protoform
In the fictional world of the Transformers, protoforms are "basic frames" of a Cybertronian placed in stasis until a suitable form can be found.
Origin of the term
"Beast Wars: Transformers" (1996-1999)
Protoforms played a major part in the Beast Wars saga, as the Axalon was carrying several dozen protoforms in stasis, which were ejected before crashing to Earth.
Protoforms are usually already imbued with a spark (self-awareness, life essence) before being placed into a stasis pod; those without a spark are referred to as "blanks". During the Axalon's journey, the Quantum Wave possibly destroyed these sparks while leaving the bodies intact. It is also possible that these blanks were intended to be used as spare bodies for the crew in case their own were damaged or destroyed. During the second season of Beast Wars, the Maximal leader Optimus Primal had his spark placed in a blank protoform after his original body was destroyed.
Stasis pods are also rather delicate, and the slightest damage can erase the protoform's memories. As a result, of the protoforms activated during the Beast Wars, only Rampage (and Packrat in the comic series) has any memory of life before going into stasis. It is likely that the others also had lives on Cybertron, as all Transformers who emerge from the pods seem more mature than Cheetor.
It is unknown in what era of Cybertronian history that protoform technology became available. In the Dreamwave comics, protoforms exist in the Micromasters series, which is set on Cybertron after the Ark and Nemesis were launched and lost in space.
It was implied in the television series and Wreckers comic book that some of the protoforms were criminals shipped off planet. This was the case with Packrat (a master thief) and Protoform X (aka Rampage, a serial killer).
In the IDW Publications mini-series, Beast Wars: The Gathering, the Predacon Magmatron and his troops arrived on Earth on a mission to follow up on the failure of Ravage. Magmatron had his own agenda to convert many of the unused protoforms in stasis pods into Predacon soldiers under his command, but the Maximal under cover agent Razorbeast sabotaged the plan, resulting in many of the protoforms emerging as Maximals. Magmatron also recovered the remains of Ravage and used a blank protoform to bring him back as a Transmetal.
On Film
"Transformers" (2007)
In the 2007 live-action film "Transformers", Autobots en route to Earth change their alternate modes into structures resembling solid comets for space travel (or burning meteorites while falling through an atmosphere). These forms are referred to as "protoforms", though they are not specifically named such in the film. In the Transformers Movie Prequel book, protoforms are the base forms for all transformers on Cybertron (Bumblebee is portrayed on Cybertron as a protoform and later in the book Starscream, Barricade, and Blackout are seen as protoforms on Mars). It should also be noted that a transformer can apparantly turn into a protoform as much as it needs to. Bumblebee first landed on Mars and then went to Earth after finding a Mars rover, evidencing the theory.
Much unlike those in "Beast Wars", protoforms in the live-action film are said to be extremely tough and durable, obviously withstanding the atmospheric reentry and hard landing as they arrive on Earth, as said by the Transformers Movie Guide; whereas in "Beast Wars" protoforms are portrayed as fragile and delicate.
The toys of protoforms of Optimus Prime and Starscream were available for sale before their normal Earth forms were; this may be the first time a protoform of any kind was available as a toy.
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