Jolt (ROTF)

Jolt is an Autobot from the Revenge of the Fallen portion of the movie continuity family.

This is what I really look like, despite all evidence to the contrary!

Jolt has a tendency towards mischief-making. Like any prankster, he's pretty impulsive, and if trouble rears its head, you can bet Jolt is going to try to be in the middle of it. Of course, he more often ends behind it mostly out of focus, as luck would turn out. Luckily, he's got the fighting ability to make sure his head stays on his shoulders, utilizing electric whips in battle.

Jolt loves to cause trouble and act crazy in battle. Racing around in circles disorients and confuses Decepticons long enough to draw them in close so he can deliver a crippling blow with his electro-whips.^[1]

Fiction

Revenge of the Fallen film

"There I am! Behind those guys!"

Jolt was one of the Autobots who answered Optimus Prime's call to come to Earth in the two years since Megatron's death. When the Autobots mobilized in response to a sudden surge in Decepticon activity, Jolt rolled into action at the head of the pack, but he was not among the Autobot team who fended off a resurrected Megatron and Starscream after they killed Optimus in a forest brawl. Jolt reunited with the other Autobots before they headed back to the NEST base on Diego Garcia, but the team was scarcely given any time to mourn Prime's passing. As soon as they returned, they were accosted by military forces under the command of Theodore Galloway. The emotionally brittle Autobots did not take this show of force well and charged their weapons, with Jolt emitting bright sparks of electricity in anticipation of a fight. However, things soon calmed down as Galloway announced that NEST was being disbanded by presidential order.

"By your powers combined, I am... well, I'm nobody, actually."

Jolt later accompanied the Autobots and their human allies to Egypt, for a climactic battle against The Fallen's Decepticons. He stayed with Ratchet and Sideswipe and the main NEST force, firing electric blasts at the Decepticons as they held the line. During the course of the battle, Sam Witwicky used the Matrix of Leadership to bring Optimus Prime back to life, at which point the aged Jetfire volunteered to sacrifice himself so that Optimus could use his parts to give himself a power boost. Following Ratchet's directions, Jolt used his electric whips to link Prime up with Jetfire's remains, generating an electromagnetic field that levitated and bonded the necessary parts to Prime's body, giving him a powerful new flight-capable form which he then used to destroy The Fallen. Revenge of the Fallen

Titan movie comics

"Well screw you, Michael, I'm gonna go hang with Simon instead! He lets me have a go on the Playstation!"

Some time after the defeat of the Fallen, while the Autobots were still in the process of rounding up the Decepticons scattered across Earth, Jolt was part of a unit sent to Beverley Hills, Los Angeles, to apprehend Reverb. The Autobots attempted to subtly divert Reverb away from human traffic to minimize collateral damage, but the rambunctious Jolt jumped the gun and began pursuing the motorcycle Decepticon through the City of Angels. Tearing across pavements and parks with no regard for the humans in his way, Jolt attempted to stop Reverb with his electro-whips, but instead wound up striking a power pole and blowing every electrical system in the immediate vicinity. Thankfully, Reverb was captured by Bumblebee, but Jolt's carelessness landed the Autobots in a lot of trouble with Theodore Galloway. Optimus Prime stressed the importance of treading carefully to Jolt, who promised to be "the soul of discretion".

Unfortunately, two days later, discretion was nowhere to be seen when Jolt went hog-wild in the middle of Las Vegas, battling the martial artist Decepticon Bludgeon. With one of his electro-whips severed by the Bludgeon's sword, Jolt was sent crashing through a casino wall, but what stung more were the Decepticons' taunts that everything would have been fine if he had not been so overzealous and allowed him to leave the city before attacking. Bludgeon then turned his attention to the casino's patrons, but a repentant Jolt threw himself in the path of the blast meant for them. As Bludgeon loomed over him, preparing to strike with his sword, Jolt seized the blade and used his powers to channel the entire output of Las Vegas's electric grid straight into the skeletal samurai. Although Bludgeon was defeated by the monumental shock, the city was left blacked out by Jolt's stunt, and Optimus Prime was reluctantly forced to confine him to base. Jolt accepted his punishment, but as he walked back into headquarters, he overheard a transmission came through from a NEST squad in the field, announcing they were under Decepticon attack... and Jolt gritted his teeth for action... Culture Shock

No! I can't die! I have to audition for Dark of the Moon!

He later underwent further training alongside Dune Runner and Rollbar, and undertook a survival exercise in Death Valley, California. He noted to Dune Runner that Bumblebee had found a pretty horrible place to train. He followed Rollbar's lead to a deserted ghost town and happily used his powers to track down the recharge pack the Autobots had hidden there. However, he also found...Dead End! His left arm was torn off, and though he ordered Rollbar to focus on Dead End and not him, the monster Decepticon still tore through the other cadets. Realising they were running on empty, a desperate Jolt used every bit of power in the recharge pack to charge up an electro-whip and knock Dead End out before he could kill the others.

At Rollbar's urging, the cadets took the Decepticon back to Diego Garcia for medical treatment. Ratchet told Jolt and the others that this act of mercy showed they had what it takes to be real Autobots. Spare Parts!

Check out this acting! With all this practice, I'm bound to get a role in Dark of the Moon! ...right?

Following this, they spent some time under Springer, a famed veteran of whom they were in awe. He taught them always to do the unexpected. Jolt, to the shock of the other cadets, spoke up during training to say they'd done enough exercises and they'd like to have a go at real combat. Springer agreed, and Jolt blew off the other cadet's claims of Springer having a rep as a monster by noticing that he was just a true soldier. A few days later, in Texas, they got that combat op: Springer distracted Tankor while the cadets snuck round to free hostages. However, Jolt spotted Dirge coming in to get the drop on the commander and decided to leave his mission to get involved in the fight. Using his electro-whips, he redirected Tankor's fire into Dirge and saved the day! Springer was pissed that Jolt had disobeyed orders, but Jolt flippantly said that hey, he'd just been doing the unexpected, like he'd been taught. Rules of Engagement

Jolt and his crew would be called in to NEST Ops Vancouver to search for the missing Stratosphere; they knew he may have died, but Jolt said they had to look anyway. It turned out he was doing fine on his own and had just saved the day before they arrived, which was a bit embarrassing for Jolt. Head in the Clouds

IDW movie comics

Jolt's audition for Dark of the Moon

Jolt was part of an Autobot team sent to a ruined petrochemical plant in Florida to investigate the appearance of several unknown spark traces. However, before they could reach their goal, they were attacked by Soundwave. The ensuing battle didn't take long, as the Decepticon soon retreated, but it was enough of a distraction for Jolt and the others for the owners of the spark traces to get away. Nefarious #1

Later, back at the NEST base, Jolt was cited by Theodore Galloway as an example of Lennox not following protocols and alerting him to new recruits. It seemed Galloway, like most everyone else, never noticed Jolt had been around since before the rise of the Fallen. Nefarious #2

Jolt and his fellow cadets, Knock Out and Dune Runner, joined Bumblebee on a mission to transport the captured Soundwave to a secure location. They were shot down en route by Soundwave's minions. Jolt was thrown for a loop by Beastbox, and Bumblebee made the command decision to free Soundwave and let the Decepticons escape rather than risk further casualties after the recent death of Breakaway. Nefarious #3

Jolt was later part of the attack force sieging Carter Newell's mobile base at Crater Lake. His team was assaulted by a group of Cybertronians Newell had assumed control over using an artificial AllSpark. Nefarious #5 Cut off from Bumblebee, Jolt and the other cadets were given help by Sideswipe and the Twins, but came under non-physical attack when Carter Newell attempted to use a replica AllSpark to destroy all Transformer life on the planet. The Autobots ultimately triumphed. Nefarious #6

Jolt: Wait! Wait! Don't shoot! I have to star in Dark of the Moon!
Shockwave: I don't know who you are, but I don't want you in the same movie as me!

Jolt learned that Bumblebee was defending Sam Witwicky from a Decepticon attack all alone, and was eager to get out there to help him. To his disappointment, Optimus Prime instead ordered him, Knock Out and Dune Runner to remain on Diego Garcia and keep an eye on the captive Fearswoop along with a number of confused Autobot refugees liberated from Carter Newell's control. Rising Storm #2

Jolt took to guarding Fearswoop, but while he was making himself busy telling the prisoner off and reading comic books, the corpse of Knock Out suddenly crashed through a wall, courtesy of Shockwave. He prepared to take the intruder on with his electric whips, but Shockwave was unimpressed and shot him down. Rising Storm #3 Jolt desperately tried to contact Optimus Prime for help, but his message failed to get through and he was killed by Shockwave. Rising Storm #4 Shortly after his death, a grave was made for him. Dark of the Moon #1

Toy bios

Ready for a shock to your system?

When Jolt goes too long without expending his built-up electricity, he gains the ability to charge his body with static, shooting lightning everywhere. Spark Blast Jolt

Given his chaotic and carefree lifestyle, Jolt exists to enjoy life. His energetic sense of humor can keep things light on long missions, while his sharp mind can turn a prank into a punishing blow against the Decepticons without missing a beat. RPM Jolt

Jolt had trained more as a healer than as a warrior. When he found himself entrenched against a horde of advancing Decepticons in a desert battle, he decided that, with caution and luck, he might be able to take down Brawl. Desert Ruins Brawl

Jolt had no idea he would be facing off against a powerful hulk of a beast when he confronted Payload. But as long as he was there, he could not just back down. And considering Ratchet's by his side this time, the fight's almost even. Jolt's game plan should mess with the reckless Payload's headlong charges long enough for him to tame the bullheaded Decepticon with his stunning electro-whips, after which he and Ratchet could go in and take him down. Electrostatic Jolt

Jolt's commanding officers had spent years trying to teach him patience and discipline, though their lessons still have not caught on by the early 2010s. Dark of the Moon Deluxe Jolt

A troublemaker by nature, Jolt is not exactly the honor student amongst Autobots. Nevertheless, his tricks do sometimes save the day by deranging Decepticons on the front line. Movie Advanced Series Deluxe Jolt

Toys

Revenge of the Fallen

A toy proportionate to my screentime!

• Jolt (Legends Class, 2009)

• Known designers: Joe Kyde (Hasbro)

Part of the sixth wave of Revenge of the Fallen Legends Class figures, Jolt transforms into a blue Chevrolet Volt. Tiny whips are molded onto his arms, making him one of the few Legends toys to feature weaponry.

• More information on Legends Jolt at TFU.info

Beachcomber would approve of this alt-mode.

• Jolt (Deluxe Class, 2009)

• TakaraTomy ID number: RA-19
• Known designers: Alex Kubalsky (TakaraTomy)

Deluxe class Jolt transforms into a fully licensed blue Chevrolet Volt with translucent blue plastic windows. In robot mode, he has light blue "electro whips" in each arm which are deployed by turning a small knob on his wrist. His head features blue light-piping for his eyes, but there is a gray protrusion behind his head which completely prevents light passage. This protrusion also prevents his ball-jointed head from turning other than in the slightest of angles. Turning his waist activates his Mech Alive feature, which consists of moving gears inside his translucent upper chest (it is really hard to see). Jolt also has swiveling knees, but sadly, the kibble blocks it off just like the head.

During part of 2010, Hasbro did a promotion wherein US fans could receive three free Deluxes in exchange for receipts showing the purchase of $25 or more of select Transformers product. As noted in this thread over at Allspark.com, and later confirmed by this listing here, Jolt was one of a pool of eight figures (all from the same wave) from which the free Deluxes were drawn, with several people having noted receiving him.

• More information on Deluxe Jolt at TFU.info

Fast Action Battlers

A Volt named Electro Whip Jolt—three Laser Rods in one!

• Electro Whip Jolt (Fast Action Battler, 2009)

Electro Whip Jolt transforms into a slightly cartoonish Chevrolet Volt. Jolt's arms each contain a spring loaded "electro whip" that shoots out of them when a blue tab is depressed. Moving either of his arms up, then releasing it will cause it to swing back down, simulating a whipping motion.

• More information on Electro Whip Jolt at TFU.info

• Spark Blast Jolt (Fast Action Battler, 2010)

Now with more toys than frames in the film!

Spark Blast Jolt is a redeco of Electro Whip Jolt in mostly white with blue electricity deco on his doors. This is supposed to represent Jolt when he is in battle for a long time and charges with electricity.

This toy did not see mass retail release in the United States, but is confirmed to have come out in Europe (or at least Germany).

Transformers (2010)

He'll put a shock to your system sense of fashion.

• Desert Ruins Brawl (Walmart exclusive multi-pack, 2010)

Included in a Walmart exclusive multi-pack this strange version of Legends Class Jolt is done up in light gray and blue with bright green detailing, with some bright green flame decals on the sides and hood of the vehicle. He comes with an equally strange redeco of Deluxe Brawl. This set was later sold in the Family Dollar store chain, and spotted at Rossy stores in eastern Canada.

• More information on Desert Ruins Brawl Jolt at TFU.info

Now more electric than ever!

• Electrostatic Jolt (Deluxe Class, 2010)

• Known designers: Andrew Scribner (deco artist)

Electrostatic Jolt is a redeco of Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe-class Jolt with a blue roof and gold parts in robot mode. He also has an electricity pattern decoed on his doors similar to Spark Blast Jolt.

• More information on Electrostatic Jolt at TFU.info

Animated

• Jolt (EZ Collection, 2010)

• Release date: April 24 2010
• ID number: EZ-22

Yes, you read that correctly. The Legends-class Jolt was released under the Transformers Animated brand in Japan, as part of the first assortment of blind-packed "EZ Collection" toys, which was half-Animated, half-movie. This version of Jolt appears to be identical to the original Hasbro release.

Dark of the Moon

At long last, I can turn my head!

• Jolt (MechTech Deluxe Class, 2011)

• TakaraTomy ID number: DA14
• Accessories: MechTech Blaster/Hand Cannon
• Known designers: Eric Siebenaler (Hasbro)

Part of the second wave of Dark of the Moon Deluxe Class toys, this version of Jolt transforms into a black and grayish-blue Chevy Volt, featuring "Allspark blue"-colored decals, and with the black on the roof and hood being textured to resemble carbon-fiber panels. His head is still based on his more common concept art design instead of his actual CG model.

Replacing his electro-whips, he comes with a MechTech blaster that turns into a hand cannon when the scope is pulled. This weapon can either be plugged via 5mm post on two "concealed" holes on his roof in vehicle mode, underneath his forearms in robot mode, or onto the hole on his back in robot mode. As with all other MechTech Deluxe weapons, the converted weapon cannot lock into place.

Additionally, flipping out a tab in each of his arms reveals some small C joint-compatible bars.

The stock photography on his packaging depicts his black parts as smooth and untextured, instead of the carbon-fiber texture on the final toy.

His Mechtech weapons was later reused for Chronicle Movie Optimus Prime and Age of Extinction Evolution 2-pack "Classic" Bumblebee.

• More information on Dark of the Moon Jolt at TFU.info

Movie Advanced Series

He's like a reverse Dread—vehicle pigtails instead of robot dreadlocks.

• Jolt (Deluxe Class, 2014)

• ID number: AD14
• Accessories: 2 electro-whips
• Known designers: Hironori Kobayashi (deco artist)

Part of TakaraTomy's Lost Age: Advanced Line, this is a redeco of the above Dark of the Moon toy in a blue color scheme accurate to his appearance in Revenge of the Fallen. Replacing his MechTech blaster, he comes with two new electro-whips that plug via 5mm post.

Studio Series

With this new head, I'll be in the next film... right? Right?

• Jolt (Deluxe Class, 2021)

• Movie: Revenge of the Fallen
• Hasbro ID number: 75
• TakaraTomy ID number: SS-74
• TakaraTomy release date: February 26, 2022
• Accessories: 2 electro-whips, 2 removable fingers, "Battle of Chicago" backdrop (1st version)
• Known designers: Sam Smith (Hasbro), Takashi Kunihiro (TakaraTomy)^[2]

Studio Series Jolt is accurate to his appearance in Revenge of the Fallen, transforming into a licensed Chevrolet Volt. This is the first toy of the character to feature a screen-accurate head, rather than the concept art-inspired head design previously used. He comes with two electro-whips which can store on the sides of the car (which become the hip skirts in robot mode) and be pegged into his claws by removing one of his fingers. Once removed, the spare fingers can be pegged onto the slots on his hip armor or, unofficially, be stored in two conveniently-sized slots in his torso cavity. He also comes with a cardboard backdrop display depicting a worn-torn Chicago.

See? Told you I was in Dark of the Moon!

Of course, the aforementioned backdrop display is an error because Jolt never appeared in Dark of the Moon. The packaging itself, however, claims the toy comes with a "Pyramid Desert Battle" backdrop instead, which would have been a much more logical choice. Bizarrely, the included Chicago backdrop features Revenge of the Fallen branding anyway, and even the printing for that is unusually misaligned. Even more bizarrely, the backdrop image on the back of the packaging is just the Jolt render slapped over that of Studio Series 68 Leadfoot, who can still be seen peeking out underneath!

It has been noted that the rear sections of the car hold together very tightly and can be difficult to separate, causing the tabs to stress and break. Shaving down the nubs on the tabs can help alleviate this problem.

Merchandise

Robot Heroes

Oh, like anybody bought this set for Jolt.

• Jolt & Ravage (Two-pack, 2009)

• Known designers: Marcelo Matere (concept artist)

Robot Heroes Jolt is part of the second Revenge of the Fallen wave. He has articulation at the shoulders and neck, and comes packaged versus Ravage.

• More information on Robot Heroes Jolt at TFU.info

RPMs - Robot Powered Machines

After being run over, Jolt now hates hybrids.

• Jolt (2009)

• Series: Speed Series
• Number: 03 of 04

As a Mini-Vehicle, Jolt is a non-transformable, Hot Wheels-scale Chevrolet Volt. His robot mode is sculpted surging with electricity on the car's underside, alongside his name and an Autobot insignia.

• More information on RPMs Jolt at TFU.info

Notes

Jolt wants a CGI photo.

Kicking Decepticon skidplate and staying environmentally friendly!

• Jolt was a last-minute addition to the film during the four-month rush to get a script done after the Writers Guild strike. The writers had to convince Bay that Jolt would feel like a true member of the main Autobot roster.^[3] Ultimately, this wasn't what you could call a success: Jolt only appeared in robot mode in three scenes of the movie, and the character has no lines whatsoever. He even abruptly disappears from the Autobot vehicle mode group shot where he appears for the first time. Jolt does get a name shout-out, which is something, at least, but that doesn't change the fact that he was so disposable to the plot that he didn't appear in any of the tie-in comics, books, or video games until seven months after the film had come out.
• Furthermore, none of Jolt's toy and comic book appearances were accurate to his CGI model until the Studio Series toy. Closer inspection of his head reveals the final design was far less shrimpy than the concept art Hasbro used.^[4]
  • A couple of images of Jolt's unfinished CGI model (seen from an awkward angle on a computer screen) were depicted on the Revenge of the Fallen 2-Disc DVD and Blu-ray special features. Earlier in the same featurette, the concept art bust that his toys were based on also appeared (see right).
  • For over a decade, a proper clear view of Jolt's CGI model was not made public by Hasbro/TakaraTomy or Industrial Light & Magic until 2022 via a behind the scenes look at the production process for Jolt's Studio Series toy on Sam Smith's Instagram account.^[2] Unfortunately, the model shown appears to be another semi-unfinished one, as it lacks the reflective lighting on his metallic surfaces and thigh windows.
• During the production of Revenge of the Fallen, TakaraTomy was informed that Jolt had been dropped from the movie, so product development on him was halted. However, when they saw a photo of Jolt on the set of Revenge, they realized that contrary to what they had been told, he was still in the movie, and hurriedly went back to work on his toys!^[5]
• Although Jolt never speaks in the movie, Variety had reported, and it was believed for awhile, that Anthony Anderson was to voice the late-joining Autobot.^[6]
• One of the Volt vehicles used as Jolt in the movie used to be on display at the Test Track attraction at Epcot.
• Some scenes of Jolt in vehicle mode in Jordan were shot but never appeared. Oh, come on!
• On August 2, 2010, Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, declared on the message boards of TFW2005 that there will be "no Jolt" for Dark of the Moon.^[7] To support this, Jolt is among the Autobots killed off by Shockwave in IDW's Dark of the Moon prequel Rising Storm.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Jolt (ジョルト Joruto)
• Hungarian: Sokk ("Shock")
• Mandarin: Yáojù (China, 摇据, "Shake")

References