and broadcast personnel.


He would appear in the Generation 2 comic a number of times (presumably revived with [[Nucleon (Transformers)|Nucleon]]), showing Megatron the scale of [[Bludgeon (Transformers)|Bludgeon]]'s plan to capture the [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. Unfortunately he was destroyed with the rest of the Combaticons when the traitorous Starscream led the forces of [[Jhiaxus]] to the [[Warworld (Transformers)|Warworld]]'s weak spots.
The floor is called "Nell and John Wooden Court" in honor of former UCLA Men's Basketball Coach [[John Wooden]] and his wife Nell.


===Animated series===
==UCLA Men's Basketball seating==
Swindle is most notable for receiving a new look for his animated appearance. Unlike his toy, the front of the jeep and its windscreen becomes Swindle's chest. Because of his alternate form, he was the smallest Combaticon despite his toy being the same size as the others aside from team-leader Onslaught.
From the opening of the building until 1987, the extra press not involved in the radio or television broadcasts sat behind the south side (team bench side) press table. The working press then moved to sit courtside at "press row" on the northern side of the court, as the south courtside seats were opened up to influential and affluent boosters. In 2003, the UCLA Athletic Department made available north side courtside seats to affluent donors. The media now sit higher up in permanent seating dead-center in the north side of the bleachers. The press move to the north side in 1987 was as controversial as the 2003 move, in that the student section was now behind the press table and big donors had taken the south side courtside seats.


Swindle was originally one of five [[Decepticon]] criminals that had attempted to overthrow [[Megatron]] on [[Cybertron]]. Their personality components extracted by [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]], they were later recovered by [[Starscream]] in the episode "Starscream's Brigade", himself exiled from the Decepticons after one clash too many with Megatron. Hitting on the idea of creating his own loyal troops from the wrecked vehicles on [[Guadalcanal]], he installed their personality components into the rebuilt vehicles, thus creating the Combaticons, with Swindle having the alternate mode of a jeep. After a series of attacks on both Autobots and Decepticons they were defeated by [[Stunticon|Menasor]] and exiled to space. Ridding themselves of Starscream they would then attempt to conquer Cybertron, defeating Shockwave's army, and then attempt to destroy Earth by sending it towards the sun. They were eventually stopped by [[Optimus Prime]], Megatron and Starscream, but they survived - under Megatron's control.
The student section has moved several times as well. Since 2003, the student section of 1,750 seats occupies the north side bleachers.
[[Image:SwindleJeep.jpg|left|thumb|Swindle's alternate mode]]


While he would mostly appear as part of the Combaticons, the episode "B.O.T." would spotlight Swindle near exclusively. After a gestalt-on-gestalt battle between Bruticus and [[Protectobot|Defensor]], the Combaticons' combined form was demolished, with only Swindle surviving to revert to robot mode. The ever opportunistic Swindle took the opportunity to sell his comrades' parts — much to the fury of Megatron. (More impressive is the fact that he was able to sell their parts to both [[Western Bloc|Western]] and [[Eastern Bloc|Eastern]] Blocs.) Recovering all but Brawl's components Megatron had him fitted with a bomb to give him extra "motivation". Eventually he located it installed in a high school science project called B.O.T. (which had gone on the rampage due to Brawl's influence). Eventually recovering Brawl's personality components, the Combaticons merged into Bruticus in order to use Megatron's new superweapon, but were stopped by Defensor, forcing them to flee.
The [[UCLA Marching Band|UCLA Varsity Band]] has also moved to accommodate seating changes. Originally, they were located on the north courtside directly across from the UCLA bench. In 1984, they moved to the northeast corner courtside. In 1996 they moved to the north side above the student section. In 2003, they moved to the west side of the arena to be courtside.


In "The Ultimate Weapon", a season three episode, Swindle was able to steal [[Metroplex (Transformers)|Metroplex's]] cog from the pacifistic [[First Aid (Transformers)|First Aid]]. But instead of giving it to [[Galvatron]], he planned to sell it. Galvatron responded by forcing him to hand it over or be destroyed. Eventually, the Autobots respond by stealing [[Trypticon]]'s transformation cog, and re-tool it to fit Metroplex.
==History==
===1960s===
[[Image:PauleyPavilionExterior.jpg|thumb|right|Pauley Pavilion exterior]]Before the construction of the Pavilion, the on-campus home to the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team was the 2,000 seat [[Men's Gym]], disparagingly known as the "[[Body odor|B. O.]] barn." and currently known as the Student Activities Center. Games were also played at the [[Pan Pacific Auditorium]], the [[Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena]] and other venues around Los Angeles.


Swindle's last U.S. appearance was in "The Rebirth, Part 3". He and the other Combaticons continued to appear in the Japanese spin-off series [[Transformers: The Headmasters]].
Bruin teams coached by [[John Wooden]] won the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship]] in 1964 and 1965. Fans and Coach Wooden felt that a suitable arena needed to be constructed. The arena was constructed so that there would be some space between the crowds and the action on the court. Coach Wooden cited the example of the close quarters of Harmon Gym (now [[Haas Pavilion]]) where fans would pull leg hairs from his players' legs. [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]], then known as Lew Alcindor, was recruited to UCLA partly on the promise of playing in the new arena.


===Dreamwave Productions===
*H.R. Haldeman [Chief on Staff of Nixon White House 1969-1973] headed the campaign to build a state-of-the-art sports arena. A million dollars was raised, which was matched by a donation from Edwin W. Pauley.
[[Dreamwave Productions]]' 21st Century re-imagining of the Generation 1 universe took its inspiration for the Combaticons from the original animated series, casting them as Decepticon prisoners who were reduced to protoform stasis because they were too dangerous to be released.


Onslaught, Brawl, Blast Off and Vortex originally appeared as part of [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]]'s attack on Iacon in the first War Within series. At the same time Swindle was with Starscream, Motormaster, Runabout and Runamuck after Starscream head sent Megatron and Optimus Prime down further into the depths of Cybertron.
*The building was dedicated to Regent Edwin W. Pauley, at the June 1965 commencement ceremony by UCLA Chancellor [[Franklin D. Murphy]].


Later, when [[Optimus Prime]] led a rebellion against Shockwave's domination of Cybertron in 2003, [[Starscream]] took the opportunity to form a power base, taking the protoform Combaticons to Earth and outfitting them with new alternate modes taken from an abandoned military base, then leading them in an attack on the [[Ark (Transformers)|Ark]] in order to acquire parts to make the Decepticon space cruiser, the [[Nemesis (Transformers)|Nemesis]], spaceworthy. Confronted in battle by [[Brawn (Transformers)|Brawn]], Bruticus was caught in an explosion as [[Ratchet (Transformers)|Ratchet]] self-destructed the Ark, but he survived the conflagration, only to be knocked out by artillery fire from an incoming Autobot shuttle. After a battle with the evil clone, [[Sunstorm (Transformers)|Sunstorm]], Brawn opted to work out some of his stress on Bruticus's unconscious body, punching the gestalt about the head until his comrades yelled at him to stop. Bruticus would return, battling [[Sky Lynx]] for Starscream's amusement - until the [[Predacons]] appeared in their combined form of Predaking. The two gestalts battled as Starscream fled and Bruticus lost. The ultimate fate of the Combaticons in the Dreamwave universe was not revealed, due to the company's closure.
*The facility opened for the 1965&ndash;1966 college basketball season. The first game ever played in Pauley Pavilion was on November 27, 1965. It featured the [[College freshman|freshmen]] team, led by Big Lew Alcindor, against the UCLA varsity squad, the two-time defending champions and pre-season No. 1 team. The freshmen defeated the varsity team 75-60, heralding great things to come.<ref>Florence, Mal - Who's No. 1? UCLA Frosh Too Hot for Varsity, 75-60. Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1965. Quote:''Lew Alcindor strode onto the Pauley Pavilion court Saturday night and captured the town, completely demoralizing the UCLA varsity basketball team in the process.''</ref>


===Devil's Due Publishing===
*[[Ohio State]] was the first visiting team in the regular season. The varsity Bruins defeated the Buckeyes in the inaugural game 92-66.
Swindle would appear in the third G.I. Joe vs the Transformers crossover from [[Devil's Due Publishing]] as part of the Decepticon force trying to hold back the combined Autobot/G.I. Joe force trying to rescue Optimus Prime.


===IDW Publishing===
*Pauley Pavilion hosted its first NCAA Regional Finals in the 1969 post-season. The Bruins advanced from there to win the 1969 Championship.
Swindle made his first chronological [[IDW Publishing]] appearance in issue #3 of ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin]]'', being seen as part of [[Megatron]]'s underground group of gladiators.


[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]] issue on [[Ultra Magnus]] would show his later activities. A Decepticon arms dealer who had broken what few laws govern the Autobot/Decepticon war, Swindle attempted to hide with his associate Lorcha in his impregnable fortress - to no avail. The Autobot law enforcement official [[Ultra Magnus]] tracked him down and apprehended him, making short work of Lorcha's defenses and henchmen in the process. Destined for a court martial at the hands of his superiors, Swindle bargained his way out of his fate by giving Magnus information on the whereabouts of a bigger threat - [[Scorponok]]. Magnus begrudgingly agreed, and let Swindle go - after planting a tracer on the unwitting Decepticon. Later, after being captured by Magnus again, Swindle once again attempted to deal his way out.
===1970s===
*John Wooden coached what would be his final game as varsity head coach in Pauley Pavilion March 1st, 1975 in a 93-59 victory over [[Stanford University|Stanford]]. Four weeks later he would surprisingly announce his retirement following the NCAA semi-final victory against [[University of Louisville|Louisville]] and before his 10th National championship victory against [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]]. The Bruins won 149 games to 2 losses at home between 1965 and 1975. Bruin men's basketball teams won 8 more NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships from 1967 through 1975 under Coach Wooden.


===Toys===
*UCLA's longest winning streak in men's basketball at Pauley Pavilion was 98 games. It ended on February 21, 1976, when Oregon defeated UCLA, 65-45.
*'''Generation 1 Swindle'''
:The mold of Generation 1 Swindle was released as the Decepticon Rollbar in the ''Robots in Disguise'' and ''Universe'' lines. Two variants of Swindle were released, the first having a die-cast metal chestplate painted purple, and the second having a plastic chestplate molded in gray.
:When retooled for ''Robots in Disguise'', Swindle's main gun was retooled with an extra connection point, which allowed Armorhide's vehicle gun (originally Brawl's) to rest atop it when wielded by Ruination.


<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:SwindleG2.jpg|thumb|left|card artwork]] -->
*The 1978 [[AIAW]] Women's Basketball Championship Final Four was hosted at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA defeated the [[University of Maryland, College Park]] 90-74 to win their first Women's basketball championship in front of a crowd of 9,531.
*'''Generation 2 Swindle'''
:The original Swindle toy was released again for [[Transformers: Generation 2|Generation 2]], now with a bright red XR311 mode with purple camouflage and a purple (plastic) robot chest and is still able to combine with his fellow Combaticons to form Bruticus. G2 Swindle retained the same tech specs as his original release. <ref>http://rapido-online.net/g2archive/us/thetoys/swindle.shtml</ref>


[[Image:BTSwindle.jpg|left|thumb|Binaltech card artwork]]
===1980s===
*'''Alternators/Binaltech Swindle''' (2005)
*The first [[NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship]] was held at Pauley Pavilion in 1981, with UCLA falling to [[University of Southern California|USC]] in the title match.
:Swindle would reappear in the Alternators line. Alternators Swindle is the remold of [[Hound (Transformers)|Hound]]. The major differences between Swindle and Hound was Swindle's new head, a grill guard and larger wheels. Although the toy was announced to be Swindle first, this mold was originally intended to be used for [[Trailbreaker]] before it was decided to introduce Decepticons into the line, evident by the head which resembles Trailbreaker's. Swindle was the second and also the last Decepticon to use a mold originally intended to be used by an Autobot.
:Using the deadly Cosmic Rust plague, Swindle orchestrated the decimation of the Earth-based Autobot army, only for the damaged Autobots to enter into partnership with human corporations and arrange for construction of new bodies for them by major car companies. Using their new, powerful bodies to strike back against the Decepticons, they injured many of them; Swindle was not damaged seriously, but with a bit of wheeling and dealing, he quickly moved himself up the list, past worse-off Decepticons, to be one of the first transplanted into similar new bodies. Stealing an Autobot chassis intended for use by the Autobot [[Trailbreaker]], Swindle was reborn as an Alternator able to transform into a [[Jeep Wrangler]]. Armed with his traditional scatter blaster and now powered by an exponential generator, Swindle continues his black market dealings, including attempts to re-engineer the cosmic rust.


*'''Universe Generation 1 Series Swindle'''
*The building was host to the [[1984 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament]]. It was the third championship since the NCAA championship took precedence over the AIAW championship. The USC Trojan women's basketball team defeated the [[University of Tennessee]] Lady Vols 72-61.
:A redeco of ''Energon'' Blackout and Storm Cloud. When the first pictures of this toy make it to the internet in August of 2008 it was incorrectly identified as Sandstorm. <ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/universe-classics-20-29/first-look-new-transformers-universe-whirl-sandstorm-and-optimus-prime-on-ebay-165645/</ref>
{{-}}


==Transformers: Armada==
*In the 1985 post-season, the Bruins hosted their first [[National Invitation Tournament]] ([[NIT]]) tournament games under coach [[Walt Hazzard]]. The Bruins won all three and advanced to the finals to win the [[1985 National Invitation Tournament]]. In November 1985 at the intrasquad game, a banner was added in a ceremony commemorating the tournament championship. The banner was the same size and style as the NCAA championship banners. This banner subsequently was removed to make room for the 1995 National Championship banner.
{{Transformers character|
name =Swindle
|japanname =Grid
|image =A-Swindle.jpg
|caption =
|affiliation =Mini-Con
|subgroup =
|function =
|motto ="''Deals are made to be broken. ''"
|alternatemodes =F1 Car


|series =[[Transformers: Armada]]
*The [[1987 Pacific-10 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament]], the first [[Pacific-10 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament]], was played in Pauley Pavilion in the 1987 post-season. The Bruins were the first tournament champions.
|voiceby =
}}
Swindle was the Mini-Con partner to [[Starscream (Unicron Trilogy)|Starscream]] and transformed into an F-1 racing car. Discovered by Starscream in a forest, the airborne Decepticon used him to test out his shoulder cannons, decimating a good portion of the forest - and very nearly his fellow Decepticons.


Swindle continued to be partnered with Starscream, developing a respect for his continually downtrodden partner. His powers managed to reformat Starscream into Starscream Super Mode following the battle with [[Nemesis Prime]]. He managed to survive Starscream's attack on [[Unicron]], being sent to safety by Starscream while the Chaos-Bringer obliterated his partner. He was consoled by [[Optimus Prime (Unicron Trilogy)|Optimus Prime]], and was not seen again.
*The 1987 [[NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship]] was held in Pauley Pavilion. UCLA defeated USC 3 - 0 to win the title.


Combining with Starscream allows the Decepticon to use his secret weapons. In the Japanese series 'Micron Legend', Swindle had the name 'Grid'.
*On June 28, 1987, John Wooden and [[Dean Smith]] coached against each other in an exhibition basketball game featuring alumni from both schools. <ref>Mike Downey - North Carolina Beats UCLA in Alumni Game, 116-111. Los Angeles Times. June 29, 1987</ref>


====Dreamwave Productions====
*In the 1989&ndash;1990 season, the building was celebrated in "25 years of Pauley". A book, ''Pauley Pavilion: College Basketball's Showplace'' by David Smale, was released commemorating the great teams that played there as well as great moments in the history of the building. The first jersey numbers of outstanding players were retired and displayed in the building (see below).
Swindle also appeared in the accompanying Armada comic series from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]], where his relationship with Starscream was much more antagonistic. Captured by [[Cyclonus]] in the Decepticon attack on the Mini-Con village, Starscream chose him as a partner for the attack on the Cyber City, easily making short work of the Autobot defenders. While most of the other Mini-Cons eventually escaped, Swindle was doomed to servitude for the next million years.


Accompanying Starscream to Earth, Swindle's most prominent appearance came in the Dreamwave free comic released on Comic Book Day, where he pretended to have escaped from the Decepticons in order to lure [[Rad (Transformers)|Rad]], Alexis and Carlo to the Decepticon base, where [[Megatron (Unicron Trilogy)|Megatron]] planned to recreate the humans as a power source like the Mini-Cons. Megatron had promised to free Swindle, but predictably double-crossed him. In response, Swindle managed to free Prime's Autobots, who drove off the Decepticons. Swindle thought he was free - only to be recaptured by Starscream.
===1990s===
*The venue played host to the 1992 [[MTV Video Music Awards]].


Swindle would subsequently be part of the Mini-Cons who deserted to form a base on the Moon, again being recaptured after the Decepticons destroyed the base.
*In 1995 the Bruins won their eleventh NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, this time under coach [[Jim Harrick]].


Swindle appeared among the Mini-Cons in issue #18 of the ''Transformers: Armada'' comic book who aided [[Over-Run]] using the [[Mini-Con Matrix]] in the defeat of [[Unicron]].
*On October 14, 1995, the first day of practice after UCLA won its eleventh national championship in basketball, the UCLA Men's and Women's Basketball teams held UCLA's first - and heretofore only - Midnight Madness ceremony. (In NCAA rules before the 2005 season, practices could not begin until midnight of the first day. Many schools would use this as an opportunity to build support for their teams by beginning the season publicly at the first possible minute.)


===2000s===
===Toys===
*'''Armada Swindle''' (2002)
*Former UCLA coach John Wooden and his late wife were honored on [[December 20]], [[2003]] when the basketball floor at Pauley Pavilion was named "Nell & John Wooden Court." Since his retirement, Coach Wooden has been a fixture at UCLA Men's Basketball games.
:Additionally Armada Swindle was repainted along with Armada Starscream for the Energon line, although the character did not appear in the show.


==Transformers: Energon==
*The pavilion has played host to the numerous annual [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]], including the 21st show on Saturday, March 29, 2008, with UCLA alum [[Jack Black]] as host.
In 2005 Swindle was the Japanese name of a Destructicon combiner limb who was able to combine with the other four Destructicons to become Bruticus Maximus. Lime green in color, this tank was repainted in yellow and released in Transformers: Energon with the name Blight. Although these Destructicons shared the same name as the G1 Combaticons, it was not until the toy was released as Blight that it became a homage to the original Swindle in appearance. Swindle did appear in the Super Link cartoon but his character was a drone commanded by Destructicon leader Onslaught - himself a homage to an original G1 Combaticon.


==Transformers: Universe==
*The 2001 ''[[Jeopardy! College Championship]]'' was taped at Pauley Pavilion (November 7 through 20, 2001). Vinita Kailasanath (Stanford University) was the winner. Jayce Newton represented UCLA.
{{Transformers character|
name =Swindle
|image =swindle-universetoy.jpg
|caption =Universe Swindle toy
|affiliation =Autobot
|subgroup =Micromaster
|rank =
|function =
|motto =
|Cyber Code =
|alternatemodes =Train
|series =[[Transformers: Universe]]
|voiceby =
}}
For the first time in Transformers, the name Swindle is given to an [[Autobot]] affiliated toy. This toy is a Railbot, one of a team of six [[Micromasters]] who are able to combine to form a larger robot known as Rail Racer. Aside from being released with a different part to form the larger robot (the left foot), this toy was originally released in Japan during 2003, itself being a recolor of a toy originating from 1991. Because of the lack of a bio from Hasbro, it is unknown whether this Swindle's identity is of a new character, the U.S. name for the Japanese train Micromaster or of a reformed Decepticon or Mini-Con.


===Toys===
*University officials began plans for a $110 million renovation to be completed in 2010, on Coach Wooden's 100th birthday. The university has formed a committee, including Honorary Chair [[John Wooden]], to assist in design and funding of the renovated arena.
*'''Transformers: Universe Swindle''' (2005)
:Initially sold as a Kaybee toy store exclusive.
{{-}}


==Transformers: Cybertron==
*[[The Who]] were honored at the [[Vh1 rock honors|2008 VH1 Rock Honors]] ceremony at the Pauley Pavilion instead of the usual [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]]. The concert consisted of an hour-long performance by the band as well as tributes by [[Incubus]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Foo Fighters]], [[Flaming Lips]], [[Adam Sandler]] and [[Tenacious D]].<ref>[http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1588618 VH1.com Rock Honors 2008 Tribute Performers Video Playlist]</ref>.
{{Transformers character|
name =Swindle
|image =swindle-cybertronart.jpg
|caption =Cybertron Swindle Art
|affiliation =Decepticon
|subgroup =Scouts
|rank =4
|function =
|motto =
|Cyber Code =s4mr
|alternatemodes =Buggy
|series =[[Transformers: Cybertron]]
|voiceby =
}}
The name Swindle has once again been used for a Transformers off-road vehicle and is colored yellow in a homage to the original Swindle character. This time, Swindle is a repaint of the Cybertron toy called Hardtop. He comes with an Earth Planet Key with the code '''s4mr''' which should be used on the [http://www.transformers.com official Transformers site] to unlock exclusive content. This exclusive content consists of an image showing Swindle's color guide and extra bio text. Swindle does not appear in the Cybertron TV series.


His toy bio indicates that he is the brother of Hardtop and somewhat of a cocky thug (similar to G1 [[Rumble (Transformers)|Rumble]]) who lives only to destroy Autobots, although he would rather do it up close. His loyalty to Megatron is far from absolute, as he'll serve anyone that lets him destroy Autobots.
==UCLA Championship banners==
[[Image:Pauley Pavilion.jpg|thumb|right|Pauley Pavilion, 2004 - six men's championship banners are visible]]
The only championship banners that are displayed within the building are for national or [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Championships. Unlike most schools, there are neither conference championship banners nor other tournament championship banners displayed in the building, despite the fact UCLA teams have won many tournaments and basketball championships in the Pacific Ten Conference and its predecessor conferences. Former Bruin point guard [[Jordan Farmar]] described the rationale for this during the Bruins' 2005 [[Final Four]] run, by stating, "[a]t UCLA, only national championship banners go up." The men's banners are navy blue with gold lettering, while the women's banners are gold with navy blue lettering.


===Toys===
There is one banner for the women's basketball [[AIAW]] championship in 1978. There are 11 individual banners for the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship]] teams. There are two banners for volleyball, one for the 19 [[NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship|men's NCAA volleyball championships]] and one for the three [[NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship|NCAA women's volleyball championships]] and three [[AIAW Champions|AIAW championships]]. There are two banners for gymnastics, one for the two [[NCAA Men's Gymnastics championship|men's NCAA gymnastics champions]] and one for the five [[NCAA Women's Gymnastics championship|NCAA women's gymnastics champions]]. The volleyball and gymnastics banners list all the years in which Bruin teams were NCAA or National champions.
*'''Cybertron Swindle''' (2006)
:In 2006 a special edition of Swindle was available in Walmart stores which contained a DVD with the episode "''Cybertron''" as a promotional item - despite the fact that he wasn't in that episode.
:Some bonus packs of Cybertron [[Megatron (Unicron Trilogy)|Megatron]] came with the Decepticon Hardtop as a bonus item.
:He was be recolored for the [[Transformers (film)|2007 Transformers movie]] as [[Hardtop (Transformers)|Hardtop]], a Decepticon sniper.
{{-}}


==2007 Transformers movie==
==Numbers of retired players==
{{Transformers character|
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image: Wooden_players.jpg|right|thumb|John Wooden (center) with former Bruins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton.]] -->On February 3rd, 1990 in a ceremony in Pauley Pavilion, the first four UCLA basketball player jersey numbers were retired. This was the key moment in the "Pauley at 25" celebration of twenty-five years of the arena. The primary criteria for being chosen was that all four players were three-time All-Americans.<ref name="mediaguide" >UCLA Men's Basketball Media Guide</ref> The honorees were:
name =Swindle
|image =swindle-movieprequel.jpg
|caption =Swindle in the IDW comics
|affiliation =Autobot or Decepticon
|subgroup =Deluxe Vehicles<BR>Drones
|rank =2
|function =
|partner =
|motto =
|alternatemodes =Sports Coupe (resembling a [[Chevrolet Cobalt SS]])
|series =[[Transformers movie toys]]
|engvoice =
|japanvoice =
}}
Swindle is the name of a Decepticon who appeared in the toy line and video game tie-ins for the 2007 live action ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie, though not in the movie itself. He turns into a red sports coupe that resembles a [[Chevrolet Cobalt SS]]. Swindle's tech spec describes him that he's not a great fighter, but still takes pleasure in making trouble for the Autobots. He wields an extending torso cannon. Swindle has the exceptional number 1 on his tech spec intelligence (making him dumber than even [[Scorponok]]), but a 9 on his fireblast.


===Transformers: The Game===
*[[Ann Meyers]] (as Ann Meyers-Drysdale) #15
In ''[[Transformers: The Game]]'', Swindle appears as standard-class drones for the Autobot & Decepticon armies. Autobot versions have eyes with a mask, & their primary color is green. Decepticon versions have a lens-head & their color is a dark red. Swindle is also playable in the PSP version of the game. A notable difference between the video game Swindle and the toy is that the video game version's doors are mounted on the shoulders while in the toy the doors are mounted on the elbows.
*[[Denise Curry]] #12
*[[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] (who played at UCLA as Lew Alcindor) #33
*[[Bill Walton]] #32


===IDW Publishing===
Numbers retired since then are:
Swindle appears in his red colours as the Decepticon who tortures Bumblebee to learn the location of the [[Allspark]] Cube in the first issue of the ''[[Transformers: The Movie Prequel]]''.
*[[Walt Hazzard]] #42
*[[Sidney Wicks]] #35
*[[Marques Johnson]] #54
*[[Ed O'Bannon]] #31
*[[Gail Goodrich]] #25


He also appeared in the official movie sequel comic called "The Reign of Starscream". <ref>[http://fromthetip.blogspot.com/2008/04/rain-of-starscream-part-deux.html From the Tip: Rain of Starscream Part Deux<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Significant events==
Pauley Pavilion has been the venue for many other sports championships, concerts, commencement ceremonies and political events.


===Movie toys===
In June, the [[UCLA College of Letters and Science|College of Letters and Science]] will hold its annual commencement ceremony, the largest on campus, with more than 4,000 students receiving their degrees and some 12,000 guests to help with the celebration.
*'''Movie Deluxe Swindle''' (2007)
:This Deluxe sized toy measures 14 centimeters long. With an actual [[Chevrolet Cobalt SS]] measuring 470 centimeters this toy is about 1/32 scale. This toy was redecoed into Movie Camshaft. This make is more accurate to Swindle's prequel comic design, rather than the video game design.


{{-}}
Concert performers have included [[Bad Religion]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Bob Hope]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Luciano Pavarotti]], [[Eric Clapton]], the [[Grateful Dead]], and [[Phish]].


==Transformers: Animated==
In 1970, [[Frank Zappa]] appeared with the [[Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra]] performing Zappa's orchestral music. [[Zubin Mehta]] directed the orchestra in what would become the soundtrack for Zappa's movie [[200 Motels]]. Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention recorded [[Just Another Band from L.A.]] in Pauley Pavilion in 1972.
{{Transformers character|
name =Swindle
|image =Swindle-preview.jpg
|caption =Swindle in the animated series
|affiliation =Decepticon
|subgroup =Deluxe Vehicles
|function =Decepticon arms dealer
|motto =
|Cyber Code =
|alternatemodes =[[Humvee]]
|series =[[Transformers: Animated]]
|voiceby =[[Fred Willard]]
}}
Swindle debuted in the ''Transformers: Animated'' series in the episode "SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy." <ref>[http://seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=12962& TFAnimated: Preview of S.U.V.+ SWINDLE Images!]</ref> Swindle is a Decepticon arms dealer, who has a large cannon on his right arm and several other built-in weapons throughout his body. He mentions that one of his weapons, a force field generator, was sold to him by the [[Vok]].


===Animated series===
In 1984, it was the Los Angeles venue for the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] Men's and Women's [[Gymnastics]] and Women's [[Artistic Gymnastics]] events. [[Mary Lou Retton]] became the first Olympic [[gymnast]] outside of [[Eastern Europe]] ever to have won the Olympic all-around title.
He came to earth and allied himself with [[Transformers Animated#Villains|Society of Ultimate Villainy]], stringing them along to get his hands on an Allspark fragment, located within the timepiece weapon of the Society's leader Slo-Mo. It was Swindle's vehicle mode that inspired Nanosec to name their group "SUV". Double-crossing his comrades and obtaining the Allspark fragment, Swindle used it to power a device that froze all machinery in Detroit, including the Autobots. Swindle then intended to sell the weapon to Megatron. However, The SUV reacted to Swindle's betrayal by allying themselves with [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] and the Autobots. Using Sumdac Tower's forcefield system to protect themselves, the SUV and [[Bumblebee (Transformers)|Bumblebee]] manage to shut down Swindle's weapon, but he got a hold of Slo-Mo's timepiece, intending to use it to freeze the Autobots. Bumblebee, using the forcefield's protection, deflected the attack, which bounced back at Swindle, resulting in the Decepticon being frozen in vehicle mode. He was then impounded by the Detroit police force, who intended to sell him for parts at the next police auction.


===Animated toys===
On April 26, 1986, a birthday tribute for actress/comedienne [[Carol Burnett]] was held inside. Singer [[Neil Diamond]] performed ''[[Sweet Caroline]]'' in her honor.
*'''Animated Deluxe Swindle''' (2008/not yet released)

:A Deluxe sized mold. This toy will feature Swindle's arm cannon, two over the shoulder blasters, and a chest mounted gatling gun. This figure will be released in December 2008, along with deluxe [[Blurr]], Voyager [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]]/[[Longarm (Transformers)|Longam]], and activators [[Cliffjumper]] <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=182231 As of yet unheard of Animated figs in Wal-mart computer. - TFW2005 - The 2005 Boards<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Two years later in 1988, it was the site of a [[U.S. presidential election debates|presidential election debate]] between [[George H.W. Bush]] and [[Michael Dukakis]]. Dukakis also held his final [[U.S. presidential election, 1988|election]]-eve rally here, hosted by the UCLA Bruin Democrats.

In 1994, composer [[Henry Mancini]], having learned he had [[Terminal illness|terminal]] [[cancer]], gave his last concert at Pauley Pavilion.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.seibertron.com/toys/gallery.php?id=612&size=0&start=0 Toy Image Gallery] for Alternators Swindle
*[http://www.binalternators.de/swindle_english.html Swindle] for more detailed info on Alternators Swindle
*[http://www.seibertron.com/toys/gallery.php?id=370&size=0&start=0 Toy Image Gallery] for Armada Swindle
*[http://www.seibertron.com/toys/gallery.php?id=352&size=0&start=0 Toy Image Gallery] for Energon Swindle
*[http://www.seibertron.com/toys/gallery.php?id=779&size=0&start=0 Toy Image Gallery] for Cybertron Swindle
*[http://tfarchive.com/toys/reviews/uni_railracer.php Toy Review] for Universe Swindle


[[Category:Autobots]]
==Bibliography==
[[Category:Decepticons]]
{{refbegin}}
[[Category:Fictional businesspeople]]
*UCLA Men's Basketball Media Guide (PDF copy available at [http://www.uclabruins.com www.uclabruins.com])
[[Category:Fictional con artists]]
*{{cite book |last=Smale|first=David |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Pauley Pavilion: College Basketball's Showplace |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year=1989 |month= |publisher=Sports Memories Publishing / Jostens Publishing Company |location=Manhattan, Kansas |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= {{LCC|GV885.43.C34 S63}} 1989 |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= }}
[[Category:Micromasters]]

[[Category:Mini-Cons]]
{{refend}}
[[Category:Transformers Alternators]]

==External links==
*[http://www.uclabruins.com UCLA Bruins Sports]
*[http://uclabruins.collegesports.com/genrel/062200aai.html Pauley Pavilion - Home to Bruin Basketball]

{{start}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Men's Gym]]
| title = Home of the [[UCLA Bruins]]
| years = 1965 &ndash; present
| after = Current
}}
{{end}}

{{UCLA}}
{{Pac-10 Basketball Arenas}}

{{coord missing|United States}}

[[Category:College basketball venues]]
[[Category:Indoor arenas in the United States]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Los Angeles, California]]
[[Category:UCLA Bruins basketball]]
[[Category:Pac-10 men's basketball tournament venues]]
[[Category:Venues of the 1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:University of California, Los Angeles]]


[[fr:Pauley Pavilion]]
[[id:Swindle]]

Revision as of 02:05, 13 October 2008

Swindle is the name given to seven different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.

Transformers - Generation 1

Template:Transformers character Swindle originally appeared as a member of a group of five Decepticons known as the Combaticons who were able to combine together to form a larger robot known as Bruticus. As a basic sized combiner limb, Swindle could become the arm or leg to any similar combiner Transformers; he was usually found to be the right leg of Bruticus.

Whereas other Decepticons were motivated by lust for power or sheer love of carnage, Swindle's sole motivation was turning a profit. With the born personality of a salesman, Swindle would sell anyone anything - be they weapons, parts or bits of his own comrades. Swindle is also the brightest among his fellow Combaticons, describing himself as a "one-robot black market", Swindle would even sell his goods to the Autobots if he thought he could get away with it.

Marvel Comics

The Combaticons first U.S. appearance in Issue 24 of the U.S. Marvel comics was unexplained in the American comic, however it is assumed that they were created in the same way as the Stunticons were through Bombshell's cerebro-shell attached to Optimus Prime tapping the energies of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership.

The company 'Energy Futures Industries' was a hydrothermocline plant which the Decepticons wanted to steal for their own energy resources. Megatron and the Combaticons launched an assault only to encounter the Protectobots and Optimus Prime. With both teams now combined into Bruticus and Defensor, the human Ethan Zachary offered a solution - that the two teams battled inside a computer program. Not wanting to destroy what they had come to steal Megatron agreed. Predictably the Combaticons' bloodlust was turned against them as their disregard for the programs' sentient beings led to Swindle and Brawl being destroyed by First Aid. However, the Decepticons still won as Optimus Prime felt he had cheated by endangering innocent life in the game and destroyed himself.

Megatron would go increasingly insane after this, infuriated that he hadn't killed Optimus Prime with his bare hands. With Swindle attempting to warn him of a U.S. army, he was flattened by Shockwave. Shockwave convinced an increasingly deranged Megatron that Optimus Prime might yet live, Swindle and most of the other Combaticons were sent to look for Prime, leaving Megatron to be attacked by the Predacons.

Swindle would continue to make sporadic appearances throughout the U.S. and U.K. comics, attempting to place charges to destroy Galvatron (with Swindle nearly getting scrapped by a rigged jeep in the process), clashing twice more with the Protectobots as Bruticus, attacking the Autobot leadership contest between Grimlock and Blaster and nearly killing Brawn (commenting on how his parts would have a bright future), and being part of the staff of Club Con, the Decepticons' fake holiday resort. They were not shown to be deactivated by the Underbase powered Starscream, but as they were not seen again in the G1 comic, it is likely.

He would appear in the Generation 2 comic a number of times (presumably revived with Nucleon), showing Megatron the scale of Bludgeon's plan to capture the Matrix. Unfortunately he was destroyed with the rest of the Combaticons when the traitorous Starscream led the forces of Jhiaxus to the Warworld's weak spots.

Animated series

Swindle is most notable for receiving a new look for his animated appearance. Unlike his toy, the front of the jeep and its windscreen becomes Swindle's chest. Because of his alternate form, he was the smallest Combaticon despite his toy being the same size as the others aside from team-leader Onslaught.

Swindle was originally one of five Decepticon criminals that had attempted to overthrow Megatron on Cybertron. Their personality components extracted by Shockwave, they were later recovered by Starscream in the episode "Starscream's Brigade", himself exiled from the Decepticons after one clash too many with Megatron. Hitting on the idea of creating his own loyal troops from the wrecked vehicles on Guadalcanal, he installed their personality components into the rebuilt vehicles, thus creating the Combaticons, with Swindle having the alternate mode of a jeep. After a series of attacks on both Autobots and Decepticons they were defeated by Menasor and exiled to space. Ridding themselves of Starscream they would then attempt to conquer Cybertron, defeating Shockwave's army, and then attempt to destroy Earth by sending it towards the sun. They were eventually stopped by Optimus Prime, Megatron and Starscream, but they survived - under Megatron's control.

File:SwindleJeep.jpg
Swindle's alternate mode

While he would mostly appear as part of the Combaticons, the episode "B.O.T." would spotlight Swindle near exclusively. After a gestalt-on-gestalt battle between Bruticus and Defensor, the Combaticons' combined form was demolished, with only Swindle surviving to revert to robot mode. The ever opportunistic Swindle took the opportunity to sell his comrades' parts — much to the fury of Megatron. (More impressive is the fact that he was able to sell their parts to both Western and Eastern Blocs.) Recovering all but Brawl's components Megatron had him fitted with a bomb to give him extra "motivation". Eventually he located it installed in a high school science project called B.O.T. (which had gone on the rampage due to Brawl's influence). Eventually recovering Brawl's personality components, the Combaticons merged into Bruticus in order to use Megatron's new superweapon, but were stopped by Defensor, forcing them to flee.

In "The Ultimate Weapon", a season three episode, Swindle was able to steal Metroplex's cog from the pacifistic First Aid. But instead of giving it to Galvatron, he planned to sell it. Galvatron responded by forcing him to hand it over or be destroyed. Eventually, the Autobots respond by stealing Trypticon's transformation cog, and re-tool it to fit Metroplex.

Swindle's last U.S. appearance was in "The Rebirth, Part 3". He and the other Combaticons continued to appear in the Japanese spin-off series Transformers: The Headmasters.

Dreamwave Productions

Dreamwave Productions' 21st Century re-imagining of the Generation 1 universe took its inspiration for the Combaticons from the original animated series, casting them as Decepticon prisoners who were reduced to protoform stasis because they were too dangerous to be released.

Onslaught, Brawl, Blast Off and Vortex originally appeared as part of Shockwave's attack on Iacon in the first War Within series. At the same time Swindle was with Starscream, Motormaster, Runabout and Runamuck after Starscream head sent Megatron and Optimus Prime down further into the depths of Cybertron.

Later, when Optimus Prime led a rebellion against Shockwave's domination of Cybertron in 2003, Starscream took the opportunity to form a power base, taking the protoform Combaticons to Earth and outfitting them with new alternate modes taken from an abandoned military base, then leading them in an attack on the Ark in order to acquire parts to make the Decepticon space cruiser, the Nemesis, spaceworthy. Confronted in battle by Brawn, Bruticus was caught in an explosion as Ratchet self-destructed the Ark, but he survived the conflagration, only to be knocked out by artillery fire from an incoming Autobot shuttle. After a battle with the evil clone, Sunstorm, Brawn opted to work out some of his stress on Bruticus's unconscious body, punching the gestalt about the head until his comrades yelled at him to stop. Bruticus would return, battling Sky Lynx for Starscream's amusement - until the Predacons appeared in their combined form of Predaking. The two gestalts battled as Starscream fled and Bruticus lost. The ultimate fate of the Combaticons in the Dreamwave universe was not revealed, due to the company's closure.

Devil's Due Publishing

Swindle would appear in the third G.I. Joe vs the Transformers crossover from Devil's Due Publishing as part of the Decepticon force trying to hold back the combined Autobot/G.I. Joe force trying to rescue Optimus Prime.

IDW Publishing

Swindle made his first chronological IDW Publishing appearance in issue #3 of The Transformers: Megatron Origin, being seen as part of Megatron's underground group of gladiators.

Spotlight issue on Ultra Magnus would show his later activities. A Decepticon arms dealer who had broken what few laws govern the Autobot/Decepticon war, Swindle attempted to hide with his associate Lorcha in his impregnable fortress - to no avail. The Autobot law enforcement official Ultra Magnus tracked him down and apprehended him, making short work of Lorcha's defenses and henchmen in the process. Destined for a court martial at the hands of his superiors, Swindle bargained his way out of his fate by giving Magnus information on the whereabouts of a bigger threat - Scorponok. Magnus begrudgingly agreed, and let Swindle go - after planting a tracer on the unwitting Decepticon. Later, after being captured by Magnus again, Swindle once again attempted to deal his way out.

Toys

  • Generation 1 Swindle
The mold of Generation 1 Swindle was released as the Decepticon Rollbar in the Robots in Disguise and Universe lines. Two variants of Swindle were released, the first having a die-cast metal chestplate painted purple, and the second having a plastic chestplate molded in gray.
When retooled for Robots in Disguise, Swindle's main gun was retooled with an extra connection point, which allowed Armorhide's vehicle gun (originally Brawl's) to rest atop it when wielded by Ruination.
  • Generation 2 Swindle
The original Swindle toy was released again for Generation 2, now with a bright red XR311 mode with purple camouflage and a purple (plastic) robot chest and is still able to combine with his fellow Combaticons to form Bruticus. G2 Swindle retained the same tech specs as his original release. [1]
File:BTSwindle.jpg
Binaltech card artwork
  • Alternators/Binaltech Swindle (2005)
Swindle would reappear in the Alternators line. Alternators Swindle is the remold of Hound. The major differences between Swindle and Hound was Swindle's new head, a grill guard and larger wheels. Although the toy was announced to be Swindle first, this mold was originally intended to be used for Trailbreaker before it was decided to introduce Decepticons into the line, evident by the head which resembles Trailbreaker's. Swindle was the second and also the last Decepticon to use a mold originally intended to be used by an Autobot.
Using the deadly Cosmic Rust plague, Swindle orchestrated the decimation of the Earth-based Autobot army, only for the damaged Autobots to enter into partnership with human corporations and arrange for construction of new bodies for them by major car companies. Using their new, powerful bodies to strike back against the Decepticons, they injured many of them; Swindle was not damaged seriously, but with a bit of wheeling and dealing, he quickly moved himself up the list, past worse-off Decepticons, to be one of the first transplanted into similar new bodies. Stealing an Autobot chassis intended for use by the Autobot Trailbreaker, Swindle was reborn as an Alternator able to transform into a Jeep Wrangler. Armed with his traditional scatter blaster and now powered by an exponential generator, Swindle continues his black market dealings, including attempts to re-engineer the cosmic rust.
  • Universe Generation 1 Series Swindle
A redeco of Energon Blackout and Storm Cloud. When the first pictures of this toy make it to the internet in August of 2008 it was incorrectly identified as Sandstorm. [2]

Transformers: Armada

Template:Transformers character Swindle was the Mini-Con partner to Starscream and transformed into an F-1 racing car. Discovered by Starscream in a forest, the airborne Decepticon used him to test out his shoulder cannons, decimating a good portion of the forest - and very nearly his fellow Decepticons.

Swindle continued to be partnered with Starscream, developing a respect for his continually downtrodden partner. His powers managed to reformat Starscream into Starscream Super Mode following the battle with Nemesis Prime. He managed to survive Starscream's attack on Unicron, being sent to safety by Starscream while the Chaos-Bringer obliterated his partner. He was consoled by Optimus Prime, and was not seen again.

Combining with Starscream allows the Decepticon to use his secret weapons. In the Japanese series 'Micron Legend', Swindle had the name 'Grid'.

Dreamwave Productions

Swindle also appeared in the accompanying Armada comic series from Dreamwave, where his relationship with Starscream was much more antagonistic. Captured by Cyclonus in the Decepticon attack on the Mini-Con village, Starscream chose him as a partner for the attack on the Cyber City, easily making short work of the Autobot defenders. While most of the other Mini-Cons eventually escaped, Swindle was doomed to servitude for the next million years.

Accompanying Starscream to Earth, Swindle's most prominent appearance came in the Dreamwave free comic released on Comic Book Day, where he pretended to have escaped from the Decepticons in order to lure Rad, Alexis and Carlo to the Decepticon base, where Megatron planned to recreate the humans as a power source like the Mini-Cons. Megatron had promised to free Swindle, but predictably double-crossed him. In response, Swindle managed to free Prime's Autobots, who drove off the Decepticons. Swindle thought he was free - only to be recaptured by Starscream.

Swindle would subsequently be part of the Mini-Cons who deserted to form a base on the Moon, again being recaptured after the Decepticons destroyed the base.

Swindle appeared among the Mini-Cons in issue #18 of the Transformers: Armada comic book who aided Over-Run using the Mini-Con Matrix in the defeat of Unicron.

Toys

  • Armada Swindle (2002)
Additionally Armada Swindle was repainted along with Armada Starscream for the Energon line, although the character did not appear in the show.

Transformers: Energon

In 2005 Swindle was the Japanese name of a Destructicon combiner limb who was able to combine with the other four Destructicons to become Bruticus Maximus. Lime green in color, this tank was repainted in yellow and released in Transformers: Energon with the name Blight. Although these Destructicons shared the same name as the G1 Combaticons, it was not until the toy was released as Blight that it became a homage to the original Swindle in appearance. Swindle did appear in the Super Link cartoon but his character was a drone commanded by Destructicon leader Onslaught - himself a homage to an original G1 Combaticon.

Transformers: Universe

Template:Transformers character For the first time in Transformers, the name Swindle is given to an Autobot affiliated toy. This toy is a Railbot, one of a team of six Micromasters who are able to combine to form a larger robot known as Rail Racer. Aside from being released with a different part to form the larger robot (the left foot), this toy was originally released in Japan during 2003, itself being a recolor of a toy originating from 1991. Because of the lack of a bio from Hasbro, it is unknown whether this Swindle's identity is of a new character, the U.S. name for the Japanese train Micromaster or of a reformed Decepticon or Mini-Con.

Toys

  • Transformers: Universe Swindle (2005)
Initially sold as a Kaybee toy store exclusive.

Transformers: Cybertron

Template:Transformers character The name Swindle has once again been used for a Transformers off-road vehicle and is colored yellow in a homage to the original Swindle character. This time, Swindle is a repaint of the Cybertron toy called Hardtop. He comes with an Earth Planet Key with the code s4mr which should be used on the official Transformers site to unlock exclusive content. This exclusive content consists of an image showing Swindle's color guide and extra bio text. Swindle does not appear in the Cybertron TV series.

His toy bio indicates that he is the brother of Hardtop and somewhat of a cocky thug (similar to G1 Rumble) who lives only to destroy Autobots, although he would rather do it up close. His loyalty to Megatron is far from absolute, as he'll serve anyone that lets him destroy Autobots.

Toys

  • Cybertron Swindle (2006)
In 2006 a special edition of Swindle was available in Walmart stores which contained a DVD with the episode "Cybertron" as a promotional item - despite the fact that he wasn't in that episode.
Some bonus packs of Cybertron Megatron came with the Decepticon Hardtop as a bonus item.
He was be recolored for the 2007 Transformers movie as Hardtop, a Decepticon sniper.

2007 Transformers movie

Template:Transformers character Swindle is the name of a Decepticon who appeared in the toy line and video game tie-ins for the 2007 live action Transformers movie, though not in the movie itself. He turns into a red sports coupe that resembles a Chevrolet Cobalt SS. Swindle's tech spec describes him that he's not a great fighter, but still takes pleasure in making trouble for the Autobots. He wields an extending torso cannon. Swindle has the exceptional number 1 on his tech spec intelligence (making him dumber than even Scorponok), but a 9 on his fireblast.

Transformers: The Game

In Transformers: The Game, Swindle appears as standard-class drones for the Autobot & Decepticon armies. Autobot versions have eyes with a mask, & their primary color is green. Decepticon versions have a lens-head & their color is a dark red. Swindle is also playable in the PSP version of the game. A notable difference between the video game Swindle and the toy is that the video game version's doors are mounted on the shoulders while in the toy the doors are mounted on the elbows.

IDW Publishing

Swindle appears in his red colours as the Decepticon who tortures Bumblebee to learn the location of the Allspark Cube in the first issue of the Transformers: The Movie Prequel.

He also appeared in the official movie sequel comic called "The Reign of Starscream". [3]

Movie toys

  • Movie Deluxe Swindle (2007)
This Deluxe sized toy measures 14 centimeters long. With an actual Chevrolet Cobalt SS measuring 470 centimeters this toy is about 1/32 scale. This toy was redecoed into Movie Camshaft. This make is more accurate to Swindle's prequel comic design, rather than the video game design.

Transformers: Animated

Template:Transformers character Swindle debuted in the Transformers: Animated series in the episode "SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy." [4] Swindle is a Decepticon arms dealer, who has a large cannon on his right arm and several other built-in weapons throughout his body. He mentions that one of his weapons, a force field generator, was sold to him by the Vok.

Animated series

He came to earth and allied himself with Society of Ultimate Villainy, stringing them along to get his hands on an Allspark fragment, located within the timepiece weapon of the Society's leader Slo-Mo. It was Swindle's vehicle mode that inspired Nanosec to name their group "SUV". Double-crossing his comrades and obtaining the Allspark fragment, Swindle used it to power a device that froze all machinery in Detroit, including the Autobots. Swindle then intended to sell the weapon to Megatron. However, The SUV reacted to Swindle's betrayal by allying themselves with Sari and the Autobots. Using Sumdac Tower's forcefield system to protect themselves, the SUV and Bumblebee manage to shut down Swindle's weapon, but he got a hold of Slo-Mo's timepiece, intending to use it to freeze the Autobots. Bumblebee, using the forcefield's protection, deflected the attack, which bounced back at Swindle, resulting in the Decepticon being frozen in vehicle mode. He was then impounded by the Detroit police force, who intended to sell him for parts at the next police auction.

Animated toys

  • Animated Deluxe Swindle (2008/not yet released)
A Deluxe sized mold. This toy will feature Swindle's arm cannon, two over the shoulder blasters, and a chest mounted gatling gun. This figure will be released in December 2008, along with deluxe Blurr, Voyager Shockwave/Longam, and activators Cliffjumper [5]

References

  1. ^ http://rapido-online.net/g2archive/us/thetoys/swindle.shtml
  2. ^ http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/universe-classics-20-29/first-look-new-transformers-universe-whirl-sandstorm-and-optimus-prime-on-ebay-165645/
  3. ^ From the Tip: Rain of Starscream Part Deux
  4. ^ TFAnimated: Preview of S.U.V.+ SWINDLE Images!
  5. ^ As of yet unheard of Animated figs in Wal-mart computer. - TFW2005 - The 2005 Boards
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pauley_Pavilion&oldid=244899046"