Transformer of the Day for January 29, 2009
DAI ATLAS
-Faction: Autobot (Powered Master)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Supreme Commander
-Motto: “We Are Powered by Compassion and Fueled by Courage”
-Notable Toy: Wonder Festival Exclusive (Sunrise Mega Action Series, 2007)
Notes: In 1991, Transformers were all but gone from shelves and airwaves in the United States, but Japan was still turning out micromasters and platforms. And Dai Atlas could merge with other platforms. But as cool and rare as he is in all his motorized glory, I love the Wonder Festival non-transformer figure. Because how cool is it to have a toy with a giant Z!
(Apologies and thanks to plasticcrack.net for the toy images.)
Transformer of the Day for January 25, 2009
STEPPER
-Faction: Autobot (Targetmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Sniper
-Motto: “It Isn’t Concentration that Improves Your Aim, it’s Guts”
-Notable Toy: Reissue (Takara, 2003)
Notes: Stepper is one of two Japanese-only Targetmaster. A repaint of Jazz, he shares a targetmaster partner with the 1988 North American release of the Decepticon Scourge. Although reissued in North America as part of Hasbro’s commemorative line in 2003, it’s Takara’s reissue that proves to be a more faithful rendering to the original.
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Transformer of the Day for January 24, 2009
DRAG STRIP
-Faction: Decepticon (Stunticon)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Warrior
-Motto: “The First One to Cross the Finish Line Lives”
-Notable Toy: HasbroToyShop Universe edition (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: The Decepticon’s second merge squad, the Stunticons were their answer to the Autobot’s supremacy on the roads. Their combined form of Menasaur was a counterweight to the Aerialbot’s Superion. Drag Strip is also the first Stunticon to be redecoed as part of the Universe line, albeit in a form available only through hasbrotoyshop.com, a site that (unlike its predecessor a decade ago) hasn’t bothered to consider shipping to Canada.
Transformer of the Day for January 22, 2009
STORMCLOUD
-Faction: Decepticon (Micromaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Espionage
-Motto: “The Air is My Playground”
-Notable Toy: Universe Ultra Class (Hasbro, 2008)
Notes: Like Countdown, Stormcloud was part of Hasbro/Takara’s efforts to try their hand at the burgeoning microtoy market of the late 1980s. Unlike Countdown, he came packed with three other members of the Decepticon Air Strike Patrol and had such lowered goals of taking leadership of the small group. As a repaint of Universe Powerglide, he finally has the size to back up his (meagre) ambitions.
Transformer of the Day for January 16, 2009
WEIRDWOLF
-Faction: Decepticon (Headmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Tracker
-Motto: “My Pleasure with My Enemy’s Pain Comes”
-Notable Toy: Botcon Exclusive (Hasbro, 2007)
Notes: Following the Movie, fans were introduced to the concepts of Headmasters. In Japan, the smaller robot was the essence of the character, provided higher logic functions (and the head) of the robotic form. In North America, it was a partnership between a binary-bound Nebulon and a Transformer. Less a partner for his Botcon reissue, Weirdwolf nonetheless retains his colourful (and crazy!) side.
(Apologies and thanks to www.plasticcrack.net and www.botcon.com for the toy images.)
Transformer of the Day for January 15, 2009
OMEGA SUPREME
-Faction: Autobot / Guardian
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Defense Base
-Motto: “Unyielding Resolve Has No Conqueror”
-Notable Toy: Action Master (Hasbro, 1991)
Notes: Despite his stilted language, Omega Supreme is as gentle as he is fearsome. Despite his inclusion in the second wave of G1 figures, his origins do not stem from Takara, a situation that has been corrected with a recent Japanese reissue of the figure featuring a more “animation-style” faceplate. Only Europe would see him in his mispelled yet transforming Action Master form, Omega Spreem.
Transformer of the Day for January 10, 2009
RAVAGE
-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1990), Beast Wars (1996-98)
-Function: Saboteur / Tripedicus Agent
-Motto: “Today’s Autobots are Tomorrow’s Scrap Metal”
-Notable Toy: Beast Wars Metal X-9 (Takara, 1999)
Notes: He was always the coolest of cats. Whether leading his brethren cassette warriors into battle or spying on Autobots, Ravage never failed. No wonder he outlasted his G1 counterparts and found a new place in the Predacons. Even in a Transmetal, he’s still a cassette and still one cool cat.
(Apologies and thanks to beastwars.us for the toy image.)
Transformer of the Day for January 9, 2009
COUNTDOWN
-Faction: Autobot (Micromaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1990)
-Function: Aerospace Commander
-Motto: “For a World Without Evil, You Need A Universe Without Evil”
-Notable Toy: Universe (Hasbro, 2009)
Notes: Countdown was the most expensive Micromaster, owing to size of the rocket base with which he came packed. It is our loss that the Japanese Galaxy Shuttle never made a North American appearance to complete the set. You can almost imagine a recoloured Sears-exclusive two-pack. Hasbro really seems to have hit the right note with the upcoming tribute.
(Apologies and thanks to hk-tf.com for Universe Countdown details.)
Transformer of the Day for January 7, 2009
MINERVA
-Faction: Autobot Headmaster Junior
-Era: Generation One (Super-God Masterforce) (1984-1992)
-Function: First Aid
-Motto: “Masterforce! Head On!”
-Notable Toy: Takara Release (Takara, 1988)
Notes: Though not the first animated, Minerva is the first female Transformer to get her own toy. Only available in Japan, Minerva would be repainted in North America as Nightbeat. Sadly, It would not be until Beast Wars that another girlbot would find wide release. Takara-Tomy! Time for a re-issue!
Transformer of the Day for January 2, 2009
MEGATRON
-Faction: Decepticon (Destron)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Leader
-Motto: “Peace Through Tyranny”
-Notable Toy: Masterpiece Edition (Takara, 2007)
Notes: Day Two has to be G1 Megatron. You have to admire a leader who is so supremely confident he forgoes a showy alternate form in favour of a handheld pistol. Even if the feet do tend to rust, it’s so awesome that Takara got him right.
(Apologies and thanks to collectiondx.com for the boxed Masterpiece Megatron pic.)
