Windblade
| Windblade | |
|---|---|
| Transformers character | |
 | |
First appearance | Transformers: Windblade |
| Created by | Mairghread Scott |
| Voiced by | Abby Trott, Kristy Wu, others |
| In-universe information | |
| Affiliation | Autobot |
Windblade is a character from the Transformers franchise. She was the result of a fan poll Hasbro held in 2013 and subsequently was featured in her own comic miniseries.
History
[edit]Windblade was created as the result of the fan poll held by Hasbro in 2013 in anticipation of the Transformers franchise's 30th anniversary in 2014.[1] The poll allowed fans to choose her design, personality, and abilities.[2] She transforms into a VTOL jet and is a powerful swordswoman.[3] As a result of the poll, she featured in a four-issue comic miniseries written by Mairghread Scott, illustrated by Sarah Stone, and published by IDW Publishing. She also got a toy produced.[1][4][5]
The comic miniseries was the first Transformers comic to feature both a female writer and a female illustrator. Scott stated that she wanted the story to emphasize Windblade's optimism and goal to improve Cybertron.[6] Scott described Windblade as "a little bit more of a lone wolf" and more of an ambassador than a fighter.[2]
After her comic debut, Windblade made her television debut in a 2015 episode of Transformers: Robots in Disguise. In the show, she is voiced by Kristy Wu, who described the character as having "stoicism and honor".[2] At the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con, Windblade appeared in a toy set alongside two other female Transformers, Arcee and Chromia, as a team of "Combiner Hunters". The set included an exclusive comic about the trio.[7] Beginning in 2016, Windblade appeared in the Prime Wars Trilogy, in which she is voiced by Abby Trott.[8] She also appears in Transformers: Cyberverse and is the best friend of Bumblebee in this show.[9]
Reception
[edit]Upon her reveal, the character saw some online backlash for being a female Transformer. Detractors argued that female Cybertronians should not exist because they are sexless robots, although there have been female Cybertronians in the franchise since the original cartoon.[1] Sarah Carroll, the senior brand manager for Hasbro, stated that "Our female fans have demanded to be part of the story. To have them be represented as well is something that's only natural."[2][10]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Sloane, Jaydot (20 January 2014). "Meet Windblade, A Female Character Joining the Transformers Comic Canon". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Truitt, Brian. "Female 'Transformers' come to the fore". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 2026-06-19. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Staff, Collider (2022-10-25). "10 Best Transformers That Haven't Appeared in the Movies (Yet)". Collider. Archived from the original on 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Polo, Susana (2014-02-06). "Meet Windblade Part 2: An Interview with Mairghread Scott and Exclusive Character Designs!". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 2026-01-11. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Sloane, Jaydot (2014-05-07). "Windblade Review Female Transformer". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 2026-02-19. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Morris, Steve (2014-03-24). ""She Has to Adapt Right Now" Mairghread Scott and Sarah Stone on Transformers: Windblade [Interview]". The Beat. Archived from the original on 2025-09-14. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Jusino, Teresa (2015-06-05). "Things We Saw Today: Female Transformers United for SDCC". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 2026-03-08. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Spangler, Todd (2017-07-18). "'Transformers: Titans Return' Series Casts Peter Cullen, Judd Nelson, Wil Wheaton". Variety. Archived from the original on 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (2018-11-21). "'Transformers: Cyberverse' Heads To Europe, Middle East, Africa & Latin America On Cartoon Network". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2018-11-21. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Lachenal, Jessica (2015-04-26). "Roll Out! Hasbro Has Plans For Female-Only Transformers Crew". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
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