Transformers: Dark of the Moon has invaded the box office - providing one of the coolest eye-candy experiences moviegoers will see all summer. Despite an overlong runtime and some plot-holes, both fans and critics (read our Transformers 3 review) have praised the movie for its exciting and over-the-top final act - which looks especially cool as an IMAX 3D experience.

However, while the visuals excel, the stars of the film - the cybernetic organisms known as "Transformers" - are, with a few exceptions, somewhat under-served and underdeveloped once again. As a result, many fans were left scratching their heads, trying to figure out which bot was which, while speculating on backstories for the more obscure characters.

To combat the confusion, we've put together a list of every credited bot that either returns for Transformers Dark of the Moon or makes their feature film debut - including a brief description and image for each character (retreads such as the Barricade and Brawl clones in the film are not included). Admittedly, with the film still fresh in theaters, images and info for a couple of characters won't be as readily available as others - so we'll be updating this Transformers 3 character guide as new images and details appear online. In addition, we're hard at work on a full guide to every Transformer featured in Michael Bay's robot trilogy (including the Mountain Dew bot) which we'll unveil in the coming days.

In the meantime, check out the guide below - and then head over to our Transformers 3 spoilers post to discuss any character details that might be spoiler-ish for fans who have yet to see the film.

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Brains - Autobot

Brains in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Once a Decepticon drone unit, Brains unexpectedly became sentient and escaped his evil masters - taking refuge with reformed Decepticon Wheelie. Brains hides in plain site as a laptop computer and is extremely loyal to his human friends - not to mention committed to seeing the Decepticons annihilated.

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Bumblebee - Autobot

Bumblebee in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Bumblebee is an Autobot scout and one of Optimus Prime's most trusted allies. What he lacks in strength, he makes up for with determination, bravery and loyalty - gladly giving his life if necessary to protect others and stop the Decepticons. When not transformed as a Chevrolet Camaro, he enters battle with a plasma cannon on his right arm. He lost the ability to speak when his voice processor was damaged during a fight with Megatron - though he still communicates with human allies using various Earth radio frequencies.

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Dino - Autobot

Dino in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Dino is a close quarters-combat Autobot that transforms into red Ferrari 458 Italia. Some fans will notice the character is referred to as Mirage in the Dark of the Moon videogame and other marketing - however, in honor of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari's son Alfredo aka "Dino" (who died at the age of 24), the character's name was altered for the final movie.

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The Dreads: Crankcase, Crowbar, Hatchet - Decepticons

The Dreds Transformers

Description: The Dreads are a trio of Decepticons (lead by Crankcase) who transform into black Chevrolet Suburban emergency SUVs. While Crankcase and Crowbar have beastly, albeit humanoid, alternate forms, when not in vehicle form, Hatchet appears as a cybernetic lion. In Dark of the Moon, the trio faces-off against Bumblebee, Ironhide, and Dino in a highway chase.

Check out each of The Dreds in detail below:

The Dreds: Crankcase - Decepticon

Crankcase Transformers Dark of the Moon

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The Dreds: Crowbar - Decepticon

Crowbar Transformers Dark of the Moon

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The Dreds: Hatchet - Decepticon

Hatchet Transformers Dark of the Moon

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Driller - Decepticon

The Driller in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: The driller was one of many native Cybertronian creatures, until it was domesticated by Shockwave prior to the destruction of Cybertron. Shockwave now commands the leviathan. Though the bot is never shown in full, appearing mostly as a series of wriggling robotic tentacles, the Driller does appear to have a "head" of sorts - fitted with bladed "teeth" as pictured in the image above.

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Igor - Decepticon

 

Igor Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: First spotted at Megatron's African camp, Igor is a small and disfigured Decepticon bootlicker. Igor's combined portrayals in the Dark of the Moon novelization and early concept art could indicate that the character is actually Long Haul's decapitated head. Unlike similarly-sized peons such as Wheelie and Brains, Igor lacks an alternate form and does not contribute to the overall war in any meaningful capacity - unless you count chewing on various items as a meaningful contribution.

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Ironhide - Autobot

Ironhide in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Ironhide serves as the Autobot weapons specialist. He is one of Optimus Prime's oldest friends, though they don’t always see eye to eye – with Ironhide at times pushing Autobot collateral damage codes to achieve faster results. Ironhide's vehicle mode is a GMC Topkick and his weapons arsenal consists of machine guns, plasma cannons and a devastating Gatling missile launcher, ensuring he is always the first into battle with the Decepticons.

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Continue reading our Transformers 3 Character Guide for fan-favorites like Laserbeak and debut bots like Que...

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Laserbeak - Decepticon

Laserbeak in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: A fan-favorite Decepticon and one of Soundwave's "tapes" in the G1 series, Laserbeak serves as an assassin for the Decepticons on Earth. In Dark of the Moon, the bot is shown to take several alternate forms, including a copy machine and a flatscreen TV, but Laserbeak's robotic form is equally bizarre - a cybernetic vulture with razor-sharp talons.

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Megatron - Decepticon

Megatron in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Following his mutilation at the conclusion of Revenge of the Fallen, Megatron returns (albeit weakened and still disfigured) as a Mack tanker truck. In robot form, Megatron hides his injuries under a tattered cloak, though his propensity for power and tyranny remain intact - as does his iconic fusion cannon.

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Optimus Prime - Autobot

Optimus Prime in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Optimus Prime is the the brave leader of the Autobots - and a habitual defender of freedom. Following his "fall" in Revenge of the Fallen, Optimus now pulls his iconic tractor trailer when in Peterbilt Truck vehicle form. In battle, the trailer transforms into a storage locker that houses a variety of weaponry including combat blades, heavy duty plasma cannons, and a mech-tech jetpack.

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Que - Autobot

 

Que Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Que, also referred to as Wheeljack in Dark of the Moon (and other marketing materials), is an Autobot genius reminiscent of Albert Einstein. The character's name was changed in post as a nod to the James Bond inventor, Q - who more closely matches the bot's role in the film (instead of G1 Wheeljack, who was more of a mechanic). When he isn't at the base inventing weaponry for the Autobots, Que transforms into a blue Mercedes-Benz E550 for public appearances.

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Ratchet - Autobot

Ratchet in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Returning once again as the Autobot field medic, as well as a science officer, Ratchet remains one of Optimus Prime's most trusted teammates. While Ratchet still transforms into a Hummer H2 Search and Rescue Sport Utility Truck, in Dark of the Moon the character receives a minor color palette tweak (ditching yellow for lime green).

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Sentinel Prime - Autobot

Sentinel Prime in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Sentinel Prime is Optimus Prime's predecessor and mentor - as well as the "Einstein" of the Cybertronian race. Sentinel invented space bridge technology before being marooned on Earth's moon after the destruction of the Ark. On Earth, Sentinel transforms into a Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 airport fire truck - and wields dual blades in hand-to-hand combat.

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Shockwave - Decepticon

Shockwave in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Shockwave is one of the Decepticon's most brilliant minds as well as deadliest warriors - and is fiercely devoted to Megatron. In addition to taming the infamous Driller creature, Shockwave terrorizes the Autobot resistance fighters with an arm-mounted AstroMag Cannon - and ice cold dedication to his mission. The Decepticon has no alternate form in the film but transforms into a Cybertronian tank in the Hasbro toy line.

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Sideswipe - Autobot

Sideswipe in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: One of the most exciting Autobots in Revenge of the Fallen (after dispatching Decepticon Sideways in acrobatic style), Sideswipe mostly disappeared from the remainder of the film. In Dark of the Moon, the Corvette Stingray Concept car gets a number of moments to shine - utilizing his deadly close-combat arm blades to help beat -back the Decepticon assault in Chicago.

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Continue for more fan-favorites such as Soundwave and a who is who breakdown of The Wrecker team...

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Soundwave - Decepticon

Soundwave in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: A Communications Commander for the Decepticons, Soundwave was largely underused in Revenge of the Fallen (relegated to a communications hacker - attached to a military satellite) but for Dark of the Moon the fan-favorite bot appears on Earth as a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Following the death of Ravage in the last film, Soundwave is partnered with Laserbeak for Transformers 3.

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Starscream - Decepticon

Starscream in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: One of the most beloved Transformers, due mainly to his thirst for power and tendency for screw-ups, Starscream fills his usual second-in-command spot once again (with his trademark scheming and groveling combo). The "seeker" bot is mostly unchanged for the sequel - retaining his tribal Decepticon markings when in F-22 Raptor vehicle form.

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Wheelie - Autobot

Wheelie in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: Once a Decepticon lackey (tamed by Megan Fox aka Mikaela Banes), Wheelie returns in Dark of the Moon as the second half in a comic-relief duo - teamed with like-minded Decepticon turncoat, Brains. Wheelie's alternate form remains unchanged, a RC Ford F-Series monster truck, though his distaste for Decepticons is stronger than ever (as is his dedication to his Autobot allies).

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The Wreckers: Leadfoot, Roadbuster, Topspin - Autobots

The Wreckers in Transformers Dark of the Moon

Description: The Wreckers are a trio of Autobot mechanics that appear as battle-ready NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevrolet Impala stock cars - and are relegated to a NASA facility, due to their abrasive personalities. Until the Chicago invasion, the Wreckers spent the majority of their time maintaining the Autobot spacecraft, the Xantium. Leadfoot and Roadbuster are loud-mouthed bots that speak with working class Londoner accents - though Topspin has no speaking lines.

Check out each of The Wreckers in detail below:

The Wreckers: Leadfoot - Autobot

Wrecker Leadfoot in Transformers Dark of the Moon

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The Wreckers: Roadbuster - Autobot

Wrecker Roadbuster in Transformers Dark of the Moon

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The Wreckers: Topspin - Autobot

Wrecker Topspin in Transformers Dark of the Moon

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As mentioned, stay tuned for our complete Transformers movie guide in the coming days, and in the meantime, follow us on Twitter @benkendrick, @rob_keyes, and @Walwus and let us know which bot is your favorite Transformer Dark of the Moon character.