Brawl (G1)
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| The name or term "Brawl" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Brawl (disambiguation). |
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- Brawl is a Decepticon Combaticon from the Generation 1 continuity family.
If Brawl's on the battlefield and you can't hear him coming, it's time to check your audio receptors, because chances are you've gone deaf. Brawl's main distinguishing characteristic is VOLUME. No matter if he's talking (yelling), moving (clanking and rattling), or fighting (yelling, clanking, rattling, and blasting) you're sure to hear him doing it, as is anyone else in the county. As if that wasn't enough, he is also a ball of barely contained rage and violence with a hair-trigger temper. This makes even his comrades wary, but it does make him a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield... as long as the mission doesn't require stealth. Or zero casualties.
Brawl combines with his fellow Combaticons to form Bruticus.
Fiction
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Transformers cartoon
- Voice actor: Tony St. James (English), Toshiro Ishii (Japanese), Fritz von Hardenberg (German, "Fight or Flee"), Willy Schäfer (German, Generation 2, "Starscream's Brigade" and "The Revenge of Bruticus"), Ulf Jürgen Söhmisch (German, Generation 2, "Fight or Flee"), Nilton Valério (Portuguese), Paulo Pinheiro (Portuguese, "The Revenge of Bruticus"), Carlos Seidl (Portuguese, "Fight or Flee"), Serge Lhorca (European French), Unknown (European French, "B.O.T.")
Brawl was one of the five renegade Decepticons liberated by Starscream in the Air Commander's latest attempt to unseat Megatron. As an element of their imprisonment, they had been reduced to mere personality components, so Starscream installed them into abandoned World War II military vehicles. The transplant caused the vehicles to immediately reconfigure themselves: Brawl in particular went from being an M4 Sherman tank[1] to being a... more differenter tank, before turning into a robot. Starscream called them "Combaticons" and announced their names as they transformed, but they didn't recognize him. Nor did they feel particularly indebted to him for their release; Brawl even threatened to pound him into scrap for no apparent reason. In the end, Starscream only guaranteed their loyalty through having given them bodies bereft of energy absorbers, so they would be dependent upon him to refuel. While their first missions for Starscream were initially successful, the Stunticons' intervention meant the brigade's defeat, and Megatron exiled all six to a remote asteroid. Starscream's Brigade
The Combaticons managed to tow the asteroid to Cybertron and evict Shockwave. Brawl would have preferred just to shoot the hell out of the Decepticons and Earth, but Onslaught managed to rig the space bridge to drag Earth into the sun. However, the Combaticons were later attacked by mysterious aggressors. Although the Combaticons were confused by their appearance, Brawl figured that they should just annihilate them. As it turned out, the aggressors were holograms created by Starscream and Shockwave, whom the Combaticons captured. Once Megatron, as well as the Autobots, arrived, the Combaticons merged into Bruticus, but Optimus Prime deactivated him. The Combaticons were then reprogrammed to serve Megatron. The Revenge of Bruticus
When Onslaught ordered the Combaticons to transform in a street, Swindle knocked into Brawl, who in turn made his displeasure very vocal. They then transformed into Bruticus, who was immediately shot to pieces by Defensor. Swindle was the sole survivor, and he sold his partners' deactivated forms to various humans such as El Presidente. Under threat of death by Megatron, Swindle stole back the parts of his unit. However, he was unable to find Brawl's personality component, leaving Brawl a silent shell requiring to be guided over to the rest of the group when ordered to form Bruticus. It turned out that the Combaticons couldn't merge at all without that particular piece of technology, much to Megatron's dismay. Swindle was sent out to retrieve the personality component, which had been used by some kids to build a robot for a school project. Of course, this made the robot extremely violent, and it destroyed the school lab and fought some Autobots before Swindle found it and recovered the component. This whole ordeal does pose a question: why does Bruticus depend on the personality component of a loud, homicidal maniac to form? B.O.T.
During the Decepticon attack on Paradron, Brawl teamed up with Razorclaw to capture Sandstorm, and together they managed to make him fall off a bridge. Later, he manned a molecular cannon alongside Headstrong, but the cannon was destroyed in an Autobot attack. At the same time, Brawl was also part of Bruticus, who was accompanying Galvatron. Fight or Flee Some time later, the Combaticons were sent by Galvatron to assassinate the Decepticon exile Octane. Because bringing Brawl along when you need to sneak up on someone is a good idea. Starscream's Ghost
The Combaticons later performed a hit-and-run attack on Cybertron in order to mess up an upcoming peace conference. Brawl got a good shot at Wheelie in the ensuing battle, but Ultra Magnus jumped in and took the blast. Surprise Party When the Hate Plague was brought to Earth, the Combaticons were infected by the disease when Bruticus was (rather ineffectively) punched by an infected Ultra Magnus. Bruticus apparently split apart later on, as Brawl was seen rampaging through a human marketplace, crushing various stands beneath his tracks. Soon afterwards he infected Headstrong. The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1
Japanese cartoon continuity
Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers story pages
Scramble City
When the Stunticons were dispatched to hinder the Autobots from constructing Scramble City, they were attacked by the Aerialbots and did not fare too well. Brawl and the Combaticons arrived to help, and together Bruticus and Menasor easily overpowered Superion. However, Scramble City itself soon drove up and blasted both combiners into the distance. Scramble City: Mobilization
The Headmasters cartoon
Brawl and the Combaticons participated in an all-out Decepticon attack on Cybertron, Four Warriors Come out of the Sky until Fortress Maximus arrived and drove them away. The Mystery of Planet Master Shortly afterwards, Hot Rod set out to find the Matrix of Leadership and bring it to Optimus Prime, and the Combaticons were among the troops sent out to stop him. They were ambushed by the Protectobots, and defeated when Defensor buried Bruticus in a rockfall. Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime Not long after that, the Combaticons defended Trypticon against Twincast's attempted infiltration, but failed when the Aerialbots arrived and distracted them. The Great Cassette Operation
"Your squad's over there, Brawl."
"RIGHT! I KNEW THAT!"
The Combaticons were later part of another attack on Cybertron, during which they killed plenty of soldiers before getting into another fight with Defensor. Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1 They lost. Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2 When the Decepticons planted a giant carnivorous plant in San Francisco, the Combaticons and Stunticons were stationed to attack any Autobots who arrived to kill it. Head On!! Fortress Maximus When the Autobots were preparing energon cubes to aid the planet Sandra, Brawl attacked them alongside the Terrorcons, taking Blot's place for reasons unknown. SOS from Planet Sandra Sixshot later sent all the Combaticons, Terrorcons and Horrorcons to attack an Autobot energy facility in Miami, in order to lure Autobot troops away from Autobot City. Ultra Magnus Dies!! The Combaticons also later unleashed Bruticus as Sixshot continued his reign of terror over the Autobots on Earth. The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg
Brawl was present when Scorponok held a speech about Galvatron's recent death and took control of the Decepticons. I Risk My Life for Earth Bruticus was later part of a small group of Decepticons who tried to lead Fortress Maximus away from the Decepticon base on Master. The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide The combiner then stood by and laughed as Predaking sank the luxury liner Queen World in the Atlantic Ocean, before being ordered to defend a Death Tower in Australia. Bruticus easily took care of Defensor when the Autobot tried to destroy the tower, but was ordered to retreat when the machine activated. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1) As Bruticus, the Combaticons participated in the final battle with the Autobots at the North Pole, and retreated into space when Scorponok's energy-absorbing satellite started tearing the Earth apart. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)
Unite Warriors
When the Combaticons were hosting an illegal arms trading market, Brawl was annoyed to find his gun and combiner extremity among Swindle's wares. Shopping at the Dark Bazaar!
Zone
Seeking to create a Decepticon Zone to counter the Autobot Zone, Decepticon Emperor Violengiguar gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Brawl was of those summoned, but only as part of Bruticus. Zone Part 1 Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!
Generations Selects Special Comic
In 2050, Bruticus and the Decepticons joined the revolution of the Selectors against their human masters. The Quintessons and the Terrorcons sided with the humans, and Abominus attacked all while craving Angolmois Energy. In battle with a scrambled version of Computron, Abominus crashed into Bruticus and Menasor and stole some of their limb components to make an even stronger version of himself. Brawl was left abandoned on the battlefield as Abomenaticus charged back into the fight. Abominus comic 2 Later on, however, he appeared on the Precursor World and helped Turtler form the Scramble 7 combination. Finale
TV Magazine comic continuity
Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers comic
When Menasor's baseball stadium/command base was attacked by Superion and Defensor, Bruticus came to his aid. He quickly took out Defensor, damaging Hot Spot and preventing the Protectobots from combining again. However, Superion blasted Brawl and Swindle away with his electrostatic discharger rifle, allowing First Aid and Streetwise to steal their places as Bruticus's legs and fly away with him. Brawl followed them, meagerly yelling for his enemies to wait up. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5
The Combaticons were later sent to hunt down an escaped puppy that Megatron had experimented on. Brawl was pretty happy when he got a few shots in on the fleeing animal, but was reprimanded by Onslaught as they were supposed to capture it alive. Powerglide soon showed up to save the dog, and using its energy, he and the Mini Vehicles defeated the Combaticons. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8
The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers
In the year 2010, Brawl participated in a Decepticon attack on the planet Feminia. He and his team merged into Bruticus in order to battle alongside Menasor and Devastator against their Autobot counterparts Superion, Defensor and Omega Supreme. The fight was fairly evenly matched until Galvatron called up his ace-in-the-hole, Predaking, whose power was unmatched by any of the Autobots... except for the Omnibots, who essentially tied Predaking's shoelaces together until he fell over, straight into Bruticus and his chums, sending them all toppling to the ground and knocking them to bits. The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5
The Great Transformer War
Galvatron kidnapped Doctor Dalton of Eran to upgrade the might of his combiner warriors. When the Autobot combiners arrived to save Dalton, Brawl and his teammates were deployed at high speeds from Onslaught's launcher mode. They met Superion in mid-air, and the force of their deployment enabled the combiner teams to tear him apart. The Combaticons then merged into Bruticus to move in for the kill. They were ultimately outwitted by the Autobots, however, who rescued Dalton and safely returned to Metroplex. The Great Transformer War #1
Super-God Masterforce comic
Brawl formed the right leg of Scramble 7, a Decepticon combiner using various combiner team members in a supposedly "ideal" configuration. Scramble 7 attacked the Autobot base on Athenia, but was defeated by Super Ginrai, Lightfoot and Ranger thanks to their use of Chōkon Power. The Battle Begins! The Earth-Space Alliance Army
Zone comic
Seeking to create a Decepticon Zone to counter the Autobot Zone, Decepticon Emperor Violengiguar gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Brawl was of those summoned, but only as part of Bruticus. Zone
Wings Universe
Brawl was part of an Autobot Elite Guard special ops unit created by Magnum to take out the various leaders of the new Decepticon faction, in the hopes of ending the war quickly. He was assigned to the "Combaticons" as their Ground Assault specialist. The Coming Storm: Part 2
Before they could get started on their primary mission, however, the Autobot High Council had a more...diplomatic mission for the Elite Guard. Teamed with their fellow squad, Metalhawk's Strike Team, Brawl and the Combaticons were to make contact with an archeological team heralded by Alpha Trion as responsible for one of the greatest finds of recent history. Brawl had little interest in the old bot's preaching, and he spent the mission briefing drawing little cartoon bombs and explosions on the sheet in front of him. When the Councilbot started talking about demolition work, though, Brawl suddenly became more interested in the job.
Out at Median, they found the mission was even more complicated than Alpha Trion let on. Dig coordinator Flipsides explained how they had uncovered a massively powerful artifact known as the Heart of the Dragon, and the Decepticons had already become aware of it. Brawl and the Elite Guard began fortifying the town to Onslaught's specifications to resist attack. Although he preferred DEstruction over CONstruction, Brawl still got to make a lot of noise setting up the barricades, so he enjoyed the work immensely. When Dion of the Strike Team commented how he sometimes missed his truck mode after seeing Brawl in action, the gruff Combaticon laid out his credo for life: Reformatting's for wimps. Oh, and "Aim for the mouth, so's you don't have to talk to them." One bot, many credos.
When the attack came, Brawl operated on the second line of defense with Onslaught, Vortex and the Strike Team's weaponry expert, Ironfist. Once the Decepticon Stormtroopers made it through the first line, however, it became a game of cybercat and ironmouse, as the 'Cons split up and used sensor ghosts to send the Elite Guard chasing their tails. By the time Brawl even got a clean shot at one of 'em, the Decepticons had already secured their objective and were speeding back to base.
The Elite Guard pursued them and managed to infiltrate the Stormtroopers' transforming mobile fortress, the Metrotitan. They were forced to confront Brimstone, a tiny but powerful Transformer brought to life by the Heart of the Dragon. His fiery breath decoupled molecules, sending even Brawl scurrying for cover. Despite said scurrying, Brawl was uncomfortable with leaving Brimstone to burn himself out like the turncoat Stormtrooper Drench suggested. One can only hope the massive explosion that consumed Brimstone and leveled the Metrotitan was enough to satisfy Brawl's battlelust. Flames of Yesterday
Over the following weeks, the Combaticons and Strike Team continued working together on co-assigned missions against the Decepticon hierarchy. Although they bonded on a personal level, the Combaticons were aware Metalhawk's team was a bit more...squeamish about the duties of war than they were. When they captured a Decepticon cubeformer soldier, for instance, Brawl tortured the unwilling informant away from the Strike Team to get the information they needed, and Onslaught concocted a story about a suicide implant to explain the Con's demise. After successfully assassinating Decepticon field leader Shadowcaster, the Combaticons remained in the field to search for more information. They got more than they bargained for and were captured by Deathsaurus's forces. The Coming Storm: Part 3
Brawl and the Combaticons were isolated behind Oan energy bars, although Brawl was stubborn enough to constantly try and force his way past the unbreakable bars, until his exo-structure was smoldering with the feedback. They were brought before Deathsaurus, who slyly began to manipulate the Special Ops Team into becoming true "Combaticons" under the Decepticon banner. A personal touch was added to sway every Combaticon, but for Brawl he needed to do little more than suggest he needed help from the Elite Guard in order to fight. That was all it took to make Brawl determined to destroy the Elite Guard just to prove Deathsaurus wrong. Brawl...not very bright. The Coming Storm: Part 4
The Combaticons led an assault on Elite Guard headquarters with Deathsaurus's forces and unveiled the modifications their new commander had fitted them with: combination technology to form the big, bad, battlin' Bruticus! The Coming Storm: Part 5 Bruticus managed to slaughter pretty much all of the Guard before Dion blinded the giant, forcing them to separate. They headed back to Deathsaurus's base for repairs. The Coming Storm: Part 6
Repairs proceeded, but the Combaticons were startled to learn that Deathsaurus could force them to combine into Bruticus at will. Battle Lines, Part 1 Battle Lines, Part 2 They still turned out to help defend the base against the remnants of the Elite Guard. Brawl started bashing Kup around, and finally the moment he'd been waiting impatiently for came — the Combaticons began to merge... and were promptly blasted. Battle Lines, Part 3 When it turned out they'd been blasted by more survivors of the Elite Guard massacre, Brawl announced they'd have to have another go at killing them all, but sadly Blast Off was indisposed, so they couldn't form Bruticus. During the end of the battle retreat, Brawl pointed out that Blast Off was still missing, and it delayed the team long enough for the Elite Guard to capture them. Battle Lines, Part 4
In the hands of the compromised Gyronian Sentry Team, the Combaticons were whisked away to Deathsaurus's fortress, now under Megatron's control. Though Megatron gave them the option, none of them cared to help Deathsaurus, and they were imprisoned and their personality components subsequently interred in the Decepticon Detention Center. Battle Lines, Part 5
Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comics
Buster Witwicky, who had held the power of the Creation Matrix inside his mind, once experienced nightmares of strange new Transformers, Special Teams with the ability to merge into a giants. Brawl and his Combaticon teammates appeared in one of Buster's earlier dreams, before he sought help from the Autobots. In order to process the information his subconscious was feeding him, Buster linked his mind with Optimus Prime, so that the next dream came through far clearer than the previous ones. Together, they saw into the near future, where Brawl and the Combaticons encountered the Autobots at the Pullen Power Plant. Here, the Combaticons joined forces with the Stunticons against their Autobot counterparts, the Protectobots and Aerialbots. The Combaticons fought together as Bruticus, but were defeated by the teamwork shown by Autobot gestalts Superion and Defensor. After Prime and Buster awoke, the Autobots immediately went to work designing these new warriors. Thanks to Soundwave's hacking skills, however, Megatron and Shockwave also saw the visions and began working on their own Special Teams. The Special Teams Have Arrived Second Generation!
On his first mission on Earth, Brawl was sent with the Combaticons and Megatron to steal a hydrothermocline device from Energy Futures Industries. When they arrived, they were met by Optimus Prime and the Protectobots, laying in wait for them. Brawl combined with his team to form Bruticus, but before the giant got a chance to brawl with Defensor, a human suggested that they'd play a video game over the plant instead. Optimus Prime and Megatron both agreed, and Brawl was sent into the video game along with the other Combaticons, Protectobots, and faction leaders. Brawl teamed up with Swindle to destroy Streetwise and First Aid in the "Vineland" area of the game. However, they were tripped up by a bunch of vine creatures, crystallized, and blown to smithereens. Game over. Afterdeath! These events were observed by the time travelling Dicet Alpha-zero. The Quest!
Unluckily for him, Brawl learned nothing about caution from this experience. A few days later, he mouthed off at Megatron, telling him to get over the fact that Optimus Prime had died by someone else's hands. Megatron proceeded to pop Brawl's head like a ripe melon and throw his deactivated body into a wall. Gone but Not Forgotten!
He got better. On a later mission, Soundwave and the Combaticons were commissioned with destroying the inactive super-Decepticon known as Galvatron, who had been trapped inside the lava flow of an active volcano, preserving him like a fly in amber. Shockwave, who had been commanding the Combaticons ever since Megatron was believed dead in a space bridge accident, nevertheless saw Galvatron as a potential threat to his command, and wanted him eliminated permanently. Vortex and the others were to set up explosive charges around the mouth, burying the future warrior forever. Their plans were waylaid by a group of human females, who used up most of the explosives against the Combaticons. The Decepticons were then forced to retreat once Blaster and the Throttlebots arrived to back-up the humans, but they swore vengeance for the interference. Ladies' Night
After chasing the Throttlebots around, the Combaticons eventually attacked them in a car lot, and Brawl got into another fight with the Protectobots as they arrived on the scene. Blaster stopped him from shooting Hot Spot in the back, and the Combaticons were eventually forced to retreat. Used Autobots Shortly afterwards, the group decided to ambush the Protectobots on their way to the Ark. They failed to take the Autobots completely by surprise as Hot Spot recognized Brawl's tank tracks on the ground, and the ensuing battle quickly led to the groups combining. Bruticus claimed victory over Defensor with his brute strength, but was soon tricked and broken into his component parts by Blaster. Child's Play
Brawl was amongst the large number of Decepticons who ambushed the Autobots on the Moon, only to be beaten back by Blaster and Grimlock. Totaled!
Eventually, the Combaticons fell under the command of Scorponok. On his orders, Brawl's team staged a raid on the Rutter U.S. Military Base. There, they secured two armed warheads and components from an advanced guidance computer. The Protectobots intervened part-way through the theft, but once Blast Off cleared the area with the loot, the rest of the team used hit-and-run tactics to fend their rivals off, eventually managing their own getaway.
Afterwards, the remaining Combaticons went to check on Darkwing and Dreadwind's progress at Alternate Reality, Inc., where Scorponok had likewise tasked them to steal a floppy disk containing a back-up copy of Optimus Prime's mind. They found Defensor about to shoot the jets out of the sky, and blasted the Combiner in the back, crippling him before he could pull the trigger. With the mission a success, Brawl's group then made themselves scarce. Prime Bomb!
Transformers Comic-Magazin
When the Decepticons engaged in many attempts at obtaining Earth's energy resources around the globe, Brawl and the Combaticons joined forces as Bruticus to battle Superion. Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...
Marvel Generation 2 comic
Brawl was among the Decepticons preparing to charge into battle against the Cybertronian Empire. The skirmish ended with the Decepticons soundly defeated. New Dawn He was later with his fellow Combaticons attempting to defend the Warworld against boarders. The enemy managed to overrun the vessel. Total War!
The Special Teams
Brawl and the rest of the Combaticons were created by Starscream on a remote Pacific island, by combining military vehicles with Energon cubes. They then drove to the Pullen Power Plant, passing Optimus Prime en route, though the Autobot leader was none-the-wiser to the Decepticons in disguise. Onslaught, Brawl and Swindle arrived first on the battlefield, coming upon Menasor already engaged in battle with Defensor. Onslaught then ordered to rest of his team to merge with him to form Bruticus. The Special Teams
Ladybird Books continuity
Brawl was damaged trying to breach Metroplex's defenses. He was towed in for repairs by Onslaught and the Decepticon recovery crew. Decepticon Hideout
Battle Beneath the Ice
Brawl joined his fellow Combaticons, Vortex and Blast Off, in searching for a city the humans had found hidden beneath the ice. After a brief battle with the Aerialbots, both sides learned that the city-dwellers were dangerous to Autobot and Decepticon alike, and joined forced against the Watcher and his ilk. Hot Rod and the Aerialbots complied with the truce, allowing Brawl and the Combaticons to leave unmolested once everything was over. Battle Beneath the Ice
St. Michael The Transformers Sticker Book
Brawl and the rest of the Combaticons served under Galvatron on a Decepticon ship, when they managed to shoot down the ship being captained by Ultra Magnus. After the Autobots crash-landed on planet Barrenikon, the Decepticons landed their ship nearby to finish off their enemies. In the many possible adventures that followed, Brawl and the other Decepticons often underestimated you, which often led to them losing to the Autobots, leaving them either stranded on Barrenikon, or fleeing after they received too much damage. That is, if you somehow didn't get yourself killed at their hands. The Transformers Sticker Book
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
Brawl participated in Shockwave's siege on Iacon The War Within #2 and, upon arrival, quickly shifted to his tank mode to rain down firepower onto the Autobot stronghold. The War Within #3 He was joined by fellow heavy-artillery 'bots, Quake and Onslaught in his assault. The War Within #4 Brawl was on the front lines of the Decepticon army when they finally managed to penetrate the last of the Autobots' defenses. The War Within #5
During the Dark Ages, when Optimus Prime and Megatron both disappeared into a prototype space-bridge, both factions splintered into several sub-groups. During this time, footage of Brawl's part in the Iacon attack was reviewed by Prowl in preparation for attacks on multiple fronts. Fragmentation As part of a combiner group, Brawl's actions were somewhat limited by the Crisis Intervention Accord; it is unknown how he occupied his time while the Accord was in place. Devastation
Millions of years later, the Combaticons were considered war criminals and held in the detention blocks on Cybertron. Cold War Starscream arranged to have them released and brought to Earth as his own private brigade, absconding from Cybertron as Shockwave's regime was being overthrown by the Autobots. Revelation
Returning to the Nemesis via an uncooperative Sky Lynx, Starscream realized he needed to take parts from the Autobots' Ark if he ever hoped to get the Nemesis flying again, and for that he needed considerable firepower. Fortunately, there was a nearby abandoned military testing ground from which the Combaticons could scan Earth-based alternate modes. Black Sunshine When the attack on the Ark was launched, the Autobots had little problem defending against the first wave, successfully capturing Soundwave, Skywarp and Thundercracker, but several of the Autobots were soundly beaten when the Combaticons showed up and combined into the mighty Bruticus. The behemoth attacked the Ark freeing his Decepticon compatriots before going after Brawn and Ratchet. Unfortunately, the Autobots activated their ship's self-destruct before escaping, damaging the Combaticons in the resulting explosion. Night of the Combaticons
Damaged or not, the Combaticons soon had to face a powerful enemy when the crazed zealot Sunstorm appeared on Earth, but before they could attack him, Bruticus' head was blown apart by Cliffjumper in the Autobot supply ship Orion. In the aftermath, Bruticus's barely-conscious body was battered upon by an angry Brawn. Black Sunshine Starscream was forced into an alliance with the Autobots to save his neck, and the Combaticons were partially recharged as released as part of the arrangement. Skyfire
The repaired Combaticons were brought to Guadalcanal where they could hone their somewhat lackluster combat skills and listen to Starscream's long-winded aspirations of glory. When Swindle commented on Starscream's mental state, Brawl agreed, stating that he'd like to pull the Air Commander's cerebro circuits straight out of his faceplate so they could get a better look at them. Starscream overheard their conversation, but let it pass in order for them to fight the magnificent Autobot Sky Lynx. Unfortunately, the Combaticons did not fare well when the crafty Autobot split into his two forms, with Brawl and Onslaught nearly crushed by the Lynx's right paw.
This was the least of their troubles, however, as Predaking showed up as soon as Sky Lynx was deactivated. This encounter also did not end well. The Route of All Evil
G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers
As part of Serpent O.R.'s forces, Brawl defended the newly unified Decepticon army's base against a combined Autobot/G.I. Joe strike force. The Art of War #5
The Beast Within
During an all-out Decepticon offensive, Brawn helped the Predacons battle the Dinobots. When the Dinobots combined into their gestalt form, Brawl combined with his fellow Combaticons in order to square off against The Beast. The Beast Within
2005 IDW continuity
- First appearance: Spotlight: Arcee
Early in the war, Brawl defended the Citadel from the Autobots as part of Blitzwing's unit and was ordered with Onslaught and Skullgrin to contain the Autobot forces. He got crushed by the Dynobots soon after the order. Endgame Together with the other Combaticons he left Cybertron rather than suffer Scorponok's leadership, and they made their way to the Presidium to steal a weapons cache for their own use. Inside the vault was not weapons, however, but Starscream who offered the Combaticons payment to return to the fold now that Megatron was back. Primacy #2 They accepted and returned to Cybertron to participate in Megatron's attack on Iacon. Primacy #3
Brawl was a member of the Combaticon tactical unit under the command of Banzai-Tron's Decepticon Secret Service and helped capture the "gestalt" transformers being held in the Garrus-9 detention facility. He loved killing things: "We aim to maim!" Presumably, he was not particularly keen on being maimed himself, as he was impaled by Arcee's twin saber blades. Spotlight: Arcee
After a deal was negotiated between Arcee and Banzai-Tron, Brawl and the other Combaticons later helped her in an attempt to recapture Monstructor (who had been stolen by Jhiaxus and Nemesis Prime's forces), though the insane Autobot disappeared mid-battle. Spotlight: Sideswipe
Years later, most of the Combaticons were left stranded and energon-less on Earth following a failed invasion. They were hired by North Korean leader Kim Jong Du to lead an attack on the South. Brawl, Onslaught and Vortex destroyed a South Korean outpost on the border of the DMZ to this end. The Land Ironclads They chafed under Kim's leadership, but unlike them, the Koreans knew how to produce energon, so they had no choice but to obey. Inevitably, the Autobots showed up to stop the Combaticons from getting involved with human conflicts, but were forced to stay in their vehicle modes for the battle. Car modes and Skywatch crash suits were hardly a match for a tank like Brawl, and the Combaticons got away. Ranks of Bronze
While Brawl and his teammates were celebrating their victory, the Autobots returned, and this time they had no problems with transforming. Without exclusive access to robot modes, the Combaticons were outnumbered, with Brawl having to deal with Jazz and Prowl simultaneously. Hawk Among the Sparrows He soon found himself defeated and tied up whilst the Autobots dealt with both the Predacons and a Russian nuke sent to wipe them all out. While they made sure to destroy the North Korean energon facilities, the Autobots couldn't take prisoners at the time, and so the Combaticons were presumably set free. All My Sins Remembered
Several months later, Brawl and Swindle attacked Prowl as he investigated some sensitive issues. He wasn't worried when Streetwise came to Prowl's rescue, since the Autobots could never penetrate his armor plating in tank mode, but was defeated and captured after Prowl fired a shot straight through his barrel. Stuck in a state of mid-transformation, he was brought to the Autobot base and interrogated as to who sent him. Brawl insisted that it was all him, but when pressed for information, a failsafe installed in his body by Swindle activated and fused the Autobots' suppressors to his neural net, sending him into nigh-stasis lock. Only Forward A Second Chance at Eden
Brawl was eventually cured and brought home to a reformatted Cybertron, where he was brought by Starscream with a bunch of other Cybertronians to pressure Prowl into revealing one of his secret discoveries below ground. Later underground, they witnessed a Titan declare that Starscream was the Cybertronian destined to unite their whole race. He and the other Cybertronians celebrated afterwards with Starscream. Primus: All Good Things When Megatron returned from a long absence only to be captured by the Autobots, Brawl and the other Decepticons started a riot and assaulted the Autobot prison, rescuing him. The Verge
In the wake of Megatron's defection to the Autobots, Galvatron and Soundwave took command of the Decepticons and led them back to Earth, where they formed an alliance with Earth Defense Command against the Autobots. Hello Cruel World Once Optimus Prime's arrived with a team of Autobots, Brawl and the others confronted them at the town of Poverty Flat, passing themselves off as United States military vehicles to the locals. Detonation Boulevard This attempt at secrecy was foiled when the Autobots brought in a defected Devastator, forcing the EDC to teleport the Decepticons out of there. The Mind Bomb The Decepticons clashed with the Autobots again at the EDC's Bikini Atoll base in a battle that ended with massive damage to their ship. I Dream of Wires
Brawl joined Soundwave's group in visiting the satellite commune that the humans were building for them near Jupiter, but found himself the source of many of Laserbeak and Buzzsaw's jokes due to his unease floating around in zero-gravity. South of Heaven He took a shuttle back to Cybertron with Needlenose to make contact with the disgruntled Decepticons and teamed up with Dreadwing, and proceeded to whip up anger and intimidate Camien evangelists. Brawl told Dreadwing that Galvatron was the leader they should've always had, but during a bar conversation with their new ally, Brawl found himself increasingly angry that Needlenose kept talking about negotiations, soft power, and communes. He overturned their table and got cheers from the crowd as he yelled that the Decepticons should just take "what is ours", from equality to whole planets. (Then, being a dick, he asked Needlenose to buy replacements for the drinks he'd just spilled.) The Transgressors
Remaining on Cybertron, Brawl started hanging out with his fellow Combaticon teammates again as they stewed over Starscream's leadership and his attempts to sweep the past aside. The Will of the Few On Chosen One Day, Brawl and the guys bought Onslaught a brand new grenade to show him they cared. Choose Me
Following a Decepticon rally, Brawl and his fellow Galvatron loyalists approached Starscream about getting unfettered access to the space bridge for their people. Aphelion That night, they led a Decepticon march through Iacon Spaceport 1. After blasting Needlenose's interfering brother Tracks, Brawl and the other Decepticons used the bridge to travel to the Ark-7, where they confronted the Autobots trapped inside Blackrock's force field. Lagrange Brawl battered Arcee into shutdown, then walked into the captured bridge and casually shot the defeated Sideswipe. Then he cut into Needlenose's call to Soundwave and explained the real reason for all this: Galvatron wanted them to invade Earth and all that "peace" and "alliances" talk was bunk. The Ark-7 was crashed into Shanghai and the Decepticons all fell into line with Galvatron, with Brawl cheerily telling Needlenose he was glad the guy hadn't gone soft after all. NOW LET'S KILL SOME HUMANS!
When the Autobots abruptly arrived Perihelion Brawl ecstatically threw himself into the fray. However, the Earth Defense Command's "mindbomb" felled him within the first minute, the Chinese Mecha Force began tearing through the Decepticons, and all his team either fled to Soundwave or, in Galvatron's case, teleported out. Brawl was taken through the space bridge by Ironhide, but began fighting his way through the Autobots in a panic and reignited the fight at the other end. Barely surviving an attack by Devastator, he was able to slip away. Once Upon a Time on Earth
While Onslaught was busy trying to find Swindle's body, Vortex and Brawl took several odd jobs to pay for their home and Engex. He showed particular annoyance when Blast Off went out as well, given that their client was found by Blast Off. 07:00:00 During the riots, Vortex and Brawl took Engex bets on whether or not Blast Off was alive; Vortex won the bet and added that today was a good day for the Combaticons as a whole. When Onslaught took Blast Off for debriefing, Vortex threatened that he and Brawl would go on without them, though it proved just to be hot air. Applicable Skills
When Blast Off eventually found the location of Swindle's body, he and Onslaught went after Rattrap. They soon met up with Blast Off and Vortex, who had learned from Wheeljack that Swindle was brain dead and his body was being held deep inside Metroplex. After being led to Swindle, Things We Said We'd Never Do Onslaught used the Enigma of Combination to fuse all of the Combaticons into Bruticus. However, due to Swindle's brain dead mind, Bruticus was incredibly unstable, and Brawl initially panicked from Swindle's pain of being shot. Regardless, Brawl, Vortex and Onslaught all began reveling in their new-found power despite Blast Off's reservation regarding their actions. Soon the gestalt was defeated, and Brawl passed out on the pavement. The Line Between Us
Brawl and the other Combaticons were imprisoned and awaiting trial, though Ironhide was reluctant to prosecute them if their mental scarring proved too great. Ping The Combaticons were still comatose when Starscream told the Eukarian mnemosurgeon Airachnid to turn them to his side as one of his combiners. Because the Combaticons' minds had imprinted on each other during their combination, Airachnid found them more susceptible to the process, and thus had them believe that they had always been working for Starscream, using the aware-of-the-manipulation Blast Off to cover any holes in the story. As a result, Brawl and the others were made to believe that they had been Starscream's secret and loyal bodyguards, and that their forming of Bruticus had been a last-ditch attempt to save Swindle's life with Starscream's approval. The Price of You Soon the Combaticons "resumed" their work of protecting Starscream, and on Onslaught's first day back Brawl prepared to take the night shift. If I Know You
Brawl was among the security detail for the ceremony to welcome Earth into the Council of Worlds. When a group of human assailants attacked, he mobilised to fight back and evacuate Starscream. First Strike #1
During her campaign for the role of Cybertron's leadership, Windblade invited people to speak with her one-on-one, Brawl was an unexpected speaker. Admitting that he was now afraid of dying because of the near-death experience caused by the forming of Bruticus, Brawl told Windblade he didn't want the war to start over and that she was the best candidate to prevent that from happening. During the final debate, Starscream revealed all of his crimes to the public, including the manipulation of the Combaticons. As a result, Brawl and the other Combaticons were imprisoned for their rampage as Bruticus. The Chosen One
Transformers: All Spark
Kre-O online manga
Summoned by Starscream to act as his elite squad (whose first mission, of course, was to overthrow Megatron), Brawl rolled onto the scene alongside Onslaught, Swindle, and a repainted Vortex. When Onslaught boasted that they could leave the strategy to him, Brawl declared that he'd handle the destroying. Like Onslaught and Swindle, Brawl was irritated when Vortex offered to stay behind and guard the base. When the Combaticons combined into Bruticus, Vortex constant worry for the base's safety compelled the team to withdraw. Shortly after, Starscream, under imminent threat of a beating from Megatron, contacted the team to demand to know where they were, Brawl joined his teammates in happily informing their illustrious leader they were all protecting the base together. Aww. New Military Unit Combaticon! Bruticus, Combine!
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
The Combaticons infiltrated G.I. Joe disguised as their vehicles, with Brawl taking on the form of a MOBAT tank. During the Decepticon-Cobra attack on the United Nations, the Combaticons revealed themselves and combined into Bruticus to fight GIJONIN. Expelled from the Garden
Combiner Wars cartoon
Brawl was among the Decepticon troops who bore witness to a pivotal duel between Optimus Prime and Megatron, one meant to end the war before the never-ending arms race between the two factions spiralled further out of control. Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Optimus Prime
Win If You Dare
2019 IDW continuity
- First appearance: Galaxies #4
At some point, Brawl posed in a group photo with many Cybertronians, including Blast Off. Open Comms As a member of The Rise, Brawl came to pickup the Insecticons along with the Energon cubes they had produced off of Mayalx with Onslaught, Vortex, and Blast Off. Constructicons Rising, Part 4
Back of Cybertron, Exarchon the Threefold Spark returned and recruited his old collaborator Shockwave at the Rise base. Brawl and the Combaticons decided to throw in with Exarchon rather than become smaller fish in the Decepticon army. War's End Part One The Combaticons deployed to meet a second Threefold Spark body, possessing Deathsaurus, at a hidden base he had never shared with Shockwave. They agreed to serve as deterrence for any invaders while Exarchon finished his plans. Sure enough, Cyclonus and a force of Decepticons led by Sixshot soon assaulted the canyon. War's End Part Two A group of Autobots became involved as well, but they all pulled back once the Combiner Devastator arrived from deep space at Shockwave's call. Brawl and the others cautiously welcome Devastator, along with the Rise's other lieutenant Slipstream as reinforcements. Exarchon became greedy, however, and tried to impose his spark on Devastator rather than using him as an ally. War's End Part Three He failed, but it left the Constructicons disabled and useless as support. The Combaticons soon faced a united attack from the Autobots and Decepticons again. Exarchon was defeated, trapped in a Titan spark cage, which was then destroyed. Brawl and his cohorts were taken into Decepticon custody. War's End Part Four
My Little Pony/Transformers
Energon Universe
Brawl and the Combaticons chased down Elita One through a space bridge, as Onslaught commanded the team to form Bruticus, the fembot shot the space bridge terminal with Brawl halfway through, bisecting the Combaticon at the waist. Transformers #9
After the Autobots retreated and the Decepticons began repairing the space bridge, Onslaught dragged Brawl out of the way, assuring his comrade that he would be made whole soon. Transformers #10
Commercial appearances
- Brawl, Onslaught, and Swindle were part of a Decepticon attack force that assaulted the Autobots' launch site. All three were rammed by Ultra Magnus in his vehicle mode as he entered the fray. Ultra Magnus commercial
- Brawl and the rest of the Combaticons charged down a ravine to face-off against Metroplex. As they neared him, the Combaticons combined into Bruticus and took to the skies. Bruticus and Metroplex commercial
- Brawl was part of a massive battle between Kreons. He and the Combaticons combined into Bruticus to gain the advantage in battle, and then chased the Autobots off alongside Predaking. KRE-O Transformers Micro Changers and Combiners Construction Sets commercial
Games
Transformers Legends
Brawl was active in the Decepticon/Autobot war when Doctor Arkeville created Nemesis Prime. He didn't take an active role when the Doctor's creation went on a rampage and was stopped by the Aerialbots however. Nemesis Rising Brawl assisted Skullcruncher and Apeface in attacking the Autobots on Earth in an attempt to obtain the Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber, but even with his help, the mission was a failure. Last Stand of the Earth Defense Command
Angry Birds Transformers
Brawl appears as one of the first unlockable characters. He is portrayed by King Pig. Angry Birds Transformers
Transformers: Battle Tactics
Brawl participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Rare character who could be recruited by collecting 160 units of Cybermetal, and 95 units of Transmetal. He was also a starter character for all players at a later point in the game. Transformers: Battle Tactics
Transformers: Earth Wars
Brawl reckons he was built to make noise, and does his best to live up to that assertion, whether talking, shooting or just moving. But the constant grating, clanking and booming irritates the coolant out of his fellow Decepticons. Even the other Combaticons dislike it. Brawl's hair-trigger temper makes him even less fun to be around, but at least his arrival on the battlefield has been known to paralyze enemies with mind-numbing fear. Brawl Bio
Brawl is one of warriors on Earth alongside his fellow Combaticons. He's probably jealous that Swindle got to Earth first before him. Transformers: Earth Wars
When Swindle gets wind that the Autobots are on the move to a signal in the Arctic, he and Brawl try to head there themselves. Brawl, as usual, makes himself REALLY loud by shouting, As usual. Swindle tells him to shut up or at least be more quiet, until Starscream comes and finds out about Swindle's plan, and leads the operation himself. Brawl calls for them to wait up.
When they arrived, he shouted what in the lugnutz had they found. Megatron, who was already there, told him that it was a Planet-Destroying Fortress. Brawl wanted to blast the entrance open, but Megatron told him that their presence must remain secret to the Autobots on the surface. After Shockwave suggested an alternative, Megatron ordered Brawl to bring in the Constructicons. Arctic Saga - Frozen Fortress
While the Constructicons were drilling through the fortress. Brawl made himself extremely noisy, And Long Haul complained that "Brawl has to SHOUT continually!". He set up the high explosives to break though the main chamber, and he and Starscream went in first, but retreated upon seeing Deathsaurus. For once he was speechless. Arctic Saga - What Lies Beneath
He appropriately yelled, "LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" when the fortress was about to self-destruct. Arctic Saga - Monster Within
- Lowest star rating: 2 stars
- Weapons: Brawl uses a standard issue grenade launcher, but with grenades that make a larger BOOM. And it's loud. VERY loud.
- Ability: Rocket Barrage: Brawl fires a barrage of six rockets dealing moderate damage to a set area. Upgrade for higher damage and louder rockets.
- Cost: 6 ability points +2 for every reuse.
Brawl at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki
Transformers Online (2017 video game)
| “ | I'm just wild by default. | ” |
When it comes to notoriety amongst the Decepticons, Brawl is considered the bully of the bunch. Brawl's hot-headed demeanor causes him to easily lose his temper. Regardless of faction, he will relentlessly attack anyone who gets in his way. Despite his wild, militaristic disposition, Brawl is still an exemplary soldier in combat. He is often assigned to serve in a Decepticon vanguard unit. No one knows Brawl's brash shouting was to keep himself sane, because if he keeps quiet, he feels like nothing but a lowly coward.
In battle, Brawl wields the "Giant Fists of Fury" and a double barreled, semi-automatic "Eye of the Thunderstorm" submachine gun. His active skill is "Smart Cover":
- Smart Cover — Brawl projects a transparent wall in front of him that only he and his allies can pass and shoot through. Transformers Online [2]
Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive
Brawl was in command of the fifth Decepticon base attacked and destroyed by the Autobots during a series of raids. He pursued the invaders in tank mode launching several bombs and missiles against his target, but foolishly ran over his own bombs and blew himself up. Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive
Transformers Roleplaying Game
Brawl was a member of the Combaticons. Decepticon Directive
On Earth, Brawl and the other Combaticons acted as a liaison between the Decepticons and the forces of Cobra, offering them advanced alien technology in exchange for their full cooperation. While meeting with Chameleon in southern France, the Autobots attacked and only narrowly escaped after Onslaught wounded Bumblebee. The Combaticons, minus Swindle, spent days pursuing the battered Autobots across southern France before bumping into a G.I. Joe encampment; leery of their advanced weapons and unable to form Bruticus, the Combaticons retreated. Cobra/Con Fusion
Toys
Notes
- The character models of the Combaticons are kinda... okay, heavily made-up. Brawl has a lot of extra bits, and his arms are completely different from the toy. Early models of the team which were a bit more accurate to the toys—except for the heads, oddly enough—have shown up in various sourcebooks, though Brawl's is still off in some very odd ways. Even his final vehicle-mode model is off-kilter, resembling a British Centurion more than a German Leopard 1.
- Brawl's animation model was used multiple times (in both robot and tank modes) as generic Decepticons in the Armada cartoon.
- In the Wings of Honor continuity the Combaticons are swayed to the Decepticon side by Deathsaurus appealing to their darker natures, represented by one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Shockingly, Brawl's Wrath was his undoing (though one might also make an argument for Lust. Battlelust, that is.)
Foreign names
- Japanese: Brawl (ブロウル, ブロール Burōru)
- French: Baggareur (Canada)
- Hungarian: Huligán ("Hooligan")
- Italian: Bomber
- Mandarin: Jēng-chǎu (Taiwan, 爭吵, "Brawl"), Chǎo nào (China, 吵闹, "Brawl")
- Russian: Grom (cartoon, Гром, "Thunder")
- Polish: Awanturnik (TM Semic Comic, "Troublemaker")
References
- ↑ "Starscream's Brigade" shooting script
- ↑ Brawl on the Transformers Online website
- Articles in need of images
- Character stubs missing fiction
- Combaticons
- Combiner Wars Decepticons
- Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons
- Elite Guard
- Energon Universe Decepticons
- Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons
- Generation 1 Decepticons
- Generation 2 Decepticons
- Generations Selects Decepticons
- IDW (2005) Decepticons
- IDW (2019) Decepticons
- Kre-O Decepticons
- Kreons
- Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons
- Second Cybertron Alliance
- Super-God Masterforce Decepticons
- The Headmasters Decepticons
- Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons
- Turncoats
- Unite Warriors Decepticons
- United Decepticons
- Wings Universe Autobots
- Wings Universe Decepticons
