Skyblast (Energon)

Skyblast is an Autobot Omnicon from the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

A Ruby-Spears production

Skyblast is a young Omnicon who, despite being a skilled tactician and a well-renowned craftsman of energon, has many goofy hobbies and can come off as being a little immature at times. He spends time working on his aerial stunts, catching rays, joking with pals, commenting on racing, and even joining fanclubs. Like other Omnicons, he can convert raw energon into energon chips and weaponry.

Also like other Omnicons, sometimes there are lots of him, occasionally working on both sides.

Fiction

Toy pack-in comics

Skyblast fought Scorponok, Starscream, and Battle Ravage with Optimus Prime and Hot Shot. Energon Volume 2

Cartoon continuity

Energon cartoon

Voice actor: Terry Klassen (English), Jin Yamanoi (Japanese), Niclas Fransson (Swedish), Pauli Virta (Finnish), Achille D'Aniello (Italian), Juan Carlos Lozano (Castilian Spanish), Olivier Destrez (French), Vilmos Papucsek (Hungarian, 2nd dub), Tomasz Marzecki (Polish)

Sky blasting is pretty much the same as underground drilling.

Skyblast was working alongside Strongarm in the underwater mines of Ocean City on Earth when their operation struck an enormous deposit of energon, to the excitement of the Autobots and their human allies. Soon afterwards, Skyblast and Strongarm units on asteroid mines in Earth's solar system were under siege by mysterious beast form Transformers, despite Tidal Wave's best efforts to defend the mines. During the subsequent attack on Ocean City, Skyblast and Strongarm ignored the destruction occurring outside their lab so they could single-mindedly focus on the refining the Energon they had discovered earlier. Cybertron City

When Strongarm wondered aloud if the Omnicons were going to be evacuated along with the humans from Ocean City, Skyblast told him not to worry about it, and to keep his mind on his job. Before the Autobot team went to battle the Terrorcons, Skyblast brought them newly processed energon stars to help boost their power. Energon Stars Before the next mission, Skyblast once again gave the Autobots some energon stars, as well as some new Energon melee weapons. Another Skyblast in Desert City remained at his post while the installation came under attack from Terrorcons. When Ironhide and Kicker stormed in, Skyblast finished up making an Energon star to revitalize Hot Shot, who had gotten damaged earlier. Afterward he evacuated the city through an emergency route. Scorpinok

What is a Signal Flare if not a specific kind of sky blast?

A number of Skyblasts exited a space bridge near Cybertron City after Optimus recalled the Autobots from their outposts to Cybertron and Earth. One of their numbers powered up the Autobots before their battle with the Terrorcons in Plains City. Megatron's Sword In a bid to instantaneously secure the next Energon cache the Autobots found, Dr. Brian Jones warped in an entire pre-built facility atop of the vein, complete with personnel within. One of the 'bots within the newly established Blizzard City was a Skyblast unit, who gazed up as the station's defenses drove away the Terrorcons. The New Cybertron City

Though the Terrorcon attacks continued, the Autobots' defensive systems improved, and soon proved excessively effective at driving off the enemy drones. Several Skyblasts were caught finishing up installing energon-powered turrets around Jungle City when the Terrorcons launched another attack. They were able to wrap up their work and retreat to the city's interior, allowing the automated weapons to destroy the Terrorcons. More Skyblast-type Omnicons got to see Kicker corral a Battle Ravage drone into their mine. Restrained by the boy, it began gathering Energon, which was then retrieved by the Omnicons at their convenience. Megatron Resurrected But when Megatron joined the war against them, the Autobots were in need of better armament. Several Strongarm and Skyblast units duplicated the Decepticon's sword, and forged copies of the powerful blade to be distributed to every Autobot city. The swords proved just as potent as the original when Megatron led an attack on Ocean City, and several Omnicons joined the fight to repel his forces. Megatron Raid

A Skyblast Omnicon laughed at a bad joke Signal Flare told him while Starscream invisibly stalked about Ocean City. Both Omnicons felt the intruder's presence, but dismissed it as nothing when they couldn't see anyone around, save for Strongarm moving about some Energon.

Another Skyblast, stationed on Lunar City, was called up by Hot Shot during an attack on the facility. The tired Omnicon asked if the next shift could take care of dispensing Energon Stars, but Hot Shot insisted he needed them now. Hot Shot wound up dragging him to the front lines, where Sky Blast saved an injured Optimus Prime by giving him several Energon Stars in quick succession. Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary

Numerous Skyblasts were forced to evacuate from a mine in Asteroid City when Terrorcons swarmed the place. One stayed with a Strongarm Omnicon, and together they were able to defeat a group of Battle Ravages. Battle of the Asteroid Belt

"Damn it, Kicker. Why do you always have to ride on top of every vehicle? Not cool, man."

When Kicker learned that his father had gotten injured over in Ocean City, he got a Skyblast unit from Jungle City to give him a ride to the battlefront through a warp gate. After their arrival, the pair surveyed the conflict between Optimus and Megatron's troops from overhead. Energon Tower More Skyblasts helped make last minute finishes to the docking bay for the energon tower to be installed. Another Skyblast accompanied Kicker and Ironhide on an Energon finding mission in Blizzard City. After Kicker got over some of his hang-ups about the dark, the team hit a motherload of Energon. The Legend of Rodimus

During the attack on Jungle City, Skyblasts needed to secure the mine. In preparation, one Strongarm and Skyblast powered up the Autobots with energon stars. Others were still in the mine and refused to evacuate. Once convinced by Kicker and Ironhide, they were on their way out when they were chased down by Battle Ravages. Another one stayed in the base and monitored their enemies' progress through the mines. He then evacuated with the rest of the Autobots before the detonated Jungle City, lest its Energon stockpiles fall into enemy hands. Crisis in Jungle City

On the Moon, SKyblast searched for Energon with Kicker. Later a bunch of Skyblast survivors of Lunar City raised the base and began an all out assault on the Decepticons. Kicker Beware! A couple of Skyblasts were slain by a pair of Terrorcon drones that had somehow found their way within the Desert City energon tower. A few other Skyblasts busied themselves investigating why the tower wasn't giving out a full output of energon. Though they didn't manage to uncover their brethren's fates, Kicker and Ironhide did. The Terrorcons were extracted from the facility, and the planet-wide energon grid was activated. Energon Grid

Skyblast, Ironhide, and Kicker followed Hot Shot to Mars after they spied him leaving Ocean City without notifying anyone in advance. They found Hot Shot arguing with Rodimus on the red planet. After Rodimus shot Hot Shot point-blank, Kicker had Skyblast deliver an Energon Star to the downed Autobot. Rodimus continued to attack, so Skyblast gave Kicker an Energon Sword to defend himself. Rodimus and his allies overpowered the other Autobots and then sped off. Rodimus Friend or Foe?

One Skyblast and one Strongarm were chosen by Optimus to be part of his crew on the Miranda II, the ship the Autobots would use to track down Unicron's body in space. As they launched an Energon Ring to generate a spaceship-sized warp gate, the Miranda II came under attack from the Decepticons. Skyblast and Strongarm went out to repair the ring while the rest of the Autobots covered them, with only partial success. Skyblast was left unable to complete his work after taking a hit, forcing Kicker to venture out into space to do it himself. Under Skyblast’s guidance, Kicker rendered to Energon Ring operable again, and the Autobots escaped safely through the warp gate. Go for Unicron!

A single Skyblast assisted in conveying a damage report for the Autobots after their near miss from escaping Unicron. Then he and Strongarm continued to pilot the Miranda II as they attempted to escape the Decepticons. They flew it through the space bridge and ended up at Cybertron, where Unicron was repelled by the planet's energon grid. Battle Stations

When Unicron, starved for Energon, began lashing out at all those housed within him, Rodimus organized a team to journey to his core and supply it with Energon Stars to soothe the titan's hunger. A number of Skyblasts were dispatched for this plan. As they followed Rodimus through Unicron's interiors, they became trapped in a shifting corridor. Even after Kicker got Alpha Q to set them free, the Omnicons refused to move since they were too afraid lacked in energon. Then, Arcee appeared and shook them out of their stupor. The Omnicons followed her toward the core of Unicron's head, where they completed their mission. Survival Instincts

Soon after, several Skyblasts provided the Autobots with energon stars for their defense of Cybertron's energon grid. Each One Fights... They returned with more energon supplies during the next battle, but it had already concluded by the time they arrived. Unicron Unleashed

A Skyblast from Lunar City responded to Dr. Jones’s order to transfer all of the Cybertron Cities' energon towards Cybertron via warpgate, and complied. Open Fire! Later a plethora of Skyblasts emerged from a space bridge to help the Autobots after they entered a rift in space. They boarded the Miranda II and followed Optimus Prime's team Ripped Up Space through the rift, eventually emerging from the other side. Team Optimus Prime Protection

"You call it yellowing, I call it a healthy glow."

A Skyblast relaxed on Jungle Planet while waiting for the rest of the Autobots. He was getting bored with all the monotony, until he noticed a random energon star spontaneously generating itself on Signal Flare's chest. The Omnicons didn't have much time to be baffled by this development before the Decepticons attacked. After the other Autobots drove off the Decepticons, Skyblast hung around while Rodimus Prime gave the newly-arrived Bulkhead his thanks. Jungle Planet He remained around for the send off of Bulkhead's ship. Numerous Skyblasts then began their laboring towards clearing sites for energon towers. When the Terrorcons attacked, the Omnicons added their firepower to the Autobots', destroying a number of Battle Ravages. They retreated to the Miranda II when Hot Shot returned with an energon tower and set it down. Bulkhead

Several Skyblasts assisted Optimus in fetching another energon tower for Ocean City, while Inferno distracted the Decepticons by making them believe he had submitted to a forced reprogramming Megatron had previously subjected him to. Farewell Inferno

Stylin' and profilin'.

Once the Autobots had managed to get Circuit Planet up and running, they organized the first Autobot Grand Prix for some R&R. Skyblast emcee'd the event with Sally Jones, but was overpowered by his co-host. Crash Course Afterward, when Unicron was being reactivated, a Skyblast watched from the Miranda II as Unicron pushed his way through the energon grid the Autobots had set up to protect Alpha Q. A Heroic Battle

In the final battle with Unicron, some Skyblasts rushed about as the Autobots began positioning the energon towers to aid the Autobots in protecting planets from the destroyer. Unicron Perishes Optimus managed to defeat Unicron, though he badly overtaxed his body in the process. He was left to recover while submerged in Energon, but left prematurely when he sensed Cybertron was once more in danger. A Skyblast discovered Optimus's absence, and alerted Roadblock and Jetfire of this development. Ambition

"Blast that sky! Blast it like your whole lives have been leading up to this!"

After the Decepticons took over Cybertron, the Autobots found themselves unable to even make planetfall;their enemies had unleashed an energon gas in the atmosphere that was lethal to Autobot circuitry. But the Omnicons were immune to the gas's effects, and so Optimus planned to drop a team of consisting of Arcee, Kicker, and several Skyblasts and Strongarms down on Cybertron to locate the gas pumps and turn them off. The mission hit a snag as soon as it begun when the Decepticons shot down the Miranda II, but the Omnicons and their human companion managed to land without injury. Galvatron! They then made their way to the energon pipeline and sliced open the gas main to clog it with hardening gel. The Omnicons then held off the Decepticons long enough for Kicker and a Skyblast to create an opening in the cloud layer of the gas, allowing the Autobots in orbit to get through. Afterward, the group followed Optimus Prime to safety underground. Break Through

When the Autobots engaged in a virtual combat game, several Skyblasts cheered the combatants on from the arena stands. Distribution

After meeting up with Wing Saber's group of rag-tag resistance fighter, several Skyblasts stayed behind to coordinate operations from the resistance's bunker, while others accompanied Ironhide on his mission to rescue Autobot allies held by the Decepticons around the planet. The Omega Train They found a medical center under attack, and the Skyblasts let the Strongarms ride atop of them into combat. Afterward they followed Ironhide to a confrontation against Galvatron, and helped drive him away. Decepticon Army Still under the command of Ironhide, the team encountered Scorponok on their way to Primus's chamber. Ironhide was able to hold the enemy 'bot off, and the Omnicons then powered up their god with energon stars. Ironhide Team Kicker made sure that the Omnicons didn't use up all of their reserves though. This turned out to be the right call as it became necessary to use what stars remained to destroy the energon towers, in order to stop Cybertron's acceleration towards Plains Planet. One Skyblast allowed to let Kicker ride atop of him while he coordinated this effort, and shut down the Decepticons' makeshift planetary engines. Formidable

After the sky had been blasted, existential angst began to set in.

Changing destinations, several Skyblast units accompanied Kicker to the super energon pool in the hopes of preventing Galvatron from reaching it once again. Several Battle Ravage Terrorcons impeded their progress however, and Galvatron managed to submerge himself once more in the powerful substance. The Decepticon leader's latest power-up caused him to grow to titanic proportions. Galvatron Terror The Skyblasts accompanying Kicker rushed to cut off Galvatron's supply of super energon and stop him from growing further. They eventually managed to do so, despite interference from giant Insecticon drones. Destructive Power After using the fuel from the pool to create super energon stars, the Omnicons returned to Primus's chamber and infused the deity with them. This task completely exhausted the Omnicons, but Primus slowly began to awaken once again. Spark The Skyblast Omnicons then witnessed a new sun being created by Primus. The Sun

Cybertron comic

At least two Skyblasts, along with a dark-colored Strongarm, aided the Decepticon Mini-Cons in the Mini-Con Civil War. Both Skyblasts were brutally destroyed by Downshift. Revelations Part 5

Timelines

During the Unicron Singularity crisis, Skyblast served aboard the Autobot flagship Iron Hope. He was called into action during a Decepticon attack on the ship, and battled a trio of Decepticon jets alongside Quickstrike, Overcast and the Sky Scorcher Mini-Con Team. Force of Habit

Skyblast created Override's energon blades. The Dark Heart of Sandokan

Energon comic

Skyblast and his fellow Omnicon Signal Flare were guarding Over-Run when Optimus Prime arrived and demanded to speak with the Mini-Con. Though the two questioned whether he was the real Optimus Prime, Over-Run told them it was alright. As Optimus began speaking with Over-Run, Skyblast and Signal Flare both transformed and went someplace else to let Optimus and Over-Run speak in peace. This Evil Reborn When Unicron's Four Horsemen attacked Cyber City, Skyblast and his fellow Omni-Cons arrived just in time to prevent Rhinox from executing Optimus Prime. Skyblast and Signal Flare later engaged Cheetor before the Horsemen retreated. What Lies Beneath, Part Two

Skyblast joined his fellow Omnicons when they traveled to Earth alongside Optimus, Hot Shot, Jetfire, Inferno, and Ironhide to fight Scorponok's gang of Terrorcons. Skyblast blasted Tidal Wave in order to distract him while Strongarm rescued Kicker. He then fled the area before several canisters of impure Energon detonated, taking out Tidal Wave. What Lies Beneath, Part Four

Later, the Omni-Cons went on a mining operation on Earth... that nearly ended with downtown Chicago being completely destroyed. With negotiations with Human governments almost complete, Optimus could not let something like this happen again, so he ordered Hot Shot to take the Omnicons to an Autobot base in the Yukon. When the Omnicons arrived, they immediatley started causing chaos. After Skyblast nearly hit Ironhide and Strongarm accidentally destroyed some gizmos, Hot Shot went on a wild rant about how the Omnicons couldn't take a word of his advice. The Omnicons then ran off, eventually discovering a seemingly abandoned town. When giant satellite dishes emerged from the ground, Skyblast destroyed one, which provoked a feedback that knocked the Omnicons unconscious. They were then strapped into a Spark Rewriter by Snow Cat (who had planted the satellites) to brainwash them into Decepticons.

While unconscious, the Omnicons were summoned to a "meeting of minds", where Over-Run reminded them of all the training he put them through and encouraged them to find a way to escape. As Snow Cat picked up the debris left by the exploded satellite, the Omnicons escaped, forcing Snow Cat to pursue them. The Omnicons, unfamiliar with the surrounding environment and ill-equipped for its snowy conditions, were left at a disadvantage against their opponent. However, Signal Flare hatched a plan to disable the Decepticon by exploiting an underground pocket of natural gas. After emerging victorious from the confrontation, Skyblast picked up Snow Cat and dropped him from high above... right in front of Hot Shot. Omni-Potent

Skyblast later joined the other Omnicons and Kicker on a Energon mining expedition on the coast of the Black Sea in northern Turkey. Though it seemed boring at first, the group was ambushed by Tidal Wave (now in a new body and calling himself Mirage) and Slugslinger. Multiplicity Skyblast soon found himself completely overpowered by Mirage; neither a sneak attack nor a more direct approach allowed him to get an upper hand on his opponent. Mirage clocked him in the face, sending a dazed Skyblast tumbling to the ground. Multiplicity, Pt. 2 Just as the Omnicons were nearly defeated, Sharkticon emerged from the ocean with a captured Kicker inside him. But Kicker wasn't down for the count: he burst forth from within Sharkticon, charged up by the nearby energon well! Multiplicity, Pt. 3 Using his abilities, Kicker powered up the Omnicons, rejuvenating them. Skyblast and the others opened fire on Mirage and Slugslinger, forcing the two to retreat. Multiplicity, Pt. 4

The Omnicons were summoned by Over-Run to save him from the energon-hungry ghost of Starscream. Armageddon Part 1 They arrived too late, finding Over-Run already murdered by his spectral assailant. Enraged, the Omnicons attacked Starscream, only to find that instead of doing him harm, their energon weapons only made Starscream more powerful. Realizing they were outmatched, the Omnicons next attempted to flee, only for Starscream to pursue them. They eventually defeated Starscream by allowing him to drain all their energies at once, creating a two-way link that the combined Omnicons used to reverse the process and drained Starscream instead. Armageddon Part 2 When Quintessons invaded Cybertron, the Omnicons connected to the Hub in search of information that could help them. They found a message from Over-Run, telling them that they were guides to an evolutionary step that all Transformers must take, but it was then more important that they tapped into Cybertron's core and used its energon to help the planet's population. After Optimus Prime helped them unlock the core, the Omnicons used their energon stars to recharge battle-weary Autobots until the battle was won. Armageddon Part 5

TransTech

After attempting to fight back, Skyblast was robbed and killed for his cred-key by Bulletbike in an Offworld Zone. I, Lowtech

Games

Transformers: Battle Tactics

"Skyfire? Can't say I'm familiar. But I'll let you know if I come Macross him."

Energon Skyblast participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character who was available as a reward to 95 leagues in the "Energon: Episode 1" event. Transformers: Battle Tactics

Toys

Energon

Dreams of one day being piloted by Spike Spiegel.
(Hasbro Skyblast pictured)

(Takara Airglide pictured)

• Skyblast (Energon Class, 2004)

• Takara name: Airglide
• Takara ID number: SC-07
• Takara release date: December 25, 2003
• Accessories: 2-part "Air Laser" rifle, 2 "Energy Spearhead" blades/boosters, Autobot energon chip
• Known designers: Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)

Part of the first wave of Energon "Energon Class" toys (Basic Class, basically), Skyblast transforms into a Cybertronic jet. He has a "capture claw" on the underside of his jet mode, which can firmly grip other toys despite not being spring-loaded. During transformation, rotating his chest plate 180 degrees also rotates his jet nosecone, revealing his robot-mode head to the front. The gearing inside the torso actually features a clever spring-loaded ratcheted design to allow the head to be turned independently of the chestplate—however, when the nosecone is folded behind the head (a step not mentioned in the instructions, likely in error), this kibble blocks neck rotation entirely. Whoops.

He comes with multiple clear-plastic "energon" parts, which can combine to form the Ultimate Energon Weapon "Energy Spear" (only named in the Takara release). The two-piece "Energy Spearhead" splits into jet boosters that fit over the guns on the ends of his wings, or can be held in his hands as daggers, while the shaft and spearhead base form a long-barreled "Air Laser" rifle. The rifle is actually a two-piece affair as well (likely to prevent breakage), and the base can be held as a short blaster, but it doesn't exactly leave the shaft/barrel to be used as much more than a long stick to hit people with. The barrel piece has a Mini-Con-style Powerlinx port, letting it activate Armada-mold Powerlinx gimmicks. He also has an Autobot-style energon chip that can attach to the spark crystals of other Energon-series toys.

The Takara Super Link version of "Airglide" uses a lighter clear-red plastic than the Hasbro version, better matching the energon of his wave-mate Blastarm. He also has darker gray plastics and face-paint that matches the metallic gray paint on his shins, plus the sculpted Autobot insignia on the undersides of his wings have been painted, while the Hasbro version leaves them blank.

Hasbro stock photos depict a hand-painted prototype of Skyblast that has different "toes" sculpts and gold paint on his unpaintable plastic shoulders.

This mold was used to make the live-action movie toyline Skyblast and Air Raid. His energon spear has been used to make multiple exclusive energon weapons. He was also used as the model for Backslash and the "Theft of the Golden Disk" incarnation of Beast Wars Terrorsaur.

• More information on Skyblast at TFU.info

Built to Rule!

Only blasting the skies of Cincinnati.

• Skyblast (Built to Rule!, 2004)

• Accessories: Missile launcher w/ missile, artillery station w/ 2 missiles

Built to Rule! Skyblast features a new style of Trans-Skeleton, which transforms from generic robot body to generic block; the robot and vehicle modes are then built around those forms. He features a pressure-launch missile in both modes. Unlike most BTR sets, Skyblast manages to use most of his vehicle-mode parts in robot mode. He also comes with an extra artillery station build, with two spring-loaded missile launchers, to fill out the set.

This kit was reworked from the unmade Built to Rule! Armada Ramjet set.

Due to the slow performance of the Built to Rule! line overall, the Energon versions only had a limited, test-market release initially in and around Cincinnati, Ohio. The sets later filtered out into many Tuesday Morning and Ollie's chain stores at drastically reduced prices.

Merchandise

Attacktix

It's a gun, Frank. A gun that shoots swords.

• Starter Set (Multi-pack, 2006)

Skyblast was only available in a four-piece "Starter Set" along with himself in jet mode, Overhaul, and Dirt Boss. Skyblast has four points of articulation (shoulders, waist and head), though it's effectively three as the shoulders move simultaneously. Unlike other prodders, Skyblast's articulation does not change his angle of attack very much, making him more difficult to position for a decisive shot.

Unfortunately, Skyblast's low base speed means it's unlikely you'll get him close enough to anyone to stuff up your shot on them. Sadly, this is also the figure you're probably going to be left with if your Skyblast vehicle form dies. Good luck trying to kill anyone with him, though.

This piece was also to be used for Attacktix Thrust, but the series was canceled before the second round of toys was released.

Is that a giant missile underneath your fuselage or are you just happy to see me?

• Starter Set (Multi-pack, 2006)

If your robot mode Skyblast succeeds in using his Transform power, you can bring in this figure from your back-ups. Both pieces were sold in a "Starter Set" with Attacktix Overhaul and Dirt Boss. A special Wal-Mart exclusive variant of the Starter Set also came with a bonus fifth piece, a specially-colored Decepticlone.

The vehicle form of Skyblast has only one point of articulation, which allows him to swivel down almost 90 degrees to the ground. This configuration basically turns Skyblast into a shield, making him one of the most effective defensive figures released for Attacktix. Vehicle Skyblast can also Transform, bringing his robot form into play from your back-ups.

This piece was also to be used for Attacktix Thrust in jet mode, but the series was canceled before the second round of toys was released.

Notes

• Skyblast is an homage to the Generation 1 character Skyfire, especially in the head design. However, rival toy company Mattel managed to secure and register the trademark to "Skyfire" since Hasbro used it last, so his name was altered accordingly.
• Skyblast is the only Omnicon/Terrorcon to not have a redeco within either the Energon or Super Link toylines.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Airglide (エアグライド Eaguraido)
• Russian: Zarjad (Заряд, "Charge")