Drift (Cyberverse)

Drift is a Decepticon posing as an Autobot from the Cyberverse continuity family.

"The dragon is sated."

Drift was once a Decepticon named Deadlock, but it didn't take long after the launch of Megatron's revolution for him to realise that he didn't fit in with the Decepticons. He believed in a more honorable lifestyle than the sort his fellow 'Cons preferred, and so, given a chance, he jumped at the opportunity to make his own path. Now he has a new name and a new purpose in life as part of the Autobot cause... or so he would have you believe.

Fiction

Cyberverse cartoon

Voice actor: Tony Daniels (English), Yōji Ueda (Japanese), Jean-Michel Vovk (French), Andreas Müller (German), Riccardo Rovatti (Italian)

"With every death, comes honor. With honor, redemption."

Fanatically loyal to Megatron, Deadlock was chosen by his master to act as a deep cover agent within the Autobot ranks. Battle For Cybertron III Feigning a change of spark in the early stages of the Great War, Deadlock was brought to Maccadam's by Bumblebee, who needed to find Optimus Prime to get his new friend to safety. To sell the ruse, Megatron followed them to the bar and intended to use Deadlock as an example to others. Before the tyrant could slay the traitor, Maccadam intervened and demanded that there would be no fighting in his bar. After Megatron stormed out, Maccadam told Deadlock that he was welcome to stay in the bar as a refuge for as long as he needed. Maccadam's

Deadlock would later take the name "Drift" after joining the Autobots. His true allegiances still a secret, Drift managed to rise to a place of prominence in the Autobot ranks, being chosen as part of the crew for the Ark. Allspark In a memory manipulated by Shockwave, Drift was present at Optimus's announcement that the AllSpark had been found near the Ark and cheered on with the rest of the crew. Sabotage

An unspecified amount of time later, Drift was questioned by Bumblebee if he had seen a strange creature during their recent battle on the Moon. He denied seeing such a thing before going back to shining the massive Autobot badge aboard the Ark. The Visitor Not long after, Drift upgraded himself to a new body.

"Let the dragon consume you!"

Drift attended a party on the Ark as the Autobots traveled back to Cybertron. Unfortunately, a strong influx of AllSpark energy from Wheeljack's energy emitters sent the partygoers, including Drift, into a blind rage that caused them to attack anyone in sight. He attempted to strike Optimus and Cheetor, only to be baited into a fight with the similarly-enraged Windblade. Once Optimus managed to shut down the main emitter, he and the others returned to normal, and after a brief moment of awkwardness, he rejoined the celebration with the other Autobots. Party Down

Drift celebrated with the rest of the crew as the Ark approached Cybertron. The Crossroads As the Ark entered Cybertron's atmosphere, Hot Rod asked other Autobots what they planned on doing once they got home. Drift revealed that he had something special planned that had been a long time coming, and that he would make sure Hot Rod was there, his intensity unnerving Hot Rod. Battle For Cybertron I Along with the rest of the crew, Drift bailed out of the ship when Optimus suspected a Decepticon trap, and took part in the fight with the amassed Decepticon forces. Battle For Cybertron II

As Drift fought, he spotted Hot Rod, Bumblebee and Cheetor disappearing down a secret tunnel with the AllSpark and hurried after them. Catching up to the trio in an underground swamp of toxic Energon waste, Drift lunged at the AllSpark when their backs were turned, only to be barred by Hot Rod. Revealing himself as a double agent and shifting his optics back to Decepticon red, Drift viciously attacked Hot Rod to try and get to the AllSpark, eventually managing to seriously wound his foe. Though Drift was ready to complete his mission, Hot Rod grabbed the traitor and dragged him into the swamp, vowing to take Drift with him. Despite the Decepticon's attempts to escape, both sank into the muck. Battle For Cybertron III Although Hot Rod survived the encounter in time to witness the Quintessons invading Cybertron, Drift seemingly perished. The Dead End

Toys

Cyberverse

"Deadlock, at your service."

• Deadlock (Warrior Class, 2019)
  • Action Attack: Sneak Strike

Part of the fourth wave of Cyberverse Warrior Class toys, Deadlock is a Deluxe-size mold that converts from robot into a sports car. His "Sneak Strike" Action Attack feature consists of effect-molded flip-out blades on his forearms, activated by pushing his chestplate all the way into place when converting the toy to robot mode.

Oddly, this toy has the "Drift" color layouts, though he does keep his red "Deadlock" eyes... though the packaging artwork has blue eyes. Whoops.

The Dark Side may have cookies, but the Light Side has elbow articulation.

• Drift (Warrior Class, 2019)
  • Action Attack: Swing Slash

Released in the fifth wave of Cyberverse Warriors, this Drift has a different transformation and features additional left elbow articulation compared to his Deadlock persona above. His "Swing Slash" Action Attack feature consists of his grappling/launching blade fired from his sword's hilt (permanently molded on his right hand), activated in robot mode. Due to the gimmick, he only features a functional 5 mm compatible left hand.

• Autobot Drift (Tiny Turbo Changer, 2019)
  • Series: 1
  • Bag code: F

Part of the first Series of Cyberverse Tiny Turbo Changers, Drift is a soft-plastic robot who transforms into a tiny sportscar.

This mold was also used to make Jazz.

Notes

 

(Left: Cyberverse Deadlock model)
(Right: Guido Guidi's concept art)

• The design of Drift's original "Deadlock" body is based on a fan Triple Changer design (itself based on Generation 1 Springer)^[1] by Guido Guidi—though there are some differences, like the placement of the Decepticon sigil and the cockpit of the alt-mode on his chest.
• Drift's second body draws influence from his Generation 1 namesake but with minor stylistic twists, such as details on his feet evoking geta.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Drift (ドリフト Dorifuto), Deadlock (デッドロック Deddorokku)

References