These are the characters that appear in the comic book series The Transformers: Drift and its sequel.
Drift/Deadlock
- The Atoner: Not at first, but by the end of the "Drift" series he decides to try and make amends for his past deeds.
- The Brute: Played with, Deadlock's first instinct when without his guns is to charge at his foes recklessly. Wing however notes he's not the typical dumb brute, and teaches him to overcome the instinct.
- Deadpan Snarker: Not above a few dry quips here and there.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Started life as a homeless junkie who found hope thanks to his friend Gasket. Only for Gasket to get killed, leading him to join the Decepticons.
- Defector from Decadence: He leaves the Decepticon cause by the end of "Drift 4", and joins the Autobot's by "Spotlight: Drift".
- Good Costume Switch: His body was reformatted after he's nearly killed.
- Easily Forgiven: As Deadlock he was one of the most prolific murderers the Decepticons had. Of course neither Wing, nor any of the other Circle of Light members know this. At first, anyway.
- Hot-Blooded: Both Turmoil and Wing point out this is his biggest flaw.
- Katanas Are Just Better: Switches from using guns and brute force to twin Katanas after leaving the Decepticons and joining the Autobots
- More Dakka: Originally liked solving all his problems by firing off as many rounds as possible. Later Wing later teaches him Katanas Are Just Better."I'll need a gun... two guns."
- Reformed, but Rejected: Averted but just barely. By the time he tells Dai Atlas of Braid and Lockdown's imminent attack, he's firmly on the side of good. And while Atlas is unwilling to help, Wing and some others do back him up.
- The Starscream: To Turmoil.
Wing
- The Ace: Quite the capable swordsman and overall warrior.
- All-Loving Hero: So much so he was willing to befriend Deadlock, one of the most infamous Cybertronian assassins who ever lived.
- The Anti-Nihilist: Wing always strives to do the right thing and see the best in others.
- Badass Pacifist: Wing demonstrated on several occasions to be capable of avoiding any attacks from his opponents while his own strikes would hit every time.
- Beware the Nice Ones: He is one of the most genuinely kind, empathetic, and gentle individuals in the entire Transformers franchise. He's also one of the best swordfighters around.
- BFS: His Great Sword, though he rarely uses it.
- Chronic Hero Syndrome: Much to the Circle of Light's consternation, he's always running off to save people from slavery or what-not rather than staying in the city were it's safe.
- Greater-Scope Paragon: It's his example that spurs Drift on to become a better person and remain that way.
- Humble Hero: Tends not to brag about how badass he is.
- Mysterious Past: Little of his past was explained in "Drift".
- Nice Guy: A true sweetheart.
- Wide-Eyed Idealist: And unlike many other characters in the comic franchise, one who manages to not become a Knight in Sour Armor. Mostly do to dying before he gets the chance.
Dai Atlas
- A Father to His Men: He cares very deeply for the people of New Crystal City.
- BFS: He owns a large Energy Weapon based blade.
- Big Good: Of the Circle of Light faction.
- The Fundamentalist: A benevolent example.
- Katanas Are Just Better: His main weapon.
- Large and in Charge: A benevolent example; he's the leader of the Circle of Light. He also towers over most other Cybertronians.
- Papa Wolf: Best shown when he flies into a rage after Wing is killed.
- Religious Bruiser: A given in this faction.
Gasket
- The Cutie
- Gut Punch: His death at the hands of Autobot cops.
- Morality Pet: Kept Drift from going off the rails, his death sent Drift over the edge into villainy.
- Non-Action Guy: He's a civilian, not a soldier.
- Only Friend: To Drift in their youth.
- The Pollyanna: Even in the bleak surroundings of Senate era Cybertron's nasty alleyways Gasket kept smiling.
Turmoil
- A Pupil of Mine Until He Turned to Evil: Inverted with Drift/Deadlock having once been his lieutenant.
- Deadpan Snarker: When Deadlock asserts he needs him Turmoil retorts by saying "like a disease."
- The Dreaded: Even his own men are afraid of him.
Braid
- The Assimilator: Braid and his people are a variant of this. They roam the galaxy, "sampling" other races, grafting desirable traits onto themselves in order to gain an advantage.
- Faux Affably Evil: Is capable of speaking and acting quite politely, key word is "acting".
- Hero Killer: He kills Wing, this does not sit well with Drift.
- Pragmatic Villainy: He's a monster true, but he's also not stupid. Though that still doesn't save him in the end.
- Sadist: Braid clearly enjoys hurting others and seems to like playing cruel mind games.
- Villain Team-Up: With Lockdown.
Lockdown
- Canon Immigrant: Lockdown makes his IDW debut, his character having been created in Transformers: Animated and his design imported from the Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen toyline.
- Punch-Clock Villain: He's just doing his job and holds no personal ill will towards Deadlock.
- Villain Team-Up: With Braid and the Slavers.
