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Knock Out

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Knock Out
Transformers character
Information
AffiliationDecepticon / Autobot (Prime)
Velocitronian (G1)

Warning: Display title "Knock Out" overrides earlier display title "Knock Out (<i>Transformers: Prime</i>)". Search Knock Out (Transformers: Prime) on Amazon. Search Knock Out (Transformers: Prime) on Amazon.

Knock Out is a fictional character from the computer-animated series, Transformers: Prime. The character was initially introduced as a medic of the Decepticons and responsible for taking care of Megatron while he was in a coma. After Megatron regained consciousness, he continued serving him. Despite his status as a medic, Knock Out would often participate in field missions with his partner Breakdown. Following Breakdown's death during the second season, Knock Out would often be partnered for the rest of the series with Starscream and Shockwave, to help them with their scientific experiments against the Autobots. In the series finale, after the Decepticons are defeated, Knock Out attempts to join the Autobots; a goal that he achieves in the TV film, Predacons Rising. The character has also appeared in various material relating to the cartoon, including comics and video games.

In 2014, a year following the show's conclusion, Knock Out was introduced in IDW Publishing's Generation 1 universe. Initially appearing in a cameo role in the first volume of The Transformers: Windblade, the character would play a larger role during the comic's second volume. Unlike Prime where he's a Decepticon, Windblade presents him as an unaligned Velocitronian and one of the planet's representatives on Cybertron's council. He was one of the main character in the ongoing series The Transformers: Till All Are One which also presented him as married to fellow Velocitronian Breakdown. Following the conclusion of this continuity, in 2018's miniseries Transformers: Unicron, Knock Out would be reintroduced in IDW's reboot continuity in Tread & Circuits, which again portrays him as a Velocitronian, but one aligned with the Decepticon cause. As in the previous continuity, he and Breakdown are again depicted as a couple.

While characters with the name Knock Out have previously appeared in the Transformers franchise, this individual is an original creation of the series. Created by the series' lead designer Jose Lopez, Knock Out was designed as a fast car that could act as a foil to Bumblebee. His personality, specifically his vanity, was developed after both Lopez and the studio realized he was "the sexiest bot they'd ever seen". Knock Out proved to be popular with fans during the cartoon's airing, being voted into the Transformers Hall of Fame in 2020. Various people affiliated with the cartoon and franchise, such as Mairghread Scott and Lenny Panzica, have described him as one of their favourite characters.

During the cartoon's airing, Knock Out was interpreted as gay, which was confirmed outside of the show. His relationship with Breakdown was also often interpreted as romantic, with the pairing proving to be a popular ship within the fandom. Both Knock Out, as well as his canonically romantic relationship with Breakdown in IDW's comics received praise.

Transformers: Prime[edit]

Season 1[edit]

Knock Out is introduced as the medic of the Decepticons and the one responsible for taking care of Megatron while he was in recovery. Starscream sent him and Breakdown to obtain an Energon Harvester from a Greek museum but was confronted by the Autobots. While Starscream managed to get the weapon, Bulkhead destroyed it, and they were forced to retreat.[1] Shown as being interested in human culture, Knock Out would often participate in street racing. While at a race, he realized Bumblebee was present with Jack. Knock Out came up with a plan to kidnap Jack but ended up taking Vince by mistake. After calling Breakdown for back up, they fought with the Autobots who came to rescue Vince but realizing they got outnumbered, decided to flee as Optimus Prime ripped one of his doors off.[2]

Wishing to get rid of Megatron and become the leader of the Decepticons, Starscream recruited Knock Out's help to convince Soundwave that Megatron should get euthanized.[3] After the Autobots' attempt to kill Megatron had ended up awakening him, he ordered Knock Out and Breakdown to acquire a Cybertronian data cylinder. After a fight with Bulkhead ended up with the data getting expelled to his brain, the two of them were forced to track him down to a monster truck arena where Miko had taken him to recover his increasingly lost memories. After the fight resulted in the data getting expelled into space, Knock Out, and Breakdown retreated to the base.[4] While following Megatron's plan that would lead to the Autobots burning through their Energon supplies, Knock Out and Breakdown got attacked by Ratchet who had powered himself up using synthetic Energon. In a later fight with him, aided by Megatron, they were able to defeat and extract a sample of him. While the sample got destroyed, Knock Out was still able to find a drop of the synthetic Energon.[5] He was present when Soundwave defeated Airachnid for attempting to overthrow Megatron and during the finale when his leader returned with an amnesiac Optimus Prime.[6]

Season 2[edit]

Knock Out first appears placing the Decepticon insignia on the amnesiac Optimus Prime, calling himself Orion Pax.[7] After being sent by Megatron with Breakdown to find Cybertronian treasures, Knock Out was able to find a shield generator before the Autobots and presented it to Megatron.[8] The two of them were later sent to retrieve the Forge of Solus Prime which also proved to be a successful mission.[9] When the Decepticons' ship Nemesis crashed, Knock Out tried to persuade Megatron not to use Dark Energon to bring it back online. After the ship had gained self-awareness, it froze every Decepticon on board. After Jack and Miko purged the ship of the Dark Energon, Knock Out attempted to capture them but was stopped by Rachet.[10]

After the Autobots' human allies managed to download the locations of various Cybertronian relics while aboard the Dark Energon Nemesis, Knock Out was sent alongside an Insecticon to Manhattan's subway system and retrieved one of them. While initially securing the artifact, a phase shifter, Bumblebee was able to take it from him and Knock Out retreated.[11] At some point, Breakdown was killed by Airachnid and taken by MECH who placed Silas, the company's leader, inside his body. Initially unaware of Breakdown's fate, after his signal came back online, Knock Out sought his missing partner only to realize that Silas, now calling himself C.Y.L.A.S., was in control of Breakdown's body. After Cylas attempted to earn Megatron's favor but failed, Knock Out was allowed to torture him for what he had done to his former partner.[12]

On the search for the Omega Keys, artifacts that could resurrect Cybertron, the Decepticons manage to capture Smokescreen, the newest member of the Autobots. Tasked by Megatron with finding the location of the Autobots' base through Smokescreen, Smokescreen was able to escape and entrap Knock Out.[13] When Megatron was performing a cortical psychic patch and seeing Starscream's memories, which incriminated both Starscream and himself, Knock Out attempted to close the link and trap Megatron in Starscream's mind but was prevented by Dreadwing.[14] Upon realizing how to activate of the Omega Keys with Starscream's help, the two of them were sent by Megatron to kidnap the Autobot's human allies to use as hostages.[15] The Decepticons later used the keys to activate the Omega Lock, only for Optimus to destroy it and prevent Earth's terraforming into a new Cybertron.[16]

Season 3: Beast Hunters and Predacons Rising[edit]

After Shockwave joins the Decepticons, Knock Out is sent to obtain Predacon fossils from a museum for him to use and clone. While there, he encounters Agent Fowler and June Darby, Jack's mother. After managing to escape into a railroad yard, Knock Out threatened them into giving him the fossil, only to realize June had hidden it on a departing train. Knock Out grabbed both of them and despite being confronted by Arcee and Wheeljack, was able to escape with it.[17] It got revealed that Knock Out had used the sample of Synthetic Energon he obtained from Ratchet, using Cylas as a test subject. After mixing it with Dark Energon at Starscream's behest, Cylas got transformed into an Energon craving monster. After the situation had been resolved, Megatron ordered Knock Out to turn all of his experiments over to Shockwave.[18]

Following Ratchet's capture by the Decepticons, Knock Out let it slip that Megatron felt threatened by Predaking and deliberately let the Autobots destroy the Predacon clones. Ratchet managed to escape and informed Predaking of the Decepticons' treachery, resulting in him rampaging through their ship. During the commotion, the Autobots were able to board the ship.[19] Initially attempting to flee, he got prevented from doing so due to the fighting taking place between the Autobots and Decepticons. After the Autobots took control of the ship and revived Cybertron, Knock Out attempted to join them and be with "the winning team" but was knocked out by Miko who was wearing the Apex Armor.[20] After being locked up in a cell with some Vehicons, Knock Out tried to negotiate for his release by revealing the location of Shockwave's laboratory. After Starscream freed them, Knock Out initially assisted him in the revolt but upon realizing Starscream had no intention of protecting Cybertron, he turned on him and joined the Autobots. He later helped them in the final battle against Unicron and was present during Optimus' sacrifice to restore the AllSpark to Cybertron.[21]

Other appearances[edit]

Knock Out appears in Transformers: Prime – The Game, released in 2012, as an enemy. Following his defeat, he is playable in the game's multiplayer mode.[22] Knock Out was meant to appear in the massively multiplayer online game Transformers Universe before the game was canceled.[23] The characters also makes two brief appearances in TakaraTomy Mall's online manga series, Transformers Unite Warriors. In the final chapter, he is reunited with a resurrected Breakdown.[24]

IDW's Generation 1 Universe[edit]

The Transformers: Windblade and Till All Are One (2014-2018)[edit]

Knock Out was introduced in IDW Publishing's Transformers universe in 2014, making his first appearance in the fourth and final issue of The Transformers: Windblade.[25] Although an unidentified cameo appearance, his identity was confirmed by the comic's writer Mairghread Scott.[26] Knock Out is depicted as a Velocitronian, born from a hot spot inside Navitas; one of the Titans who had left Cybertron to colonize other worlds.[27] Despite both Velocitron and Knock Out's own obsession with racing, his husband Breakdown is acknowledged as atypically slow for a Velocitronian.[27]

Following the end of the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, both factions worked toward peace and contacted Cybertronians from various colony worlds, they came in contact with Velocitron. Knock Out and his assistant Moonracer were sent to act as their planet's ambassadors, where they met with Starscream about Velocitron joining the Council of Worlds.[27] According to Knock Out, Velocitron is a closed off with no interest in forming an alliance with Cybertron, with Moonracer further stating that government decisions on their planet are made through racing, and discussions fall through.[27] Attempting to change Knock Out's mind about a potential alliance, Windblade is informed by Moonracer about a race happening in Velocitron, and how a Cybertronian winning could help form an alliance.[27]

Following said advice, Windblade has Blurr compete in the race and helps him win by connecting to the planet's Titan; Navitas.[28] This leads to a Cybertronina/Velocitronian alliance, with Knock Out signing the treaty.[29] Despite his own preference for Velocitron, Knock Out settled on Cybertron as his husband was happy living in a place where speed wasn't emphasized over everything else.[30]

At some point after the formation of the Council of Worlds, Bruticus attacked the city Iacon, resulting in Knock Out and the other delegates being evacuated.[31]

Treads and Circuits[edit]

Development[edit]

Creation[edit]

Characters with the name Knock Out had previously appeared in the franchise, prior to the premiere of Transformers: Prime.[32] Some examples include the Micromaster from the original cartoon, and the Autobot from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.[32] In Revenge of the Fallen, while the Autobot Knock Out does not appear in the film, he was part of the toyline, where he was depicted as a green motorcycle.[32] Despite these prior characters with the same name, Knock Out was created specifically for the Transformers: Prime cartoon.[33]

Knock Out was first revealed in September 2010 by Hasbro, with Daran Norris as his voice actor.[34][35] Making his first appearance in the series' tenth episode, "Deus ex Machina", promotional material for the episode initially described a character named Lugnut being introduced.[36] At BotCon 2011, it was revealed that Lugnut was Knock Out's original name which was changed to sound more "sexy."[37]

Regarding the creation of Knock Out and how his design and personality developed, lead designer Jose Lopez stated:

When we started designing [Knock Out], the only directive was to make him a fast car, a foil for Bumblebee. I remember looking at rims and saying "just pimp him out." We gave him lots of red and gold. That made him feel more extravagant. I remember thinking that he'd be attractive in bot mode. Then the studio said that he's the sexiest bot they'd ever seen. That's where his vanity came from.[38]

Characterization[edit]

Knock Out is depicted as a narcissistic individual who places a high emphasis on his appearance.[39] Often admiring himself, he hates getting his paintjob damaged, and the smallest scratch "send[s] into a hissy fit".[40] While presented as a highly vain and self-centered individual thoughout the series, Knock Out is shown to genuinely care for his partner Breakdown, wishing to avenge his death.[12] Additionally, after the Decepticons were defeated, he allied himself with the Autobots and proved his loyalty by helping them stop Unicron.[21]

During the BotCon 2011 panel, when questioned by a fan, the writers implied that Knock Out is homosexual and that the Decepticons follow a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy but claimed that actually there was a glitch in the All-spark during his creation.[37][41] Although often interpreted by fans as romantic, Knock Out and Breakdown's relationship wasn't portrayed as more than a platonic friendship within the cartoon.[42]

Transition to IDW's comics[edit]

According to Mairghread Scott, introducing Knock Out in IDW's comics as a Velocitronian ensured that she would be able to retain most of his personality from Prime intact.[43] Although the character remains vain and obsessed with his own appearance, Scott describes him as having "a little bit more pathos".[43] Scott also praised Corin Howell's artwork for Windblade volume 2 and her movement of Knock Out.[43] Howell described the process of designing Knock Out's IDW counterpart as simple, taking his design from Prime and only making a few alterations to make him "more slender".[43]

Reception[edit]

File:Knock Out & Breakdown Kiss.jpg
Knock Out and Breakdown sharing a kiss before the former's race in Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits #2 (November 2021). Knock Out has always been paired with Breakdown across his various appearances, usually as a romantic couple. Their relationship has received positive responses.

Billie Sparkle of Comic Book Resources (CBR) described Knock Out as having quickly become a "fan favorite", following his introduction in Transformers: Prime.[39] In 2020, Knock Out was inducted into the Transformers Hall of Fame as Robot of the Year, through a public vote; more than 10.000 fans participated in the contest, with Knock Out receiving over 25% of the votes.[44] David Meenan, also of CBR, described Knock Out arc of becoming an Autobot as the 7th best "redemption arc" in the Transformers franchise.[45] Mairghread Scott, who wrote various episodes of Prime and the comic Windblade, described Knock Out as one of her favourite characters and that she would like to introduce him in IDW's comics.[46] She also elaborated her enjoyment at writing his banter with Starscream in Transformers: Prime, and that she would like the opportunity to bring that in IDW's comics.[46] Lenny Panzica, former Senior Design Manager for Transformers, also described Knock Out as his favourite from Prime, praising his arc throughout the show, personality, and being a dark counterpart to Ratchet.[44]

During the airing of Prime, Knock Out and Breakdown were often interpreted by fans as being more than just friends, with their close friendship being acknowledged as an "oddity amongst the villainous Decepticons".[42] As a result, the Knock Out-Breakdown pairing proved to be a popular ship within the fandom.[42] Although their relationship was not portrayed as anything more than platonic in the narrative of Transformers: Prime, both characters were introduced in IDW's comic and openly depicted as a couple.[42] Weekly Comic Book Review's Noah Sharma responded positively to Knock Out's introduction in 2014's The Transformers: Windblade miniseries,[47] with IDW's incarnation of the character—treated as a duo alongside Breakdown—being ranked by Sparkles as the 10th best LGBT character(s) from Transformers comics.[39]

Accolades[edit]

Daran Norris was nominated for Best Male Vocal Performance in a TV Series in a Supporting Role – Action/Drama at the 2013 BTVA Voice Acting Awards.[48]

References[edit]

  1. Nigoghossian, Shaunt (director); Dubuc, Nicole (writer) (11 March 2011). "Deus ex Machina". Transformers: Prime. Season 1. Episode 10. The Hub.
  2. Heuck, Vinton (director); Stefan, Dean (writer) (9 April 2011). "Speed Metal". Transformers: Prime. Season 1. Episode 11. The Hub.
  3. Nigoghosian, Shaunt (director); Melching, Steven (writer) (30 April 2011). "Sick Mind". Transformers: Prime. Season 1. Episode 13. The Hub.
  4. Waterman, Todd (director); Kuhr, Joseph (writer) (7 August 2011). "T.M.I". Transformers: Prime. Season 1. Episode 21. The Hub.
  5. Nigoghossian, Shaunt (director); Scott, Mairghread (writer) (14 August 2011). "Stronger, Faster". Transformers: Prime. Season 1. Episode 2. The Hub.
  6. Heuck, Vinton (director); Melching, Steven (writer) (15 October 2011). "One Shall Rise, Part 3". Transformers: Prime. Season 1. Episode 26. The Hub.
  7. Heuck, Vinton (director); Dubuc, Nicole (writer) (18 February 2012). "Orion Pax, Part 1". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 1. The Hub.
  8. Waterman, Todd (director); Isenberg, Marty (writer) (10 March 2012). "Operation Bumblebee, Part 1". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 4. The Hub.
  9. Heuck, Vinton (director); Dubuc, Nicole (writer) (17 March 2012). "Operation Bumblebee, Part 2". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 5. The Hub.
  10. Tidwell, Scooter (director); Skir, Robert N. (writer) (28 April 2012). "Flying Mind". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 11. The Hub.
  11. Nigoghossian, Shaunt (director); Robinson, Andrew R. (writer) (5 May 2012). "Tunnel Vision". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 12. The Hub.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Tidwell, Scooter (director); Skir, Robert N. (writer) (14 September 2012). "The Human Factor". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 19. The Hub.
  13. Tidwell, Scooter (director); Skir, Robert N. (writer) (12 October 2012). "Inside Job". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 23. The Hub.
  14. Nigoghossian, Shaunt (director); Capizzi, Duane (writer) (19 October 2012). "Patch". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 20. The Hub.
  15. Waterman, Todd (director); Griffin, Marsha (writer) (26 October 2012). "Regeneration". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 25. The Hub.
  16. Heuck, Vinton (director); Melching, Steven (writer) (2 November 2012). "Darkest Hour". Transformers: Prime. Season 2. Episode 26. The Hub.
  17. Waterman, Todd (director); Weisman, Greg (writer) (31 May 2013). "Plus One". Transformers: Prime. Season 3. Episode 7. The Hub.
  18. Tidwell, Scooter (director); Griffin, Marsha (writer) (7 June 2013). "Thirst". Transformers: Prime. Season 3. Episode 8. The Hub.
  19. Tidwell, Scooter (director); Griffin, Marsha (writer) (19 July 2013). "Synthesis". Transformers: Prime. Season 3. Episode 12. The Hub.
  20. Nigoghossian, Shaunt (director); Melching, Steven (writer) (26 July 2013). "Deadlock". Transformers: Prime. Season 3. Episode 13. The Hub.
  21. 21.0 21.1 Heuck, Vinton; Tidwell, Scooter; Melching, Steven (October 4, 2013). Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising (DVD). United States: Hasbro Studios.
  22. "Voice of Knock Out – Transformers Prime: The Game". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  23. "Wheeljack and Knock Out Confirmed as Signature Robots In Transformers Universe". TFormers. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  24. Sakamoto, Hayato (25 November 2016). Transformers Unite Warriors: Baldigus Chapter, Part Two. TakaraTomy Mall. Search this book on
  25. Scott, Mairghread (July 23, 2014). The Transformers: Windblade #4. IDW Publishing. Search this book on
  26. Scott, Mairghread (July 23, 2014). "Yes. That is Knock Out". Tumblr. Archived from the original on May 28, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 Mairghread Scott (w). The Transformers: Windblade 4 (June 24, 2015), IDW Publishing
  28. Mairghread Scott (w). "Race Against the Light" The Transformers: Windblade 5 (August 19, 2015), IDW Publishing
  29. Mairghread Scott (w). The Transformers: Windblade 6 (August 19, 2015), IDW Publishing
  30. Mairghread Scott (w). The Transformers: Till All Are One Annual (December 20, 2017), IDW Publishing
  31. Mairghread Scott (w). The Transformers: Till All Are One 4 (September 21, 2016), IDW Publishing
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 Taguiam, Rhenn (February 22, 2022). "Transformers: 10 Decepticons Who Have Never Appeared In The Movies". GameRant. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  33. Durr, Michael (March 14, 2012). "Transformers Prime: Season One (Blu-Ray)". UpcomingDiscs. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  34. "Exclusive: Transformers Prime Voice Cast Revealed Which Includes The Rock". TFormers. September 8, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  35. McNary, Dave (December 2, 2015). "Jason Priestley Directing Phil Hartman Biopic Starring Daran Norris (Exclusive)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  36. "Transformers Prime: Deus Ex Machina". The Hub. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2017. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  37. 37.0 37.1 "Botcon 2011 Transformers Prime Panel". Transformers News. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  38. Sorenson 2013, p. 75.
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 Sparkle, Billie (February 6, 2022). "Transformers: 10 Best LGBTQ+ Characters From The Comics". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  40. "Transformers Prime Characters – Meet Knock Out". Cartoon Network. Cartoon Network / Hasbro. Archived from the original on 2 June 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2017. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  41. Peanutchan (June 11, 2011). Is Knockout Gay?. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023 – via YouTube. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 Pagent, William (August 17, 2022). "IDW Comics Made A Transformers Fan-Ship Canon". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 Morris, Steve (August 4, 2015). "Transformers Team Talks "Windblade," New Female Characters". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  44. 44.0 44.1 Hasbro (September 27, 2020). Hasbro PulseCon 2020 Day 2. Retrieved March 23, 2023 – via YouTube.
  45. Meenan, David (October 17, 2021). "Transformers: 10 Best Redemption Arcs In The Franchise". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  46. 46.0 46.1 Stevens, Rachel (February 27, 2015). "Windblade Returns in Transformers: Combiner Wars". WomenWriteAboutComics. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  47. Sharma, Noah (July 28, 2014). "Transformers: Windblade #4 - Review". Weekly Comic Book Review. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  48. "BTVA Voice Acting Awards 2013". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2017. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)

Bibliography[edit]

  1. Sorenson, Jim (December 2013). Transformers: Art of Prime. IDW Publishing. ISBN 978-1613777909. Search this book on

External links[edit]


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