Transformer of the Day for July 24, 2009
HOT SHOT
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cyberton (2002-2006)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto:“Well Let’s Go!”
-Notable Toy: Exclusive Cybertron Two-Pack (Hasbro, 2006)
Notes: In Armada, he became Optimus Prime’s choice for successor. In Japan’s Micron Legend line, he was actually named Hot Rod, who paint application was the basis for his Powerlink mode. Colour-changes, even vehicle changes, Hot Shot was a bot on the move. And while the yellow version is his most consistent (as best seen in Takara-Tomy’s Henkei issue), my pick here is the boxed Cybertron form with the mini-con tin.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for July 23, 2009
SUNSTORM
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Aerospace Warrior
-Motto: “The Glories of Victory are Defined by My Will”
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2003)
Notes: Like Acid Storm, Sunstorm’s origins are found in an animation error in the old Sunbrow production cells. Unlike his rainmaker friend, however, Sunstorm was given life in the Dreamwave comic book as a powerful deranged clone of Starscream. And he’s been oft-repeated, most notably in Transformers: Animated. Still, there is something about his repainted G1 seeker form, particularly given its wider available due to a subsequent reissue in 2009.
Transformer of the Day for July 22, 2009
MIRAGE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Spy
-Motto:“Who and What I Am I Hide From the Enemy“
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2007)
Notes: I imagine that no one was more happy with the arrival of Jetfire than Mirage, because it meant he was not the only Autobot to be considered a traitor. But for a group of alleged peace loving mechanoids, there seemed to be a lot of occasion to point fingers at the aristocrat in the group.
(Apologies and thanks to plasticcrack.net for the main image, and tf-1.com for the bonus and wonderful diaclone originals.)
Transformer of the Day for July 21, 2009
HOWLBACK
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Diaclone Years (1982-1984)
-Function: Enforcer
-Motto: “Dissent will be Supressed”
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2005)
Notes: Packaged with Garboil, a blue repaint of Laserbeak, Howlback is a blue repaint of Ravage, reminiscent of early Diaclone colours. A female panther this time around, Howlback is unfortunately so close to Ravage in colour that it’s hard to tell them apart. Nevertheless, it’s still good to have a few more clever cats on your team.
Transformer of the Day for July 20, 2009
SIXKNIGHT
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Ninja Warrior
-Motto: “Power Alone is Not Everything”
-Notable Toy: Six-Changer (Takara, 1988)
Notes: Like Great Shot, Sixknight was a Japanese-only repaint. Unlike Great Shot, however, he does not change alliances with the colour change, but rather appears as a fellow Autobot like his North American brother, Quickswitch. As a personal, both Great Shot and Sixknight recently joined my own collection through separate Botcon 2009 purchases. Ironic then that I don’t yet have the original North American releases. Ha!
Transformer of the Day for July 19, 2009
TRIGGERHAPPY
-Faction: Decepticon (Targetmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Gunner
-Motto: “Have Gun, Have Fun”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1987)
Notes: In Generation One, Hasbro seemed to enjoy releasing trios of toys. For the Decepticon targetmasters, that meant Slugslinger, Misfire and Triggerhappy. Partnered with Blowpipe, Triggerhappy was also my favourite of the group simply because of the sheer number of cannons at his disposal. He looked futuristic and cool and someone you didn’t want to run up against him in a dark alley.
Transformer of the Day for July 18, 2009
ORION PAX
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Freight Handler
-Motto: “Freedom for All”
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2005)
Notes: One of the best episodes of Generation One was “War Dawn”, where the aerialbots learn the secret origin of Optimus Prime. While other timelines have spoken of Optimus as a washed-out cadet or a data collection specialist, here the great leader comes from humble beginnings. And even if it is simply a repaint of the reissued G1 Kup, somehow his single toy appearance just works right. It doesn’t hurt that Dion comes along for the ride.
Transformer of the Day for July 17, 2009
AUTOJETTER
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Beast Wars II (1998)
-Function: Aerial Guard
-Motto: “War is a Sport and I Play to Win”
-Notable Toy: Korean Release (Takara, 1998)
Like Autolauncher, Autojetter was intended to be rolled out as part of Hasbro’s Generation Two line. But like the second wave of Gobots (of which four of the six molds survived to become in Robots in Disguise), these two figures never even merited a mention in Hasbro’s 1995 toyfair catalogue. What’s peculiar about this fact is repaints of Dirtbag and Roadblock, titled Sgt. Hound and General Optimus, somehow did. Why they didn’t take advantage of these great molds is beyond me.
Transformer of the Day for July 16, 2009
GALAXY SHUTTLE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Interstellar Transport Warrior
-Motto: “Let’s Wing It”
-Notable Toy: Standard (Takara, 1989)
Notes: Like Godbomber to Powermaster Optimus Prime, Galaxy Shuttle is one of those Takara-issued figures that would have greatly enhanced its companion toy (in this case, Countdown). Because, really, isn’t it more practical to have a sentient robot carrying your crew into deep space as opposed to an empty rocket? Galaxy Shuttle may not have the best of names, but he certainly looks good on Countdown’s platform.
(Apologies and thanks to tfarchives.com for the pic.)
Transformer of the Day for July 15, 2009
OVERLORD
-Faction: Decepticon (Powermaster / Godmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Self Contained Nomadic Assault Machine
-Motto: “I Stand My Ground… I Accept any Challenge… I am Hungry for Conflict”
-Notable Toy: European Powermaster (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: The only problem with the release of Powermaster Optimus Prime in North America is the absence of a great nemesis. Toywise, Megatron had been shelved right up until Action Masters, and Darkwing and Dreadwind just weren’t the same. Now just consider the possibility if the double powermaster Overlord, with forms of a jet and tank, had been allowed to balance the hero. That’s exactly what I think…
(Apologies and thanks to botchthecrab.com for the image.)
