Swindler is a minor character in Generation One of the Transformers franchise. He was one of the last releases of the 1988 toyline.
History[]
Swindler's first appearance chronologically was in the Marvel US exclusive story "A Small War", where he and several other Autobot Micromasters were despatched with Roadhandler to destroy the base where the captive Battle Patrol were being reverse-engineered by the Decepticons to create their own Micromasters. He supported Roadhandler's decision to rescue the Battle Patrol instead, although this led to the Decepticon Micromasters being brought online.
Swindler made his first Marvel US appearance in Issue #54, where he and a number of other Autobot Micromasters were sent to Earth to bolster Optimus Prime's forces there. Swindler suspected the Cybertronian Autobot leaders wanted them out of the way. The new arrivals were despatched to investigate monster sightings, actually Decepticon Pretenders, near New York City. Swindler and the other members of the Race Car Patrol met up with journalist Cecilia Santiago, who alerted them to the fact Iguanus was attempting to place an electrostator at the top of the Empire State Building, which would attract the storm, destroying a chunk of the city and channeling the energy for the Decepticons. The Autobots managed to thwart the scheme.
In the following issue, Swindler followed Roadhandler in remaining in New York to foster better relations with humans. When Roadhandler accepted an invitation to a wrestling match, Swindler, along with Freewheeler, accompanied him, with Swindler declaring himself Roadhandler's manager and refusing to let him throw the match. They were interrupted by Lord Zarak and the Decepticon Air Strike Patrol, leading to Storm Cloud challenging Roadhandler. Cecilia tipped Swindler off to the fact the Decepticons were planning to take Roadhandler's young human friends Evan and Dwight hostage to force him to throw the match, so Swindler arranged for Tailspin and Highjump to deliver the pair safely to the stadium. Roadhandler won the bout but decided staying around humans placed them in danger.
Swindler's last chronological appearance was in the UK story "(Double)deal of the Century", where he and the rest of the Race Car Patrol were working with Optimus Prime on Earth. They attempted to meet Chainclaw, who was delivering battle plans from Cybertron, but saw him kidnapped by Doubledealer. Doubledealer manipulated both Autobots and Decepticons, getting Optimus Prime to pay him a ransom for Chainclaw and then directing him, Swindler and the others to attack Scorponok's Decepticons while he slipped away.
