Goldbug is an evilAutobotSeeker from theShattered Glasscontinuity family.

Grrrr. Arg.

Goldbug was once a shiftless drifter namedBumblebee. Survival on the streets ofPolyhex meant learning to become a sneak, a pickpocket, and a blackmailer, and at these things Bumblebee excelled. WhenOptimus Prime seized power and plungedCybertron into war, Bumblebee found that life as one of Prime's brutalAutobots suited him well—so well, in fact, that it put him on the fast track to power, and culminated in his eventual rebirth as the more powerful Goldbug.

Although he's a ruthless warrior and a capable lieutenant, Goldbug's cold demeanor masks a bubbling cauldron of private neuroses, irrational fears, and a deep, abiding well of anger. Goldbug has done everything within his power to bury his original identity and put his past behind him, but remains extremely paranoid that he is not appreciated by his peers and will be summarily replaced. When he's given—or seizes—a position of power, he'll use that newfound authority to bluster and bully his subordinates into obedience... or, when things go south, start chopping off heads until the situation improves. Fortunately for his fellow Autobots, Goldbug generally doesn't hide his open contempt for his leaders, and his commanding officers have grown accustomed to foiling his ill-conceived coups before he can dealtoo much damage.

Fiction

Shattered Expectations

Goldbug ledJazz andGrimlock in a search for the ancientPretender technology, intending to use it to give them the edge against theDecepticon insurgency. He appeared to be the leader of the trio (barely). However, their plan was foiled by the arrival ofStarscream and theMayhem Suppression Squad.Shattered Expectations

Fun PublicationsShattered Glass continuity

"Sorry sir, I spaced out after 'along with'. What do I need to understand?"

When Bumblebee joined the Autobots, his bravery put him on the fast track to power, and whenSeeker commanderDrench was "removed" by Prime, Bumblebee was rebuilt as Goldbug and took his place.^[1]

Goldbug was present at the execution ofRumble when Optimus Prime brought their "old friend"Cliffjumper in to view the festivities. Later on, he was discussing the launch of theArk with Prime andBlurr in the combat training room. Goldbug mentioned that theOld One wouldn't have approved of the current plan, but Optimus quickly shot down his objections. Goldbug and the otherSeekers defended theArk's launch platform from Decepticon attack, but failed to stop Cliffjumper from scuttling the liftoff.Shattered Glass

WhenWheeljack's new creations, theDinobots, ran amok, both Autobot and Decepticon alike were forced to chase them down before the other side could modify their A.I.s. Gotta catch 'em all. Goldbug andJazz locatedSwoop atop an observation tower. Unfortunately, he could fly and neither of them could. Goldbug volunteered Jazz to climb up and fetch the Dinobot, but J wasn't having none of that.Rodimus and Blurr arrived and made a consensus (with laser rifles) that Jazz would be climbing. In a move that surprised no one except Jazz, Swoop took off flying the moment Prime's bodyguard laid a hand on him. Goldbug got the creature in his sights and shot it down, bringing Swoop and Jazz crashing to Earth. When Blurr inquired why Goldbug didn't just shoot the Dinobot in the first place, Goldbug shrugged and said that now they didn't have to climb up and fetch it.Dungeons & Dinobots

TheArk was finally repaired and ready for launch when Optimus Prime ran off to deal withMegatron. Goldbug and Blurr caught Rodimus fiddling with a communications console, preventing Prime from calling in. Blurr started to bluster at the insubordination, but Goldbug was willing to hear Rodimus' explanation. Rodimus argued that Optimus' obsession with Megatron was holding them all back. Cybertron was a dead world now, and with Prime out of the picture, Earth would be ripe for their taking. Goldbug agreed, and Blurr was thrown off the ship for remaining loyal to Prime.

Later, when theArk and theNemesis were locked in battle aboveEarth, Goldbug manned theArk's sensor station.Astrotrain succeeded in severely damaging theArk. Goldbug had time to curse the coward Rodimus, who fled in an escape pod, before calling for all hands to brace for impact.Do Over

After the crash, Goldbug initially hooked up withBig Daddy,Brawn andBeachcomber as they went searching for their "valiant leader". It was fortuitous, wonderful, outstanding when they finally crossed paths with the opportunist, and had the opportunity for revenge. Rodimus did some fast talking, though, and his stories of human allies and the Decepticons getting vaped led Goldbug to hold his fire long enough to hear the Seeker leader out. They returned to theArk in order to make a proper assessment of the state of the planet. Goldbug and the Autobots had quite a bit of difficulty understanding the concept of "renewable resources" their human allies the Witwickys tried to explain.

Strategy wasn't the only thing on Goldbug's mind, however — using Rodimus's bail-out during the crash as an excuse, he challenged Rodimus for leadership of the Autobots. The two Seekers battled on the bridge of theArk, with the fully-reenergized Goldbug soon gaining the upper hand. Rodimus was far more crafty, though — he voice-activatedTeletraan-X and deleted the ID-recognition file for Goldbug, causing the ship to identify him as an enemy combatant. Goldbug was quickly restrained by the internal security systems, and held helpless before RodimusPrime. Despite his precarious position, Goldbug agreed to yield only if Rodimus left him as second-in-command. Showing the sort of logic and reasoning positive-matter Decepticon leaders have displayed for eons, Rodimus laughingly agreed to keep the ambitious Goldbug as his right-hand bot. After all, no way Goldbug would let anyoneelse in the Autobots kill Rodimus before him.

As the Autobots prepared for their strike on the control base for America'sGODS space weapon, Goldbug andWheeljack joined Rodimus for the infiltration mission. Like the Trojan horse, they got captured and taken inside the base along with their "drivers", the Witwickys, just before the rest of the Autobots launched an assault from outside. Striking from both in and outside the base, the Autobots soon controlled the satellite station and its deadly particle beam weapon. Their assault soon drew the attention of the surviving Decepticons, however, and the Cybertronian Civil War officially took up residence on Earth. Goldbug was attacked by the diminutiveFrenzy and his two human friends, who used a fire extinguisher to temporarily blind the Seeker and steal his weapon. To add injury to insult, the weaponless Goldbug was then forced to deal with the Incredible fury of Frenzy unleashed. The Decepticons were able to reclaim the military base, and the Autobots were driven off.Eye in the Sky

Still working for his own advancement, Goldbug commissionedSide Burn and Wheeljack to create astellar spanner out in the desert without Rodimus Prime's knowledge. They were nearly finished when the DecepticonsBlitzwing andHeatwave stumbled upon their location. Seizing the opportunity, Goldbug planned to launch Heatwave through the untested machine to make sure it worked. Blitzwing attempted to stop them by hooking directly into the spanner's digital landscape, but failed due to Wheeljack's electro-shells. The feedback had a side-effect, however, of sending out a cacophony of fleshling music on the Autobots' communications frequency. Unable to even think straight, Goldbug blasted the Spanner to keep the Decepticons from using it and ordered a retreat.

Back at theArk, Goldbug was forced to answer to Rodimus Prime for his antics. Fearing another clash with Teletraan-X's servo, Goldbug babbled off whatever he could think of to stay Rodimus's fury. Luckily, his only punishment ended up being salvage duty withSeaspray, as the Agonizing Rehabilitation Chambers were conveniently broken.Blitzwing Bop

Goldbug took part in the raid onBlackrock'sMega-Rig, warning everyone to stick to hand-to-hand combat to avoid damaging their prize. He, Side Burn and Beachcomber later joined Rodimus when their leader met with Blackrock to listen to an offer he had for them. Despite Goldbug's strenuous objections, Rodimus accepted the offer. Soon after, the Autobots captured two of the Decepticons' human friends,Sephie Beller andRick Ottman. Goldbug held Rick at gunpoint when the Decepticons turned up, and the Decepticons were soon bound prisoners. WhenSoundwave revealed that he wasn't the one who'd put up the jamming field, Goldbug wondered aloud who was doing the jamming. His answer came moments later when the Autobots were attacked by Blackrock in hisCenturion mech. Goldbug and Swoop initially managed to restrain the robot, but the Centurion's defenses were too formidable, and the Autobots were eventually forced to retreat.Transhuman

At some unspecified point in time, Goldbug and a team of Autobots somehow under the command of bothRodimus Prime andOptimus Prime foughtThundercracker andRavage in the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth, "Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction." According to Ravage, anyway.Recordicons #3

Goldbug was among the evil Autobots captured after Optimus Prime became Nova Prime and overthrew Rodimus.The Future Buried...

SD SG

Goldbug was forced to listen toOptimus Prime complain about new body designs and upgrades.SD SG #1

IDWShattered Glass comic

Bumblebee was a originally a drifter on the streets of Polyhex before joining Orion Pax's Autobots. Desperate for the approval of his leader, the ambitious Bumblebee clawed his way up the ranks until he'd attained a position of power as a member of Orion's inner cadre.Goldbug bio During one early meeting withJetfire, who'd turned to the Autobots as a means of securing more funding for his research onTitans, Bumblebee andProwl caughtStarscream spying on them and dragged him before Orion.Shattered Glass #3

As Orion worked to consolidate his growing power over the Senate, Bumblebee became a member of the "Wreckers", a private security force under the leadership ofUltra Magnus that effectively operated outside Cybertronian law. While stationed at theSenate building, Bumblebee intimidatedFlashbox andLaserbeak into abandoning an interview withShockwave, and Bumblebee watched in shock as Ultra Magnus laid intoKup andImpactor for stepping out of line. To prove their loyalty to Optimus Prime, Magnus and the other members of the Wreckers led an attack on the Senate and massacred everyone inside except Shockwave, whom Magnus left alive so he could be subjected toempurata.Shattered Glass II #1 At some point afterwards, Bumblebee was kicked out of the Wreckers for unknown reasons; years later,Slicer privately thought of him as a "failed Wrecker".Shattered Glass II #3

After Orion rose to become Optimus Prime, Bumblebee stayed by his leader's side after the Decepticon-Autobot conflict brought both sides toEarth. Bumblebee took part in the final battle against the Decepticons, and nearly killedThundercracker before a point-blank blast fromMegatron'sfusion cannon left him mortally wounded. On the way back to Cybertron,Ratchet came up with the idea of using a spareprotoform to revive their comrade, and Bumblebee was reborn as the more powerful Goldbug. However, Goldbug soon realized that Optimus and the other Autobots had only repaired him out of necessity, rather than out of any kind of affection for their comrade, and that they hadn't forgotten his recent failure on the battlefield.

After returning to Cybertron, Goldbug caught wind that thatProwl was planning a coup against the Autobot leader. When he brought the issue to Prime's attention, however, Optimus dismissed his concerns, and when Goldbug snapped and criticized Prime's inability to see the obvious plot, he received a painful beating for his troubles. As Goldbug picked himself up, he discovered that Prowl had witnessed the entire altercation, and had come to him with an offer to join his nascent coup. Some time later, when Prowl's breakaway faction made its move, Goldbug attempted assassinate Prime, but the Autobot leader easily fended off his assault. Frustrated and humiliated by his string of defeats, Goldbug swore that from that day onward no one would ever think him a joke again.Shattered Glass #4

Approximately a kilocycle later, Goldbug had risen to become the unquestioned ruler ofKaon, which he'd renamed "Gold City". Under unclear circumstances, a subsequent falling-out with Prowl had turned the planet into a three-way battleground between the warring Autobot factions.Shattered Glass #1 Goldbug took on Slicer as one of his chief lieutenants—unaware that Slicer was still actively working for Ultra Magnus and funnelling a constant stream of information to his leader.Shattered Glass #5 Upon learning that Starscream had resurfaced and successfully interfaced with the TitanMetroplex, Goldbug put out a bounty on his head with the intent of bringing him alive for interrogation, and farmed the contract out to Ratchet and the variousbodyscrappers in his employ.Shattered Glass #1 After a lengthy game of cat-and-mouse in and around Gold City and theStatic Zone, Jetfire finally captured Starscream and brought him before Goldbug for an interrogation session.Shattered Glass #3

Immediately, Starscream's torture session did not go as planned: Starscream proved more resistant than he'd hoped, and Jetfire warned his leader that if they killed their prisoner they'd have no way to extract the knowledge encoded in hisspark. WhenSkywarp teleported in to free his comrade Goldbug intercepted him, beat him to death, and ripped his head off, part of a ploy to break Starscream's spirit by showing him the remains of his fallen comrade. When Starscream still refused to cooperate, Goldbug orderedSlicer to round up and execute every suspected Decepticon sympathizer in Gold City, but the Autobot warlord was again called away to deal with theInsecticons. After slaughtering them to a man, a furious Goldbug barged in and pointed his gun in Starscream's face, ready to execute him regardless of the consequences.Shattered Glass #4

Before Goldbug could make good on this threat to kill both Starscreamand the reluctant Jetfire, Megatron gathered his remaining followers and launched a full-scale assault on Gold City. At that moment, Jetfire finally rejected the Autobots by punching Goldbug in the face and freeing his old friend amidst the confusion. However, Goldbug had enough strength left to blast Starscream in the chest; although the Decepticon flier survived this first shot, Goldbug easily reached into the wound, ripped hisspark from his body; as he fled, Goldbug coldly reminded Jetfire that Starscream wasnever going to leave Gold City alive.

The Decepticons successfully liberated Gold City, but Goldbug escaped amidst the confusion and retreated to Metroplex's resting ground, deep within theStatic Zone, where he used the information encoded on Starscream's spark to reactivate the Titan.Shattered Glass #5

Although he'd successfully implanted Starscream's spark into Metroplex's systems, Goldbug struggled to bring the giant Transformer online: Metroplex would stop and start at random, and the rogue Autobot had made very little progress when Slicer, still posing as Goldbug's loyal underling, finally tracked him down. Slicer was able to stall Goldbug long enough for him to send a coded signal toRodimus and the other Wreckers, but when a passing Decepticon patrol attacked the Titan, Slicer and Goldbug easily took down the lightly-armored fliers. Before Slicer could turn on Goldbug, however, Goldbug turned on Slicer, wrestled him to the ground, and prepared to execute his former lieutenant: he'd been aware that Slicer had been double-crossing him the entire time. As Goldbug prepared to squeeze the trigger, Slicer spied Jetfire approaching from behind and got out of the way just in time—when the vengeful Jetfire landed, he caught Goldbug unawares and avenged Starscream by fatally flattening the little Autobot.Shattered Glass II #3

Games

Transformers Legends

During an Autobot attempt to launch from Cybertron in a battleship, Grimlock,Ricochet, and Goldbug were distracted from reaching the launch site and ended up chasing Ravage instead.Shattered Glass

Transformers: Earth Wars

The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is astub and is missing information on theirvideo game appearances. You can helpTransformers Wiki byexpanding it. Transformers: Earth Wars

Transformers Roleplaying Game

At some point, Goldbug fought againstStorm Shadow and awhite Power Ranger.Field Guide to Action and Adventure

Toys

Timelines

Started a "Bad Bugs" club withBug Bite.

• Shattered Glass (BotCon box set,2008)

• Accessories: Launcher, missile, key

Part ofBotCon 2008'sexclusive box set of five figures,Timelines Goldbug is aretool ofCybertronHot Shot with a new head sculpt based on "Generation 1"Goldbug and a new black, yellow, and blue color scheme, bearing a little resemblance toStealth Bumblebee. He transforms into a modifiedChrysler ME Four-Twelve concept car. Plugging aCyber Key into his trunk (his is a clear-orangeVelocitron-style key with a black border) deploys transparent blue wings from his spoiler. The toy also comes with a spring-loaded missile-launching gun that can be carried in robot mode or pegged into the roof of the car mode.

The original version of this mold was also used to makeCybertronExcellion and the2007TransformersBreakaway.

Goldbug is only available as part of a set of six toys, along withOptimus Prime,Autobot Jazz,Grimlock,Razorclaw, andStarscream.

• More information on Goldbug at TFU.info

Shattered Glass Collection

Ah yes, Bumblebee rebuilt into a bigger, badder body, that's definitely what this is.

• Autobot Goldbug (Deluxe Class,2021)

• Accessories: Three-piece bazooka, 2 skis, car trunk
• Known designers:Lenny Panzica andMark Maher (Hasbro)^[2],AJ Piejko-Brown (packaging)

Released as part of theShattered Glass Collection subline, "Autobot Goldbug" is a new-head retool ofEarthriseCliffjumper. Unusually small for a Deluxe Class figure, Goldbug transforms into a custom 1980s sports coupe; hybridizing the Porsche 924 Turbo andMitsubishi Starion models. Goldbug's vehicle mode possesses molded high-performance brake discs, carried over from a mainlineTransformers figure. As can be expected of a figure based on aWar for Cybertron Trilogy release, Goldbug includes numerous 3 mm posts and5 mm ports for attaching weapons,Fire Blast effects, and other accessories as part of theC.O.M.B.A.T. System/F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology. However, attaching a Weaponizer/Modulator/Fossilizer figure can be challenging due to Goldbug's small size.

Goldbug features a redeco of Cliffjumper's bazooka. It can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his wheels. The backend of the cannon can fold out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being used as a melee weapon. It can also be mounted on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his detaching car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with the help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other. Initial photos appeared to show Goldbug using the updated taller "collar" assembly introduced onBumblebee, although the final figure sticks with the original, shorter assembly from Cliffjumper.

Goldbug also includes thefourth issue ofIDW Publishing'sShattered Glass "Shards" mini-series, with an exclusive cover featuring spot UV.

Much like the rest of the subline, Goldbug is aHasbro Pulse exclusive in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. His existence was spilled by Hasbro Pulse prematurely whenShattered Glass CollectionStarscream's front page advertisement named Goldbug instead of Starscream,^[3] much like the accidental reveal ofSiegeRed Wing andEarthriseThrust.

This mold was also used forWar for Cybertron TrilogySelectsHubcap andBug Bite, and was extensively retooled intoWar for Cybertron TrilogyBumblebee.

Merchandise

Magic: The Gathering

TheNapoleon of crime.

• Goldbug, Humanity's Ally / Goldbug, Scrappy Scout (2022)
  • ID number:025
  • Set code:BOT
  • Color identity:White/Blue
  • Casting cost:{1}{W}{U} (front),{W}{U} (back)
  • Artist:Josh Perez

"Goldbug, Humanity's Ally" is part of the 2022Magic: The GatheringUniverses BeyondTransformers card set, found in Collector Booster packs ofMagic'sThe Brothers' War set. It can be reversed to become "Goldbug, Scrappy Scout", representing Goldbug in vehicle mode.

A variant of this card was available in both Set Booster and Collector Booster packs, depicting"Generation 1" Goldbug.

Blokees

• Special Galaxy Type SG-Bumblebee (Defender Version, 2025)

• Series:Defender Version 02 - The Overthrow
• Accessories:: Pistol

Released as part of the second wave of theBlokees "Galaxy Version Defender" line of blind boxes, this Bumblebee (in his pre-Goldbug body) is an articulated 2.2-inch (5.5cm) figure kit (a few inches smaller than the "Galaxy Version" kits) redecoed from the previous line's "Brilliant Bumblebee", and he comes with the same generic pistol, with a burnt barrel effect sprayed on. As with other Special Galaxy Type chase kits, SG-Bumblebee features metallic injected plastic.

Notes

• Goldbug's original "Bumblebee" body never appeared in any Fun Publications stories. IDW'sShattered Glass series, on the other hand, gives him a body based onWar for Cybertron TrilogyBumblebee. His white and purple color scheme comes from Bumblebee'sShattered Glass Animated counterpart, who was in turn conceived as a homage toBotCon 2007'sTimelines Bug Bite.

Foreign names

• Japanese:Goldbug (ゴールドバグGōrudobagu)

See also

You look familiar...

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Versions ofShattered Glass Bumblebee have appeared in other continuity families, including:

• Bumblebee, the evil counterpart toAnimated Bumblebee.
• Bumblebee, the evil counterpart to"Movie series" Bumblebee.

For more information, seeBumblebee (disambiguation).

References