TRANSFORMERS: THE BASICS on SHOCKWAVE - Updated for 2022!

Rewritten, revamped, expanded and updated - it's an all-new Basics on the Decepticon's emotionless, logic-driven mad scientist, SHOCKWAVE!
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Background music: Aitech Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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End card music: "Tech Live" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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[@bilal_Hadjlaoui907]

The fact that the TLK nitro zeus tattoos says "rest in peace my homie shockwave",make it even funnier

[@greenglassblock1324]

Wait what? Is that an actual line? Please say it is

[@TFN_Araque]

Wait fr? Where does he have that tattoo lol

[@JunkyardGod]

Yeah like the others said. Where?

[@vicviper4538]

Looks like a grey Shockwave with a red eye, he’s like the live action “Shack”wave

[@bluerobin2982]

It is I saw it first on Trans theories

[@Loremastrful]

As a kid, when Shockwave and Jetfire were introduced together I assumed they were rivals. I always wanted to see a scientist rivalry. I guess it would be something resembling Reed Richards vs Dr. Doom.

[@benc.delacruz1813]

I’ll add to that: Shockwave was part of Jetfire and Starscream’s friend group, but they all grew apart due to Starscream’s treachery, Jetfire joining the Autobots, and Shockwave himself becoming more and more mechanical and emotionless.

[@itszeronizer597]

@@benc.delacruz1813 interesting idea, I imagine that when unicron begins his goal of devouring the universe, shockwave defects to unicron along with other characters, joining his evil army before finally being defeated by jetfire

[@eugeniamonerratpinzonbalam3451]

That fool Jetfire! His intellect and power can not be compared to SHOCKWAVE!!

[@YeldellGW]

Shockwave and Prowl were played up as logic rivals in one continuity though that’s about as far Shockwave rivalries that I’m aware of went.

[@benc.delacruz1813]

@@YeldellGW Ooh, I like that idea.

[@LordProteus]

A big part of Shockwave's popularity was due to how unbelievably god-damn cool he looked. That alone helped him endure despite diminishing roles in mainstream media, and I'm thankful for that, because he tends to be one of the best characters in whatever series he is in and still looks god-damn cool to this day.

[@B.Piercesports]

And what he did in the comics was legendary

[@luigiboi4244]

Probably also helps that he looks like a Dalek on steroids.

[@concept5631]

Bayverse Shockwave looks fucking cool as well. Pity he only served as cannonfodder for Bay Prime.

[@plantsoup6456]

I suddenly realized it actually makes a lot of sense for Shockwave to be Megatron’s rival, since they both turn into guns.

[@SoulSlugArts]

Bringing gun to a gun fight

[@alvarogarcia4735]

It's only... logical.

[@roguespartan2854]

Why have 1 when you could go Akimbo?

[@SRobot08]

It’s more surprising as now they both turn into tanks or jets

[@battleupsaber462]

i love that both Animated and IDW each had a plot twist that revealed that another character was secretly Shockwave the entire time (with IDW even doing it twice), and every time it was done it managed to catch the entire fandom off-guard

[@Cdr2002]

Mostly because the second time IDW did it, it came completely out of left field and made no sense

[@SirBroccolingtonIII]

@@Cdr2002 It wasn't a _complete_ ass-pull, but it definitely could've been handled better.

[@Cdr2002]

@@SirBroccolingtonIII to me it absolutely was. Once we get into “Shockwave created Cybertronian society through time travel” I’m kinda done being able to take a storyline seriously

[@SirBroccolingtonIII]

@@Cdr2002 It was certainly ridiculous and convoluted, but something being an ass-pull or not isn't subjective. It simply wasn't.

[@Cdr2002]

@@SirBroccolingtonIII and I have to adhere to your specific standards why? I thought it came from nowhere, I don’t need to fit your pretentious film school kid rubric

[@robfranklin6412]

Would like to see a series of Basics episodes that spotlight the voice actors who worked on the various animated series.

[@sirdroolsalot12]

I second that.

[@spideyawesome6498]

Yes, please.

[@ericdunn360]

Good idea

[@rashakor]

It’s an excellent idea. But Chris Mcfeely may worry that the non english speakers transformer’s fans may not care much about such a series. It may reduce the potential audience.

[@jovandjukic7940]

I second that as well.

[@sivanlevi3867]

I love the Aligned version of Shockwave, especially his role as a scientist. In fact, Rise of the Dark Spark has him drop a line "I do not believe, Starscream, I hypothesize."

[@kattphud]

I like how the brief scene of Bruticus wielding Shockwave in his weapon mode led to his Combiner Wars toy being scaled perfectly for a combiner to wield.

[@ReaverPrime]

I loved TF Prime's version. He fit so well with how that series was set up. The only thing that was off about him was his voice. Cory Burton could have elevated that version of the character even higher.

[@rustkarl]

I respectfully disagree. The voice perfectly suited his ‘logical’ disposition. That his lack of emotive emphasis in his speech showed the mechanical indifference of logic that runs behind that red eye. And it means so much more on the occasion that he lets it slip just that little bit. Like when he threatened to gouge out Starscream’s eye or witnessing Unicron reanimate a colossal graveyard of predacon fossils.

[@kade-qt1zu]

@@rustkarl As great of an actor Corey Butron is, I can't recall ever feeling terrified by any of his versions of Shockwave. David Sobolov's shockwave is unironically extremely intimidating, which combined with his design makes him my favorite incarnation of Shockwave.

[@HellCat86]

Shockwave is my favourite Decepticon and it was the original episode that locked me in for The Basics, so have a fiver for 5 years (Has to be more useful than crappy jokes I make on Twitter).

[@ChrisMcFeely]

Thanks for the support, Hellcat! 😁

[@shadowscribe]

I like the so logical he's only with the cons out of expediency, but love the mad scientist angle. Late G1 is filled with concept toys they only made a few of then never again and someone tinkering in a lab for war efforts or just because fills that sublimely.

[@ademitchell2251]

I remember my parents getting me the grey Galactic Man toy as a holiday present from Blackpool, back in 84 when I was nine and then months later, seeing Shockwave in all of his purple Decepticon glory for the first time in the UK comic. Confusing times for a wee lad back in the 80s.

[@battleupsaber462]

I believe the entire reason Shockwave couldn't be sold in the UK back in the day was because of the Galactic Man toy. Which is unfortunate, given how heavily he was featured in the UK comic.

[@That_Guy-]

@@battleupsaber462 we got screwed when it came to transformers releases here in the UK

[@horrorhorse8909]

@@That_Guy- We are still being screwed. Damn you hasbro and your exclusives

[@javiersantanaaviles5885]

Honestly, I´m still asking what was IDW thinking when they resurrected Shockwave as Onix Prime?, that was the moment IDW jumped the shark, it ruined everything Shockwave did in the end of Dark Cybertron

[@Selzor]

IDW is one to jump the shark and mess up all of their comics. Same with the TMNT comics everything past issue 100 is hot garbage.

[@dj__alien]

As a kid watching Transformers animated, I couldn’t believe it when Longarm was revealed to be Shockwave. It was such an interesting and different take for both characters. Not to mention, it was a completely new and terrifying idea of what could happen in the Transformers war; that being spies and espionage. TFA Longarm/Shockwave put a new spin on the phrase “more than meets the eye.”

[@TheDigitalApple]

This video is purely……….logical.

[@radwolf76]

My favorite part about the character is that Hasbro was not the only western company to import the original Astro Magnum toy, with that same mold being sold by Radio Shack in a grey color scheme called "Galactic Man" on the package but nicknamed "Shackwave" by the TF fandom. It was the Shackwave version of the toy that ended up being set dressing for the colony lab in the film Aliens.

[@JunniferLuzeytonz]

3:25 Soundwave: do you see me laughing my guy !?

[@Depthcharge2030]

IDW Shockwave really pulled the rug out from under us twice didn’t he?

[@MrThunderwing]

Chris, seeing you revisit Shockwave makes me think I'd really love to see you do a 'the basics' episode on all the characters (or the most high profile ones at any rate) that you couldn't get in toy form in the UK and the reasons why. Guys like Shockwave, the Constructicons, Swoop, Blaster, Perceptor, Omega Supreme, the Deluxe Insecticons, Gnaw and Fort Max. As a kid I was lucky enough to be able to pick up all 6 Constructicons after several European holidays and I found a Galactic Man toy in a local Tandy I painted purple and pretended was Shockwave, but I never knew why so many of these characters weren't available over here.

[@battleupsaber462]

I believe Shockwave and Omega Supreme's toys weren't released because their toy molds were already licensed by other companies prior. Shockwave by Radioshack, and Omega by Granstand Convertors. Swoop wasn't released due to fragility issues with that toy meaning it didn't pass UK safety standards. Have no clue why the others weren't though. According to the comic's editorial page, it was due to lack of retailer interest (which sounded like a weak excuse to me). I recall reading scans of the UK comic where fustrated kids would often write in to Grimlock's letters asking why those toys weren't available.

[@MrThunderwing]

@@battleupsaber462 Thanks for the reply. I was more-or-less aware of the Omega Supreme and Shockwave licensing issues from Tandy and Grandstand and heard mention of the Swoop fragility issue from bits and pieces I'd seen in various forums over the years. The lack of Constructicons over here always mystifies me though, especially as they we're the first combiner, so had that unique selling point, plus what self respecting kid doesn't love diggers and dumper trucks? Makes it even weirder when they eventually did make it to these shores in their yellow non-combining form for G2. I think (possibly) Fort Max might've prompted safety concerns too, just based purely on his size and whether if he toppled over on a small kid he might injure them.

[@theplasticboy3658]

I think in terms of character design, his 2007 adaptation of the movie's video game was by far the best. It stays true to the original design while giving him a more intimidating visage along with extra firepower and mobility. Plus triple shifters are just cool. Especially when one form is a Apache and the other is a cannon.

[@Gigas0101]

G1 Shockwave left a big impression on me as a kid, and Burton's voice for him is my sort of "default" when I read any of the comics.

[@dubstepphene82]

Shockwave is one of my favorite deceptions

[@alexdavison259]

To quote Orson Welles “The best robot is named Shockwave. He transforms into a large gun”

[@z-man1237]

It’s only *Logical* that shockwave gets an updated vid on him. Great job👍😎

[@DarkknightChris]

I remember there was a meme of Dreamwave Shockwave being behind everything. It funny in the later years of IDW that a good chunk of everything ended up being the cause of Shockwave

[@HGX2308]

I found the reason you updating an informative video about Shockwave you made to be...... logical

[@mattstyles2498]

I love my WFC Shockwave. That series has alot of the best ones

[@OfficialSHAClanEntertaiment]

hey Chris McFeely, hope you are feeling much better my brother and thanx for another Amazing video!

[@trapperjohn6089]

I wondered why blitzwing acted so intelligently in the dweller in the depths

[@originaluddite]

Not Dweller In The Depths (a great episode) but Five Faces Of Darkness. Agreed, Blitzwing never seemed that perceptive, and it would have been great for that role to have been Shockwave's swansong in the original series. Hey, after that maybe he slunk off into the bowels of Cybertron, had a hand in various secret and ancient things, and would almost certainly have known about the Trans-Organics from Dweller In The Depths. :)

[@DevilManthehero7786]

Amazing

[@FritzCopyCat]

I suspect that the modern interpretation of Shockwave has been influenced by Tarantulas (and maybe Rampage) of _Beast Wars_.

[@manoftheusajones5147]

I'm thinking of doing an Alternate Sequel Series to Beast Wars, to make the Religious Beast Machines Uncannon to the Original Transformers franchise and it's Predecessor.

[@miguelcabreracastro6968]

Im still in love with bayverse shockwave design. In all of his incarnations, it has such a unique design, the basics being the cyclop head, the arm cannon and the flat chest

[@sensoine]

I like him the most in transformers prime But love that he has a giant worm on the live action Him and soundwave are iconic

[@RichardGarza-zo9mo]

Back in the 80s. Radio Shack had a gray version of this toy. Then came the purple version of this toy called Shockwave. Shockwave appeared in the first season of Transformers G1. The last time we saw him was in Transformers the movie. Corey Burton did a great job on the voice.

[@jamesonstalanthasyu]

Heh, that shockwave that was just his gun turned upside down mimicked what I did with transformers that didn't have a vehicle mode. I would transform them partially and try different twists to make a vehicle or ship.

[@sdm47]

I’d like to see kind of a middle ground between the 2 profiles Shockwave tries to take over at first but the fact that Megatron just keeps coming back again and again and again convinces him that betraying this guy just isn’t as logical as it used to be.

[@Dragon66898]

My brother and I favorite Shockwave scene is this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKvVnKBpj9-ga8U This is so mostly because he acting out of emotions mostly anger/rage and wanted to do something that would make him feel some form of joy from hurting Starscream.

[@tomipcfto]

The G1 cartoon did the character an injustice. So much potential to work with and they wasted him on being weaker than Starscream (Revenge of Bruticus). Should’ve used him as like the Combaticons’ leader or part time 6th member.

[@Dissection39]

My favourite Decepticon. Cool like Soundwave, but not blindly loyal. He has a greater schemes at work and I love it.

[@slimshadyfan4486]

Bro animated shockwave is the best, best design. Best personality. I like he looks like the description of the wendigo legend

[@orkzisdabest69420]

shockwave and soundwave have always been some of my favorites. honestly I think the reason why I prefer most decepticons over the autobots is because the decepticons are distinct, and have backgrounds and depth, meanwhile most autobots are flat and 1 dimensional.

[@ghostmask1069]

Shockwave my favourite decepticon

[@toeimoviefan2978]

8:52 Ushiwakamaru, the male feudal Japanese warrior is a descendant of Ushijima Wakatoshi who possessed size-changing powers that allowed him to alter his appearance and pose as an human named Ushijima Wakatoshi

[@richemmerson1939]

Needs to call out the death of Shockwave in the UK comics during the Legacy of Unicron, a classic issue and a strangely visceral one with his final moments having his extracted brain chip being crushed in the mind-controlled DH's hand with a CRIK! sound effect!

[@starforcenetwork]

I was literally just watching the old version yesterday lol

[@videogollumer]

His Cybertronian form in the Aligned continuity toy is also a spacecraft that resembles a gun form. Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the word "gunship". lol

[@joshuadabbs1380]

My favorite Decepticon! Love his Marvel and IDW portrayal.

[@kylejohnson525]

love your videos Chris

[@MutantsInDisguise]

The Shockwave from the IDW comics is my favourite; he was just a purple Darth Sidious in that universe.

[@BLADESTER128]

The cold calculating scientist Shockwave will always be the best archtype for him, however looking at Energons Shockblast they could have both of them in one series where Shockblast is actually a clone of Shockwave that he created to try and test out new augmentations that would make himself more powerful but without potentially damaging himself and thus by doing so it makes Shockblast the bloodthirsty monster he is

[@agavinshayt2399]

Legacy shockwace be like : it is illogical you didnt add me who clearly has been release in some place

[@ДониТрэк]

The release turned out very well! Well done! Too bad you didn't mention his PS2 version of Call of the Future, but he started the game's story.

[@joelchristensen9503]

Cory burton used shockwaves voice on the Focus on the family radio series Adventures in Odyssey. A loyal butler to a wealthy theatre owner.

[@francisfalgui9292]

I think Shockwave works best as a rival for Megatron, who is driven by logic and protect Cybertron. Also, I think his Cyberverse version contradicted earlier versions by actively corrupting the Allspark, which could kill Cybertron.

[@lynnusuk2092]

Not just kill Cybertron it’s also the database for the consciousness of every Cybertronian that died in some continuity. It was not a stretch to say he’d have erased everyone of his own kind and evidence they even existed

[@wildwind413]

While the end of this video is cool, it doesn’t give me the chills as saying “it’s only logical” while Prime Shockwave walks into the camera, with his giant red eye taking up the entire frame.

[@jonpower9728]

Shockwave is best in the Galaxy, Man!

[@CyberKnightMiky]

The og Budiansky version sounds more appealing to me (while I do like the loyal servent idea of him, I like the comic one more) does give me an idea of a next project I'm planning. It's always great to see these basics how it was from start to now.

[@GodzillaB210]

Awesome video. Next to the Dinobots, Shockwave is a old favorite.

[@soundblaster1987reviews]

One thing McFeely forgot to mention in both this and the original Shockwave video is that the name was also used for the Takara release of Armada Tidal Wave.

[@harrietr.5073]

I first met Shockwave on the TV screen thanks to DVD, I always thought it was an interesting Decepticon, as a peak into Cybertron life.

[@falconwind00]

Wow. Apparently my fanfic where Shockwave allies with the Autobots after Unicron’s attack was almost canon!

[@soundblaster1987reviews]

I think the Studio Series 86 line needs to release Siege Shockwave in lighter, more cartoon accurate colours at voyager scale, removing both the battle damage paint apps and the excess armour pieces.

[@SnakeRoadComicsOfficial3677]

Don't forget that during the Power of The Prime toyline, he was on the polls for who would be the next prime. And while I'm glad Primal won, I am curious of what would've happened if Shockwave won. Cause ngl Shockwave as an official prime matrix and all would make an excellent story and toy.

[@fasinfata]

I didn't put much attention on Shockwave when I used to watch the G1 cartoon as a kid, but around twenty years later, when I found out how cool he was in the Marvel and early IDW comics he become my favourite. However, I despise the tendency to draw emotions in his eyes: the main feature of his character is that he has no emotions!

[@paulybassman7311]

7:43 Jet Mode based on mig 31 Firefox (the Clint Eastwood one) Awesome videos, many thanks😁

[@nicwhite8206]

Nitro Zeus is a show boating fan of shockwave but he seems to respect him like a brother.

[@_ceferi]

Where-Here??!!

[@nicwhite8206]

@@_ceferi just saying

[@_ceferi]

​@@nicwhite8206 Who??!!

[@nicwhite8206]

Shockwave and nitro zeus

[@_ceferi]

@@nicwhite8206 OK

[@Gaia_BentosZX5]

The advantage of having a spacecraft altmode is that the WFC toy is the closest we'll get to his original gun altmode. All you have to do is use the arms as handles.

[@quincyrandall8946]

Shockwave is my favorite character as a twisted evil scientist.

[@JeeJeeBeats]

Wow...that AstroMagnum seemed beautiful.

[@silversnoops568]

his idw backstory honestly made me tear up 😭

[@thomasrdiehl]

The Marvel comic likelyposed major issues for the cartoon makers who did not have as much liberty in using Marvel properties. After all, Shockwave did not just land anywhere on Earth, but in the savage land, a lost world jungle located in antarctica that plays a prominent role in several Marvel comics and is comonly visited by the X-Men. That is also why the Dinobots were given dinosaurs as alt-modes in the comics, something the show likewise ignored.

[@orionpaxproductions2702]

THE BASICS ON IMPACTOR

[@qualia8047]

This is great i really enjoy the Update. Nice Video all in all.

[@e.d.h.kendrick673]

For the back story of Transformers Animated, I have no idea. Though I already knew he was a spy!

[@angelomendoza1174]

I still have my WFC Siege Shockwave with his cool C.O.M.B.A.T Armor spaceship mode, my favorite alt mode! I customized it with Battle Masters Aimless and Blowpipe as giant gun turrets connected at the front on each side of his Fusion cannon, which gives him the impression of a space dreadnought-type battleship with extra firepower!!!

[@p.royneranchiaumana5816]

Sorry Chris - I didn't hear you mention about the version of Shockwave that was released by Radio Shack, the well-known Galactic Man, which was also re-released by Hasbro in the vein of SIEGE...almost identical to the Astromagnum. Greetings from Costa Rica.

[@fulcrumusprime5782]

Not only did shockwave appear in the transformers 2007 video game as a boss he also appeared in the psp version of the 2007 movie with him being similar to his g1 marvel comics counterpart and tried to extract a code from megatrons body to reactivate an army of decepticon drones that came to earth alongside megatron and later reactivate megatron to keep the drones online and search for the cube. but after megatron along with the satellite controlling the drones were destroyed by autobots he fled to cybertron along with starscream and the game would end with the two fighting over leadership of the decepticons

[@Chase-hr1ey]

I think TF prime did shockwave perfectly. Still sort of mad scientist but also be long a very formidable warrior with I think the best vehicle mode

[@joshoshea3194]

The original animated Shockwaves sheer loyalty, like Soundwave is a very strong character attribute. I dare say even stronger than many of the more hot headed Autobots who'll turn on their brethren in the blink of an eye without giving much thought to their actions, where as Shockwave is logical and calculated. Decepticons that could've been Autobots part 1: Shockwave, Soundwave, Laser Beak, Ravage, Thundercracker, Cyclonus & Motormaster. Autobots that could've been Decepticons part 1: Cliff Jumper, Braun all of the Aerialbots (with the exception of Silverbolt). Anyone disagree or can think of anymore?

[@VTOLxEmpire99]

Both my two favorite transformers both have wave in there name 1.Shockwave 2.Soundwave 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@caseyp8173]

My favorite version of Shockwave is his live-action movie version, the Transformers Prime continuity, and in Cyberverse as well as in video games. 👍

[@darrenheideman2546]

An outstanding update.

[@ramsesaguilar3741]

I’ve always thought of Shockwave’s loyalty right in the middle of Soundwave and Starscream. Loyal to Megatron but ready to take over of the Decepticons

[@lewisaino]

He knows when to strike

[@RD-L1]

Este tipo es un genio, aguanten los Transformers!

[@legendarywarrior97238]

When you're doing update vids , it's meant old ones will be gone?

[@ChrisMcFeely]

No, they'll still remain up! Don't want to meddle with the episode count.

[@Laserbeak316]

I found your decision to update your informational video on Shockwave to be… logical.

[@travisboetjer9674]

Please update the soundwave video, he has had so many new appearances in the franchise

[@milanmilan2]

Really great job on this one!

[@zuttoaragi8349]

I like the design of Shockblast most, personally, even if I'm not a fan of his portrayal. As far as portrayal goes, I like the Aligned version most. And I utterly DESPISE his IDW version for what it did to the Transformers lore. Even more than Chromedome and Star Saber, IDW Shockwave underpins pretty much all of my issues with that series.

[@markmorales7958]

Hey Chris. If we ever get a trailer of the next live action TF movie “Rise of the Beasts”, you think you can do a Basics video on the the Live action Transformers Movies to celebrate the upcoming film? Example: All 5 Bay-verse films & Bumblebee.

[@MsCreepyChan]

Remember: "There's Doctor Mengela's warcrimes and then there's Shockwave's warcrimes!"

[@tylerprime3547]

8:15 interesting fact for anyone who didn’t play the multiplayer shockwave has no alt mode

[@danielbrant6740]

Now that I think about it, IDW 1.0 Shockwave and his Project Regenesis ores were his attempt to create his own Infinity Gems/Stones. If _that_ is not an impressive feat, then I don't know what is.

[@DinoLoverGaming]

you forgot about his cameo in the live action Bumblebee movie

[@chrisharknessdcfan]

The spotlight story with shockwave is cool because the dinobots are in it

[@MineKurtMininer]

I prefer Shockblast over Shockwave, at least that way Soundwave is the only General with wave in his name

[@omegastudios-ov1xd]

Imagine if the guy who was the high evolutionary played Shockwave

[@jacksonwyatt4512]

Has he done a “The Basics of Skywarp” video yet? Would like to know more about one of my favorite Decepticon Jets.

[@KardboardKenny]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGatpXZqq6-hnLc

[@ricosauve5]

I much preferred shockwave in those early comics. I had some of those. Good times