Signal Flare (Movie)

Signal Flare is an Autobot from the Transformers portion of the movie continuity family.

When Captain Signal Flare-ica throws his mighty shiiiiellld...

Although he does not seem like soldier material, Signal Flare is one of the best data transmission experts on Cybertron. He is proud to lend his skills to ensuring Autobot communication networks are kept fully operational... to the best of his ability, that is.^[1]

Since arriving on Earth, Signal Flare has taken a different tactic to protect the organic world from the Decepticons. Eschewing combat, he prefers to hide among the humans and secretly help build their structures to withstand damage from Decepticon weaponry, rather than the mission of fighting that big green, fire-snortin' lizard, which might be implied by his alt mode. He also remains vigilant in watching out for any Decepticon activity on Earth, using his powerful radar dish to quickly transmit details between Autobot cells such as high command in preparation for the coming battle over the AllSpark.^[2]

Fiction

Titan movie comics

Hey, it's the movie-verse Energon scout-class redeco convention!

As a recruit, Signal Flare underwent training missions with Ironhide, said training being an attack on a "heavily armed Decepticon base". Signal Flare expressed concern that they would be wiped out by a massive number of Decepticons. To his annoyance, he was ordered to do a flanking run to draw fire. Lost In Space 3: Ironhide

Toy bios

While on Earth, Signal Flare found a prime staging ground at the Wash & Roll, an automobile service station and car wash near the Witwickys' home. It is from here that he keeps his fellow Autobots clean and properly maintained. Signal Flare (Robo-Vision)

IDW movie comics

Many years ago, Signal Flare was a member of Cybertron's science division under the command of Optimus and Protector Megatron. He was part of the dig team excavating the ruins outside the temple of Simfur when a mysterious relic was unearthed. Soon after, strange aliens from the Eshems Nebula attacked, reducing much of Metrotitan to rubble. Defiance #1 In the aftermath, he helped Clocker and Warpath search for survivors in the ruins. Later, he was present at a meeting called by Optimus, who explained Megatron's demand for compulsory military service and a new mission of war against all of Cybertron's enemies. Signal Flare heeded Optimus' warning and kept out of Megatron's personal war. Defiance #2

However, Optimus' followers were soon branded traitors and civil war erupted across Cybertron. Signal Flare joined Optimus Prime's Autobots and was one of those who elected to stay behind while the Autobot ship Ark pursued the AllSpark, which had been cast into space in a desperate attempt to buy the Autobots some time. Defiance #4 Thousands of years later, Signal Flare was part of a mission to steal energon from the Decepticon city of Trypticon. They ended up being attacked by Shockwave's troops and were forced to retreat. Rising Storm #2

About a hundred years later, Signal Flare was among the Autobots captured during a raid and put to work by Stockade to construct Starscream's replica AllSpark at Simfur. Signal Flare managed to sneak away but was soon recaptured by Dreadwing. When Signal Flare and Warpath tried to send a message to their Autobot comrades, they found that they were being jammed. Upon the AllSpark's completion, he was strapped to it, with the intention of draining his life force to power the cube. The Reign of Starscream #4 Signal Flare and the others died when the life-force draining part went off without a hitch. However, the new AllSpark didn't work. Bummer. The Reign of Starscream #5

Toys

Transformers (2007)

Yes, the camo MASER tank is a common construction vehicle.

• Signal Flare (Scout Class, 2007)

• Accessories: MASER dish, 2 shields, "energon" chip

Released in the first first live-action movie toyline, Signal Flare is a redeco of the Energon toy of the same name, transforming into a Cybertronic half-track MASER tank. Moving the MASER arm causes the dish on the end to spin. The dish can be combined with a pair of shields to form a buzzsaw weapon.

Signal Flare (and the rest of the Scout wave) were exclusive to Target stores, part of a Robo-Vision promotion. Signal Flare comes with a Robo-Vision Decoder which allows you to see the Robo-Vision Code printed on his cardback. Starting June 2, 2007, Target's website allowed users to input those codes to access exclusive content.

This toy was also sold as a Farmers exclusive in New Zealand.

This toy was later repurposed as Shattered Glass Gutcruncher. This mold is also used by Energon Offshoot. The Signal Flare body design is used as the model for the Attacktix Omnicon.

• More information on Signal Flare at TFU.info

Notes

• Signal Flare's bio pegs him as an Autobot, where his toy's only "faction" marking is for Sector Seven. It's possible Flare is hiding out among the Sector Seven motor pool disguised as one of their uh... MASER tanks used for... doing... construction...at the car wash. Uh... yeah.
• Target.com's expanded Robo-Vision profile places him at the Wash & Roll, the titular location of the Marvel Comics issue, "Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom".

References

1. ↑ The Reign of Starscream trade paperback bonus material
2. ↑ Transformers Scout Class Signal Flare packaging bio