User:Mathewignash/Bumper (Transformers)

Bumper (also known as Bumblejumper) is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes.

Transformers: Generation 1

Bumper
Transformers: Generation 1 character
Lower spec version of the car that inspired Bumper's alternate mode
In-universe information
Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-group	Mini-Bots
Alternate modes	Mazda 323

Initially unnamed, this toy's only official name outside Japan was Sedan, the name it was sold under in Argentina by toy-producer, Antex, under license by Hasbro. Sedan shared the same mold as Bumper, but was made in variety of colors, including green and blue. Sedan's biography listed his function as strategist. Fans came to call the toy Bumblejumper, because it was packaged on cards for BUMBLEbee and CliffJUMPER. The shortened name Bumper was later adopted in official fiction.

Dreamwave Productions

Bumper made his first official appearance as an Autobot in the pages of Dreamwave Productions' Transformers: Generation One comic series. Following the liberation of Cybertron from Shockwave’s rule, Bumblebee was placed in command of the Autobot supply shuttle Orion, with Powerglide, Warpath, Seaspray, Cosmos, Cliffjumper, Bumper and the Powerdashers assigned to him. Their mission was to aid the Autobots on Earth. Upon arriving in the Earth system from transwarp space, they witnessed the arrival of Sunstorm (Transformers: Generation One III #1). Their mission was to aid the Autobots on Earth and not a moment too soon: they witnessed the arrival of Sunstorm and helped defeat Bruticus (Transformers: Generation One, vol III #1). Bumper and Warpath were sent to recover the Autobots who had been injured fighting Bruticus and imprisoned by Starscream, but they were all captured by the Earth Defense Command (EDC).

Jazz eventually negotiated their release and commanded Sunstreaker, Sideswipe and Bumper in an investigation of the Insecticons for the EDC. They all later rejoined Windcharger, Wheeljack and Ratchet aboard the repaired Orion (Transformers: Generation One, vol III #9). Landing in Alaska, Bumper and the other Autobots met Prowl's team back from Cybertron. They were shown the site of construction for the new Autobot City (Transformers: Generation One, vol III #10). Dreamwave's closure would prevent this storyline from ever being finished.

IDW Publishing

When IDW Publishing was awarded the Transformers comic license, they rebooted the Generation One universe, setting them free from previous storylines. Bumper played a small role in the miniseries, The Transformers: Megatron Origin. Set in the distant past, Bumper and Fastback were sent by Sentinel Prime to monitor a location suspected of hosting the illegal gladiatorial bloodsport games led by Megatron. While observing the construction of a stadium, they were discovered and had their transmission blocked by Soundwave and were soon captured. To Bumper's horror, Fastback's head was crushed by Megatron as a show of power. Bumper refused to give any information but his mind was probed by Soundwave, and found to be neither a threat, nor useful. For calling him a psychopath, Megatron killed Bumper with his bare hands. (The Transformers: Megatron Origin #2)

Toys

• Generation 1 Mini-Vehicle Bumper (1984)

In 1984, the first year that the Transformers toy line was produced in the United States, a figure was mistakenly sold in packages meant for Bumblebee and Cliffjumper. The toy was taken from the Takara Microchange line, like all the Autobot Mini-Bots, but wasn't given an official name or description at the time, merely being placed in the packages meant for other toys. The figure was also not featured in the Transformers cartoon. The rare mistake soon disappeared from the toy line, but caused an interest amongst fans, due to his unique mold, with an alternate form based on a Mazda Famila XG 1500. The unnamed figure started to be referred to as Bumblejumper, a merging of Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, or a shortened version — Bumper. Like some of the other Mini-Bots, Bumper's mold resembles a Penny Racer toy in vehicle mode.

This toy can command $400 still sealed in original packaging.

Transformers: Cybertron

In the Transformers: Cybertron toy line, Bumper is the Japanese name of the Mini-Con Reverb.