Transformer of the Day for August 23, 2009
HOUND
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Scout
-Motto: “Observe Everything, Remember Even More”
-Notable Toy: Henkei (Takara, 2009)
Notes: Although the original Hound toy was probably among the closest first year toy in resemblance to his on-screen appearance in the original cartoon, you got to give it up to Takara-Tomy / Hasbro for bringing an even better version to toy shelves. And with Ravage to boot! How about that for a nod to the original “More than Meets the Eye” episodes!
(Apologies and thanks to tf-1.com for the character pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 22, 2009
YOKURYU
-Faction: Decepticon (Dinoforce)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Lightspeed Soldier
-Motto: “On High I Shall Savour Your Demise”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Takara, 1989)
Notes: A member of Dinoforce, Yokuryu is part of the terror known as Dinoking. And while it may just be vain wishes on my part, I really hope that Takara-Tomy reissue Yokuryu and his friends and soon! I love the shells and I love Dinoforce!
Transformer of the Day for August 21, 2009
LANDMINE
-Faction: Autobot (Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Asteroid Miner
-Motto: “The Greatest Treasures are Found in Dark Places”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1988)
Notes: I wonder how Sunbro would have portrayed the Pretenders in North America. Aside from the Japanese cartoons, we only have the comic interpretations to go on, and their weirdly accurate portrayal of the actual toy’s reveal of the character inside. Nonetheless, I have a soft spot for the trials of Landmine in his battles with the Mechabots. And colourful robots. Can’t forget those.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 20, 2009
SLUGSLINGER
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cyberton (2002-2006)
-Function: Aerial Combat
-Motto: “I Rule The Skies”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Takara, 2004)
Notes: The Doctor Mindbender of the Unicron Battles, Slugslinger is possibly the first transformer to arrive with a monocle. He’s also a pretty fun homage to his G1 predecessor. He kind of makes you wonder what kind of targetmaster an Energon toy would have used. Although his body was used for the exclusive Airazor (and proposed as the body for Devcon), he has not been subsequently reissued. And that is a shame.
Transformer of the Day for August 19, 2009
EJECT
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Electronic Surveillence
-Motto: “Clutch Hitting is the Key to an Effective Offense”
-Notable Toy: Big Mission Four Pack (Takara, 2009)
Notes: It seems appropriate, given that the Decepticon cassette brothers were clones of one another, that Eject would be a simple repaint of Rewind. Originally issued with Ramhorn, Eject makes a cameo in the animated movie to defend the communications tower from the Decepticon cassettes. It’s nice to see old friends once again.
Transformer of the Day for August 18, 2009
AQUABLAST
-Faction: Decepticon (Stormtrooper)
-Era: Generation Two (1993-1995)
-Function: Engineer
-Motto: “Listen! That’s the Music of One of my Super-Tuned, Ultra-Hot Engines… And Think What Terror it Must Strike in the Hearts of Those Autobot Cowards…”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1993)
Notes: Aquablast was the first time I acquired a foreign-based Transformer, and he came into my possession during the resurgence of Beast Wars. And of course he was removed from his card backing. Although he was quickly followed by the G2 European Powermasters and Tarantulas, he continues to hold a special place on the toy shelf.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the actual Hasbro toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 17, 2009
GRIZZLY-ONE
-Faction: Maximal
-Era: Beast Wars (1996-2000)
-Function: Bezerker
-Motto: “Sometimes Crazy Also Works”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Takara, 1998)
Notes: Before Polar Claw was, Grizzly-One was. You see Hasbro had originally planned to solicit Polar Claw in shades of brown and yellow. While I’ve no information as to what pre-empted the change, hats off to Takara for bringing the original beauty to life as an exclusive for the second (and last!) Botcon Japan, to say nothing of including the similarly painted Survive in Beast Wars Neo.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic. Check out the full pre-Toyfair picture at obscuretf.com)
Transformer of the Day for August 16, 2009
RICOCHET
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Shattered Verse (2008-Present)
-Function: Bodyguard
-Motto: “Shoot First, Why Bother With Questions”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: Ricochet has the distinction of being the first repeat character in the current line of Botcon exclusives. He also makes good use of the new Shattered Verse Jazz head sculpt. Curious though, he is not an inverse of what has become his tradition, Stepper-esque, colours. While I like the inevitable colour choice, I think it would have been cool to see a gold version with black flames as well.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 15, 2009
GROUNDBREAKER
-Faction: Autobot (Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Ground Trooper
-Motto: “The First One In Is the First One to Win“
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1988)
Notes: One of the second wave of three Autobot Pretenders, Groundbreaker’s shell features an animalistic-styled chest piece that nonetheless leaves his face unobscured. While the head sculpt on the Pretender shell is reminiscent of the original G.I.Joe Infantry Officer, Grunt, Groundbreaker has more in common with the 1988 Joe figure, Spearhead, if Spearhead were to wear a uniform reflective of his cat, Max.
(Apologies and thanks to botchthecrab.com for the pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 14, 2009
TALON
-Faction: Decepticon (Predator)
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Advance Fighter
-Motto: “Don’t Get Me Mad - When I Get Mad I Get Even”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: Like his leader, Skyquake, Talon was an exclusive to Europe, Australian and Canadian markets. Like his brethren, he seems to be more than a tailender, particularly given that the last breath of the Generation One line was the Action Masters (for which tailenders like Tracks and Bombshell appeared in Europe in 1991). The reason why Hasbro decided to create brand new transforming toys that featured none of the gimmicks of the later years of the Generation One line, and then relegate them to “foreign” markets, is as yet unknown.
