Lockdown (Transformers)

Lockdown is the name of multiple fictional characters in the various Transformers universes; all of which are Decepticons who transform into muscle cars.

Transformers Animated
Lockdown is a rogue Transformer from the Transformers Animated series. Though labeled a Decepticon in the toyline, he is actually a rogue bounty hunter with no allegiance to the Autobots or Megatron (though he was referred to as a "a disgrace to the glorious name of Decepticon" in the past by Lugnut). It truth, he was originally an Autobot CyberNinja who trained under Yoketron. He was disgraced by his master and later returned to kill him as his first job as a bounty hunter, stealing Yoketron's helmet and most of the protoforms he guarded. Since then, he only captures Autobots for him in return for upgrades, which he will take from employer and prey alike. One such hunt led to him crossing paths with Ratchet, whose encounter with Lockdown was a painful experience.

He transforms into a muscle car that can be simply described as a combination of two types: A Chevrolet Corvette C3 (the rear of the vehicle) and a 1960s Mercury Cougar (the front of the vehicle). The windows and rooftop of the vehicle are borrowed from various muscle cars made between the mid to late 1960s. These combined features make Lockdown much more like a 1960s-style Cougar rather than a 1970s-style Corvette, which is actually a sports car and not a muscle car like the 1960s Cougar, which is based on a 1960s Ford Mustang.

Lockdown is capable of generating an oil slick, smoke screen, and thanks to a device he stole from Ratchet during the war, an electromagnetic pulse generator which can knock out electronics, including other Transformers except Ratchet himself. The generator was later regained by Ratchet.

Derrick J. Wyatt recently stated that Lockdown was originally going to be a Frankenstein's Monster type creature; A mis-mash of different Transformer parts. Despite many fan belief, Lockdown's face is not modeled after Death's Head, whose name was used for Lockdown's personal spaceship.

Animated series
Lockdown first appeared in "Thrill of the Hunt", in which he hunted down Optimus Prime for the one who hired him, Blitzwing. He once again ran into Ratchet, who overcame his past pain to avenge Arcee and save Prime in a struggle that ends with the Death's Head crashing into a river.

Lockdown makes his next appearance as a "star" in the series when after the bounty for Starscream in episode 23, "A Fistful of Energon". Following in the tracks of Starscream, he alights on the Moon. Unexpectedly, he finds himself to be forestalled by the Autobot Prowl, which has already discovered the gaol-breaker and handcuffed him. Two tough "hunters" begin to make their showdown with regard to who will take the "quarry". But while they fight, Starscream succeeds in releasing his stasis cuffs and in running away. Then Lockdown reluctantly teams up with Prowl even providing him with armor upgrades for the mission. So they both set out back to Earth in search of the fugitive. Here they meet Starscream very soon, but there's something wrong with him… Nevertheless, Lockdown captures Starscream and tows him to Megatron, in spite of Prowl's protests, mentioning that Megatron pays more than the Elite Guard. Indeed, Megatron is satisfied very much with the traitor being in his mercy at last and intends to punish him exemplarily. But before he has time to put his intention into effect, the Autobots burst in, bringing just one more Starscream. It appears that both Starscreams are nothing but the self-destructing clones. During a SNAFU Lockdown is removed safely, though rewardless. Later he gets through to Prowl and offers him to become his business partner but meets with a refusal.

Lockdown is briefly alluded to in the episode "SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy". The Decepticon Swindle implies that he picked up Megatron's radio frequency from Lockdown, referring to him as "a mutual bounty-hunting friend", becoming like an autobot one day.

Lockdown returns in the third season episode "Five Servos of Doom", exchanging captured Decepticons for various items with Sentinel Prime until the Liar Starscream clone pays him enough Energon to get him to switch targets. During the fight with Prowl, Lockdown reveals his relation to Yoketron to him while gloating of his actions. Prowl fights him, equipped with his old armour, and wins, but Lockdown escapes yet again.

Lockdown was seen in a brief flashback in "This is Why I Hate Machines", which was actually recycled from his debut episode.

Video games
In one level of the video game Transformers Animated The Chase, the player must shoot their way through an army of Lockdown drones.

Toys

 * Animated Activators Lockdown (2008)
 * A simple scout-class version of the character with a push-button transformation.
 * Also sold in Japan as part of the "Super Collection Vol. 1" gift set alongside Activators Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Megatron.


 * Animated Activators Bandit Lockdown (2008)
 * A blue redeco of the original Activators Lockdown.


 * Animated Bumper Battler Lockdown (2008)
 * First mentioned on a Walmart computer listing in July 2008.


 * Animated Deluxe Lockdown (2008)
 * A Deluxe class toy, Lockdown is unique in that his robot mode stands as tall as most Voyager class toys. Comes with gauntlet that holds his hook and EMP generator. It is possible to fit the EMP generator on Ratchet's forearm.
 * This toy was featured in issue #17 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine.


 * Animated Deluxe Stealth Lockdown (2008)
 * A clear plastic remold of the Lockdown figure. He is featured in a 3-pack along with Animated Legends Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.


 * Animated Deluxe Blazing Lockdown (2008)
 * A redeco with a new paint job and a chainsaw on the gauntlet instead of a hook.
 * The mold for this figure is also used for the BotCon 2011 exclusive Deluxe Wildrider.


 * Animated TA-08 Deluxe Decepticon Lockdown (Takara Tomy) (2010)
 * The 2010 Japan release version of Takara Tomy is virtually identical to the Hasbro release, with the exception of a purple Decepticon emblem.
 * Also bundled with TA-04 Deluxe Ratchet.


 * Animated TA-46 Deluxe Blazing Lockdown (Takara Tomy) (2010)
 * The Japan release version of Blazing Lockdown is virtually identical to the Hasbro version.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
This incarnation of Lockdown is inspired by the Animated character. According to the Hasbro Battle Bios for Arcee and Ratchet, Lockdown is their enemy.

Lockdown is officially listed as standing 24 feet tall on the Hasbro web site.

Animated series
In Hasbro's Cyber Missions, Lockdown (played by Bronco D. Jackson) is portrayed as a recurring antagonist for Ratchet. In Cyber Missions #3, Lockdown is seen rampaging through Mission City (famously known as the location for the climax of the first film). Ratchet intercepts him by tailing behind and trying to blast him with his EMP generator. However, it shorts out, giving Lockdown a chance to knock him while he was already down. Lockdown then stole Ratchet's blaster and sped off.

In Cyber Missions #7, Lockdown returns, infiltrating NEST HQ in Diego Garcia. Sideswipe and Ratchet (who was recovering from the encounter) were the only ones left at base. Lockdown easily gets past the electric fence and the security cameras (disabling both with the stolen EMP). Soon, he faces Sideswipe. The speedy Autobot (who traded his shattered twin blades for twin blasters) was able to blast the EMP generator off his wrist, sending it flying back to its original owner, Ratchet (fully recovered). Lockdown attempted to retreat, but he was instead heading towards the Medical Bay, where he was captured and sedated.

In Cyber Missions #11, Lockdown teams up with Barricade against Ironhide.

Toys

 * Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Lockdown (2010)
 * A new version of Lockdown, whose appearance was influenced by a combination of his Animated appearance and the general aesthetic of the live action film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
 * Also available in a white redeco as Axor.