Mirage (Transformers) first to rush into battle, Mirage was destroyed by a flamethrower to his neck; his death was soon avenged in battle by Ironhide. Mirage is one of the light blue robots in the 2010 card game "Monopoly Deal Transformers". The first truly new, different character to bear the name of Mirage appeared in the 1999 "Beast Machines" toyline, a portent of the frequent reuse the name would soon receive. A member of the evil Vehicons, with the requisite (albeit stylised and alien) racing car alternate mode, this Mirage did not appear in the accompanying animated series, but was characterised as
Transformers (toy line) the title "Beasties". Long-time Transformers fans noticed the prominence of the words "Beast Wars" over "Transformers", the latter appearing in small type under the former. The Transformers' fan base splintered into two groups as a direct result, with the one enjoying Beast Wars for what it was and the other refusing to accept it as official canon in the Transformers mythology. The success of Beast Wars and the change in storyline resulted in its second phase: Beast Machines. Like Beast Wars, the name Transformers was used only as a secondary title. While still a success, the storyline and direction borne