Transformer of the Day for August 11, 2009
CLAMPDOWN
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Diaclone Years (1982-1984)
-Function: Police Officer
-Motto: “Crime Is a Distraction from Liberty“
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2003)
Notes: One of the many diaclone recolours available before Transformers, Clamp Down’s paint scheme influenced the release of Red Alert. In 2003, he was finally released in an Autobot version more closely in synch with the original diaclone through eHobby.
Transformer of the Day for August 12, 2009
STARSCREAM
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Air Commander
-Motto: “Conquest is Made from the Ashes of One’s Enemies”
-Notable Toy: Masterpiece Exclusive (Hasbro, 2007)
Notes: It was only a matter of time before Starscream was added to the list. And while there can be no doubt that the figure reference would be the store exclusive, recoloured Masterpiece version of the toy, it’s important to remember all the wonderful alternatives that could have been selected. While I’m partial to the 1989 Classic Pretender myself, both the Robot Masters and Classics / Henkei versions are strong representations of a great character.
Transformer of the Day for August 11, 2009
FIRST AID
-Faction: Autobot (Protectobot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Doctor
-Motto: “An Ounce of Maintenance is Worth a Pound of Cure”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1986)
Notes: The four original “Scramble City” combiner teams (Stunticons, Aerialbots, Protectobots and Combaticons) were mostly cannon-fodder in the cartoon. Only the leader and one of the regular “soldiers” from each set got any real cartoon face time. First Aid, voiced by Michael Bell in the original cartoon, was the exception for the Protectobots. Of course, while the approved Generation One Hasbro release is included, my favourite reiteration of the character is still the “two-up” bootleg I found in Italy in 2005.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the actual Hasbro toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 10, 2009
HUN-GURR
-Faction: Decepticon (Terrorcon)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Terrorcon Leader
-Motto: “Eat Only What You Need - Destroy the Rest”
-Notable Toy: Legends Five Pack Exclusive (Hasbro, 2009)
Notes: “Special Teams” was a term that came out of the Marvel UK comics and used to indicate the five-transformers Gestalts referenced in the Japanese cartoon, Scramble City. Interestingly enough, Hasbro adopted the brand name for use in its neo-Classics 2.0 line, for a special five pack of redecoed Legend class figures. It’s a truly nice set, even if the molds have been used a few too many times.
Transformer of the Day for August 9, 2009
SENTINEL MAXIMUS
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Universe (2003-2004)
-Function: Matrix Guardian / Armoured Transport
-Motto: “‘Til All Are One“
-Notable Toy: Exclusive (Hasbro, 2004)
Notes: Sentinel Maximus is truly a toy with a history. Originally solicited to serve as one of two toy exclusives to the then-Official Transformers Collectors’ Convention (OTFCC), a controversial successor to Botcon that folded in 2004, he was for whatever reason not ready for the convention itself. Later, when OTFCC declared bankruptcy, Hasbro itself undertook to distribute the toy to pre-paid convention goers as best as possible. A great example of how a truly nice toy can almost get lost in the bureaucracy of an event.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 8, 2009
TERRORSAUR
-Faction: Predacon
-Era: Beast Wars (1996-2000)
-Function: Aerial Combat
-Motto: “If Betrayal is in Your Heart, Keep to the Sky“
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Takara, 1996)Notes: If Terrorsaur took his place as his Megatron’s Starscream, his plans were not quite so ambition, his schemes a little less grand. Makes you wonder if he had survived a bit longer, if things would have been different. Sadly, his passing with Scorponok was barely noted, and his toy never properly realized. Best one can do is Takara’s version. But you just hold out hope for a slightly bigger and slightly redder Terrorsaur. One with a bit more ambition.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 7, 2009
STAR SABER
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Supreme Commander
-Motto: “Let’s Say ‘Go’“
-Notable Toy: Exclusive Box Set (Takara, 1989)
Notes: While we covered his Victory Saber combined form back on March 24, how could we not take a moment to look at the individual robot himself. Star Saber is a brainmaster, a Japanese-only line of toys where a second robot forms the inner part of the robot’s head. Serving as the fifth Cybertronian leader in Japan, it’s a shame North America never got a toy like this on its store shelves.
Transformer of the Day for August 6, 2009
ICEPICK
-Faction: Decepticon (Pretender Monster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Demolitions
-Motto: “From Today’s Rubble-Strewn Fields Shall Emerge a New Decepticon World”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Takara, 1996)
Notes: Icepick is the North American counterpart to Goryu. Unlike his Japanese dinoforce brethren, Hasbro monster pretenders sport bright colours and colourful rubber pretender shells that are often dramatically affected by age. Though Icepick only lead hisDemolition monsters into battle in an alternate timeline during the Marvel comics run, he’s still a fun figure to own. And, as seen above, believes in the importance of a shirt and tie.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 5, 2009
THUNDERCLASH
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Commander-in-Chief
-Motto: “We’re Ready and More Than Able; Let Them Throw All They Want at Us; We Stand As One.
-Notable Toy: Leader-Class (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: Although Thunderclash appeared as an exclusive at Botcon 2009, in an appropriate paint application, he somehow seems naked without his trailer. And where the position of Commander-in-Chief fits into the Autobot hierarchy of command is as yet unknown.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 4, 2009
TRYPTICON
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Assault Base
-Motto: “Total Victory Requires Total Destruction”
-Notable Toy: Standard (Hasbro, 1986)
Notes: Five facts about Trypticon. One, he is motorized, able to walk in dinosaur mode and roll in battle platform mould. Two, he was modified and reissued in 1998 as part of the Beast Wars II line as Gigastorm. Three, he is remarkably intelligent in his Marvel Comics’ appearance. Four, it is never made clear what happens to the people who inhabit the earth city from which Trypticon is birthed by the Constructions. Five, it’s rumoured that he likes pie.
(Apologies and thanks to Chi @ BigBot for the incredible artwork.)
