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Transformer of the Day for November 9, 2009

SPINISTER

-Faction: Decepticon (Targetmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Aerial Assault
-Motto: “Respect Your Foes Abilities As You Would Your Own“
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1988)

Notes: Early on in Generation One, Hasbro fell into a pattern with its Decepticon forces. Each year, it would release a series of three deluxe jets to round out the battle force. Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp arrived in 1984. Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust arrived in 1985. For the 1986 movie, there were only two fighters in Cyclonus and Scourge, and very space-based in terms of vehicle modes, but they were quickly followed in 1987 by Triggerhappy, Misfire and Slugslinger. But 1988 saw the break in this pattern. Oh there was still a trio of reinforcements, just this time only one was a jet (Needlenose), while Quake was forced to ground and Spinister took advantage of his helicopter mode. Still, it is nice to do things in threes.

Transformer of the Day for November 5, 2009

ONSLAUGHT

-Faction: Decepticon
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Combaticon Leader
-Motto: “The Mind is the Greatest Weapon“
-Notable Toy: Voyager (Takara, 2008)

Notes: I opted to use the Universe reissue for the featured toy, if for no other reason than the original deluxe 1986 mould has been redone to death. Onslaught in 1986, Great Cannon (for Japan) in 1992, Classics Onslaught (in Europe) in 1992, neon Onslaught in 1994 (for G2), Mega-Octane in 2001, Exclusive Mega-Octane in 2003 and Universe Mega-Octane in 2004. Plus, it’s really cool to see Monzo getting some love. That said, I love this rendering of Octane from the old Marvel comic. A fitting sub-commander pose indeed.

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 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 19, 2009

CAMSHAFT

-Faction: Autobot (Omnibot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Scout
-Motto: “The Fallen Shall Be Remembered as Cybertron’s Finest”
-Notable Toy: Alternator (Hasbro, 2006)

Notes: It’s hard to believe it now, but back in the day, it really did seem like Hasbro had created three brand new transformers just for us to clip and our robot points for, rather than recycling old diaclone orginals. In the case of Camshaft, he would later return to us as an Alternator. Ironically, while the car body seems right, it’s just weird to see him as another Prowl brother like Smokescreen and Bluestreak.