Leadfoot (Transformers)

Leadfoot is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers franchise. First introduced in 1994, all the characters named Leadfoot have been heroic Autobots who turn into cars. Versions of the character have appeared among in the comics, been marketed as toys, and appeared in the 2011 feature film, Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Transformers: Generation 1

Leadfoot/Hotfoot
Autobot
Information
Sub-group Jumpstarters, Wreckers
Function Rapid Defense Specialist (US), Scout (Europe)
Rank 6
Motto "The sleek shall inherit the earth." (US), "I'm here to show them how a battle should be won!" (Europe)
Alternate modes Lola T93/30 Indy car
Series Transformers: Generation 2
English voice actor Garry Chalk

Leadfoot was a part of both the Wreckers, an Autobot commando team, and the Rotor Force, a group that fired rotor props from his engine.[1]

Leadfoot is totally cool under pressure - even as he infiltrates enemy base camps at 180 mph. In race car mode, he can frighten even the strongest Decepticons because they know it's best to steer clear of his fearsome firepower. He's equipped with alloy-sensitive laser circuitry that defuses enemy radar and enables him to race into battle virtually undetected, then he fires his devastating "rotoprop" weapon to destroy Decepticons in milliseconds.

Marvel Comics

Leadfoot appeared in the Marvel Transformers: Generation 2 comics.

Bludgeon, current leader of the Decepticons planned to create an army of Decepticons, so he constructed the bodies of the Rotor Force and Laser Rods. When Megatron killed Bludgeon and took back leadership of the Decepticons, one of his first actions was to steal the Matrix from Optimus Prime. The Matrix was then used to bring the new Decepticons to life.

In issue #7 Rotor Force Leadfoot, Manta Ray, Powerdive and Ransack) and the Laser Rods (Electro, Jolt, Sizzle and Volt) were sent to steal Rheanimum, a potent substance Megatron intended to use in his quest for power, from the planet Tykos.

They would appear again in the Autobot-Decepticon alliance, battling against first the forces of Jhiaxus, and then the Swarm.

Volt, Electro, Manta Ray and Lead Foot left the Decepticons and declared themselves Autobots during their final battle.

Animated series

Although the animated Transformers series was canceled before Leadfoot was released, Leadfoot did appear briefly in animated for in Transformers commercials. He was voiced by Garry Chalk, who went on to become a prolific Transformers voice actor.

IDW Comics

Leadfoot appeared in Spotlight: Galvatron guarding the remains of Thunderwing.

Fun Publications

Leadfoot is among the Generation 2 Autobots on Earth in the 2010 Botcon story Generation 2: Redux.[2]

Toys

A new mold. He was released as Hotfoot in Europe.[3]

Transformers: Power Core Combiners

Leadfoot
Autobot
Information
Sub-group Power Core Combiners
Rank 7
Partner Pinpoint
Alternate modes F-1 Racer
Series Transformers: Power Core Combiners

Leadfoot gained fame among the Autobots as a first class infiltrator. Combined with Pinpoint, he becomes invisible to Decepticon sensors. His hypertuned engine gives him the speed he needs to be in and out of an enemy base before a single alarm is tripped.

When Maketoys released promotional images of their Missile Launcher Jungle Type toy they included photos of it combined with Leadfoot.[4]

Toys

A new mold, later redecoed into the Decepticon Overrun.[5][6]

Transformers Cinematic Universe

Leadfoot/Target

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing #42 Target Chevrolet Impala is Leadfoot's alternate mode. Seen racing at the 2011 Coca-Cola 600
Autobot
Information
Sub-group Wreckers
Function Engineer
Rank 7
Partner Ironhide, Steeljaw, Hound, Topspin, Roadbuster, and Sergeant Detour
Motto "It's time to bring the noise!"
Alternate modes Juan Pablo Montoya's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala #42 Target stock car
Series Transformers Cinematic Universe
English voice actor John DiMaggio (Dark of the Moon)
Robert Foxworth (Age of Extinction)
Japanese voice actor Hiroshi Iwasaki

In Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Leadfoot is one of the Autobot Wrecker trio, as well as the leader of the Wreckers. All three Wreckers transform into NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala stock cars; Leadfoot's alternate mode uses the Target paint scheme of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's #42 car.

Leadfoot applies his knowledge of science to create bigger and louder weapons for the Autobots and their allies. He carries rapid-fire chain guns.[7] He is also said to be very good friends with the Autobots' weapon specialist Ironhide. In the film, Leadfoot speaks with a Cockney accent.

The cars playing the Wreckers, including Leadfoot appeared in the 2011 Daytona 500.[8][9]

Films

Leadfoot, Roadbuster, and Topspin are a team of Autobot engineers called the Wreckers, who came to Earth in their ship the Xantium which carried other Autobots, including Dino and Wheeljack. NASA took possession of their ship and Director of National Intelligence Mearing mentioned they were rarely let off base due to their behavior. When Sentinel forced the U.S. to expel the Autobots, the Wreckers prepared the Xantium for launch, but Starscream destroyed their ship as it was leaving. In Chicago, Leadfoot and the other Wreckers killed the pilot of a Decepticon fighter, and Leadfoot revealed to Sam that they had hid in a booster rocket which detached before Starscream attacked. When Shockwave attacked their convoy and Optimus lost his trailer, they created a diversion so that Optimus could retrieve it. Later they helped Optimus untangle himself and were among the surviving Autobots at the end of the film.

Leadfoot was briefly seen in Transformers: Age of Extinction. Five years after the Battle of Chicago, he is attacked and killed by human CIA agents under command of Harold Attinger. Cade Yeager finds footage of his demise when hacking into one of Attinger's drones. In the film he is properly named by Hound, who becomes saddened to learn of Leadfoot's demise. Leadfoot is later avenged by Optimus when he kills Attinger and Lockdown.

Toys

All toys of this character are officially licensed from General Motors and feature a NASCAR holographic seal, making them official NASCAR merchandise.

A new mold of Leadfoot, which transforms into an armored stock car.[10][11] A redeco of the first Legion figure with a visible Target logo, packaged with a blue version of Cyberverse Commander Ironhide.
A new Target exclusive mold. Comes with a human driver and Steeljaw, who turns from beast-bot to missile launcher for Leadfoot. The international release is missing the Target and Cottonelle logos, while the Sergeant Detour figure retains the sponsor logos on his uniform.
A new mold of Leadfoot, originally planned to be sold exclusively at Target in the U.S. Later, the figure was cancelled and only sold in Japan. Like the Legion figure, the vehicle mode is in its armored form. The Japanese version by Takara Tomy is missing the Target logo, the number 42 and sponsor markings.

References

  1. ↑ Alvarez, J.E. (2001). The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. p. 103. ISBN 0-7643-1364-9.
  2. ↑ Greg Sepelak & Trent Troop (w), Robby Musso (p), Robby Musso & Frank Milkovich (i). "Generation 2: Redux" Transformers Timelines v2, 5 (Summer, 2010), Fort Worth, Texas: Fun Publications
  3. ↑ Brereton, Erin (2006). Transformers: The Fantasy, The Fun, The Future. Triumph Books. p. 22. ISBN 1-57243-983-1.
  4. ↑ http://www.maketoys.jp/MT-04.html
  5. ↑ Hasbro Showcases its Iconic Brands at San Diego Comic-Con. Business Wire; July 20, 2010
  6. ↑ http://www.hasbro.com/common/documents/dad2d6781c4311ddbd0b0800200c9a66/EC794D3D19B9F36910D433CBA02FE258.pdf
  7. ↑ Hasbro.com - Leadfoot
  8. ↑ Brusimm.com
  9. ↑ Slashfilm.com - Photos of the Wreckers at the Daytona 500
  10. ↑ TFW2005.com - Cyberverse Legion Leadfoot
  11. ↑ http://www.hasbro.com/common/documents/dad2d6781c4311ddbd0b0800200c9a66/2C8DA0225056900B10600C8824E5F825.pdf
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