Aragon

Aragon is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Neither Strider nor a dragon-rider.

Aragon is one of the Powerdashers.

Fiction

S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers

The Powerdashers featured in two early recruiting messages sent to humans by the Autobots. The messages were almost identical in content, claiming that the Autobots marooned on Earth were becoming desperate in their battle against the Decepticons, sending an S.O.S. to Cybertron even though they didn't know if anyone would be there to receive it. Luckily, their plea was answered in the form of the Powerdashers, Omnibots, and Time Warriors. The only Powerdasher seen was the jet-form model, but the message noted that the Powerdashers' state of constant evolution meant that they might not look the same later. Reinforcements from Cybertron! The battle is far from over!

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

The three Powerdashers were created with a primitive design based on the forms of very early Cybertronians. Meant to aid the Autobots on Earth, the Powerdashers' powers and personalities were still growing when they were put into duty. More than Meets the Eye They were packed in stasis aboard the supply ship Orion, which ended up crashing on Earth after getting shot down by Sunstorm. The crew activated the Powerdashers, who awoke without a word and immediately began working on the ship. When they finished, they packed up their tools and quietly went back on board. Black Sunshine

Ask Vector Prime

In some universes, the Powerdashers were three individual sentient beings, with Aragon as the team scout. Ask Vector Prime, 21 September 2015

War for Cybertron Trilogy marketing material

During the war for Cybertron, Aragon was a Ground Command Infantry Private. Siege toy packaging

Generations Selects Special Comic

Nor Marlene.

In the battle for freedom between the Selectors and the Quintesson-allied forces of Earth, the Terrorcons unleashed a metal-eating gas tied to anti-electrons. Aragon was among the many victims of this gas's effects. Abominus comic 1

Toys

The Transformers

Not exactly aerodynamic there...

• Powerdasher (Mail-order, 1984)

Part of the very first year of The Transformers product, this version of the Generation 1 Powerdasher is a redeco of the Diaclone "F-1 Dasher", transforming into a Cybertronic race car. It features a pull-back motor in vehicle mode, allowing it to quickly roll forward across flat surfaces. Okay, you can roll it awkwardly along in robot mode too, but the legs cause drag that the motor might not be able to overcome.

Though the instructions do not show it, its head is supposed to turn 180 degrees to bring the "guns" on the back of its head up to the car mode's hood and hide the otherwise-glaringly-obvious robot face.

It was only available as a mail-order exclusive in the US, costing $3 and 2 Robot Points. The jet-mode Powerdasher was the only one pictured in the ads, but the type you got ended up being random. The jet-form Powerdasher appears to be the most common model sent, however.

• More information on the Car-form Powerdasher at TFU.info

War for Cybertron: Siege

I no longer dash like the wind, but I can still separate into weapon pieces!

• Fan Vote Battle 3-Pack (Multi-pack, 2019)

• ID number: WFC-S56
• Accessories: 2 "RT-5 Circuit Welder" rifles
• Known designers: Mark Maher (deco, Hasbro)^[1] and AJ Piejko-Brown (packaging)

Released as part of a three-pack with Holo Mirage and Decepticon Impactor, :Siege "Powerdasher Aragon" is a redeco and new-head retool of Deluxe Class Cog, transforming from robot into armored vehicle that can also be split into two smaller armored vehicles. Unlike most Siege figures, Aragon lacks any battle damage paint, though it does match his fellow Siege Powerdashers' unblemished decos.

As a "Weaponizer" figure, he can also be disassembled into an arsenal of 5 mm post-compatible weapons, armor and other upgrades for use with other figures as part of the interchangeable/connectable-weapon C.O.M.B.A.T. System. According to the instructions, his legs become "C-M4 HF Spectrum Disruptors" (which can become treaded boots for other toys to use), his arms a pair of "C-HVM3 Electro-Scrambler" rifles, his lower body a "C-LRM2 Thermal Booster" pack (combined with the arm-rifles to form an assault backpack), and his upper torso becomes a "C-40M2 Neutron Synthesis Shield". His parts have numerous other pegs and peg-holes to allow for even more possible weapon combinations. Aragon's Weaponizer functionality is notably demonstrated in-package, as he is packed with his parts already attached to the two other included figures, necessitating the buyer to assemble him as a robot out of the box. In particular, the assault backpack is attached to Holo Mirage, while Decepticon Impactor dons the boots and holds the shield.

This set was an Amazon exclusive in the U.S. and Canada, but available at general retail in Hasbro's Asian markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

Notes

• The F1 Powerdasher was originally a Diaclone toy called the "F-1 Dasher" (F-1 ダッシャー). The Diaclone version uses blue plastic rather than black, and has an extra sticker sheet the Transformers version lacks. And, of course, a Diaclone pilot.
• "Aragon" was the name given to the Takara U.S. Diakron, GiG Italian Trasformer, and Joustra French Diaclone releases of the toy. The Powerdasher Car would not explicitly be given the name in Transformers fiction until the Facebook edition of Ask Vector Prime in 2015.
• The name "Aragon" is evidently inspired by "aragosta", the Italian term for the orange-red colour of spiny lobsters.
• The Powerdashers were the first Cybertronian (well, non-Earthly) vehicular toys released—and were released in 1984, to boot.

Foreign names

• Cantonese: Aragon (阿拉岡 Aa³laai¹gong¹)
• Mandarin: Aragon (Taiwan, 亞拉岡 Yàlāgāng)

References