I like Prime Shockwave more than G1 actually. The logic driven sciency tankformer is better than blindly loyal thing that turns into a gun xD + He created Predaking. Instant win.
I have to admit, Shockwave from Transformers Prime did not have enough screen. If anything, he was pretty dang menacing. Shame he didn't pop up on the latest show (sequel?) Transformers: Robots in Disguise.
G1 Shockwave is kinda...Odd. There are a lot of G1 continuities and much of the characters end up having different personalities and back stories though tend to flow through the same premises. The G1 cartoon Shockwave mainly served as military commander and scientist and later served as, well, basically an administrator for Cybertron while Megaton went on a Autobot hunting trip (you can say the Decepticons "won"). Through out the cartoon, Shockwave pretty much acted as tech-support for Megatron (whom comparatively 9and admittedly) was just a bit smarter than Starscream) and occasionally led Decepticon troops when needed. Basically, he makde cool stuff that everyone either blunders and breaks.
G1 Marvel comic Shockwave was something like Prime Shockwave but with more oomph, militarily speaking. Once more, a Decepticon military commander but a few issues in, questioned Megatron's command ended up in a successful power struggle with the Decepticon leader with an army he himself created. After Megatron committed suicide (yes, that happened) in response to the death Of Optimus Prime, Shockwave ended up leading the Decepticons for quite a bit of time until time rifts and insanity took place...Because comics. He actually ends up having a good ending with him renouncing his ways and becoming a peace emissary.