Origin
An Aerialbot from IDW‘s Transformers Continuity. His alt-mode is an F14 Tomcat. Barrel Roll may be hotheaded but believes in the concept of an innate Autobot Moral. Barrel Roll has a strong distrust for all Decepticons. Barrel Roll joined the Autobot cause to give them a countermeasure to the Decepticon Seekers.
Creation
Barrel Roll was created by IDW for Transformers: Robots in Disguise issue #3 by writer John Barber and editor Carlos Guzman. He was also seen in the Prequel Digital Comic Transformers: Autocracy.
Major Story Arcs
IDW Continuity
Autocracy
Barrel Roll joined the other Aerialbots in the fight against Megatron after Orion Pax took the Matrix of Leadership and became Optimus Prime. He provided support against the Decepticons and fought against the Seekers in the battle that followed.
Chaos
After the rebirth of Cybertron and the reunification of the Transformer race and Barrel Roll accepted they would have to rebuild together.
Robots in Disguise
With the other Aerialbots, Barrel Roll was sent in to help manage an angry Decepticon crowd after the death of Senator Ratbat. When Dirge angrily stormed off after refusing to believe Starscream and the Autobots’ spin on the situation, Barrel Roll ran after him, suggesting to him that, as fliers, they should stick together. Before the offer could be commented on, a massive and mysterious explosion engulfed Barrel Roll. Dirge was spared.
Powers & Weaknesses
Like the other Aerialbots Barrel Roll can fly at speeds of up to Mach 5 and has a range of 1500 miles. In his alt-mode he can shoot air-to-air heat-seeking missiles and, in robot-mode, carries a plasma rifle. Unlike the other Aerialbots he can’t combine to form Superion. Barrel Roll sometimes allows his hatred of the Decepticons to cloud his judgement.
Characteristics
- Allegiance: Autobot
- Sub Group: Aerialbot
- Function: Warrior/Scout
- Alt-Modes: Cybertronian Jet, F-14 Tomcat
- Color Schemes: Green/Yellow (G1, IDW)