Transformer of the Day for May 28, 2009
DOWNSHIFT
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Shattered Verse (2008 - Present)
-Function: Scout
-Motto: “Never Lose the Element of Surprise”
-Proposed Toy: Cybertron Crosswise (Hasbro, 2005)
Notes: Chalk it up to a surprise red shirt in the Transformers’ Collectors Club comic book, but Downshift has won me over. I love the blue and silver patterning of the character based on the classic Reflector component, Spyglass, even if he lasts mere seconds before becoming so much slag. And though the Transformers Collectors’ Club has made use of the Crosswise mold before, notably for Shattered Verse Jazz and Richochet, he could be easily recommissioned for Downshift.
Transformer of the Day for May 27, 2009
DEVCON
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Bounty Hunter
-Motto: “You Can Run But You Will Not Hide”
-Proposed Toy: Energon Slugslinger (Hasbro, 2004)
Notes: From the missed opportunities file, Devcon is, after Alpha Trion, probably the best example of a classic Autobot who screams to be brought to life as an exclusive toy. And really, while there are a number of figures that could probably adequately serve as a base figure, can you really go wrong with the original proposal put forward in 2004 to make use of Energon Slugslinger?
Transformer of the Day for May 26, 2009
JHIAXUS
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation Two (1993-1995)
-Function: Leader
-Motto: “The Past is a Roadblock to the Future”
-Proposed Toy: Crossformer Ironman (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: The villain behind the curtain in the short-lived Marvel Generation Two comic book, Jihaxus was raised as a possible exclusive in the form of Gobot Aerobot. Although he actually appears on the shelves as a recoloured deluxe Jetstorm, he still needs something. Given his recent reappearance in the IDWverse under the command of Nova Prime, it’s time that Jihaxus got some respect. And wouldn’t a refitted Marvel Crossover Ironman made a good mould? Yes…
Transformer of the Day for May 27, 2009
KRANIX
-Faction: Non-Aligned
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Scientist
-Motto: “The Way Forward is to the Stars”
-Proposed Toy: Spy Streak (Hasbro, 2001)
Notes: Following the best of the FunPublication Exclusives, it seems right to take the lead-up into Botcon 2009 to pine for more toys. Included here are some possible suggestions and, more importantly, recent molds that could work with a little love and a lot of luck.
If for no other reason than to give Crazy Steve over at Roboplastic Apocalypse a toy stand-in for Evil King Microcranios, it’s time to bring poor Kranix back to life. The sole survivor of Unicron at the beginning of the animated Transformers, Kranix lasts just long enough to reveal the Quintessons to Kup and Hot Rod. It’s time to bring him back to our shelves and, if you squint (which frankly is really how we get the repaints we do nine-tenths of the time) you can see something of Kranix in Beast Machines’ Spy Streak.
Transformer of the Day for May 24, 2009
PIRANACON
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Naval Assault
-Motto: ““Once More…the Hunt is On!”
-Notable Toy: Transformers Collectors’ Club (Hasbro, 2009)
Notes: The vibrant reissue of Piranacon was originally set to be a store exclusive during the days of Universe, but was ultimately shelved. You wouldn’t think that the blinding repaint would have received the level of support it did, and yet fans continued to pine for this rendition for many years. FunPublications certainly showed they were listening with the ultimate release of this set, in a G1-style box to boot. It really is amazing how quickly he sold out.
Transformer of the Day for May 23, 2009
AIRAZOR
-Faction: Maximal
-Era: Beast Wars (1996-1998)
-Function: Squadron Leader
-Motto: “The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same”
-Notable Toy: Transformers Club Exclusive (Hasbro, 2007)
Notes: Referenced in the Botcon 2006 comic book detailing the pre-Beast Wars battles, Airazor finally appeared through the Transformers Collector Club in 2007. She’s a nice use of Energon Slugslinger with a nice head. The only “flaw” is that she stands head and shoulders over Cheetor and Tigatron. But when does scale matter to the Transformers collector?
Transformer of the Day for May 22, 2009
GOLDBUG
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Shattered Verse (2008 - Present)
-Function: Espionage
-Motto: ““The least likely is always the most dangerous”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: Originally the mature version of G1 Bumblebee, Goldbug has never looked better. For many fans, this black repaint of Cybertron Hot Shot with a revised head sculpt was the highlight of the Shattered Glass box set, cleverly mirroring the black repaint of Bumblebee’s movie counterpart. Clearly, it’s good to be evil.
Transformer of the Day for May 21, 2009
ALPHA TRION
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Cybertronian Sage
-Motto: “Knowledge is Power”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2007)
Notes: Fans have long waited for a proper Alpha Trion, even going so far as to adopt Cybertron Vector Prime to serve as a substitute. And just when we thought we’d never see anything closer than the Japanese PVC version, A3 himself appears at Botcon 2007. What a pleasant surprise, particularly the new face mold. And though it doesn’t make sense to really include a mini-con with a “Gee-Won” toy, who can resist an extra figure thrown into the works?
Transformer of the Day for May 20, 2009
THRUST
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “I’ll Wash My Actuators in Your Spilled Lubricant, Weakling”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2007)
Notes: While Thrust recently saw a wider Asian release along with Dirge, this is one time when the North American version came out ahead. Maybe it’s the odd colouring of the wings, or simply their size, but in any case the Botcon Games of Deception figure is far superior! Quite a surprise really, particularly since the wings almost make the seeker a brand new toy.
Transformer of the Day for May 19, 2009
FALLBACK
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Infantry
-Motto: “Do Not Let Your Path Be Dictated by the Rules”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2005)
Notes: Formerly Outback, Fallback is somewhat of a surprise addition to the exclusive count. However, I suspect that, like Deathsaurus, the selected Energon toy mold owes something to early negotiations with 3H Enterprises before it lost the official convention rights. In any event, I’ve always liked Outback so I’m happy to see him appear in another form.
