Movies/Comics/TV Show/etc 

as long as he is a backstabbing cut-throat then I'm happy. I mean that's the character.

G1, G2, and Best wars version from the cartoon shows. The movie version and the more recent cartoon versions have lost some integral aspect of his character. They know he's popular but to me it looks like they don't know why. 

Does he even have a character in the movies? He has had about three lines in each movie. But yes I prefer him at maximum backstabbing

Generation 1 and Terrosaur (he was basically BW's Starscream)

Movie Starscream is dull. He has no personality whatsoever, to kids he'd just be; "lil Megatron"

The only version of Starscream I don't really like was Armada version where all he wanted was to be respected. Cybertron version was pretty cool in that he was actually successful in acquiring power and was a threat to Megatron. I like most other versions as well.

Does he even have a character in the movies? He has had about three lines in each movie. But yes I prefer him at maximum backstabbing

I always liked G1's portrayal of him best, seen the first Michael Bay transformers but can't remember how he was portrayed in it.

I always liked G1's portrayal of him best, seen the first Michael Bay transformers but can't remember how he was portrayed in it.

I like the G1, Animated, and the Movie Starscream.  The Starscream during the Unicron Saga (Armada, Energon, and Cybertron) was just fangirl bait.

The best version is the G1 version, period.

G1 would be the best version. All other versions of Starscream downgraded the characterization of him that G1 set in stone. Course, G1 comic book version was far more competent than G1 cartoon Starscream.

The anti heroic Armada version was probably my favorite. G1 is cool as well

I like the G1 version of Starscream best, because even though he was way too open about his desire to overthrow Megatron in the cartoon, he was still skilled, crafty, & dangerous to bot and con alike, unlike the Transformers Prime version of Starscream who's basically devolved into the incompetent comedy relief villain of the series who miraculously avoids death despite having no redeeming features or notable skills. I just feel that past versions of Starscream had more to offer and that's why Megatron kept him around, whereas nowadays Megs has even less reason to keep sparing Screamer because he can't do anything right (its bad enough he's treacherous, but he's also treacherous & seriously lacking in skills, brainpower, & backbone).

I don't mind Screamer being no match for Megatron, but I feel that he should always be a credible threat, since he is/was apparently worthy of being Megatron's 2nd in command in many continuities up until his first act of betrayal (it makes Megatron seem dumb to have recruited Screamer as his righthand if he didn't have any skills that warranted him having such a high position).

P.S. I also like the TFA & Cybertron versions of Starscream since they're portrayed as being genuinely powerful rivals to Optimus & Megatron.

@xybernauts said:

G1, G2, and Best wars version from the cartoon shows. The movie version and the more recent cartoon versions have lost some integral aspect of his character. They know he's popular but to me it looks like they don't know why.

I think you're right. In your opinion, what do you think made Starscream so popular originally that Hasbro seems to have forgotten? What has his character lost?

@Sinestro2828: Actually, I wrote that comment a year ago. Since then I've seen significant improvements in Starscream's character and role on the show. Truthfully, I don't even remember what I didn't like about the Transformers Prime version of the character. He's demonstrated more depth in terms of his character. For example, I like how Starscream's was able to outmaneuver the Autobots using the Cybertronian relics and I like how he had a crisis of conscious regarding his ambitions to overthrow Megatron and the way he submitted to Megatron. Of course I expect and hope he'll eventually stab Megatron in the back again. And i loved how he intelligently used the human kids to force the Autobots to give up the keys. It shows his prowess as a tactician and how sinister and devious and how intelligent he is. The movie version is terrible. It was stupid the way they killed him in the last movie. With Megatron dead they could have made him to main villian in the next movie and used to opportunity to explore his character. Maybe he'll come back with dark energon or something.

I personally prefer WFC starscream over the slobbering Micheal bayformer in the movies.