Transformer of the Day for October 1, 2009
LEO CONVOY
-Faction: Maximal
-Era: Beast Wars II
-Function: Supreme Commander
-Motto: “We Are Echoes of That Which Has Come Before”
-Notable Toy: RobotMasters (Takara, 2005)
Notes: Introduced in Beast Wars II, Leo Convoy was released in North America through Hasbro’s first online toy site. He would later see a Legends scale release as Leo Prime in 2006, and a voyager release in 2009 in lion colours, with a BWII-coloured version is planned for later in the year. But it is a scaled down vibrant vac-metal version from Takara’s Robot Masters line, complete with a DVD, that takes the cake.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com and bbts.com for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for September 30, 2009
THRUST
-Faction: Vehicon
-Era: Beast Machines (1999-2000)
-Function: Vehicon General
-Motto: “”There are No Rules on the Road - Only the Victors and Scrap Metal”
-Notable Toy: Beast Wars Returns (Takara, 2007)
Notes: While we know now that the first three Vehicon Generals were, in fact, fallen Beast Wars comrades, it’s still surprising how efficient the transformation into Thrust made poor old Waspinator. He might not have been able to carry the fight, but he stayed true to Megatron’s command and certainly gave it his all. You almost think Megatron would have been better resurrecting Scorponok and Terrorsaur for his generals instead of Maximals.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 29, 2009
FLASH
-Faction: Autobot (Turbomaster)
-Era: Generation One Plus (1991-1992)
-Function: Decoy
-Motto: “Don’t Blink - I Was That Blur on the Horizon”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1992)
Notes: Like his G.I.Joe, Flash is an example of the difficulties in modern copyrights. In the 1980s and early 1990s, depending on the market in question, it seems you could get away with a lot. Sadly these days copyright concerns mean that Flash, particularly one garbed in red and regardless of the current status of the speed force, will never be named as such again. Flashpoint is probably not available either. Maybe Flashzone is free…
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 28, 2009
SCORPONOK
-Faction: Predacon
-Era: Beast Wars (1996-1998)
-Function: Desert Attack Commander
-Motto: “All Hail Megatron”
-Notable Toy: Mega (Hasbro, 1996)
Notes: Where Dinobot lived for honour, Scorponok died for loyalty. Like Soundwave to the original Megatron, Scorponok did not question his leader’s orders or schemes, and was seemingly happy in his status as loyal lieutenant. It made him the only one out of the original Nemesis crew that would remain so true, which made it all the more ironic that he would meet his end without so much of a final salute.
Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 27, 2009
CROSSWISE
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Armada-Energon-Cybertron (2002-2006)
-Function: Bounty Hunter
-Motto: “Peace Enforcement is the Name of the Game”
-Notable Toy: Cybertron Two-Pack (Hasbro, 2005)
Notes: Crosswise is an interesting fellow, primarily because his mould was repurposed for so many homages. Shattered Glass Jazz and Ricochet, Smokescreen and Jolt, they all originate from Crosswise. Even his name isn’t original, having been repurposed from a Spychanger. But he’s a great mould, nevertheless, and there have been far worse figures that could have fallen victim to the repaint.
Transformer of the Day for September 26, 2009
MOTOTRON
-Faction: Go-Bots
-Era: Playskool Gobots (2002-2005)
-Function: Bad Craziness
-Motto: “Move Aside or Be Moved”
-Notable Toy: European Go-Bot (Playskool, 2005)
Notes: Mototron is the closest thing that the Go-Bots have to a nemesis, which is highly amusing since his “villainy” seems to consist of mischief at the expense of the good Gobots. Stranger still, and unlike the other baddie of the line, Preditron, his original release bears the kiddie Autobot symbol on his release. But it’s the deluxe, rare version, released as a tailender in Europe, that is in the spotlight here. Must redouble my efforts to find and grab this one.
(Apologies and thanks to gobotsarepurelove.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 25, 2009
DELUGE
-Faction: Autobot (Aquaspeeder)
-Era: Generation Two (1993-1995)
-Function: Rear Guard
-Motto: “If We Don’t Finish the Job and Flatten Them - We Might as Well Not Be In The fight at All”
-Notable Toy: European Exclusive (Hasbro, 199?)
Notes: Deluge is simply the European release of Drench, done better. Why the powers-that-be at Hasbro Europe switched names is not known, but it does make for an interesting landscape for G2 Transformers. In a way, ShatteredVerse Sideswipe has two dads in Drench and Deluge. Strangely appropriate for some of us.
Transformer of the Day for September 24, 2009
DELUGE
-Faction: Decepticon (Colour Changer)
-Era: Generation Two (1993-1995)
-Function: Scientific Advisor
-Motto: “Let Me Study the Battle Plans… I’ll Think up Something Really Unpleasant - and Then Make It Even Nastier”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1993)
Notes: Deluge was one of four North American released colour changers. Like the Autobot Drench, his name was reused by his opposite faction, becoming the Auqaspeeder, Deluge, although there are no other simularities between the two characters. Another case of me versus my wicked self.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 23, 2009
SIDESWIPE
-Faction: Autobot Decepticon
-Era: Shattered Verse (2008-Present)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “There is Only One Rule Now - Revenge”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: No surprise really as to outcome of the repaint Drench wars. This Botcon exclusive Sideswipe was a means of releasing the fan-demanded Drench-coloured Armada Wheeljack, originally scheduled to be released as part of a 2004 Battle-in-a-Box offering. Although the opportunity to add his counterpart, Smokescreen to the mix was overlooked, Sideswipe is still a nicely-done addition to the Shattered Verse collection. Particularly using a figure that employs a sculpted crossed-out logo so prominently on its chest.
Transformer of the Day for September 22, 2009
DRENCH
-Faction: Decepticon (Stormtrooper)
-Era: Generation Two (1993-1995)
-Function: Coordinator
-Motto: “A Well Run Campaign is My Greatest Pleasure”
-Notable Toy: European Exclusive (Hasbro, 1993)
Notes: But like a fraternal twin, the Decepticon known as Drench bears no resemblance to his Autobot namesake. He was a way of doubling the number of colour changers available in Europe, facilitating the release of four Stormtrooper and four Aquaformers. Generation Two was a strange time. And yet, clearly, it is time to let the battle of the Drenches begin! Which one will inspire a repaint?…
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pics.)
