Transformer of the Day for March 30, 2009
OCTANE
-Faction: Decepticon (Triple Changer)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1993)
-Function: Fueler
-Motto: “He Who Has Fuel Has Power”
-Notable Toy: European Classics (Hasbro, 1990)
Notes: Unlike his Triple Changer partners, Octane was produced officially offered only in 1986, although he was reissued in Europe as part of their Classics line. In the cartoon, he seems to replace Blitzwing as the great Decepticon traitor (strangly leaving Astrotrain as the loyal one). In the comic, he was more adversarial and drawn with a completely different head. I’m almost surprised the Universe 2.0 version didn’t include the second head as an extra feature.
(Apologies and thanks to toyarchives.com for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for March 16, 2009
STAMPY
-Faction: Maximal
-Era: Beast Wars Neo (1998-99)
-Function: Reconnaissance
-Motto: “A Strategic Retreat is Better than a Tactical Defeat
-Notable Toy: Twin Pack (Takara 1999)
Notes: Stampy is the first rabbit transformer in the TF multiverse and, even then, was only available in the Japanese market as part of Beast Wars Neo. He transforms into a targetmaster mode that is quite odd looking. And his rabbit mode has sharp teeth for a vegetarian. But you can’t go wrong with bunnies!
Transformer of the Day for March 27, 2009
CYCLONUS
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Saboteur
-Motto: “Compassion is the Autobots’ Downfall”
-Notable Toy: Standard (Takara, 1989)
Notes: It’s hard to say which fallen Decepticon became Cyclonus. But one things for sure, he was a pretty cool cookie in the cartoon even if he was second fiddle to Scourge in the U.K. comic. His Henkei reissue even came with Nightstick (which begs the question of whether Takara will appropriate the targetmaster and Inferno to make an anniversary Artfire), which is really icing on the cake.
Transformer of the Day for March 26, 2009
ARTFIRE
-Faction: Autobot (Targetmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Sniper
-Motto: “Hold on to Something and Target On!“
-Notable Toy: Standard (Takara, 1987)
Notes: I’m guessing that the logistics of re-releasing Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Scourge and Cyclonus with targetmasters didn’t fit with Takara’s view of the Japanese marketplace. Instead, Japan saw just two replacement Autobots, Artfire and Stepper. Artfire was paired with Cyclonus‘ Nightstick for this offering. And while Stepper later saw life in North America as Ricochet, Artfire has yet to surface. Fan everywhere wait patiently.
Transformer of the Day for March 24, 2009
VICTORY SABER
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Ultimate Supreme Commander
-Motto: “Onward to VIctoy“
-Notable Toy: eHobby Exclusive (Takara, 2005)
Notes: Why Hasbro never opted to take advantage of Star Saber and Victory Leo as part of the North American Transformers line is beyond me, because they are such wonderful additions to the Japanese line. Although no word on a reissue yet, Takara did put out an affordable transforming mini-sized version of the character in 2004 for RobotMasters. This is the eHobby Decepticon version in cool blacks and purple. Now let’s get on the re-issue!
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for March 23, 2009
WINGSPAN & POUNCE
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1993-1995)
-Function (Pounce): Infiltrator
-Function (Wingspan): Data Processor
-Motto (Pounce): “Terror is the Stage on Which I Perform”
-Motto (Wingspan): “Knowledge is the Most Deadly Weapon of All”
-Notable Toy: Standard (Takara, 1989)
Notes: For the second day in a row, I’m cheating with multiple figures. But when you are talking twins, it’s hard to separate one from the other. Wingspan (the eagle) and Pounce (the panther) are a neat innovation sadly never repeated, save for their Autobot counterparts. Given today’s technology, an updated set would be cool indeed.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy images.)
Transformer of the Day for March 22, 2009
POWERDASHERS
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Multi-Function Specialist
-Motto: “If It’ll Help, Count Us In”
-Notable Toy: Diaclone (Takara, 1983)
Notes: The popularity of the Transformers meant that dozens of companies raced to bring changing robots to the shelves to cash in on the demand. One such robot was the jet Powerdasher, one of three pull-back transforming figures originally released by Takara as part of its Diaclone line. Although the art work has evolved, they still lack individual personalities and even names! And the only way to get the “official” versions in North America was through a mail-in offer.
(Apologies and thanks to diaclone.net and botchthecrab.com for the toy and character images.)
Transformer of the Day for March 21, 2009
GRAND SCOURGE
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cybertron (2002-2006)
-Function: Dark Clone
-Motto: “I’m the Dark Reflection of Your Destruction”
-Notable Toy: Model Kit (Takara, 2004)
Notes: In 2004, Takara released a model kit based on Grand Convoy (Energon Optimus Prime). Unlike the toy version which is one of the rare figures this decade that Hasbo never repainted (yet!), this model kit was recoloured twice more. One version was Grand Scourge, a dark clone of the original Prime. Someday I hope to see his toy version on shelves - the teal and olive look sharp.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the images.)
Transformer of the Day for March 20, 2009
RATCHET
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Movie (2007, 2009, 2011)
-Function: Medical Officer / Emissary
-Motto: “You Can’t Save them All“
-Notable Toy: Best Buy Exclusive (Hasbro, 2007)
Notes: Unlike Movie Bumblebee, you can see the shared personality traits between movie and TF:A Ratchet. They’re both gruff and a bit war wary. And while Ratchet doesn’t share a conventional colour scheme with his counterparts across the TF multiverse, the neon is very appealing to me, particularly on the Best Buy edition. Now if we could just get someone to make us a proper spinning arm blade for the toy version…
Transformer of the Day for March 19, 2009
LUGNUT
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Transformers: Animated (2008-Present)
-Function: Thug
-Motto: “All Hail Mighty Megatron”
-Notable Toy: Voyager (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: You have to wonder about Megatron’s preference for warriors. Does he prefer independent thinkers, like Starscream, who end up trying to stab him in the back in a forced powerplay, or does he prefer those like Lugnut, fiercely loyal, tremendously strong and dumb as a post? In a series that has given nods to practically every Transformers era, Lugnut is one of the new recruits. Dumb or not, we’re happy to have him.
