| Soundwave | |
|---|---|
| Transformers character |
Soundwave is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. Created by Takara
Conception and characterization edit
In the original animated series, Soundwave was voiced by Frank Welker, with sound designer and engineer Scott Brownlie giving it a "robotic voice effect" that has since been used for most later incarnations of the character in related media.[1] Though the design document for the series described Soundwave as an "opportunist", willing to use blackmail and despised by the other Decepticons, these aspects were omitted from the character design in the animated series, though utilized in other material such as the Marvel Comics rendition of the character.[2][3] Welker named the character one of his favorites to do in the cartoon series, second to that of Megatron, further describing it as "plain fun to do" and adding "that voice can rattle windows in a large studio and I don't have to yell!!!!"[4] In an interview, he further explained that he could make the character's presence felt with just sound, a contrast to the heavy shouting he would need to do in the role of another franchise character, Megatron. He described it as a "trick voice" that served as a challenge to keep it dynamic while speaking in a monotone, though add that Soundwave's "cassette army" and the vocal effects helped.[1] When asked about his reaction to the lack of audio effect for the character's voice in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Welker acknowledged that while fans may be disappointed, it was his understanding that it was omitted to ensure the audience could understand the dialogue.[4]
Critical reception edit
UGO.com named Soundwave one of the franchise's "coolest [Decepticons] around, even if he seemed to have a stick up his tuckus", further calling his voice "awesome and addictive" and that the limited use of it in the context of the cartoon added to his appeal.[5] In another article, the character was named on of the "Top 8 Transformers of All Time",[6] and his original toy named one of the franchise's best, praising it features heavily despite acknowledging the impracticality of its tape deck form in today's age.[7] IGN described him as "one of the more iconic Decepticons",[8] later placing him second on their "top 10" list of favorite Decepticon characters while describing him as "kinda sorta the Iago to Megatron's Othello" and superior in many ways.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b Gilchrist, Todd (2009-09-15). "Interview: Megatron (Technically Frank Welker)". Moviefone. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ Salicrup, Jim (w). "Prisoner of War!" The Transformers, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 18–20 (1984-10-02). United States: Marvel Comics.
- ^ Furman, Simon (w). "Soundwave" The Transformers Spotlight, vol. 1, no. 6 (2007-03-21). United States: IDW Publishing.
- ^ a b Hoffman, Jordan (2009-11-14). "Frank Welker Interview". UGO.com. UGO Networks. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ Staff. "Soundwave - Favorite Decepticons". UGO.com. UGO Networks. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
- ^ Caracappa, Matt. "The Top 8 Transformers of All Time". UGO.com. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|pubslier=ignored (|publisher=suggested) (help) - ^ Staff. "Soundwave - Favorite Toys". UGO.com. UGO Networks. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2009-06-03). "The Decepticons: A Character Guide". IGN. IGN Entertainment. p. 2. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ Pirrello, Phillip and Jesse Schedeen (2009-06-12). "Transformers: Our Favorite Decepticons". IGN. IGN Entertainment. p. 5. Retrieved 2011-04-02.