Starscream (other incarnations)

As the Transformers franchise has grown, more continuities separate from the original series and its subsidiaries have come into existence, with some continuities featuring a unique version of Starscream.

Beast Wars II

In the Japanese-exclusive animated series, Beast Wars II, a character named Starscream (misspelled as "Starscrem" on toy packaging) was one of Galvatron's most loyal minions (neither character, however, was meant to be the same as his Generation 1 namesake, as was the case in the original Beast Wars series; preexisting names were reused for entirely different characters). He was the only sophisticated member of the bunch, but used his hulking sidekick, BB, to back him up.

Like the Decepticon air commander who came before him, Starscream is both ambitious and deadly. He makes up for his lack of size with unmatched speed and maneuverability. Starscream desires power and lots of it. He hopes to one day dethrone Galvatron as the Predacon emperor of destruction and rule the universe himself. He is also slightly effeminate, often laughing and gesturing in a shaky way. Nevertheless, he is not a warrior to be taken lightly. He often psyches himself up for a battle by listening to music from the Earth composer Wagner. Along with his subordinate, BB, he is a Predacon one should never underestimate.

When transformed Starscream becomes a Stealth Fighter capable of soaring at speeds few can imagine. In fighter mode he can use the "Formation Scream" and combine with his partner BB to become a powerful air fighter. In robot mode his attack of choice are his "Screamwinder Missiles" which are strong enough to vaporize most opponents.

Starscream is often a little too ambitious for his own good. His attempts to gain power are not always subtle and occasionally backfire.

Though stronger as Hellscream, Starscream's lust for power still keeps him under the watchful eyes of his superior officers.

Animated series

Starscream first appeared in episodes #1 of Beast Wars Second, called "The Birth of a New Army."

Starscream appeared in episode #14, "The Combined Giant, Tripledacus." Upon arriving on Gaea the Jointrons briefly fought Bighorn, Diver, Tasmanian Kid, Starscream and BB. After chasing away the Predacons the Tripledacus noticed the remaining mechs were Maximals and became friends with them. Later, when Tripledacus confronted Megastorm, Starscream and BB the Maximals arrived to chase the Predacons away from their new ally.

In episode #31, "The End of Starscream," Starscream was unwillingly plunged into a lava crater riddled with Angolmois energy by Gigastorm. This evolved him into Hellscream, a cybernetic flying shark. Even more cruel and ruthless than before, Hellscream retained his hateful personality but with newfound abilities. He still has his Screamwinder missiles but has gained a new power, the "Terrorstorm". With this, he unleashes a hellish torrent of fire and missiles reducing any Maximal to ashes.

Manga

In "The Maximal Brainwashing Project" Starscream and BB were able to capture Diver and the Tasmanian Kid, brainwashing them into serving the Predacons. Meanwhile Leo Prime, Apache and Scuba were able to capture Dirge and Thrust. The shock of being damaged in capture had the side effect of making the Predacons think they were Maximals. Diver and the Kid were able to ambush the Maximals, allowing Galvatron to gain the upper hand on Lio Convoy, but the Maximals were aided by Dirge and Thrust. Furious that Lio had seemingly stolen his brainwashing idea Starscream had BB attacked the Maximals. Megastorm found the whole turn of events amusing and planned to use his main cannon to destroy all the Maximals and Predacons in the conflict, becoming the leader of the Predacons. His attack took so long to charge Diver was able to RUiN it with a water geyser. The explosion was enough to shock the brainwashed Maximals back to their senses. Galvatron and the Predacons retreated with Dirge and Thrust in tow.

IDW Publishing

Starscream had a biography printed in the Beast Wars Sourcebook by IDW Publishing. According to the Beast Wars Sourcebook Starscream saved BB from a Maximal reeducation camp, which is why BB is so loyal to him.

In Beast Wars: The Ascending Shokaract's heralds Hellscream, Max-B, Antagony, Thrustor and Hardhead defended their master on Cybertron until he was shunted into limbo by the Maximal Snarl. The heralds then retreated once there was no vessel for Unicron.

Toys

• Beast Wars Second BB and Starscream (1997)

A purple, black and yellow redeco of the Generation 2 Dreadwing and Smokescreen jet, originally intended to be a G2 version of the original Megatron and Starscream, with different decals. Starscream has twin missile launchers mounted on his sides in jet mode, which can be wielded in the hands of his and BB's robot modes. Starscream and BB packaged together, and also in a pack with the Maximal Bighorn.

• Beast Wars Second Hellscream (1998)

A remold of the 1997 Beast Wars Cybershark toy, Hellscream was altered to look more cybernetic, appearing as a cross between a shark and a submarine with a threatening-looking blade for a head, a cockpit for a dorsal fin and a turbine for a tail. He was remolded into the Maximal Sharp Edge. He was later redoeced ever-so-slightly to become Overbite for Transformers: Universe in 2006.

Unicron Trilogy

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2007 Transformers film

During production of the live-action movie, writer Alex Kurtzman stated that Starscream would not stray from his treacherous roots as he seeks to overthrow Megatron, and frequently engages in bickering arguments with him. In the film, he is seen vehemently pledging his allegiance to Megatron when the latter breaks free from the Hoover Dam, but unlike the other Decepticons, he is not killed in the final battle and escapes the planet at the end of the movie. For unknown reasons, he passes up a chance to take the All Spark for himself. Although, it could be that he didn't dare try, with Megatron so near.

As always, Starscream transforms into a jet, in this case an F-22 Raptor. He has a hatred of Megatron and seeks to be Leader of the Decepticons. He is bulkier than most incarnations, due to the size of the Raptor combined with the lack of mass displacement. He maintains a simian body shape with a large, triangular chest, large shoulders formed by the jet's distinctive twin tails, long arms, and small or bird-like feet. His chest is still formed by the jet's nose. The jet's powerful main engines end up on his back, allowing him to leap great heights into the air and take flight, much like a jetpack. They also allow him to control his descent if he transforms out of his jet form in midair. His movements are a combination of acrobatic and avian, grabbing hold of a bridge's bottom to launch himself up into the air and transforming in mid-flight to swoop down upon his prey. His arms store heavy weaponry, with a missile launcher carrying six missiles in his left arm and a high caliber machine gun (probably the jet's Vulcan cannon) in his right. In the movie's video game tie-ins, he is also seen detaching one or both of his wings and using them as short swords (a reference to his depiction in Transformers: Armada). When in Raptor mode he can simulate the appearance of a human pilot, the same holographic model (referred to as "Mustache Man" on-set and in the credits) that "pilots" Blackout and "drives" Barricade.

The official guide to the Transformers video game says he's 31 feet tall (9.4 m), although measuring his Voyager class toy suggests he would stand 55 feet (16.8 m) tall. The Transformers U.K. magazine states he stands 31 feet (9.4 m) tall, weighs 5.3 (short) tons (4.8 tonnes) and can travel up to Mach 3.

The movie prequel comics show Starscream acquiring his Raptor form by scanning an experimental Raptor prototype before shooting it down, which should put him among the 411th Flight Test Squadron based out of Edwards Air Force Base (responsible for testing new F-22s). Movie scenes show him among a squadron bearing "ED" tail markings, placing him at Edwards. However, promotional photos of Starscream released with the movie show sufficient detail to recognize the markings on the fuselage of Starscream's disguise: the tail that forms his left shoulder bears a winged sword enclosed in a shield, denoting the Air Combat Command, as well as the letters "FF 1st FW" indicating the 1st Fighter Wing based out of Langley Air Force Base; a portion of the nose forming his chest shows a reversed version of the "flying fist" insignia of the 1st Fighter Wing's 71st Fighter Squadron. This is inaccurate on two counts, since the 71st still flies the F-15 Eagle; however, this could be a homage to the Generation 1 Starscream's F-15 mode.

Starscream's color is the same as the jet's in the movie and the video game's cutscenes, but when Starscream is controlled by the player or the computer his skin turns green.

Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday

In the prequel novel Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday it is revealed that Starscream is leader of the Decepticons following Megatron's disappearance during his search for the Allspark. He and a crew of Decepticons travel in the Nemesis to search for the Allspark and Megatron, although Starscream is not keen on finding the latter. His leadership is uneasy at best: Blackout opposes him at every turn (rightly not trusting Starscream and thinking that he would prefer that they never find Megatron), while Barricade tolerates it only as a means of finding Ultra Magnus. Encountering Ghost-1, a human craft of Cybertronian design, Starscream manipulated them into revealing that Megatron and the Allspark were on Earth, then betrayed them. After winning a vicious duel with Blackout for leadership, he launched a full-scale assault on the Autobots. Just as he and Bonecrusher almost killed Optimus Prime, Starscream was severely injured by Ghost-1. In retaliation he destroyed the human craft before retreating. Optimus Prime notes that Starscream's Cybertronian jet mode resembles that of Megatron's.

IDW Publishing

The back story of the Transformers on ancient Cybertron is told in Transformers: Defiance. In this story Starscream returns to Cybertron after encountering an enemy scout ship in the Eshems Nebula. After being repaired for minor damage by Ratchet, Starscream and Ironhide report to Optimus Prime and Megatron. Later the planet is invaded by aliens from the Eshems Nebula and Starscream is among the defenders in the city of Metrotitan, near the temple at Simfur. In issue #2 he sided with Megatron in his decision to counter-attack Cybertron's invaders and was among the fleet that attacked their ships.

Starscream also appeared at the end of issue #3 of Transformers: Movie Prequel, where he, Blackout and Barricade destroyed the Mars Beagle probe. In issue 4, he traveled to Earth, gaining his F-22 alternate mode by scanning an experimental Raptor before shooting it down. The three Decepticons, detecting emissions similar to that of the Allspark, then stumbled onto Sector 7's trap for Bumblebee, wiping out their military backup. Starscream then approved Barricade's plan to follow Bumblebee and see if he could lead them to the Allspark, tailing him from the air.

He appeared in the official movie sequel comic called "The Reign of Starscream". In this story Starscream leaves the battle in Mission City, where he finds Barricade alive, but damaged, and then goes to recover Frenzy's body from the Sector 7 base under Hoover Dam in hopes of gaining information on the Allspark. After recovering Frenzy, Starscream was confronted by Sector 7 forces commanded by Agent Salazar. After an unsuccessful attempt by Salazar to use L.M.-1 in battle Starscream kidnapped Salazar and left Earth for Mars. Salazar died from decompression, much to Starscream's surprise, when they left Earth's atmosphere. Starscream barely made it to the Nemesis on Mars before he ran out of power. His return was noted by the Autobot Cosmos, who alerted Arcee, Cliffjumper, Smokescreen, Camshaft and Air Raid. Aided by Thundercracker on the Nemesis Starscream recovered and sent the information Frenzy had gathered back to Cybertron just as Hardtop spotted the Autobots closing on the Nemesis. In issue #5 Starscream sacrificed the sparks of Crankcase, Elita One, Grindcore, Signal Flare, and Warpath to bring his new Allspark Cube online. Although the cube failed to function Starscream didn't have time to find out why as Dreadwing made his bid to overthrow the Decepticons using his army of drones. Ramjet and Divebomb sided with Dreadwing, but Thundercracker and Stockade remained loyal to Starscream. Crosshairs beheaded Ramjet and the Autobots were able to deactivate the drones as Starscream overcame Dreadwing's remaining forces, including Divebomb. Dreadwing escaped to the Nemesis, but was followed by Starscream. Crashing on Mars Dreadwing thought he was free, but Starscream had followed and killed Dreadwing before turning his eye to Earth.

In Transformers: Alliance a month after the battle at Mission City Epps and Lennox contacted Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Ironhide about aiding them in escorting the remains of the Decepticons to the naval yard, but they were spied on by Barricade, who transmitted the information to Starscream. Unable to ignore the possibility of being able to take out Prime, Megatron and Wreckage at once, Starscream attacked but was unable to overpower Wreckage, who was enhanced with a sliver of the Allspark. As Wreckage was about to deal a deathblow, he was distracted by Bumblebee. Starscream capitalized and gutted his foe before turning his firepower on the Autobot and the humans. However, he then retreated, having an unexpected communication from Soundwave.

Movie plot

In the film, Starscream rallies the other Decepticons to battle when Frenzy alerts them to the All Spark's location. He destroys the electrical substation that powers Sector 7's base, allowing Megatron to come out of his deep freeze. Upon being reunited with Megatron, however, he is scolded by his leader for letting the All Spark escape in a manner reminiscent of his G1 counterpart: "You've failed me yet again, Starscream."

In the final battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, he is the first Decepticon to arrive on the scene thanks to his flight capability, which he also uses to ambush the Autobots when their human allies mistake him for a friendly Air Force pilot. He aids Brawl and Megatron by firing missiles in his Raptor form at Bumblebee and Ironhide, destroying the former's legs and injuring the latter. Later, he stops Sam Witwicky from fleeing by land with the All Spark, easily disabling both Ratchet and Ironhide in the process; however, he doesn't take the Allspark. When Sam is about to hand off the Allspark to a Black Hawk crewman, Starscream shoots down the helicopter. Later, when a full airstrike has been called in on Megatron and Blackout, Starscream conceals himself among the attacking jets in order to ambush them. He destroys three of the jets, but retreats from the battle after the F-22 pilots regroup and engage him, allowing the jets to complete their mission. There is speculation that Starscream, himself, was one of the jets among those firing upon Megatron at the end, but the screenwriters have said fans will have to wait until the sequel to learn Starscream's true role in Megatron's demise.

Note: According to the bio for the Premium Deep Space Starscream toy, Starscream retreated to a nearby power plant to re-energize himself, but this was not shown in the film.

An interlude during the end credits shows Starscream leaving Earth's atmosphere, leaving questions about his role in a sequel. He can be heard speaking, though his words are not clear nor subtitled.

In the 2009 film Revenge of the Fallen Starscream is first seen on the genesis ship wreck and is confronted by Megatron who is angered because of Starscream leaving him to die on earth. He is later seen fighting alongside Grindor and Megatron against Optimus, and then seen later on in egypt with the other decepticons in finding Sam. In the end after the Fallen is defeated he suggests to megatron that "Cowards do Survive" in which they both retreat.

Titan Magazine

In "Twilight's Last Greaming" part 3 Starscream and Scorponok attack the Autobots Arcee, Armorhide, Elita One, Longarm, Skyblast and Strongarm on the moon. The Autobots flee to Earth, which is exactly what Starscream hoped they'd do.

Strascream would return in issue #22 of the Titan Transformers Magazine series in a story called "The Decepticon who Haunted Himself."

Transformers: The Veiled Threat

With Megatron dead, Starscream eventually returns to Earth around Zambia where he gains control over local rebel groups by using his internal synthesizers to create gold coins. With his group composed of Dropkick, Macerator, and Payload, Starcream lead an attack on a local dam construction site, making short work of the security forces, and proceed to steal mass quantities of explosives. But as the Autobots arrive to enage his followers, Starscream springs his trap as both sides are nearly killed with Beachbreak the only casualty before Macerator is killed. Making his way to Europe, Starscream strikes a deal with an Italian criminal named Bruno Carrera to help destroy Optimus Prime in exchange for dominion over Europe when the Decepticons triumph. With Swindle and Deadend to call out the Autobots, Starscream tricks Prime with the strong set of restraints arranged by Carrera before he attacks the remaining Autobots until Prime breaks free. Forced to fall back, Starscream attacks Carrera at this villa for his “failure”.

Video games

Starscream is a playable character in the video game, with a white and red 'G1 Repaint' unlockable after the player completes the Decepticon campaign. He would appear as a boss alongside with Blackout in the Autobot campaign, where he is seemingly killed by Jazz. In the Decepticon campaign he is playable, and is also featured in many cutscenes and communications. In the Nintendo DS Transformers: Decepticons game, Starscream would kill Barricade and Blackout, steal the Allspark and betray Megatron. Starscream is fought by Megatron as the final boss. Although Megatron kills Starscream, he ends up destroying the Allspark in the process.

Starscream is among the playable characters in the 2009 Revenge of the Fallen video game by Activision.

Other media

A scene with Starscream was used in a commercial for GMC trucks.

Books

In the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen coloring book Megatron is depicted attacking Starscream and saying that he is the true commander of the Decepticons.

Toys

• Transformers Deluxe Preview Protoform Starscream (2007)

The first Starscream figure to be released was a deluxe sized figure which represents protoform Starscream in the 2007 movie.

• Transformers Deluxe Preview Protoform Fusion Cluster Starscream (2007)

This Japanese exclusive version of Protoform Starscream is molded in orange and black, while his limbs and tail are molded in transparent orange. In Entry mode, he appears to be glowing orange from entering Earth's atmosphere. 1

• Transformers Legends Starscream (2007)

A Micro class vehicle of Starscream.

• Transformers Legends Stealth Starscream (2008/unreleased)

A redeco of Movie Legends Starscream. Also available in a 2-pack with Nightwatch Optimus Prime.

• Transformers Fast Action Battlers Battle Blade Starscream (2007)

A Deluxe sized figure with simple transformation for younger children. The figure converts from robot mode to F-22 Raptor jet mode and features a flip-out arm blade. In vehicle mode it is 15 centimeters long. Since a real F-22 is 1890 centimeters long this toy has a scale of about 1/126 scale.

Also released in a redeco as Ramjet.

This toy was among the Transformers 2007 movie toys to be bootlegged from Chinese toy makers. A nearly identical toy, minus the Decepticon logo, was sold under the perplexing name "Latent Spider" in 2007.

• Transformers Voyager Starscream (2007)

Featuring Automorph technology, this toy transforms into an F-22 Raptor and fires projectiles through his spinning arm turrets(the spinning arm turrets cannot transform into hands). In vehicle mode, he is 21 centimeters long. Since a real F-22 is 1890 centimeters long, this toy has a scale of about 1/90 scale and Starscream would stand about tall. A repaint of this figure was released as Thundercracker.

• Transformers Voyager Starscream Redeco (2007)

A Target exclusive repaint of Voyager Starscream, showing his new form after the events of Transformers Movie. Supposedly, he changed his color scheme into a Generation One scheme to hide from the Autobots. In addition to the repaint, this toy features a head design made to resemble the original G1 head.

• Transformers Voyager Starscream (Toshiba Vardia Red Version) (2007)

A Japan-only release, this red repaint of Starscream was part of Toshiba's "HD DVD Transform" campaign, where it was included with the purchase of a Toshiba Vardia RD-A301 HD DVD Recorder.

• Transformers Voyager Deep Space Starscream (2008)

A Target exclusive metallic redeco of movie Voyager Starscream. Packaged in robot mode in a clear plastic box similar to that used for Robo-Vision Optimus Prime.

• Revenge of the Fallen Legends Starscream (2009, not released yet)

A redeco of the toy from the last film with a new deco.

• Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Starscream (2009)

A new Voyager class mold first appeared on the internet in January of 2008. Although similar in size to the first movie's Voyager mold, the new toy features better proportions in jet mode, arms with hands, improved articulation, a more film accurate head, and "Mechalive" features which make gears in the chest move when you turn the head. The paint sceme is similar to the first film, but with Cybertronian 'tattoos' which he placed on his body on Mars after returning from Cybertron in the IDW comics.

• Revenge of the Fallen Robot Replica Starscream (2009, not released yet)

A Robot Replica version of Starscream, which will feature a missile-launcher arm, and a machine gun arm. This will be a movie-accurate figure of Starscream in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

• Revenge of the Fallen Leader Starscream (2010, not released yet)

Prototype was introduced during the Hasbro Q&A session at BotCon '09. One person on the panel stated that this is his favorite toy from the movie line. The prototype features lights, sounds, a moving jaw, a galting gun that can be attached to the arm and hidden missile launchers. It is also said to be the most detail-accurate figure out of the entire line.

Non-transforming merchandise

• Starscream Micro Flyer (2007)

A RadioShack exclusive. This Radio-controlled airplane has a range of and a flight speed of 18.6 mph (30 km/h) and is rechargeable via controller. 2

Transformers: Animated

Starscream appears in the 2008 animated series, appropriately titled Transformers: Animated. He transforms into a futuristic harrier jet, (sporting a notable similarity to the Variable Fighters of Macross fame in his transformation sequence) and resembles his G1 counterpart in both design, personality, and ambitions. He flies at high speeds in both modes, and wields his trademark null-rays, though these function simply as powerful lasers. He's unintentionally comical in this incarnation displaying a degree of incompetence similar to his animated G1 counterpart. It should be noted, however, that this incarnation displays an unwavering tenacity towards his objective, shown by his flying around in a brutally-damaged Nemesis to track down the Allspark's energy signature for 50 years by himself. Unlike his G1 namesake, Starscream is far from cowardly and is a very capable fighter, almost single-handedly defeating all of the Autobots in a battle over the Allspark.

Animated series

In "Transform & Roll Out", Starscream didn't even believe the Allspark existed in the first place, but when there was proof of the Allspark's existence on-board the Autobot's ship (which he opted immediately to just destroy) he made it second on his priority list - right behind becoming the new leader of the Decepticons. Seeing an opportunity to realize his primary goal (and to get him back for damaging his wing when he suggested getting the Allspark himself), he planted an explosive charge on Megatron's back as he, oblivious to the device, exited the ship to fly out and board the Autobot vessel containing the Allspark. The massive detonation, though only severely damaging Megatron instead of destroying him like he had thought, lead Starscream to believe that his plan was a success. Overjoyed to the realization of his dream, he faked mourning the loss of his former leader as he immediately proclaimed himself the new leader of the Decepticons. Unfortunately, the other Decepticons abandoned ship while Starscream failed to notice the massive explosion caused by the ensuing battle that the ship was heading directly into. Starscream, along with the Nemesis, was engulfed in the explosion. It would be decades later he ended up on Earth with what was left of the Nemesis, adapting his vehicle mode from intercepting fighter jets, and blending in with an air show to ambush the Autobots, using his high speed flight abilities to fly rings around the Autobots and taking hostages to coax them into giving him the Allspark. He even managed to wrench it from their possession, despite growing furious with their game of "Keep-Away," and harnasses the power of the Allspark as a devastating weapon, using it to destroy a large chunk of the city. It was his hysteria from this new-found power that led him to be caught off guard as Optimus got the jump on him, and a devastating battle ensued, ending with the Allspark accidentally being unleashed in a similar fashion as the Matrix is activated in G1, only here due to its size, by Optimus and Starscream trying to pull it from each-other's grasp. The resulting blast repelled Starscream away, forcing him to wait for a better chance.

In IDW comics "The Arrival Part 2", Starscream was found unable to move by Professor Princess. The prankster villain proceeded to put girlish makeup and a wig on him, while teasing him with her blaster. Once his systems were reset by the blaster Starscream threatened to destroy the little girl, but she had set up a transmission of pictures of Starscream in makeup to be broadcast if she or her pony Powered Sugar were injured and Starscream agreed to leave and forget the whole affair. He never even noticed she had painted his back in rainbow colors.

Given some time to repair, Starscream resurfaced again later after Lugnut and Blitzwing were gravely wounded in "Lost and Found", offering to repair them in return for their pledge of loyalty to him.

In "Megatron Rising Part 1" he attempted to convince them both that Megatron had fallen to the hands of the Autobots, thus making him the new leader. Lugnut, however, with his undying, almost obsessive loyalty to Megatron, could not accept this, denying it repeatedly. Just as Starscream was getting angry with Lugnut's inability to consider him a leader, Megatron contacted to Lugnut's frequency exclusively, where Lugnut promptly bowed and started addressing his master respectfully. Starscream, thinking Lugnut is talking to him, enjoying this sudden praise and respect smirks and says, "Well...that's better...just don't let it happen again." Lugnut reveals to him that Megatron had just issued them orders, where Starscream was quick to jump that it was a treacherous impostor trying to lead them into a trap. He instructed Blitzwing and Lugnut to retrieve the Allspark, while he himself goes to intercept the "fake" Megatron transmission. Starscream intercepts it back to Professor Sumdac's lair to discover Megatron's disembodied head. Toying and mocking Megatron, enjoying his superior's standing on the situation while making a speech of Megatron's weaken condition. However, Bumblebee crashes, vexing Starscream for interrupting him during speech before he attacks the Autobot. Megatron (who had known of Starscream's eatlier attempt on his life for quite some time) does what he can to impose his revenge by manipulating nearby machinery to deliver occasional attacks and obstacles to keep Starscream focused on the fight, and buy him some time. As he takes the battle with Bumblebee on the Roof-top, Megatron gets a super-charge from Sari's stolen key and rebuilds his body, much to the dismay of Starscream.

Noticing how the tides of battle changed with Megatron reborn, Starscream weighed his options of fighting the new, super-powered Megatron to claim his place as leader, or rejoin the ranks and wait for a better opportunity to present itself. Picking the latter, Starscream approached Megatron with a charm and gleam requesting to come back as Megatron's second-in-command as Megatron has his Fusion Cannon aimed at Prime. But at the last second, Megatron fakes-out and delivers a massive fatal uppercut on Starscream with the Allspark-Key. After the ensuring battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, Starscream's body ended up in a garbage barge where he finds out that he can't even pick up his own energy signature. Later, Starscream regained consciousness and finds his spark strangely extinguished before he followed Lugnut and Blitzwing to attack Megatron head on. It was from his vain attempt and second "death" by Megatron's hands that Starscream learns that a fragment of the Allspark was embedded on his forehead, keeping him alive and making him immortal. Though invincible, his repeated attempts at Megatron resulted with him being easily defeat, though unable to die. After finding another fragment of the Allspark, he planned to lure Megatron out into the open by putting the fragment on a train which he rigged to explode, with only the Autobots falling for the trap while Megatron watched from above before he has Starscream shot down from the sky. He regains consciousness before attacking Ultra Magnus to take back his fragment. It took only stasis lock cuffs to finally stop Starscream, who is then transported to Cybertron for incarceration.

However, he escapes and makes his return to Earth, with Megatron sets a bounty on him. However, setting up base on the Nemesis wreck on the moon, Starscream used the protoforms to create a massive supply of "decoy Starscreams" to act in his stead, using a purple cowardly version that Lockdown caught with Prowl's aid and a bright-colored "scheming" decoy that the Autbots captured while heading to where Megatron and Lockdown are to meet. When the Autobots and Decepticons learned the true nature of the Starscream decoys, Starscream activated their self-destruct to take out both groups, though Prowl managed to launch the decoys into the sky where they exploded(near where Lugnut, Blitzwing and Megatron were flying away) without any real damage done to the city. However, Starscream had already made many more clones after learning that Megatron had increased the payment on his bounty. Starscream returns in the "A Bridge Too Close" two-parter, installing life into five of his clones with chips of the Allspark fragment in his head. The clones each represented a different side of his personality - cowardice, egomania, dishonesty, sycophancy, and a fifth aspect that his female clone advised him not to ask her about. He leads his small army to attack Megatron and had the upper hand against him and the Autobots until his head was removed by a Headmaster unit piloted by Isaac Sumdac. Seeing their creator defeated, the three remaining Starscream clones decide to defect to Megatron's side. Later, Starscream's head is used by Megatron to reactivate the Decepticon Space Bridge, overloading the systems as a result with both Starscream's head and Megatron being sucked into an unstable portal, The two are later seen arguing with each other in an unknown part of space, with Megatron frozen in place with stasis cuffs and Starscream's head equally immobile, the two forced to look at each other the entire time; Starscream then starts laughing insanely and hysterically says "It's tragic, but funny"

Starscream returned in the season three premiere event, "Transwarped." The AllSpark fragment in his forehead gave him the power to convert his mouth into a sonic blaster, which freed Megatron from the stasis cuffs. Megatron later used Starscream to override Omega Supreme's circuitry, taking control of him. Starscream planned to use Omega to invade Cybertron, but his plans were derailed when Optimus Prime placed a malfunctioning Space Bridge component on Omega, causing him to go through an endless Transwarp cycle. However, Megatron was able to remove the component, picking up Lugnut and then Shockwave with Arcee, who possesses Omega's activation codes. They return to Earth's moon, where Starscream takes the opportunity to sneak over to the ruins of the Decepticon's ship and use a protoform to build a new body for himself, before Megatron arrives and disposes of the decoys. Learning of Megatron's plan to create clones of Omega, Starscream attempts to download the activation codes and take control of them. However, Lugnut intervened, gaining the activation codes himself, and Starscream ended up scrapped from the waist down by Megatron.

In "Endgame Part 2," Starscream gets his chance at vengeance, when it is revealed that he had secretly booby-trapped the Omega Supreme clones, with a self-destruct device during their construction. He eventually reconstructs himself and heads to Earth to watch Megatron's demise. However, he meets his end at the hands of Jazz and Prowl, during the reconstruction of the AllSpark. His own AllSpark fragment is pulled out of his head. Without the fragment, Starscream falls to the ground, permanently offline.

Toys

• Animated Activators Starscream (2008)

A Scout class toy with a one-touch transformation. A special Toys-R-Us value pack of Leader Megatron comes with Animated Activators Starscream as a bonus.

• Animated McDonalds Starscream (2008)

Given away as a premium with Happy Meals.

• Animated Voyager Starscream (2008)

The standard-sized toy of this character. Features two transparent-orange spring-powered missiles that can be fired in either jet or robot mode. These missiles replace his classic null-ray cannons from the series, but they are still mounted to his forearms. He has an Automorph feature in his jet mode's nose assembly, which extends his head and arms at the same time that the nose is being retracted into the torso. His mouth, though paler than the on-screen version, has a sneaky grin. Unfortunately, the color of the transparent plastic on the back of his head (thus, his eyes and mouth) is orange, not the red coloring from the series, but has red paint to cover up incident. This toy was later redecoed into his clones Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Sunstorm.

• Universe Animated Legends Starscream (2008)

A Micro classed Starscream was sold in the Universe Legends line. This toy was also packaged as Animated Deluxe Rescue Ratchet with Legends Prowl and Starscream - A Target store exclusive contains a yellow redeco of Deluxe Ratchet packaged together with Legends Prowl and Starscream.

Transformers: Timelines (Shattered Glass)

This Starscream is a morally good version of the Generation 1 character from the BotCon exclusive "Shattered Glass" comic, in which the Decepticons are on the side of good and the Autobots on the side of evil.

According to his tech specs Starscream was a brilliant young scientist who graduated at the Crystal City Science Institute. When the war between the Autobots and Decepticons broke out Optimus Prime tried to recruit him, but he refused. After joining the Decepticons he helped refine the Transformation process Megatron invented. He turns into a Cybertronian jet.

This version is loyal to Megatron, as opposed to his normally treacherous portrayal.

Fun Publications

Starscream appears in the 2008 April Fool's comic Shattered Expectations by Fun Publications. He and Razorclaw confront his world's Goldbug, Grimlock and Jazz. When the Autobots refuse to surrender the Decepticons call in the Mayhem Suppression Squad.

Starscream then appears in the Botcon 2008 Timelines comic Transformers: Timelines story "Shattered Glass" as one of the troops of the heroic Decepticon Megatron. Starscream, Divebomb and Whisper drop "glass gas" bombs on the Autobot's Ark launch platform to make it vulnerable to attack.

Starscream appears in the fiction Dungeons & Dinobots, a text based story from Fun Publications. He defends the Arch-Ayr fuel dump from an Autobot attack.

Starscream appears in the story Do Over by Fun Publications. He is the first to discover that the Dinocons Slugfest and Overkill have gained the ability to transform. When Megatron is captured by the Autobot Targetmasters he wants to order a full scale rescue effort, but Cliffjumper talks into into only sending a small team of Micromasters to rescue Megatron, so that the Decepticons efforts in finishing the Nemesis won't be compromised. Starscream was later commands the Nemesis, which follows the Autobot's Ark to Earth before being shot down and ordering the crew to escape in life pods. Among his troops on the Nemesis are Cliffjumper, Demolishor, Heatwave and Soundwave.

Toys

• Timelines Voyager Starscream with Razorclaw (2008)

A redeco of the Cybertron Voyager Starscream available only at the 008 Botcon. His color scheme is an homage to the Generation 1 Autobot Jetfire. He comes with a special red, black and white Earth-planet Cyber Key.

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Transformers: Timelines (Transtech)

Starscream works in civil intelligence on Transtech Cybertron.

The Transtech concept was a line intended to take Transformers to their most futuristic, and although Toronto-based design studio Draxhall Jump created several designs, the idea was eventually aborted in favor of Transformers: Armada (with Transformers: Robots in Disguise serving as a filler line between years). Several figures made it to the prototype stage before the project was canceled, including Starscream.

Fun Publications

Starscream appeared in the Fun Publications story "Transcendent", where he reported his findings on Skyfall and Landquake to Optimus Prime.

Toys

• Transtech Deluxe Starscream (unreleased)

Although a prototype for this toy was produced it was never released.