Drift (Transformers)

Drift is the name of three different fictional characters in the Transformers series. For trademark reasons, toys related to the character are marketed under the name Autobot Drift.

Transformers: Armada
Drift is the name of the Mini-Con Dirt Boss in the Japanese version of Transformers: Armada.

Transformers: Generations
According to his bio, Drift once served Megatron under the name Deadlock and was one of the most-feared warriors on Cybertron. Then one day, he looked back at the horrors he had inflicted upon his foes. Since then, he has dedicated his life to hunting down Decepticons all over the galaxy. His alternate Earth mode in the comics is a Nissan Silvia S15; the toy version appears to be a cross between a Silvia, a Honda S2000 and a Mitsubishi FTO.

IDW Publishing
Drift is one of the characters featured in IDW Publishing's comic book series The Transformers: Spotlight, first published in 2009. He also has a 4-part prequel mini-series titled Transformers: Drift, published in 2010.

The 4-part prequel mini-series Transformers: Drift begins with Drift as an unaligned robot living on Cybertron before Megatron's rise to power. Recruiting warriors to form his army, Megatron discovers Drift, who has skillfully killed several Decepticons after they accidentally kill one of his friends. Megatron renames Drift "Deadlock", then sends him to lead a small band of his forces.
 * Transformers: Drift

In issue #1, Drift meets a Cybertronian named Wing, who is a member of an "unaligned faction" that lives on world thought uninhabited. Wing takes Drift to Dai Atlas, who is angered that a "Decepticon" is among them and threatens to never let Drift leave. Wing then steps forward, putting his own reputation on the line and stands up to Dai Atlas. Wing begins training Drift in an as-yet-unnamed Cybertronian martial arts style. The techniques appear very reminiscent of what the Autobots call "Diffusion", a style of combat designed to stop an opponent without causing serious irreparable damage (similar to Earth's T'ai chi ch'uan (which is designed to use an attacker's energy against them) mixed with Kendo). It is unknown how long Drift trains, but he apparently becomes very skilled in the use of his short swords and hand-to-hand combat. Previously, Drift had discovered he had an innate ability with firearms, but he is discouraged from their use by Wing.

The Cybertronians receive a signal that Drift recognizes as a Decepticon message and sneaks out to meet them, finding Decepticon Lockdown waiting for him with a group of slavers looking for new acquisitions. They forge a plan for Drift to betray the unaligned Cybertronians. Drift did not betray the Cybertronians though, warning them upon his return, and devising a plan to counterattack with a small force of "Knights". Dai Atlas disagrees, but after coaxing by several of the Knights, Dai Atlas lets them have their way, telling them he wants no part of the "war".

In issue #4, Drift and the Knights face the slavers and Deadlock. Wing is mortally wounded by the slaver leader and dies. Drift grabs Wing's "Great Sword", which, according to Wing, "draws on the wielders spark" to enhance its abilities, and promptly kills the slaver leader. Dai Atlas then joins the battle with the rest of his Cybertronian forces. This turns the tide in battle and the Cybertronians take the victory. Dai Atlas finally sees the good side of Drift, awarding him Wing's Great Sword in memory of his sacrifice.

On an alien planet, Drift infiltrates a Decepticon ship carrying Autobot prisoners, only to confront the Autobots Kup, Perceptor and the Wreckers. Moments later, Turmoil, the ship's commander, appears. Drift fights alongside the Wreckers, but during the melee, Turmoil recognizes Drift as the former Decepticon Deadlock. He then sends Drift and Kup into a lower level by shooting a hole in the ship's wall.
 * The Transformers: Spotlight - Drift

Later, Kup questions Drift about his origin. Drift admits having been a Decepticon in the past, but tells Kup that a visit to a nameless third faction changed his ways and gave him his sword. The two robots then decide to blow up the ship.

As the duo plant an explosive, Kup is informed that the other Autobots have left the ship and will circle back for them. Suddenly, Turmoil confronts them again. After a lengthy duel, Drift pins Turmoil to the wall with his short swords. The Decepticon tells Drift to finish him off, but Drift instead takes a damaged Perceptor and jumps off the ship before it explodes.

Shortly after the ordeal, Kup offers Drift a place on a new Autobot team he is forming. Despite Springer's objection, Drift accepts the offer, with Kup telling Springer that "everyone deserves a second chance."

Optimus Prime leads Bumblebee, Drift, Kup, Prowl, Ratchet and Wheeljack in Las Vegas when a Cybertronian ship crashes containing Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and an infestation of zombies from another universe. Galvatron attempts to take command of the Autobots, and after fighting them explains his mission to stop an undead infestation. Wheeljack sets up an energy shield around the city to keep the infestation contained, but it will only last for 24 hours. Kup recognizes a Decepticon named Bayonet in Galvatron's command as not being right, and she is revealed to be the extradimensional vampire Britt.

Manga
Drift appears in the Generations 2011 issue #2 "The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos" where he is part of a team led by Stepper to obtain a cure for nano-virus which is effecting some Autobots. When the Autobots arrive on Nebulos they are attacked by a group of Decepticons led by Straxus. The Autobot are able to obtain the cure and bring it back to Earth, where Ricochet's team is commended by Optimus Prime.

Toys

 * Generations Deluxe Autobot Drift (2010)
 * An all-new mold of Drift that transforms into a sports car. Weapons consist of one long sword (made of rubbery plastic) and two short swords that store inside the side skirt armor/door panels. In keeping with the Samurai theme of the character, kanji is used to decorate the figure. The kanji on the door panels is "Samurai" (侍), while his long sword reads "Peerless Under Heaven" (天下無双).
 * The figure is also remolded in blue as Blurr, with a different head sculpt and guns replacing the swords.


 * United UN08 Deluxe Autobot Drift (2010)
 * The Japanese version of the Generations figure by Takara Tomy is virtually identical to the Hasbro version.


 * Transformers Speed Stars Cyber Hunt Autobot Drift (not yet released)
 * A diecast car of Drift in car mode, in the same size as Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars. An illustration of his robot mode is molded on his undercarriage.


 * Transformers Speed Stars Double Siders Autobot Drift (not yet released)
 * This variation of the diecast car has oversized wheels so it can roll right-side-up or upside down with the robot illustration facing up.

Shattered Glass
An exclusive for 2012 from Fun Publications, this Drift is from the Shattered Glass universe, and his personality is based on the Marvel Comics character Deadpool. According to his bio, Drift is described as the most brutal among the hordes of evil Autobots. He has no regard for laws or morals; only money, profit and thrills. Drift's methods of destruction are only limited by his imagination. Yet despite his insatiable aggression, he has an irrational fear of petro-rabbits.

Fun Publications
Drift appears in the 2012 BotCon Invasion lithograph by Casey Coller and Josh Perez.

Toys

 * Timelines Deluxe Autobot Drift (not yet released)
 * A Transformers Collectors Club exclusive reverse red/white redeco of the Generations Drift figure. In addition to the swords, he will come with the two pistols that were originally offered with the Generations Blurr figure.