History TheStarscream / Transformers

* Creator/{{Skybound}}'s ''Energon Universe'' features a ''drastically'' different spin on the typical Starscream dynamics in the first few issues of it's 2023 ''Transformers'' titles. This time, the BigBad of the story isn't Megatron, but rather ''Starscream himself''. This is because Megatron was pretty much gone from the picture for much of the early storyline, leaving Starscream to take the position for himself unopposed until Soundwave gets sick of his antics and claims leadership from him in a battle to the death. However, there is one thing to consider going into this; unlike past incarnations of Starscream, who could at least fake an affable front, Skybound's version of the treacherous Seeker is unrepentantly cruel and bloodthirsty, often being cruel for the sake of cruelty and openly spiting Optimus for protecting weaker beings. Additionally, he has no regard for ending the war practically, with this and his earlier traits resulting in the aforementioned leadership deathmatch. This also adds another curveball to the typical Starscream fare, as unlike most Decepticon leadership usurpations, Soundwave actually succeeds in dethroning Starscream as the faction's leader.

** In "Triple Takeover", Blitzwing and Astrotrain have Starscream lead Megatron into a trap so supposedly all three can take command of the Decepticons. However, [[OutGambit the two Triple Changers opt to get rid of them both by betraying Starscream as well]]. They then start their own dominion with various degrees of success. [[StatusQuoIsGod Of course Megatron escapes from the trap]] and is none too happy with the three, reasserting his command by kicking their collective asses and coming out as the last bot standing in a huge Decepticon [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership brawl for dominance]].

* In TheMovie, Megs-reconfigured into-Galvatron actually kills Starscream, only to find himself as The Starscream to Unicron, with no better success than the original--less in fact, because Unicron is now the source of his power.

* Tarantulas took the role of enigmatic traitor towards the end of Season 1, when he began operating his own agenda. The character is ''very'' mysterious, much more sinister and ambitious, with his plans and origins being infamously ShroudedInMyth on a meta-level. Megatron kept him around because Tartantulas was an extremely intelligent MadScientist who often provided invaluable aid, and while he was treacherous and deceitful, Tarantulas never attempted to kill Megatron or usurp control of the Predacons from him -- he just tended to go off and do his own thing, not caring if Megatron was upset with him. Appropriately, the one time he ''does'' try to kill Megatron near the end of the series, all it does is make Megatron [[CameBackStrong Come Back Strong]] and set Tarantulas on fire with [[OurDragonsAreDifferent his new Beast Mode]].

* Rhinox was once forcibly turned into a Predacon. Like all good Predacons, he immediately starting plotting a takeover. Unfortunately for Megatron, Rhinox retained his intelligence meaning he was ''very'' good at it. Megatron only survives because Rhinox gets too caught up in EvilGloating (another Predacon trait) to finish the job, allowing Megatron to turn him back into a Maximal. Optimus realizes all of this will happen and waits until it does before launching his attack that allows him to retrieve Rhinox now that he's taken care of the Predacons for him.
* Rampage never was loyal to Megatron and was only kept obedient because Megatron had [[ExplosiveLeash half his spark to torture at the press of a button]]. Despite this, the crab would often just abandon his objective on missions to do his own thing, that is, vendetta against Depth Charge. It finally cost Megatron when Rampage snuck off to duel his enemy one last time, and upon his death [[DisasterDominoes Dinobot II's spark was freed from his influence, allowing his memories to resurface and cause him to oppose Megatron, losing him the war]].

* Thunderblast of ''Anime/TransformersCybertron'' ironically betrayed ''Starscream'' to defect to Megatron, finding him hunkier. Due to her self preserving streak, she repeatedly considers defecting back and forth whenever either starts gaining the upper hand.

* In an interesting inversion of the 1986 movie, in IDW's "Dead Universe Arc" (Spotlight: Galvatron, parts of Devastation and all of Revelation) the Starscream to Nova Prime/Nemesis Prime is a version of Galvatron who had more success than his original animated counterpart; that said Galvatron turning on him was a fault of the Darkness messing with him, when Galvatron and Nova Prime don't have the Heart of Darkness messing with them, and they really have a type 1 VillainousFriendship.

* ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMonstrosity'' has Scorponok take this role. Of course [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim instead of killing Megatron]] he [[BondVillainStupidity exiles him]] to [[DeathWorld Junkion]] in an attempt to make himself seem more fearsome. [[SavedByCanon Of course Megatron survives]] and feeds Scorponok to the Terrorcons for it. When Scorponok was next seen chronologically, he'd quit the Decepticons altogether and was off conning other species to build new weapons for him, at which point he'd promptly destroy them.

* In ''[[VideoGame/TransformersDecepticons Transformers: Decepticons]]'', Starscream is surprisingly successful; he takes the player in as a protege to defeat Megatron and is more of a threat to the rest of the Decepticons than the Autobots. Although he failed in preventing Megatron's revival, he did manage to kill Bumblebee, Barricade, Blackout(and presumably Brawl) and take control of the Allspark. Megatron finally took him out in the final boss battle..This also made him the last surviving Transformer, as he killed the player afterward.

* Starscream himself has a Starscream in the tie-in prequel novel ''The Ghost Of Yesterday'' in the form of Blackout who leads an attack on the Autobots against his leader's orders, and later challenges [[ChallengingTheChief Screamer for leadership.]]. Surprising Starscream manages to win the duel. Unlike other examples however, Blackout does not want the new leader, he instead has UndyingLoyalty to Megatron and can't stand anyone else leading the Decepticons. Barricade from the same novel is also revealed to harbor a grudge against Starscream but unlike Blackout is smart enough to not take any direct action against him.

* Creator/{{Skybound}}'s ''Energon Universe'' features a ''drastically'' different spin on the typical Starscream dynamics in the first few issues of it's 2023 ''Transformers'' titles. This time, the BigBad of the story isn't Megatron, but rather ''Starscream himself''. This is because Megatron was pretty much gone from the picture for much of the early storyline, leaving Starscream to take the position for himself unopposed until Soundwave gets sick of his antics and claims leadership from him in a battle to the death. However, there is one thing to consider going into this; unlike past incarnations of Starscream, who could at least fake an affable front, Skybound's version of the treacherous Seeker is unrepentantly cruel and bloodthirsty, often being cruel for the sake of cruelty and openly spiting Optimus for protecting weaker beings. Additionally, he has no regards for ending the war practically, with this and his earlier traits resulting in the aforementioned leadership deathmatch.

* Dinobot played a heroic version of the trope. He joined the Maximals only after an unsuccessful attempt to take over, but whenever Optimus was injured or unable to lead, Dinobot would be quick to try and assume command. That said, he would back down if Optimus would declare Rattrap in charge or if Rhinox makes a sufficiently compelling argument in the form of [[NeckLift grabbing him by the throat]] and telling him [[TranquilFury that he's in a bad mood]].

* While not a very enthusiastic member of the 'Cons to begin with, Airachnid took on this role after Starscream left. When Megatron was acting so irrationally even the generic troops were getting antsy she stepped in as a leader, though [[CurbStompBattle Soundwave effortlessly shut down her power play]]. After this, Megatron decides it's time to cut losses and [[ShootTheDangerousMinion orders Airachnid's termination]], though she escapes [[spoiler:and kills Breakdown]] in the process. She then decides to go full-rogue and kill Megatron with an [[EliteMook Insecticon]], and then expands that to killing both the Autobots and Decepticons with an entire ''hive'' of Insecticons after that plan is foiled.

** Eventually after barely surviving alone several times, Starscream decides he needs a faction to belong to and would make a compromise to have a supreme commander above him if it means he has a comfortable high position and at the same time avoid dealing with [[TheChainsOfCommanding things out of his depth]]. He gathers some invaluable relics and uses them to buy his way back to the Decepticons. While he initially appears content to just be back, no questions asked, he later makes clear he would settle for nothing less than second-in-command. Fortunately for him, Megatron has weighed the advantages and disadvantages of having Starscream or Dreadwing as his second-in-command (Starscream is cowardly and [[WildCard unpredictable]] [[CorneredRattlesnake when pressed]], but ruthless and opportunistic, so he'll stick by Megatron's side as long as he receives enough privileges, whereas Dreadwing is a loyal and competent soldier, but his [[NobleDemon sense of honor]] would inevitably cause him to betray Megatron) and ruled out in Starscream's favor once Starscream shows he's smartened up not to try to usurp Megatron because he'd bite off more than he can chew. He appears loyal, which didn't prevent fans from suspecting it all of being a ruse. In "Deadlock", his rage upon seeing [[spoiler: Bumblebee kill Megatron indicates that his new loyalty was genuine after all]].

** Megatron seems to have avoided at this at first when he appointed [[NobleDemon Dreadwing]] as his second-in-command after above instances with Starscream and Airachnid as he stays fiercely loyal to Megatron for most of the second season. However [[spoiler:when he learns from above-mentioned Cortical Psychic Patch that Screamer revived his brother Skyquake as a [[OurZombiesAreDifferent Terrorcon]], he betrays Megatron in a different manner: By giving the Forge of Solus Prime to the Autobots when they need it the most, and then partake in a suicidal mission to kill Starscream.]]

''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' puts another twist on the character, putting him on a [[CharacterDevelopment journey]] from the usual treacherous usurper, to a rogue, to a second-in-command who has made a compromise between the security of his high position and [[TheChainsOfCommanding not having to deal with]] situations where he's out of his depth. To the end, however, Starscream still retains his ambition and would seize power the moment an opportunity arises; he just won't resort to any treachery to that end because he learned the price of failure.
* At the beginning, Starscream ''wants'' to be in command and often IS in command while Megatron goes off on his own. He tends to lack Megatron's grand vision of restoring Cybertron, being more content with just stomping out Autobot resistance. While he enjoys power, he does little to actively take over, and would rather wait for opportunities to present themselves. Mostly he assists Megatron and warns him against dangerous risks, but it's as much out of fear or to maintain a loyal front as it is out of concern for his leader.
* When the opportunity arises, Starscream leaves Megatron for dead and then would make an effort to keep him dead so he can seize leadership and hold on to it. It is at this point that he slowly begins to realize that he doesn't have what it takes, since either he can't keep his soldiers in line, isn't competent enough to fight the Autobots beyond day-to-day plans, and has to deal with loyal ''and'' competent followers of Megatron, such as Soundwave or Skyquake.
* After Megatron's revitalization, Starscream accepts his position and is nominally loyal, although he still tries to secure deals behind Megatron's back with anyone (like Breakdown) who feels abandoned or betrayed. He makes another attempt to betray Megatron in "Shadowzone", trying to use Dark Energon to resurrect Skyquake as his servant, but it fails.
* In "Rock Bottom", Megatron decides he's had enough of Starscream and chooses to kill him. He explains to Starscream that, thanks to Soundwave, Megatron was always being kept aware of his second-in-command's daily schedule of treachery. That said, Megatron says he looked the other way all this time because he took pleasure in seeing Starscream continually humiliate himself. But now, Screamer's become predictable in Megs' eyes, so he isn't even useful as a chew toy anymore, and is thus screwed. That said, despite saying all this, Megatron admonishes Starscream for abandoning him when the Autobots attack him. When given the chance to leave Megatron for dead ''again'' however, thanks to the Decepticon leader being caught in a cave-in, Starscream chooses not to take it. [[note]]He reasons that the cave-in ''wouldn't'' be the end of Megatron (and given how Megatron survived the Space Bridge explosion, it's not hard to see why he'd think this). Starscream thinks that if that were the case, abandoning Megatron at this juncture would be a one-way ticket to another bludgeoning, thinking that Megatron would blame him for that. Additionally, Starscream also remembers that Megatron has soldiers who are genuinely loyal to him (like Soundwave), and thus, Megatron would be rescued anyway, so Starscream decides to do it to get back into Megs' good graces for the time being. [[/note]] At the end of the episode, true to form, when on the brink of death and found by Megatron, Starscream begs him for mercy. As the following episode shows, Megatron did so. Given the sadistic smirk he gives upon seeing Starscream in a rut, the reason why he did so is all too clear. Apparently, Starscream's also good at squeezing comedy out of himself for Megatron when the situation calls for it. However, Megatron demotes Starscream, placing Airachnid as his first lieutenant, which gets on Starscream's nerves. That, combined with Airachnid herself abandoning Starscream on a mission, finally makes Starscream leave the Decepticons.
* While he is a DirtyCoward who would rat his former team out, Starscream can't keep his big mouth shut [[note]]Way to let slip that you killed Cliffjumper to his partner Arcee, Screamer... [[/note]] and ends up a rogue, unwanted by either side. Without an army at his back to clean up his messes, he spends a fair amount of time trying to squeeze deals out of every faction (including Airachnid, who has become a more successful example of TheStarscream than him). It's enough to severely hinder his opponents at times and make him a valuable KnowledgeBroker, but not enough for him to amass the power base necessary to conquer Cybertron by himself and rule supreme.
* At one point, Starscream discovers several inactive protoforms in an abandoned Cybertronian ship and uses them to create [[CloneByConversion clones of himself]] with the intent of carrying out an assassination mission on Megatron. Unfortunately for him, several outside factors result in the mission going tits up and all but one of the clones getting brutally killed ([[{{Synchronization}} and he feels every bit of agony from their deaths]]). When the last one returns, it turns out said clone bought his life from Megatron by taking his offer to [[KillAndReplace kill the original Screamer and being welcomed into the Decepticon ranks]]. Starscream, having likely suspected this, preemptives the clone's assassination and kills him himself despite the pain, harvesting the clone's T-Cog [[ShapeshifterModeLock to replace the one he himself had lost due to another failed scheme]].
* Eventually after barely surviving alone several times, Starscream decides he needs a faction to belong to and would make a compromise to have a supreme commander above him if it means he has a comfortable high position and at the same time avoid dealing with [[TheChainsOfCommanding things out of his depth]]. He gathers some invaluable relics and uses them to buy his way back to the Decepticons. While he initially appears content to just be back, no questions asked, he later makes clear he would settle for nothing less than second-in-command. Fortunately for him, Megatron has weighed the advantages and disadvantages of having Starscream or Dreadwing as his second-in-command (Starscream is cowardly and [[WildCard unpredictable]] [[CorneredRattlesnake when pressed]], but ruthless and opportunistic, so he'll stick by Megatron's side as long as he receives enough privileges, whereas Dreadwing is a loyal and competent soldier, but his [[NobleDemon sense of honor]] would inevitably cause him to betray Megatron) and ruled out in Starscream's favor once Starscream shows he's smartened up not to try to usurp Megatron because he'd bite off more than he can chew. He appears loyal, which didn't prevent fans from suspecting it all of being a ruse. In "Deadlock", his rage upon seeing [[spoiler: Bumblebee kill Megatron indicates that his new loyalty was genuine after all]].
* Starscream's loyalty, however, is revealed to only extend to Megatron's position, but not his person, or ideology. When Megatron abdicates and declares the Decepticons disbanded, Starscream [[AntiMutiny refuses to recognize that]] and [[DragonAscendant immediately claims leadership]], because he enjoys being a warlord.
* Starscream did utter the line "Even if it pains me, I do try to be team player" in a flashback.
* Credit should also go to Megatron for doing a [[JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind Cortical Psychic Patch]] on Starscream ''before'' allowing him to rejoin the Decepticons.

* Megatron seems to have avoided at this at first when he appointed [[NobleDemon Dreadwing]] as his second-in-command after above instances with Starscream and Airachnid as he stays fiercely loyal to Megatron for most of the second season. However [[spoiler:when he learns from above-mentioned Cortical Psychic Patch that Screamer revived his brother Skyquake as a [[OurZombiesAreDifferent Terrorcon]], he betrays Megatron in a different manner: By giving the Forge of Solus Prime to the Autobots when they need it the most, and then partake in a suicidal mission to kill Starscream.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' puts another twist on the character, putting him on a [[CharacterDevelopment journey]] from the usual treacherous usurper, to a rogue, to a second-in-command who has made a compromise between the security of his high position and [[TheChainsOfCommanding not having to deal with]] situations where he's out of his depth. To the end, however, Starscream still retains his ambition and would seize power the moment an opportunity arises, he just won't resort to any treachery to that end because he learned the price of failure.

* While he is a DirtyCoward who would rat his former team out, Starscream can't keep his big mouth shut and ends up a rogue, unwanted by either side. Without an army at his back to clean up his messes, he spends a fair amount of time trying to squeeze deals out of every faction (including Airachnid, who has become a more successful example of TheStarscream than him). It's enough to severely hinder his opponents at times and make him a valuable KnowledgeBroker, but not enough for him to amass the power base necessary to conquer Cybertron by himself and rule supreme.

* In "Rock Bottom", Megatron decides he's had enough of Starscream and chooses to kill him. He explains to Starscream that, thanks to Soundwave, Megatron was always being kept aware of his second-in-command's daily schedule of treachery. That said, Megatron says he looked the other way all this time because he took pleasure in seeing Starscream continually humiliate himself. But now, Screamer's become predictable in Megs' eyes, so he isn't even useful as a chew toy anymore, and is thus screwed. That said, despite saying all this, Megatron admonishes Starscream for abandoning him when the Autobots attack him. When given the chance to leave Megatron for dead ''again'' however, thanks to the Decepticon leader being caught in a cave-in, Starscream chooses not to take it. [[note]]He reasons that the cave-in ''wouldn't'' be the end of Megatron (and given how Megatron survived the Space Bridge explosion, it's not hard to see why he'd think this). Starscream thinks that if that were the case, abandoning Megatron at this juncture would be a one-way ticket to another bludgeoning, thinking that Megatron would blame him for that. Additionally, Starscream also remembers that Megatron has soldiers who are genuinely loyal to him (like Soundwave), and thus, Megatron would be rescued anyway, so Starscream decides to do it to get back into Megs' good graces for the time being. [[/note]] However, he demotes him, placing Airachnid as his first lieutenant, which gets on Starscream's nerves and he leaves.

--> '''Megatron''': ''(watching a live feed of Blackarachnia) ''Spiders spin their webs, yeees... But I spin them larger. ''(camera reveals Tarantulas' probe spying on him)''

* After Megatron's revitalization, Starscream accepts his position and is nominally loyal, although he still tries to secure deals behind Megatron's back with anyone (like Breakdown) who feels abandoned or betrayed. He makes another attempt to betray Megatron in "Shadowzone", trying to use Dark Energon to resurrect Skyquake as his servant, but it fails. In "Rock Bottom", Megatron decides he's had enough of Starscream and decides to kill him. He explains to Starscream that, thanks to Soundwave, Megatron was always being kept aware of his second-in-commands daily schedule of treachery. That said, Megatron says he looked the other way all this time because he took pleasure in seeing Starscream continually humiliate himself. However, he demotes him, placing Airachnid as his first lieutenant, which gets on Starscream's nerves and he leaves.

* At the beginning, Starscream ''wants'' to be in command and often IS in command while Megatron goes off on his own. He tends to lack Megatron's grand vision of restoring Cybertron, being more content with just stomping out Autobot resistance. While he enjoys power he does little to actively take over; he would rather wait for opportunities to present themselves. Mostly he assists Megatron and warns him against dangerous risks, but it's as much out of fear or to maintain a loyal front as it is out of concern for his leader.

* After Megatron's return, Starscream accepts his position and is nominally loyal, although he still tries to secure deals behind Megatron's back with anyone (like Breakdown) who feels abandoned or betrayed. Megatron, for his part, has realized that Starscream is far too valuable to lose, but demotes him, which gets on Starscream's nerves and he leaves.