Mindwipe isn't like the other Decepticons. While they focus on attacking your body, he prefers to go for the mind. Using the power of hypnosis, he subverts the programming and wills of his opponents and directs them to perform his dirty work. This makes him very much a hands-off individual. Staying aloft and away from the action below, he allows his near-zombified minions to fight his battles for him. The only being immune to his abilities is Optimus Prime, the Matrix-bearer. But when the universe shuts a door, it opens a window, and if Mindwipe can't attack the Autobot leader directly...well, his nearest and dearest work just as well. While his powers have a scientific basis, he likes to pretend they have spookier origins. Between that and his extensive knowledge of Cybertron's supernatural lore, he's able to scare the more superstitious Transformers into thinking he's some kind of boogeyman! His closest comrade is, unsurprisingly, Bludgeon the skull-faced samurai looker.
History[]
Cyber Missions[]
When Ironhide stumbled into the cave where Mindwipe had been hiding out, Mindwipe promptly hypnotised the Autobot and made him start gathering up the energon crystals which littered the cave floor. This situation didn't last for long, as Optimus Prime came in search of Ironhide and blasted Mindwipe from the ceiling. Mindwipe's blustering at this unwanted intrusion was interrupted by a punch from Prime. Recovering, he responded by trying to hypnotise Prime as well, but his mojo was not strong enough to overcome Prime's will. Mindwipe transformed and attempted to flee, only to be blasted by Optimus. His hold over Ironhide was broken.
Mindwipe interrogated Jack to find out the location of some energon, tossing the human aside once he had the information. As he took off, he announced the energon would soon be all his, which earned him a correction from Starscream. When they reached the convoy, Mindwipe turned his hypnotic abilities on Ratchet and Sideswipe, but he and Starscream began bickering again, allowing Sideswipe to use some rock and roll to break Mindwipe's concentration. Ratchet grabbed Mindwipe and, dumping him into the energon trailer, gave him a short jolt to paralyze him, before dumping both trailer and Mindwipe off the nearest cliff. Mindwipe plummeted towards the ground while pleading for his leader to save him, but Starscream told him to save himself, and went after the energon instead.
Megatron led the Decepticons on a mission to free the captured Soundwave. It was an Autobot trap. Mindwipe tried to hypnotize Bumblebee, but Bumblebee covered his ears and talked over Mindwipe's voice, nullifying the effect. The two fought hand to hand until an army of the Autobots' human allies surrounded the battlefield. Optimus Prime gave each Decepticon a choice: Leave Earth or be destroyed. Mindwipe and the other Decepticons chose to leave Earth.
Unite for the Universe[]
Mindwipe was part of a raiding party assembled by Bludgeon at Megatron's command, along with Dirge and Brakedown. They attempted to invade a NEST facility, but were spotted in advance thanks to a tip provided by Starscream, who saw Bludgeon as a potential rival. When Optimus Prime emerged from the facility with his new Jetfire-inspired armor, Mindwipe and the others beat a hasty retreat.
IDW movie comics[]
Under Starscream's command, Mindwipe and a number of other Decepticons attacked Sam Witwicky in Philadelphia in order to retrieve the rogue scrap drone Brains. As Sam was under the protection of the Autobots, a battle broke out between Starscream's troops and Bumblebee, Wheeljack and Mirage. Mindwipe tried to pierce through Wheeljack's personal force field, but with little success. Mindwipe was apparently destroyed in his alternate form by crashing into Wheeljack's force shield, since he was not among the retreating Decepticons. Since Fearswoop died in exactly the same way but later.