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Transformer of the Day for October 31, 2009

BUMBLEBEE

-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Espionage
-Motto: “The Least Likely Can Be the Most Dangerous”
-Notable Toy: Statue (HardHero, 2004)

Notes: It seems like such an oversight that Bumblebee has only appeared after 10 months of the TF of the Day feature. Of course, we’ve already seen the likes of MovieBee and AnimatedBee and even Earth3Bee Goldbug, to say nothing of Munny Bee, so it was only really a matter of time. And although I was really fond of the Action Master and PretenderBee (who would make a great cosplay costume - inner robot duds with an external humanoid body suit), how can you not go with the classic animated statue. Of course, the box really should read first and only in the line of minibots…

Transformer of the Day for October 29, 2009

SILVERBOLT

-Faction: Autobot -Era: Beast Wars (1996-1998)
-Function: Tracker
-Motto: “Even in the Face of the Darkest Nights, Justice will Ultimately Prevail”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Takara, 1998)

Notes: I always like the concept of blended animals that came out of the Fuzor line and was happy that at least two of them appeared on the show. And what a loveable character Silverbolt was, making his evolution in Beast Machines (first as Jetstorm and then his brooding return to the Maximal fold) that much striking. I really wanted to showcase the Beast Machines toy, but even with the colour corrected Takara release, the sizing issues alone (a basic toy when Nightscream and Jetstorm both warrant ultras?) prevent me. So “classic” Silverbolt it is.

Transformer of the Day for October 28, 2009

SIXSHOT

-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Solo Transformer Assault Group
-Motto: “Life is Worth Living Only as Long as There Are Enemies Worth Destroying”
-Notable Toy: Reissue (Takara, 2002)

Notes: Given that ToysRUs has begun to issue reissued transformers again, in the form of Perceptor and the Insecticons, wouldn’t it be nice if Hasbro used the opportunity to once again bring the six changing Sixshot back to North American shores for an encore run? Yes, the price point would be large but if there is a classic less-articulated transformer that kids might really go for, it’s Sixshot.

Transformer of the Day for October 27, 2009

FLAK

-Faction: Autobot (Micromaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Rapid Deployment Strike Force
-Motto: “Good Luck is the Residue of Good Planning”
-Notable Toy: Voyager (Hasbro, 2009)

Notes: It’s nice to see Hasbro using Universe 2.0/Classics 2.0 as a means of re-introducing Micromasters like Countdown and Stormcloud. While Flak does not get a formal entry into Classics 2.0, it’s hard not to imagine either Dropshop (with a misplaced Decepticon logo) or Overload as his modern day equivalent. A little ironic though given the existence of the arctic-coloured Flak reissue of the same mould.

Transformer of the Day for October 25, 2009

DOUBLEHEADER

-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Surveillance
-Motto: “Burn, Baby, Burn“
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1989)

Notes: When Hasbro shrunk its “deluxe” pretenders in 1989, it also sought to make the Autobot pretenders more alien. Although Pincher could have been done in scale with his 1988 or Classic Pretender brethren, Longtooth could be a sympathetic addition to the Decepticon forces. Doubleheader on the other hand is a merger of the two - still humanoid but, inexplicably, here is a single-headed robot (presumably with a single mind) with two heads. What a backstory he must / should have.

(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy image.)

Transformer of the Day for October 23, 2009

QUICKSTRIKE

-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cyberton (2002-2006)
-Function: Search and Rescue
-Motto: “A Solid Plan of Attack is More Powerful than the Cannon or Sword“
-Notable Toy: Ultra (Hasbro, 2005)

Notes: Unlike his Predacon namesake, Quickstrike is no cowboy. But I’ve always thought that his face bore a particular resemblance to a young Alpha Trion. In Prime colours no less. In fact, there were originally plans to use this mold to recreate Alpha Trion prior to the Botcon exclusive in 2007, the face was just right enough. Fortunately I was spared that exercise, and Quickstrike can live out his time as his own bot.