Ratchet (Universe)
From Transformers Wiki
The name or term "Ratchet" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Ratchet (disambiguation). |
- Ratchet is an Autobot from the Robots in Disguise continuity family (via the 2003 Universe series).
Unlike with his alternate universe counterpart, Ratchet's patients have a problem relating to him outside of his role as a doctor. Quiet and modest, he's not much of a social being. However, he's the best there is at what he does. You'd have to look long and hard to find a better surgeon than Ratchet. He often performs this duty at the risk of his own personal exhaustion. Ratchet is dedicated solely to his work.[1]
Contents |
Fiction
Universe comic
Ratchet was pulled from his home universe of Viron 704.31 Epsilon by Unicron to fight in the Universe War on the eve of a critical battle, leading to Optimus Prime's defeat at the hands of Megazarak. Ask Vector Prime, 30 July 2015
Ratchet was imprisoned within the Cauldron arena inside the shattered remains of Unicron. When Trailbreaker and Silverbolt managed to arrange a prison break, Ratchet was part of the group that managed to flee. Escape For uncertain reasons, he was not automatically returned to his own universe as were most of the freed prisoners. Rather, he found himself on the technorganic Cybertron that Silverbolt, Trailbreaker, and their rescuer Optimus Primal called home. It was suggested by his new friends that he may have been needed in this new timeline for a reason, as this universe's Ratchet was, in the past, a great healer.
Though distressed and confused at this turn of events, Ratchet quickly got to work on Sideswipe, attempting to find a way to remove the Unicron virus that had infected the Transformers who had been sent into combat within the Cauldron. However, the virus was proving tougher and quicker than he was. Homecoming
Toys
Universe (2003)
- Autobot Ratchet (Deluxe Class, 2003)
- Accessories: Blade-missile, cannon-missile, bumper-knuckleduster
- Known designers: Marcelo Matere (packaging artist)
- Part of the third wave of Universe Deluxes, Ratchet is a redeco of the 2001 Robots in Disguise Deluxe Class X-Brawn toy, transforming into an emergency-response Mercedes-Benz ML320 SUV with opening doors and hood. He has a spring-loaded missile launcher in his right arm; the running boards on each side of his vehicle mode are attached to his missiles. These missiles can peg onto his backpack or biceps for storage purposes in robot mode, or be held in his over-sized left hand by the rails. His front bumper-guard detaches to become a knuckleduster he can hold as well. All of the emergency equipment (including his sirens) are merely tampographed onto his roof instead of being newly sculpted parts.
- The mold seems to be suffering from some degradation, as the running boards appear to be slightly misshapen and "bloated" compared to earlier releases of the figure (whether this is related to the fact that all previous releases of these pieces have been chromed is unknown).
- Hasbro's stock photography of the toy shows him with white "Emergency" lettering, but the final retail release uses black letters.
Notes
- Ratchet and Inferno were released with the "sub-line" name "Machine Robot Rescue" printed on their cards in a fairly blatant attempt by Hasbro to prevent rival toy company Bandai from marketing one of their Japanese transforming robot toy lines in the U.S. under that name. Whether this was ultimately necessary is debatable, as the contested line was never brought to the U.S.
- Glen Hallit stated that this Ratchet was from a 2001 Robots in Disguise universe, but there was nothing in published fiction to support it until a 2015 entry of the Facebook edition of Ask Vector Prime gave some background to Ratchet.
- The Ratchet toy was apparently originally intended as an upgrade for Trailbreaker, explaining Trailbreaker's presence in the Universe comic alongside Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. However, possibly due to trademark reasons, the plans for "Trailbreaker" were dropped, and the X-Brawn redeco became a different character with a different deco.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Ratchet (ラチェット Rachetto)
References
- ↑ Ratchet's profile in Universe #3