Transformer of the Day for May 18, 2009
DEATHSAURUS
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: General
-Motto: “Glory of Death for my Enemies, Glory of VIctory for Me”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2005)
Notes: With the annual celebration of all things Transformers, Botcon 2009, just around the corner, it seemed like a good time to do something different. This week will feature the best of the exclusives since FunPublications took over the license as the official fan club. The following week will introduce a week’s worth of Transformers craving the fan-exclusive treatment.
For now we start with Deathsaurus, a redeco of the Robots in Disguise Galvatron. Featuring a new head, this is literally the first Deathsaurus to be available in North America. And while there were some controversial figures in this quickly-produced set, Deathsaurus was an inspired choice.
Transformer of the Day for May 17, 2009
RAIDEN
-Faction: Autobot (Trainbots)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “We Will Not Falter, We Will Not Fall, We Will Not Fail”
-Notable Toy: Combiner (Takara, 1987)
Notes: Raiden is the combined form of the six Trainbots known as Kaen, Getsuei, Seizan, Sh?ki, Suiken, and Yukikaze. A late arrival from the Diaclone years, Raiden is a super warrior found on the Japanese cartoon, Headmasters, and another fine Transformer who did not make it across the ocean for a North American issue. Which is a real tragedy.
(Apologies and thanks to toyarchive.com for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for May 16, 2009
RAZORCLAW
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Universe (2003-04)
-Function: Emissary
-Motto: “Resistence Will Not be Tolerated; Surrender or Be Destroyed”
-Notable Toy: Ultra Class (Hasbro, 2003)
Notes: What goes on in the minds of Hasbro is sometimes a mystery. So it is with Universe Razorclaw, a vibrantly painted reimagination of the mighty Beast Warrior, Tigerhawk, using the name of the fierce leader of the Generation One Predacon’s, Razorclaw. Unlike a lot of Universe 1.0, Razorclaw is visually pleasing, but lacks in other areas. Like the retention of his maximal symbol which displays prominently on his chest.
Transformer of the Day for May 15, 2009
HUFFER
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Construction Engineer
-Motto: “Molecular Structure is the Key to Success”
-Notable Toy: Standard (Hasbro, 1985)
Notes: Huffer, one of the original Autobots to follow Optimus Prime across the universe, shares his leader’s form but not his size. Based on the old Microman mould, he does not even resemble himself in terms of his cartoon visage. Here is hoping someone gets ahold of the idea to create a real face for Huffer, one that can make him more show-accurate.
Transformer of the Day for May 14, 2009
FRENZY
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Movie (2007)
-Function: Spy
-Motto: “When You Are Least Prepared, I Will Strike”
-Notable Toy: Fast Action Battler (Hasbro, 2007)
Notes: That Frenzy came to occupy screen time in the Transformers feature film is more than a little surprising. Certainly he has his uses, given that he is portable by the standards of the rest of the deziand of the film. Of course size does hinder his ability to get an accurate toy, other than as an add-on for Barricade. This only really gets addressed in the Fast Action Battler line. Here, in full stereo glory, Frenzy can come home.
Transformer of the Day for May 13, 2009
TWIN TWIST
-Faction: Autobot (Jumpstarter)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Land and Sea Assault
-Motto: “The Thrill Is In the Journey”
-Notable Toy: Argentina Standard (as Salt-Man Z) (Hasbro, 1985)
Notes: Twin Twist was the first transformer that could transform on his own. One of two Jumpstarters, Twin Twist employed a very simple transformation activated by a pull-back engine. While easy to obtain on the secondary market, even 20+ years later, Twin Twist actually looks like a robot unlike some of the earlier Transformers. And then the strangeness of rethinking him as a pretender… I kind of wish that had happened!
Transformer of the Day for May 12, 2009
OBSIDIAN
-Faction: Vehicon
-Era: Beast Machines (1999-2000)
-Function: Aerial Combat
-Motto: “Walking is for Suckers
-Notable Toy: Beast Wars Returns (Takara, 2007)
Notes: If Strika is a dark version of Big Barda, then Obsidian is a dark Mister Miracle. And another example of how the Mainframe team took a lackluster profile and turned the toy into a star. Obsidian just drips content, and it was so satisfying to receive an accurate toy in 2007. Now if we could just get one with those fingers…
Transformer of the Day for May 11, 2009
BLACKARACHNIA
-Faction: Predacon / Maximal
-Era: Beast Wars / Beast Machines (1996-2000)
-Function: Double Agent
-Motto: “Practice Deception with Good Intention”
-Notable Toy: 10th Anniversary Edition (Takara, 2006)
Notes: I love the idea that a protoform can be turned. I also like that some basic programming remains even after this change, so there remains, pardon the pun, a spark of light. The unfortunate thing was that it took Transmetal 2 for her to get her own unique character. However, the 10th Anniversary repaint of Tarantulas for the Japanese market is still the best version of her out there.
Transformer of the Day for May 10, 2009
CRYOTEK
-Faction: Predacon
-Era: Robots in Disguise / Car Robots (2000-2001)
-Function: Gangster
-Motto: “Always Know What Your Allies and Enemies Chose to Ignore”
-Notable Toy: Target Exclusive (Hasbro, 2002)
Notes: Cryotek is a great example of an exclusive toy who has made his way into official lore. Thanks to a certain short film, “The Theft of the Golden Disk”, Cryotek is now firmly emplanted in Beast Wars continuity. In his RiD repaint of Transmetal II Megatron, he’s still a fearsome beast.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com, bbts.com and tfkenkon.com for the photographs.)
Transformer of the Day for May 9, 2009
BOSS
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Force Leader
-Motto: “Never Underestimate Your Enemy… He’s Always Worse than You Could Ever Imagine”
-Notable Toy: European Basic (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: How cool is Boss? Very cool. Let’s look at the facts. One, his name is BOSS! Two, he transforms into the flippin’ Batmobile (circa Tim Burton). And three, he’s part of the legendary Generation One-and-a-Half, making him an European and Canadian exclusive. Cool? Very cool.
