Transformer of the Day for September 6, 2009
MONSTRUCTOR
-Faction: Decepticon (Monster Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Super Warrior
-Motto: “My Touch is Death”
-Notable Toy: Basics (Hasbro, 1989)
Notes: Originally called Titanus, Monstructor was the last of the G1 gestalts, ironic given that he has been reimagined as the first gestalt in the IDWverse. Interestingly, and unlike his Japanese counterpart, Dinoking, he is the only gestalt to be marketed without a collected giftset, making the special toy pic for his entry simply a combination of the available six limbs.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pics.)
Transformer of the Day for September 4, 2009
BATTLETRAP
-Faction: Decepticon (Duocon)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Assault Team
-Motto: “We’re Only Halves of a Whole, but Double the Trouble
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1987)
Notes: Although Hasbro only produced two duocons, you can see the principle idea of two vehicles forming a larger robot in the form of the Slamdance and Squawkbox tape sets. Although not articulate, it was nevertheless rewarding to see an almost automatic transformation in the way the duocons became one. I imagine a lot of inexperienced collectors scratch their heads when they find one half of Battletrap at a yard sale.
(Apologies and thanks to bbts.com and shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for September 3, 2009
GO SHOOTER
-Faction: Autobot (Headmaster)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Rescue Commander
-Motto: “Only A Careless Warrior Leaves the Wounded Behind”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Takara, 1988)
Notes: Go Shooter was the Japanese equivalent of Siren. Unlike other toy variations between the Japanese and North American markets, there is limited differences between these two toys. Some slight decal recolouration and a lighter shade of plastic colouring comprise the difference. And though his white plastic is likely susceptible to discolouration with age, he’s a pretty neat toy and would look good standing behind his English language cousin.
(Apologies and thanks to toyarchive.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for September 1, 2009
GRIMLOCK
-Faction: Autobot (Dinobot)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Dinobot Commander
-Motto: “Among the Winners, There is No Room for the Weak”
-Notable Toy: Pretender (Hasbro, 1988)
Notes: Grimlock is nothing if not inconsistently written. In the Marvel Comics, any good that came from his shrewd observations of the Decepticons is lost because of the baboonish way he’s portrayed as Autobot leader. His attempts at intellectual growth in the cartoon are undermined for cheap laughs during and after the movie. Similarly, while the Masterpiece version of the toy is clearly a winner, I can’t help but be nostalgic for the Pretender version of 1988.
(Apologies and thanks to shmax.com for the toy pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 31, 2009
QUICKSWITCH
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Assault Warrior
-Motto: “A Confused Enemy is a Defeated Enemy”
-Notable Toy: Six-Changer (Hasbro, 1988)
Notes: One of the trickiest things about this exercise is finding the right picture. While it is relatively easy to find pictures for those characters introduced in movie or cartoon format, it’s something else to have any kind of choice for off-screen characters. Even including the Japanese cartoons, this includes North American toys like Quickswitch. However, tfwiki.net has an incredible picture of the character from one of the Lady Bird books that just fits perfect!
Transformer of the Day for August 27, 2009
SANDSTORM
-Faction: Autobot (Triple Changer)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Reconnaissance
-Motto: “When the Smoke Clears, I Clear Out”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1986)
Notes: Like his Triple Changing buddies, Sandstorm showed up in the old Generation One cartoons more than his toy probably warranted, but nonetheless left a relatively rich legacy for toy produced for a single year. Given the reintroduction of triple changes in Universe 2.0, here’s hoping that Hasbro and Takara-Tomy give some thought to bringing Sandstorm back to toy shelves. Octane could really use a friend.
Transformer of the Day for August 26, 2009
CARNIVAC
-Faction: Decepticon (Pretender Beast)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Hunter / Tracker
-Motto: “A cunning smile is more devastating than the fiercest weapon”
-Notable Toy: Deluxe (Hasbro, 1988)
Notes: Never underestimate Hasbro’s willingness to exploit a new concept. Combiners? Hello aerial/ protecto/ techno bots and your decepticon counterparts. Add a robot partner? Here comes target/ head/ powermasters. Pretenders were no different, and thus pretender beasts joined their humanoid pretender counterparts. The shells, like those of Carnivac, were blocks, and would have been really nice with some leg articulation. But still, somehow a rabid wolf seemed a little more appropriate for Earthen combat than scaly monsters.
Transformer of the Day for August 24, 2009
SCOWL
-Faction: Decepticon (Monster Pretender)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Sonic Saboteur
-Motto: “Control Sound, and the Faintest Whisper can be the Fiercest Weapon”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Hasbro, 1990)
Notes: Scowl is the Soundwave to Icepick’s Megatron. And yet I’ll always remember him from the Transformer sale at the Stedman’s in Weymouth that was a sign of its implosion in the face of the retail blitzkreig undertaken by the Weymouth Variety Store. It might not be Wal-Mart versus K-Mart or Target, but in a wee Atlantic Canadian town, it was just as epic. And blue monsters are cool!
Transformer of the Day for August 23, 2009
HOUND
-Faction: Autobot
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Scout
-Motto: “Observe Everything, Remember Even More”
-Notable Toy: Henkei (Takara, 2009)
Notes: Although the original Hound toy was probably among the closest first year toy in resemblance to his on-screen appearance in the original cartoon, you got to give it up to Takara-Tomy / Hasbro for bringing an even better version to toy shelves. And with Ravage to boot! How about that for a nod to the original “More than Meets the Eye” episodes!
(Apologies and thanks to tf-1.com for the character pic.)
Transformer of the Day for August 22, 2009
YOKURYU
-Faction: Decepticon (Dinoforce)
-Era: Generation One (1984-1992)
-Function: Lightspeed Soldier
-Motto: “On High I Shall Savour Your Demise”
-Notable Toy: Basic (Takara, 1989)
Notes: A member of Dinoforce, Yokuryu is part of the terror known as Dinoking. And while it may just be vain wishes on my part, I really hope that Takara-Tomy reissue Yokuryu and his friends and soon! I love the shells and I love Dinoforce!
