Origin
Bonecrusher has appeared in multiple continuities to include Comics, Cartoons and Movies. Bonecrusher’s alt-mode is normally a mini Dump Truck but has been a Front Loader. He is one of the Decepticons know as Constructicons and forms the left arm of the Combiner Devastator.
Creation
Bonecrusher was created by Hasbro for The Transformers (1984) Cartoon. He was first seen in 1986 Marvel Comics’ The Transformers issue #10 by writer Bob Budiansky and editors Jim Shooter.
Major Story Arcs
Generation 1 Continuity
Marvel Comics
Shortly after assuming control of the Decepticons, Shockwave raided a Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant in order to co-opt its construction facilities for his own purposes. Using the purloined power of his prisoner, Optimus Prime, Shockwave fed energy from the Creation Matrix into the brain modules Bonecrusher and the Constructicons. Bonecrusher and the other Constructicons were immediately given a mission to construct a communications tower to transmit a message to Cybertron. A truckstop was raided for raw materials, attracting trucker Bomber Bill, who, with the aid of the Autobots, managed to destroy the tower the Constructicons had built.
After Megatron took back command of the Decepticons, Bonecrusher and the other Constructicons were charged with building perimeter defenses around their current base of operations at a coal strip mine in eastern Wyoming. Devastator’s services were again required when the Autobots staged a surprise attack, but the Decepticons retreated once they had what they needed.
After Ratbat assumed command of the Decepticons, they staged an all-out attack on the Autobots from the Ark and Steelhaven, who had landed on the moon to settle a personal dispute. While the majority of the Decepticon forces kept the Autobots busy with mayhem and carnage, Bonecrusher led the Constructicons in a raid on the Ark, recovering the deactivated bodies of several Decepticons that were captured whiile battling Omega Supreme.
Marvel UK
Bonecrusher and his comrades spent the next several months working on their combiner technology. Their next mission was to capture the human known as Buster Witwicky, who had come to Shockwave’s attention. They found him attending a demolition derby in Oregon, and Bonecrusher quickly remarked that “this looks like my sort’a place!” Their kidnapping attempt was interrupted by Buster’s human friends, Ironhide and the Autobots. Bonecrusher and the Constructicons combined into Devastator, and fought off the Autobots while Soundwave performed a mind-scan on Buster. After uncovering some valuable information, Soundwave called off the attack, and the Constructicons returned to base.
Bonecrusher and the Constructicons remained available for the Decepticon cause. They battled the Dinobots alongside Megatron and Soundwave. Bonecrusher and Long Haul double-teamed Sludge, and eventually brought him down with sheer firepower. As he was celebrating his victory, Bonecrusher was blindsided by Centurion. As the tide of battle turned, the Decepticons abandoned the skirmish with the Dinobots and retreated.
IDW Publishing
Bonecrusher has not yet appeared in Regeneration One.
IDW Continuity
Megatron Origins
After getting laid off due to the Senate “reforms” being championed by Ratbat, Bonecrusher and the other Constructicons sought out work with Megatron. The Constructicons were given the unique and challenging job of building a new arena from scratch before every battle, using only the scrap and other materials on-site. They also worked with repairing Megatron and other injured gladiators after their battles.
Autocracy
The Constructions battled against the Autobots when they made an assault on the Citadel. As the war began between the Autobots and Decepticons, the Constructicons remained loyal followers of Megatron.
Iron Age
The Constructicons were stationed on Varas Centralus with Swindle and Sky-Byte, the atrocities they committed caused Sky-Byte to abandon the Decepticon cause.
Back on Cybertron, Scavenger was part of a convoy along with Ramjet, Octane and the other Constructicons bringing energon to the war effort. They were intercepted and captured by Optimus Prime and Ironhide.
All Hail Megatron
The Constructicons joined Megatron’s Earth forces, where they used their new ability to combine into Devastator against the Autobots. With the Autobots defeated, Bonecrusher joined in the attack on New York City.
Bonecrusher joined Starscream’s during the Seekers rebellion against Megatron. They attacked Megatron in the form of Devastator, and would have killed him if they hadn’t been interrupted by the arrival of European fighter jets. Devastator started swatting the jets out of the sky, only to be attacked by Omega Supreme when the Autobots returned to the planet. The Constructicons were defeated when Omega blasted a hole straight through their combined mode.
Chaos
Megatron would later use space bridge technology built into in his new body to summon Scavenger and the rest of the Decepticons to Cybertron. While battling the Autobots, the other Constructions combined into Devastator. Because Devastator’s combined form was incomplete due to Scrapper‘s death, they were easily defeated because their right leg was paralyzed. They were then mind-controlled by D-Void and combined with Galvatron‘s army and formed a monster construct.
Robots in Disguise
After Cybertron’s rebirth, the remaining Decepticons were captured by the Autobots. Ratbat organized them and made plans to rise up and take control by assassinating Autobot leader Bumblebee. Bonecrusher joined in on Ratbat’s plan to turn the tables on the Autobots. When Ratbat was found dead, the Decepticons suspected foul play. Even knowing this, Bonecrusher and some other Constructicons helped the Autobots dig out victims of a mysterious explosion on Cybertron’s surface.
Bonecrusher worked in a Decepticon factory and joined his fellow Constructicons when they came to the aid of Bombshell when he was being chased by the Autobots Arcee and Prowl. They then tried to kill Prowl who threatened to detonate their I/D chips, but soon realized the Constructicon’s chips were already disabled. Prowl then had to use Wheeljack‘s pass-code to override the chips and destroyed all the Constructicons.
Powers & Weaknesses
In vehicular mode, Bonecrusher can exert a force of 800,000 psi at a speed of 30 mph. He can knock down all but the most reinforced structures. His thick titanium-steel armor makes him virtually invulnerable. While in his alt-mode he can use a short-range concussion bomb launcher. In robot mode he carries a basic laser pistol. He serves as the left arm module when combined to form Devestator. Bonecrusher’s eagerness to cause destruction often results in the loss of property the Decepticons can use. If he is buried under rubble, it is difficult for him to dig out.
Characteristics
- Allegiance: Decepticon
- Sub Group: Constructicon
- Function: Demolitions
- Alt-Modes: Mini-Dump Truck, Front Loader, Buffalo MCV, Bulldozer, Half Track Payloader
- Color Schemes: Green/Pruple (G1, IDW), Tan (Film)
Alternate Versions
Marvel Comics
Generation 2
Bonecrusher was with the Decepticons when Bludgeon led an assault on the planet Earth, in an attempt to draw out Optimus Prime. He joined Megatron’s when the old Decepticon commander took over. He was seen later helping to construct the trenches and shield barriers to use against the Swarm.
Marvel UK Future Timeline
2006 Timeline
The future Decepticon known as Galvatron forced Bonecrusher and the Constructicons into building a massive energy cannon for his plans.
Devils Due
G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers
The terrorist organization known as Cobra found the Autobots that had crashed to earth four-million-years ago. They dug them out and began rebuilding them into a Cobra-controlled vehicles. With Wheeljack and Bumblebee‘s help, the mind-controlled Transformers were awakened, and the Constructicons, including Bonecrusher, attacked their captor, Doctor Mindbender.
Soundwave stopped them from killing the doctor, because he was needed for other purposes. The Constructicons were ordered to protect the SPS Satellite controls from the attacking Autobot and G.I. Joe troops. To do so, Bonecrusher combined with the others to form Devastator, but the giant was soon defeated by the attackers.
Dreamwave Publications
War Within
Bonecrusher was involved in the early days of the Decepticons, and Megatron’s plan to turn the planet into a cosmic dreadnought. He and the other Constructicons later created the combiner process, giving them the power to merge into Devastator. After the technology was widely distributed to both Autobots and Decepticon factions. Eventually the Crisis Intervention Accord was passed banning the use of Special Teams as they were too dangerous. The Constructicons were the first to break the Accords during the Dark Ages, joining up with Ratbat and his Ultracons. They attempted to seize control of the Tagan Heights from the Wreckers, but ran into the Protectobots who merged to form Defensor. Devastator was taken down by the Protectobots who caused him to unmerge into their individual components.
Generation 1 (2002)
The Constructicons made their way to Earth in order to serve with Megatron and the lost crew of the Nemesis. Like all Transformers, they vanished after the destruction of the Ark II, but were reactivated by Lazarus. Bonecrusher and the Constructicons formed Devastator and began attacking California after regaining their free will, but were ultimately destroyed when Optimus Prime shot Devastator in the head.
The pieces of Bonecrusher and the Constructicons were taken by Earth Defense Command, and were held in their Roswell facility for study.
Titan Magazines
Transformers Movie
Bonecrusher was known and feared by Autobots for never giving up. He almost killed Jazz once and pursued him and his comrade Clocker for ages, driven by his hatred. Clocker covered the wounded Jazz’s retreat and tried to fight Bonecrusher, who killed him.
Bonecrusher was in charge of security at the Decepticon’s AllSpark holding facility. When he learned that Ironhide and Ratchet were trying to get into the facility, he decided to let the two Autobot infiltrators in, just so he could personally confront and kill them. He relentlessly punched Ironhide‘s face before Ratchet stepped in, attacking the Decepticon up with offensive weaponry. Arcee’s team arrived to take out the Swindles, leaving Ironhide and Ratchet free to attack Bonecrusher. When the Autobots got pinned down by Payload drone fire, Bonecrusher tore apart his own troops to reach and kill the Autobots. He fought Ironhide again and this time lost, and may have been blown up with the AllSpark.
IDW Publishing
Movie Prequel
Bonecrusher was a member of Starscream’s unit that was keeping Optimus Prime’s reinforcements out of Tyger Pax. When Brawl arrived with news of Megatron and the AllSpark, Bonecrusher insisted that they move on as they had already killed all the Autobots in the area. He then demanded that Brawl take them to Megatron or he would kill them all. Witnessing the launch of the AllSpark, Barricade commented that Cybertron would die, but Bonecrusher replied that they should let it die, and that Barricade should join it in death. After Starscream and Blackout settled their differences, the group headed after Megatron.
The Decepticons landed on Earth in Afghanistan, quickly attracting the attention of a nearby US military base, which sent out an armored personnel carrier to investigate. Bonecrusher declared his satisfaction in finally having something to kill, but this chance was snatched away when Wreckage scanned the vehicle and destroyed it. Attacking the airbase, Bonecrusher easily killed the humans before scanning a Buffalo Mine-Clearance Vehicle.
Revenge of the Fallen Movie Prequel: Defiance
Bonecrusher was one of many warriors who fought for Megatron on Cybertron before the planet was ultimately abandoned.
Infestation 2
With his fellow Decepticons, Bonecrusher fell under the thrall of an Elder God in 1888. When Ironhide went to investigate the possessed town of Port Cenotaph, Bonecrusher confronted him and pulled the Autobot over to the Elder God’s control. The Autobots arrived to deal with the Elder God and Wheeljack cut Bonecrusher in half.
Other Media
Television
Transformers (1984)
Bonecrusher’s exact origins are unknown. He was alive on Cybertron several million years ago, where he helped create Megatron. According to Omega Supreme, Bonecrusher and the Constructicons were good once, and built Crystal City. This changed when Megatron attacked the Constructicons with his Robo-Smasher, reprogramming them into Decepticons
Episode Appearances
- Heavy Metal War
- City of Steel
- The Autobot Run
- The Core
- The Master Builders
- Megatron’s Master Plan
- The Secret of Omega Supreme
- Triple Takeover
- Starscream’s Brigade
- Five Faces of Death, part 4
- Carnage in C-Minor
- Fight of Flee
- The Rebirth, part 1
Transformers: The Headmasters (1987) (Japan)
Bonecrusher and the Constructicons were stationed on Earth, under the command of Sixshot.
Episode Appearances
- Four Warriors Come out of the Sky
- The Mystery of Planet Master
- The Great Cassette Operation
Transformers: Energon (2004)
Bonecrusher was never referred to by name, nor was he ever presented as an individual being. Most of his appearances were as the left leg of Constructicon Maximus.
Episode Appearances
- Galvatron!
- Distribution
- Spark
Film
Transformers: The Movie (1986)
Present at the Battle of Autobot City, Bonecrusher helped to breach the Autobot defenses as part of Devastator, who withstood an Autobot attack. After a second attack by the Dinobots, Bonecrusher was not seen again until the confrontation on Astrotrain over who should lead the Decepticons. Though Rumble and Frenzy prevented Devastator from proving his superiority, Bonecrusher and the other Constructicons made it back to Cybertron and were present for Starscream’s coronation as Decepticon leader. After a fanfare and the death of Starscream at the hands of Galvatron, Bonecrusher and his fellow surviving Decepticons joined in the hunt for the Autobot Matrix of Leadership.
Transformers (2007)
Bonecrusher was hiding out in the motor pool of a military base when he received a communication from Starscream ordering the Decepticons to mobilize and converge on the location of the AllSpark. Leaving the base, he reported that he was “rolling” out. Sometime after this, he rendezvoused with Barricade and Devastator, and the three Decepticons headed off together to intercept the Autobots and their human allies who had the AllSpark in their possession.
Bonecrusher and Barricade continued their pursuit on the freeway. Barricade activated his sirens to clear the traffic and allow them more maneuvering room. Unsatisfied with Barricade’s less conspicuous method, Bonecrusher used his mine-scoop to flip cars out of his way. Optimus Prime, Ironhide, and Ratchet aligned to block the Decepticons from Bumblebee, who had the AllSpark. After Barricade pulled over to the side of the road, Bonecrusher transformed while still moving and skated towards the Autobots. Optimus Prime transformed and slid into position to block his path. Bonecrusher smashed through a bus, and tackled Optimus Prime, pushing him off an overpass tumbling and falling off the edge, dragging the Autobot leader down with him.
When they landed, he sucker-punched Optimus Prime, who in turn punched Bonecrusher causing his optics to pop out. The two continued their chase along the overpasses. After Prime jumped down to ground level, Bonecrusher swung his claw wildly at the Autobot. This gave Optimus the opportunity he needed to get his sword and then cleave Bonecrusher’s right arm and run through the Decepticon’s neck. Optimus then wrenched Bonecrusher’s head from its neck and tossed it aside.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Bonecrusher was not a Constructicon in the Movie but was used in some of the toy sets in place of Rampage. A version of his 2007 appearance as a Buffalo MPV was seen fighting Ironhide.
Video Games
Transformers The Game (PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, PC)
Bonecrusher only appears in the Decepticon campaign of the game, and as a non-playable character. While hiding in a military base, Bonecrusher came under attack by the humans twice, and required assistance from Starscream to escape.
Transformers The Game (PSP)
After the Autobots manage to secure the AllSpark, they are attacked by Decepticon drones led by Bonecrusher. To give Bumblebee time to escape with the Cube, Optimus Prime takes on Bonecrusher personally, eventually besting him. After this Bonecrusher wasn’t seen or mentioned through the rest of the game.
Transformers: Forged to Fight (2017) (Mobile)
Bonecrusher is a Warrior class playable character and enemy, he is also a 1-4 star rank character.
Game Bio: A noted speed skater and general purveyor of hate, Bonecrusher oozes with disdain for everything and everyone, including himself. Based on his savagery in battle, one might be led to believe his only true love is dishing out pain and punishment.
Bonecrusher was released on April 5th, 2017.
Books
Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday
Movie Prequel