Rook (Universe)

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Rook is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Eat your heart out, Anderson Cooper.

If Optimus Prime is Cybertron's Abraham Lincoln, then Rook is its Edward R. Murrow. A journalist of the highest caliber, his dedication to the truth is unshakable. Making a name for himself with his hard-hitting, utterly fearless reporting from the front lines of the endless Great War, Rook is respected by Autobots and Decepticons alike for his courage under fire.

Maximals, on the other hand, tend not to think as much of the poor guy but let's be fair: by the technorganic days, he could be very annoying and go for inane commentary in his desire to break the news first.

Fiction

3H comics

Rook served as a war correspondent during the Autobot/Decepticon war, refusing to side with either faction and presenting each soldier as an individual with a story to tell. Rook was unusual in that he was allowed access to both Optimus Prime and Megatron, and refused to back down from either commander, despite the obvious risks to his personal safety.

Rook played a pivotal role during the Autobot siege of a Decepticon fortress on the Mithril Sea. Rook secretly convinced both factions to withdraw from the area, a move that spared countless lives on both sides. Universe Rook profile

Less than three deca-cycles after the Great Transformation, Rook was reporting on the new state of the world when the Quintesson invasion of Cybertron began. The Wreckers: Finale Part 1

He soon found himself reporting on the END of the Quintesson invasion as well, as the Quintessons' hubris kept them from properly preparing their attack considering the wide variety of technological and techno-organic warriors active on the planet. Broadcasting live from Mount Megatron, Rook attempted to get an exclusive interview with Cheetor and Devcon, but only managed to attract Nightscream. Wreckers: Finale Part II

Rook also had the unique privilege of broadcasting live from Memorial Spaceport as five of Cybertron's greatest heroes returned home after the planet's conversion into a technorganic paradise. He subsequently found himself covering the disappearance of those selfsame heroes following their immediate abduction by Unicron Abduction and their return a short while later. Escape

Rook was a Child of Primus, Universe Rook profile occasionally teaming up with Decepticon chronicler Wind Sheer in their assignments during the Universe War. Ask Vector Prime, 23/8/2015

Wings Universe

In the early days of Around Cybertron, Rook was mentored by Bishop. Surprised to find that the show only had one viewer, Rook nevertheless pushed on with an interview with the Custodiobot. When he only got literal, circular answers from his interviewee, Rook wondered aloud if this was why they only had one viewer. Around Cybertron #15 For his next interview, Rook promised to get the answers to the great questions of the war from "Alpha Trion", in reality Bishop with a new paint job. Though Bishop was uncertain that their viewer would buy it, Rook assured him he was a dead ringer for the real Alpha Trion. Around Cybertron #16 Rook was overjoyed when the interview won ABN the Running Cogs Award for Captivating Journalism, and interrupted Cassiopeia's report on the war to tell all the viewers. Bishop complained about not getting a chance to hold the trophy, but Rook was too busy hugging it to listen. Around Cybertron #17 Rook co-hosted on Andromeda's first show, and afterwards asked her how she'd thought it had gone, after which he signed the show off. Around Cybertron #18

Despite his best efforts, Rook found Primal Prime to be a rather reluctant interview subject, as his broken equipment would attest; Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur he fared little better with Devcon. Knight Devcon profile card Rook appeared on techno-organic Cybertron with Battle Unicorn in 2984. Hoist the Flag

Beast Wars: Uprising

Rook was an anchor for the Iacon Communication Service for the Builders during the Grand Uprising. Although he aired propaganda of various stripes during the war, he had a grasp of reality that his executive producer Fever Dream lacked. After looking out his window to confirm the Vehicons were in fact NOT the saviors of Iacon, he insisted on getting on the air to tell as many viewers as possible of the threat. Fever Dream cut him off in mid-broadcast in order to air his own, more politically acceptable, version of reality. The point became moot as Vehicons blasted into Verity Tower and assimilated the entire ICS. Derailment

Toys

Expanded Universe

• Rook (Keychain Mini Vehicle, 2002)
  • Accessories: Keychain

Expanded Universe Rook was originally a BotCon Europe 2002 exclusive, given free to pre-registrants, but was later sold on 3H's web-store. A gray and blue redeco of the Fun4All keychain version of Windcharger, he transforms into a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am sports car. He came in a clear plastic baggy with a keyring.

The original version of this mold was used for Camaro, and retooled to make Tailgate.

• More information on Rook at TFU.info